Chapter 3: An Unexpected Visitor

Oh bloody hell. Just what I needed, for her to faint. She's gonna kill me when she wakes up! Oi. I have to get her on the couch or something. Sirius thought. He knelt down and picked her up. Slowly, Sirius walked over to the couch and laid her gently down.

"Oh Cassie. You're still beautiful" he said, brushing the hair out of her face. He bent down and kissed her cheek.

Sirius stood up and walked down the hallway to the kitchen. As he past the photos on the wall, he stopped. Wow we were all so happy he thought. He smiled as the pleasant memories came flooding back. He finished his short walk to the kitchen and began his search for a washcloth. He found it in one of the drawers by the sink. After wetting it with cold water, he walked back to where he had left the sleeping beauty on the couch.

Carefully, Sirius began to wipe the cold, damp cloth over her face. Merlin I've hurt you he thought silently. I didn't mean to. I was just a stupid prat.

Cassie's eyes opened when she felt the cold washcloth on her face. As soon as her eyes fixed on the man in front of her, she sat straight up and pushed herself to the head of the couch, furthest away from him.

"Cassie" Sirius said softly.

"What the bloody hell are you doing in my flat? How did you get here? So this is where you decide to come after you escape from prison?" Cassie spat angrily. Her bright eyes flashed with anger.

"Cassie." Sirius reached out his hand to caress her hand but she snatched her arm away.

"If I had half a mind, I'd turn you in." She glared at him with such anger.

"No you wouldn't. You're happy to see me, even considering the circumstances." Sirius' grey eyes sparkled. He saw her eyes quickly flash but they soon relaxed.

"How on Earth did you escape? No one has ever done it before?" Cassie asked, scooting closer to Sirius. "Merlin! You need a shower! You reek! What have you been doing for the past week or so?"

"Trying to outrun the dementors and find you. So far, I've succeeded at both." Sirius smiled.

"Come on. You're going to take a shower and I'm going to cook you some lunch. You must be starved! You certainly look it!" Cassie stood up and led him down the hallway to the bathroom. She noticed he stopped to look at the photos on the wall.

Cassie walked back and stood behind him. "Good memories huh?" She asked quietly. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. "I miss them too."

Sirius nodded and turned to hug her from the front. He relaxed in her arms and kissed her lightly on the top of the head. Startled but the slight kiss, Cassie released her arms and stared at him with a shocked look.

Recovering from her shock, she grabbed his hand. "Come on" she said. "The shower's this way." Cassie led him to the bathroom, gave him a towel and showed him where the shampoo and soap were.

"Now please give me those rags. I'm going to find some of your old clothes in my closet. There's bound to be something."

"Turn around first. I may have been in prison, but I'm still modest." He smirked. "Unless you want to join me in the shower? There appears to be more than enough room."

"Sirius Black! You dirty man! Off with the rags! I'll be polite and turn around." Cassie turned around and reached her hand behind her. Soon, she felt his dirty clothes placed in her hand. "Thank-you. Don't forget to clean behind your ears!" She laughed as she left the room.

Cassie smiled as she shut the door. It's so wrong! I shouldn't be happy! He escaped from prison and here he is, in my bathroom. But it's so nice to have him here! Cassie was drawn to confusion by her conscience.

Cassie threw the dirty robes in the rubbish bin and walked down to her spare bedroom. She opened the closet door and immediately found some of Sirius' old clothes. I knew I kept some things. Cassie thought. She grabbed a pair of jeans and an old tee shirt and walked back down to the bathroom. After knocking, she opened the door.

"Here's a pair of jeans and a tee. I'll be in the kitchen when you're done." Cassie placed the clothes on the chair and shut the door.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Sirius turned on the water and adjusted it to the correct temperature. He stepped inside, letting the water run down him, slowly washing away the years of dirt and grim. He felt his muscles relax in the hot water, his mind clear in the steam. He washed his hair, getting rid of the tangles and insects that had infested his dark locks.

Once he was clean, and had successfully cleared his mind, he turned off the water and grabbed the towel off the side table. He dried off completely and grabbed the clothes on

Cassie had so kindly brought in. He pulled them on, trying to remember why she would have some of his clothes.

He slapped his forehead once he remembered. "I left them at her house! She must have cleaned out her parent's house and brought them here. Wonder why she kept them?"

Sirius opened the door and began walking towards the kitchen.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Now what to make for lunch? She thought.

Cassie went to the kitchen and opened the pantry door. Ah, I'll make a pasta salad. Immediately, she set to work. She began put the pasta on to boil and began cutting up the green pepper, onion and tomato. She found some pepperoni in the refrigerator and cut that up also. So distracted was she that she didn't even hear the shower turn off and the bathroom door open.

Sirius stood in the door way of the kitchen watching Cassie cook. She looked gorgeous. He always had a crush on Cassie, but no one knew. Sirius Black does not have 'crushes' he thought often. They did date for a short while, a whole month and 4 days he thoughtbut quickly ended it for fear that James would find out and possibly castrate his best mate. After she left for her 7th year, he realized that he loved her. Before going into hiding, he and James left presents with Prof. Dumbledore for Cassie to get at Christmas, since they didn't feel they'd be out of hiding by then. Sirius had given her a promise ring; a promise to marry her, once the horrible war was over. Never did get to marry her, did I? Just ended up in prison to rot.

"Hem hem" Sirius cleared his throat. "Well my darling, how do I look?"

Cassie turned around and felt her heart jump in her chest. She leaned against the counter for support. He still cleans up well she thought, looking him up and down. He had washed all the years of dirt out of his hair and skin. The clothes hung loosely on him since he had lost so much weight, but still looked very good. Now that his face was clean, he closely resembled the man she had known thirteen years previous.

"Very nice. Now will you please set the table? Lunch is almost ready." Cassie struggled to regain control of her breathing. Damnit! Why does he still do this to me? "Dishes are in that cupboard and the silverware is in the drawer by the stove."

Cassie finished preparing the meal and brought the food to the table. She served the salad onto the plates and went back to the kitchen for the cold pumpkin juice.

"Cassie! This is amazing!" Sirius said when she had returned to the table, his mouth full of pasta.

"Ha-ha. You're only saying that because all you've had to eat in the past twelve years has been really bad gruel." Cassie smiled. "But I am glad you like it. It's all I could throw together in such short notice. It's not all that often I have company."

"Really? No fine young men have come to call?" Sirius said, winking at her.

"Always the ladies man. And no, I don't have any guests, male or otherwise." Sirius looked down at his bowl with a smile on his face. I might still have a chance he couldn't help but think. This was soon interrupted by another thought, yes, but you're a convicted criminal who is on the run from the Ministry, how can you have a lasting relationship.

"The only visitor I've had in years had been Remus, and he left this morning."

"Where did he go?" Asked Sirius, casually.

"He's teaching at Hogwarts this year. They are in need of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He'll be the third one in four years." Cassie smiled. "He really needed the job and Professor Dumbledore was more than glad to offer it to him."

"How is Moony doing? I mean…"

"He still doesn't believe me if that's what you were referring to. He fussed at me when he got here, since I went to visit you again. He…he doesn't understand why I believe you. He's convinced you did it." Cassie looked down at her hands; she felt her eyes welling with tears.

"Cass, I'm sorry. Let's talk about something pleasant" Sirius tried to cheer her up. He put his fork down.

"Alright" Cassie smiled, "let's clean up and go sit in the living room. I want to talk with your for a while."

"Alright" Sirius smiled.

"I've missed you so much."

Sirius watched her out of the corner of his eye while they cleaned the kitchen. She's so beautiful, he thought. He caught her eye and smiled, watching her smile with him. They interacted to easily, even considering he had been stuck in prison for twelve years. It doesn't seem to faze her that I'm an escaped criminal!

She gently pushed Sirius towards the living room while she finished cleaning. Cassie put the leftovers in the refrigerator and poured two fresh glasses of pumpkin juice.

"Sirius?" Cassie asked as she walked into the living room. Can I ask you a personal question?"

He nodded and smiled at her. "Of course, love. What did you want to ask me?"

Cassie took a deep breath. "How did you manage to stay sane? I always wondered why you stayed so normal when I came to visit." Cassie asked, as she walked into the living room. She put the glasses on the coffee table and sat down in a cushy armchair by the fireplace.

"Wow, that's definitely a personal question." Sirius smiled. "I transformed, often, to Padfoot. A dog's mind is less complicated than a humans'. The dementors sensed something was different, but they just figured I was going insane like the rest of the prisoners in there. As a dog, I could think." Sirius looked away from her. He didn't want her to see the pain in his eyes, the sadness and anger. This is not the conversation I had planned for my first night back with her he thought.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that." Cassie stood up and walked over to the couch where he was seated. She sat down and placed her hand on his. "I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do for you? Is there anything you want?"

Sirius looked up and met her eyes. In her bright blue ones he saw fear, hope. In his grey ones she saw anger and fear. They weren't lying when they said the eyes were the gateway to the soul Sirius thought, as he stared into her eyes. He watched as those brilliant eyes filled with tears. "Oh Cassie. Don't cry!" He pulled her close and ran his fingers through her hair. "Please?" She laughed and looked up.

"You never could stand to see a girl cry, could you?" She said, wiping away her tears.

"Especially not you." Sirius looked down. "Cass, I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For hurting you."

"You didn't hurt me. At least not that I know of." She eyed him curiously. "Did you do something I don't know about?"

"No. I'm sorry for not standing up to James and trying to make us work sooner. I took the easy way out."

"I'm not sorry how things turned out. I got to keep my best friend. We dated, split up and still stayed friends. I'm not sorry. We finally realized we loved each other, and one day, when you're free..." Cassie smiled softly. "Now let's get you to bed. You must be exhausted. I have a spare bedroom that is going to be …" Cassie kept talking, but Sirius stopped listening. He stared at her as she spoke. Wow. She's really grown up. She's what, 29 now? Long way off from the 17 year old I used to know.

"Sirius? Are you listening?"

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, must have dozed off for a second."

"I thought so. Come on. Let's get you to bed." Cassie stood up and took his hand. She led him down the hall to the spare room. "Sorry it's so cluttered. It's where I end up throwing all my junk." She cleared off the bed and pulled down the covers.

"I know you sleep in your boxers, so I'm not going to offer you pjs. But if you get cold, there's a robe in the closet." Cassie walked to the door and turned to face him.

"My room's right next door, if you get lonely and want to talk. But talk is all I'm going to do. Don't get any other ideas." Cassie smiled and shook her finger at Sirius. "Good night Sirius" she said as she made to shut the door.

"Cassie?" Sirius asked before the door had completely closed.

"Yes?" responded Cassie. She stuck her head back into the room. "Did you need something?"

"No, well... I wanted to ask you something." He fiddled with a small tear in the comforter, his eyes focusing anywhere but her face.

"What?" Cassie walked back into the room and sat next to him on the bed. She leaned down and looked into his eyes. "What did you want to ask me?" Her voice was quiet, nervous.

He sighed. "Did you mean it? When we were…when you visited me. Did you mean that you accepted? I've tried not to think about it, I didn't want to have another happy thought be sucked away by the dementors."

Looking down at her hands, it was Cassie's turn to sigh. She nodded, but he didn't see. Finally, after a few excruciating seconds Cassie spoke. "Yes, I meant it," she said softly, so soft Sirius had to struggled to hear what she said. Almost immediately after she said it she stood up. "Good night Sirius." She walked out and shut the door.

Cassie leaned against the wall next to the door. What am I doing? I'm harboring a fugitive! He's an escaped convict and I'm letting him stay in my house!! Cassiopeia! Where is your head!!!! She thought.

Don't be stupid. A little voice said. You know he's innocent. Don't you see the way he looks at you? He's not going to hurt you. And you know he doesn't belong in Azkaban. He shouldn't have been there the past twelve years either.

Cassie sighed and walked into her room. She shut the door and changed into her pajamas. After brushing her long hair, she climbed into bed.

Oh Merlin! What am I getting myself into? She thought. Please let me be doing the right thing!