It was a rainy afternoon, with the sound of rain gently tapping on the windows, creating a cozy atmosphere in the room. Cassi and her mother were sitting by the fireplace, enveloped in comforting warmth. The crackling of the fire created a relaxing melody that filled the space.
Trovão, her mother's Harpy, lazily rested on her perch near the fireplace, enjoying the coziness of the place.

Seraphina gently coiled around the girl's neck, like a living plush snake. Meanwhile, Morgus, Cassi's new pet cobra, seemed excited and full of energy, warming itself in a giant terrarium that had been exclusively gifted to him.
While the fire crackled and the rain fell outside, mother and daughter enjoyed a moment of tranquility, silently reading. The room was filled with the comforting aroma of hot tea, emanating from the cups resting on the coffee table.

However, Cassi's curiosity was piqued when her eyes met the newspaper her mother had finished reading. The paper was carefully folded, as if it held an intriguing story. Cassi couldn't resist the temptation and cautiously picked up the newspaper, feeling a surge of excitement run through her body as she opened the pages.

As Cassi eagerly flipped through the newspaper, her eyes were immediately drawn to the top headline on the front page. The bold letters jumped off the page, announcing intriguing news about an Azkaban prisoner.

The accompanying image showed a hollow-faced man with long, tangled hair, screaming madly at Cassi as if trying to convey a message directly to her. At first, the image seemed strangely familiar, but as her eyes met the description below, a deep shock ran through her entire being.

It was none other than her uncle, Sirius Black, portrayed in that photo. The instant recognition was followed by a flood of conflicting emotions. Cassi vaguely remembered the stories her mother used to tell about her father's brother, but to see his face plastered in a newspaper, associated with crimes and imprisonment in Azkaban, was completely surreal.

A mix of disbelief, sadness, and a hint of hope swirled within Cassiopeia. She wondered how that man, her uncle, could be involved in something so terrible. The scream in the magical photo seemed to echo in her mind, leaving her with a sense of restlessness.

BLACK STILL AT LARGE

Sirius Black, arguably the most infamous convict ever to be held in the fortress of Azkaban, continues to elude authorities, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. "We are doing everything in our power to recapture Black," said Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge,
speaking this morning.

"Oh, dear..." Noctua said sadly. "I didn't want to worry you with this."

The crackling fireplace provided a warm atmosphere as the mother and daughter settled into a comfortable corner of the room. Noctua sighed deeply, searching for the right words to convey the complexity of the situation to Cassi. She gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, seeking to provide reassurance and comfort.

"Dear Cassi," Noctua began, her soft and melodious voice echoing through the room. "The story surrounding Sirius Black is extremely complicated. It is true that he was accused of siding with Voldemort during the war and betraying James Potter, his best friend, which resulted in the tragic death of Harry's parents."

Cassi looked at her mother, her eyes wide with disbelief. She couldn't fathom that her uncle could have been capable of such terrible acts. "But, mother... Could Sirius really have done something like that?"

Noctua smiled sadly, understanding her daughter's doubts and confusion. "Dear, I also have my doubts about the accusations against Sirius. I knew him during my years at Hogwarts, and I can say that he had a noble and loyal heart. The friendship between Sirius and James was strong like few others, and it's hard to imagine him betraying that bond."

Cassi nodded, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes. "So, mother, do you believe there's more to the story than we know?"

Noctua nodded slowly, her expression mysterious, adding an air of intrigue to the conversation. "Yes, my dear. I believe there is more than we know. And that's why we shouldn't make hasty judgments. There is more to be uncovered, and that's what we should focus on."

⁀➷,

Diagonal Alley

Cassi went to Diagon Alley in search of supplies for the start of the school year. Her mother would be returning to Brazil soon, and Cassiopeia would no longer have Trovão to send her letters to.

She entered the Magical Managerie shop in search of supplies for Morgus, as he was a venomous snake, requiring more care than Seraphina, who was a 'Boa' type. But Cassi suddenly accidentally bumped into Hermione, who was holding something fluffy.

She approached Hermione to get a better look, and to her surprise, the furball Hermione was holding turned out to be a huge orange cat. Hermione had an expression of adoration and was gushing about how beautiful he was in a cute voice.

"How adorable, is he yours?" Cassi asked, amused, observing Hermione's affection for the feline.

"CASSI!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly, not letting go of the cat for a moment and enveloping her friend in a tight hug. Happiness overflowed in Hermione's eyes as she couldn't contain her excitement.

"Not yet, but isn't he just precious?" Hermione asked, her eyes sparkling with passion for the cat. Cassi observed the enchantment in her friend's eyes, conveying all the love she felt for the feline. The cat's fur was thick and fluffy, but he definitely had bowed legs and a grumpy face. Cassi decided that yes, he was adorable in his own peculiar way.

While Cassi and Hermione admired the cat, a slightly breathless witch approached them. It seemed like she was running from somewhere.

"I'm sorry, Crookshanks usually likes to stir up trouble," the witch explained, casting a worried glance at the cat.

Hermione vehemently defended her new friend. "Don't worry, he's behaving. He just has a strong personality."

The witch let out a sigh of relief. "This poor creature has been in the shop for years, no one wanted him. He's quite a peculiar cat, but he has a lovely heart."

Cassi looked at Hermione and instantly knew what she needed to do. She was determined to give a loving home to the cat who had been rejected for so long.

"Well, we'll take him. How much do I owe?" Cassi said promptly, opening her bag to present her friend with the cat as a gift.

Hermione's jaw dropped, surprised by Cassi's generous gesture.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. In fact, you can have him. It's a true miracle that he has finally found a home," the shopkeeper said with a big smile on her face.

Hermione exploded with joy and gratitude, launching herself into a tight hug with Cassi. However, the poor cat, named Crookshanks, got a bit squished in the process, letting out a meow of protest. The laughter of the two filled the shop as Crookshanks adjusted to the idea of finally having a family and a loving home.

As the two exited the magical creatures shop, they came across Ron, with his disheveled hair, and Harry, with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"You bought that monster?" Ron asked, so gobsmacked that a fly could easily have entered his mouth.

Hermione displayed a radiant smile. "He's lovely, isn't he?"
The cat purred contentedly in Hermione's arms, completely oblivious to the commotion around him.

"Mione, that thing nearly scalped me," complained Ron, displaying an expression of indignation.

Cassiopeia rolled her eyes, finding her friend's exaggerated reaction quite amusing. "This little cutie?" she raised an eyebrow in questioning.
"It was an accident, wasn't it, Crookshanks?" Hermione asked, looking lovingly at the cat.
Cassi let out a giggle.

"Well, aren't you two going to greet me?" she said, feigning horror at her friends' manners.

Harry looked down, blushing slightly, but soon opened a wide smile and hugged his friend.

"I'm glad to see you," he said sincerely.
Cassi hugged him back cheerfully in response, feeling complete with the reunion of her friends.

"Hello, little Mr. Weasley," she extended her hand to Ron, using the affectionate nickname they had come up with during the holidays.

"Gaunt," Ron smiled sheepishly, his cheeks reddening, and he shook Cassi's hand in a warm grip.

The group walked towards the Leaky Cauldron and found Mr. Weasley sitting at the bar, engrossed in reading the Daily Prophet. The gleam of excitement in Mr. Weasley's eyes was evident as he noticed the group's arrival, smiling widely as he warmly greeted them.

"Harry!" exclaimed excitedly. "How are you?"

"Well, thank you," Harry replied with a smile.

"Well, hello, Mrs. Gaunt," Mr. Wesley wiped his hands on his trousers and extended his hand to Cassi.

"Hello, Mr. Wesley, I hope you're having a good afternoon," Cassi said politely.

"Very good, thank you," Mr. Weasley nodded slightly as he set aside the newspaper, revealing the photo of Sirius Black on the cover.

"So they still haven't caught the man?" Harry asked, curious.

"No," Mr. Weasley replied, with a serious expression. "The Ministry has taken us off our regular work to try and find him, but we haven't had any luck so far."

Cassi felt her fingers tremble nervously, concerned about the situation.

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" Ron asked, receiving a glare from Cassiopeia.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," reprimanded Mr. Weasley, noticing Cassi's distressed look.

"Sorry, I know he's your relative," Mr. Weasley smiled awkwardly, visibly tense about the delicate situation.

Cassiopeia felt four pairs of eyes fixed on her, which made her uncomfortable.

"It's alright, Mr. Weasley. I understand that my uncle is facing the consequences of his actions," Cassi responded awkwardly, wishing to leave that place.

"What's with your family and Dark wizards?" Ron asked in an extremely rude and insensitive manner, receiving a series of slaps from both Hermione and his own father.

"RONALD WEASLEY!" Mrs. Weasley's voice echoed in the bar, interrupting the tense atmosphere. She entered the place carrying bags and accompanied by the twins Fred and George, who were about to start their fifth year at Hogwarts, Percy, the newly elected Head Boy, and Ginny, the youngest and only girl in the family.

"I'll see you at Hogwarts," Cassiopeia left without saying more, with a somber expression. She felt so angry that she accidentally almost swallowed the Mandrake leaf she had under her tongue, controlling herself not to burst into emotions right there.

⁀➷,

During the train journey to Hogwarts, the rain poured heavily outside, echoing like a symphony of drops against the windows. Cassi leaned against the window, watching the drops trickle down the glass, while Pansy read a book with her head resting on her shoulder. The atmosphere felt cozy inside the compartment, until Draco burst into the corridor, terrified and wide-eyed.

"The corridor is being searched by Dementors!" Draco exclaimed, his voice trembling, almost wetting his pants out of fear.

Cassi felt a shiver run down her spine when Draco mentioned the Dementors. These eerie creatures were known for their aura of despair and for sucking the happiness out of anyone who crossed their path. She swallowed hard, being careful with the Mandrake leaf in her mouth.

As tension spread through the compartment, one of the creatures appeared before them. It was a hooded figure, shrouded in a black cloak, with skeletal hands and a dark void emanating from its presence. It had no eyes or face, but Cassi felt as if she was being intensely stared at, more than anyone else there. She held her breath and remained still, her eyes fixed on the creature's empty face.

For a long and harrowing moment, the Dementor lingered near Cassi, its suffocating presence almost tangible. She felt as if her hopes were being sucked away, but she fought to stay strong, focusing on the Mandrake leaf in her mouth.

So, as if it had finished its task, the Dementor drifted away slowly, dissipating into a dark mist, leaving behind an oppressive atmosphere.

Draco appeared visibly relieved as the creature departed, his shoulders relaxing as he took a deep breath. He then shared the news that a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was teaching at Hogwarts.

Cassi, trying to ease the tension, jokingly remarked that as long as the professor wasn't like Lockhart or had a Dark Lord hidden behind their head, everything would be fine. This comment elicited laughter from Draco and Pansy, bringing a bit of levity to the heavy atmosphere.

Hogwarts

As Cassi collected her luggage, she heard the energetic voice of her godmother calling her name. Cassi's heart leaped with joy upon recognizing the familiar voice of Professor McGonagall echoing through the bustling hallway.

The boys turned in surprise upon hearing their names being called. Above the heads of the other students, McGonagall stood there with her rigid posture and sharp gaze.
Cassi quickly made her way through the crowd, running happily to embrace her godmother. Minerva's stern demeanor was instantly broken as she returned the embrace.

"I'm glad to see you too, Kitty," Minerva said affectionately.

McGonagall reassured Harry, sensing the anxious look on his face. "There's no need to worry so much, Potter. I just want to have a conversation with you all in my office," she said, pointing in the direction of the corridor. "You can continue on your way, Weasley."

The four of them walked through the hallway, past the majestic marble staircase, and entered a quiet corridor.

Upon reaching Professor McGonagall's office, they were greeted by a cozy room with a roaring fireplace. The professor gestured for Harry, Cassi, and Hermione to sit down while she took her place behind the desk.
Without wasting any time, McGonagall began to speak. "Professor Lupin sent an owl to inform me that you fell ill on the train, Potter," she said with seriousness.

Cassi, concerned like a mother, quickly stood up, checking on Harry and Hermione. "What happened? Why?" she asked in a worried tone, her eyes fixed on her friend.

Before Harry could respond, a soft knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Madame Pomfrey, the nurse, entered the room with her efficient demeanor, capturing everyone's attention. Harry blushed furiously, feeling slightly embarrassed by the nurse's presence.
"I'm fine," Harry tried to say, in a futile attempt to downplay the concern.

Ignoring Harry's comment, Madame Pomfrey exclaimed, "Ah, so it was you!" as she approached to examine him closely. Cassiopeia stepped back a bit, giving the nurse space to do her work, watching attentively.

"I suppose you've gotten yourself involved in something dangerous once again," remarked Madame Pomfrey, raising an eyebrow as she assessed the young wizard.

McGonagall intervened, providing the necessary information. "It was a Dementor, Poppy," she informed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

A palpable silence hung in the air.
"Wait, the Dementor touched you??" Cassi exclaimed in exasperation, and Minerva could swear she saw a tremor in her goddaughter's eye.

Madame Pomfrey, while smoothing Harry's hair and feeling his forehead, commented, "The boy won't be the last one to faint. Yes, he's sweaty. They're terrible and the effect they have on people who are already fragile..."

"I'm not fragile!" Harry protested, visibly annoyed, which made Cassi laugh.

"Of course, you're not," Madame Pomfrey absentmindedly said, now checking Harry's pulse.

After the checks and Harry insisting he was fine to get out of the infirmary, only Hermione and Cassiopeia remained in the room.

"So, what would you like to talk about, Aunt Minnie?" Cassi asked, playfully toying with a small box on Minerva's desk.

Minerva looked around nervously and cast protective spells around the room. Only when she was sufficiently satisfied with the precautions taken, she proceeded, retrieving two Time-Turners from a chest that Cassi was holding.

Cassiopeia dramatically widened her eyes upon seeing the objects before her. "Aunt Minnie, those are..."

"Time-Turners, yes," confirmed Minerva. Hermione approached, curious and fascinated by the artifacts.

"I've read about them. They have been banned by the Ministry of Magic since the accident involving Eloise Mintumble," commented Hermione, observing the professor attentively.
"That's exactly why I need you both to promise not to tell anyone about this. Not even your friends! I had to send numerous letters to the Ministry to convince them that you were model students and would only use them for study," Minerva said seriously.

"Pinky promise, Aunt Minnie," Cassiopeia promptly replied, extending her pinky finger.
"Promise," Hermione followed, linking her pinky finger with Cassi's, sealing the agreement.

This made Minerva laugh at the two of them. "Accept this, keeping in mind the danger of interfering with the timeline. These are the only Time-Turners that still work, as far as I know. Don't break my trust," Minerva warned. After a brief pause, she continued.

"This is for you to study more effectively. Both of you are my top students," Minerva said proudly.

"Use them wisely and listen to the rules attentively. First rule: Temporal Limitation: The Time-Turner allows the user to go back only a few hours in time, it is not possible to make long-duration time travels. Do not exceed 5 hours, ever!" Minerva said seriously.

"Second rule: Connection to the timeline: When using the Time-Turner, the user cannot interact with their past self or alter important events that have already occurred. The actions of the traveler in the past are already considered part of the current past, which was what caused Eloise's accident, so be careful!"

After the girls nodded, Minerva continued.

"Third rule: Avoid encounters with yourself: It is important that the user avoids meeting their past self during the time travel. Such encounters can cause serious temporal problems and paradoxes. We don't want to alter the timeline."

"Fourth rule: Butterfly effect: Even small changes in past events can have significant consequences in the future. Therefore, it is essential to be careful not to alter important events that may negatively affect the timeline."

"Fifth rule: Need for planning: The use of the Time-Turner requires careful planning to ensure that the traveler is in the right place