Chapter 34: Preparing for the Journey

Tonks was nearly falling asleep. She and Remus had been taking turns guarding Baby S.J. all night. Cassiopeia was very much on edge after her frightening encounter with Greyback. Tonks and Remus agreed to watch over him that night to put her at ease. Just as Tonks was about to doze off, Remus entered.

"Oh, Remus. Is it time to switch already?" Tonks asked, yawning.

"Yes. Cassie hasn't moved once. Good on you," Remus said proudly. "Sirius has been watching her."

Tonks yawned again. "Yeah, Auror's Morphine is a great tool. It definitely helps."

Tonks tried to stand up, but fell down again.

"You're so clumsy," Remus laughed.

Just then, Remus and Tonks were interrupted by Baby S.J.'s cries.

"Uh-oh," Remus said.

Tonks sighed. She knew that it was a long night already. "I'll get him."

Tonks was about to pick the baby up, but Sirius was already awake. "No, I got him."

Sirius cradled his son in his arms while Tonks handed him the bottle. "You might need that."

Sirius smiled. "Cassie is going to kill you. She can't hear her son crying."

"I know, but it's best she sleeps," Tonks replied.

Tonks tripped again a few feet away.

"Get some sleep, you klutz," Sirius laughed.

Tonks shook her head. "I can't. I have to keep watch."

"But it's time to switch," Sirius said.

"Yeah, and Remus just got off watching. I have to watch now."

"Fine. Promise me you'll sleep sometime."

"I will tomorrow night."

Sirius tried to lull Baby S.J. to sleep. "Come on, Remus, sleep."

Remus was puzzled. "You're talking to your son, right?"

"Yes, unless you'd like a bottle," Sirius jested.

"I'm still confused about that," Remus said.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "I told you. He's Remus, you're Moony."

Just then, Sirius and Remus were interrupted by a crash. Tonks had fallen on the floor, exhausted.

"Tonks!" Sirius cried.

Remus rushed to Tonks' side. "She's exhausted. She needs rest bad."

"And she was just lecturing my wife!" Sirius said resentfully.

"Tonks is trained to wear her body to exhaustion," Remus replied.

"Cassie is, sort of. She had a baby," Sirius said.

"That's different. Tonks is a front line soldier," Remus explained.

"I know," Sirius said.

Sirius then turned his attention back to his whining son. "Please, Remus, go to sleep."

"Try rocking him," Remus said.

Sirius said down on a chair nearby and rocked his son. As he did, Remus carried Tonks downstairs. Sirius followed him with S.J. in tow. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, S.J. was asleep.

"Good, Remus. That's my little man," Sirius whispered.

Once S.J. was asleep, Sirius looked up at Remus and put a finger to his lips. "Shhh, he's asleep."

"Good," Remus said, relieved.

"Take care of my wife and son. I hope that morphine works all night."

"It will," Remus assured him. "I can't fathom how Tonks drinks that stuff every day."

"Nor I," Sirius said, shivering. "Cassie isn't going to be happy. I hope she isn't sick."

"I don't think Tonks would lie about her being fine," Remus said wisely.

"You're right," Sirius said quickly. "I'm just worried."

"Right. You don't think Tonks is sick, do you?" Remus asked. "She looks pale and her cheeks are flushed."

"No, Severus did a good job," Sirius said.

Sirius grabbed a nearby bottle of Auror's Morphine and took a swig. As soon as he did, he pulled a face and gagged.

"Did you seriously just drink some of Tonks' Auror's Morphine?" Remus laughed.

"I just complimented Snivellus. I needed the medicine," Sirius quipped.

"Oh, right," Remus said.

"I'm going to bed," Sirius said.

Sirius carried Baby S.J. back upstairs with Remus close behind. Sirius put his son back in his crib and turned to Remus. "Watch my son."

"Okay," Remus replied.

Remus took his watch while Sirius crawled into bed. Sirius was thankful that Cassiopeia was still asleep. He was glad that she had some peace after all that happened.

"Sirius," Cassiopeia whispered.

Cassiopeia was still under the effect of the Auror's Morphine. Her eyes were closed as she spoke.

"Go back to sleep," Sirius whispered.

"How is our son?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Sleeping," Sirius replied. "And so is Tonks. She collapsed from exhaustion."

"Is she alright?" Cassiopeia asked.

"Yeah, just tired, I guess," Sirius said. "Remus is watching."

"Can you do me a favor?" Cassiopeia whispered.

"What is that?" Sirius asked.

"Hold me," Cassiopeia said tenderly. "I haven't slept in your arms in ages."

Sirius smiled as he wrapped his arms around his sleeping wife. "That I can do. Now go to sleep."

Cassiopeia was already quiet and motionless before Sirius said another word.

The next morning, Tonks awoke on the couch. She had no recollection of going downstairs at all. She looked up and saw Remus sitting nearby. "Why am I on the couch?"

"Feeling better?" Remus asked.

Tonks shook her head. "No, but I have to stay awake."

"No, you don't," Remus said. "Practice what you preached to Cassie."

"I'm a soldier," Tonks argued. "We fight till we drop. I can handle it."

"Well, I hope you're prepared for Cassie. She's going to kill you," Remus warned.

"For what?" Tonks asked.

"You made her drink that Auror's Morphine," Remus replied. "and she couldn't hear her son crying."

Tonks knew Cassiopeia would be upset, but she knew it was for the best. "Right. Oh, well."

Tonks fell down again, landing in Remus's arms. Remus was alarmed that he could feel Tonks' skin burning. "Tonks, you're warm. You need rest."

"I'm fine, honest," Tonks protested. "It's just cold in here."

"I'll get a blanket," Remus said.

"No, I don't need it."

"Alright. Just be careful."

Meanwhile, Sirius was busily writing a letter. He decided to write to Harry about what happened. He did not want his godson to worry about him or Cassiopeia, as it had been weeks since he wrote last.

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry I haven't written. Cassie, Buckbeak, and I are safe, but I won't tell you where, just in case. Cassie and I were attacked a few nights ago by a werewolf. Cassie said he came through the window. She was a little shaken up, but she's fine. In fact, she sure showed him! We're all fine. I hope you enjoy your Firebolt and Hogsmeade. I hope your aunt and uncle are treating better. I hope to hear back from you soon. Cassie sends her love. Write back soon.

-Sirius.

Sirius sealed the letter and called for the owl he took from Hogsmeade. The bird took the letter in its mouth and flew off. Sirius was eager to hear from his godson. Just then, Cassiopeia woke up.

"Feeling better?" Sirius asked.

"Quite," Cassiopeia replied. "Although my head is still killing me. But I'm going to have to murder Nymphie for making me sleep."

"She had your best interests at heart," Sirius said simply. "Stay still. Let me change your bandages."

Sirius hurried into the bathroom and came back with some water and clean linens. He then washed Cassiopeia's wound and replaced the bandages.

"Am I going to live?" Cassiopeia asked.

Sirius smiled. "I think you are."

"I need more medicine," Cassiopeia replied in a flirty tone.

Sirius grinned devilishly. "I know exactly what you mean, darling."

Sirius kissed Cassiopeia deeply. Just then, he heard Tonks and Remus arguing.

"Oh, dear. They're arguing," Sirius groaned. "Stay here. I'll see what they're up to."

Sirius went downstairs to find Tonks and Remus in the living room. "How are you, lovebirds?"

"Sirius, maybe you can talk some sense into your cousin," Remus said. "And cut that out with the lovebird stuff."

"Sorry," Sirius said. "Tonks, I know you're a warrior, but you need rest and you're no good without it. Cassie's better, by the way."

"That's good," Remus said. "I think she might have a fever. You mind checking?"

Sirius felt Tonks' head. "You do feel warm. Stay off your feet, Tonks."

"I'm fine. Honest," Tonks argued.

"Should we put Cassie on her?" Remus asked.

Sirius grinned. "I think that's a good idea."

"What?" Tonks asked, confused.

Cassiopeia came downstairs. She looked refreshed since taking the Auror's Morphine, save for the bandage around her head. "Hello, Moony. What's going on?"

"We think Tonks has a fever, and she won't listen to us," Remus explained.

"Oh, that foolish girl!" Cassiopeia groaned.

"Can you talk some sense into her?" Remus asked.

"Don't mind if I do," Cassiopeia said.

Tonks crossed her arms. "I hate you both."

"Nymphie, you told me to rest last night. You would be wise to take your own advice. If you don't, I'll...I'll make you change S.J.'s diapers for a month," Cassiopeia said firmly.

"Good luck getting me to do that," Tonks laughed. "I'm on tour with the band. Tomorrow, I have to be in London at the club."

"Whatever. Point is, you're no good without rest," Cassiopeia said impatiently. "Now get in bed before I make you."

"Oh really, and how do plan on doing that?"

"Nymphie, if I can make an infant sleep, an adult is no problem," Cassiopeia said confidently. "Oh, Sirius and I will just be out here pairing you and Moony together until you do. If you do not want to listen, I suggest you go to bed."

"Isn't there more important things for you to be worrying about?" Tonks groaned.

"S.J. is safe and so is Sirius. You are important right now," Cassiopeia replied.

"I'm fine. I'm just dizzy and cold," Tonks protested.

"Moony is worried about you and so are Sirius and I. I'm already angry at you for making me sleep when I didn't want to. You don't want to argue with me. Now rest before I make you."

"You can't make me do anything, Aunt Cassie," Tonks said firmly. "I was trying to help you, so don't be a child. Besides, we need to move you and Sirius to a safe place."

At that moment, Dumbledore appeared before them.

"Dumbledore, please tell them they need to be in a safe place," Tonks begged.

"Your safety is a concern, Sirius and Cassiopeia. So is your son," Dumbledore agreed.

"Thank you, Dumbledore. Now if you don't mind, I will just go and…"

Tonks tripped and almost fell. Cassiopeia had enough. "That's it!"

Cassiopeia waved her wand, and Tonks fell asleep.

Remus gave Cassiopeia a sideways glance. "Was that really necessary, Cassie?"

"I gave her a chance," Cassiopeia said innocently.

"But putting her to sleep?"

"Hey, you told me you were concerned, lover boy. So I took care of it. Don't get picky."

"Would you stop calling me lover boy!"

"I'll stop when you admit it...lover boy."

"Cassie, be nice," Sirius chimed in. "Moony can't help hiding his affection for our cousin."

"Quit it," Remus said angrily. "I'm not in love with her."

"Liar," Sirius and Cassiopeia said together.

"Can we get back to the fact that we have to move you?" Remus demanded. "Albus, we can't leave Tonks here, but we can't stay either."

"I told you so," Cassie gloated.

"Cassie, this is the first time I will ever say this to you, but shut up!" Remus exclaimed.

"Please don't shout at my wife, Moony. You'll wake our son," Sirius said calmly.

Remus only rolled his eyes.

"Remus is right," Dumbledore said. "Someone will have to carry Miss Tonks to Grimmauld Place."

"I'll do it," Remus said.

"And how do you propose we get there?" Cassie wanted to know. "We can't fly with a baby, or use the Floo network."

"Not to worry, Mrs. Black. We will be taking a secret route there. You won't be seen," Dumbledore assured her. "Shall we be going?"

"Yes, we shall," Cassiopeia said.

Cassiopeia and Sirius grabbed some supplies for their trip. Then, Cassiopeia grabbed S.J. With Tonks and Remus behind them, Sirius and Cassiopeia made their way to their new home. Although, they knew they were not going home at all.

A/N: Aww, Sirius and Cassie have to leave home. I hope you liked this chapter. Thank you so much to my lovely readers. You know who you are! Thank you so much to my best friend in the world, Roza Anne! Enjoy!