Chapter 38: Visitors and A Letter

Andromeda stood before Sirius and Cassiopeia with a bag in the crook of one arm. Sirius and Cassiopeia could not believe their eyes. It had been twelve years since they last saw their cousin. During those twelve years, they believed that Andromeda had completely forgotten about them. However, Andromeda smiled at them as if they never left.

"What, no hello?" she asked gleefully.

Without another word, Sirius embraced his cousin as he did twelve years ago. Cassiopeia handed S.J. to Sirius and hugged Andromeda tightly.

"I missed you so much," Cassiopeia whispered.

"We all missed you," Andromeda said. "I never stopped believing in your innocence."

"That's why you're my favorite cousin," Sirius said appreciatively.

"How have you been?" Cassiopeia asked casually.

"My home has been empty with Nymphadora being gone all the time," Andromeda replied. "but I've got Ted."

"How is Ted?" Sirius asked.

"He wanted to come, but he's quite ill at the moment. He misses you," Andromeda said.

"How did you know we were here?" Cassiopeia wanted to know.

"Dumbledore," Andromeda said simply. "Nymphadora sent me a message that you were innocent, which I already knew. I was only astounded that it was Peter Pettigrew the whole time. Anyway, I asked Dumbledore where you were, and he told me you were here. The question is are you alright? Dumbledore told me you were attacked by that vile Greyback."

"We've been fine, I assure you," Cassiopeia said calmly. "Actually, we've been better than fine thanks to our latest addition. Would you like to meet your new cousin?"

"I've been waiting to that since Nymphadora told me!" Andromeda said happily.

Cassiopeia laid her son in Andromeda's arms.

Andromeda was ecstatic as she held her new cousin. "Oh, Merlin's Beard, he's so handsome!"

"You can say that again," Cassiopeia said proudly. "His name is Remus James Black."

"Nymphadora told me she calls him S.J. because he looks like his daddy. I can see why," Andromeda said with a smile.

"He gets his good looks from me," Sirius said slyly.

"Sirius, always the modest one," Cassiopeia laughed.

"He is the best of both of you," Andromeda said, beaming. "Hello, S.J. Hello, there!"

"Wait a minute, does it seem quiet to you?" Sirius asked.

Andromeda furrowed her eyebrows. "Yes. Why?"

"Because this is the first time he's been quiet all day," Sirius replied.

"Well, fancy that," Andromeda said.

"He likes you," Cassiopeia said with a giggle.

Andromeda could only smile at her now peaceful baby cousin.

"Sirius, Cassie, he's absolutely perfect," Andromeda said. "By the way, as soon as I got Nymphadora's message, I prepared some things that I thought could help you."

Andromeda handed S.J back to Cassiopeia and opened the bag she carried. "I brought some diapers, bottles, pacifiers, and some clothes."

"Oh, thank you, Andromeda!" Cassiopeia said.

"You always were sweet," Sirius commented.

"Well, anything for my favorite cousins," Andromeda said humbly. "May I spend the night here? I thought I could help both of you with S.J. Give both of you a break."

"That's very sweet of you, but you don't have to," Cassiopeia said.

"Oh, I insist. You two could use a break. It would also give me time to get to know my new cousin," Andromeda said.

"Alright. It's always lovely having you anyway," Sirius said.

"It's as if you two never left," Andromeda said warmly.

The next morning, Tonks was preparing to go to Grimmauld Place. Tonks decided that she would fly there on her Comet 260 broomstick. Since the night of her performance in Diagon Alley, Tonks was greatly troubled after her boyfriend, Jason, told her best friend Arella about her situation with Sirius and Cassiopeia. Tonks could not stop thinking about that decision and she was angry at Jason, so she decided to pay her cousins a visit anyway. Just as Tonks grabbed her broomstick, Jason stopped her.

"Taking a little day-trip?" Jason asked.

"I'm going to see my cousins," Tonks said coldly.

"I thought you couldn't think about them after they nagged you," Jason said, confused.

"Well, after last night, I can't stop thinking about them thanks to you," Tonks said, annoyed.

"Sweetheart, you aren't still mad at me, are you?" Jason asked.

"Well, what do you think, you idiot?" Tonks asked angrily. "I am going to see my cousins. Bye."

Without a second thought, Tonks headed out of her apartment and flew off to Number 12, Grimmauld Place. When she arrived, Tonks stomped on the ground, making the buildings squeeze together to reveal the secret number twelve. As soon as Tonks entered, she was surprised to find Andromeda sitting in the dining room feeding S.J.

"Mum!" Tonks said in shock, "What are you doing here?"

"You sent me a message, remember?" Andromeda replied. "I asked Dumbledore and I came here. I wanted to meet my newest cousin."

"Where are Sirius and Cassie?" Tonks asked.

Sirius stuck his head out the dining room door. "Hello, Nymphie."

"Hello, Nymphie," Cassiopeia greeted.

"Wotcher, Uncle Sirius, Aunt Cassie," Tonks replied.

"We were just making breakfast. Want some?" Sirius asked.

"No thanks. I'm not hungry," Tonks said tonelessly.

"Is something wrong?" Cassiopeia asked in concern, "I thought you were staying with Jason."

"I was until last night," Tonks replied.

"Is everything alright between you two?" Andromeda asked.

"Jason told my best friend Arella about Sirius and Cassie making me a godmother to S.J.," Tonks said with a sigh. "I told him I didn't want to think about it for a while. I couldn't stop thinking about it anyway so I thought I might check on you."

"Sirius and Cassie just told me you were their choice for a godmother," Andromeda said. "I don't see what you're fussing about."

"Mum, please," Tonks said, annoyed. "I have said it over a million times, I can't make a decision yet."

"Well, why not?" Andromeda asked.

"Mum," Tonks groaned.

"Andromeda, let's not press Nymphie on this," Cassiopeia said calmly. "She's under a lot of stress already."

Tonks was shocked that Cassiopeia was actually not the one pestering her. "Thanks, Aunt Cassie."

"Always glad to help," Cassiopeia said.

"I'm still angry with Jason and I feel terrible. What am I going to do?" Tonks asked.

"All couples have their rough patches," Cassiopeia said wisely. "Sirius and I have had our fair share, believe me."

"It's perfectly healthy to have a spat once and a while," Sirius added. "Ignoring it makes it worse."

"Your father and I had our spats, too. We had a long one when I decided to name you Nymphadora," Andromeda said.

"Mum, could you please not say that name?" Tonks said, rolling her eyes.

"Anyway," Andromeda continued, "He said I was barking for naming you that, and we shouted it out for a bit. In the end, we came to an agreement and we're still together."

"But you still gave me a ridiculous name," Tonks said flatly.

"That's beside the point," Andromeda said.

"The point is that you should not feel ashamed," Cassiopeia comforted. "Everyone goes through this. You're not alone."

Tonks smiled. "Thanks."

"Anytime, Nymphie," Cassiopeia said sweetly.

"Are you sure you don't want breakfast?" Sirius asked.

"No, I really have to get back to Jason," Tonks said. "I'll see you later."

Tonks kissed S.J goodbye. "Bye, S.J."

Tonks flew back to her flat and found Jason sitting on the couch.

"Hey," Jason greeted.

Tonks instantly filled Jason into her arms and kissed him.

"I guess I'm off the hook?" Jason asked slyly.

"You bet," Tonks replied.

Tonks and Jason kissed again. It was as if they never had a fight.

Two months later...

Sirius and Cassiopeia remained stuck in Grimmauld Place. Occasionally, they had visits from Tonks and Andromeda. Tonks had still not made a decision yet on whether to be S.J.'s godmother. She had only recently qualified to be an Auror after passing Stealth and Tracking. In that time, Sirius and Cassiopeia managed to send Harry a birthday cake for his birthday on the thirty-first of July. Harry wrote to them as often as he could and told him about life at the Durselys. Harry's letters as well as Sirius and Cassiopeia's prior knowledge of the Durselys only made them yearn to be with their godson more. However, they did not give up hope that Pettigrew would be caught and they would see their godson once more. It was during this time that Sirius and Cassiopeia received a letter from Harry. A snowy, white owl was perched on the window of Sirius's childhood bedroom where Sirius, Cassiopeia, and S.J slept. Cassiopeia saw the owl and stroked it. "Hello, Hedwig. Got another letter for us?"

Cassiopeia untied the envelope around the owl's leg. "Thank you, Hedwig. Say hello to Harry, alright?"

Hedwig squeaked in reply and flew away. Cassiopeia immediately ran downstairs to deliver the letter to Sirius. Sirius was sitting at the dining room table holding S.J. and reading the Daily Prophet.

"Do you know that Mad-Eye is going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Sirius said.

"No, I didn't," Cassiopeia replied. "No one better to teach that than Mad-Eye, well, except Remus."

"Dumbledore must be suspicious. Why else would he hire an ex Auror?" Sirius asked.

"Because he's good at his job," Cassiopeia added.

"If you ask me, maybe he wanted an Auror to protect the students from Snivellus," Sirius said with a hint of a smirk.

"Sirius, how many times do I have to tell you that he's the reason our son is with us?" Cassiopeia said, annoyed.

"Doesn't stop me from hating him," Sirius said bitterly.

Sirius eyed the envelope in Cassiopeia's hand. "I see we have a letter."

"Oh yes," Cassiopeia said. "It's from Harry."

Cassiopeia handed Sirius the letter and he opened it.

"I only hope those Dursely oafs are treating him better these days," Sirius said.

"Oh, you know what they're like. I don't think even we could change that," Cassiopeia said hopelessly. "Anyway, what does it say?"

Dear Sirius,

Thank you for your last letter. That bird was enormous; it could hardly get through my window. Things are the same as usual here. Dudley's diet isn't going too well. My aunt found him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday. They told him they'd have to cut his pocket money if he keeps doing it, so he got really angry and chucked his PlayStation out of the window. That's a sort of computer thing you can play games on.

"I wish I had one of those," Sirius said in wonder. "I don't think dear, old mum would've let me have a Muggle toy though."

"Sirius, keep reading," Cassiopeia said.

"Sorry darling," Sirius said.

"Bit stupid really, now he hasn't even got Mega-Mutilation Part Three to take his mind off things. I'm okay, mainly because the Durselys are terrified you might turn up and turn them all into bats if I ask you to.

"That's a tempting thought," Sirius said mischievously, rubbing his beard.

"Sirius!" Cassiopeia said impatiently.

A weird thing happened this morning, though. My scar hurt again. Last time that happened it was because Voldemort was at Hogwarts. But I don't reckon he can be anywhere near me now, can he? Do you know if curse scars sometimes hurt years afterward? I'll send this with Hedwig when she gets back; she's off hunting at the moment. Say hello to Buckbeak for me.

Harry.

"This is a bit spooky," Sirius said warily. "I don't know anything about curse scars."

"I don't like the sound of it," Cassiopeia added with a shiver. "Harry only realized Pettigrew was right under his nose. I don't like thinking what his scar hurting means."

"I only hope Harry will be protected with Mad-Eye around," Sirius said.

"Mad-Eye will keep him safe. If anyone tries to touch one hair on Harry's head, they'll be off to Azkaban before they can say 'Voldemort,'" Cassiopeia said confidently.

Sirius smiled. "You got that right."

Later that night, Sirius went into his mother's bedroom where he kept Buckbeak. Sirius bowed low, and Buckbeak did the same. Cautiously, Sirius patted Buckbeak and then grabbed his chain.

"Come on Buckbeak," he beckoned.

Sirius hoped he could make a quiet getaway. Unfortunately, Cassiopeia caught him.

"Letting Buckbeak get some air?" Cassiopeia asked casually.

"No," Sirius said hastily. "I was just, uh..."

"You were just going out in the middle of the night with a Hippogriff?" Cassiopeia said expectantly.

Sirius gave up. He could not even think to lie to his wife. "I am going to fly north to Hogwarts."

Cassiopeia's eyes widened and her skin turned as red as Tonks' angry hair. "What?"

A/N: Uh-oh! Sirius is in big trouble! Thank you to all my lovely readers out there. You all know who you are! I cannot do this story without you. And to my best friend, Roza Anne, this story is impossible without you. Thank you!