Running had always been something Cas had always been good at. Cas tightened the straps of the backpack upon her shoulders and pushed her way past the many people hovering around Times Square, cursing the hundreds of stationary tourists under her breath. She gave a quick turn of her head and saw the two rather heavy cops panting behind her: calling at her and ordering her to stop that instant. She turned her attention to the front of her once again, narrowly avoiding an accident with a boy and his expensive camera. Her thoughts moved quicker than her feet as she bolted along the cracked gray cement that almost looked black with all the gum stains littering the floor.

She jerked left as a laugh bubbled up, threatening to emerge from her throat.

"STOP RIGHT THERE YOUNG MAN!" One of the pigs yelled at her. This time she did laugh, throwing her head back in utter amusement.

"Catch me if you can, old man!" she yelled back, pushing herself to run faster. The only sound she could hear was the wind rushing past her ears; her heavy breaths matching her beating heart. Her father's journal was tucked into her jacket and it thudded against her rib with every step she took. She twisted herself into a sudden alley, focusing on the dark hallway of her father's childhood home and grinned. Nausea took over her senses as the familiar feeling of being shoved into a tube of toothpaste enveloped her. She struggled to find her footing and she fell forward upon her knees at the front door. Rain poured down heavily and she nearly slipped again while getting back up. Landing had always been a bit difficult for her. She waved her hand over the doorknob and it swung open with a loud click.

Grimmauld Place was always open to those with Black blood running strong in their veins.

Cas closed the door behind her and shrugged off her trench coat, hanging it on the coat rack which was made of swirling oak that resembled outstretched palms looking for help. She grimaced at the sight and adjusted her coat so that it covered most of the gruesome looking design. She shook her head quickly with her hair dripping upon her shoulders and down her face annoyingly. She sighed and smiled at the long corridor in front of her, excitement bubbling up in her stomach at the thought of her family waiting to see her.

"Grandmother! Kreach! You're not going to believe what happened to me tod - " started Cas, pushing past the second set of doors. Suddenly, she was face to face with a group of adults full of expressions filled with shock, fear, and everything in between. Cas' own shock immediately turned into anger as she realized these people had broken into her home. She whipped out her wand just as a cluster of wands were pointing in her face. "Who the fuck are you?" she asked venomously. Just then, a red light burst out of a wand, straight towards her.

Cas gasped and whirled around into a crouch, the spell barely whipping over her head. She pushed an open palm out as a surge of adrenaline pushed out a shield charm that seemingly materialized from thin air and surrounded her. The stunning spell hit the door behind her, leaving a rather large, smoking hole in the dead center of the rotting wood. She blinked her eyes open and stood up, the shield growing larger to cover her lanky frame.

"How dare you attack a Black in their own home!" she snarled in an undertone, the shield crackling dangerously around her.

"Regulus," breathed out a voice. Cas almost didn't hear it with the sound of her heart throbbing in her eardrums. Her entire mind ceased working for a second as she whipped her gaze to the source of the voice. A lanky man shakily pushed his way to the front, squinting at her. His clothes were more ratty than some of the homeless people in the darkest, dirtiest parts of New York. His hair was long and tangled, looking almost the same as Cas' own messy short locks. His face was hollowed in as if he hadn't eaten in a decade, however; it was his eyes that startled her. Even in the darkness of Grimmauld Place, his eyes glowed a dark, familiar silver.

The eyes of her father.

The eyes of her grandmother.

The eyes that every Black since the dawn of time appeared to have.

Her own eyes.

Her mind suddenly came into focus like a bulldozer slamming into a building, and she dropped her shield in an instant. She was staring at Sirius Black. She stared at him through the wet hair that drooped into her vision and couldn't find the words to say until, "I thought you were banned from this house. How did you get in here?"

"The house… I am, I was the sole heir. Or so I thought…" he rasped, his hands shaking maddeningly. Cas shook her head.

"I'm not Regulus Black. I'm rather insulted you'd even confuse me for him. Hair and trousers does not a boy make," she clucked in annoyance.

"Wha- ?" Sirius began in confusion, brows knitting together. Cas thought about the repercussions of revealing her identity to these people. Sirius was… family, but Merlin knows her grandmother raved on about his hatred of all things 'Black.' How could she trust him? Family is family, but he walked out on family. Did he even deserve the truth? Cas' mind raced as her father's journal weighed heavy on her frame. She'd read all the complaints about Sirius. Who did he think he was to come back to a legacy he'd turned his back on? Was he even allowed to expect answers?

However, there were also about 15 wands ready to strike her down in the next second if she didn't explain herself, and while Cas thought herself rather skilled with magic, there was no way she could take on 15 adult wizards.

Cas stood up straight, eyes boring into Sirius', and spoke proudly, "I am Cassiopeia Eridanus Black and I am the true sole heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."

The disbelief that clouded everyone's face made Cas clutch at her wand nervously. Every eye was on Sirius, waiting for his move. The man himself merely stood open mouthed, gaping at Cas confusedly.

Just then, Walburga Black decided to make herself known, much to Cas' chagrin. (And relief, though she'd never admit to that.)

"CASSIOPEIA ERIDANUS BLACK, HAVE YOU CUT YOUR HAIR AGAIN?!" Cas' eyes widened in slight fear.

Ah, shit.