Chapter 23
"You need to focus, Cassie!" Moody yelled as Cas' disguise dropped yet again.
"Easier said than done, Moody," Cas muttered, closing her eyes to focus.
They'd been training for hours. Moody yelling and throwing curses at her. Cas trying to focus and keep her newly learnt disguise up. Her mission started in less than two weeks and Cas needed to be able to comfortably interact with her transfigured disguise. A task easier said than done when someone was throwing curses at you from every direction.
"Where is your head at lass? You were never this terrible," Moody barked, throwing his hands up in defeat.
"Learning a new disguise isn't simple Moody, you know it's never been my strong suit. I can only successfully transfigure myself into a younger version, not a whole different person completely. A blond different person to be exact!" Cas exclaimed, slouching down a nearby wall to grab her water.
"The Cas I know would never be making excuses. I have no idea where that woman went, if you see her let me know," Moody grumbled, throwing a sweat towel in Cas' general direction.
"I'm still here Moody. I will be ready for this mission, I promise," Cas muttered, looking down at the towel she was holding in her hands. "I'm just struggling that's all."
"Couldn't imagine why," Moody huffed, sliding down to sit beside her.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Cas asked, snapping her head up.
"It's that damn boy of yours. He's not good for your Cas, you aren't focused. You have lost your drive and you need it back if you want this mission to go smoothly," Moody stated boldly, preparing for the blowback.
"That is just unfair and untrue. I admit, I haven't been as determined and cutthroat as I was before. But that's because I have more to lose now Moody, yourself included. That's what I was missing before, that human aspect. I didn't have a damn thing to lose, and I acted like it. Nearly got killed because of it. Is it such a bad thing that I don't want to die anymore?" Cas breathed, her mind spinning.
"All I'm saying is this mission will be good for you. I hope it brings back that spark in you and puts this whole Sirius business to rest," Moody said, shaking his head.
"How will it put this 'Sirius business' to rest?" Cas asked, forming quotations in the air.
"Well lass, no offence, but I know better than anyone how poor you're at keeping in touch when you're on a mission. Just a fact," Moody shrugged.
Cas could feel her face flush. She knew he had a point. When she left Moody before, she dropped him an owl every 6 months or so, never saying much, just saying that she was alive. What would stop her from doing the same this time?
"That was different Moody. You know that," Cas spat out, her tone harsh.
"Sure hope so lass, take a twenty minute break. Bring the old Cas back," Moody stated roughly, pushing himself off the ground.
Cas' body was shaking, she slid her hands through her sweaty hair, trying to breathe deeply. Unwanted tears came to her eyes, causing Cas to moan and rub them violently away.
"Stupid, bloody Moody," Cas muttered, getting up from the ground abruptly. Cas wiped her face with the sweat towel once more before whipping it across the room with a scream.
"Easy there, what did the towel ever do to you?" A cheeky voice asked from the doorway.
"Bugger off," Cas muttered as Remus casually strolled into the training centre.
"What's got you all bunched up? Catch Sirius using your razor again?" Remus quirked, his lip twitching with amusement as Cas let out a laugh.
"Merlin no! If only it was that simple. It's just Moody..."Cas trailed off, gesturing towards the door Moody had stormed out of earlier.
"I know, I heard the end of it. Hey! Don't look at me like that, you guys weren't being all too quiet. Besides, I have to be here to make sure James and Sirius don't completely mess up the Auror department," Remus smiled.
"Both of them are here?"Cas murmured, wondering how much they would have overheard.
"Don't worry, they were too busy with Kingsley to even realize you were here. Can't help it that I'm the only observant one," Remus shrugged, answering her unspoken question.
"That wouldn't have been good Rem. I'm not sure what to do here. I can't keep this disguise on, Moody is breathing down my neck about it, we are leaving in less than two weeks, which means I'm leaving Sirius. Moody keeps talking about how much I've changed, how I need to bring the old Cas back before this mission. But the old me wouldn't even be going with another person, let alone going with someone she considers her friend. I'm a mess," Cas finished, drawing in a long breath after her rant.
"Yeah, you are," Remus responded, earning a smack from Cas.
"I'm kidding, cool it mate. Can I say something without you being upset?" Remus asked cautiously.
"Shoot." Cas nodded, walking to pick up the previously thrown towel.
"I don't want the old Cas back," Remus blurted, causing Cas to pause while picking up the towel.
"What?" Cas whispered, her heart dropping a bit.
"It's because I lo-we all love the Cas we have now. The Cas before was a result of teenage humiliation and isolation. That wasn't the real you, the person I have before me is the real you. And I wouldn't trade you in for anything," Remus muttered, causing Cas to blush.
"You really mean that?" Cas asked, knowing it was true.
"Of course. Do you know how guilty we all feel? For what we did to you at Hogwarts and how much that changed your loving personality? I can't speak for everyone, but I know it is one of the main things I regret from Hogwarts," Remus answered honestly, shrugging as he did so.
"Don't. Don't feel guilty, we were kids and foolish. Well look at me now, still hung up on Black. Clearly some things never change," Cas smirked, spinning around to look at Remus.
"Yeah, that one's on you kid. Now, as for this focus issue, I'm not terribly concerned. You're a phenomenal witch, you will get it. Just zone Moody out and keep trucking along like you always do. Believe in yourself for Merlin's sake! That's what you're truly missing, and probably what Moody feels is missing too. You're damn, in your face, confidence," Remus smiled, walking toward the doors out of the arena.
"Oy! Rem." Cas yelled, causing Remus to turn around. Cas ran forward and pulled Remus in close. "Thanks mate."
"Anytime Cas, anytime," Remus responded, patting Cas' head softly.
Xx
"Why are you so sweaty!" Sirius exclaimed, pushing a sweaty Cas off his back.
"This is what happens when you actually try hard, Sirius," Cas joked, gesturing to her damp body.
"You're smelly, go away!" Sirius laughed, keeping Cas at arms length.
"Love me dammit!" Cas yelled, rolling her sweaty face on Sirius' hands and arms.
"You're so gross," Sirius stated, wiping his hands on Remus' t-shirt.
"Oy! What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Remus jumped, trying to stay away from Sirius' advancing hands.
"It's just Cas' sweat Remus, don't insult a lady!" Sirius joked, chasing Remus through the Auror department.
"It's a lot less gross when it's your own girlfriend's sweat, Sirius. Keep it to yourself," Remus laughed before bumping into Kingsley.
"Wotcher boys. Men are trying to work here," Kingsley laughed, his deep laugh booming across the office.
"Sorry, mate." Sirius winked, before trotting back to where Cas and James were standing.
"I blame Sirius," Remus blushed before retreating from Kingsley's cubicle.
"Oy! Stop blaming me, Lupin, I'm not an excuse for everything," Sirius pouted, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Usually you are, mate," James laughed, clapping Sirius on the shoulder thus initiating a wrestling match.
"Boys," Cas muttered, shaking her head before walking to Moody's office.
"Oy! I'm off then!" Cas hollered, knocking on Moody's door.
"Just a minute Cas," Moody yelled from behind the door, a second later the door swung open.
"Want to have tea tomorrow night?" Moody asked, leaning on his door frame.
"Depends, can Sirius come?" Cas asked, smirking.
"Not this again, Cassie. The blokes a child!" Moody argued, crossing his arms.
"He's not a child!" Cas argued just as Sirius came running past.
"Oy! Morris, come quick! James is seeing how many pumpkin pasties he can put in his mouth!" Sirius demanded panting, before taking off again.
"Okay, fair point. He is a child. I'll be over around four?" Cas muttered before walking away from a laughing Moody.
"See you tomorrow, kid," Moody called after her, ducking into his office laughing.
Xx
Morris,
Party tonight woman, 8pm
Lils place
Potter
Cas held James' letter in her hand and laughed. She expected it was a going away party for Sirius and Remus, since their missions started next week.
'And for me I suppose,' Cas thought, feeling the fondness for her friends grow inside her chest.
"Oy! Stop clutching your love letter and come help me pull your trunk out!" Sirius grunted, trying and failing to pull Cas' luggage out from under her bed.
"I thought the whole point of having a super muscular boyfriend was so I didn't have to do any heavy lifting," Cas moaned, crouching down beside Sirius and grabbing the handle.
"A super muscular boyfriend eh? You know what you got into when we started, you saw the muscle I didn't have. Fight me later Morris, pull on the count of three. 1,2,3 PULL! Oy! Pull harder woman," Sirius mocked, noticing Cas put no effort into pulling the trunk free.
"Ok, ok! Merlin," Cas huffed, pulling with all her might.
"Why did you jam this bloody thing in so far?" Sirius grunted, wedging an edge of the trunk out.
"That's what she said?" Cas joked, finally pulling the trunk free.
"You did NOT just make a that's what she said joke," Sirius laughed, falling slightly as the trunk became free.
"Maybe?" Cas laughed, scrambling to her feet as Sirius came closer.
"What's this? Is the fair maiden running from her lover?" Sirius mocked, walking Cas into the corner of her bedroom.
"I see no fair maiden, just a man with that terrible mischievious glint in his eye," Cas answered holding back laughter.
"The maiden is correct," Sirius mumbled before grabbing Cas and tickling her fiercely.
"Quit it Black! It's not going to be my fault when I hit you in the junk," Cas laughed, spitting words out between fits of giggles.
"You wouldn't dare. You love my junk too much," Sirius smirked, letting Cas go so she could breathe.
"In your dreams Black. You going to this mystery party tonight?" Cas asked, composing herself.
"Why yes. Would you be attending as well?" Sirius asked, stretching himself out on Cas' bed.
"Possibly. You know how much I love parties," Cas drawled sarcastically, walking over to her trunk and kicking it open.
"It's not that big of a one! I think the guys just want a last hoorah before we all go on our missions. You never know what might happen," Sirius muttered, staring darkly at Cas' trunk.
"Oy! None of that. I will be just fine and so will you. Anyways, your best mate will be with me, don't you trust Remus to keep me from getting myself killed?" Cas smiled, plopping herself down beside Sirius.
"I know, just wish it was me coming with you instead of Moons," Sirius admitted, pushing a strand of hair away from Cas' forehead.
"I know love, me too. Your skill set is needed with Kingsley though. Someone had to go with Remus too, you don't want him facing dark werewolves by himself now do you?" Cas smiled, holding onto Sirius' outstretched arm.
"No. Doesn't mean I have to like it," Sirius gave her a sad smile before leaning in and kissing her gently.
"You know something you will like?" Cas trailed off, her hand moving slowly down his body.
"What's that?" Sirius asked, his eyes twinkling again.
"It's better I show you," Cas breathed, pushing Sirius down and straddling him.
"I'm liking this better and better," Sirius smiled, before pulling Cas down for a kiss.
Xx
"Surprise!" James yelled as Sirius and Cas walked through the door.
"Surprise? You sent us formal invitations?" Cas laughed, accepting the hug from James anyways.
"Well shit Cas, I didn't know what I was suppose to say when everyone got here? I was under a lot of pressure," James whispered, faking anxiety.
"Aw, so sorry mate. I know how stressed you must be. After all, you're the one going on a bloody mission away from your bloody loved ones," Cas joked sarcastically, nudging past James.
"Oy. Not all your loved ones. Never fear, Remus will be there," Remus joked, passing Cas a butter beer.
"Forgive me ol' wise one. I misspoke," Cas laughed, cheersing Remus' drink.
"Oy! Where's my butterbeer?" Sirius asked, eyeing Remus up and down.
"Sorry mate. I only have two hands," Remus laughed, giving Sirius the drink in his hand.
"OH MOONY I'M GOING TO MISS YOU!" Sirius wailed, slapping the drink away and pulling Remus into a hug.
"There, there?" Remus laughed, awkwardly patting Sirius on the back.
"Now, do you have everything packed? Your undies? Lubricant? Viagra?" Sirius asked, holding Remus by the shoulders.
"Oy! You do not say that to the man who is going off with your girl!" James intervened, pushing himself between the two.
"Fair point Jamesy. What will I do without you?" Sirius asked, throwing himself into James' arms and pretending to sob.
"And that is my cue to leave," Cas laughed, walking away from the sobbing brothers and into the kitchen.
Walking into the kitchen, Cas was surprised to see Lily, Marlene, Dorcas and Alice all squealing and jumping up and down together.
"Girls actually do this?" Cas asked dryly, slipping into the seat near the kitchen counter.
"Oh! Cas!" Lily exclaimed, her jumping and squealing coming to an abrupt halt.
"Don't stop because of me! I was just observing the female species in their natural habitat," Cas laughed, trying to defuse the awkward, seemingly random silence that had fallen since Cas' arrival.
"It's not that. It's just, well, I just asked these girls to be my bridesmaids," Lily muttered, swinging back a sip of her butterbeer the moment she rushed the sentence out.
"Oh yeah? Congrats ladies! I'm sure you will all look amazing once Lily dresses you," Cas smiled, holding her butterbeer in the air as a cheers.
"You aren't well, you aren't mad?" Lily asked, hesitantly raising her butterbeer as well.
"Why on earth would I be mad?" Cas asked perplexed, lowering her drink slightly.
"Well, I didn't ask you. Not because I didn't want to, but because James didn't have enough groomsmen and it would've been unequal, and you know how I feel about things being unequal. I mean just look at my so-" Lily stopped rambling as Cas held her hand out.
"Stop, stop whatever that is. Can you honestly think I would be into bridesmaid stuff? I know I can't picture myself as one, so cool it, Red. Honestly, I'm fine! More than fine, I'm thrilled!" Cas smiled, finally receiving the cheers she had been waiting for.
"To the beautiful bride, and her wonderful bridesmaids!" Cas cheered, now doing the very thing she had mocked the girls for doing earlier.
XX
Come to think of it. Cas was mad about not being asked to be a bridesmaid. Not because she actually wanted to be one, she hadn't been lying about that earlier. But because that meant that Marlene and Sirius had a good chance of walking down the aisle together. An aisle that they probably discussed walking down together when they're were dating.
Cas shuddered, taking another shot of firewhiskey that Remus had handed to her.
"That's a girl. This will be your last drink for a while," Remus added, handing her another one.
"What? Why?" Cas gasped, choking on the burn of her drink.
"Didn't Dumbledore tell you? Drinking is prohibited on Order missions," Remus stated seriously, taking back another shot.
"You have to be bloody kidding me? How can he expect us to do that job sober?" Cas exclaimed angrily, taking a swig of butterbeer between shots.
"I mean really, we have to deal with so many scumbags all day, and now we aren't even allowed to take the load off with a shot of firewhiskey or two, or three, or six? Who does he think he is, the goddamn president of the Order? Do we have a president? Is that a thing? I bet Marlene would be president. Or the president's secret mistress. That would be fitting don't you think? Seeing as how she's going to try to blow Sirius the moment I leave?" Cas rambled on, knowing what she was saying was pure madness, and that anyone other than Remus could overhear.
But she was drunk, and fired up with firewhiskey. In that moment she didn't give a damn, couldn't give a damn who heard.
"Sh, Cas. Shut your mouth, you don't want Marls to hear that, or Sirius for that matter. I was only kidding, Merlin," Remus chuckled, removing his hands from her face.
"Let them hear Rem. Come to think of it, has anyone ever told you how handsome you are? The scars are working mate, absolutely working," Cas slurred, touching Remus' scar with her hand.
"Boop," Cas laughed, bopping Remus on the nose.
"Cas, listen. You can't be saying things like that. Sirius already doesn't like the idea of us being alone together for this mission. If he hears you, it's only going to make it worse," Remus whispered, looking around trying to see where Sirius was.
"Oh screw that wanker. I am clearly not trying to bone you, just letting you know I appreciate your manly features. Like a lot," Cas slurred again, 'booping' him again on the nose.
"Merlin," Remus breathed, raking a hand through his messy hair.
"I've always wanted to do that," Cas whispered drunkenly, reaching her hand out shakily.
"Do what?" Sirius asked, popping up beside the two of them.
"This. Boop," Cas laughed, bopping Remus again on the nose.
"Merlin, how did you get this loaded?" Sirius asked laughing, swooping down to kiss Cas on the head.
"Remus poisoned me. Something about getting me drunk to take advantage of me," Cas drawled, laughing at the end of it.
"Classic Moons. There will be none of that when you two are on the mission, okay? You take care of my girl Moons, I'm counting on you," Sirius stated warmly, clapping Remus on the shoulder.
"You have my word," Remus smiled back halfheartedly, catching Cas' eye for a long minute. "I won't let anything happen to her."
Xx
"I can't believe you're actually leaving," Kris muttered, accepting Cas' letter of resignation.
"It doesn't seem real still. Have you told the girls at all?" Cas asked, nodding her head towards Paige and Kayle who were sitting at their desks innocently.
"Couldn't bear to break the news. I'll leave the fun stuff for you," Kris winked, gesturing Cas towards the door.
"Can't wait to get rid of me huh?" Cas smirked, swinging her hips dramatically as she left.
"You'll miss me when I'm gone," Cas sighed dramatically, before heading over towards Paige and Kaye.
"Not likely!" Kris called after her smiling, shutting his door slowly.
"What's he on about?" Kayle asked moodily, gesturing towards the closing door.
"Well mates, I wanted to tell you before, but I just didn't know how. As you know I haven't been here that often in the last month or so," Cas began nervously.
"You weren't canned were ya?" Paige interrupted suddenly.
"Not exactly, I was still technically doing my work. Just from home. However, family matters have come up and I had to put in my resignation," Cas ended lamely, not liking the idea of lying to her coworkers, but knowing it was how it was suppose to be.
"Shut your mouth!" Paige gasped, rushing forward to hug Cas.
"Great. That means we have to deal with a new person, we were just getting used to your grumpy arse," Kayle sighed, getting up and giving Cas a hug anyways.
"I'll miss you too Kayle. And of course you as well Paige." Cas smiled, hugging them back warmly.
"Are you gone for good now? Or is this temporary?" Paige asked, sniffling slightly.
"I'll be out of the country for a couple months, but who knows! If there's a job here for me, I will try my best to come back. Can't leave Kris to you two, he will never survive!" Cas smirked, breaking apart from the hug and walking back to her desk.
She wasn't lying about that part. True, she did only take this job because the Order needed someone they could trust in the Order. But now they had Kris, so it wasn't dire anymore. She would still love to come back, it was nice pretending to have a normal life. The mundane office gossip was a break from the dark world around her. If anything, it would help keep her just a bit more sane.
Reaching her desk, Cas smiled at the multiple shaggy dog statues littered amongst her paperwork. She finally understood why Sirius was so excited to give her all these statues, and why he wouldn't stop that god awful bark laughter of his when he saw her confused face. It was hard to think about the days that were to come, without that laughter filling her ears daily.
Sighing, she threw the various belongings into a box and was on her way, stopping slightly to say another goodbye to Paige and Kayle. Cas was almost at the door when she felt that nagging feeling in her stomach. She still needed to give Kris a proper goodbye, he was the only one here who knew how dangerous these 'family matters' will be.
Working her way to Kris' door she edged his door open with her foot slowly. Looking out his window, Kris turned in surprise.
"I thought you would've been long gone!" Kris exclaimed, beaming.
"Couldn't leave without a proper goodbye, mate. Thank you for this job, even if you only gave it to me because of my amazing shagging skills," Cas joked, putting her box of belongings down and pulling the large man in for a hug.
"Cas Morris initiating a hug? Have I died?" Kris chuckled, his laughter sending vibrations down her back.
"It's a new thing I'm trying out. Besides, it may be the last time I see your smug face," Cas breathed, tightening her hug slightly.
"Be careful, Cassie," Kris whispered, his lips pressed against the top of her head.
"Back at you, mate," Cas responded, pulling away from Kris and leaving the office, not looking back behind her.
Xx
"Eat your dinner. Stop staring at me like I'm going to vanish in a bloody second," Cas muttered irritably, awkwardly arranging her napkin on her lap.
Sirius had suggested their last meal together should be a special one. After work he had picked her up at her flat, and taken her to the fanciest restaurant in London. Only issue is fancy wasn't either of their styles, leaving the two at a loss for words.
"Sorry love, but you're just too beautiful," Sirius smirked, looking around nervously.
"Quit it, you look like we are going to dine and dash!" Cas laughed, swatting his hand away from his hair as he attempted to run his hand through it one more time.
"And you aren't James," Cas added, nodding at his new found obsession of hair ruffling.
"Just a bit more stuffy in here than I was expecting. People keep staring," Sirius muttered, looking around the room darkly.
"Well love, we aren't really dressed for this place. Not that I don't love your leather jacket," Cas added, seeing Sirius' eyebrows raise.
"I've got an idea," Sirius muttered, craning his neck around looking for someone.
"Oy! Oy-yes you! Waiter!" Sirius called, snapping his fingers as he made eye contact with the waiter.
"Sirius," Cas hissed, hiding her face slightly.
If people were staring at them before, it was nothing in comparison to what they were doing now. Cas kept her head down, praying for the waiter to not be offended and get over to their table as soon as possible.
"Yes, sir?" The waiter asked stiffly, arriving at their table.
"Can we get this lot to go?" Sirius asked, gesturing to their uneaten meals.
"To go?" The waiter asked surprised.
"Yes. To. Go. Please," Sirius repeated, pronouncing each word carefully.
"Right away. You would want the bill as well then?" The waiter asked, collecting their uneaten food.
"Right you are, mate!" Sirius responded, clapping the waiter on the shoulder.
Xx
"Did you see the look on his face!" Cas laughed, picking at her fancy meal from the styrofoam container.
"To go?" Sirius mocked, putting on his best posh accent.
"Like he has never heard of that before. Bloody twat," Sirius laughed, stealing some of Cas' food.
"I like this a lot better than the restaurant anyways," Cas whispered after a moment of silence.
The two had taken their meals down by the water, their feet dangling off the stoney dock. The water was quiet tonight, the dock seemingly empty. The weather wasn't too cold either, it was warm enough for just their jackets, but cold enough to produce a puff of smoke from their breaths in the icy sky.
"Not completely put off then are we?" Sirius asked, nudging Cas slightly with his shoulder.
"Much more our style. Thanks again Sirius, you didn't have to take me out for dinner at all. I would've been fine with a night in with just the two of us," Cas smiled, her blush radiating in the dark.
"Oh we will have a nasty nasty night to ourselves later. Figured it was best to hydrate and feed you before I get to have my way with you," Sirius whispered, his voice coming out rough.
"You're such a prat," Cas laughed, pushing Sirius away from her ear. "I'm trying to be sincere and you make a bloody joke about it."
"Who's joking?" Sirius muttered, nibbling slightly on Cas' ear.
"Oy! Lover boy! Let a girl eat," Cas whispered, leaning into his embrace more.
"True enough, lass. Time for that later tonight." Sirius laughed, ruffling Cas' hair and stealing more of her meal.
"Get your own, Black, so help me God, I will murder you if you take anymore!" Cas laughed, swatting Sirius' hands away.
"Merlin, Morris, back to the last names are we. Keep acting like that and you won't get your present!" Sirius mocked, cradling his 'wounded' hand.
"Present? We said no presents! I didn't get you anything you bloody wanker!" Cas exclaimed, slapping his shoulder.
"Oy! Watch the hands ma'am, I bruise like a peach! Do you want to be responsible for harming my lovely, dashingly sexy body? Do you?" Sirius asked, rubbing his arm while scowling at Cas.
"Don't avoid the question! What did you get me?" Cas asked excitedly.
"Well, it's not a present present. So I didn't technically break our 'no presents' rule! I'm giving it to you on a loan basis!" Sirius warned, pointing a finger at Cas.
"Loan basis, got it! Now give it here," Cas laughed, swatting away his finger.
Sirius laughed and then began to rummage in his coat pocket. Smiling at Cas, he revealed a dark parcel, poorly wrapped with her name scrawled messily in large letters on it.
"You worked so hard," Cas mocked, accepting the present from Sirius gingerly.
"I'll take it back, lass! Don't think I won't," Sirius warned, pretending to reach for the present.
"No it's mine! Sorry," Cas laughed, shaking her head slightly.
Cas slowly unwrapped the present, taking care to not rip the paper. Her hand felt something smooth and cold, curiously, she tugged the object out of paper. In her hands was a beautiful hand mirror. It was a simple, square mirror. Silver in colour, the mirror had chips missing from the sides, showing that it had be previously loved. Cas stared at the small mirror in her hands, she didn't understand what it was she was holding, but she could tell it meant alot. Cas looked up and saw Sirius watching her with an odd look on his face.
She smiled, her eyes full of questions.
Smirking, Sirius pulled out an identical mirror from his other coat pocket. He raised it to his lips and muttered "Cassie Morris."
Gasping, Cas saw Sirius' lips appear in the mirror she was holding.
"How is this possible?" Cas asked, carefully examining the surface of the mirror for inscriptions.
"Well love, you're a witch afterall. Is it that far-fetched?" Sirius asked, his bark laughter ringing loudly against the water.
"Shove off. I meant, how did you get these?" Cas asked, turning the mirror over and over in her hands.
"That one is James'. We used them throughout Hogwarts. No matter where you are, if you say the person's name who has the other mirror, it allows you to communicate. I know it's not much, but I talked to James and he said we could borrow his for a while. Just until you're back," Sirius smiled sheepishly, running a nervous hand through his hair.
"Sirius, I don't know what to say," Cas ended lamely.
"I thought of it when Dumbledore said no owls are to be sent unless an emergency. I couldn't go that long without seeing you, or even hearing your annoying voice," Sirius shrugged, looking towards the water.
"Sirius. Thank you. This is the best present you could've temporarily given me," Cas whispered, pulling Sirius in for a tight hug.
"I thought it might make things easier," Sirius whispered roughly, his eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"I'm not concerned, Sirius. I think we will be just fine. I love you and you love me, we got this," Cas muttered against his coat, her own tears coming to her eyes.
Sirius sighed, nodding his head. They broke apart and got up from the shoreline.
"Home?" Cas asked, tucking her mirror into her coat pocket. Sirius nodded.
"Besides, think of all the mirror sex we can have! Blimey, I'm a genius!" Sirius exclaimed suddenly on their walk home, ruining the silence and the mood.
"You're such a tosser!" Cas responded, taking her hand back from Sirius'.
"A tosser you're going to miss!" Sirius retorted.
"That's what you think!" Cas laughed, running away from a wounded Sirius.
Sirius watched after her stunned, knowing that tomorrow brought a lot of unknowns, but knowing he had a woman who loved him in a way he never knew possible. He knew they would be okay.
How very wrong he was.
Xx
A/N: Well! A long while since I lasted updated. Sorry mates. I'll be updating more frequently, I've got that darn writing bug! Let me know what you think 3
Haley