Chapter 25: Traveling with S.J.

By nightfall, Sirius and Cassiopeia had reached London. Sirius sighed, knowing he and Cassiopeia were home. He could hardly wait to have his son back in his arms. As Sirius caught sight of his house, his heart raced. Sirius opened his mouth to say something to Cassiopeia, but he realized that she had fallen asleep on him. He dared not wake his wife after all she had been through.

"Come on, Buckbeak," Sirius whispered, yanking the chain.

Buckbeak gave a shriek and began to descend to the grassy field below. Sirius's heart beat faster and faster as he neared his house. In only a matter of hours, he would be with his son. At long last, Buckbeak's talons touched the grass. Sirius gazed at the sight of the house he had not seen for twelve years. The house looked just the same as he had left it. Quietly, Sirius tied Buckbeak up and carried Cassiopeia inside. Sirius then laid Cassiopeia on a couch in the living room.

"Cassie, wake up, darling," he whispered, kissing Cassiopeia's forehead.

Cassiopeia opened her eyes and smiled.

"We're home, Cassie," Sirius whispered happily. "And soon, we'll have our son back, too."

Unable to contain her joy, Cassiopeia embraced Sirius tightly. Sirius smiled, knowing Cassiopeia was over the moon.

"I can't wait to have both of my favorite men in my arms," Cassiopeia sighed, still clinging to Sirius.

"That will come sooner than you think. I promise," Sirius said.

Sirius sighed. He planned to go out and let some Muggles see him, just as he told Remus and Tonks. He did not want to trouble Cassiopeia, but he could not keep secrets from his wife.

"Cassie, I am going to go out," Sirius said slowly. "I am going to let some Muggles see me, just like I told Remus and Tonks."

Cassiopeia's eyes widened. Sirius knew what she was going to say before she spoke.

"Sirius, no!" Cassiopeia said, wildly shaking her head.

"You heard me say it," Sirius protested.

"I didn't think you were actually going through with it," Cassiopeia said. "You can't go out there. Please, Sirius."

"I'll be fine, Cassie," Sirius reassured her.

Cassiopeia knew Sirius had made up his mind. However, she was not going to give up. If Sirius was going to risk his life, she resolved that he would not do so alone.

"Let me go with you," Cassiopeia pleaded.

Sirius shook his head. "No, Cassie. You have to stay here."

"Wherever you go, I follow."

"Cassie, you're not strong enough."

"Sirius, I endured twelve years in Azkaban and nine months of childbearing."

"That's not what I meant," Sirius said. "I meant that you just endured terrible pain and you need rest."

"I'm not going to rest if I'm worried about you," Cassiopeia said firmly.

Sirius sighed pensively. He could not risk Cassiopeia's freedom. However, he knew that arguing with Cassiopeia was pointless.

"I knew you what you would say, and I don't want to argue," Sirius said. "You can come with me."

Cassiopeia smiled. "Only you know me so well."

The next morning, Remus had packed up his belongings. As a result of Professor Snape revealing his lycanthropy, Remus was forced to leave Hogwarts. It was hard on Remus, as he was being cast out once again for his condition. However, he felt he could not endanger anyone again, especially children. Remus took comfort in the fact that Sirius and Cassiopeia were free. He was happy that he and Tonks would be reuniting S.J. with his parents.

Tonks came into his office carrying a copy of the Daily Prophet. For once, she was not accompanied by S.J. She looked at all of Remus's suitcases. His office looked so empty.

"All packed?" she asked.

"Yes," Remus said. "Where's S.J.?"

"He's asleep," Tonks said quietly. "Did you get the news?"

"No. Does it involve Sirius and Cassie?" Remus asked, though he knew the answer.

Tonks slapped down the Daily Prophet on Remus's desk. Remus perused the front page which read: Sirius and Cassiopeia Black Sighted in Muggle Village!

"Oh no," Remus groaned. "And Cassie followed him?"

"You know she did," Tonks replied, shaking her head. "She can't stay away from him. At least their plan worked. The Dementors have already left the castle."

"They're both mad," Remus said, shaking his head and turning around to finish packing.

"What? Couldn't you tell that before?"

"I've always known it. But they are both some of the only friends I've got left. The only ones who can accept the monster that I am."

Tonks rolled her eyes, as she was annoyed by this topic being brought up again. "How many times do I have to say you're not a monster?"

"How many times do I have to tell you that I am?" Remus asked.

Just as Remus spoke, Cassiopeia's head popped up in the fire. "Nymphie, Moony!"

"Hold on, Cassie," Tonks said dismissively. "I still stand by what I said. You're not a monster. I am."

"You're not a monster, Tonks," Remus said.

Tonks shook her head. "You are sadly mistaken, Lupin. I murdered three children. Innocent children. How am I not a monster?"

"You protect people," Remus said earnestly. "You saved Cassie and S.J. You could've killed Sirius, but you didn't. You are a hero. Besides, anyone who can withstand a pregnant Cassie Black is a hero to me."

"I heard that!" Cassiopeia said indignantly. "Is anyone paying attention to me?"

"Hold on, Cassie," Tonks said. "A hero? Some hero. If I was a hero, those children would still be alive."

"That was not your fault," Remus said. "You are a hero. If you weren't, Cassie wouldn't be nagging us and S.J. wouldn't be crying all night."

No matter what Remus said, it brought no comfort to Tonks.

"I'm sorry if I don't believe you," Tonks said glumly. "But I know I'm inhuman and a monster. No human would be able to control a werewolf."

Cassiopeia had enough of being ignored. "Excuse me, I hate to break this lovely moment, but Sirius and I are home and safe. I meant to contact you last night, but we were exhausted and I forgot. As you may know, we let some Muggles glimpse us. Did it work?"

"Yeah, it did," Tonks replied. "You're all over the Daily Prophet."

"You're both mad," Remus said, shaking his head in derision.

"Anyway, I would like to have my son now, if you don't mind," Cassiopeia said. "And don't forget the potions."

Tonks nodded. "Right, Cassie, sorry. I spoke to Snape at breakfast, and he gave me some potions. We'll be there soon. I just have to grab my bag."

"Thank you!" Cassiopeia exclaimed. "By the way, keep it decent in front of my son, please."

Tonks wrinkled her nose. "What are you even talking about?"

"Keep your distance from each other, lovebirds," Cassiopeia teased.

"We're not lovebirds," Tonks said defensively. "In fact, we're in an argument right now."

"Sure," Cassiopeia said slyly, a smirk on her face.

"See you later, Cassie," Tonks said, giving a small wave.

The fire died down, and once again, Cassiopeia disappeared.

"I guess it doesn't really matter. I'm leaving, too," Tonks said grimly.

"Then let's hurry and get S.J. to his mother and father," Remus said hastily.

"I'm leaving Hogwarts anyway. I'm not fit to be a teacher. Not when I'm a killer," Tonks said sadly.

"For the last time, you are not a killer," Remus said, rolling his eyes. "Now get S.J."

Remus clearly didn't get Tonks's message. A sudden rage sprang up in Tonks. She grabbed Remus and pinned him up against the wall, with a dagger near his throat.

"I could do it, you know," Tonks said menacingly. "Do you know what this is made of? Pure silver. Goblins are geniuses, aren't they? I've killed over thirty werewolves, including the children. Tell me I'm not a killer now."

Remus thought for a moment that Tonks had gone mad. However, he did not want to upset her any further.

"Tonks, there's no need for this," Remus pleaded. "Please, just bring S.J. He needs to go home."

Tonks felt a sudden burning in her wrist, forcing her to let go of Remus. "Oww! Ugh, darn cut. Why does it have to do that?"

"I don't know. Please, get S.J., or he'll start crying again," Remus said.

Tonks nodded. She needed Remus with her. Because Greyback was hunting her, she needed all the help she could get, especially when looking after S.J.

"Yeah. I need you to get me near Sirius's house," Tonks told Remus. "There are a lot of werewolves in that area, Greyback among them."

"We'll go by Floo Powder. Come on," Remus said hastily.

"No. You can't take a child by Floo network, at least not one of S.J.'s age," Tonks said wisely.

"What do you suggest? We can't Apparate," Remus asked.

"Walk, fly, something like that I guess," Tonks replied.

"How can we fly with a baby?" Remus asked, dumbfounded.

"I guess we're walking then," Tonks declared. "Just be aware. Most werewolves know my scent now. If we can make it to my friend's house by nightfall then we can get to Sirius's house by tomorrow."

"I was afraid of that," Remus said dryly.

"Afraid of what? That we won't get to Sirius's house by tomorrow, or that werewolves know my scent?" Tonks asked.

"The former. I'm more afraid of Cassie than werewolves, and you should be, too," Remus said with a slight quiver.

"Oh, I am sure Cassie understands," Tonks reassured him. "And werewolves don't scare me. Well, one does, but that's beside the point. The point is that werewolves don't scare me, but having one of them wanting me dead and sending his pack after me does."

"Let's get going. We can't keep Cassie and Sirius waiting," Remus said.

That afternoon, Tonks and Remus gathered their belongings. Tonks hurried to Remus's bed and grabbed S.J. With S.J. tucked in her arms, Tonks set out to her friend's house with Remus. Tonks and Remus walked on until sunset. Suddenly, Tonks had a suspicious feeling.

"Hey, Remus, do you sense that, too?" she asked, "Like we're being followed."

"I do. That's not good," Remus said warily. "If it's Greyback, he'll hurt S.J."

S.J. cried out again. Remus did not know much about babies, but he was wise enough to know that S.J. was not crying out of hunger. To Remus, it sounded as if the child was scared.

"Shh, S.J., don't cry," Tonks whispered.

Remus and Tonks heard the crackling of twigs. There were footsteps on the grass. The footsteps came closer and closer. Both Remus and Tonks's hearts were pounding.

"I've got a bad feeling right now," Remus said warily.

A/N: Uh-Oh! Who is it? Has Greyback caught up with Tonks, Remus, and S.J.? Find out in the next chapter! Once again, thank you for all the reviews! And thank you to Roza Anne for being my 50th reviewer! Thank you all so much!