Chapter 7: The Fight

"I'd like to speak with… with my aunt, if that's alright" Harry said nervously. He shifted from foot to foot and glanced down at the floor.

Remus glanced at Cassie. "Do you want to talk to him?" He mouthed. Cassie nodded and Remus welcomed Harry into the room.

"Harry, this is Cassie Potter, your aunt. Cassie, meet Harry Potter." Cassie smiled and extended her hand. Harry took it, nervously.

"You're…you're my aunt?" Harry asked.

"Yes. James was my older brother." Cassie looked down at her lap. She was terrified of what Harry was going to say. He'll yell, or storm out. James would laugh if he knew I was scared of a thirteen-year-old! She glanced up as Harry stared at her.

Well, she does sort of look like my dad. Similar noses and her hair is the same color as mine. Harry thought, looking Cassie up and down.

"Would you like something to drink, Harry?" Remus asked, attempting to break the deafening silence.

"No, thank you professor." Harry looked around the room.

"Please, sit down, if you want to stay for a while." Remus asked, taking a seat by the fireplace, away from Cassie, but close enough to hear everything that was being said.

"How are you Harry?" Cassie asked, terrified to talking to the young man.

"I'm well. Umm…is it true, what you wrote in the letter? About Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon? And why you never wrote me while I've been here?"

I knew he'd ask that! Couldn't have waited a bit thought, could it?

"Yes. It's true, all of it. I'm sorry Harry. I tried many a time to write you. Once you got older, I just thought you wouldn't want anything to do with me, since I abandoned you for so many years."

"Of course not! I would have loved to hear from you sooner." Harry felt his anger rise, but kept it under control. "It would have been great, knowing I had another relative besides Aunt Petunia. Someone a lot nicer."

Cassie laughed. "Well, I hope I'm a lot nicer than dear Petunia." Cassie's smiled faded. "She never told you about your parents, did she? Dumbledore told her to."

"No. I didn't find anything out until Hagrid came and delivered my letter." The conversation halted. Remus glanced over at Cassie, encouraging her to continue talking. He met her eyes and saw a mixture of emotions; sadness over the loss of her brother, but happiness to be talking to her nephew.

"I hear you're on the Quidditch team?"

"Oh yes! I was the youngest seeker in…"

Cassie grinned. "A century. Yes, Dumbledore told me. I'm sure you got the present I sent you. As soon as Dumbledore told me you were on the team I knew I had to get you a broom. You couldn't use the school brooms; they had been here since before I was in school!"

"You bought me my broom?" Harry asked, shocked.

"Yes, I owled him back immediately and said I would send you a broom, anonymously of course. It was the best broom on the market, at the time of course."

"Thank you. I had no idea who sent it to me. It…" Harry paused and looked down at his hands. "It was destroyed in my last match. I…I fell when the dementors came on the pitch. It flew into the Whomping Willow and…all I have left is the splinters."

"Oh Harry! I had no idea. I'm so sorry! I'll have to get you another one. We'll go to Diagon Alley after Christmas and get you one. It can be a late Christmas present." Cassie smiled. It won't make up for being away for thirteen years, but it IS a start.

"Cas…Aunt Cassie?"

"Yes Harry? And you don't have to call me Aunt if you don't want. I understand it must be difficult."

"I can't come live with you at the end of the school terms, can I?" Harry looked at her with such hope; it was so difficult to say no.

Cassie smiled sadly. "No, Harry. I don't believe that you can. You must stay with your aunt and uncle. No matter how much that may distress all of us." Cassie looked at the boy with such sadness. "I would like for you to visit me, if you want."

"Would I? I would love to visit you." Harry felt such excitement! I have an aunt! And she wants me to visit her!

"Can…can I ask you a question? About my dad?" Cassie smiled again, eager to tell the young man about his father. She glanced at the clock and gasped.

"Oh goodness. I would love to answer your questions. However, it seems to be getting late and I know you're not allowed out curfew. Let's have breakfast the day after Christmas. We can talk all day if you wish and then go to Diagon Alley and buy your new broom."

"I'd like that. Thank you." Harry smiled and stood up to leave. Cassie and Remus stood up as well. Harry walked to the door and turned back to face the room.

"Thank you." Harry said as he opened the door and walked out.

Cassie watched as he shut the door, and then collapsed onto the bed.

"Cassie? What's wrong?"

"Remus. That was the most awkward moment of my life." She burst out laughing, tears streaming down her face.

"Oh dear. That was awkward." Remus began to laugh as well. "Not mine, thankfully. My most awkward moment was walking in on you and Sirius snogging in our dormitory. You two didn't even realize I was there." Remus stopped laughing and looked at Cassie. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't…"

"No, no it's okay. I have to move on and now is as good a time as any." She smiled at the older man. "That was awkward. I'm sorry for that. You must have been so confused. Stop us or go and tell James."

"I couldn't have told James. He would have killed me simply for being the messenger! Then gone and killed both you and Sirius." Remus smiled and sat next to Cassie on the bed. Cassie smiled at the memory. That was a fun evening. Merlin he's such a good kisser!

"How many times has he come to see you, since he escaped?" Remus asked slyly.

"Remus Lupin! How dare you." Cassie spat as she sat upright on the bed. "How dare you ask that question? What makes you so sure he's come to visit me at all? Why would he want to?"

"Cassie, don't fool with me. Look, I don't want to upset you. I just want to make sure you know what you're doing. He killed Lily and James, Cass. He killed Peter. He killed twelve innocent muggles."

Cassie stared at him. "No he didn't" she said softly. "He didn't kill them. I know you don't believe me and I'm sorry." Cassie stood up. "I'm going to go to sleep now. It's been a long day." Cassie looked up and smiled at Remus. "I'm sorry." She kissed his forehead, turned and walked to the cot. "I just…I can't give up on him. I can't. If I do, he'll have no one. It's a horrible thing, having no one in your life."

Cassie sat on the bed, looking away from Remus. She slowly brushed her long, black hair. Brushing her hair always helped her think; it always relaxed her and tonight was no different. She knew Remus was staring at her, watching her. But she didn't feel like talking. She slid into bed, the cool sheets refreshing on her warm skin. She heard Remus shut out the light and climb into his bed. After a while, she heard his soft snoring, confirming that the older man was asleep.

"I'm sorry, James." Cassie whispered. "I don't know what to do. Do I help Sirius? Do I tell Remus? What should I do? Please help me!" Cassie sobbed softly and soon cried herself to sleep, her tears staining the pillow under her head.