As one, the group descended further into the Alley. Harry kept a tight grip on Cassiopeia's hand as they walked; he had no doubt in his mind that Cassiopeia would have wandered off and gotten lost if she had the chance.

"Where are we going first?" Cassiopeia asked, peering up at Harry, lightly swinging their joint hands.

"Gringotts," Harry answered. "It's a bank run by goblins. We'll withdraw some money for our things."

"I could always open that scholarship fund. . ." Cassiopeia needled. She felt guilty for Harry offering to spend money on her.

In response Harry glared sternly at the girl, tugging her arm slightly to make his point, "You're my sister and I have more than enough to provide for us."

Before Cassiopeia could respond another voice shouted -

"Harry! Harry! Over here!" Harry looked up and saw Hermione Granger standing at the top of the white flight of steps to Gringotts. She ran down to meet them, her bushy brown hair flying behind her.

Hermione collided with Harry, throwing her arms around him and subsequently pushing Cassiopeia away. The younger girl stared affronted. While she was sure the older girl, who Cassiopeia could only assume was Hermione based on the description given to her, hadn't meant to push her aside, she was still hugging her brother a little too tightly for her comfort.

Ginny stepped closer to Cassiopeia, linking arms with her. "Don't worry," Ginny whispered. "He's still yours." It seemed like Ginny had plenty of experience sharing her brothers, after all she had more than enough of them, but Cassiopeia wasn't Ginny. Harry was her brother. Hers.

What if he had already replaced her? What if he decided he liked Hermione more? Hermione was closer in age to him and had been part of his adventure in first year. What if Harry didn't want to hang around someone younger than him?

Cassiopeia was working herself up, she knew that. She knew she was overreacting to a single hug, BUT they were still hugging and Harry seemed to have not noticed that Cassiopeia was no longer latched to his hand.

Somehow, Harry seemed to sense the distressing turn Cassiopeia's thoughts had taken and he pulled away, dragging Hermione towards her and linking his hand back together with Cassiopeia.

"Peia, this is Hermione. Hermione, this is my little sister Cassiopeia," Harry introduced with a smile.

Cassiopeia relaxed. Harry had introduced her as his little sister. His. She had nothing to worry about. Smiling shyly, she extended her hand with pleasantries on her lips.

"Sister? Harry, you don't have a sister - everyone knows that. There aren't any books that mention the Potter's having another child."

The tone was haughty, arrogant, and self-assured.

Cassiopeia withdrew her hand and scoffed.

Harry's hand in her grip tensed and Cassiopeia could see the immediate shift in his demeanor. It wasn't noticeable to those that didn't know what to look for, so only Cassiopeia saw the change. Harry's form stiffened, his eyes narrowing and glowing just a little more intensely, his mouth set firmly into a small frown.

"I'd think I'd know who I'd introduce as my sister Hermione," his tone was not unfriendly per say, but it held no warmth. "This is Cassiopeia Doe, and she is my sister, despite what those books say."

"Oh," Hermione seemed to have an 'ah-ha' moment as she scrutinized Cassiopeia. Said girl's eyes narrowed, the air around her chilling, she would be damned if she allowed some unknown know-it-all to demean her and judge her without knowing anything about her. "She's an orphan, that doesn't mean she's your sister."

Cassiopeia hated her.

Ron seemed to sense a danger zone, although Cassiopeia also noticed his form stiffening with Hermione's words. "We should head into Gringotts," he stepped forward, between Harry and Hermione. "We'll see you back here." He turned on his heel swiftly, throwing an arm around Harry's shoulder and guiding him into the bank.

"It's okay," Cassiopeia whispered to Harry as they walked. Ron seemed to find the ceiling quite fascinating and pretended to not hear them. Ron was a close second for favorite Weasley in Cassiopeia's books.

"No," Harry clenched his teeth, "It's not okay."

Cassiopeia was at a loss. They had never encountered such a situation with someone blatantly refusing to accept their siblinghood.

"You're her brother Harry," Ron spoke up, voice low but still startling them. "Cassiopeia's your sister. That's your decision to make. Don't let anyone tell you who you can and cannot claim."

Ron's words were filled with determination and encouragement. By the time the trio had made their way to the remaining Weasley's Harry was back to himself and Cassiopeia had a slight skip in her step.

Together, they were all led off to their underground vaults by another goblin. Harry had hoped to introduce Cassiopeia to Griphook, the goblin Harry had first interacted with, but he couldn't spot him.

The vaults were reached by means of small, goblin-driven carts that sped along miniature train tracks through the bank's underground tunnels. Cassiopeia held tightly onto Harry and Percy's hands, eyes clenched shut tightly as the wind whipped around her hair and slapped against her cheeks.

Harry, on the other hand, enjoyed the breakneck journey down to the Weasleys' vault, though he did try to console Cassiopeia as her blunt nails dug into the back of his palm. The thrill of the ride was dulled though by the dreadful feeling that crept into him when they arrived at the Weasley vault and it was opened.

There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon.

Mrs. Weasley felt right into the corners before sweeping the whole lot into her bag. Harry felt even worse when they reached his vault. He tried to block the contents from view as he hastily shoved handfuls of coins into a leather bag, storing away enough for both his and Cassiopeia's school things.

Back outside on the marble steps, they all separated. Percy muttered vaguely about needing a new quill. Fred and George had spotted their friend from Hogwarts, Lee Jordan. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a secondhand robe shop. Mr. Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.

"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your school books," said Mrs. Weasley, setting off with Ginny.

Harry, Cassiopeia, Ron, and Hermione strolled off along the winding, cobbled street. Hermione walked on the end next to Ron, purposefully positioned to be away from the two siblings who were still in an unforgiving mood for her earlier comments. This was just as swell because Hermione seemed determined to pretend as if Cassiopeia wasn't even there, talking only to Ron and Harry.

The bag of gold, silver, and bronze jangling cheerfully in Harry's pocket was clamoring to be spent, so he bought four large strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice creams - even Hermione got one because Harry wasn't that much of a jerk -, which they slurped happily as they wandered up the alley, examining the fascinating shop windows. Ron gazed longingly at a full set of Chudley Cannon robes in the windows of Quality Quidditch Supplies until Hermione dragged them off to buy ink and parchment next door.

In Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, they met Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, who were stocking up on Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks, and in a tiny junk shop full of broken wands, lopsided brass scales, and old cloaks covered in potion stains they found Percy, deeply immersed in a small and deeply boring book called Prefects Who Gained Power. Cassiopeia had immediately scampered towards the older boy and buried her face in his stomach, nearly toppling Percy over.

"Oomph!" Percy breathed, chuckling at the ravenette attached to him.

"'A study of Hogwarts prefects and their later careers, " Ron read aloud off the back cover. "That sounds fascinating . . . ."

"Go away," Percy snapped, only to look away with a light red hue on his cheeks when Cassiopeia gazed knowingly at him. Giggling, the girl allowed Percy to usher them out of the shop with shooing motions, ignoring the questioning looks Ron and Harry shot her.

"It's not fair," Ron moaned, staring pitfully down at Cassiopeia. "What do you know?"

Cassiopeia giggled, grinning at the red head from Harry's side. "Promised I wouldn't tell," she sing-songed only to burst into more giggles at Ron's dismayed expression.

"You should tell Ron," Hermione chimed in pompously. "It's his brother." She turned her nose up and continued walking head high.

Cassiopeia blinked, stared at her retreating figure and then turned to Harry and Ron. " That's your friend?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, Harry and Cassiopeia made their way to Ollivanders, having left Ron and Hermione at Madam Malkins when they had finished ordering their set of Hogwarts robes. Harry had also commissioned a new wardrobe for Cassiopeia, stating she needed more than her orphanage regulated clothes.

Cassiopeia had accepted the demand with ease, instantly putting Harry on edge and making him adopt a weary look. Ron had stood to the side laughing at his little brother's misfortune and thanking Merlin that Ginny wasn't as devious as Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia had made a deal. She'd accept the wardrobe only if Harry got one for himself as well.

Bloody Slytherin Harry conceded fondly.

Harry 101. Cassiopeia 1.

It was a start. Cassiopeia would surely catch up.

Entering Ollivander's, Cassiopeia was immediately surrounded by magic. It felt old, growing and shifting, skating along her skin. It welcomed her, hugged her warmly, before returning to swim around the shop.

"Ah," a gray haired man appeared from the back. "Welcome back Mister Potter."

"Hello, Mr. Ollivander," Harry stepped forward. "This is Peia, Cassiopeia, she's starting Hogwarts."

Cassiopeia walked closer to the desk, greeting the wand maker Harry had warned her was a little bit creepy. He was, but Cassiopeia somehow could sense something about the man. There was a heavy magic, not burdened, but around and entwined with him.

Mr. Ollivander stared at Cassiopeia with almost knowing eyes, as if he had expected her. "Welcome back little star," he spoke softly, making both Harry and Cassiopeia blink at the nickname. "Come, let's see what destiny has written for you."

With wide eyes, Cassiopeia exchanged looks with Harry who shrugged helplessly. Pick up books on wands Cassiopeia mentally added to her list for the book shop.

A tape measure flew out from the back room as Mr. Ollivander disappeared into the shelves, moving this way and that along Cassiopeia's body. She shot Harry a fierce glare, stifling his chuckles, when he saw the crossed-eyed look Cassiopeia made as the tape measured the bridge of her nose. Was all of this necessary?

"What, little star, is your wand hand?" Cassiopeia wanted to ask why he kept calling her that but she couldn't. Something told her not too, that it wasn't time yet. And Cassiopeia trusted her gut - so she didn't ask.

Wand arm? Like, dominant arm? At Harry's nod Cassiopeia responded, "I'm ambidextrous sir."

"Ah! Excellent," Mr. Ollivander clapped. "Let's begin!"

He handed her a ruby colored wand with a black handle, "try this one," and waited.

Glancing at Harry, he mimicked waving it around, so Cassiopeia did that.

Only to immediately yelp as the light above them exploded and the wand was ripped from her hand.

"No no," Mr. Ollivander muttered. "Try this."

An oak colored wand next followed by a shelf of wands being knocked to the floor.

"Another."

A honey colored wand was handed next and Cassiopeia glared at Harry as he laughed at the two legged chair the wand had broken.

On and on they went, until Cassiopeia began to feel discouraged. The only reason she hadn't felt so earlier was because Harry had told her that he had nearly gone through all the wands in the shop before finding his.

"I wonder. . ." Mr. Ollivander shot up, fixing a keen eye on Cassiopeia. "Yes, maybe. . ."

"Er. . ." Cassiopeia shot a helpless look at Harry as Mr. Ollivander retreated further into the back of his shop.

"It's okay Peia," Harry reassured her. "It just means you're not an average witch," here he grinned, "you're special!"

Cassiopeia snorted and hugged Harry in thanks.

"You're only saying that because that makes you special too."

"You're right," Harry smirked smugly, ruffling Cassiopeia's hair. "Doesn't mean it's not true though."

"Try this." Mr. Ollivander approached the duo, handing Cassiopeia a sleekly polished black wand with an intricate silver detailing near the bulbous base.

The moment the wand touched Cassiopeia's hand, a beacon shone brightly. Magic swirled around her, laughing and dancing, cocooning her. It was a variety of colors, red, blues, green, and grays, caressing her cheeks and playing with the ends of her hair.

Taking a deep breath, Cassiopeia's eyes resembled a burning mercury, and Mr. Ollivander and Harry watched, entranced by the magic settling along Cassiopeia's skin.

With twinkling eyes, Mr. Ollivander waited until the magic settled and Cassiopeia regained focus. " 9 1/2 inches, Black Walnut for the wood and Dragon Heartstring for the core. A loyal, though sometimes temperamental wand."

"What do the wood and core mean?" Cassiopeia asked, her grip not relinquishing from her wand. It was home for her. It made her feel at peace, as if she was being welcomed home. She wouldn't let that feeling go so fleetingly.

"Less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. Paired with a sincere, self-aware owner, however, it becomes one of the most loyal and impressive wands of all, with a particular flair in all kinds of charm work. Dragon heartstring usually favors ambitious spell-casting. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. I expect, little star, that you will bring about great things."

"Thank you Sir!" Cassiopeia accepted the box for her wand and allowed Harry to pay before he ushered her out of the shop.

"Great things little star, just as your parent's before you." Mr. Ollivander murmured to the empty store before sighing to himself as he got lost to another time when he had sold two other wands, one with a black walnut wood and another with a dragon heartstring core. "Just as your parents before you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As one, the group rejoined at the front of Flourish and Blotts. They were, however, by no means the only ones making their way to the bookshop. As they approached it, they saw to their surprise a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason for this was proclaimed by a large banner stretched across the upper windows: GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30 P.m. to 4:30 P.m.

"We can actually meet him!" Hermione squealed. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!" The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age.

A harrassed-looking wizard stood at the door, saying, "Calmly, please, ladies ... Don't push, there ... mind the books, now . ."

Harry, Ron, Cassiopeia, Percy and Hermione squeezed inside. A long line wound right to the back of the shop, where Gilderoy Lockhart was signing his books. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 before Harry, Cassiopeia, and Percy disappeared while Ron and Hermione sneaked up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

Harry and Cassiopeia had enlisted Percy's help with locating the books on their lists prior to coming to the Alley.

"Right, well, this here is the wizarding section." Percy waved a hand at the stack of books near the back of the shop, walking over to a section and pulling some out. "You'll find all the books on Wizarding Culture, the Sacred 28, and the Olde Ways here."

Together, the three compiled a stack of books in accordance with the things Harry and Cassiopeia had written down. Some were quite similar, so they had decided to share the books and switch when needed.

"Percy," Harry murmured lowly, a blush making its way to his face. "I want to have more background material for classes. Peia always has questions I can't answer with the regular texts and I . . ." he trailed off, embarrassed and face growing hotly as Percy nodded with a reassuring but knowing look.

"Right," Percy placed five extra texts into the stack that was in Harry's hold. "These will help and will probably improve your grades as well." Cassiopeia had already roamed the sections as they walked, picking up supplemental reading pieces for her own courses.

They had also stopped by the wand lore section and Cassiopeia had picked up a book detailing each wand property.

"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley as they approached. She sounded breathless and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute..."

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd.

The real Lockhart was wearing robes of forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.

A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.

"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for the Daily Prophet -"

"Big deal," said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it.

Gilderoy Lockhart heard him.

He looked up. He saw Ron, and then he saw Harry.

He stared.

Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be, Harry Potter!" The crowd parted, whispering excitedly; Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front.

"The books!" Cassiopeia yelped, quickly grabbing Harry's arms and dropping his stack of books into her already overflowing arms, blocking her sight.

The crowd burst into applause.

"He had no idea," Lockhart continued, giving Harry a little shake that made his glasses slip to the end of his nose, "that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

Cassiopeia gaped at the announcement as Percy and the Twins helped her relieve her load of books. No way! The peacock?!

Harry shot an annoyed glance at Cassiopeia making her giggle. I already don't like him.

The crowd cheered and clapped and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart. Staggering slightly under their weight, he smiled pleasantly at Lockhart, making Cassiopeia and Ron share amused looks.