Chapter 54: Grief and Rage
Cassiopeia said nothing as she and Tonks left the Ministry headquarters. She could feel nothing but rage coursing through her body. Her husband was gone, and all of this could have been stopped. Tonks broke the silence and distracted her from her anger.
"I'm sure S.J. and Andromeda will be glad to see Mummy's back," she said.
"Yeah, and what about their daddy?" Cassiopeia said flatly. "How do I explain to my children that their father is never coming back?"
Tonks shook her head and hugged Cassiopeia. "Cassie, I'm so sorry. You know, Sirius lived and died for you and those kids. I know they're too young to understand, but one day, they'll know their daddy gave his life to keep them safe and give them a better future."
Cassiopeia only half smiled. "It sounds so lovely when you say it like that. But it shouldn't have been this way. This all could've been prevented. I know it!"
"Maybe but there's no way of knowing," Tonks replied.
The two women stepped through the Floo Network into Grimmauld Place. There, they found Dumbledore waiting for them.
"Cassiopeia, if I might have a word?" he inquired.
Cassiopeia turned cold. "I have nothing to speak to you about, Dumbledore. Now if you don't mind, my children must be looked after."
"I must insist, Cassiopeia," Dumbledore said. "If you would speak with me in the study?"
Reluctantly, Cassiopeia led Dumbledore into the study. She glared at him as if her eyes were daggers.
"What do you want, Dumbledore?" she spat.
"I came to tell you that you are a free woman," Dumbledore replied. "As of today, Corneilius realized his mistake and has expunged your records."
Cassiopeia shrugged her shoulders. "Brilliant. I'm free. What about Sirius, hm? Your word doesn't make him free. He's already free because guess what? He's dead!"
"Cassiopeia, if there was anything I could've done-"
"There was plenty you could've done, you god d*** fool!" Cassiopeia shouted. "You let us rot for twelve years and then let Sirius spend his last days rotting in hiding. You did nothing!"
"I am sorry for the pain I have caused you, Cassiopeia," Dumbledore replied. "Sirius left his will. He left you and Harry almost everything, including Kreacher."
Cassiopeia's eyes were on fire at the mention of the elf's name. "I want that elf out! I heard it was him who went to the Malfoys when Sirius told him to go away after Christmas. That thing is the reason my husband is dead. I want it out, or I'll kill it myself!"
"Cassiopeia, I know you better than to kill in cold blood," Dumbledore said calmly. "And you know why we cannot let the elf free. He could be a danger to us if not treated properly."
"Fine, but don't expect me to be all warm and fuzzy to that thing," Cassiopeia replied. "Now if there's nothing else, my children need me."
"Of course, Cassiopeia," Dumbledore replied. "You know, Sirius didn't die in vain."
Cassiopeia nodded. "I'd like to believe that, Albus."
When Cassiopeia left the study, Andromeda's cries called to her attention from the bedroom. Wearily, Cassiopeia hurried to the bedroom to pacify her daughter. Inside the her crib, Andromeda Lily was screaming. Cassiopeia picked up her daughter and walked her about the room. She conjured a bottle and sat down in a nearby rocking chair and fed her baby. Cassiopeia was exhausted and her heart cracked as she watched Andromeda suckle down her bottle, unaware of what had happened. She did not know that she was never going to see her father again, and in a way, Cassiopeia was grateful and heartbroken. Her daughter would never know the pain she felt but she would never know her father.
Just then, Remus came into the room. "Cassie, I heard Andromeda crying,and I thought you might need help."
"I'm fine, Remus," Cassiopeia replied.
"Why don't you let me take over?" Remus asked. "You could use a break."
"Remus, are you sure?" Cassiopeia asked.
Remus sat down in the rocking chair and took Andromeda in his arms. Baby Andromeda gurgled and cooed happily.
"I think we're all good here," Remus replied.
Cassiopeia chuckled. "She likes you. I've never heard her do that yet. I think you've got an admirer."
"I should say so," Remus laughed. "Look, Cassie, I just wanted to say about Sirius…if there was anything to be done to bring him back, I would gladly do it."
"I know you would," Cassiopeia said appreciatively. "But there's no bringing him back. And how do I tell my children that?"
"You'll find the strength, and the children won't understand now, but when they're older, one day, they'll know what their father gave his life for," Remus replied.
Just then, Little S.J. waddled into the room. "Mummy? Where's Daddy?"
Cassiopeia nervously glanced at Remus before kneeling down before her son. "Daddy…went away, sweetheart."
"Where did he go?" S.J. asked.
"He had to go away for a very long time," Cassiopeia explained. "but before he comes back he said he wants you to be a good boy and a good big brother to Andromeda. Can you do that for daddy and me?"
S.J. nodded. "Yes, Mummy."
"Daddy told me to give you a hug and a kiss for him," Cassiopeia said lovingly, as she kissed and hugged her son.
Tonks then knocked on the door. "Cassie, Harry's here. We're here to read the will."
"S.J, why don't you and I play together?" Remus asked.
The little boy nodded enthusiastically as Tonks and Cassiopeia left downstairs to read the will. Cassiopeia met Harry in the kitchen.
"Cassie!" he greeted, throwing his arms around her.
"Harry, lovely to see you," she greeted. "Looking forward to a new term?"
"It should be great," Harry replied.
Tonks waved her wand and the parchment unfolded in midair. "The last will and testament of Sirius Black," she read. "To my wife, Cassie, I leave our house in the country gifted to me by my Uncle Alphard and my vault in Gringotts. To my godson, Harry, I leave Grimmauld place; to my son, Remus, I leave my posters and magazines in the hope that he will one day have the girls chasing after him; to my daughter, Andromeda, I leave my first broom, in the hope that she will find trouble like I did. To my dear mate, Remus, I leave my books in the hope he find them more instructive than I did. To my favorite cousin, Tonks, I leave you all my prank materials in the hopes that you get into as much trouble as I do. To my dear cousins Andromeda and Ted, I leave my parents jewelry as it had been given to me in hope they can find better use for it than I did."
The parchment folded itself again as Tonks finished reading.
Cassiopeia couldn't help but chuckle. "I think he knew what he was doing. Even now he had a sense of humor."
"He must've known what he was doing," Harry agreed. "But Dumbledore says I've got to remain with the Dursleys, will or no will. And this house is yours anyway."
"Thank you, Harry. I think Sirius would like that," Cassiopeia replied. "You are so like your father, but in some small ways, I see a little of Lily in you."
"Sirius would've said that," Harry replied. "I've gotta be going. I'll see you after the summer."
"Promise you'll write," Cassiopeia said sharply.
"Every week," Harry replied.
Cassiopeia smiled and embraced her godson, grateful to have another piece of her husband left to her.
