Chapter 11: Nightmares and Quidditch

Cassie woke up to thrashing next to her in the bed. She sat up and looked over, seeing beads of sweat run of Sirius's face. His arms flailed about and his head tossed back and forth. She faintly heard murmuring and moaning.

"Sirius? Sirius, wake up! You're having a nightmare. Please wake up, you're scaring me!" Cassie gently touched the ragged man, shaking his shoulder lightly. He sat up at once, moving to grab her around the throat but Cassie was too quick. She grabbed his hand and slapped him across the face.

"C…Cassie? Oh Merlin I'm so sorry! I…" He sat back on the bed, his head resting against the headboard.

"Don't apologize. It's my fault. I shouldn't have tried to wake up." She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"No. Cassie, I could have hurt you." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. "I could have hurt you Cassie, I can't stay here. Not here, with you." He moved to get up from the bed. She pulled him down with unusual strength.

"You. Are. Not. Leaving! What part of that don't you understand? You are going to stay here, get at least one good night sleep and then tomorrow I'm going to make you breakfast, because you probably haven't eaten a good meal in twelve years." She kissed his cheek. "Please Sirius? Just do this for me?"

He sighed, shifting lower in the bed and finally lying down completely. Cassie stretched out across him, her head resting on his chest. She kissed him lightly, feeling his bones just beneath his skin. She ran her fingers up and down his chest, lulling him to sleep. Sirius placed a soft kiss on the top of her head and hugged her tightly, slowly falling back to sleep.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Sirius awoke the next morning startled. He tried to sit up quickly and as he did, the previous night's memories came flooding back. He laid back in the bed and look at the sleeping woman curled up next to him. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"You are so beautiful. I don't deserve to have you in my life." Sirius whispered as he caressed her soft cheek.

"Thank you, but you deserve me and more." Cassie turned over and smiled at Sirius. "Good morning, love."

"Did I wake you up?" Sirius looked at her alarmed. She smiled, "Yes, well, sort of. When you jerked to sit up, you woke me up. But I was bordering on being awake anyways." Cassie snuggled closer to the warm male body in her bed. "I'm sorry about last night. I…I didn't mean to slap you that hard." She blushed at the thought.

Sirius laughed as her cheeks reddened. "It's okay. My cheek doesn't even hurt anymore." He kissed her lips, nibbling on the lower lip.

"Sirius! Up. Out. We're not starting this off again."

"But Cassie. It's been a long time since I've…"

"Yes, well. Too much and you'll hurt yourself." Cassie grinned. "Now let's get some breakfast. After last night's exercise I'm famished."

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

After eating a full breakfast, Sirius rose to leave. "I have to go. If I stay here any longer I'm going to endanger you, more than I already have."

"I know. Go. I'll see you soon, I can feel it." She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. Sirius apparated out of the flat and Cassie fell to her chair. She glanced at the clock and let out a little yelp.

"Merlin! I'm late! I'm supposed to be at Hogwarts in an hour!" Cassie jumped out of the chair and ran to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, Cassie grabbed her bag and wand and apparated to Hogsmeade. Harry's match starts in ten minutes! Cassie hurried up to the Quidditch Pitch and raced to the stands. There she met Remus and she settled down with thirty seconds to spare.

"Running late this morning?" Remus winked at her as she sat down next to him.

"Yes. I overslept and raced here as fast as I could. I have perfect timing because here they come!" Cassie cheered along with the rest of the crowd as the Gryffindor team flew out into the pitch.

She was amazed at the ability of the team as they worked hard to defeat Slytherin. She cheered along with the crowd and booed the Slytherin's evil antics. "THAT WAS A FOUL! HOW DARE YOU!" Cassie yelled, jumping up and down. Remus laughed and pulled her back to her seat. "Calm down! I haven't seen you this excited in a long time!"

The two continued to watch the match and at long last the Snitch was spotted. "HE'S GOT IT!" Cassie jumped out of her seat and cheered! "HE CAUGHT THE SNITCH!! REMUS HE WON!!" Cassie grabbed Remus' arm and dragged him up. She jumped up and down next to him as she laughed. Remus laughed and cheered with her.

After a few minutes, she dragged him down from the bleachers and out onto the field. Cassie ran up to Harry and gave him a large hug. "HARRY! That was amazing! Professor Lupin said you flew beautifully, but…wow! Wonderful job! Congratulations!"

The captain handed Harry the Quidditch Cup and the entire team cheered! Cassie and Remus slowly walked away from the crowd. "Wow. He does fly as well as James. If not better! He would be so proud!" Cassie grinned at her friend.

"Come on you." Remus dragged her up to the castle. "Let's get inside, I have some papers to grade and tests to make up and you need to relax. You haven't been this excited since…well I don't know when."