A/N: Greetings to any Sirius Black fans out there! Like many Harry Potter fans, I am disappointed that my favorite characters got the boot. One in particular was Sirius Black. To this day, it makes no sense to me why he died after all he'd been through. I feel that Sirius deserved a happy ending, so here it is!

This story is linked to my friend Roza Anne's story and she has already incorporated my characters. So, without further ado, here's the story! Enjoy!

P.S. This story begins in medias res. Forgive me, but for those who may not know, medias res basically "in the middle of." Then, it will go to the beginning.

Sirius and Cassiopeia: A Pair of Star Crossed Lovers

Chapter 1: No Cheer

Slam! The heavy iron gate closed, echoing through the empty tower at Hogwarts. The cell was cramped and dark. It was very dank and disgusting that even a rat would not care to venture in. There was also a maddening sound of water dripping.

Alas, it was a terrible fate that two prisoners, a man and a woman, were to be housed in such a tower. The man was almost skeletal, and his bony body was covered in tattoos. In addition to an almost gaunt appearance, the man had a mess of hair as black as a raven. On the other hand, the woman looked sicklier than the man. Her short, chocolate hair was matted and damp. Sweat poured from the woman's flushed head.

The man and the woman peeked out through the darkness to see a bespectacled man with gray hair. This man was none other than the Head Minister, Cornelius Fudge of the Ministry of Magic.

"Sirius and Cassiopeia Black," Fudge said sternly, "You are found guilty of numerous crimes including murder, aiding and abetting criminal, endangering children, and so on. The Dementors will perform the Kiss immediately tonight."

Albus Dumbledore, dressed in his fine blue robes and cap, argued with Fudge. "Cornelius, I have it on good authority that these two are innocent."

"And from whom did this information come, Dumbledore?" Fudge demanded.

"It came from three of my students, and two of my staff," Dumbledore replied calmly.

"Three students are hardly proof enough," Fudge countered. "And the word of two of your staff is useless as well. They might even have been harboring these two."

"I believe I would know if two fugitives were in my school, Head Minister," Dumbledore said. "And I would trust my staff not to harbor any."

"That being said, Dumbledore, I have no choice," Fudge said, an air of compassion in him. "You have only witnesses, but no evidence. Sirius and Cassiopeia Black are guilty and must be punished accordingly."

"Head Minister, we have a son. Please, let us go to him," Cassiopeia begged.

"Your pleas are useless, Mrs. Black," Fudge said, this time with no compassion. "I am truly sorry about your son, but as you have nothing to prove your innocence, you and your husband are sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss."

"Head Minister, my wife has only given birth a few hours ago," Sirius argued. "She must see a physician. My wife did nothing. It was all my fault. She would not be here if it wasn't for me. Don't punish her for my mistakes."

"Enough," Fudge said firmly. "No pleas you make will save you tonight."

Fudge turned and ambled down from the tower, with Dumbledore following suit.

"Dumbledore, please," Sirius begged.

"I'm truly sorry, Sirius," Dumbledore said sincerely, "But I'm afraid that time is not on your side tonight."

With a quick wink, Dumbledore left the tower.

Cassiopeia sat in a ball, her knees to her chest. "He thinks we are guilty, doesn't he, Sirius?"

"Dumbledore believes us, Cassie. I promise that he does," Sirius reassured her.

"I don't want to lose my soul, Sirius," Cassiopeia said, shivering.

"Well, in case you didn't notice, neither do I," Sirius chuckled.

"How can you be cheerful?" Cassiopeia asked incredulously.

"Cheer is the best defense we have now," Sirius said.

"I don't feel cheer anymore," Cassiopeia said gloomily.

Sirius filled Cassiopeia into his arms, running his fingers through her hair.

"Why don't we forget about all this, shall we?" he asked.

"How?" Cassiopeia asked glumly.

"You said that we had a son," Sirius said, a smile on his face. "I feel ashamed that I was not there."

"Don't be silly, Sirius. You were there," Cassiopeia said earnestly.

"I am ashamed that I barely got to hold, or even see my own baby. Tell me about him, Cassie," Sirius said gently, still stroking Cassiopeia's hair.

"He is so perfect, Sirius," Cassiopeia said, beaming. "The moment he opened his eyes, he was beautiful. He is as beautiful as you."

"I would imagine he has his mum's beauty as well," Sirius laughed. "The House of Black does tend to have good-looking children."

Cassiopeia smiled. "I do not doubt that."

"Tell me more, Cassie," Sirius said.

"I can tell you that hearing him cry was the most beautiful sound that I have ever heard," Cassiopeia said wistfully. "If ever I were to conjure a Patronus, this would be the memory to do it. His cry and the sight of him amazed me. Tonks was ecstatic. Even Snape was in awe."

"Tonks and Snape?" Sirius asked, bewildered.

"Yes. They were the ones that helped me deliver him," Cassiopeia explained.

"Snape was actually moved by a baby?" Sirius asked, truly flabbergasted.

"I do not see why he wouldn't be," Cassiopeia answered. "Snape has feelings, too, Sirius."

"Well, if you say so, then it must be true," Sirius agreed. "Did you have a name in mind?"

"That part was quite easy," Cassiopeia said with a smile, "His name is Remus James Black."

"Remus James Black," Sirius said, trying the name as if it were a piece of clothing, "I love it. Named after two of the best men I know. We can call him R.J., for short."

"That's funny, because Tonks was already calling him S.J.," Cassiopeia laughed.

"S.J.?" Sirius asked, wrinkling his brow.

"As in Sirius Junior," Cassiopeia explained. "She said that he looks like a baby version of you. I kinda like it. Named after the best man I know."

Sirius smiled. "Oh, yes. You married quite a catch, you did."

Cassiopeia only half-smiled, then frowned. "I'm afraid, Sirius."

"You don't have to fear the Dementors, Cassie," Sirius reassured her.

"It's not the Dementors, Sirius," Cassie corrected him, tears running down her reddened face. "It's losing our boy. I have only just held him, gazed at him. I barely know him. I don't want what memories I have to be my last, Sirius! I don't want to lose our baby!"

Sirius held Cassiopeia close to his chest and rocked her back and forth. "Shh, shh. You don't have to be afraid, Cassie. Little Remus is a happy, baby boy. He is safe and sound. Little Remus will never forget us. The bond we have with our boy is something that not even the Dementors can take away."

Cassiopeia quieted, comforted by Sirius's scent and his heartbeat. "Do you think there's hope for us, Sirius?"

"Oh, yes. If you ask me, there is always the most hope in times like these," Sirius said optimistically. "Don't worry, Cassie. Everything is going to be fine. You are safe with me."

Cassiopeia then lay down in Sirius's lap, physically and emotionally exhausted.

"I just wish that we could see our little Remus one more time," she said wearily.

"We will see him again," Sirius reassured her.

"Promise?" Cassiopeia asked.

"I promise, Cassie," Sirius whispered.

Comforted, Cassiopeia smiled at Sirius and kissed him. The kiss seemed to lift her spirits slightly. Cassiopeia then lay back in Sirius's lap. Whether they would be met by Dementors or friends, Sirius and Cassiopeia were prepared for anything that awaited them.