Chapter 21: A Happy Visit

Two days after the students had left Grimmauld Place, Cassie sat in the music room, staring out the only clean window in the house. She had found this room on accident. She had been looking for a place to store Christmas presents and had stumbled into the music room. There was an old piano, several string instruments and a harp covered in dust and cobwebs. She managed to clear off the dust and cobwebs and clean the window. Now the room looked bright and cheery; well, as cheery as it could with the large Slytherin banners that hung from the walls.

"Cassie," called a voice from the hallway.

She stood and opened the door. "Yes Moony," she asked, standing in the doorframe. "What can I do for you?"

He thrust an edition of the Daily Prophet towards her and she caught a glimpse of the cover. "What the bloody hell," Cassie exclaimed, grabbing the paper and opening it up.

She backed into the room and sat in the chair she had previously vacated. "They escaped," she whispered.

Remus nodded and sat across from her on the piano bench. "And they're blaming Sirius."

Cassie shook her head. "Merlin. Things always get worse before they get better. Maybe everything will start looking up?"

Remus nodded again. I doubt it, he thought, but kept his thoughts to himself. He didn't need to worry Cassie anymore than she already was.

"They're going to enhance the search for him, aren't they," Cassie asked softly.

He sighed. "Most likely. He won't be able to leave anymore, at all."

"He won't be happy about that, but it's only for a short while. It's only a matter time before they prove his innocence."

"Yes, he should be free shortly." Remus smiled at her, but knew it would be a long time before Sirius Black was able to go out in public again.

"Well, I have to get going; I have an appointment with the Healer at St. Mungo's at 2 pm." She tossed the Daily Prophet onto a side table as her face fell. "I don't know what to do Moony."

"I don't either Cassie. But we'll figure something out. We always do."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"Well Ms. Potter, you seem to be coming along nicely," Healer Martin smiled as she put her wand back into her pocket. "Do you have any questions? Is there anything you want to know?"

Cassie thought to herself. "No, I don't believe so. Everything is going normally, right?"

"Of course. Everything is fine. The baby is perfectly healthy, as are you. You seem to be a little stressed, but that's normal with what's going on in the world today." Healer Martin paused. "You are far enough along now; it is possible to tell the sex of the baby. Would you like to know?"

Cassie thought for a moment. "Ye…" she paused. "No. I'd like to keep it a surprise."

The healer smiled. "Have you picked out any names yet," she asked as she began packing up her medical kit.

Smiling, Cassie replied, "yes. Lily Anna and James Sirius."

The Healer stopped what she was doing. "James Sirius? That's an interesting name."

Cassie's face paled. "Yes, and I know what you're thinking. But James was my brother and I don't believe Sirius Black killed him. I would like to name my child after the greatest people in my life."

"Yes. That is a good idea. Not too many people do that these days. It's all about coming up with the most unique name. Apple I ask you. What kind of a name is that?" Turning around, the healer smiled again. "You are in perfect condition for being just over five months along. On your way out, please make sure you schedule an appointment for the seventh month. Have a wonderful day!" Healer Martin walked out the door, leaving Cassie to shake her head at herself. Why would you tell her that name?! The baby's a girl, you know that already. Why bother even worrying about the boy name?

Like the Healer said, Cassie scheduled her next appointment on her way out. "March 27," the receptionist said, looking down at her schedule book. "At… 2 o'clock."

"Thank you," she said as she signed the payment slip and wrote the appointment in her own planner. As she was leaving the office, she remembered why that date seemed so familiar. James would be 36.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

When Cassie arrived back at the house, she was startled to find Catherine sitting in the sitting room. "Hullo. What are you doing here?" Cassie smiled as she sat on the couch.

"I was in the area and I felt like stopping by. Is that okay? Remus Lupin let me in." Catherine looked around nervously.

Cassie smiled. "It's fine. Order members drop in and out all the time. Tonks was here yesterday, just to say hi."

Catherine looked relieved. "Oh good. I thought I was intruding or something." She leaned back in the chair, obviously more comfortable with being in the house.

"So how have you been," Cassie asked.

"I'm doing well. I work a lot and don't get to socialize much but other than that everything is wonderful. Is everything going well here? Remus said that you had an appointment with the Healer. How's the baby?"

Cassie grinned. "The baby is fine. I almost found out whether it was a boy or girl, but I decided I wanted to be surprised."

"That's a great idea. Do you two have any names picked out yet?"

"Well, we have a couple…"

Catherine leaned forward. "Well, what are they?"

"Lily Anna for a girl and James Sirius for a boy." Cassie smiled, her face glowing with excitement.

"Those are wonderful names," Catherine said, leaning back again into her chair.

The two sat silently for a few minutes, each thinking their own thoughts. Catherine gazed around the room, a bit scared by the house-elf heads hung on the wall.

"Can I ask a question? This may seem weird…" Catherine started, looking around strangely.

"What?"

"Why are there heads of house-elves on the wall?"

Cassie laughed loudly. "Apparently Sirius' aunt used to decapitate her house-elves when they got too old to carry tea trays."

"Wow. Umm, wow."

Cassie smiled and nodded. "Yeah. He has an interesting family to say the least."

"To say the very least." Catherine stopped mid-laugh. "Cassie? I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"I didn't keep in touch. I should have been there for you. I should have been around for you after we graduated. What did you do?"

Sighing, Cassie looked out the grimy window. "Nothing. I cleaned out my parent's house, I worked at the Leaky Cauldron, and I visited Sirius in Azkaban… but nothing good. Nothing worth talking about." Cassie sighed again. "It was lonely, but I had Moony. He fought hard to get me out of my little shell of sorts. He's the one that made me visit James and Lily's graves, dragged me there on the tenth anniversary."

Catherine nodded. "I'm sorry Cassie. I really am."

Cassie smiled. "I know, but we're back together now. We can try to pick up where we left off."

The two chatted for a while longer until Catherine looked at her watch and sighed. "Damn. I have to go. I have to be at work early tomorrow morning."

Cassie rose and walked her to the door. "Anytime you want to come by and chat, I'll be here. I don't get out much these days." The friends hugged and Catherine left, leaving Cassie to glance quietly up the stairs.

She walked softly up the steps and knocked softly on the door to the bedroom she shared with her husband. "Sirius? Are you awake?" He was lying on the bed, his stomach against the mattress. His hair fell over into his face, blocking it from her view.

When she got no response, she entered, shutting the door behind her. She sat on the bed and ran her hand over his back. "I love you," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you. You have to promise me you'll never leave me. I can't take care of myself and a child alone."

AN: Yes, before you even comment: it was awful. Totally and completely boring. It sucked... but was necessary to get on to the next part. I couldn't just jump from January to April. Altho... eh who knows. So please leave a quick review, even if it's just to reiterate what I just said. Thank you!