Chapter 2: They're in Love

Cassie stood on the back porch looking out at the moon and stars, her arms resting on the railing. Everything seemed so peaceful, so safe. "Why can't everything be okay?" she asked quietly.

"You okay Cass?" asked a familiar voice from the doorway. Sirius leaned against the side of the house and watched the younger girl.

She turned around and saw Sirius watching her. "Yes, I'm okay. Just worried is all." Cassie wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the moon. The evening had grown just a little chilly for the end of August.

Sirius walked up behind her and put his arms around her, turning her around and pulling her close to his chest. "It's going to be okay Cass. It's all going to work out."

Cassie sniffled, her tears staining his grey tee shirt. "I can't lose them" she whispered.

"I know sweetheart. I know. I can't either. You and James have been my only family for a long time, Lily too." He took his hand and placed it under her chin, tilting it so her eyes met his. "I won't let anything happen to them, just like I won't let anything happen to you."

Cassie placed her head against his torso again. She felt the muscles rippling underneath, his heart beating in his chest. Cassie's heart beat faster when she felt his hands rubbing her back, moving up and massaging her neck.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"I just put Harry to sleep; he went out like a light. What are you looking at?" Lily asked, walking up behind her husband. She put her arms around him and watched out the door.

"Sirius and Cassie."

"Why?"

"Well just look at them! That's not how friends act. I've got half a mind to…"

"You will do no such thing! Let them alone. Look, you have to let her grow up. She's seventeen. Don't you see the way they look at each other?" Just as Lily said that, Sirius turned Cassie's chin upwards to look into her eyes.

"They love each other. Can't you see?" Lily turned James to face her. "It's the same way I look at you. They're just afraid to admit it, especially with things the way they are. They're scared to let themselves fall in love, and their scared of you"

"Scared of me? Why me?" James looked at his wife in confusion. I never gave Cassie a reason to be afraid of me, Sirius either. Granted I…

"Isn't it obvious? You try to protect her, all the time. She doesn't want to disappoint or upset you. That's why they didn't date longer than four months." Lily kissed James's cheek as he stared at her.

"They what? When did this happen? How come I didn't know they dated? Don't try to get me away from here, tell me…" James's anger grew rapidly and he desperately needed to speak with Sirius, to find out if this was all true.

"Come on, let's go sit in the living room and let them say goodbye. It'll be a little while before they see each other again. And I forbid you to talk to either one of them about this. They'll be plenty time later, no need to distract everyone."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"I'm sorry." Cassie said, starting to cry again.

"Sorry for what love?" Sirius asked, rubbing her back with his hand.

"For being so dreadful. For…"

"Cassie. Don't worry. You have nothing to apologize for. Everything's fine. Now let's get you inside, there's a bit of a chill in the air and I don't want you to get sick." Sirius started to pull her into the house, but she stopped him.

"Sirius?" "Yes?"

"What's going to happen? What if…" She couldn't bear to think it let alone say it. "What if something happens and the Charm doesn't work?"

"Cassie don't you even think about it. I don't want you to even think about it."

She nodded and started walking for the house but stopped again. "Sirius?"

"Yes Cassiopeia." He smiled as he turned to face her.

She walked up and pulled him in close. Her arms slipped around his neck and she buried her face in his shoulder. "I love you" she whispered softly.

"What was that?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.

Cassie wiped her eyes and stepped away. "Nothing. Let's get inside, I'm awfully chilly." She kissed his hand and opened the door.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

The lights were off and Cassie was sitting in her room, thinking about the events that transpired that day.

"Cassie, are you awake?" Lily opened the door and stepped into the room.

"Yes, I'm still awake. Is something wrong Lil?" Cassie sat up and flicked her wand, igniting the candles.

"Well, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Yes, I'm fine. Is that all?" Cassie smiled slyly. "You're avoiding something, what else did you want to ask me?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." She paused. "And that everything was okay with you and Sirius."

Cassie blushed, glad the lights were dim. "Yes, why wouldn't everything be fine…with Sirius and me? There's nothing between us." Cassie slowly said the last sentence, knowing she was lying to her sister-in-law.

"Well, I saw you outside together and…"

Cassie stared at Lily. "Did James…oh no he did! He's going to kill me!" Her eyes widened with fear.

Lily laughed. "No he's not. I pulled him into the living room after a minute or so. Just don't bring it up and he'll be fine. Cass, I know you love him. He's grown up an awful lot in the past few years…" Lily trailed off.

"Look, I know you're worried about us, but don't be. We'll be fine; we know what we're doing." Lily stood up. "Now you go to bed, you've got to be up early tomorrow." Lily walked out and Cassie sank lower in her bed. Picking up her wand she flicked the candles out and sank deeper into her thoughts.

AN: Since I haven't gotten any reviews yet, I have a proposition. The first person to review will have a character in the next chapter named after them. Just give a short description of yourself. The next three people after that will have their name's in the story also. Please Review!!!