Chapter 14: Driving Tonks Mad
Tonks felt as if she had been slapped in the face. Her jaw dropped open. "You can't be!"
"I am!" Cassiopeia said, fighting with her pain.
Tonks turned pale. Cassiopeia was going to have a baby, and she had no idea how to help her. In one of the few moments of her life, Tonks was absolutely terrified. She never thought a woman giving birth would scare her so much, but it did.
"Oh no," Tonks asked, her voice shaking. "Should I…uh…should I get somebody?"
This time, it was Cassiopeia's turn to be afraid. If anyone were to find her, it would be over for her and her baby.
"Only if you can find my husband," Cassiopeia replied, breathing hard. "Anyone else is suicide, remember?"
"How about that Remus guy? He can help, can't he?" Tonks asked brightly.
"No, he can't," Cassiopeia replied flatly. "He doesn't know Sirius and I are innocent."
"I'm getting somebody," Tonks said firmly. "Come on, it's not far."
Painfully, Cassiopeia stood up, clutching her bulging belly. Tonks slung Cassiopeia's arm over her shoulder. Supporting Cassiopeia, Tonks ambled down the hall to Remus Lupin's office. Tonks helped Cassiopeia up the short flight of stairs to Remus's office.
Tonks knocked on the door. "Excuse me, we need help."
"How can I help, Tonks?" Remus asked calmly.
Just then, Cassiopeia let out another groan. "Oh, I'm going to kill Sirius now. Hello, Remus."
Remus's jaw dropped. "Cassie! You escaped Azkaban?"
"Well, don't go shouting it from the Astronomy Tower," Cassiopeia groaned. "And Sirius should be here, too. I'm having his baby."
Tonks was desperate. "Please help her. I don't know what to do."
"You will help, won't you, Remus old friend?" Cassiopeia pleaded. "Just so you know, Sirius might be a real murderer if you don't."
Remus sighed. "Come in, both of you."
"Thank you, old friend," Cassiopeia said appreciatively. "Owww!"
Gingerly, Tonks helped Cassiopeia into Remus's office. "Have you got a bed?"
"You can use mine," Remus said helpfully.
Tonks quickly and gently laid Cassiopeia on Remus's bed. Cassiopeia was breathing hard and her heart was pounding. Tonks was completely terrified. She was not only aiding a fugitive, but also had no idea how to deliver a baby. Tonks was extremely confused as she looked at Remus. She felt she knew him, but she simply could not remember.
Tonks turned to Remus. "I'm really sorry…uh…what's your name again?"
"Not to be selfish, but this is NOT the best time for introductions! OWWW!" Cassiopeia shrieked in pain.
"Sorry Aunt Cassie," Tonks said, blushing.
"What's going on?" Remus asked, confused.
"What do you think is going on?" Cassiopeia shouted, annoyed. "I'm having Sirius's baby now, you idiot!"
Remus was taken aback. "And you both came here!"
"Well, anyone else is suicide," Tonks said simply.
"Yes, we came here, you dolt!" Cassiopeia said, her voice filled with pain and annoyance. "In case you didn't hear, I'm having a baby so help me! Owww!"
"I don't know how to help," Remus said.
Cassiopeia sighed. "All you have to do is catch the baby when it comes out. That's how you help. Haven't you seen a delivery before?"
"No, I haven't," Remus answered before turning to Tonks. "Why can't you help her?"
"I'm only twenty," Tonks said.
Cassiopeia rolled her eyes. "Will one of you just help? The little one is coming, like it or not."
Tonks was pale. "Please, this can't be happening now."
"I don't want it to happen now either," Cassiopeia said in between groans. "but there's nothing to be done. It's happening now!"
"Are you sure you're not wrong?" Tonks asked.
"What do you mean am I sure?" Cassiopeia demanded, "It may be a bit early, but it's coming now!"
"Alright, Aunt Cassie, calm down," Tonks said.
"I will calm down when Sirius gets here and I'm holding my baby," Cassiopeia declared. "Right now, I'm panicking!"
"Now you're making me panic," Tonks said apprehensively.
Tonks broke down sobbing. She was trying her best to help Cassiopeia and she felt as if she was letting her down. She couldn't let anything happen to Cassiopeia or her baby.
Cassiopeia took Tonks's hand. "Don't worry. You're doing everything right. This is supposed to be a happy day, you know. Oww! Remus, can I start yet?"
"I'm getting Madam Pompfrey," Remus said.
"No!" Cassiopeia and Tonks shouted in unison.
"If I get discovered hiding her here I'll get fired and sent to Azkaban," Tonks explained.
"Remus, please," Cassiopeia pleaded. "You have to deliver the baby now! Oww!"
Remus turned white. "I have no idea how to do that! I'm a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, not a healer!"
"All you have to do is tell me if you see the head and catch the baby," Cassiopeia explained. "Can you do that?"
"No," Remus said.
"I'm such a screw up. I should've just taken you out of the castle," Tonks said, running her hands through her pink hair.
"At least catch the baby when it comes out, please?" Cassiopeia asked, her eyes on Remus. "I'm going to push now."
"Wait, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said. "I just had a thought. Wouldn't your water have broken by now? Because as far as I know it hasn't."
"Thank you, Nymphie, but the little one wants out. I don't know what's happening," Cassiopeia said.
"Well, isn't it that women's water breaks when they're in labor? Isn't that what happens?" Tonks asked. "Because if it hasn't happened yet this could be a false alarm."
"But I'm still having contractions," Cassiopeia said, "Where are you, Sirius?"
"Well, maybe they're Braxton-Hicks contractions," Tonks said brightly.
"How would you know that but not know how to deliver a baby?" Remus asked, confused.
"I used to be a candy striper at St. Mungo's and a constant patient," Tonks explained.
"I think she's right. My contractions are slowing," Cassiopeia agreed.
Tonks gaped. "Are you kidding? I was worried for nothing!"
"So was I," Cassiopeia said. "Now we know this baby is Sirius's child."
Tonks turned to Remus. "I'm really sorry we disturbed you. Uh…what was your name again?"
Before Remus could answer, Cassiopeia spoke for him. "His name is Remus. Sorry, Remus. The little one is playing tricks on me just like its father. You remember."
"Uh…no problem, I guess," Remus said. "Cassie, can I talk to you alone?"
"I'll be out in the hall, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said before leaving the room.
Once Tonks was out of the room, Remus turned to Cassiopeia. "What is she doing here?"
"Filling in for you," Cassiopeia explained. "What did you do to her?"
"I took away her memory of me," Remus answered.
Cassiopeia promptly smacked Remus on the head. "You bloody idiot! Are you barking mad? You are acting just like Sirius!"
"I attacked her as a wolf," Remus said remorsefully. "I didn't want her remembering that."
"And how long before she remembers anyway?" Cassiopeia demanded. "She already knows you go ill every month. It's only a matter of time before she figures it out."
"She's not supposed to remember. That's the point of a Memory Charm," Remus said flatly. "The problem is I did it wrong, and if I touch her she'll remember everything."
"Well then, for her sake, let's hope that doesn't happen," Cassiopeia said. "You know, Sirius is going to kill you for doing that to his little cousin."
"It was either erase her memory or let me possibly be discovered for being a werewolf," Remus said.
"Like being ill every full moon isn't a giveaway," Cassiopeia said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, speaking of Sirius, feel your godson kicking me."
Remus gingerly laid his hand on Cassiopeia's huge belly. He felt something push against his hand as soon as he did. Remus was at a complete loss for words.
"Oh that's…cute," he said after a long moment. "And I don't think she notices what day I'm sick on. I just got a letter from Lucius Malfoy saying that I am to stop giving his son detention. I don't remember doing that."
Cassiopeia smiled. "I have a funny feeling that he or she will be a star Quidditch player with the way it kicks," she said, rubbing her belly. "And you didn't. Tonks did for calling a Mudblood."
Remus was stunned. "She's not a Mudblood. Both of her parents are magic. Her father is Muggle-born."
"Try telling that to Malfoy," Cassiopeia snorted.
"That boy has a mouth on him," Remus said.
Cassiopeia smirked. "You could always lead him to the Shrieking Shack on a full moon. That would teach him."
Remus turned pale. "That's barbaric and criminal! I'd probably kill him."
Cassiopeia blushed. "Sorry. Sirius rubbed off on me."
"You spend far too much time with him," Remus groaned, shaking his head. "You know, you're lucky I wasn't asleep yet."
"He is my husband, in case you forgot," Cassiopeia said pointedly. "And I know. I couldn't help it. I thought your godchild was coming. Blame Sirius. He did this to me."
Remus sighed. "Well, you just missed Harry. He was up here because he was caught with the Marauder's Map. Do you remember it?"
"Of course I do, Moony," Cassiopeia laughed.
"He somehow got it and said he saw Peter Pettigrew on it," Remus explained. "That's impossible, right? Pettigrew's dead, and Sirius killed him."
Cassiopeia grew red in the face. "Remus, you idiot! How could you believe that lie?" she said furiously. "Pettigrew is alive. I was there the night Sirius caught him."
Remus's eyes widened in surprise. "The map was right then and Pettigrew is here. I wonder where."
"I don't know, but he should hope that neither Sirius nor I should find him," Cassiopeia replied, fury in her voice.
"Be careful, please," Remus pleaded.
"Me?" Cassiopeia said haughtily, "It's Peter who should be careful, not me."
Just then, Tonks entered the room again. "Aunt Cassie, we have to get you back to my room before someone finds you."
Cassiopeia was exhausted. As she neared her due date, bearing a child with Sirius was taking its toll on her.
"Alright," Cassiopeia said wearily. "I'm exhausted anyway. Having a baby with Sirius Black is murder."
Tonks gingerly helped Cassiopeia to her feet.
"See you, Cassie," Remus said.
"Thank you, Remus. See you," Cassiopeia replied.
"Uhh Remus, sorry for disturbing you. Good night," Tonks said.
"Good night, Tonks," Remus replied.
Supporting Cassiopeia, Tonks hobbled back to her office. Once they reached her office, Tonks settled Cassiopeia down on a bed.
"Well, that was exciting," Cassiopeia said, yawning.
"Go to sleep, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said. "You and the little one need it."
"Don't need to tell me twice," Cassiopeia said wearily. "Oww!"
"What?" Tonks asked.
"Apparently, the little one didn't get the message," Cassiopeia groaned, rubbing her belly. "Please, little one. Mummy needs her sleep."
It was apparent that Cassiopeia's words had no effect on her baby. Cassiopeia kept groaning as her child continued to kick. Tonks thought it was strange talking to an unborn child. However, she felt she had to help Cassiopeia sleep somehow.
"Aunt Cassie, let me try," Tonks said helpfully. "Come on, settle down little one. You have to go to sleep. You're mummy is very tired. Go to sleep."
In that instant, Cassiopeia stopped groaning.
"Nymphie, it worked," Cassiopeia said as he yawned again.
"Good, now please go to sleep," Tonks said. "I have papers to grade."
Cassiopeia had already drifted off to sleep and did not hear Tonks.
Later that night, Tonks was lost in sleep as she felt she hadn't slept since Cassiopeia came. Suddenly, she heard a scream.
"SIRIUS!"
Tonks nearly jumped out of her bed. Without hesitation, Tonks grabbed her wand and hurried to Cassiopeia's side. Holding her wand aloft, Tonks searched the room for an intruder. Once she saw there was no one around, she turned to Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia's face was twisted, as if in pain. She was writhing in her sleep.
"SIRIUS!" Cassiopeia screamed.
"Aunt Cassie," Tonks whispered, "Aunt Cassie, wake up. It's just a nightmare."
Cassiopeia did not wake and continued to scream and thrash. Tonks gently tapped Cassiopeia's shoulder. With a scream, Cassiopeia sprang awake.
"Nymphie," Cassiopeia panted. "I had a terrible nightmare about Sirius."
"You don't say," Tonks said.
"I saw him in Azkaban and the Dementors, they were hurting him," Cassiopeia said, the fear in her voice.
"It was only a nightmare, Aunt Cassie," Tonks comforted her. "I assure you that Sirius is safe, and he will come back to you."
"I know," Cassiopeia agreed with a nod.
"You scared the life out of me, Aunt Cassie," Tonks groaned. "I thought you were being murdered."
"Sorry, Nymphie," Cassiopeia said apologetically.
"Go to sleep, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said.
"Wait," Cassiopeia said.
"What now?" Tonks asked, letting out a yawn.
"Could you bring me some chocolate?" Cassiopeia asked.
Tonks's jaw dropped. "Aunt Cassie, it is two in the morning, I have a class to teach, I'm exhausted, and I have no chocolate. I am not bringing you any."
"Please, Nymphie, I'm so hungry," Cassiopeia pleaded.
"And I'm tired. Good night," Tonks said flatly.
"Oh, so you're just going to let my stomach growl all night and let it give me away?" Cassiopeia said, tears falling from her eyes.
"Aunt Cassie, please stop crying," Tonks said.
"I can't help it. I'm pregnant and I'm hungry!" Cassiopeia whimpered.
Tonks sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll find you some chocolate."
Tonks left Cassiopeia on her search for chocolate. Tonks racked her brains thinking about where she would find chocolate at this time of night. Then, lightning struck her brain.
"Remus," she breathed to herself.
As the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Remus Lupin always had chocolate, especially with the presence of the Dementors. Wand in hand, Tonks quickly hurried to Remus's office. Tonks crept into Remus's office and tiptoed to his desk.
"Accio chocolate," she whispered.
Instantly, a chocolate bar flew out from Remus's desk. Tonks waved her wand and closed the desk. As quickly as she could, Tonks hurried back to Cassiopeia with the chocolate.
"Here is your chocolate," Tonks said, handing the bar over to Cassiopeia. "Are you happy now?"
In a flash, Cassiopeia ripped the chocolate from Tonks's hand and tore into it.
"Very much so," Cassiopeia said through a mouthful of chocolate, licking it from her fingers. "Thank you, Nymphie."
"You're welcome," Tonks sighed. "Now please, go to sleep."
Exhausted, Tonks left Cassiopeia's side and collapsed onto her own bed. Tonks thought looking after Cassiopeia was demanding already. However, her task was only starting to get difficult.
Meanwhile, Sirius had been long absent from Hogwarts campus. He managed to hide out in caves just outside of Hogsmeade. His close call with Ron Weasley had made him cautious. He did not want to get caught, especially not with a baby on the way. While outside Hogsmeade, Sirius was able to steal food, but it wasn't much. What ever food he could get, he relished. At least it was better than the food in Azkaban. While in hiding, Sirius had time to think about many things. He wondered about Harry and his Firebolt. Sirius had managed to see Harry fly during this time. The sight of his godson on a broom was very familiar.
"He's so like his father," Sirius breathed.
What mainly occupied Sirius's thoughts was Cassiopeia. He could not bear being away from her. However, he could not risk putting her in further danger by going with her. He could not ask too much of his cousin Tonks. Sirius knew that Cassiopeia was safe and that Tonks would take care of her and their unborn baby. However, Sirius was afraid of what may happen after their baby arrived. He knew Cassiopeia would not be shown any mercy.
"No, don't think about that," Sirius told himself. "Cassie will be fine, and so will the baby."
To take his mind off the negative, Sirius thought about Cassiopeia and their baby. He knew it was only a matter of days before his first child was born. The thought of fatherhood kept Sirius optimistic. He was truly excited to meet his new son or daughter.
"I'm going to be a father," Sirius thought to himself excitedly. "I'm going to hold my baby in my arms. I'm going to have a child and my godson. I will have a real family."
With these positive thoughts in his mind, Sirius was able to drift off to sleep. As he did, dreams of Cassiopeia, Harry, and his new baby filled his head.