Chapter Nine
A/N: Hello all :) Another update 3 Hope you like it, let me know what you think in the box below !
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter
"Moody, I don't know how you live in this house! Things really went down hill when I left didn't it?" Cas bellowed, her head deep in clutter. They had been looking for Cas' old OWL and NEWT exam results for the last hour to no avail.
"I don't see you begging to clean it. Help or shut your mouth lass, I don't like your attitude." Moody's voiced carried from the basement. Cas smirked and continued to dig through old papers.
Cas let out a frustrated sigh, this day was too long for her liking to have no progress. Dorcas had tried to work her charm with the ministry but without the proof of Cas completing the needed exams at the ministry there would be no ministry job for her.
Cas turned hopeful as she heard Moody stomping up the steps.
"Any luck?" Cas asked, plopping down on Moody's couch. Cas ran her hand over the hard leather surface, it had been a while since she had been in this house. It wasn't exactly comfortable for her to be here yet, but she was trying.
Moody grunted in response and Cas groaned.
"We are never going to bloody find it." Cas admitted, rubbing her face roughly. "It is a lost cause."
"And you checked your room right? Everywhere?" Moody asked, ignoring Cas.
"Yes Moody." Cas answered.
"Everywhere?" Moody asked, causing Cas to sigh. They had this conversation all day, you sure you checked there? Yes. Okay, but are you sure.
They sat there in silence for a while, each trying to wrack their brains for possible locations of her exams. Cas hummed softly thinking the house missed the smell of Evelyn's cooking, she always had the most amazing meals prepared. Cas smiled, her thoughts drifting to the meals only Evelyn could make, this house ached without her presense. Moody had taken away everything in the house that would remind them of her, it was just too painful. All that was left as in a box in Moody's closet. Objects that they both wouldn't dare to dispose of, her necklace, wedding band, her photo album and a file of important paperwork. But the definition was altered when it came to the idea of paperwork, Evelyn believed the simple macaroni picture Cas made when she was a toddler "paperwork", the handwritten hards at christmas "paperwork", and any acheivements like,
"My exams. Moody! I know where they're!" Cas exclaimed, pulling herself from her thoughts and bounding up the stairs two at a time. She heard Moody lurch from his spot on the couch and mumble under his breath.
"If you're taking me to your room Cas, I swear to Merlin I will murder you." Moody cursed, catching up to Cas quickly. However quick he was moving his body came to an abrupt stop when he saw what Cas was opening. Moody stiffened as he watched his goddaughter open the box that contained all that was left of his wife.
"What are you doing with that?" Moody whispered, walking into the room at a far enough length from the box in question.
"Remember how Evelyn was a border line hoarder? She must've stored my exam scores in here, and I remember putting my NEWT scores here myself once she had passed." Cas muttered, pulling the lid of carefully.
Cas placed the lid beside her on the floor and carefully lifted objects out of the box. Cas stopped to admire Evelyn's wedding band, a simple gold ring that Cas had always loved. Cas fingered the locket on her neck and sighed sadly, she had so many she missed.
"Listen Cassie, I have been meaning to talk about this box actually. I have clung to her memory for so long Cassie, too long I think. I still refuse to admit that she is gone, hiding her posession didn't help and shutting you out didn't either. I think I accept it now that she is gone, and that she would be happy you're working with the Order, along with your parents of course. But listen, I think Eve would've wanted you to have her, uh, her ring or anything else you'd like." Moody muttered stiffly, trying to mask his deep sorrow of his deceased wife.
"Moody, I don't know what to say. Thank you. So much, really. I know how much these objects meant to you. I would love to have them." Cas whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Cas fingered the locket once more before sliding on Evelyn's ring, it was a perfect fit.
"Looks damn fine Cassie. Consider it yours. Now cut with all this mushy bull shit and let's find those papers" Moody grumbled, Cas smiled and jumped up to hug him, causing Moody to let out awkward laughter.
"What did I just say lass?" Moody joked, causing Cas to squeeze tighter.
"And when did I start listening Moody?"
"Bloody hell it is getting cold." Cas muttered, rubbing her arms with her frozen hands. Remus laughed beside her and nudged her slightly.
"Didn't know you were one to complain Morris?" Remus joked, stuffing his hands in his coat pocket. After all, it was quite chilly for the end of November.
"Shut it." Cas snapped, grabbing her hair and throwing it up into a ponytail. It had been a long shift and she was sick of Remus teasing her.
"All I am asking Cas, is if you heard anything more from your mystery man? I am guessing he was a wizard?" Remus pressed, catching up to Cas as she tried to shuffle away from the subject.
"Ugh Lupin, I have no idea. I am guessing since he wasn't confused on why I was pointing a stick at him that he was a wizard. Or a mental muggle." Cas concluded, kicking a pebble in front of her. Remus chuckled and kicked it back.
"He was probably into it, you never know who you're bringing home Cas. He could've been the Dark Lord of Kink." Remus roared at his own joke, causing Cas to huff in frustration.
"That right there was a Sirius comment, not a Remus comment." Cas accused, "you're hanging out with that lot too much, is it because you have no other friends?"
"Whoa, low blow. I wouldn't be the one poking fun about friends. If I can count correctly, I believe you have one outside of us? Moody?" Remus joked, ruffling his hair lazily.
"Shut it." Cas muttered again. "I chose it that way, wouldn't have it any other way."
"Well I tried that too." Remus muttered.
"What?" Cas asked, turning around to look at the Marauder in front of her.
"Well, I tried to have no friends too. But have you met the guys? They don't take no for an answer." Remus laughed darkly. Cas looked up at him, seems he had more secrets than the others. The question was, what was it?
"Why would a guy like you not want friends?" Cas wondered out loud, she glanced at him once more and he looked almost shy of words.
"Why would a girl like you not want friends?" Remus countered. Cas laughed and nodded.
"Touché good sir." Cas admitted, they were nearing the end of their rounds and Cas could not wait to be back at her apartment where she would be alone and warm.
"You more than anyone should know how the boys are, well at least James and I. We have basically forced you into being friends with us, and Lily is just as bad really." Remus rambled off, his hands making wide gestures. Cas giggled and nudged him.
"Well, I guess I should be thanking you two then. Turns out you guys aren't all too bad. I mean you on the other hand, are just the worst sort of person." Cas started, her sentence being cut off by a giant snowball being hurled into her face.
Cas stopped and felt her mouth open in shock. She turned around slowly to face the culprit.
"Mighty big snow flakes we have here, eh Morris?" Remus joked, inching away from her as he saw the expression of her face change.
"Oh is that what that was? A snowflake. I must be delusional to think it was anything but that, huh Lupin?" Cas started, moving toward him menacingly.
"Well, we all knew you were bat shit crazy Cas, this really comes to no surprise." Remus laughed before taking off.
"I am going to kill you Lupin, mark my words!" Cas shouted after him before taking off, finding it hard to keep up to his long strides.
"Just you wait until I catch up." Cas threatened, they moved fast between the crowds of muggles roaming the streets, muttering their apologies as they bumped into innocent people.
The chase continued on throughout the town square and in around the giant fountain in the centre. Finally Cas had him trapped on the side of the fountain.
"The game is up Lupin, surrender and I may go easy on you." Cas joked, her hands grasping around two snowballs.
"Oh dearest Cassie, please do accept my deepest apologies for being so crude." Remus mocked, falling to his knees, his hands gripped together in a pleading motion.
"Apology not accepted, and the name is Cas." Cas declared, pelting the two snowballs at Remus' head full throttle.
Remus lunged forward as this happened, bringing Cas down with him. Within the commotion they both agreed to a draw and they ended up laying side by side on the cobblestone pavement. Cas looked over and noticed a long deep scar, trailing from Remus' exposed collar bone downward.
"What the bloody hell did that?" Cas asked, sitting up and pulling back his shirt to expose more of the scar. As she did that she noticed other smaller scars below his shirt line but before she could get a good look Remus had ripped back his shirt and was standing.
"It is nothing Cas, do not concern yourself with it." Remus demanded, stalking off toward the end of their rounds.
"Remus! Wait up!" Cas called, pushing herself from the ground and hurrying to catch up. She had no idea why he was over defensive about it, but from the huge swing in moods she believed she had overstepped herself.
"Lupin!" Cas yelled again, finally catching up and grabbing his arm. She pulled on his arm until he was facing her, when she finally saw his face she was shocked. What had just been a playful grin was now a stern, tense face.
"Look I am sorry, but whatever it is just know you can tell me." Cas managed to squeak out, the look on his face still making her uneasy.
"This is something that I can't just share over tea and biscuits Cas." Remus muttered, "It is something you're better off not knowing about."
"I think I can be the judge of that. Now, I don't know about tea and biscuits but how about butterbeer and chips?" Cas asked. Remus looked at her for a long minute before nodding slightly, his face still strained and serious. Cas smiled and touched his arm in a comforting way.
"To my place we go."
Cas sighed, so much for being alone and warm tonight. Although, she mused, the being warm part will still be true, but Cas was getting used to never really being alone.
"The chips are almost baked, can I get you another butterbeer?" Cas called from the kitchen, Remus shifted and checked his beer.
"No Cas, all good on that front. With all the booze pushing you would think you're trying to take advantage of me." Remus joked, his voice coming out more serious than he had hoped. This secret was one he liked to keep hidden, but just like the boys he knew Cas could be trusted and wouldn't rest until she knew.
"Not of you, just your deepest secrets Lupin. Much more my style." Cas joked, coming in with a tray of chips and two more butterbeers anyways. "Just so we don't have to get back up." Cas added as she saw him eyeing the butterbeers.
Remus chuckled nervously, his throat tightening at the thought of sharing his secret.
"If you're that uncomfortable about it I won't pry Remus." Cas added softly after a moment of silence.
"No, I trust you. I just hope you won't think less of me afterwards." Remus started, sighing roughly as he did. It was never easy.
"Not possible." Cas reassured, cracking open her butterbeer and cheersing Remus' bottle. Remus smiled before nodding, preparing himself for the story that had brought on so much misery to his life.
"It all started with my parents, they were always supportive and had a huge part in both the wizarding and muggle world. My mom, Hope, is a muggle and has always supported my father and I throughout our efforts in the wizarding world. The issue started when my father, Lyall, started drinking heavily and gambling away money we just didn't have. I know you're wondering what this has got to do with me, it's coming don't worry. Since we weren't a well off family to begin with, Lyall's debt began to increase putting a large strain on our family and especially between my parents. That was when the wizards he was dealing with decided to take what they thought was rightfully theirs. My future. It was late at night and I was playing in the backyard with my father. We were just about to go in and freshen up before bed when we heard it, the rustling in the bushes and a low growling noise. I looked up to my father and noticed that his skin had paled and he had started to sweat. The rustling continued and along came crunching, I remember my father starting to sprint to the house right before the glowing eyes burst from the bushes. It was over before it started, I had been bitten." Remus muttered, his voice barely coming out as a whisper. Cas sat there, absorbing the information given to her.
"Werewolf." Cas managed to get out, her hand raising to her locket out of disbelief. She couldn't believe she hadn't put it all together back in Hogwarts, how dense could one be?
"That's me. Anyways, I woke up a couple days later in St. Mungos, my mother beside me holding my hands and fighting with the nurse. Apparently the nurse had burst into tears at the thought of such a young soul's future being ruined. My mother, wonderful woman at that, had snapped and told her to get her shit together and heal my wounds like she was suppose to." Remus chuckled darkly, a small smile filling his face.
Cas chuckled a little too and Remus' head snapped up to stare at Cas. His eyes searched her face, looking for any sort of fear or disgust, but that wasn't what he found.
"You're a good person Remus, it doesn't matter if you're a werewolf. You're more of a man than anyone I have met and you need to stop thinking of yourself in a light less than that." Cas stated strongly, her hand curling over his large one. Remus smiled and shook his head at her kindness.
"You aren't frightened?" Remus asked, his voice coming out low and timid. Cas shook her head and tightened her hand on his.
"Not at all, you're still Remus Lupin. You being a werewolf doesn't change that. If anything I am more reassured, I mean really. We have a werewolf on our side, doesn't get any better than that." Cas joked, trying to lighten the mood. Her attempt worked and Remus chuckled.
"Only you would find a positive in all of this." Remus joked, wrapping a arm around her and pulling her close, Cas returned the hugged and let out a sigh.
"You're a good friend Cas. Thank you." Remus mumbled into Cas' hair.
"Well there's a first for everything." Cas joked, nestling down into a more comfortable positions. The sat together for a while until she heard a pop behind her. Cas jumped from Remus and turned around to see their new guest.
"Sorry to interrupt but, Moody wanted me to tell you that they found a potential lead to the Death Eaters who murdered your parents." Sirius stated coldly, his eyes locking with Remus'. Remus gulped at the cold stare he was receiving from his best friend. Remus smiled weakly causing Sirius to drop his gaze.
"HE SAID WHAT. When did you find this out?" Cas asked, jumping from her spot on the couch and quickly shoving on her boots and coat.
"About an hour ago, him and Dumbledore have been up in their office discussing if they should involve you or not." Sirius answered, leaning casually on the living room entrance. Cas froze.
"What the hell did you just say." Cas spat out viciously, her hands still frozen on her coat buttons.
"They were uh, discussing, if they should, er, involved you." Sirius stuttered, his calm composure ruined.
"Why the hell wouldn't they! If they had kept this from me I would've killed the bloody lot afterwards." Cas exploded, shoving on the rest of her boot on with force. "Bloody idiots, the lot of ya." Cas muttered running past Sirius to her room. Cas returned and nodded.
"What's the bloody hold up, lets go." Cas yelled, the boys shot up and apparated after her.
They landed in the gardens of the burrow and had to race to catch up to Cas. Cas paused at the front door and looked at the handle.
"What is it?" Sirius asked, his hand gently touching the small of her back.
"It's just, I have waited for so long to find out who did it. Now that it is finally here, I just hope I can be the woman my parents would be proud of." Cas mumbled softly, so soft it was almost hard to hear. Remus gripped her shoulder hard and pulled her into a one armed hug.
"If they aren't proud of you Cas, then they would be seriously missing out." Remus added, before walking to the burrow. Cas nodded and glanced at Sirius.
"Cassie, just promise me one thing. Don't get yourself killed trying to kill these people, we have lost so many good people already." Sirius muttered strongly, his voice breaking a bit on the word good. Cas smiled and grazed his forearm slightly with her one hand.
"Now where is the fun in that?" Cas joked, her laughter coming out short when she saw the look on his face. "I won't do anything you wouldn't do in my position Sirius." Cas added before marching into the burrow.
She could hear muffled voices in the kitchen and was about to throw herself into the midst before she remembered something. Cas smiled and turned to Sirius. Sirius was still dusting off the snow from his hair when he was startled by Cas' sudden presence, he assumed she would already be in the other room demanding answers.
"Cassie?" Sirius questioned. Cas smiled and reached up to plant a kiss on Sirius' cheek.
"Thank you Sirius." Cas mumbled, embarrassed by her rash actions. Cas smiled once more before bounding into the next room. Sirius waited and held a hand to his cheek, he could hear her already raised voice in the kitchen. A smile filled his whole face and he dropped his hand, after all Sirius Black doesn't swoon.
The kiss lasted the total of five seconds, but his cheek remained warm the rest of the night.
A/N: I know a short chapter but the next one will be a lot longer ! :) Hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think 3 Love you all
- Haley