Chapter 10

A/N: Hello readers ! :) Hope everyone's holidays were as amazing as mine. Loved my little Christmas break and couldn't believe I went more than one day without touching my Mac Baby. I thought I was sick because of this, however that didn't stop me from going on my tumblr app on my phone... addiction at its finest. Anyways, happy holidays and welcome to 2014 lovelies. Enjoy the chapter, next chapter is already on its way as well so look forward to a quick couple updates.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter.

xx

"How long has she been in there?" Sirius asked, sliding a mug of tea to Remus.

"Couldn't tell you. She hasn't left that room in so long I feel like she isn't an actual person anymore." Remus joked, adding two packages of sugar into his tea.

They had been sitting in the kitchen of the burrow for what seemed like days. They were both concerned for their friend Cas, ever since there was a slight lead on her parents murderers. Cas had been at work with the Order since then trying to get more information on the lead that Dumbledore had found. It had been days since anyone had seen her outside of the office in the Burrow, and everyday Sirius or Remus was found outside of the door waiting for her to come out. But that never came. She would sleep for two hours tops before she went back into the office, and every time she came out the boys were sleeping.

"This cannot be healthy." Sirius muttered, rubbing his face to avoid the awkward silence that had fallen between the boys. It was crazy how one girl had put such a strain on a lifelong friendship. Sirius sighed again and made awkward eye contact with Remus before staring back at the wooden door of the office.

"Look Sirius, we have to talk about this eventually." Remus stated suddenly, causing Sirius' head to snap up. He gave him a long look before nodding slightly, he wasn't used to confrontation with the guys, the only real falling out they ever had was the Snape incident during their Hogwarts years.

"Okay." Sirius muttered after a long silence. The silence had continued to make every situation uncomfortable since the night Sirius found Remus in Cas' apartment.

"I am only going to say this once so listen carefully Sirius, there is nothing going on between Cas and I. I know you two aren't together but I know me being close with her is pissing you off and I'm sorry for that but it isn't my problem, it is yours. Whatever you two have going on, know I would be happy for you two if you got together. I have no feelings what so ever for Cas, and I need you to hear that and believe it. I would never do anything to go against you mate, after all it is in the Marauder's code." Remus ended, making Sirius laugh. Sirius nodded and stood up, bringing Remus into a brief "man hug" with a added "man slap" on the back.

"I'm sorry I am such a tosser Moons, I just can't deal with broads. This one is driving me nuts." Sirius added, pulling back from Remus.

"No need to say sorry, girls are difficult, this one more so than others." Remus joked, giving Sirius a "man punch" to the shoulder.

"Tell me about it." Sirius responded, rubbing his shoulder from the impact of Remus' punch.

"Don't tell me you two are about to cry and confess your love for each other?" James asked, causally leaning against the kitchen's door frame.

"Well if we were we can't with you here." Sirius joked, clapping James on the shoulder. James laughed and pulled Remus out of his chair.

"Well don't let me stop you. However, now is not the time. Now is the time to stop moping and play some bloody Qudditch with Pete and I." James stated, turning his two brothers out of the kitchen and into the back where Peter was waiting, brooms in hand.

xx

Cas sat at the desk for hours and hours. Her eyes were glazed over as she continued to stare at the paper in front of her. The lead had come quick, too quick. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face the reality and find out the truth behind her parent's death. However unsure she was on her feelings she had no time to not be ready, she would know soon enough. She could barely breathe.

Cas stood up and began to pace, her breaths coming out in sharp motions. She had been waiting for Dumbledore for an hour now and the anxiety was literally eating her alive.

She crossed the room once more before the door flew open. Cas' head snapped up quickly only to turn slightly as she saw Lily walk in and not Dumbledore. A weird sight since Cas had requested no visitors. This was a thing she had to do by herself, obviously Lily didn't understand that.

"Cassie?" Lily's voice cut through the tension in the room and Cas nodded in response.

"Yes, Evans?" Cas asked distantly before crossing the room to look at the possible lead once more.

"I know you said to stay away but sorry, no one tells Lily Evans what to do. Besides, no one should have to wait by themselves for this kind of news." Lily added as an after thought, putting a comforting hand on Cas' shoulder.

"Where the bloody hell is Dumbledore?" Cas asked, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Lily hugged her softly and tried to control her sobs. Lily couldn't imagine waiting to find out this kind of news, especially after waiting for so long. As soon as the hug started it ended, Cas was away from Lily and wiping the few tears that had fallen.

"He will be here soon. Do you want tea?" Lily asked, withdrawing her hand from Cas.

"Yes please, if you don't mind Lily." Cas said, turning to the clock once more, he had been gone for so long.

"No problem Cas." Lily turned to leave, but before she could leave, the door opened once more to reveal Dumbledore.

Cas jumped from her slouched position and stood abruptly.

"Miss. Evans, if you would please." Dumbledore asked, gesturing to the open door. Lily nodded and locked eyes with Cas before leaving.

"Lils, I'll meet up with you later." Cas uttered quickly, trying to thank Lily within her statement. Lily turned around and smiled quickly before shutting the door.

"What have you found Dumbledore? You took long enough." Cas asked as soon as the door closed.

"Patience Miss. Morris, we will get no where with this hostility. I followed the lead and found a name that could have possible information related to your parent's passing. However, I will ask you this, and it would do you good if you answered this honestly, Miss. Morris. Are you ready for this information?" Dumbledore asked, his gaze penetrating Cas' and reaching her soul. Cas took a shaky breath and nodded, her eyes glazing over.

"It's been so long Dumbledore." was all she could mutter, her voice shaking on her words.

"I know Miss. Morris. However, one cannot move on and grow in the future when ones soul is stuck in the past." Dumbledore stated calmly, his gaze never leaving hers. Cas took a moment to study Dumbledore, the man she had spent so many years hating and blaming for her parents death. When in reality, it wasn't he who killed her parents, he was the one working hard with her to bring her the justice her soul craves. Cas nodded stiffly and in that moment she let go of the resentment she had felt for years towards this man, in that moment her soul was set free as she moved forward for the first time, not backwards.

xx

Lily left the office nervously. Although being slightly reassured from Cas' last words, she couldn't help but think nothing good could come from this. It seemed the one thing Cas wanted most was the same thing that haunted her and that she obsessed about. As Lily knew all to well, it did not do one well to dwell on obsessions.

Lily walked threw the kitchen, her thoughts still on Cas and her situation when she ran into Peter.

"Hello Pete, do you know where the girls are?" Lily asked, startling Peter and making him drop his wand in the process.

"Oh sorry, were you sending a patronus?" Lily continued, noticing his nervous expression.

"Oh hello Lily, yes. I was just- er sending a patronus to my mother. She is sick and alone at home since dad is away on business. Just checking in on her, don't tell the guys would you? They'd tear the mickey out of me if they knew, they already call me a 'Mommy's Boy' enough without this under their belts." Peter begged, causing Lily to smile.

"Don't worry Pete, I got your back. Even though you know your brothers are just kidding around." Lily reassured him, making him laugh.

"Yeah, you're right I guess. The girls are outside with the guys, we decided to play qudditch in the freezing cold, you can blame your boyfriend for that one." Peter muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Lily smiled a the mention of James, of course he forced everyone to play. He can be very persuasive when it came to when it was time to play quidditch, and he really didn't take no for an answer. It was the one thing James demanded in his life, when things are tough it is the one thing he knows. Tough day? Play quidditch. Dog dies? Play quidditch. It was all very simple for James and it was one of the many reason Lily loved him so, even in the darkest of times he was able to find something to make everything right again. Even if it was qudditch.

Lily looked outside and frowned at the snow starting to fall, it was too soon for snow in Lily's mind, but apparently Mother Nature wasn't agreeing with her thoughts. Lily shrugged on her coat, adding a scarf and hat to avoid the cool breeze. After sliding on her boots and mittens Lily joined her friends outside.

"Evans!" James exclaimed when he saw his beauty of a girlfriend walk outside. Lily looked up and smiled as he flew closer. It seemed they had taken a break seeing as how Sirius and Remus were lounging by the gazebo with the girls.

"Potter!" Lily exclaimed before being tackled by James, who had literally thrown himself off his broom and onto her body, taking all the impact of the ground so she wasn't injured.

"You're mad, Potter!" Lily laughed, rolling off of James, elbowing him in the ribs as she did so.

"Watch your boney elbows woman, do you sharpen them at night time?" James joked, rubbing his ribs and milking his predicament.

"Are you a man or not? Toughen up princess." Lily joked, her face flush from the wind.

"Princess? PRINCESS?" James hollered, tackling Lily again and pinning her gently on the ground.

"Did I stutter?" Lily asked cheekily causing James to break through his false expression and laugh.

"Did you hear that Moons? The lady dares to call me a princess." James hollered to his friends, tickling Lily and enjoying every minute of her squirming beneath him.

"Well sorry to break it to you mate, but you're kind of a pansy." Remus yelled back, causing the girls and Sirius to howl in laughter.

"Lils, see what you did. You turned my best friends against me. I am so vulnerable right now, hug me." James drawled dramatically, collapsing onto Lily. Lily giggled and whispered in his ear.

"I guess you will just have to prove to me that you're not a pansy tonight, Potter." Lily whispered seductively, causing James to stop pretending to cry and snap his head up quickly.

"Challenge accepted it, my fiery maiden." James growled, leaning in to kiss Lily full on the mouth.

"Get a bloody room would ya? You're making the ones who are doomed to be alone upset." Sirius bellowed, his bark laughter following.

"Cover you eyes then Sirius, don't want you to be upset now." Lily yelled back, causing everyone but Sirius to laugh.

"OY! I wasn't talking about me, I was referring to Dorcas here. She has to stop beating up the men she dates if she ever wants a significant other." Sirius joked, causing Dorcas to smack him upside the head.

"Stuff it Black, or I will make you shit razor blades again." Dorcas threatened, causing Sirius' face to pale.

"You wouldn't." Sirius said, calling her bluff.

"Isn't that what you said last time? Do you really want to find out?" Dorcas threatened, her wand twitching in her hand. Sirius gulped and shook his head before grasping his bum and running away from Dorcas. The group howled in laughter as they watched Sirius run with a death grip on his bum.

"Is it the night time yet?" James asked huskily, after his laughter had died down. He bent his head and slowly nibbled on Lily's ear, causing her to moan softly. Lily pretended to check her watch and nodded.

"Bloody close enough." Lily murmured, her face hot with anticpation. James smiled and stood quickly, pulling Lily to her feet.

"We are just going to go an-"

"Shag." Dorcas answered for them, causing Lily to blush and James laugh.

"Yes, we are going to make sweet, sweet love Dorcas, and you aren't invited." James joked, pulling Lily close, her blush deepening.

"Aw man! I thought we all had fun last time?" Dorcas joked, causing Remus' face to flush. Lily raised and eyebrow and he shifted his gaze to the ground.

"Sorry but Lils is enough in the bed without an added female. Ouch Lils! What was that about?" James asked, rubbing his side again from where Lily had hit him. "Such an abusive relationship, Dor will you vouch for me when I bring this case of abuse to the Ministry?" James joked.

"Sure thing Goggles." Dorcas agreed lazily as she lowered herself to the ground, letting out a large sigh.

"Thanks Dorkas." James muttered, spinning his fiery maiden away and, as James liked to call it despite Lily's objectives, into the den of love.

xx

"I am sorry Cassie." Dumbledore muttered as they observed the scene in front of them. Cas felt herself collapse, her face paling and her heart sinking. Their one lead, ruined.

The two had left the Order earlier, in hopes in finding the lead they needed, only to find the person's house destroyed. When Cas saw the house her hopes fell from her faster than her legs carried her. She sprinted in, Dumbledore in tow, hoping and praying for a miracle. She was wrong, silly of her to think otherwise. After all, when The Dark Lord wanted something done, it was done.

Cas stared at the deceased body of the only lead they had and felt herself let out a cry of frustration. Their only lead, dead. Murdered, just like her parents. Everyone was being killed off who could be a threat to Voldemort. Cas sobbed as she felt hopelessness consume her, taking control of her and ruining any sort of progress she had hoped to make today.

Cas slid to the ground and felt Dumbledore's hand on her shoulder.

"How." Was all Cas could mutter.

"It seems Voldemort had gotten wind of a possible witness, or even the person responsible for your parent's death did. They obviously felt threatened enough by you to destroy the only lead we could have. I am so sorry Cas. I know you had your hopes high on this lead, but there will be others. For now, we should clear out and report our findings to the ministry." Dumbledore added, lifting Cas steadily from the ground with surprising strength.

"How." Cas muttered again, her sobs tearless now and full of hatred. "How."

xx

Cas slurred her words and she sang loudly, her voice echoing in her empty apartment. She was alone and it felt terrible, she had failed her parents once more tonight. Couldn't even keep a witness alive. Cas took another swig of her bottle and shed out of her clothes she was wearing before tossing them in her fireplace. She hated anything that reminded her of tonight, her clothes included.

Cas stared at her burning clothes, clad in her bra and underwear, bottle in hand. She remained there, silent tears spilling. This was exactly how the Marauders and girls found her. A complete shit show to be frank.

"Shit." Sirius muttered, running forward shrugging out of his cloak as he did so.

"Siirry?" Cas mumbled confused, as Sirius slipped his cloak on her. Sirius stared at her with sad eyes, taking in the glaze of her eyes. The cloak was way too big for her, but in that moment Sirius thought she looked stunning.

"Yes Cassie, it's me. I'm just going to take this from you." Sirius stated, slipping the bottle from her hands and tossing it to Remus. Remus stared at it sadly before going into the kitchen to pour out its contents.

"Lils can you get her some pants please?" James asked, as he and Sirius moved Cas to the couch.

"No pants. I hate pants." Cas murmured, her voice heavily scented of booze. Sirius chuckled despite the situation and nodded.

"A blanket then Lily?" Sirius asked, and with no objection from Cas, Lily slipped into the other room to find a blanket.

"Dorcas did you bring the sobering solution?" Remus asked, returning from the kitchen minus the bottle.

"Yeah, right here." Dorcas passed Sirius the bottle and Sirius popped off the top with his teeth before forcing the liquid down Cas' throat.

Cas resisted at first but eventually gave in, it was moments before she opened her eyes. Groaning as the light hit her, her eyes focused in on the worried expression of Sirius. Cas smiled and tapped his face lightly.

"Where did you come from?" Cas asked, looking around at her unexpected guests.

"Molly told us you needed people tonight, and by the looks of things she was correct. What did your clothes ever do to you Cas?" Sirius asked, referring to the burning wardrobe behind them.

"They smelt of failure and death." Cas mumbled darkly, accepting the water from Remus and taking greedy gulps. "That's better, thanks Rem."

"What happened Cas?" Lily asked, returning with a blanket. She passed the blanket to Sirius who carefully laid it across Cas' half naked body. Sirius gulped as he felt the warmth of her bare leg on his hand, a feeling inside stirring that he had never felt before.

"Cas?" Remus asked, interrupting Sirius' dirty thoughts.

"We followed the lead, but whoever killed my parents was faster. The witness was dead, his house destroyed. It was clear he was tortured, since there was blood everywhere." Cas admitted, her eyes glowing in shame and rage.

"That isn't your fault Cassie, you didn't know." Remus soothed, patting her head gently.

"I should've been quicker, but once again I was too late and someone died because of me. I am sick of being too slow." Cas muttered, more to herself than anyone.

"There will be other leads Cassie, don't be so hard on yourself." Lily added, bringing another glass of water to Cas. Cas took it and nodded her thanks to Lily.

"I sure hope so." Cas added, closing her eyes gently.

The group stayed with her the rest of the night, passing around the bottle between them all but skipping Cas. She was cut off for a very long time. It came time for everyone to leave and Cas stood to use the loo.

They said their goodbyes and everyone left, leaving Sirius and Cas alone together.

"Cas, please don't do anything like this again. If you want to drink away your worries come get us first, it works a lot better when you're surrounded by people who care about you." Sirius stated awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. Cas stared a minute or two at Sirius, causing his neck to flush anxiously.

"And you care do you?" Cas asked quietly, her gaze still stuck on Sirius' face.

"Of course I do, why wouldn't I? We're friends aren't we?" Sirius asked, his voice cracking a bit on the word 'friends'.

"Friends? I suppose so." Cas mumbled, causing Sirius to smirk slightly.

"Well friend, I'd better get going. Leave you to sleep off your hangover." Sirius joked, moving to leave. Before he got too far he was taken off guard as Cs threw herself into his arms quickly. Sirius was quick to respond and wrapped his arms around her tightly, smiling as he felt her relax slightly in his arms.

"Sirius?" Cas' voice was muffled slightly by his sweater.

"Mhm?" Sirius asked, causing goosebumps to appear on Cas' arm as she felt him vibrate slightly.

"Do friends do friends favors?" Cas asked, her voice coming out quietly.

"Sure do." Sirius answered, his arms slowly rubbing her arms through his cloak.

"Can you stay the night?" Cas' voice barely reached his ears and he felt his heart stop.

"Not like that, I just want someone here is all. I am a little shaken up to be honest." Cas continued after a slight awkward pause.

"Of course Cassie." Sirius answered, patting down her hair gently. Cas sighed in relief before grabbing his hand gently and tugging him toward her room. Cas shyly made her way to her bed before sliding under the sheets.

Sirius removed his shirt and slid in next to her, his arms awkwardly still by his sides.

"Thank you Sirius." Cas' voice pierced the silence and Sirius sighed, his body relaxing.

"Not a problem, I'm not one to say no to a half naked woman." Sirius joked, turning on his side to view Cas' body, still visible through the thin sheet.

Cas laughed, blushing all the same. Damn, it felt good to laugh. Cas moved closer until she was touching Sirius' side, her body craving to be touched.

Sirius stiffened at her proximity, his body burning where her body touched his.

"But seriously, thank you." Cas mumbled, her head resting on his shoulder.

Sirius nodded and noticed Cas had fallen asleep. He brought her closer and inhaled the scent of her hair, a act that brought on complete relaxation. It was a kind of calm that would stop his recurring nightmares, the kind that made every part of your body and soul relax. Sirius did not find this shocking, he always knew he would find comfort with Cas. He knew it the moment they danced in the gazebo, but he knew he had to play this one cool. Which he thought wouldn't be hard for him, since after all he is Sirius freaking Black.

Sirius smirked and kissed Cas on the forehead gently. He knew his antics on other woman worked easy enough, but he wasn't naive enough to think it would work on Cas. She was one broad that wasn't easily wooed.

xx

A/N: So there it is. Let me know what you thought, good or bad. A new chapter should be up sometime this week or next. Love you all.

-Haley