Chapter 14
A/N: Hey all! I know, I know, I suck for not updating sooner. I had reading week and refused to do anything productive. That being said, I will shower you with a cute chapter without too much drama/angst.. you're welcome :) I love you all! Thanks to those who leave me reviews, it means so much.
Chapter is dedicated to: FionaJoyce and sarahmichellegellarfan1
Thank you for sticking with me and my crappy updating time
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter.
xx
"Is this day over yet?" Cas moaned, as she pushed away the files in front of her.
It had been a long and testing day at the office, and to say Cas was done was an understatement.
"Yeah, and I'm still in my twenties." Kayle joked, shredding the pieces of paper in front of her.
Cas snorted and raked a hand through her hair. Working at the office proved to be a lot less awkward than she had originally thought, and for that, Cas was grateful. After the initial shock of finding out Kris was her boss, the two had some sort of unspoken agreement not to mention their first meeting.
That was until today.
"Hello ladies." Kris greeted smoothly, coming into the office with more paperwork.
Kayle groaned as he dropped the files onto her desk.
"Bloody tosser." Kayle whispered under her breath.
"What was that?" Kris asked, turning back to Kayle.
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering how you get your hair to look so stylish all the time." Kayle started sarcastically.
"Yeah, we were debating it earlier, weren't we girls? Cas here thinks it's conditioned with Merlin's tears, that's why you always look so dreamy." Paige added, fluttering her eyelashes.
Cas choked on her tea, burning her tongue in the process. Cas coughed wildly, her face beat red.
"I said no such thing." Cas coughed, her face feverish.
"Pity, and here I was hoping you did." Kris joked, walking over to Cas' desk.
Cas gave an awkward chuckle and pretended to get back to work as Kris sat casually on her desk.
"Anyways Cassie-" Kris started.
"Cas." Cas snapped, automatically correcting him, her eyes still glued to her paper.
"Right sorry, Cas. At least I didn't call you Cindy this time! Progress!" Kris joked, ruffling the back of his hair awkwardly.
Cas ignored him and flipped a sheet over, stamping it loudly.
"Anyways," Kris continued, "I was actually coming in here to ask you something, not just to make Kayle hate me more with paperwork."
"Oh really." Cas responded briskly, brushing her hair from her face.
"Yeah, well. Here it is, I feel odd on how things started off for us, and I really would like to get a chance to know you." Kris smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his face.
Cas froze, her face heating up again. She cleared her throat and leaned in.
"Out of everyone in this office, I think you know me the best." Cas started.
"All of me." Cas added, winking.
Loving the look of shock that passed Kris' face, Cas returned to her paper work, sliding a folder in Kris' direction.
"Well yes, I guess that is true. I was referring more to your personality side and not your back side." Kris added, covering up his shock and picking up Cas' folder.
"Here is my number, incase you change your mind." Kris muttered, sliding a piece of paper into her front pocket.
"Well look at the time." Cas stated as she hurriedly picked up her belongings. "Where does the work day go!"
Cas smiled and started to walk out with Paige and Kayle.
"Cas." Kris called, causing Cas to turn around.
"Just think about it." Kris smiled, giving her a slight wave before walking away.
Cas nodded and caught up to the girls.
"So you two shagging then?" Kayle asked boldly.
"Kayle!" Paige howled, slapping her gently on the shoulder.
"Thanks Paige." Cas thanked, shrugging on her coat and mittens.
"But seriously, you two shagging?" Paige asked, receiving a high five from Kayle.
"Not in his wildest of dreams. Now if you excuse me, my somewhat friends have forced me to go have a snow day with them. What ever the bloody hell that means." Cas muttered, wrapping her scarf around her neck tightly.
"Is that code for blow?" Paige stage whispered to Kayle.
"We are not doing drugs." Cas called over her shoulder, leaving the two behind her.
"Better not. Kris isn't into the druggy type!" Paige hollared, drawing the attention of people around them.
Cas continued on, casually flipping them the bird over her shoulder.
xx
The wind howled as Cas trudged up the slippery drive way to the Potters. It was Cas' first time going to James' parents home.
"House my ass. This is a mansion." Cas muttered to herself, pulling her scarf closer to her body, her fingers fumbling numbly.
"Who the hell put a apparition spot that far away?" Cas asked herself, cursing the day she agreed to hang out.
"You know, talking to yourself isn't healthy." Sirius piped, sneaking up on Cas.
Cas gave a shout, grabbing her beating heart.
"Merlin Black! Give a girl a bloody heart attack why don't you? Do you know these are not the times to sneak up on people! Bloody tosser!" Cas scolded, trying to slow down her heart beat.
"Sorry Cas, just figured you knew you'd be safe on the Potter's grounds." Sirius apologized, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Wanker." Cas muttered angrily.
"What a mouth on you though, I don't think Moody would approve." Sirius continued, pulling Cas by her hand up the drive way.
"Unhand me you buffoon, I can make it by myself." Cas snapped, ripping her hand out of his, only to slip and fall on the icy pavement, pulling Sirius with her.
"Oh can you now? Tell me, how's that going for you Morris?" Sirius drawled sarcastically, pushing himself off Cas.
"Shut it and help me up." Cas snapped, her body freezing from the snow.
"Now she needs help." Sirius laughed, pulling Cas up, his hand lingering on her arm.
"Don't question me you bugger." Cas joked, laughing as Sirius shook his hair out causing snow to land on her.
"Watch yourself, mutt." Cas laughed, her face rosy from the cold.
"Here, let me help." Sirius smiled, watching Cas struggle to get rid of all the snow.
"I feel like a child." Cas stated as Sirius dusted off the snow.
Sirius laughed and slipped a bit on the ice, causing Cas to grab him quickly. Cas laughed, until she noticed how close they were standing. Sirius stopped laughing, once he saw Cas' face. He slowly pushed back a loose piece of hair, his gloved hand resting slightly on her jaw line.
"You sure don't look like one." Sirius murmured softly, his thumb stroking her jaw.
Cas leaned into his hand, covering his with her own. Sirius smiled slightly, unsure of his next move.
"You have one lone snowflake on your eyelash." Cas whispered softly, her face smiling brightly.
"Can't help it, with eyelashes like this? It kills to be perfect." Sirius joked, his hand moving down to her throat, his eyes searching hers carefully.
"I wouldn't go that far." Cas smirked, brushing the snowflake off gently.
Sirius smiled and started to lean in, his breath warm on her cheek.
"Sirius? You out there?" a voice called from the front door.
Cas jumped at the noise, moving away swiftly from Sirius. Sirius groaned slightly before turning to the door, only to find a fragile looking Mrs. Potter.
"Mum, what are you doing out of bed?" Sirius asked, rushing to the older woman's side.
Cas followed, and helped Sirius bring her back inside.
"Now, now. No need to fuss. I may be old, but that doesn't mean I can't walk across my own property!" Mrs. Potter scolded, her tone harsh but her eyes soft.
"Not when it is blowing wind outside mum, you know your immune system is down right now." Sirius scolded lightly, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.
"Stop it Sirius! You know how I hate being fussed about. And you must be Cassie!" Mrs. Potter greeted, hugging Cas tightly.
Cas squeaked a hello, not bothering to correct her on her name.
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Potter." Cas stammered, her face red as the witch let go of her.
"You can call me Dorea dear. Now the others are in the den, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." Mrs. Potter stated warmly, walking away with a slight limp.
"And that was Mrs. Potter." Sirius concluded warmly, his face showing how much affection he had for her.
"She seems pretty rad." Cas responded lamely, her thoughts still on how cute Sirius had been with Dorea.
"Mums the best." Sirius nodded, taking off his boots.
"You call her mum then?" Cas asked curiously, shrugging off her jacket.
"Only mother I've ever known." Sirius stated, in a tone that suggested not to pry.
"Well she seems to adore you." Cas commented, pulling her boots off and tossing them with Sirius'.
Sirius laughed and went to move past Cas, before he could get far Cas tugged him back gently.
Cas leaned up and kissed him softly on the cheek, her lips lingering slightly on his skin. Sirius stiffened at the contact, his face rising in colour.
"For the record, I thought you were pretty cute with Mrs. Potter." Cas whispered softly.
Cas smirked before pulling away and walking down the hallway Mrs. Potter had gestured to earlier. Cas entered, but not before looking over her shoulder back at Sirius, who was still standing in the doorway with one mitten on.
"Don't forget your mitten Black." Cas called, walking into the den.
xx
"Cas! I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up!" Lily scolded, gesturing her over to where the girls were seated.
Sirius walked in after Cas, making his way toward the boys, his eyes far away.
"Cool it Ging, you know I had work." Cas joked, popping open a butter beer, the liquid warming her body.
"Yes with Mr. Dreamy." Alice teased, making everyone laugh.
Cas choked on her butter beer, aware of Sirius listening.
"Not so dreamy for me, but the way you talk of him Alice, Frank should be worried." Cas tsked, taking another swig of her drink.
"Yeah Alice, should I be worried?" Frank joked, walking over with the rest of the guys.
"Not at all, you're all I need Frankie." Alice cooed, snuggling Frank's neck.
"Be right back, I suddenly need to vomit." Cas muttered, causing the guys to laugh.
"What do you have against love Cas. Just because you'll be alone with twenty cats doesn't mean Alice has to." Remus joked, ruffling Cas' hair.
"Out of everyone here you shouldn't start the teasing game Remus, or should I say man-cub." Cas joked, tossing back her drink.
"Bird's got a point Moons." Sirius agreed, tossing Cas another butter beer.
"Thanks Black. But you just don't want me starting on you either." Cas joked, nodding her thanks for the butter beer.
"You caught me." Sirius laughed, popping open the top of his drink.
"So is this snow day a code word for blow?" Cas joked, remembering her coworkers previous conversation.
The group broke out in laughter, some spitting their drinks out of their mouth.
"No, but a close second. Gingerbread houses!" Lily chimed, bringing in a tray of ingredients.
"How the bloody hell is that close?" Cas muttered, following Lily to the dining room table.
xx
"Sirius! You got frosting on my nose." Marlene squirmed, making Cas want to vomit.
They had split into four teams to take on a ginger bread building competition. The teams had evened out into couples. Alice and Frank, Lily and James, Remus and Dorcas were all separate teams, which left Cas, Marlene and Sirius as a awkward trio.
The event had started off exciting, but as the time went on Cas got more and more annoyed at the flirty banter between Sirius and Marlene. Cas swallowed roughly, not used to feeling this way. Cas didn't know if she was jealous or if she was just not used to Marlene, after all it had been years since she had been forced in her presence.
Cas sighed, her body suddenly exhausted. She watched on as Sirius tried to wipe the frosting from her nose, her hand playing with a package of candy canes. Sirius brushed Marlene's face as he tried to get the frosting, causing Cas to tighten her hand.
Cas was jolted as she felt the candy cane snap in her hand.
"Whoa there, vice grip you got there! What did the candy cane ever do to you Cas?" Sirius joked, his face still playful and his arm casually across Marlenes' shoulder.
"Sorry. I'll be right back." Cas muttered, quickly leaving the table.
Cas sighed as she walked in the Potters' house, her feet taking her to the first door on the left. Cas opened it, confused as to why she came here. She looked around, unsure of whose room she was in. By the pictures of muggle motorcycles, Cas concluded it was Sirius'. Cas smirked at the picture of a nude muggle woman on the one wall.
"Pig." Cas muttered to herself, pushing her hands into her pockets. Cas' attention snapped down as she felt a piece of paper in her pocket.
Confused, Cas brought out the parchment, only to find it was the number Kris had given her. Impulse taking over her, Cas walked to the nearest telephone, the number clutched in her hand.
Cas dialed the number, sitting on Sirius' bed side.
"Ello." A strong male voice uttered.
"Hey, Kris? It's Cas. I want to take you up on that date offer." Cas stated strongly, her heart beating in her chest.
xx
"I am so glad you changed your mind, at first I thought you were playing a prank on me." Kris exclaimed, pulling out Cas' chair for her.
"Thank you." Cas said awkwardly, sitting down roughly.
'Sirius would've known better than to pull out my chair.' Cas thought irritably, causing Cas to curse herself.
'You're on a date dammit, focus.' Cas scolded herself, her mind still on Sirius.
"Cas? Did you hear me?" Kris' voice rang through, causing Cas' head to snap up.
"Er-what? Sorry! It's been a long day." Cas apologized, grabbing her glass of water and taking long sips from it.
"No, my fault really. I was talking about a pretty lame subject." Kris coughed, grabbing his glass as well.
"Anyways, how do you like your job?" Cas asked, her voice wavering slightly.
"My job? I mean it's alright. Took me long enough to get it, that's for damn sure." Kris admitted.
"Yeah, for sure." Cas muttered, her thoughts elsewhere.
The night continued in a blur of awkward conversation and heavy silences. Cas found out just how awkward she really is that night.
"Thanks so much for dinner Kris, I had a lot of fun." Cas shuffled awkwardly, holding the door open as she left the restaurant.
"No need to lie for my benefit Cas, I know you weren't interested." Kris admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"That obvious?" Cas muttered, her face heating up.
"No it's fine, I know this was a long stretch. Just thought I'd try, after all you're stunning." Kris complimented, causing Cas to laugh a little.
"I'm sorry this didn't go to plan." Cas laughed, hugging Kris gently.
"Friends?" Kris asked, pulling back from their hug.
"Friends." Cas nodded.
Cas watched Kris walk away, the feeling of relief washing over her. It wasn't until he was almost gone that Cas remembered the Potter's Christmas Ball that she was invited to. It was obvious Sirius was already going with Marlene, and there was no way in hell she was going alone.
"Kris! Wait up! Friends do each other favours right?" Cas yelled, chasing after her new found friend.
xx
One Week Later.
Sirius tugged at his tie nervously, his hands shaking as he tried to pay attention to the task at hand.
"Issue Pads?" James asked, casually walking into his room.
"It just won't sit right." Sirius growled, his eyebrows scrunched up in concentration.
James chortled, throwing down the magazine he had picked up. James walked to Sirius, looking at his best friend with confusion.
"What? Is it my hair?" Sirius yelped, seeing James' facial expression.
"No, your hair is terrible like always. I just never thought i'd see the day where you're nervous to see a girl." James laughed, straightening out Sirius' tie.
Sirius scoffed and ripped his tie away from James, brushing his hair slightly with his hand.
"And you have yet to see that day. Me? Nervous? Don't make me laugh Prongs." Sirius scoffed, checking himself once over in the mirror.
"Sure Pads. By the way, those pants have a hole in the back." James called, laughing as he left Sirius' room.
Sirius whipped around, trying to look at his behind in the mirror. Growling with frustration, Sirius tugged and tugged at his pants, just as Remus walked in.
"Do I even want to know?" Remus asked, staring at Sirius like he had two heads.
"Oy! Piss off man-cub. Do I have a hole?" Sirius asked, spinning his ass around to Remus.
"I am not looking at your ass Pads, you're nuts." Remus yelled, trying to run away from Sirius.
Sirius chased after him, ass first, around his room until he caught up to him. Sirius' ass hit Remus' gut with a big 'oomph'.
"GET THE BLOODY HELL OFF OF ME YOU FAT ASS." Remus yelled from beneath Sirius.
Laughing Sirius jumped off of a glowering Remus.
"Aw c'mon Moons, it was only a joke. Better fix your face up before Dor sees you, the scowl is definitely not your best look." Sirius laugh, patting Remus roughly on the shoulder.
"Shove off." Remus laughed, pushing away Sirius' hand.
"Now if you do excuse me, I have a date." Sirius bowed, walking from the room.
"Cas said yes?" Remus asked, following Sirius quickly.
"Er- not exactly." Sirius muttered, running his hands through his previously combed hair.
"What do you mean? Sirius what did you do?" Remus questioned, his face in complete horror.
"Sirius!" A feminine voice called.
Remus and Sirius turned toward the voice to see a stunning Marlene strutting over to them.
"That's your date?" Remus whispered, in awe of her appearance.
"You betcha. Hey Marls." Sirius greeted, planting a friendly kiss on her cheek. "You look amazing."
"Thank you, as do you. Well, well, well, Mr. Lupin is looking quite dashing." Marlene joked, in a fake posh accent.
"Ah yes, he does clean up just right." Sirius agreed, pretending to twirl an imaginary moustache.
"M'lady care for a drink?" Sirius added, catching the disapproving look Remus was giving him.
"Only the finest of beverages M'lord." Marlene joked, sticking her nose up in the air.
The two went to pass as Remus grabbed Sirius roughly by the shoulder.
"Cas is not going to like this." Remus muttered, shocked at his friends behaviour.
"Stuff it Moony, she brought her own chew toy." Sirius shrugged, trying to look like it didn't bother him before catching up to his date.
"These people drive me insane." Remus muttered, walking alone to the bar.
xx
"You look amazing." Kris admitted, looking down at a dressed up Cas.
The two had arrived at the party a tad late, having had a mix up with where they were suppose to meet.
"As do you, Kris." Cas responded, her hand on his shoulder as they danced.
"Do you see any birds you like?" Cas asked after a moment of silence.
"Isn't that a bit rude when my date is currently in my arms?" Kris asked jokingly, spinning Cas out dramatically.
Cas laughed, spinning back into Kris. Although she wasn't interested in him sexually, they sure did have fun in each other presences.
"Not if you are here because I begged you. Thanks again by the way. Now shut up and let me make it up to you, which bird do you find attractive." Cas laughed, her hand resting on his chest softly.
"Okay fine, twist my arm why don't you. That ginger over there is right fit, but I also like the moody blonde in the corner. I have a thing for a lady who looks fierce." Kris smiled wistfully.
"I've noticed." Cas winked, referring to their previous hook up.
"Not that it is a bad thing, I just like a woman who can stand her own." Kris said hurriedly, trying to smooth over his hiccup.
"If feisty is what you want, Marlene is the girl for you. She is quite a hot tempered lady. The ginger you pointed to is my friend Lily, but she is engaged so that wouldn't work. Marlene is actually with the guy I was telling you about. They say they're just friends but I am not too sure." Cas wondered out loud, catching Sirius' eye across the dance floor.
"Only one way to find out." Kris concluded, walking away from Cas and toward Marlene.
"Are you bloody insane?" Cas exclaimed, catching up to him. But it was too late, they had already reached the couple.
xx
"Bugger, they're coming this way." Sirius growled underneath his breath.
"It was probably because you have been glaring at them since they arrived." Marlene whispered back, angling her body to welcome the attractive man with Cas.
"I don't know if I can do this." Sirius sighed, tossing back the rest of his drink.
"Trust me, follow everything I have told you in the past hour and you'll do fine." Marlene encouraged Sirius, pushing him forward as the couple approached.
"Fine night?" Kris greeted, pulling an awkward Cas along with.
"There are a couple things that are fine about tonight." Marlene flirted, stretching her arm out to greet him.
"McKinnon, Marlene." Marlene smiled, shaking his hand softly.
"Nice to meet you Marlene. A beauty like you ought to be dancing, not standing on the sidelines. Care to dance?" Kris asked, holding out his arm for Marlene to take.
"Of course." Marlene agreed, taking his arm. "Man up Sirius."
Marlene whispered as she passed, leaving Cas and Sirius alone.
"And then there was two." Cas added awkwardly after a moment of silence.
"Funny how that happened. How has your night been?" Sirius asked, taking a large gulp of fire whiskey. Why did this broad make him so nervous.
"Pretty dull to be honest, not at all as exciting as I had hoped." Cas drawled, picking a glass off a floating tray.
"Dull? At a Potter ball? Well we can't have that. C'mon, this is my favourite song." Sirius insisted, putting down both their drinks and dragging Cas to the dance floor.
"You're mad!" Cas yelled over the music, her head bobbing as she tried to match Sirius' steps.
"Better than dull." Sirius quipped back, spinning Cas in a circle.
Cas laughed as she almost fell, Sirius quickly picking her up before her body hit the ground.
"Er- I never said I was a good dancer." Sirius admitted, pulling her back up as gracefully as he could.
"I think I know why you were standing off to the side then." Cas joked, spinning Sirius in a circle this time.
"You really know how to make me feel like a man." Sirius drawled sarcastically after he had been spun.
"C'mon princess, let's go do shot for shot. Or are you bad at that as well?" Cas asked, grabbing Sirius by the hand.
"Shot for shot? Now that I can get into." Sirius agreed, following her to the bar where the two spent the rest of the night.
xx
Although nothing significant had happened between the two that night, Cas still looked back on it with a smile on her face. She had to stop herself a couple times, as she got too caught up in the fluttery feeling.
'You're a Morris, not some priss.' Cas thought to herself, bounding down the stairs at Moody's.
Cas jumped on Moody as he entered the living room, his arms full of presents. Cas smiled as they exchanged gifts and the 'you really didn't have to's, loving the look on Moody's face every year when he opened his.
Cas smiled looking at the effort Moody had made at making this Christmas a special one. After a year of uncertainty and of bad blood, the two had finally found peace in their home. A peace, however fleeting, that encouraged them to make it to the next day. A peace that if taken from them would crumble the world they had tried to build. A feat that was becoming more and more popular in these dark times.
Cas smiled down into a unopened box, the tag empty. Cas opened the lid slowly to reveal a single pendant on a thin gold chain. The pendant was an arrow, small in size but beautiful on its own. Cas smiled brightly, clasping the chain around her neck.
"This is beautiful Moody! Thank you so much." Cas whispered, fingering her new necklace.
"That wasn't for me lass, that Black boy dropped it off. I don't know about this one Cassie, he seems a tad unstable." Moody grumbled, his voice disapproving.
"Who isn't these days?" Cas added, fingering her new addition with a small smile.
'Who isn't.'
A/N: WELL THERE IT IS. HOPE YOU LIKED IT. LOVE YOU ALL . MUAH.