Black [1]

Chapter 26

I swear it's not that I'm lazy. I've got boxes of things on my side of the room, things I've retrieved from my old house, but I haven't put them away yet. For the most part I've dropped boxes of clothes and things off at charity shops, but there are a few things I've kept, plus my own things I needed to bring back. I'm growing, so instead of asking Mrs Weasley to buy new clothes I've got some of Maribel's old outfits. I'm not quite sure why I've got Ellis's favourite suit, too. I think it's just nostalgia, because every time I think of giving it away, a knot ties in my stomach.

I wrote Sirius a letter back, and knowing that he's alive seems to pull such a great weight off my shoulders. We've arranged something (with Hermes delivering instead of Errol) but it doesn't stop me from being in close contact with him, as well as my other friends. Kal, Madison, Aiden, Taylor and I have a sleepover planned at Maddie's house in a few weeks.

I shrug on a red checkered shirt over my white tank, checking there aren't any ladders in my black tights. I've got on a black skirt that ends mid-thigh, one of Maribel's old ones. Pulling on my black boots, I slap on a denim cap and hang sunglasses out of my pocket. According to Bill, it's going to be really sunny today.

As I close the door behind me, Fred and George appear, grinning like idiots. "Now, now, Cassandra. Don't be late home," Fred teases, although he seems a little upset that I'm wearing a cap. I can see his fingers practically itching to ruffle my hair.

"Yes, Mum," I roll my eyes, heading down the stairs. "No staying out past curfew, Mum. No going to strange places, Mum. No kissing any boys, Mum."

"You're kissing boys?!" I hear Mrs Weasley call from the kitchen side by the door, and I close my eyes for a moment as I freeze, the twins sniggering behind me and dash off before they can get into trouble for anything. She rushes over to me, putting her hands on her hips and watching me with a stern expression. "Which boys are you kissing? When did this happen? You're much too young for all of this at the moment – only fourteen!"

"At least it's only kissing, Molly, dear," Arthur calls from the table where he's munching on his fried egg. "We weren't very much older than her when we started – what's the word they use nowadays? – dating. At least they're not–"

"There's no kissing boys!" I hurriedly interject, really not wanting to hear him say the word. Or any of the words that describe that thing. "Or anything boys. Boys? Pfft, what's a boy?" She raises her eyebrows at me, not amused, and after realising my stupidity I add, "Seriously, though, there's none of that. ItwasjustajokeblameFredandGeorge," I hurriedly say without a pause, pointing in the direction the twins disappeared off to before going over to the fireplace, ducking before standing under it.

"It wasn't us!" the twins call back in unison, sounding greatly offended. I roll my eyes.

Mrs Weasley turns to me, warning me, "I don't want to hear of any tomfoolery, Cassia." Tomfoolery. What a fun word. "No kissing boys of any sort. Don't be silly, and stay safe."

"Will do," I salute at Mrs Weasley, and she can't help but chuckle quietly. I call out, "Have a good day at work, Mr Weasley!" He grunts back, mouth full, and gives me a thumbs up. I grab a handful of Floo powder, saying in a clear voice, "Mrs Figg's residence." Throwing the powder down, a yellow-green flag shoots up, and I walk out of the fireplace at a different house that smells strongly of cabbages.

Mrs Figg jumps from where she's knitting. "Oh!" Her gaze turns to the clock, then her eyes widen. "Sorry, dear, I forgot what time you'd be coming."

"That's alright, Mrs Figg," I smile as Tibbles comes over, meowing at the sight of me. I crouch down, petting him behind his abnormally large ears before adding, "Sorry I'm just passing through. Picking up Harry. I think maybe some time away from the Dursleys would do him good, don't you?"