Chapter 1: The Unexpected Surprise at Grimmauld Place

The doorbell rang at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and a loud voice began screaming. "VILE HALF-BREEDS! VILE SON OF MY FLESH! DESTROYING MY HOME AND MY POSSESIONS! YOU ARE NO SON OF MINE!"

"Bloody hell! How many times do I have to tell everyone not to ring that bloody doorbell?" Sirius jumped up and walked swiftly to the door while Remus Lupin tried to hide his grin and ran to close the curtains over the wicked portrait that was screaming obscenities.

"What do you…?" Sirius said angrily as he opened the front door wide and stopped. He froze with his mouth hanging open.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you? If you stand like that, owls will fly in and make a nest!" a soft, female voice said laughingly from the doorstep. "Your manners went south when you went to prison. Aren't you going to let me in? Or shall I stand on the doorstep for a bit longer?" The woman lightly tossed her head back and laughed, her musical laugh filling the entryway.

"C…Cassie? What are you doing here?" Sirius managed to stutter, stepping aside to let the woman in.

"Professor Dumbledore thought it would be good for me to come and live with you two bachelors, and I can't say that I minded. That is, if you don't mind." Cassie looked around, "and obviously you need a woman's touch. How are you able to live here? This place is filthy."

"Cassie! You've arrived!" Remus said, walking down the staircase, and moving towards the front door.

"You knew! You knew she was coming?!" Sirius spun and glared at his best mate. "Did everyone know? How come no one ever bothered to tell me she would be here?"

"We wanted to surprise you!" Cassie dropped her bags and wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. "SURPRISE!" Sirius still stood in front of the door, in shock.

Cassie dropped her arms and stepped back. "Do you not want me here? I can leave. I just…" Cassie trailed off as she glanced at the floor. This is NOT what I expected!

Sirius just stared at her. Remus moved behind him and shut the door. He stared at the two, surprised at the scene that was transpiring before him. This is not what I thought he'd do when she walked in, snog her senseless yes, but not this.

"No, no of course I want you here. I'm just surprised, that is all. I figured you'd be with Harry, after what happened at the Triwizard Tournament."

"Petunia and Vernon wouldn't let me, as usual." Cassie replied softly, still unsure of how to react to the behaviour that had just occurred.

"Here, let me show you to your room. I managed to make one hospitable for you." Remus picked up several of her bags and made for the staircase. "Sirius, would you make some tea, please?" Remus glared at his friend. "We'll be right back down."

The two made their way slowly out of the entryway and up the stairs. Remus led the way with Cassie slowly moving behind. "Remus, why wasn't he happy to see me? He acted like I was interrupting something."

"Cassie, you know Sirius as well as me. He's just odd… especially after being in prison for so many years. I believe he thought he wouldn't see you again for a long time and came to terms with that." Cassie fell silent as they walked upstairs. "That, and he doesn't like this house, you know that. He never wanted to come back here."

"You'd think he could be nicer about it. I am the only person who believed him." Cassie's voice turned bitter and Remus noticed the change, but chose to ignore it.

"Ah, here's the room. It should be free of all the wonderful treasures Mrs. Black had," Remus said as he winked at her. The two walked into the room and put Cassie's luggage on the bed. She looked around quickly, noticing the massive amount of faded green and silver that covered the room. She shuddered involuntarily, not in the least comfortable with the décor of the room.

"Let's go back down and get some tea, maybe he'll have calmed down a bit." Remus slowly led her out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Sirius watched his best mate and the woman he loved walk up the stairs. What is she doing here? Why did no one tell me she was coming? Surprise my arse. Sirius walked down to the kitchen and put on a pot of water to boil. He angrily pulled open cupboards and pulled out three cups.

"Why would she want to come here?" Sirius asked aloud as the water began to boil and he heard footsteps coming down the staircase. "This place is hell." He began pouring the hot water into cups and over the tealeaves. He remained silent as his two friends entered the kitchen.

"Do you still take it the same, Cass? Two sugars and very little cream?" Sirius glanced behind him, careful to avoid her eyes.

"Yes, thank you." She responded, sitting down quietly. She barely made a sound, trying not to disturb the quietness that was so prominent in the house.

Sirius placed a cup in front of her and one in front of Remus. "So, why do you want to come live here? It certainly isn't top on my list." Sirius looked bitter.

Cassie glanced at Remus in surprise then turned towards her love. "I wanted to be with you. I figured you would want some company in this dreadful house. I know how much you hate it." Cassie quietly responded. She wrapped her hand around the cup, thankful for its warmth. The house was strangely cold for the end of July.

"That seems to be all the more reason to avoid this place. I certainly would." Sirius sulked, his grey eyes darkening.

Cassie stared at him, shocked. It took a moment to recover, and then she responded coldly, "Yes well, you never were one to be considerate about such things." Cassie stood up. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my room. Good night Remus." Cassie walked up the stairs and when her footsteps faded away, Remus turned to face his friend.

"What is wrong with you? You have done nothing for the past two weeks but complain about how much you missed her and you longed to see her. Now here she is, willingly I might add, and you are more than rude to her."

"I don't understand why she wants to be here. Nothing good can come of this place." Sirius sullenly stirred his tea.

"Are you dense? She wants to be with you, though I am not entirely sure why, especially with the way your acting. She has stood by you over the past two years; she believed you when no one else did. The least you could possibly do is act polite to her when she arrives and pretend that you are happy to see her."

Sirius sighed. "I should go apologize, shouldn't I?" He said, looking at his friend.

"You should do an awful lot more than apologize, but that would be a good start. Go. I'll clean up this mess before I turn in."

The two men stood up. "Go. She's probably in her room crying right now. Please don't make me go try to comfort her; I've had to do it way too many times and I'm awful at it." Remus smiled as Sirius walked out of the room.

That should make her feel at least a little bit better he thought, placing the cups in the sink and blowing out the candles.