Chapter 17
A/N: Hey all ! sorry for the long wait, I know I suck. This chapter is my peace offering …. please don't hate me. Love you !
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter.
xx
Cas groaned, smacking her face off her kitchen table. The letter crumpled beneath her as she moved, a letter she wasn't too sure she was sending yet.
It had been three weeks since she had received her first letter about her parent's death, but yet she knew nothing more than she did three weeks previous. Her so called secret source had gone dry, not spoken a word since the last letter and it was making Cas go crazy.
'Bugger.' Cas sighed, pushing herself roughly from the table.
She stared at her written letter, her cursive coming out as angry slashes. She had finally started to demand the secret source meet her, only issue is it seemed she couldn't send the letter. She had tried, but there was a part of her nervous about being so direct and blunt. What if her source decided she was a waste of time after he or she read this letter?
There was too much unknown for her to feel confident about sending the letter. But yet, a part of her felt like she had too. It had been three weeks for Merlin sake! Three whole weeks.
Cas started at her thought, deciding to just get it over with. She folded the letter confidently and sealed the back. Staring at the now packaged letter, Cas felt herself backing out once again.
"You're such a wimp Morris." Cas stated out loud, her body shaking with anticipation.
"That you're. I'm glad no one has to tell you, makes it a lot easier." Kris joked, walking into Cas' kitchen.
"Kris! What the bloody hell are you doing in my flat?" Cas demanded, shoving her secret source's letter in with her other letters.
"Did you seriously forget? You told me to come by around this time.. for lunch?" Kris stated awkwardly, his face turning a bit pink.
"Yeah, on the 16th." Cas stated firmly, her hands still shaken from being snuck up on.
"Which is today.. where have you been Morris? You seem in a daze all the time." Kris asked, pointing to the calendar pinned on her kitchen wall.
"Today is the 16th? Already? When the hell did that happen?" Cas asked, more to herself than anyone. Well, it had been three bloody weeks.
"Don't know what to tell you Cas, you still free for lunch? Or should I come back a different time.." Kris asked, looking at what Cas was wearing.
Seeing as how she thought she had no plans today, Cas was still casually in her nightie and robe. Blushing, Cas moved to cover herself better with her robe.
"Right, I just need to get ready and then mail these letters and we will be set!" Cas stuttered, running from the kitchen into her bedroom.
Huffing, Cas threw on the first outfit she found in her room, brushing her hair as she went. Checking herself in the mirror Cas shrugged, thinking it was as good as it was going to get, before rushing back into the kitchen.
"You get ready pretty fast for a girl, you know that?" Kris commented, leaning casually against the counter.
"Great observation Kris, now I just have to send those le-" Cas broke off, noticing her letters were no longer stacked on her kitchen table.
"Where are my letters.." Cas trailed off, her heart pounding.
"Oh the ones on the table? Your owl flew in when you were in the bedroom so I just tied them for you, the owl just left." Kris shrugged nonchalantly.
Cas' heart stopped, the letter to the secret source had been in that pile. She wasn't actually going to send it yet! She was going to take it out before sending the rest. Sweat started to form on her upper lip, her breathing becoming shorter.
"Cas? Hey look, I didn't think it was a big deal. I'm sorry if I over stepped myself here." Kris apologized quickly, seeing the look on Cas' face.
"No, no I'm fine." Cas waved Kris off, getting a glass of water from the sink. "I just wasn't ready to send those yet." Cas muttered.
"I am sorry Cas, I thought they were ready to go, they had stamps and were sealed. I hope I didn't mess with it too badly." Kris apologized again, his hand resting on her shoulder reassuringly.
"No, really. It's fine." Cas lied, sweat starting to slip down her back.
"You're obviously not okay Cas, you're even more pasty than usual." Kris commented, brushing some of the sweat from her forehead.
"Actually you're right, I feel like utter shit. Can we reschedule?" Cas asked, drinking more water.
"Of course, do you want me to stay with you?" Kris asked concerned.
"No it's fine, I'm just going to lay down." Cas lied, and with that she left to her room.
Only when she heard Kris' pop from apparating did she start to fully freak out. Vomit worked its way up her throat, making her make a mad dash to the bathroom. Rinsing her mouth, Cas wiped her forehead shakily.
Staring at her pale, blood shot appearance Cas finally snapped out of it.
"What is done is done. Nothing can get that letter back now." Cas reasoned with herself, brushing her teeth finally.
Walking back into her living room, Cas crashed on the couch. Not before opening a new bottle of fire whiskey. Popping the cap off, Cas stretched herself out on her couch wondering how pissed her secret source will be. Could he or she blame her really?
After all, it had been three whole bloody weeks.
xx
It had been six days since Kris had accidentally sent her letter off. Sitting in her office chair, Cas was finally getting back to normal, convinced she would never get a response. That was when it happened, the familiar owl swooped in, dropping off a note.
Sucking in a large gulp of air, Cas ripped it open, greedy for news.
The note didn't say much, but then again it never really did. The note read:
Today, 3pm, Three Broomsticks.
Relief rushed through her for a brief second, before she realized what this meant. She had no idea who she was up against, who this mysterious person was, and what they wanted from her. Would it be completely idiotic of her to rush to the Three Broomsticks today, without telling anyone where she was going or what she was doing. Yes. You bet your fine ass it would be. But at this point. Did she have any choice?
Swallowing the reality she checked the time, it was two hours till 3pm. Enough time for her to go home after work and leave a note, just incase she goes missing. But what would she write? She wouldn't even know the name of the person she was missing.
Sighing, Cas rubbed her face.
A least some sort of note should be left, she decided.
"Do I pay you to slack off Morris?" Kris asked, laughing as he approached her.
"It's worked for me so far here, why change now?" Cas quipped back, returning the smile.
Sure, Kris had messed with her life royally the other day. But at least it paid off with this potential meeting.
"I don't pay for sass either." Kris smiled, playing with the objects on Cas' desk.
"Oy! Bugger off, I don't go and play with your toys in your office." Cas snapped, brushing his hand away jokingly.
"So sorry, didn't mean to upset your model dog collection." Kris laughed, putting the shaggy black dog back to his position.
"Why do you have that anyway?" Paige asked, her nose upturned at the dog as she walked past, "It's not even a cute breed."
"My friend keeps giving them to me, and laughing uncontrollably when he does. No idea what the joke is, but I don't want to crush his fun completely. " Cas admitted, turning the dog back to the original angle.
"A friend huh? Since when do you have friends." Paige laughed, shredding the papers in her hand.
"How it happened is a complete mystery to me as well. They aren't a normal bunch, that's for sure." Cas smiled, thankful for her friends she unwillingly has.
"Well, that Marlene seems pretty normal. And pretty fit too." Kris winked, his face going that delightful pink.
"Marlene is far from normal, do not delude yourself." Cas snapped, hating when Marlene was brought up.
"Whoa, easy there. I was just saying, if she was available I would be all for her." Kris admitted, receiving a high five from Paige.
"And here we thought you were swinging for the other team." Paige laughed.
"What? Why?" Kris asked, completely shocked.
"Sorry, girl secret. Can't tell you." Paige stated, rustling through her paperwork.
"Girls and their secrets." Kris muttered to himself, before turning his attention back to Cas.
"Anyways, back on the topic of Marlene, is she available?" Kris asked, his face and voice hopeful.
Looking at his joyous face, Cas couldn't find it in herself to lie to him.
"She is." Cas admitted through tight lips.
"Can you give her my number?" Kris asked, his hand holding out a scrap piece of paper.
"I can." Cas nodded, throwing the piece of paper in her purse.
"You're the best! Have a good weekend ladies." Kris winked, leaving the office with a bounce in his step.
"Tosser." Cas muttered to herself before quickly packed up her things.
She can deal with her disgust for Marlene on a different day, right now she had more pressing matters to deal with.
Like not getting kidnapped by a potential Death Eater tonight.
xx
'Where is this person.' Cas thought, looking at her watch.
Cas' hands hugged her mug of butter beer, shaking slightly even though she remained still.
'I don't even know what this person looks like.' Cas started mid sip.
Sweat started to form on her upper lip at the thought of missing her secret source. Craning her neck around, Cas looked to the front door impatiently. She had picked a spot tucked away from wandering eyes, thinking back on it Cas regretted being so hidden. How was this person suppose to spot her?
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Cas closed her eyes slowly. Slowly trying to regain her sanity, a sanity that had been wearing thin lately.
"Morris." a voice stated, sliding into the booth beside her.
At the sound of his voice, Cas automatically fingered her wand. Her eyes snapping back open, taking in the situation.
Moody's voice ran through her voice as she thought 'Constant Vigilance'.
Cas scooted away, taking in the hooded figure. He was male, about 6'3" but that was all she could really make out as he adjusted himself to hide from the doorway.
"Who are you." Cas blurted, seizing him up.
He finally stopped fidgeting and turned to look at her. Cas felt herself breath in sharply as she took in the stormy grey eyes of her secret source. He was a lot younger than she imaged, probably being around her age or a little older. His eyes burned into her soul, and she felt herself questioning if she knew him or not.
"Do I know you? Did you go to Hogwarts?" Cas asked nervously, not able to look away from the stranger.
"Never mind who I am. If you want the information I have, you're going to have to cooperate. Remember, breathe a word of anything I tell you and you will never see the light of day again. I know who you are, I know where you live, I know where your friends live, and more importantly, I know where your precious godfather lives. You talk, and I'll make sure you'll be the last to die as I take out each person you know or care about." The young face transformed, his stormy grey eyes turning into a raging fire, his strong mouth turning into a sneer.
Cas felt herself tighten at his words. He did his research. But he didn't do enough about her.
"And you listen here you piece of shit. You dare touch a bloody hair on my family and you will be shitting knives for the rest of your pathetic life. You have know idea who I am and what I am capable of. So you listen to me, you have information I want and that I am going to get whether you help me or not. So why don't you list your bloody terms before I kick your pretty ass right her in front of everyone. Information or not, you will do wise to play by my rules." Cas sneered, leaning in with every word.
She could tell he was used to getting threats and in some weird way, Cas swore he looked more relaxed after her words.
"I've heard about how pleasant you are. Happy to say I haven't been disappointed by my sources." He smirked, his face transforming from his sneer.
Cas let out a small gasp again, not just from the outrage she felt as he brushed her off, but also at the familiar smirk on his face.
"Your point?" Cas asked bluntly, trying to regain her composure.
"Right. Brief, I like it. I need information I am afraid only you may be able to get your hands on. I could try it myself, but it would be a lot more difficult and risky to exposing my true intentions. Just know, the information you will be gathering for me will be used against the Dark Lord, not for him." The stranger started.
"You say the Dark Lord, were you his butt buddy at one point?" Cas interrupted, shivering slightly at the way this stranger spoke of Voldemort.
To her surprised, the stranger laughed slightly, shaking his head in disbelief.
"My sources do not lie, you are a snippy little thing aren't you." He smirked, looking over his shoulder as the door opened and banged shut.
"I am far from little, and if you do not get on with it, you will truly see how fast snippy I can be." Cas stated again, taking a swig from her mug.
"The words you are looking for is Death Eater, not butt buddy, but naturally they have the same sort of concept." The stranger nodded.
"And what? You're a bad guy going good now?" Cas wondered, intrigued on what made him switch sides.
"I am far from good, is it not enough that I have decided to be not as bad now? Do I have to go join the Order of the Pheonix just because I no longer want to be a Death Eater?" The stranger asked, startling Cas slightly.
Cas used to think the same, just because she hates Voldemort doesn't mean she had to join the Order. But yet, here she is, years later, in the palm of Dumbledore and working for the Order. How had her opinion of the Order changed so drastically over the years?
'Moody, the Marauders, Lily.' Cas thought, answering her previous question.
"Continue." Cas nodded.
"The information I want you to get, is most likely in the Potter's library. His dad was known for collecting ancient texts, and what I need should reside within those pages. I need to know of a certain liquid called the Drink of Despair. It is banned from Hogwarts before you say anything, and I cannot find a trace of it in any text available. My own library has no information and I am sad to say you're my last resort. To weaken the Dark Lord, I need to know how to get past this liquid, it has some sort of protection element, making it impossible to grasp anything within it. Find me this information and I will tell you who murdered your parents." The stranger rushed, shoving her a note with the name and her task before leaving abruptly.
Cas stared at the note, what liquid could protect Voldemort? How would this help destroy him? Cas slumped in her seat, this wouldn't be as easy as she thought. How was she suppose to get into the Potter's library to do research without giving it away?
Cas sighed, swirling around the rest of her drink, and who was this stranger? Why did he look familiar? Why did her blood pump harder when he was around?
Cas laid her head on her hands, her whole body shaking.
"Sirius, drop it. You're being childish, you can share the pub with your bloody brother for a second." Cas' head snapped up, noticing Remus and Sirius before they saw her.
"Just sharing the same air is so repulsing though Moons, honestly just the sight of that slimy git makes me ill." Sirius joked, ruffling Remus' hair slightly.
Straightening out his hair, Remus caught Cas' eye.
"Oy! Cas!" Remus called, pushing Sirius through the crowd.
"Hey boys. You two seem to be chipper, Sirius complaining like usual, Remus being a mom." Cas joked, shoving the note in her pocket. She can worry about that later.
"I don't complain that much!" Sirius argued, nudging Cas' shoulder gently.
"Honestly, if I don't mom them, who knows what would happen." Remus agreed, flagging down a waitress and ordering some drinks.
"Touché good sir, touché." Cas nodded, finishing off her butter beer.
"What are you doing here by yourself anyways?" Sirius asked, accepting his butter beer from Remus. "Thanks mate!"
"Me? I always come here!" Cas stated nervously, waving him away with her hand.
"Really? Weird. We always come here after our rounds, we never see you." Sirius shrugged, his top lip covered in froth.
"Mate, you have a little something. Right, right there." Cas giggled, trying to instruct his hand.
"Here?" Sirius asked, moving his hand over his face, missing the spot Cas pointed out on purpose. "Or Here?" Sirius smirked.
"No you twat, right here." Cas smiled, grabbing his napkin and wiping it off for him.
"Do you want some?" Sirius asked, making a kiss face at her.
"Ew no, that is all you Remus." Cas laughed, dodging Remus' hand as he tried to swat at her.
"Been there, done that. Not my cup of tea." Remus joked.
"You know that was a rumour at Hogwarts right?" Cas smirked, winking slightly at the boys.
"We are well aware Morris. Thank you for reminding us that the student body of Hogwarts debated who took it and who gave it all through fourth year." Sirius stated sarcastically, narrowing his eyes.
"Like we didn't have enough to worry about!" Remus stated shaking his hand.
"Just saying fellas, anyways what were you complaining about Sirius? Something about your brother?" Cas asked, changing the topic.
"Yes, dearest brother of mine. The brother that is mine, for whom I loathe. The one who shares my blood but not my integrity. The one who was born aft-" Sirius started, his voice in a old poet's tone.
"What the bloody hell happened Remus, if he has to tell me we will be here all night." Cas interrupted, holding her hand up to Sirius in a stopping motion.
"We ran into him as he was leaving, he bumped into Sirius, Sirius was angry, Sirius complained." Remus summed up, finishing off his butter beer.
"The little tosser almost took me off my feet, I almost died and here you two are, making fun of my near death experience." Sirius cried jokingly, pretending to wipe away tears.
"He did not almost knock you off your feet, he barely brushed your shoulder." Remus corrected, rolling his eyes.
"Well fuck Moons, go hang out with Regulus then. See if I care. Fucking bloke should learn how to dress and not have his hood on inside." Sirius complained, tossing back the rest of his butter beer.
"The hood was a tad off. Don't know how he could see with it." Remus commented causally.
The boys continued to talk but Cas had stopped listening. A cloak that covered his eyes? Why did that sound familiar.
Shaking her head, Cas offered to go get more butter beers for everyone. Getting up Cas felt her foot snag on the stool she was sitting on.
"Oh shit!" Cas yelped, the ground rushing toward her.
Cas jolted as she felt two strong arms grab her last second. Mugs in hand, Cas turned to see Sirius staring down at her, his stormy grey eyes laughing at her.
"Wotcher love, don't want you bruised up. People are going to think I beat you." Sirius smirked, causing Cas to gasp.
Not because of his comment, but because she finally realized why the stranger looked so familiar. How she didn't recognize before, she wasn't sure. After all, stormy grey eyes, strong features and that damn smirk was a trademark of the Noble House of Black.
Cas' mug dropped to the floor with a smash.
xx
A/N: SOOOOOOOOO? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below, I live off feedback 3 I will try and update sooner this time.. please love me 3
- Haley