Chapter 2: A Lunchtime Chat

"Why did you go back this time, after I specifically asked you not to go?" Remus asked as he handed the waitress the menus.

"I promised," she whispered. "Oh Remus! Those dementors are horrible! They floated past only once when I was there, but…" Cassie shivered. "The memories that surfaced, I…I didn't even know I had!" She looked at her fellow patrons enjoying their lunch. She longed to be them, not to have this difficulty. She longed to have her family intact.

Remus placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed it. "It's alright Cassie. That's one reason why I didn't want you going in there. No one should have to face those creatures. I don't even think they're appropriate for the criminals."

"Oh look, our food's here. Let's talk about something pleasant for a while, shall we?" Cassie smiled. She hated moments like this, moments when she was supposed to make small talk.

"It's been forever since I've seen you" Remus said, picking up his fork. "I do believe it's been almost a year."

"I know. I've been so busy. I've tried to get away, but every time I try, something new comes up."

Remus smiled, "I'm sure it does. You never even answer when I write you owls. You're not mad at me, are you?" Cassie snapped her head up. "Why would…" She laughed. "I don't know. I guess I still just keep thinking about what everything used to be. And I still really miss James and Lily. And the fact that I can't even see Harry. It just bothers me."

"They still won't let you see him?"

"No. Petunia stopped answering my letters and Vernon just shouts if I try to call. I just gave up."

"He's at Hogwarts you know." Remus smiled.

"Yes, I know. Professor Dumbledore wrote me after he'd been sorted. It's really great that he's in Gryffindor."

"Have you heard about all the things he's done?"

"Yeah." Cassie smiled. "Dumbledore's been writing me constantly, to try and keep me in the loop. Harry's just like James. Always finding trouble, whether he wants to or not." Cassie smiled at a memory. "You're teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, aren't you?"

"Yes. They needed another professor. Apparently I'm the third one in four years. No one can keep the job."

"I'm sure you'll be fantastic. Oh dear. I'm afraid I can't eat the rest of this. What do you say we walk the Alley? I haven't been down here in years. Too…" she stopped.

"Too many memories?" She nodded. "I have the same feelings. It's okay. We'll just have to make new ones."

Remus paid the bill and they walked off. "Not much has changed in twelve years. The same shops with the same witches and wizards running them."

"I should get a new wand." Cassie said. "Although, it's not like it would do much. I haven't been able to do much magic lately."

"Oh really? How long has this been going on?"

She smiled sadly. "About twelve years. I guess I just sort of stopped and never picked up my wand. It's sad, but I guess that I figured if magic couldn't save James, Lily and Sirius, what good was it?" Cassie felt the tears well up in her eyes. Whenever she thought about her brother and his wife she cried.

Cassie wiped away the moisture with the back of her hand and glanced to her right.

"Oh no!" She exclaimed. "Remus. Do you see what I see?"

"Oh dear. How on Earth?"

On the bulletin board to the right of where Cassie and Remus were standing, was a wanted poster. A wanted poster for one, Sirius Black. The poster went on to describe what Sirius had done and if found, the person should call the Ministry of Magic IMMEDIATELY.

"How could he escape? No one has ever escaped from Azkaban! It's next to impossible!"

"Sirius was always a cleaver boy; he must have found a way." Remus stared that the poster, unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Oh, no. They're going to talk to me. I was just visiting him the other day!" Cassie turned around. "I have to get home."

"Okay, come on. We'll go."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

About a week later, Cassie walked with Remus to platform 9 ¾.

"Why are you traveling on the train again? Don't professors just walk up from Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, but Prof. Dumbledore suggested I travel this way, he thinks the dementors will try to get on the train."

Cassie nodded. "You still have that briefcase? I bought that for you years ago!" She pointed to the fraying case in his right hand. The name Prof. R. J. Lupin was embroidered on it in gold thread.

"Yes, I do." He laughed. "I haven't had the chance to get a new one."

"Well, for Christmas I just might have to get you a new one." She laughed and pulled him into a hug.

"Well dear, I must be off. Do try and visit during the Christmas holidays. I'll be quite lonely at the school."

"I'll try. I'm always lonely at Christmas anyways." She reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Bye Remus. Have a safe trip!"

Cassie watched him get on the train and the turned to walk back out the barrier. In her haste, she bumped into a student. "I'm sorry. I mustn't have been…" Cassie trailed off. Standing in front of her, was a miniature version of her brother.

"It's alright" the student said. "You should watch where you're going though." He walked off with his two friends, laughing and having a good time.

Cassie was shocked. They always knew Harry would look like James, but my goodness! He was spitting image! And those eyes! Just like Lily!

Cassie ran from the platform and apparated home. She leaned up against the wall for support. She had just seen her nephew for the first time in twelve years! Cassie committed the image to memory; it would probably be a long time before she saw him again and she wanted to remember exactly what he looked like. He was so handsome! And he didn't even know who she was. He never knew that she was his aunt and godmother.

He probably doesn't even know who Sirius is. She thought.

Cassie walked to the kitchen and busied herself making tea, the muggle way of course.

Tea always calms me down she thought as she steeped the tea leaves.

Just as she threw the leaves away, she heard a crash from in her living room. She grabbed the baseball bat she kept near the backdoor and walked slowly forward. Wishing she had practiced her magic and wishing she had her wand, Cassie slowly walked down the hallway into the living room. She stood in the doorway as a tall, skinny man stood fixing her picture frames on the mantle. His dark hair fell to his shoulders and he was covered in dirt.

The man turned around and looked at her. "Hullo Cassie," he whispered.

"Sirius?" Cassie whispered as she dropped the bat, fell to the floor and fainted.