Chapter 11: Help
Sirius once again found himself in Azkaban again. Once again, he heard the cries of a baby. The cries were mixed with Cassiopeia's screams of pain.
"Sirius, help me!" Cassiopeia screamed.
"Cassie! I'm here!" Sirius cried.
He tried to reach Cassiopeia, but before he could, his path was blocked by metal bars.
"No, no!" Sirius cried, violently shaking the bars.
"Sirius, don't let them take my baby!" Cassiopeia cried.
"Cassie!" Sirius cried. "Where are you taking my baby?"
"SIRIUS!" Cassiopeia cried.
Sirius watched in horror as the Dementor towered over Cassiopeia like a thunder cloud.
"NO!" Sirius screamed.
Sirius snapped awake with a scream. Once again, he was safe and sound in a wooded area. Sirius rolled over to see if Cassiopeia was still sleeping. Much to his fright, Cassiopeia was not sleeping beside him. Sirius began to shake in terror. What if Cassiopeia had been captured? In a flash, Sirius jumped to his feet and searched the secluded woods.
"Cassie! Cassie!" he screamed.
With no response, Sirius began to fear the worst. He couldn't bear it if his nightmares were coming true.
"Cassie!" Sirius shouted.
"Sirius?" called a voice.
Sirius turned behind him to find Cassiopeia stumbling out of a bush. It had been five months since Sirius and Cassiopeia escaped Azkaban. As a result, Cassiopeia had grown a round belly. Sirius ran forward and filled Cassiopeia into his arms.
"Cassie! I thought I lost you!" Sirius sighed.
Cassiopeia knew what had happened without Sirius telling her. "You had another nightmare, didn't you?"
Sirius sighed. "It just keeps getting worse."
"You're sweating, darling," Cassiopeia said attentively. "Relax. I'm right here."
"These dreams feel so real," Sirius sighed.
"They're just dreams," Cassiopeia comforted. "They're nothing more than that."
"You're right," Sirius agreed. "As a matter of curiosity, where were you?"
"I wasn't feeling well," Cassiopeia explained. "The little one isn't easy to carry, you know."
"Then sit down," Sirius said in concern. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine now. Don't worry," Cassiopeia reassured him.
"How bad is it when you get sick?" Sirius wanted to know.
"It's nothing bad, it's just natural," Cassiopeia said dismissively. "It's nothing to worry about, sweetheart."
"Alright," Sirius agreed.
Cassiopeia then started to giggle helplessly.
"What?" Sirius asked, baffled.
"You really have changed now," Cassiopeia giggled. "Now that you have a baby, you're a different man from the careless, smug boy I met at Hogwarts."
"It's because I love you and the little one," Sirius said with this best smile.
"And I love both of you as well," Cassiopeia said.
Suddenly, Cassiopeia gasped, clutching her round stomach.
"What?" Sirius asked in concern.
"It's kicking!" Cassiopeia gasped gleefully. "Give me your hand!"
Sirius gave Cassiopeia his hand, and she rested it on her belly. Sirius then felt something push up against his hand. Sirius was at a complete loss for words.
"Oh!" Sirius gasped in awe. "Oh my!"
"I think we have a future Quidditch champion," Cassiopeia laughed.
"I couldn't agree more," Sirius laughed. "It feels as strong as its mother."
"You can say that again," Cassiopeia sighed, clutching her stomach again.
Sirius smiled and kissed the bump. "I love you. Both of you."
4 months later…
Once again, Sirius found himself trapped in another terrible nightmare. Sirius saw a baby in the hands of a guard in prison. He knew it was his baby. The child would not stop wailing. Cassiopeia was screaming, reaching for the baby.
"No! Don't take him away!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Once again, Sirius was separated from Cassiopeia by bars. "Cassie! Where are you taking my baby?"
The baby's cries became fainter as it was taken away. On the other hand, Cassiopeia's screams got louder.
"Sirius, stop them! AHHHH!"
Once again, Sirius sprang awake, but the screaming didn't die away. Cassiopeia was screaming for him. For a moment, Sirius thought he was still dreaming. A touch of Cassiopeia's hand, and he knew it was real. Cassiopeia was clutching his hand for dear life.
"Sirius, help me!" Cassiopeia cried.
"What is it?" Sirius asked in concern.
"It's the baby! It's coming!" Cassiopeia cried as she screamed in pain.
Sirius took her hand."Sweetheart, you're too early. You're not ready yet. Take a deep breath."
Cassiopeia found she could hardly breathe. She was in too much pain to keep calm.
"Ah, that hurts!" Cassiopeia groaned.
"Just breathe, sweetheart," Sirius said calmly.
Cassiopeia took deep breaths with help from Sirius. Soon, the pain went away and Cassiopeia was at ease once more.
"The little one just can't wait to get out," Cassiopeia sighed, rubbing her huge belly.
"That is it. You have got to get to safety," Sirius declared firmly.
"No!" Cassiopeia protested. "I'm not leaving you alone."
"Cassie, this is too dangerous," Sirius argued. "You can't go on the run with me when you're nearly due. Please, you need to be safe. Do it for me and the baby, please. "
Cassiopeia wanted to argue, but she knew it was useless. Sirius was right; it would be too dangerous to run while approaching her due date. She could not play with the life of her child.
"Alright," Cassiopeia sighed. "Where can we go?"
"We must get you to Hogwarts," Sirius told her.
"Are you mad?" Cassiopeia gasped. "I can't go to Hogwarts. Everyone is looking for us, especially the Dementors. How do you expect me to get into Hogwarts?"
"I know someone who might be able to help us," Sirius reassured her.
"Who?" Cassiopeia asked.
Tonks had just begun her student teaching at Hogwarts under Professor McGonagall. Tonks had always been mischievous. On her first day teaching, she showed that nature. On her first day student teaching, Tonks wore a black tank top and a plaid skirt. This had drawn some unwanted attention from the boys she was teaching. One day, Professor McGonagall came to Tonks with a new assignment.
"Miss Tonks?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Minerva?" Tonks asked.
"We will be requiring you to substitute for our Defense Against the Dark Arts class this afternoon," Minerva told her.
"Why? Where is the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?" Tonks asked, perplexed.
"Professor Lupin is ill at the moment," Minerva said lightly. "He gets ill once a month. You will be teaching at one p.m. today."
"Alright, Minerva," Tonks replied.
"And Miss Tonks?" McGonagall added.
"Yes?" Tonks questioned.
"You're wardrobe needs a bit of adjusting," Minerva said sternly. "You drew a bit of attention to yourself last time."
"What should I be wearing?" Tonks questioned.
Tonks entered the classroom at noon and waited for her Defense Against the Dark Arts class to arrive. She was very uncomfortable. McGonagall had made her wear a black skirt with a white, button up shirt. On top of her shirt, Tonks wore a grey jumper and a belt around her waist. Although McGonagall told her to wear flats, Tonks instead wore her favorite boots. She was also clothed in black robes which made her trip.
Her students filed in and hurried to their seats. Tonks stood up, trying very carefully not to fall.
"You're Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher is ill again so I shall be teaching your class," Tonks explained, "I am Nymphadora Tonks, but you may call me Tonks."
Tonks stood up and began to walk to the front of the class. As soon as she did, she tripped. The students burst out in laughter. She heard a blond boy from Slytherin call her a " clumsy oaf"
"Excuse me," Tonks said, straightening out up her robes nervously. "Alright, open your books. Today, we are learning about Metamorphmagi and Animagi. Who here can tell me what an Animagi is?"
A girl with bushy brown hair raised her hand. "An Animagi is someone who elects to turn into an animal. There are also many signs that give away an Animagi, such as circles if the Animagi wears glasses."
"Very good," Tonks praised. "What's your name?"
"Hermione Granger," the brown haired girl replied.
"And you're a Gryffindor, right?" Tonks asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied.
"Ten points to Gryffindor," Tonks said proudly. "Now, who hear can tell me about Metamorphmagi?"
A boy with brown hair and a lightning bolt shaped scar raised his hand. "I know that they can change their appearance at will."
"Very good," Tonks said proudly. "What's your name?"
"Harry Potter," the boy replied.
"You're a Gryffindor, too, aren't you?" Tonks asked.
"Yes," Harry answered.
"Another ten points to Gryffindor," Tonks announced. "Now, can anyone identify a Metamorphmagus?"
No one raised their hand this time. So, Tonks decided to help them out.
"I'll give you an example," she said.
Tonks then began to morph into the different professors. First, she transformed into McGonagall, then Snape, and Dumbledore, much to the delight of the class.
"You see, it is very hard to tell a Metamorphmagus," Tonks explained. "They can be anyone."
"You filthy Mudblood," the blond boy from Slytherin sneered.
At this, Tonks's hair went fire red. "I'm sorry, what's your name?"
"Draco Malfoy," the boy said haughtily.
"And you're father is Lucius Malfoy," Tonks said knowingly. "We're cousins you know."
"You're not my family," Draco spat. "You're a creature. You're a disgrace."
"Very well, Mr. Malfoy, you have detention," Tonks declared.
The class turned and stared at Tonks and Draco in shock. The room was filled with gasps as very few teachers had given Draco Malfoy a detention.
"You can't do that!" Draco protested in outrage. "My father will hear about this!"
"I don't care. You will not disrespect me," Tonks said stubbornly. "I'm sure Dumbledore will agree with me."
Tonks was too angry with Malfoy to continue the lesson, so she sat back at her desk.
"Alright, I want two rolls of parchment about Metamorphmagi and Animagi due at the end of class," Tonks said, her anger showing.
Tonks simply sat back and began to write a detention notice and a letter to the Malfoys.
After the lesson, Tonks was supervising Malfoy as he wrote I must not disrespect my teachers as many times as she requested. Just then, she noticed Harry Potter coming in.
"Wotcher, Harry," she greeted. "Come in."
"Professor…Tonks," Harry began. "What do you know about Sirius Black?"
Tonks had not thought of that name in many years. She froze at Harry's request. Tonks took a swig of firewhiskey as if it made her feel better.
"You're his cousin, aren't you?" Harry asked.
"How did you know that?" Tonks asked, perplexed.
"I heard McGonagall say that," Harry replied.
"He is my cousin, but I have not heard from him in years. I used to call him Uncle Sirius," Tonks explained. "He always said that my mum was his favorite cousin."
"When was the last time you saw him?" Harry wanted to know.
"It was the day that Hagrid came to take you away," Tonks replied. "You were only a baby then."
"How old were you?" Harry asked.
"I was eight," Tonks said. "You know I'm only seven years older than you. You've grown up quite a lot."
"Do you think Sirius really did this?" Harry asked.
"I used to believe he didn't," Tonks said ruefully, taking another swig of firewhiskey. "Now I'm not so sure."
"Well, thank you Professor," Harry said gratefully.
Later that day, Tonks was sitting on her bed when she felt a huge, orange cat rubbing at her legs.
"Hello," she greeted, petting the cat. "You must be Hermione's cat, Crookshanks. What do you have there?"
The cat was carrying an envelope in its mouth.
Tonks took the envelope and scratched the cat's ears. "Thank you, Crookshanks."
Tonks ripped open the letter. It read: We need help. I am not putting my name in this letter for obvious reasons. Meet me near the Whomping Willow tonight and make sure you're alone.
Tonks was puzzled by the mysterious message. Who would be sending her a message, and why wouldn't the writer reveal his or her name? What Tonks didn't know was that she was going to get the surprise of her life.
Later that night, Tonks managed to slip out of the castle to the grounds. There, she waited near the Whomping Willow. She did not know who had sent her the message, but she was prepared. Tonks kept her wand close to her side. Just then, she saw a wizard with long, greasy hair wearing patched up, grey robes. With this man was a woman wearing a long, grey dress that covered her huge belly. Tonks knew from the papers that it was Sirius and Cassiopeia Black. As soon as Black approached her, Tonks pointed her wand straight in his face.
"What are you doing?" Sirius demanded.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Tonks spat.
"Lower your wand, Nymphadora," Sirius said sharply.
Tonks's hair turned fire red. "Don't call me Nymphadora!"
Tonks's face reflected her anger and disgust at the man she used to call 'Uncle.'
"Nymphie," Cassiopeia said softly.
Tonks softened at the sight of Cassiopeia. "Are you alright?"
Cassiopeia beamed. "I'm more than alright. I'm having a baby."
"I don't think having a baby on the run is a good idea, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said, shaking her head.
"Don't look at me. He did it," Cassiopeia jested, pointing at Sirius.
"Well, I'll have to kill him doubly," Tonks said angrily.
"No!" Cassiopeia screamed.
"Aunt Cassie, he's a mass murderer," Tonks argued. "He should be in Azkaban. It'll be much quicker if I kill him now."
"I didn't kill anyone!" Sirius protested.
"Oh, really?" Tonks said in disbelief.
"That's right," Sirius replied.
"So where's Peter Pettigrew?" Tonks demanded.
"He's here," Sirius said.
"He's not anywhere. I would know," Tonks said.
"So would I," Sirius countered.
"That's not going to convince me not to kill you any less," Tonks said angrily.
Tonks was squeezing Sirius's neck as she pointed her wand at him.
"Nymphie, don't!" Cassiopeia pleaded.
"Why not?" Tonks demanded.
Cassiopeia's hand went to her belly. "He's the father!"
Tonks sneered. "Mass murderers father children all the time. They don't mean to create."
"He is not a mass murderer, but he meant to create," Cassiopeia said softly.
Tonks took her wand off Sirius. Instead, she backed Cassiopeia up against the tree and pointed her wand.
"You would defend a murderer?" Tonks demanded.
"No. I would defend my husband and my baby's father," Cassiopeia replied earnestly.
"You are just as guilty as he is!" Tonks shouted.
"You would really suspect a woman carrying a child?" Sirius questioned.
Tonks did not admit it aloud, but Sirius did have a point. Cassiopeia couldn't be a murderer and carry a child. Sirius grabbed Tonks, but she pinned him against the tree.
"Don't make me kill you any sooner than I have to," she said coldly.
"Nymphie, please! For the baby's sake!" Cassiopeia pleaded.
Something in Cassiopeia's pleas changed Tonks's mind. She did not want to rob a child of its father. She did not want to rob Cassiopeia of her husband, either. Softening a bit, Tonks reluctantly let go of Sirius.
"You've been let off easy. Get out," she said coldly.
Sirius tried to embrace Cassiopeia, but Tonks pulled Cassiopeia behind her. "Get out of here."
"Let me say goodbye," Sirius argued.
Tonks pointed her wand under Sirius's chin. "Get out of here."
Knowing he could not get passed Tonks, Sirius simply nodded goodbye to Cassiopeia and raced off into the darkness.
Tonks then tossed a cloak at Cassiopeia. "I need you to stay hidden until we get to my office. Let me do the talking. Don't let anyone see your belly."
Cassiopeia put on the cloak and hid her stomach as best as possible. Tonks grabbed her by the arm and began leading her through the corridor. The short trip to Tonks's office was not an easy one.
First, Tonks was approached by Professor McGonagall. "Miss Tonks, where are you going?"
"It's alright, Professor," Tonks reassured her. "Just taking a student up to detention."
No sooner had they been approached by McGonagall, Dumbledore approached them. "And where might you be headed, Miss Tonks?"
"I'm taking a student to detention," Tonks said firmly.
Dumbledore gave a knowing nod, as if he could see right through Tonks, but he let her pass. Finally, Tonks approached Snape.
"Having detention this late?" Snape said with a snort.
"You will let me pass," Tonks said firmly. "All I am doing is giving a detention."
"At this time of day?" Snape asked suspiciously.
"Professor Snape, let me pass so that I can do my duty as a professor," Tonks said sharply.
Snape sneered at her, but he finally let her pass. At last, Tonks and Cassiopeia reached her office and Tonks locked the door. Cassiopeia had not seen Tonks for twelve years. She marveled at the sight of her grown up cousin. She noticed her pink hair and those twinkling eyes. Both of those features had not changed over the past twelve years. Tonks then changed into her pajamas. She changed into a red, baby doll camisole. Cassiopeia couldn't believe her eyes.
"You've grown over the past twelve years, Nymphie," Cassiopeia gasped.
"So have you," Tonks jested, noticing Cassiopeia's round belly.
"You've certainly changed," Cassiopeia said in awe. "I can still see the little girl I met at my engagement party."
"I haven't changed that much, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said with slight embarrassment.
"So what are you doing at Hogwarts?" Cassiopeia wanted to know.
"I was going to ask you the same thing," Tonks replied.
"I had a false alarm," Cassiopeia explained. "Sirius had a nightmare as well. After I had that false alarm, he didn't think it was a good idea for me to give birth on the run. So, he sent me here."
"I've been student teaching under Professor McGonagall," Tonks told her cousin. "I was subbing for someone today. His name is Lupin."
Cassiopeia's eyes widened. "Remus Lupin?"
"Yes, that's him," Tonks replied. "Apparently, he gets sick every month."
"How did Remus take it when he saw you?" Cassiopeia asked, a sly smile on her face.
"What are you talking about?" Tonks asked, knitting her brows in confusion.
"Come on, you couldn't have forgotten your Uncle Remus," Cassiopeia chuckled.
"Who?" Tonks asked, staring blankly.