Life at the Burrow was as different as possible from life at Wools.

The matrons liked everything neat and ordered, kids fitting in the boxes they thought should fit the 'mold'. The Weasley's house, on the other hand, burst with the strange and unexpected.

Cassiopeia had erupted into a giggling fit when Harry had looked in the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece and it shouted, "Tuck your shirt in, scruffy!".

There was a ghoul in the attic that howled and dropped pipes whenever the house got too quiet and mini explosions sounded from Fred and George's room hourly.

About two days into their stay, Cassiopeia had worked up the nerve to approach the twins. She had shyly shuffled over, glancing at Harry with every other step. The twins had of course noticed her approaching and had patiently sat at their seats in the living room, giving her a chance to come on her own time. With their patience and Harry's reassuring nods of encouragement, Cassiopeia had asked them what the explosions were.

"We make potions-" Fred, the twin with more freckles clustered near his left cheek, began. He had a semi-deep baritone voice, slightly raspy but not croaking.

"They're pranks we plan to use at Hogwarts," George, the twin with more freckles clustered near his right cheek, continued. His voice also held a baritone, raspy note; however, it was softer than his brothers.

Cassiopeia's eyes lit up and she bounced in place, hair flying with each bounce "You make your own pranks? You don't just use other products?"

Exchanging sly looks, the twins stood and beckoned the younger girl to follow them.

"Of course," Fred announced, bowing at the waist.

"We make our-" George followed, winking cheekily at Cassiopeia who giggled.

"Own products-"

"Have to practice"

"Somehow." They ended, voices in sync.

"Wicked," Cassiopeia breathed, awe notable in her voice.

Harry watched with wide eyes, shaking his head and walking backwards out of the room. Oh, Merlin. He eyed the trio as Cassiopeia's head bobbed like a bottle head and as she proceeded to follow the twins upstairs. I was never here. I'm not responsible for this.

When a louder explosion was heard throughout the house a few hours later Harry face planted onto his borrowed bed in Ron's room, ignoring the questioning glance the slightly older boy shot him. This isn't going to end well.

Aside from learning how the twins made and planned their pranks, Cassiopeia could be found battering Percy with seemingly endless questions. One night after dinner the older boy had pulled Harry aside, a pleading look etched on his face, and has whisper-asked how much longer would Cassiopeia have questions.

Ignoring the slight envy he felt, Harry had smirked and patted Percy's arm. "She always has questions." And had walked away smugly as Percy groaned and slumped against the wall.

Besides, Harry thought, pulling out a sheet of parchment he had begun to write on earlier in the summer, he won't have to worry about Peia's questions for much longer. Harry underlined 'Wizarding Culture' on his list again, ensuring it was marked.

At dinner, Cassiopeia and Harry both enjoyed speaking with Mr. Weasley about the muggle world. He bombarded the two of them with questions about life with muggles, asking them to explain how things like plugs and the postal service worked.

Cassiopeia, much to Harry's amused exasperation, took great pleasure in explaining to Mr. Weasley the purpose of a rubber duck. "Well," she had begun somberly, a mischievous twinkle in her gray eyes that had Harry groaning to himself. "Most children are scared to take a bath by themselves, muggles have these water monsters you see."

Mr. Weasley gasped, captivated in Cassiopeia's answer while the others at the table stared at Cassiopeia wide eyed. "The monsters try to lure the children down the drain so they can eat them. The duck is like a protection status. As long as it's in the bath the monster's won't come." And then Cassiopeia grinned, bit into her potatoes, and continued in a cheery voice. "The potatoes are rather good, aren't they?"

Harry's head hit the table, startling everyone out of the shock-induced state they had previously been in.

Another Weasley Cassiopeia had befriended, much to Harry's delight and horror, was Ginny. The red headed girl was a girl - Cassiopeia's first girl friend and the two spent many hours giggling while locked up in Ginny's room throughout the day. The horror, however, came with Ginny's reactions to Harry.

Every time Harry entered a room Ginny seemed prone to knocking things over. Cassiopeia would either start giggling and pull Ginny away or whisper a teasing remark and run away before Harry could tickle the absolute bratty and cheekiness out of her.

This morning, Cassiopeia had been eating her porridge while discussing Hogwarts with Ginny when Harry and Ron entered the kitchen.

The moment she saw Harry, Ginny's porridge bowl had fallen to the floor with a loud clatter. "The poor floor," Cassiopeia whispered mournfully, only to laugh slightly as Ginny elbowed her, scowling. "Morning, dear brother, Ron," Cassiopeia chirped, smiling brightly as Mrs. Weasley cleaned the mess up with a flick of her wand and portioned out another set of porridge for Ginny and the new arrivals. She ignored the dismissive glance Mrs. Weasley shot her and placed her spoon down in the now empty bowl as her porridge had also disappeared and sipped her juice.

"Morning Peia," Harry and Ron chorused as Ginny attempted to bury her flaming face into her bowl.

"Letters from school," Mr. Weasley approached the quartet, handing Ron and Harry identical envelopes of yellowish parchment addressed in green ink. "Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry - doesn't miss a trick, that man. You two've got them, too," he added, as Fred and George ambled in, still in their pajamas, grabbing a seat - but not before ruffling the hair of the two ladies at the table.

For a few minutes there was silence as the boys all read their letters, Cassiopeia ambling around the table to climb into Fred's lap to read his letter. Harry's eye twitched slightly.

"Who's Gilderoy Lockhart?" Cassiopeia asked, breaking the silence.

"Famous author, that one," George answered, showing his letter to Ginny as she glanced over his shoulder.

"We've got to get his books too," Harry added. "They were on you list as well, right Peia?"

Cassiopeia nodded in the affirmative, switching seats to Harry's lap and looking over his letter which he handed over freely.

"It's the same books on your list!" she exclaimed. "Is that normal?" Her head tilted slightly.

"Not normally," Percy answered, having entered the kitchen mid-conversation. "The curriculum usually varies for each year based on skill set."

"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan - bet it's a witch." At this point, Fred caught his mother's eye and quickly busied himself with the marmalade.

"That lot won't come cheap," said George, with a quick look at his parents. "Lockhart's books are really expensive..."

"Well, we'll manage," said Mrs. Weasley, but she looked worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand."

"Me too," Cassiopeia said softly. "I don't think the Hogwarts scholarship fund will cover all these books."

Harry rolled his eyes and thumped her across the back of her head, raising a pointed eyebrow when Cassiopeia looked at him with a wounded look. "I'm buying your Hogwarts things, so stop worrying." His voice was firm and solid.

Cassiopeia's eyes widened, "But Rian you ca-OW!" She held her arms up protectively around her head, scurrying away from the emerald eyed boy and into the amused arms of Percy.

Harry huffed as Ron and the twins stifled their laughter. They had gotten used to Harry's overprotective and brotherly tendencies and found most of the actions amusing. It was an interesting dynamic to witness.

Suddenly, a small hoot chimed through the room as a molting gray owl flew staggardly into the room and crashed onto the table.

"Errol!" said Ron, gently picking up the owl and extracting a letter from under its wing.

"Finally - he's got Hermione's answer. I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursleys." He carried Errol to a perch just inside the back door and tried to stand him on it, but Errol flopped straight off again so Ron lay him on the draining board instead, muttering, "Pathetic."

Then he ripped open Hermione's letter and read it out loud: "'Dear Ron, and Harry if you're there, "'I hope everything went alright and that Harry is okay and that you didn't do anything illegal to get him out,"

Here, the twins, Ron, Harry, Percy, and Cassiopeia chuckled. A bit late for that one, Cassiopeia snorted. She also found it amusing that Mrs. Weasley had compared her younger sons to Percy when it had been the prefect that had helped his brothers escape into the night with the car and not get caught leaving.

"Ron, because that would get Harry into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if Harry is all right, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl because I think another delivery might finish your one off. I'm very busy with schoolwork, of course'-

"How can she be?" said Ron in horror. "We're on vacation! -"

"'and we're going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley. Let me know what's happening as soon as you can. Love from Hermione."'

"Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then, too," said Mrs. Weasley, starting to clear the table. "What're you all up to today?"

Harry, Ron, Fred, and George were planning to go up the hill to a small paddock the Weasleys owned. It was surrounded by trees that blocked it from view of the village below, meaning that they could practice Quidditch there, as long as they didn't fly too high. Cassiopeia and Ginny were also coming along; it seems none of the boys could withstand and deny the sight of two sets of sad puppy eyes.

After they had agreed the girls left, returning inside. They had giggled entering Percy's room, who hastily covered the parchment he was writing on on his desk as they collapsed on his bed.

"Did it work," Percy asked, amused as he came to sit between them. Ginny and Cassiopeia erupted into another round of giggles, leaning against Percy as they nodded.

"They couldn't say no!" Cassiopeia breathed out, as Ginny nodded in agreement.

"Gin! Peia!" They were called, and after hugging Percy tightly around the middle, the two eleven year olds ran down the stairs.

Five minutes later they were marching up the hill, broomsticks over their shoulders. They had asked Percy if he wanted to join them, but he had said he was busy. Cassiopeia had stared at Percy, almost knowingly, and smirked as the older boy blushed and hurried the group out of his room.

"Wish I knew what he was up to," said Fred, frowning. "He's not himself. His exam results came the day before you did; twelve O.W.L's and he hardly gloated at all."

"Ordinary Wizarding Levels," George explained, seeing Cassiopeia and Harry's puzzled look. "Bill got twelve, too. If we're not careful, we'll have another Head Boy in the family. I don't think I could stand the shame." His tone of voice belied his words. The twins really were proud and happy for their older brother, but they wouldn't be them if they didn't tease him about it.

Bill was the oldest Weasley brother. He and the next brother, Charlie, had already left Hogwarts. Harry had never met either of them, but knew that Charlie was in Romania studying dragons and Bill in Egypt working for the wizard's bank, Gringotts.

"Dunno how Mum and Dad are going to afford all our school stuff this year," said George after a while. "Five sets of Lockhart books! And Ginny needs robes and a wand and everything."

Harry said nothing. He felt a bit awkward. Stored in an underground vault at Gringotts in London was a small fortune that his parents had left him. Of course, it was only in the wizarding world that he had money; you couldn't use Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts in Muggle shops. He had never mentioned his Gringotts bank account to the Dursleys; he didn't think their horror of anything connected with magic would stretch to a large pile of gold.

Harry knew he'd be purchasing Cassiopeia's Hogwarts supplies, she was his sister and he wanted her to have the best of everything. Her own things. Cassiopeia, much like himself before Hogwarts, had never owned a single item she could call hers, and now that Harry had money, he could provide that for her.

It was awkward, however, because as much as Harry liked the Mr. Weasley and the Weasley siblings, and he was grateful for their hospitality, he didn't appreciate the way Mrs. Weasley treated Cassiopeia when she thought no one was paying attention.

Mrs. Weasley woke them all early the following Wednesday. After a quick half a dozen bacon sandwiches each, they pulled on their coats, Harry glaring at a wiggling Cassiopeia as she whined about him zipping her coat all the way up to her chin, and Mrs. Weasley took a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece and peered inside.

"We're running low, Arthur," she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today. Ah well, guests first! After you, Harry dear!"

And she offered him the flowerpot.

Harry stared at them all watching him, Cassiopeia tightly grasping his hand in apprehension.

"W-what am I supposed to do." he stammered.

"He's never traveled by Floo powder," said Ron suddenly. "Sorry, Harry, I forgot."

"Never." said Mr. Weasley. "But how did you get to Diagon Alley to buy your school things last year?"

"I went on the Underground -"

"Really?" said Mr. Weasley eagerly. "Were there escapators? How exactly -"

"Not now, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley. "Floo powder's a lot quicker, dear, but goodness me, if you've never used it before -"

"He'll be alright, Mum," said Fred. "We'll sidealong them, I'll wait on the other side.." He took a pinch of glittering powder out of the flowerpot, stepped up to the fire, and threw the powder into the flames.

With a roar, the fire turned emerald green and rose higher than Fred, who stepped right into it - Cassiopeia cried out in alarm -shouted, "Diagon Alley!" and vanished.

"Wh-what?!" Cassiopeia cried, shocked, eyes wide and breathing fast.

"It's perfectly safe Peia," Percy said soothingly, glaring slightly at his mother when she scoffed and held the flower pot out to Harry. "Harry, George will go with you while I go with Peia, alright."

Harry, who had been attended to by George, shook himself out of his stupor and flashed Percy an uneasy look, glancing between him and Ron. At Ron's encouraging nod, Harry took a deep breath and clenched onto George's offered hand.

"You must speak clearly, dear," Mrs. Weasley told Harry as George dipped his hand into the flowerpot. "And be sure to get out at the right gate."

"The right what?" said Harry nervously, eyeing the powder in George's hand with trepidation.

"Well, there are an awful lot of wizard fires to choose from, you know, but as long as you've spoken clearly -"

"He'll be fine, Molly, don't fuss," said Mr. Weasley, helping himself to Floo powder, too.

"Well ... all right ... you go after Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now, when you get into the fire, say where you're going."

And keep your elbows tucked in," Ron advised.

"And your eyes shut," said Mrs. Weasley.

"The soot -"

"Don't fidget," said Ron.

"Or you might well fall out of the wrong fireplace -"

"But don't panic and get out too early; wait until you see Fred."

Harry gulped, then turned to Cassiopeia who stared at him in fear.

It'll be okay, Harry flashed her a shaky smile.

You can get hurt Cassiopeia's eyes welled with tears and Percy rushed to wrap her in a hug from behind.

We'll be safe. Harry took a deep breath and nodded to George who began to lead them into the fireplace, his grip on Harry's hand firm. I'll keep you safe.

And then they were gone.

Cassiopeia watched with teary eyes as Harry disappeared in a wall of flames. Why couldn't the Wizarding World have transportation that made sense?! Flying. Fireplaces. What's next?? Why couldn't it be magic carpets or teleporting?

"Are you ready Peia?" Percy whispered, crouching down slightly to stare into Cassiopeia's eyes.

I can do this. Rian did it, so can I. It's just fire. What's the worst that can happen? I'm just willingly walking into a place meant to be set on fire and will be whisked away by the flames into a dimension of hell fire that will take me from one place to another. Who cares if the fire burns my skin and sears my flesh? Wizards. The epitome of brilliance.

"Well!" Mrs. Weasley's sharp voice startled Cassiopeia, making her stumble in her place as Percy quickly reacted to stabilize her.

Casting a glance at the Weasley matriarch's displeased face, Cassiopeia took a deep breath and pulled herself together. I. Can. Do. This.

Nodding to Percy, he gently led her to the fireplace, passing Ginny who shot Cassiopeia an encouraging grin and a thumbs up.

"Just close your eyes," Percy murmured to her, hugging her tightly as she buried her face into his stomach. "Diagon Alley!"

It felt as though she was being sucked down a giant drain. She seemed to be spinning very fast - the roaring in her ears was deafening - something hard knocked her elbow and she tucked it in tightly, still spinning and spinning - now it felt as though cold hands were slapping her cheeks - and then she stumbled, falling back and landing on the floor on her bottom.

Blinking rapidly and trying to quell her stomach, Cassiopeia looked around cautiously. Percy and Harry were kneeling next to her, brushing off any remaining soot and dust as they helped her to her feet while the twins hovered nearby, offering their own forms of support as they grinned down at her.

"Wasn't too bad," Fred grinned, slinging an arm over Harry's shoulder.

"Right, Peia?" George did the same to Percy, grinning as he older brother scowled at his slightly taller brother.

"Wizarding transport sucks," Cassiopeia pouted, looking put out as the four males laughed at the annoyed bunny sight Cassiopeia made.

Behind them, the rest of the Weasley's appeared, Ron hurrying over to Harry's side and casting a long look over him, checking him over before running the same appraising eye over Cassiopeia briefly.

As one, the group ambled their way out of the receiving area and entered the Alley, Harry taking pleasure at seeing the awe-struck looks as Cassiopeia twisted and turned to capture all of the beauty of the Alley.

"Welcome," Harry held his arms out a bit theatrically drawing the twins attention as well as Cassiopeia and Percy's. "To Diagon Alley Peia, home of the wondrous shops serving Wizarding kind!" He bowed with a flourish.

Cassiopeia giggled at the display, drinking in the sights. She could've sworn she heard Percy mutter, "dear Merlin, not another one," but she wasn't too sure.

The Alley was beautiful. Shops lined the roads and dozens of other wiccan's crowded along the cobblestone path. Cassiopeia could feel the magic in the air, embracing her, filling her with warmth and welcome.

It was like breathing for the first time.

Cassiopeia was home.