Author's Notes: I am glad to hear people like my idea about the separation illness, I thought it all up by my little old self. :-) Keep those reviews coming! I love them!! (Oh, there's an awkward paragraph about Cassius writing Dumbledore - I tried to smooth it out but I just couldn't so - it's awkward but we are just soldiering on with the story.)

Chapter 20 - Apart

Dear Husband,

I met Harry Potter yesterday on the train. He looks exactly like James, except he has Lily's eyes. He is small for his age and very thin. He is quiet, not like James and Lily at all. I asked Dumbledore about him today and apparently his muggle relatives treated him badly. He was even living in a cupboard before he came to Hogwarts! Can you believe that! It's horrible. I can't imagine how James and Lily would feel if they knew…maybe they do know…do you think they do?

There was a Dementor on the train, looking for Sirius. I managed to drive it away before it could affect the children too much but not before Harry fainted. It was horrible. They've been posted all around the school but Dumbledore refuses to let them onto the grounds. I know Dumbledore will keep Harry safe from Sirius, and he could do that even without the 'help' of the Dementors.

I miss you already and it's only been two days. Classes start tomorrow so I hope that will keep me distracted from the thoughts of kissing you. I hope you are well. I love you so much.

Your Wife

Cassius set the scroll down. He missed Remus too, but as he reread the letter he was struck by Remus' description of Harry Potter. Cassius was appalled at Harry's treatment by his muggle relatives. Maybe he should tell Dumbledore that he was related to Harry.

He decided to write Dumbledore before he forgot. He explained that he is related through his mother to Lily Evans Potter and asked to take Harry in. Dumbledore wrote back the next day and explained it wasn't safe for Cassius to take him in. The blood protection at his relatives protects him against Voldemort and other dark wizards. Since he is a more distant relative, Cassius might not be able to offer the same protection and Dumbledore won't take the chance. Cassius writes Dumbledore that he will research the blood protection to see if he could protect Harry. But work and missing Remus keep him from concentrating on the task.

Cassius was walking to his desk when Kingsley appeared in front of him. "Cassius, I need to speak with you." He spoke hurriedly. It was a Sunday but due to Sirius Black's escape all aurors were working seven days a week. Cassius didn't mind, with Remus at Hogwarts, Cassius hated being home. He didn't sleep well without Remus and the symptoms of the separation illness were getting steadily worse. Cassius felt like he had a bad case of the muggle flu, he ached all over, had cold sweats and was very irritable.

"All right." Cassius stopped in the aisle. He liked Kingsley, he was the closest thing to a friend Cassius had in the department. Kingsley had been made a senior auror soon after he and Cassius had been trapped by the thestral in Yorkshire. After the department reorganization, when Moody retired, Cassius answered to Kingsley so Cassius had told him about Remus, which of course meant that when Remus worked at the Ministry Kingsley had always made Cassius take reports to the Ludicrous Patents office when they could have just been sent through the Ministry mail service.

"I wanted to tell you before you found out from someone else. There's been a sighting of Sirius Black." Kingsley seemed tense. Cassius felt a familiar sense of unease and dread bubble up at the sound of his cousin's name.

"Where?" He asked quickly.

"At Hogwarts, last night. He attacked the portrait door that leads to the Gryffindor dormitory." Kingsley was watching him closely.

"He was inside Hogwarts?" Cassius felt icy fear trickle down his spine. Remus was at Hogwarts. He knew he should have tried harder to get Remus to stay at Windy Corner. What if Black was trying to kill off his only other living friend? What if he had lost his mind and thought he and Remus were still students – they had been in Gryffindor House. Everyone thought that Black was after Harry Potter but Cassius couldn't discount the possibility that Black might try to hurt or kill Remus…or reunite with him. Cassius grit his teeth.

"Yes, he slashed the portrait when she wouldn't let him inside. Then he disappeared. No one knows how he got in or how he got away."

Cassius wondered if Remus would help Black – no, that wasn't possible, it couldn't be. Remus thought Black had betrayed the Marauders, he wouldn't help him. But what if he forgave him…what if he still loved him? Cassius was positive that Remus and Black had been in love. Remus had said he'd only fooled around, but Cassius had always thought it had been more significant than Remus had admitted. Would Remus help his old boyfriend, his first love? Cassius started to turn away, towards the floo network access. He'd get to Hogsmeade then he could walk to the castle.

"I can't let you go." Kingsley caught Cassius' arm in a firm grip.

"What?" Cassius growled, feeling anger surge through him.

"It's too…" Kingsley paused as another auror walked by them. "Listen, mate." The emphasis was slight, but there. "I can't let you. I need you to investigate a sighting of He Who Must Not Be Named in the Black Forest."

Cassius knew Kingsley was trying to help, but Cassius was too tired, too scared and too angry to appreciate Kingsley's actions. He felt a wave of energy roll off of him and before he thought about it he had hexed Kingsley. Bartleby walked by just as it happened and Kingsley suspended Cassius, sending him home for that day and ordered him not to return for three more days. When he got home, he was in a terrible temper. He smashed all the dishes in the kitchen before he could get himself under control. He sat down at the kitchen table and put his head in his hands.

Orlie, Remus' owl, arrived through the kitchen window. He landed on the kitchen table, amid the shards of dishes, and hooted softly. Cassius imagined it was a hoot of reproach. Orlie held out his leg and Cassius took the scroll off.

Dearest Husband,

You've probably already heard Sirius was here last night. He slashed the Fat Lady's portrait. He must have been trying to get to Harry. Luckily, all the students were at the Halloween Feast in the Great Hall. Please don't worry about me. I am all right. Except that I miss you. My body aches from missing the feeling of your skin against mine. I miss hearing your voice. I miss being able to tell you I love you every day. I do love you.

Tabby says you're not eating or sleeping well. I've put up with you ordering me to eat more for years, so it feels strange to be worried about you…. Darling, please take care of yourself. I will owl again soon.

I love you,

Your Devoted Wife

Cassius sat down, shoving the broken dishes off the table. Cursing Tabby's meddling, he conjured up a scroll and wrote a quick reply to Remus, trying to keep his writing legible.

Wife,

I miss you too. Don't worry about me, I'm fine.

I love you,

Husband

As cold sweat broke out over his body, Cassius felt a slight tinge of guilt at the lie in the letter, but he didn't want Remus worrying about him on top of the separation illness. He didn't want Remus distracted from his teaching – or distracted if he was attacked by Sirius Black. He tied the scroll to Orlie's leg and the owl flew out the window.

Tabby came into the kitchen a moment later.

"What happened?" She asked, looking around at the shattered pottery all over the kitchen.

Cassius handed her the letter from Remus. "I got suspended from work for three days."

"For what?" Tabby asked as she looked at the letter, Cassius noticed her eyes widen as she read the first part of it.

"I hexed Kingsley. He wouldn't let me to Hogwarts."

"That's for the best, I'm sure." Tabby rubbed Cassius' back. "Kingsley is a smart wizard." Cassius shrugged. "Do you want a cuppa tea?"

"No." Cassius said sullenly. Tabby smoothed a hand through Cassius' hair. He leant into the touch. "Could I have blackberry juice?"

"Of course, my dearie." Tabby waved her wand and repaired all the dishes then turned and walked towards the pantry where she kept the blackberries. She returned in a moment with a pitcher of juice. She placed it in front of Cassius and got him a glass.

"Thanks." Cassius gulped it down and poured himself another glass. He was very thirsty.

"I'll be baking this morning, any requests?"

"Cinnamon rolls?" Cassius asked hopefully.

"Certainly. Anything for my lad." Tabby smiled lovingly at him. Cassius had become very dear to Tabby over the twelve years he had lived at Windy Corner. He was like the son she had never had. She watched as he yawned. She was glad that she'd put a sleeping potion in his juice, since he was already tired he wouldn't suspect anything. She knew she wouldn't be able to fool him often but she was going to take advantage of the situation while she could. He needed sleep badly but he refused to take sleeping potions.

"I think I'll go bed, since I can't work." Cassius stood and pulled off his coat.

"You've been working hard, you deserve the rest."

"All right." Cassius yawned again and walked up to his bedroom. He collapsed on the bed, pulling Remus' pillow towards him. It felt lonely not to hear the beat of Remus' heart next to his. He was asleep a moment later.

The next chapter will be up soon!