The Cassiopeia Project [George Weasley] ✓

NINE

Aunt Rose's letter surprised Cassie the day before holidays. It came with a black owl and awaited an answer urgently.

Dear Cassiopeia,

Cassie scoffed at the sight of her full name. Her aunt had always called that, and she really disliked it.

I was hoping you could come and spend Christmas break with us. It's been a while since we last saw each other. Evan and I miss you, and we hope you say yes. Please answer quickly.

Love,

Rose L. Moore.

She frowned at the mention of Evan, her aunt's boyfriend. He was a decent enough man, but there was something about him that spooked the girl. Also, he always treated her like a child, which was unnerving.

Deep in thought about the sudden missive, Cassie didn't notice the two redheads sitting beside her until one of them poked her with a fork, making the girl yelp in surprise.

"Hey!"

"Sorry Cass-"

"Had to get you out of dreamland."

The girl scowled at their identical smirks, folding the letter. The twins' eyes followed the piece of parchment as it disappeared into her robes, but before they could say anything, they were interrupted.

"Fred, George!" The booming voice of Oliver Wood addressed them, almost making Cassie jump from her seat. "Quidditch practice in five minutes!"

The twins groaned, George glancing longingly at the eggs he had just poured in his plate.

"But it's Sunday!" Fred complained, but Wood wouldn't budge.

Cassie watched her friends leave the Great Hall reluctantly and sighed, unfolding the letter. She didn't like the thought of being alone at Hogwarts for the holidays, especially with Black so close, but she didn't like either the prospect of being with aunt Rose and Evan. Although she could try and seek some answers concerning her father...

Eventually, Cassie made up her mind. She would spend the holidays with her aunt.

***

The Gryffindor girl stood in front of a small country house. Around her, only grass. The muggle taxi she had taken was speeding off in the distance, soon disappearing among the trees that lined the path, probably in the direction of the small village at the other side of the forest. It was a nice place, she decided. Secluded, away from other people and peaceful. Ideal for wizards.

"Cassiopeia, dear!" Her aunt greeted her, opening the door after several knocks. "How was your trip?"

"Fine, thank you."

Cassie entered the house, taking everything in. It had been years since the last time she had set foot in there, and the place had changed quite a lot. There was a weird assortment of furniture, some muggle appliances mixed with obvious wizarding things. But it looked adequate enough, like everything was where it should be.

The thirty-year-old woman led her towards one of the rooms in the second floor. It was plain and simple, with a bed, a wardrobe and a desk. She also showed her the bathroom and the rest of the rooms; there was a lot of room for only two people.

"Cup of tea?" Aunt Rose asked once they arrived at the kitchen. Cassie nodded.

"Where's Evan?" She asked, trying not to sound too wary. Rose arched one eyebrow.

"Thought you didn't like him. He's still at work."

The girl blushed in embarrassment and looked at her surroundings. There were family pictures hung on the walls, mostly of her grandparents and her mother. She didn't dare look at them for too long. It still hurt a lot to even think about her.

The rest of the evening went by slowly, Cassie and her aunt sipping tea in silence until Evan came. The man, who was in his middle thirties, was rather handsome, with his jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. He came from some pureblood family, but never made any comment that let it show, and was nice enough to Rose. Cassie shouldn't have had any motive to dislike him, but she did. There was just something that didn't seem right.

As the night fell, Cassie retreated to her new room, trying to avoid all the questions about her school year and her friends. She wasn't much of a talkative person usually, but with family she was even quieter. Only with her mother had she been her true self.

And boy, did she miss her.

The next morning greeted them with brisk winter wind. It had been snowing during the night, and the grass fields were covered in untouched snow. Cassie was still sleeping, snuggled in the comfortable mattress that shielded her from the cold. In the bedside table laid a wrinkled piece of parchment, with scribbles all over it. She had tried to write a letter, with little success.

The sound of banging pots and pans woke Cassie up. Her aunt was in the kitchen making breakfast, offering her eggs and bacon when she went downstairs, her red hair a mess and grey eyes sleepy.

"Slept well?" The woman asked, putting the dish in front of her. She nodded but didn't say a thing.

Cassie spent the morning doing the homework she had been assigned for the break. She also tried studying a little, since it was OWLS year and didn't want to risk anything. Her career plans were unclear, so the Gryffindor girl was trying to get as many OWLS as possible and then decide on something. Angelina and Alicia didn't know either what to do, and the interview they would had with Professor McGonagall in a few months didn't exactly lift their spirits.

After having an awkward lunch with her aunt and Evan, both adults went to have a walk around the fields, and Cassie was finally left alone. She went to the living room and turned on the television, watching it with mild interest. The movie that appeared on the screen was so boring that the girl almost fell asleep, until something caught her eye.

It was a leather-covered book, apparently normal, and it wouldn't have sparked her interest if it wasn't because it was among some CDs, clearly being put there in a rush. Tentatively, Cassie approached the strange item, which gave off a magical vibe, and her breathing hitched when she saw the words that were engraved in the cover.

Diana Moore's photo album. Years 1971 to 1981.