Chapter 9: Christmas Conversations

Cassie stayed at Hogwarts throughout the Christmas holidays and returned to her flat two days before the start of the new term. She managed to see everyone she wanted, including her nephew and avoid those she didn't want to see, like Severus Snape. Sitting on her sofa with her cup of tea she remembered her Christmas conversation with her nephew.

"Aunt Cassie?" "Yes Harry?"

"Can I speak with you? In private?" Cassie stared at her nephew. "Yes, of course. Let's walk outside. Remus, I'll be right back, Harry wants to talk."

Remus nodded, but shot her a concerned look. Cassie and Harry walked through the Portrait Hole and into the corridor.

"Umm, Aunt Cassie? Hermione's the one who had my Firebolt confiscated." Cassie laughed. "Yes, I reckoned as much. Do you know why?" She leaned up against the cold wall.

"Yes. She reckons that Sirius Black sent it and Professor McGonagall agrees." Harry looked nervous, as if he was afraid of speaking the man's name.

Cassie sat on a set of steps, immersed in thought. Could Sirius have sent it? He did have the gold to afford it, but how?

"Aunt Cassie?" "Oh, I'm sorry Harry."

"It's okay. Did you know Sirius Black? I know he was best friends with my dad and mum. I have a picture of their wedding, and he was the best man. Everyone thinks he is going to try to kill me. I'm not supposed to know. He was their Secret Keeper. He…he betrayed them." Harry's anger rose, threatening to break free. He killed his best friends. "He's my godfather. My parents trusted him and he betrayed them!" Harry felt his eyes well with tears, but furiously blinked them away.

Cassie sighed, "Yes. I knew Sirius. And like you said, he and James were best friends. He was like a second brother to me, and he became my best friend as well. We had become very close over the years." Cassie turned her gaze to the floor. Do I tell him? Should I really tell him about Sirius? Cassie thought.

"Harry, I need you to listen to me. Neither you nor I know all the facts about what happened the night your parents were killed. We can only speculate. Please keep your mind open and do not fear him." Cassie pulled her nephew into a tight hug.

"Do you think you could talk to Professor McGonagall? About my Firebolt? Do you think she might listen to you?" Harry looked up at his aunt hopefully.

"Well Harry, I can try. But I can't guarantee anything. Come on; let's go back to the common room. Everyone will wonder where we've wandered off to."

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Boxing Day arrived and Cassie awoke extra early. She quickly woke Remus and the two dressed and went down to breakfast.

"Why are you so excited to get up?"

"I don't know. I get to tell Harry about James and Lily today, I guess that's reason enough to be excited." Cassie grinned. I finally get to talk with my nephew, and tell him about his dad.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

After breakfast, Cassie and Harry went and sat outside. He had asked Hermione and Ron not to come. I'll just tell them later; this way I have my aunt to myself for a little while.

"Well Harry? Are there any questions you know you want to ask?" Cassie smiled at her young nephew. He looks just like James, oh I miss him!

"What was my dad like? I mean…I don't know…" Harry's face turned as red as Ron's hair and Cassie couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't be nervous Harry. It's horrible that you didn't get to know your parents; that I got to spend so much time with them and you so little.

"Your dad was a wonderful person. He was deeply loyal to his friends. James valued family above all else and…" Cassie stopped. I don't know how much he knows about…He doesn't know about Sirius and he doesn't know about Remus. What can I tell him?

"What was my dad like at school? When he was here?"

Cassie laughed at her memories. "James was…a troublemaker. Between him and…" she paused. "Between him and Sirius they pulled more pranks and jokes that anyone else. They never hurt anyone though. It was all good fun. I wasn't around for most of it, seeing as I got here in their fifth year and I was in Ravenclaw. He was always good to his friends; always saw the best in the people." Cassie laughed. "I hung around him and his friends. James and his friends became my friends. I didn't have too many, being stuck in Ravenclaw. They don't socialize much, rather do homework and study."

Harry laughed; he had similar opinions about Ravenclaw. He paused, as if nervous about asking the next question. "How close were you to Sirius Black? I know you said you were best friends with him…"

Cassie paused, unsure how to answer. She wanted to tell him everything; to tell him that Sirius was her fiancée and that he didn't betray his parents. To tell him that Sirius was trying to save him, to protect him. But, alas, I can't. I can't tell him a damn thing! I have to lie to this poor boy, like he has his entire life.

"C…Aunt Cassie? Are you okay?" Harry asked her, looking concerned.

"Yes Harry, I'm fine. Just got caught up in a daydream. But yes, back to your question. Well, Black and I were… very good friends. He looked after me like an additional older brother. I…I never would have thought he was capable of doing the things he was accused of. He loved James and Lily. We were closer than his family." Cassie looked down at her nephew. "All will be explained in time Harry. Come on, let's get down for dinner, I'm awfully hungry already and it's only 4:30!"

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Cassie had enjoyed her time spent at Hogwarts, but she was eager to come home. She wanted Harry to know the happy moments in their lives. She talked with Remus about what to share with him and what not. Harry still didn't know the extent of the relationship between Remus Lupin and his father. He knew that the men knew each other in school, but that was all.

Cassie worried about her nephew. She worried that he would do something bold, something quiet like his father would have done. Cassie smiled James always acted without thought of the consequences.