Chapter 13: Taking Care of Cassie

For the next few weeks, Tonks had been taking care of Cassiopeia. This task proved to be as grueling as detention with Malfoy. Cassiopeia was constantly hungry and smuggling food was not an easy task. Even though Tonks had told her not to, Cassiopeia was always stealing chocolate due to her craving for it. Cassiopeia kept Tonks up all night begging for chocolate. Tonks knew she was taking a huge risk protecting a known fugitive. However, she had to protect the child Cassiopeia was carrying. Still, Tonks felt that caring for a pregnant Cassiopeia Black was the most difficult task she had to undertake.

Tonks sat grading papers while Cassiopeia was asleep. For a moment, Tonks thought she had a moment of peace. However, the moment was ephemeral.

Cassiopeia rolled over and moaned. "Nymphie."

Tonks sighed. "What is it?"

"I'm hungry," Cassiopeia moaned. "I mean, we are."

"I have papers to grade, you know," Tonks groaned.

"Don't look at me," Cassiopeia said. "You're the one who agreed to look after us. Could you bring some chocolate?"

"Cassie, you've been stealing enough chocolate," Tonks argued.

"I'm not going to stop bugging you until you give it to me," Cassiopeia said firmly.

"No, Cassie," Tonks said.

"You know, you really should've thought of this before you took in an expectant woman," Cassiopeia laughed.

"You're not going to drop this, are you?" Tonks sighed.

"No," Cassiopeia said, smiling.

Tonks rolled her eyes again. "Fine. I need to eat, too. I'll be right back."

Once again, Tonks wondered down to the Great Hall. The Great Hall was bustling as the students and teachers enjoyed supper. Tonks filled a plate for herself, then another for Cassiopeia. Tonks loaded the plate with chicken, bread, and chocolate. Once she felt the plate was sufficiently filled, she hurried back to Cassiopeia. As she did, she caught Snape staring at her. Snape had been suspicious of Tonks ever since she started taking two plates back to her office. Tonks simply shrugged his gaze off and hurried to her office.

Cassiopeia was sitting upright, rubbing her round belly. Tonks set her plate down. As soon as she had her plate, Cassiopeia dug into it like a hungry beast. She took the chocolate and began to sprinkle it over her chicken and bread. Tonks watched, her face turning green as Cassiopeia shoved the chocolate coated food into her mouth.

"What did you expect?" Cassiopeia said, her mouth full of chocolate-covered chicken and bread, "I just escaped Azkaban and I'm pregnant."

"They're going to think I'm pregnant if I keep taking two plates of food every meal," Tonks jested.

"Don't look at me. Sirius did this to me," Cassiopeia joked, still stuffing the disgusting mixture of chicken, chocolate, and bread down her throat.

"Severus looks at me weird now because I eat and take more food to my room," Tonks said. "I think he suspects something."

"He always suspects something," Cassiopeia shrugged. "Even if he finds out, he can't do anything to me."

"I could get in real trouble for harboring a fugitive," Tonks said apprehensively.

"Not if Sirius gets here first," Cassiopeia countered, putting her hand to her belly. "Merlin's beard, I'm going to kill him when he gets here."

"I had to give Draco detention," Tonks said.

"Well, what a surprise," Cassiopeia laughed. "I had to deal with a baby practicing Quidditch in me."

"He called me a filthy half blood," Tonks said, anger in her voice. "I know I'm not his usual teacher, but I still deserve respect."

"That you do," Cassiopeia agreed, still shoving the disgusting concoction down her throat. "Not a surprise coming from a Malfoy. I can't believe I'm related to them now. I can only imagine the look on their faces if they knew Sirius and I are expecting."

"You forget that I'm related to the Malfoys, too," Tonks said. "A lot closer than you are. Narcissa is my aunt. And I'm sure Sirius will be thrilled."

"Oh, how could I forget my wretched cousin," Cassiopeia groaned. "Sirius knows I'm expecting. He got the idea when I started having an increase in my appetite. Completely delighted, he is. He'd get a kick bragging about this to our cousins, the Malfoys."

"Right," Tonks said lightly. "Anyway, I have a question to ask you."

"Ask away," Cassiopeia said, listening intently as she cleaned her plate.

"Do you know Remus Lupin?" Tonks wanted to know.

"Nymphie, I don't know how many times I have to tell you: you love Remus. You danced with him at my wedding," Cassiopeia said, rolling her eyes. "Why?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone by that name," Tonks said sadly. "He's apparently the one I'm subbing for here. I feel like I know him, but I don't."

"I told you that you used to call him Uncle Remus," Cassiopeia explained, finishing her plate. "He's teaching here, you said?"

"Apparently," Tonks replied. "Aunt Cassie, I don't know anyone named Remus. You must be mistaken."

Cassiopeia rolled her eyes. "Remind me to kill him when I see him."

"Who, Sirius again?" Tonks questioned.

"Yes, him, but I was referring to Remus," Cassiopeia said crossly.

"Why? What did he do?" Tonks asked. "If I know I might not remember due to the fact that I lost a lot of memories because of a werewolf attack my first year at Hogwarts."

"I'll explain later, or I'll make him explain," Cassiopeia said, pushing her empty plate away and rubbing her rotund stomach again. "Did you enjoy that? I think you did."

Tonks took the two plates away. "I'll be right back."

Tonks hurried away and took her plates back to the Great Hall. Much to her surprise, the Great Hall was empty. As she entered the staircase again, she saw the students and teachers bustling outside the Gryffindor Common Room. Tonks hurried into the Common Room to find Professor McGonagall.

"Professor, what's going on?" Tonks asked.

Just then, a red-haired boy whom Tonks knew by the name of Ron Weasley entered screaming, "PROFESSOR, I WOKE UP, AND SIRIUS BLACK WAS STANDING OVER ME, HOLDING A KNIFE!"

"What?" Tonks asked in surprise.

"Don't be ridiculous, Weasley, how could he possibly have gotten through the portrait hole?" McGonagall asked.

"Ask him!" Ron said, pointing to the portrait of a knight. "Ask him if he saw-"

McGonagall had already pushed back the door and glared at the portrait of the knight Sir Cadogan. Tonks glared at the wacky old knight as well.

"Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?" McGonagall questioned.

"Certainly, good lady!" exclaimed Sir Cadogan.

"You did?" gasped Professor McGonagall. "But-but the password!"

"He had 'em!" Sir Cadogan cried. "Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"

"You mean, Sirius Black is here in the castle?" Tonks asked.

"Yes, my lady!" Sir Cadogan replied.

"Which person," Professor McGonagall demanded, "which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?"

At this, Neville Longbottom stepped forward with his head bowed shamefully.

Tonks had heard enough. Quickly, she hurried away back to her office. Cassiopeia had to know about Sirius.

Just as Tonks burst into the room, Cassiopeia quickly tried to hide the chocolate bar she had just stolen.

"Cassie!" Tonks gasped. "I told you I needed that chocolate!"

"I'm sorry," Cassiopeia said apologetically. "I was hungry for more. When you have a baby in your belly, you'll know how I feel."

"Never mind," Tonks said dismissively. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you that Sirius is here in the castle."

"What?" Cassiopeia gasped.

"Sir Cadogan, the knight guarding the Gryffindor Common Room, said he had the passwords," Tonks explained. "Ron Weasley said that Sirius was standing over him with a knife. Are you sure that your husband is so innocent now?"

"Sirius would never kill an innocent boy!" Cassiopeia said defensively. "He was going for the boy's rat. It's the rat he wants. Oh, God, I'm going to kill him."

"For what?" Tonks asked.

"He shouldn't be here with a knife at all," Cassiopeia replied.

"If he's smart, I don't think he's here anymore," Tonks said.

"I hope not," Cassiopeia said. "I hope he's safe."

"Anyway, Remus," Tonks said, trying to get off the subject. "Still, I wish I could meet him but he's never in his office when I want to talk, and on the days I sub I get that feeling again."

"I have a feeling right now," Cassiopeia said, her hand on her belly.

"I do, too. There's a werewolf near," Tonks replied, but stopped short. "Wait, what?"

"I said I have a feeling right now," Cassiopeia gasped in pain. "And it has nothing to do with werewolves."

Tonks got the idea and her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no…you're not."

"Oh, yes I am," Cassiopeia replied, her hand on her belly. "The baby is coming!"

A/N: Thank you very much to my readers and for the reviews! I appreciate it very much. And as usual, thank you to Roza Anne! You make writing this story fun! Enjoy!