AN: Not my sandbox, I just play in it! Please review!

Chapter 11: The Secrets Revealed

Remus Lupin stood in front of the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Cassie to finish her shift. He was unnerved that she had taken a job here; after all she had worked for. She had received five N.E.W.T.S., Outstanding in four of them and an Exceeds Expectations in the fifth. Cassie wanted to be a teacher, but now… who knows what would happen.

He smiled when she walked out of the pub and into Diagon Alley. "Hullo Cassie. Long day?"

"Oh it was horrid! I'm so exhausted!" Cassie sighed and walked to sit on a bench.

"We don't have to go for dinner. We can postpone for another time," Remus sat down next to her, rubbing her shoulders.

Cassie leaned into his strong hands as he massaged her shoulders. It was odd; the usually shy, timid man had such a strong, firm touch. "Mmm that feels nice. No, we can do dinner. I haven't seen you in so long. I need the relaxation and company."

"Come on; let's go to that new muggle restaurant, I think it's called Samantha's. And then you can convince me why I should allow you to continue to work here." He winked as he helped her stand up. He held her left hand for an extra moment and stared at the ring on it. "Where did you get that?" he asked quietly, snapping out of his daze. He recognized the ring, or thought he did.

"No where. So Samantha's it is."

The two walked down Diagon Alley, window shopping and making small talk. They arrived and were seated quickly. After ordering their food, the two fell into silence. Remus stared at her, pondering the ring on her finger. He silently wondered what had gone wrong between them. They used to be able to speak about anything for long periods of time, and now…they had again lapsed into silence.

"So why have you been avoiding me?" Remus asked watching her closely.

Cassie sighed and lowered her head. "I haven't been avoiding you. I've… I've just been busy is all." Even as she spoke the words, she knew he didn't believe her. She hadn't been busy, she had in all honest been avoiding him. She didn't want to see the look he would give her when he found out about her visit to Azkaban. It would be a look of disappointment, sadness, concern.

"Cassie. Don't lie. I've always loved your brutal honestly so don't lie now." Remus leaned forward and looked at her concernedly. "Why haven't you come to see me? Or let me see you for that matter?"

"I don't know. I've just wanted to be alone I guess. I finished cleaning out the house. I don't think I can bear to sell it; too many memories."

Remus nodded understandingly. "You managed to clean out and pack everything? Even…" He paused. "Even James's room?"

It was Cassie's turn to nod. "Surprisingly that wasn't the hardest room to do. I…Sirius left some things, in the spare room. I don't know how I managed to clear it out. It wasn't much, but enough to get the memories flowing."

Cassie smiled as the waitress brought their food and the conversation lulled. After a few moments Remus cleared his throat. "That's a beautiful locket, where did you get it?"

Grinning, Cassie spoke softly, "James, Lily and Harry."

She laughed at Remus's puzzled expression. "James left two gifts with Prof. Dumbledore, in case they were still in hiding at Christmas." She unclasped it and took it off, handing it to her friend. "Open it up. There are two pictures inside."

Remus opened the locket and was greeted by the smiling faces of James, Lily and Harry on one side, and James and Cassie on the other side. "That's beautiful," he said softly, handing it back to her. Seeing the picture of one of his best friends cause a lump to rise in his throat.

She put the locket back on and smiled. "I was shocked to wake up Christmas morning and find them…it at the foot of my bed. Catherine nearly had a heart attack."

"You said James left two presents with Prof. Dumbledore. What was the other one?" Remus tried to sound curious, but he wasn't. He had recognized the ring on her hand. It was the same one he had helped Sirius pick out in September of 1981. If Sirius gave her that ring…and she's wearing it on that hand…

"Oh, nothing." Cassie blushed and continued eating. "Fine. I'll tell you once we're through. I hate when you look at me like that." She smiled. "I know you're going to cause a scene and I'd rather you not do it in public. We'll go back to my flat."

Remus stared at her, puzzled. What does she mean 'I'm going to cause a scene'?

They finished their dinner shortly after and apparated to Cassie's flat.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked once they had arrived.

"Oh yes please," said Remus, sitting down on her couch. He looked around, taking in the scene. She had painted the living room a pale lilac and had placed several photographs on the walls and on the mantel.

"Here you go, fixed just the way you like it." Cassie handed him a cup full of hot tea. Cassie took her own mug and sat across from him in her favorite armchair.

"Well…" Remus started. "Was there something you needed to explain to me?"

"You certainly do get straight to the point. Well, you might want to put down your cup of tea. I don't feel much like cleaning up the mess you'll make."

Cassie placed her mug on the side table and took a deep breathe. "What was the original question you asked me?" She asked innocently.

"Cassie," said Remus wearily. "I asked you where you got that ring."

She shook her head. "You already know, otherwise you wouldn't have asked. Why are you going to make me say it?" She spoke quietly, almost inaudibly. "Sirius gave it to me for Christmas" she said softly.

Remus shook his head and leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees. He sighed quietly. "Why are you wearing it on that hand?" He was struggling to keep his voice steady and calm.

"…" she murmured.

"What was that Cass?" His voice sounded tired.

"Because he proposed in the note he left with the ring." She put her head down, studying the carpet fibers.

"He what?" Remus Lupin's head snapped up at the word 'proposed'. I didn't know that's why he bought the bloody thing!

Suddenly, the werewolf's mind came on something. "You said you took a trip. Where did you go?" He dreaded knowing the answer. He just knew what she was going to say.

"Why are you asking me?" Cassie sounded on the verge of tears. Her voice wavered with each syllable.

"Cassie, I want you to be safe. Being…being engaged to…that man," Remus spat the last word. "It's not good Cass."

"He didn't do it," she looked him in the eyes; her blue meeting his hazel.

"How do you know that?"

"I just do. He couldn't… He's so angry. He feels like everyone's abandoned him." Remus looked at her, he gaze indescribable.

"What do you mean, he's so angry? How do you know what he feels?" He stood up quickly. "You didn't. Tell me you didn't Cassiopeia." Remus stared at her, his stare threatening.

"What do you want? Do you want me to lie to you? What am I supposed to do Remus? I love him. I can't just let him rot in there!" Cassie stood up. "Yes, I went to Azkaban. I saw him. I touched him. He didn't do it!"

Cassie heard a low growl come from the usually gentle Remus. "I don't believe you did that. How could you go there? Didn't you listen when James was talking? Didn't you hear about the horrors of that place?" His voice rose with every question, culminating in a loud statement of "Damnit Cassie!" He stamped as he stood up and walked away from her.

Cassie twirled the ring on her left hand. "He killed your family Cass." Remus turned back and sat down next to her, pulling her into him. "He killed your family and took away everything you loved. How can you still love him? How can you believe him?" He pulled her hands into his and met her eyes.

"I can't explain it. I believe him."

"You just can't accept it yet. He won't be getting out Cassie, not ever. You'll forget him and everything you felt for him."

"I won't. I can't" she whispered. "I can't choose who I love."

"Cassie," he said gently. "He was using you. He was using all of us. I don't think he's capable of love anymore. Maybe back in 7th year when you two dated, but not now. Not after…" Remus trailed off.

"That's what you say. You don't know." Cassie turned away. "Do you mind leaving? I'd rather be alone right now."

Remus nodded and stood up. "Please don't let it be another year before I see you." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "I miss you Cassie. You're the only friend I have left." With the last sentence, Remus Lupin disapparated from her flat. Cassie stared at the spot from which he vanished, the tears already forming in her eyes.