Chapter 2

Only a week ago Dumbledore sent word to Connie that she could return to England. Remus Lupin came to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron a day earlier than she was expected.

She walked in wearing a long green cloak with the hood covering her face. She hadn't been there in years. It hadn't changed much. Tom was still there, looking older than she remembered.

In the far corner of the room she spotted Remus drinking a butterbeer. As she made her way over, someone stepped on the hem of her cloak, and the hood slipped off. "Sorry", they said, without a glance at her. Connie looked around to make sure no one noticed, as she replaced the hood. Tom looked at her suspiciously, but went back to his business.

Relieved, Connie finally got to Remus's table. Without a word he stood up and gave her a long hug.

"It's been a while" Remus said with a smile. Connie smiled back but Remus could tell she was anxious, "No one saw you."

"I know" Connie said. "But...it's been fourteen years since I've seen him." She looked close to tears.

"Everything will be fine" Remus said. "Shall we?"

They left the Leaky Cauldron to busy London streets. Remus started toward an empty alleyway to Apperate, but Connie stopped.

"Could we walk a little?"

Remus smiled, "Of course."

They started down the street.

"So…how is he?" Connie asked.

Remus sighed. "Well…he's not quite the same. But it's hard to tell. He's completely miserable stuck in that house."

"I can imagine how bad he's feeling. I remember when James and Lily were in hiding." She sighed. "He's not as patient as James was."

Remus laughed. "So are you still writing music?"

"Well…I haven't written anything new since…"

"Since Sirius broke out." Remus finished.

"Yeah." She said. "But I still open for the Weird Sisters every once in a while."

"That's great."

"Yeah." She looked up at him. "How are you? I haven't seen you in three years."

"The same as you left me. Scraping by." He said, with a small smile.

She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Yeah." Remus said. "Well are you ready?"

"Yes."

Remus held her hand tighter and with a crack they stood on the side walk, facing what looked like an empty alley. Connie had never been to Sirius's childhood home. He never wanted her to meet his wicked family.

"Ready?" Remus asked.

Connie nodded, but didn't move. Remus gently placed his hand on her back to help her forward. Slowly the house she had been forbidden to see began to take shape, with every step they took.

Connie's heart beat quickened. "It's just Sirius" She told herself.

They walked up the old wooden steps. Connie took a deep breath as Lupin knocked on the door. The door was soon answered by Arthur Wesley.

"Connie!" He said excitedly. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow!"

Connie and Remus stepped inside the dimly lit hallway. "Well I couldn't wait that long." She said, feeling sick.

Hope you're hungry." Arthur said, "Molly's making supper now. Can I take your cloak?"

No, I'm fine" Connie said wrapping it more tightly around her. She even kept the hood up, unsure what to expect of Sirius.

They followed Arthur down the hall. Although Connie couldn't see much, what she could see was frightening objects used for the dark arts.

They reached the kitchen the dank, dusty smell was replaced by the delicious aroma of soup, simmering on the stove.

"Connie!" Molly said surprised, "Oh look at you!"

Connie smiled. "Hello Molly."

"I hope you like potato and cheese soup, I just…

Before she could finish, the door flew open and Sirius stormed in.

"WHERE"S KREACHER? I'M GONNA..." Sirius's voice trailed off and stopped dead in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat as Connie lowered her hood.

She was more beautiful then he remembered. Older, but very beautiful. She looked at him with her sparkling hazel eyes, those gorgeous eyes he hadn't looked in for 14 long years. Her long brown hair perfectly framed her delicate face. Sirius took all of her in.

Connie was overwhelmed with emotion. When she last saw him, he was being dragged off with two dementors in his wake. She remembered the heartache she felt at losing the only man she ever loved.

"Hello..." Connie said, with some effort. His eyes weren't quite the same as she remembered. Dark brown but some of the spark was gone.

"Hello..." Sirius said softly, barely noticing everyone had left them alone.

They were both, lost for words.

The silence began to get awkward and Connie looked away from him, letting her hair fall in her eyes. Sirius took a cautious step forward, and there was only a couple feet between them. Sirius lifted his hand and gently brushed the hair from in front of her eyes.

His touch made her shudder and she desperately wanted to be in his warm embrace.

"Do you want to sit?" He asked, running his hand though her hair one last time, before stepping aside.

Sirius pulled out his wand and drew up two cups of tea. Connie sat down and gratefully took a sip. As it poured down her throat her eyes went back to Sirius. "You remembered!" She said softly.

"Two spoonfuls of honey" Sirius said. She never drank her tea anyway else.

Connie didn't know what to say to him. Should they talk about her life while he was in Azakaban? Or about what happened the night Sirius was taken away? Her mind was racing.

"Have you seen Harry?" Sirius asked, breaking the silence.

Connie was relieved she didn't have to start the conversation. "Yes I have, I went to visit him during his second year." She cleared his throat. "It was a bit awkward at first. But since then we've been exchanging letters. I've tried to visit him at his Aunt and Uncles…but…it didn't work out." Connie smiled. "How did you meet him?"

"It's kinda a long story…"

"I have no place to be."

He sighed.

Connie kept her face carefully composed as he told her about his breakout and his break-ins into Hogwarts. How he had meet Harry and finally how he ended up back in his parents house.

Sirius laughed. "You know how I like to make an impression."