The Marauders Era

Can't we just wear robes or something?

Cassiopeia,

I'm writing to you to let you know that your father and I will be expecting your appearance this Christmas and that this year we will not be celebrating alone. The Lestrange's has been kind enough to invite us to stay with them during your holiday. We expect to find you along with Regulus when we come to pick him up.

-Mother

Cassie groaned as she read the letter and was rather tempted to rip it up into pieces. She had hoped that she'd be able to spend Christmas along with Sirius and the boys at the Potters, or maybe with Lily, though then she would have to endure the nasty glares given to her by Petunia and her boyfriend, Vernon. At least that would have been better than spending the evening or, from what she understood from her mother, the entire Christmas holiday with her insane cousin and her husband. Soon to be your brother and sister-in-law, remember? A small voice in her head said.

"What are you groaning about?" asked Sirius as he sat down in the chair opposite to her, placing his school bag on top of the long table. Without saying anything, Cassie gave her brother the letter she had received from their mother and watched him as his eyes flew over the parchment.

"Why am I not surprised? I can't think of a single person that can make you groan like that." He threw the paper at the table and leaned back into his chair. "You don't think this is some kind of a setup, do you?" She rolled her eyes at him as she, for one, thought the idea to be somehow ridiculous.

"Like what? Do you think they are secretly planning to marry me off during Christmas? Not a chance, you know how mother is, the more extravagant, the better. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if they took me dress shopping or something." she explained. Sirius's eyes widened significantly for a moment before a wide grin grew on his face, and for a moment, Cassie wondered if he might burst out laughing.

"What?" she questioned him.

Sirius sent her an amused stare as he bit his lip, wondering if he should give his sister the pleasure of the hilarious thought or just let her suffer in the unknown. However, what he had envisioned was almost too good to be kept secret.

"Can you imagine having Bellatrix with you when buying your wedding dress?"

Her eyes widened as her entire face was painted with shock, and she couldn't help but feel the slight panic arise in her stomach. "Oh dear Merlin no."

"Oh Merlin, yes." Exclaimed Sirius eagerly. "I can already imagine it." He got up from his chair, moved it slightly from the table, and sat down again. He sank slightly lower down than he had initially been sitting and crossed one foot over the other, propping his elbow up on the armrest and placed his hand under his chin. His voice went several octaves higher than usual, and for a moment, Cassie was almost positive it was Bellatrix herself that she heard. "Where's the champagne? I cant manage through this afternoon with less than at least four glasses. Is it really necessary to get a dress? Can't she just wear a cloak or something? It is not like anyone cares." he sneered as his eyes inspected every feature of her face before he looked away dramatically. Though with her brother's voice and his impersonation of their cousin that was so alike it was almost terrifying; she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Bloody... hell... Sirius... I can't..." she managed to get out between her fits of laughter. However, Sirius continued. " Are we done soon? I have people to torture, and these filthy mudbloods are making me ill." A cough was heard though Cassie paid no attention to it as she was struggling to keep herself on her chair.

"Well.. well, if it isn't little half-blood Lupin."

Remus looked at his friend as if he had utterly lost his mind, though he couldn't help the way the corner of his mouth tilted upwards as he saw the position the older boy was sitting in. "What are you doing?" he wondered as he stared at Sirius while strolling closer to the table and placed his bag on the floor.