Lonely

Cassandra found herself in excelling in all of her classes. Snape's teaching was surprisingly good now that he wasn't digging under her skin all the time. The advice of "The Half-Blood Prince", whom had previously owned the textbook, never failed her. Slughorn was raving about her talent, but it came at a cost. She felt almost completely alone. Ron and Hermione didn't know her identity, and knowing only jealous looks from Hermione crushed her. The loneliness wasn't helped by the Slytherins. Malfoy didn't seem to have friends, only followers. He even talked about how useless friends Crabbe and Goyle were, out of earshot of course.

She was thinking about that as she snuck to Dumbledore's office after dinner on Saturday. Could he be as lonely as I am? Does he consider me useful enough to be a friend? The only other person I'm close to is Luna. She thought about it some more and decided to talk to Luna tomorrow.

When she met the gargoyle outside the office she told it "Raspberry Jam." When it refused to move she tried "Acid pops", to which it lept out of the way. At the top of the stair case she found Dumbledore waiting.

"Ah, Ms. Black, I hope you have had an enjoyable first week at school?" Dumbledore said "Do sit down." He stated as he conjured an armchair.

"Thank you professor, I've been getting the best marks of my life. I do miss my friends greatly though." She admitted while looking forlorn.

"Professor Snape has told me about your most impressive performance." Dumbledore informed her. "I never told you the life of a spy would be easy."

"I know." She said, trying control her emotions.

"Before we get started with the lesson, there are a few matters I hoped to clear up over the summer to be taken care of."

"And those are?"

"The will of your godfather, Mr. Black." Dumbledore responded.

"God, Sirius, how could I forget him?" Cassandra whispered. This wasn't helping her feeling of having no one to turn to. He had been the closest thing to a father Harry had.

"The will is very straightforward, actually. He left Harry Potter everything." Dumbledore stated.

"So it is in limbo until he reappears?" Cassandra asked.

"Well, no, I have decided to make your new identity the rightful heir to the House of Black." Dumbledore explained. "You have access to the Black vault at Gringotts, all of Sirius's personal possessions, and two problems."

"Problems?"

"Two parts of the will might have other loyalties. We need to test them."

"And those are?"

"Grimmuald Place, and - Kreacher."

Kreacher appeared, terrified, saying "Kreacher won't, Kreacher won't obey Harry Potter, He belongs to the House of Black."

"Kreacher dear, I am your new Mistress, you may call be Mistress Black." Cassandra explained.

Kreacher stopped, looking very confused, before bowing low. "Kreacher lives to serve the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, Mistress."

"Thank you, Kreacher, could you please bring me some tea?" Cassandra asked.

"It is Kreacher's pleasure." He gave an odd smile before apparating away.

"It seems you are the rightful owner of Grimmuald Place, and of Kreacher." Dumbledore observed. "May I suggest Kreacher stay at Hogwarts? The secrets he has heard must stay out of 'Bella and Cissy's hands." Kreacher popped back, delivering a tea tray and biscuits.

"Kreacher, when you are not serving your Mistress, please work with the other Hogwarts house-elves." Cassandra told him.

"Kreacher will, Kreacher loves to serve a true Black, oh yes, after all of the Mudbloods and Traitors." He responded.

"Kreacher, I forbid you to call anyone 'Mudblood', or tell anyone what happened at Grimmuald place without my permission." She ordered. Kreacher was disappointed, but obeyed and popped away.

"Very well, shall we get to the lesson?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes, so what are we learning? Occulmency?"

"No" Dumbledore explained. "I plan for you to continue lessons with Snape for that considering your new identity. I however, have decided it is time, for you to learn certain information, information which I believe is vital to understanding Voldemort himself." He paused. "I have told you everything I know. The time has come to venture into the murky marshes of memory and through the thickets of guesswork."

"So this is everything you think you know?" Cassandra asked.

"Naturally, however I make as many mistakes as anyone else. However I think that this has a great deal to do with the prophecy regarding you and Voldemort."

"So you think that it is still valid even with ... this?" Cassandra asked about her ... change.

"I believe so, Ms. Black, or do you prefer Cassandra?"

"Cassandra" She responded.

"Very well Cassandra, We shall be entering the Pensieve."

"Where?"

"Into the memories of one Bob Ogden, former Head of the Magical Law Enforcement squad."

Dumbledore pulled out a Silver Vial and poured the whiteish substance into the Penseive. Dumbledore stuck his head through the surface, with Cassandra following shortly.