Chapter 12: Tonks and Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia wrinkled her brows. She looked at Tonks as if she had an elephant trunk for a nose. "What do you mean who?"

"I don't remember anyone named Uncle Remus, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said.

"Ha, ha, very funny," Cassiopeia said flatly.

Tonks was still staring blankly at Cassiopeia.

"Merlin's beard, Nymphie!" Cassiopeia gasped. "You only adored Remus since you were a baby!"

"I did?" Tonks asked, still baffled.

"He held you when you were a baby!" Cassiopeia exclaimed. "You adored him when you were a little girl. You never let go of him. Don't you remember?"

Tonks shook her head. "I'm sorry Aunt Cassie, but I don't remember."

"What do you mean you don't remember?" Cassiopeia asked in surprise. "How could you not remember your Uncle Remus? Don't you remember when he danced with you at my wedding?"

Tonks shook her head again. "I wish I could."

At that, Tonks took a drink of something that Cassiopeia couldn't identify. Cassiopeia reached out to take it, but Tonks simply slapped her hand away. Tonks then pulled out a guitar and was writing down lyrics to a song called "Hurry Up and Save Me." Tonks thoughtfully strummed her guitar and sang the song aloud as she wrote down the words.

"You really don't remember, do you?" Cassiopeia asked, shocked.

"Not at all," Tonks said, still singing her lyrics and writing them down.

Tonks then took another sip from her bottle. Cassiopeia reached out to take it. Again, Tonks slapped Cassiopeia's reaching hand away from her drink.

"What are you drinking?" Cassiopeia asked, her brow wrinkling.

"Nothing you can drink," Tonks replied.

"What is that?" Cassiopeia wanted to know.

"Nothing you can drink in your condition," Tonks said, as if it explained everything.

"And that is?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Uh…well, it's a mixture of healing potion and firewhiskey," Tonks explained.

Cassiopeia's eyes widened. "You're not old enough to drink!"

"I'm twenty," Tonks said flatly.

Cassiopeia sighed. "Can I at least have a drink?"

"Yes, but not that," Tonks replied, pulling the bottle far out of Cassiopeia's reach. "It's Auror's morphine."

"Do I want to know?" Cassiopeia asked, wrinkling her nose.

"It's a special concoction so you can at least make it through so you can get first aid," Tonks explained. "It's a combination of hot water, healing potion, and firewhiskey. Mad-Eye taught me how to make it. He also taught me to always have chocolate."

At that, Tonks took out a piece of chocolate and tore into it. Cassiopeia just stared at her.

"What?" Tonks asked. "There are Dementors everywhere. It helps against them."

Cassiopeia was still gazing at the chocolate like she gazed at Sirius. "May I have a piece?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to take more than just a piece?" Tonks groaned.

"We're hungry," Cassiopeia said simply, rubbing her huge belly.

Tonks just stared. The thought of talking to a child in the belly was a foreign concept to her.

"Okay, that's weird," she said, shaking her head. "Maybe you should have regular food first."

"Sure, I'll just march down to the Great Hall while I'm at it," Cassiopeia said snappily.

"Stay here and don't eat my chocolate," Tonks said firmly, setting the chocolate down on her desk.

Tonks quickly hurried down to the Great Hall. The magnificent hall was packed with students now enjoying dinner time. Quickly, Tonks filled two plates with as much food as possible then made her way back to her office. This was not an easy task as the professors were ever watchful. Before Tonks could get up to her office, she was stopped by Dumbledore.

"Miss Tonks," Dumbledore greeted.

"Wotcher, Professor Dumbledore," Tonks greeted.

"Are we enjoying a second helping?" Dumbledore asked, eyeing the two plates.

"Oh, yes. I thought I might be hungry later," Tonks said dismissively.

Just then, Snape approached her. "Enjoying your meal, Miss Tonks? That's a lot of food for one woman."

"I don't understand what you mean, Severus," Tonks said nonchalantly.

"I think you do," Snape said. "I always knew you were a loose woman. I know what you did with the Weasley boy."

"I beg your pardon!" Tonks asked in outrage.

"Severus, Tonks, let's not ruin a perfectly good meal by quarreling," Dumbledore said calmly. "I cannot blame Miss Tonks for taking a second helping. This is a rather excellent feast. If you don't mind, I think we should enjoy this magnificent supper."

Snape said nothing gave a small glare and returned to his seat at the table with the other teachers.

"Thank you, Dumbledore, sir. I will be returning to my office," Tonks said gratefully.

"Off you go then," Dumbledore said cheerfully.

Tonks then hurried with the two plates as fast as she could. With a sigh, Tonks shut and locked the door. When Tonks turned around, the chocolate she left on her desk had vanished.

"Of course," Tonks groaned. "Why did I bother?"

"Sorry," Cassiopeia said earnestly. "I am eating for two, you know."

"I needed that," Tonks said indignantly. "I have to kill Sirius for leaving me with you."

"You're not killing my husband!" Cassiopeia said defensively.

"No, I'm killing a murderer," Tonks said, as if correcting Cassiopeia. "Why can't you just accept that?"

"Because I love him," Cassiopeia answered sincerely. "Would I have a child with a man who murders?"

Tonks shrugged. "I don't know. The only reason you're here is because of that kid. That's not part of my code."

"Exactly," Cassiopeia said. "And why am I here?"

"Because you're carrying a child, but I might do something after it's born," Tonks said menacingly.

"I loved Lily and James!" Cassiopeia shouted. "I loved them as I love Sirius and our baby!"

"You can't convince me," Tonks said. "For twelve years, they convinced me that you and Sirius had a part to play in their deaths. Sirius killed Peter Pettigrew and many Muggles. What else am I supposed to believe?"

"How can I create life if I can take it?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Very easily," Tonks replied.

"Nymphie, I came here as a mother," Cassiopeia said gently. "Harry is the closest I have to a son."

"I am an Auror. I've killed, but I can still procreate," Tonks argued.

"Nymphie, do you know what happened that night?" Cassiopeia asked.

"I hardly remember it," Tonks replied. "All I know is what I was told."

"Peter killed Lily and James," Cassiopeia said firmly. "Peter broke my leg and Sirius saved me."

"Sirius Black killed Peter Pettigrew along with at least twelve Muggles!" Tonks argued. "All that was left was a finger, nothing more. Both of you did worse to him than you did to those Muggles."

"Nymphie, it is because of Sirius that I am standing here and carrying a child in my belly," Cassiopeia pleaded.

"I find it so disgusting how the both of you could kill so many and bring a child into this world," Tonks said, her anger showing. "I feel sorry for the baby."

"Sirius and I had nothing to do with Peter Pettigrew's death!" Cassiopeia exclaimed, unable to control herself. "I know that I can't prove it yet. I know I cannot convince you otherwise, but know this: Peter Pettigrew is alive and we will prove it."

"You're either a really good liar or terribly honest," Tonks commented. "For now, I'll choose to believe the former."

"I would rather have died in Lily's place before I hurt her, James or Harry," Cassiopeia argued, her eyes pleading. "Please, Nymphie. You have to believe me."

"I don't know who to believe anymore," Tonks said bitterly.

Cassiopeia sighed. "Look, all I want is to have my baby with Sirius by my side."

Cassiopeia buried her face in her hands. "They're going to take my baby from me. I don't want to lose my baby…my baby."

Cassiopeia lost her voice. Tears welled up in her eyes and drifted down her cheeks. Although she did not believe Cassiopeia, Tonks softened somewhat. She did not want to harm Cassiopeia any further or risk any harm to the child.

"Please don't cry, Aunt Cassie," Tonks pleaded.

"I'm surprised you even care," Cassiopeia sniffed.

"I have to care," Tonks said simply. "Regardless of my opinion of you, I have to take care of you. I gave Sirius my word that I would protect you, especially the baby. Now come on, cheer up. I can't have you exciting yourself and risking the baby's safety."

"I know you think me to be a killer, and there's nothing to convince you otherwise, but believe me when I say thank you," Cassiopeia said gratefully. "Believe me when I say that Sirius and I appreciate you taking me when you didn't have to."

"I didn't do it for you," Tonks said brusquely.

"I know you didn't," Cassiopeia said wisely. "But all the same, thank you."

"Right, you're welcome," Tonks said halfheartedly. "Now, come on, eat before that plate goes cold."

Gratefully, Cassiopeia dug into her plate. Tonks sighed as she watched Cassiopeia dig in. Tonks was utterly confused as she looked on at Cassiopeia. She wondered for a moment if Cassiopeia might be right. The thought of a pregnant woman murdering another did seem odd to her, even if she didn't admit it. Regardless of her opinion, Tonks was intent on protecting Cassiopeia and her baby. She knew it wouldn't be long before Cassiopeia delivered. Somehow, Tonks got the feeling that it was going to be a long wait until Cassiopeia gave birth.

Meanwhile, Sirius had not completely abandoned Hogwarts. Unbeknownst to Tonks and Cassiopeia, Sirius was still lurking around the grounds. He was worried about Cassiopeia and their baby. He only hoped that he would catch Peter soon so he could be with Cassiopeia and their unborn child. Sirius also had another task on his mind. He and Cassiopeia had decided that they would buy Harry a Firebolt in order to make up for thirteen years worth of missed birthdays. Sirius had finally solved the problem of obtaining a Firebolt.

Sirius crept up to the Owlery in his Animagus form. Once he was there, he was able to find a quill, ink, and paper. It was then that he scribbled down a message: To the employees of Gringotts: I wish to purchase a Firebolt. Please take the money required from my uncle's vault number seven-hundred thirteen. As his godson, I have his permission to access his vault to make this purchase. Thank you. –Harry Potter.

Smiling, Sirius folded the letter and sealed it in an envelope. He then changed back into his Animagus form and left to find Crookshanks. He found the orange colored cat perched on a wall in the courtyard. Sirius could tell that Crookshanks was getting close to catching Peter Pettigrew every day. This brightened Sirius's mood greatly. Sirius dropped the letter from his mouth. Crookshanks "meowed" as if in obedience and took the letter. The large cat scurried away, as did Sirius. Once Sirius in a safe place not far from the castle, he couldn't help but laugh. He laughed as a result of being able to fulfill his duties as a godfather. Most of all, he laughed because he felt invigorated. Crookshanks would catch Peter Pettigrew any day now. Sirius felt his hopes renewed. Knowing he was safe, Sirius drifted off to sleep thinking about Harry, Cassiopeia, and getting to hold his new baby.

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to my lovely readers! And thank you to my new fans. And as always, thank you, Roza Anne! You make writing this story so worthwhile!