Safer in the Forest (A Sirius Black Fanfic)

Chapter 1: Andromeda

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." –J.K. Rowling

***

            "Well, boys, it's official," Sirius says. "Cassie is coming here, and she will be mine."

            James takes the copy of the Daily Prophet from Sirius and reads the article. "Blimey, he's right. She'll be here tomorrow to be Sorted."

            "I wonder what house she'll be in," Peter inquires.

            "She was on trial for murder," Remus points out. "I think we know where she's headed."

            Sirius shakes his head. "In yesterday's article, it said that Cassie kept claiming it was self-defense."

            "And you believe her?"

            "She's sixteen, Remus. Our age! Could you see anyone in this castle murder someone on purpose?"

            Remus raises his eyebrows and looks down the length of the Slytherin table. "Perhaps, all of them?"

            James sighs. "Slytherins aren't all bad. They may be jerks, but I'd bet only a select few would actually murder someone because they wanted to."

            "Did she use magic to kill the man?" Peter asks. "Or was it a Muggle way?"

            Sirius recalls what he read yesterday. "She stupefied him, and I think it said he flew into the wall and was knocked into a coma. He died shortly after."

            James furrows his eyebrows. "Then even if she wasn't using self-defense, it was only a stupefying spell; she clearly wasn't intent on killing the man."

            Before anyone can reply, Professor McGonagall approaches the Gryffindor table. Everyone looks up at her.

            "Students, I trust you've heard about Hogwarts taking in Cassie Sanger. As Gryffindors, I want you to act like it and show her kindness."

            "But she's a killer!" someone yells.

            "And I certainly don't want anyone harassing her for her mistakes," McGonagall snaps. "If I hear any of you are giving her trouble, you will answer to me."

            As she walks away, Sirius mutters, "Don't worry, Minerva, I'll be nothing but kind to her."

            James winks at him.

***

            All eyes are on Cassie as she enters the Great Hall. She hates it. All she's doing is getting Sorted. Who cares? Maybe the people she'll be roomed with might be nervous, but she's not going to hurt them because that's not who she is. That's not what she's about, even if her parents are.

            Sitting on a stool clearly meant for people four years younger than her, Cassie waits as the Sorting Hat is placed on her head. She hears its voice in her ear.

            "Hmm, you parents are in Azkaban? But you're really not Slytherin material...definitely not Hufflepuff...Ravenclaw? I see potential. But I know where your priorities lie. GRYFFINDOR!"

            That was fast. One of the tables erupts in cheers, making Cassie jump slightly. The others clap politely, and Cassie heads towards the table decked out with kids in red and gold. She sits beside a red-haired girl who had beckoned her over.

            "I'm Lily Evans," she says.

            "Cassie Sanger."

            "Oh, we know," one of the boys sitting across from her says.