Chapter 8: The Kiss
Christmas Eve arrived. Cassie and Remus spent most of the day walking the grounds and discussing times past, talking about everything except the previous nights' fight. Old memories surfaced and brought about laughter and tears. During their walk, the two past the Forbidden Forest. Cassie glanced inside and took a double take. I can not be seeing what I think I see. Surely there is not a large, black dog staring at me. She blinked quite a few times, trying to remove the image from her sight, but it still remained.
"Remus, is it okay if I stay here for a while? I just want sit and think for a while."
"Are you sure?" He eyed her carefully. "I don't want you out here alone."
"Yes, I'm sure. I just want to think. I haven't been back here since I graduated, and I believe I just need some time alone here." She looked at him, willing him to believe this was her only intent.
"Sure. I'll head back to the castle. Don't be out too late; it's going to get dark soon and the dementors will be beginning their rounds. I'll meet you in the Great Hall for dinner." Remus kissed her hand and walked away towards the castle. He glanced back only once, and saw Cassie sit down in the snow and stare off into space. He was worried about her, but didn't know how to talk to her about it. Every time I try, I only make her mad, he thought, rubbing his hands together as he entered the castle. He said his password and walked to his room to work on lessons plans for after the holidays.
Cassie waited until she was sure Remus was gone. She got up and walked to the very edge of the forest. "Sirius? Is that you?" She called quietly, hoping and praying with all her heart that it was. If it wasn't, she was in a very bad situation.
"Hullo, love." A ragged voice whispered back. Sirius Black walked slowly toward her and collapsed into her arms.
"Oh Sirius!" She exclaimed, catching him as he fell. Cassie held him close, trying to send her warmth into his body. "What are you doing here? Don't you know you could get caught! The dementors are prowling right inside the grounds!" She kissed his forehead. "You shouldn't be here! You're trying to give me a heart attack."
"Cass, I know. But I had to check on Harry. He's here! Peter is here!" Sirius sat up quickly, too quickly because he immediately fell backwards again, right into her arms.
"Oh Merlin! Sirius, are you okay?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine. I just haven't eaten as much as I should. It is very difficult while you're on the run." Sirius smiled the remnants of his award winning smile. Cassie slapped his arm and hugged him close to her chest. "Wait, what are you talking about? He's supposed to be dead? Surely he's not here! So close!"
"No. He is. I didn't get to tell you before because, well, I was scared to get you too involved. He faked his death. He's at Hogwarts, in Harry's dormitory. You have to get away from here, Cass. You can't stay here, for your own safety. I don't know what will happen and you can't be here to get hurt."
"Why? What should I be afraid of?"
"Cassie, they're going to talk to you. About me. They can't know you've seen me. They'll take you in. You can't go to Azkaban, you just can't! You've been there to visit, you know how it is. You wouldn't survive! Just…" Sirius looked around nervously, and then up into Cassie's eyes.
"Shh. Sirius, they already came. Right after you left me. Three Aurors showed up on my doorstep asking about you. I didn't tell them anything, I promise." Cassie leaned down and kissed his forehead again.
Sirius sat up again, this time a little slower. "I have to go and so do you. Go back and have dinner with Remus." He laughed, "Tell him I said hi. No, I'm just joking." He quickly added, seeing the look that flashed across her face.
"Sirius, I…" Cassie began, but was cut off as Sirius slowly leaned in and kissed Cassie fully on the lips. Startled by this sudden act, her eyes flew open in surprise and then shut immediately in ecstasy. She deepened the kiss, leaning forward into the thin, frail man.
"Wow" was all she could manage when the kiss finally ended. The kiss had touched her very soul. It showed all the love and strength he could muster. Sirius grinned from ear to ear. "I still got it." Cassie slapped his arm and stood up. Sirius followed her and pulled her close.
"I love you Cass. I really do and when I find Peter and I'm free…" he trailed off.
"I know. I love you too Sirius." Cassie looked up and kissed him again. "We have to go. I'll be home again in a few days, if you can make it back come see me, but if not, don't try." Cassie hugged him close then released him, holding his hand tight.
She squeezed his hand as she began to walk away. "I love you" she whispered as she walked away and Sirius transformed once again to the great, black dog and watched Cassie as she walked back up to the castle. Sirius then crept softly back into the night.