Chapter 39: Growing Pains

Sirius could see the rage building in Cassiopeia's eyes. Her face was as red as an apple. She was glaring daggers at him. Sirius knew he was in trouble and there was no going back.

"I am going to fly north to Hogwarts," he gulped.

Cassiopeia exploded like a firework. "Are you insane? You can't go now! You'll be caught out there, you bloody, reckless idiot!"

"Cassie, please," Sirius said calmly. "I will be in Animagus form. No one else knows I'm an Animagus besides Harry, his friends, and Dumbleodore."

"And Peter Pettigrew!" Cassiopeia added. "or did you forget that he's running about, too? You know where he'll go!"

"He hasn't found his master yet," Sirius replied. "and even then, what can he do? Pettigrew can't hurt me."

"What about the Ministry? They can," Cassiopeia replied.

"I told you that they won't know it's me," Sirius replied. "I will pretend to be a stray and make my way."

"You think it's that easy, don't you?" Cassiopeia demanded. "You think it will be that easy to make your way as a dog and think that no one will suspect you."

"No one has any reason to," Sirius replied.

"When were you going to tell me about this plan, before or after you've been caught?" Cassiopeia asked.

"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd go barmy, and I was right!" Sirius argued.

"I have good reason to!" Cassiopeia snapped. "You're the one who's barmy! You are the one risking your life without telling me!"

"I didn't want you to be a part of this," Sirius said.

"I am your wife! I am a part of everything that you do!" Cassiopeia shouted.

"And I am well aware of that, believe me!" Sirius said angrily. "My decisions are my own, and you cannot change my mind."

"But you cannot exclude me from them!" Cassiopeia said loudly. "If you are going to make decisions, I am a part of those decisions. If you are going to go out and risk your life, you cannot do so without reference to me!"

"You are my wife, not my queen!" Sirius snapped.

"I am just saying that all I want is for you to tell me next time you decide to go out and risk your freedom," Cassiopeia said hotly.

"Look, only one of us can go and one of us has to stay with S.J.," Sirius argued.

"Oh, so I stay home with the baby while you gallivant about as the hero?" Cassiopeia demanded.

"He needs a mother," Sirius said.

"He needs a father, too," Cassiopeia argued. "One is not more important than the other. You cannot go out there and leave your son."

"We have a godson in danger out there," Sirius protested.

"You don't know that!" Cassiopeia argued. "All he said was that his scar hurt, and that doesn't mean danger. I won't have you getting caught. You are going to send a message to Dumbledore first before you do anything."

"Dumbledore won't have time to get to me until the beginning of term," Sirius argued.

"Well, good. Maybe it will give you some time to regain your sense!" Cassiopeia said.

Sirius headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Cassiopeia asked.

"I'm going to send a message to Dumbledore like you said!" Sirius replied in anger.

"Good, I'm getting through your thick head!"

"Oh, kiss my fanny!"

"Kiss mine, in plain English!"

Sirius turned his back on Cassiopeia and slammed the door.

Just then, Sirius came back in. "I hate being angry. Can we make-up now?"

"We can do more than that," Cassiopeia said slyly.

Instantly, Cassiopeia jumped on Sirius and kissed him fervently. "I'm sorry, darling. I hate it when we fight like this."

"Yes, but what comes after is worth it," Sirius said with a wink.

"No wonder you're so troublesome," Cassiopeia laughed.

Cassiopeia kissed Sirius once more.

Sirius managed to break away for a moment to speak.

"I promise next time I'll tell you when I'm going to see Harry, and I'll let you decide," Sirius said.

"I like the sound of that," Cassiopeia said with approval. "Now shush and kiss me!"

"Yes darling," Sirius said with a smirk.

In the middle of their passionate make-up, Sirius and Cassiopeia heard S.J.'s cries on the magical baby monitors Andromeda supplied them with.

"I'll get the little man," Sirius reassured Cassiopeia. "He probably is hungry. I should know. He has my appetite."

"He's been quite moody lately," Cassiopeia said. "He's been crying a lot more than usual lately."

Cassiopeia followed Sirius into the bedroom where S.J. lay. Poor S.J.'s screams filled up the entire room as Sirius picked him up from the crib.

"Oh, dear. Do we have an appetite, little man?" Sirius asked. "I think a bottle will fix that."

Cassiopeia peeked inside S.J.'s crib and saw a milky mess staining the sheets.

"Oh, dear. I think someone made a mess in their crib again," Cassiopeia said. "We can fix that. Tergeo!"

With the flick of Cassiopeia's wand, the soppy mess disappeared instantly. "There we are, no harm done."

"He's been doing that a lot lately," Sirius said. "Come on, little man. Maybe a bottle will help."

Sirius and Cassiopeia went to the kitchen, and Sirius prepared a bottle for his son. In a matter of seconds, Sirius had a bottle ready and tried to feed S.J. Unfortunately, when Sirius tried to feed him, S.J. only cried harder when he sucked on the bottle.

"I've never seen him turn down a bottle before," Sirius said in surprise. "What's the matter, little man?"

Cassiopeia could barely hear Sirius over S.J.'s wailing. S.J. cried and pulled at his ears.

"What's that about?" Sirius asked. "Never seen him do that before."

"I have a hunch, but I am not sure," Cassiopeia replied.

S.J. then grabbed onto a part of Sirius's soft vest and put it into his mouth.

Sirius pulled his vest away. "Hey, easy little man," he said gently.

S.J. only began to scream again after Sirius pulled away.

"He's teething," Cassiopeia said knowingly.

"Teething?" Sirius said, shocked. "He's only two months!"

"I've read about when babies start teething," Cassiopeia explained. "All babies are different. Babies can start as young as two months old. I'd say he just did."

Baby S.J let out a huge cry.

"You don't say," Sirius said. "Anyway, what do we do?"

"I'm going to contact Severus," Cassiopeia replied. "He might have something that will help."

"Did you just say Severus?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"Yes, I did," Cassiopeia said firmly.

"You are really going to trust him with our son?" Sirius asked dubiously.

"Unless you want our son to suffer, I suggest you make peace with Severus," Cassiopeia said sternly.

Moments later, Snape burst through the fireplace in a ball of green flame.

Snape caught Sirius sitting in the living room. "Black," he greeted coldly.

"Hello Snivellus," Sirius said icily.

Sirius began to try and push Snape back into the fireplace. "Goodbye, Snivellus."

"Sirius!" Cassiopeia shouted as she entered the living room. S.J was still shrieking as Cassiopeia held him. "Hello, Severus."

"You said you had an urgent matter about your son, Mrs. Black," Snape said.

Sirius and Snape had to practically shout over S.J.'s cries.

"Yes, we believe he's teething," Cassiopeia replied. "He's been at this for weeks, but it has not been as bad as today."

"Perhaps he's just sorry to have such a father. I would be," Snape said, flashing a glare at Sirius.

"I think we can take care of our own son, Snivellus," Sirius spat. "We don't need you."

"But you apparently do need me. Your wife thinks so. Maybe she trusts me more than you. I wouldn't be surprised. You don't seem like the fatherly type," Snape countered haughtily.

Sirius clenched his fist. His blood was boiling. Sirius was about to let his fist fly into Snape's face.

"Enough!" Cassiopeia snapped. "Can we please help my son?"

"May I see the child, Mrs. Black?" Snape asked.

"I'd rather you didn't," Cassiopeia said quickly.

"I cannot help your son if I cannot see for myself what is wrong, Mrs. Black," Snape insisted.

Reluctantly, Cassiopeia laid S.J. in Snape's arms. In that instant, the baby was quiet.

Sirius jumped into action. "What did you do to my boy?!" he asked angrily.

"I have done nothing to harm your child, Black," Snape replied. "Perhaps he likes my company better."

"How dare you! You wicked little-"

"Sirius!" Cassiopeia shouted.

Snape began to examine S.J. He looked in his mouth for any signs of an incoming tooth. S.J grabbed one of Snape's long fingers and pulled it into his mouth.

Sirius smirked. "Oh, I should tell you: he bites."

Snape glared at Sirius as he continued to examine S.J. Snape held S.J. In front of him and continued to look him over. Suddenly, SPLAT! Snape's lined face and his dark robes were stained white with milk. Sirius' eyes watered, his lips quivered, and in the next second, he exploded into roaring, uncontrollable laughter. Sirius laughed so hard that tears streamed from his eyes, and his face turned red and then purple due to his constant laughing. Sirius' laughter caused him to fall over and he was on the floor in hysterics.

Sirius stumbled to his feet and kissed his son's head. "That's my boy!" he said proudly.

Cassiopeia could not help but laugh at Snape as his face was soaked in pure white. "I don't think white is your color, Severus."

Severus did not smile. The lines in his face creased, and his face was a sour expression.

Cassiopeia quickly waved her wand. "Tergeo!"

In seconds, the dripping, white mess on Snape's face and robes vanished. Sirius was still laughing, and Snape was still wearing a sour expression.

"Oh, what now, Severus?" Cassiopeia groaned. "It was just a bit of fun."

"I do not find being vomited on very amusing," Snape said crossly.

"Oh, Severus, he's just a baby. He can't help it," Cassiopeia said. "There was no harm done."

"What are you going to do, Snivellus? Hold a grudge against an innocent baby?" Sirius snickered.

Sirius laughed and impersonated Snape's monotone voice. "I'm Snivellus and I'm afraid of babies vomiting on me!"

"Fortunately for you, I know your child is innocent, unlike his father, the felon," Snape spat.

"Keep pushing it, Snivellus. I might just vomit on you, next," Sirius said menacingly.

"That's enough," Cassiopeia said sternly.

Sirius and Snape stared at Cassiopeia, who stared them down. Both of them were shaken by her gaze.

"Now Severus, do you have a potion that will help my son?" Cassiopeia asked composedly.

"As a matter of fact, I do, Mrs. Black," Snape replied. "Unfortunately, I do not have it on my person. If you will allow me a few moments, I shall bring you a potion."

"And do you have any lavender in your stores?" Cassiopeia asked.

"I have," Snape said. "but what need do you have of lavender?"

"It is a home remedy to make him sleep," Cassiopeia explained. "Can you bring me some?"

"I shall in a few moments," Snape replied quietly.

"Thank you, Severus," Cassiopeia said appreciatively.

Cassiopeia took S.J. back from Snape. Snape then went to the fireplace, took some Floo Powder and cried out, "Hogwarts!" With a flash of green flame, Snape was gone.

Sirius was still smiling uncontrollably as Snape disappeared. "I want to remember this moment forever," he said wistfully. "Severus Snape reduced to a milky mess!"

Sirius kissed his son again. "Remus, my boy, you made me so proud!"

"I have to admit that was funny," Cassiopeia said, cracking a smile.

"Funny? That's such an understatement! That was hysterical!" Sirius said, bursting into laughter again.

"Yes, it was," Cassiopeia giggled.

Moments later, Snape returned with a small bottle and some lavender plants. "This potion should help relieve the child's pain. Two drops should do it. And I have brought you some lavender."

"Thank you, Severus," Cassiopeia said appreciatively.

Sirius said nothing.

Cassiopeia shot him a dark look. "Sirius, don't you have something to say?"

"You're a good little Potion master that helped my son," Sirius replied reluctantly.

"An attempt at a thank you. Needs improvement, though," Snape sneered.

"Well, how can I say this nicely? Get out!" Sirius spat.

Cassiopeia shot a glare at Sirius. "Sirius!" she said severely.

"I'm sorry. Where are my manners?" Sirius said innocently. "I meant please get out!"

"I do apologize, Severus," Cassiopeia said remorsefully. "We appreciate your help."

Severus nodded and disappeared into the fireplace again. Cassiopeia took S.J. and put two drops of the potion into his mouth. Instantly, S.J. stopped screaming.

"Well, that's a relief," Sirius sighed. "What's the lavender for?"

"For his bath," Cassiopeia answered. "It will make him sleep. My mother used to use the same trick for me."

Cassiopeia gave S.J. to Sirius and began to crush up the lavender in a mortar. Once the lavender was ground up, Sirius and Cassiopeia started up a bath for S.J. Cassiopeia poured the ground up lavender into S.J.'s bathwater.

"You are a lucky little man," Sirius said as he bathed his son. "I wish my mum gave me baths like this."

Cassiopeia soaked S.J. in the bathwater. Within minutes, S.J. was fast asleep, soothed by the lavender.

Sirius was amazed. "That was a neat trick. You are truly the cleverest woman I know, my darling."

"I thought I would pass down the method," Cassiopeia said.

Sirius and Cassiopeia dried off S.J. and put him in sleeping clothes. That night, S.J. slept peacefully.

After another two months, Sirius finally had a reply from Dumbledore. Dumbledore told Sirius that it was safe for him to visit as long as he stayed in dog form in public. Dumbledore told him that there were caves outside Hogsmeade where Sirius could hide out. As soon as Sirius got this news, he told Cassiopeia.

"Dumbledore has finally replied to me," Sirius replied. "He told me that there are some caves outside Hogsmeade where I can hide and be able to see Harry. I want to be near Harry during this time. One of us has to look after our godson."

Cassiopeia nodded. She knew that Harry was just as important as S.J. "Just promise me you'll be safe and let me know everything that you hear from Harry. I want to stay informed, too."

"I will," Sirius assured her. "I will be back before you know it. It will be like I never left."

"S.J. and I will be here waiting," Cassiopeia whispered.

Sirius kissed S.J. "I'll see you soon, little man."

Then, Sirius turned to Cassiopeia and fervently kissed her. Sirius did not want to let go, but he knew he had to. Finally, Sirius let go of Cassiopeia. Cassiopeia watched as Sirius mounted Buckbeak and flew off into the horizon. Cassiopeia knew that she and S.J. were alone now. Cassiopeia hoped that Sirius would stay safe.

A/N: Awww, Cassiopeia and S.J are all alone. Let's hope Sirius stays safe. I hope you enjoyed Snape getting puked on. I just want to give credit that the argument was inspired by P.S. I Love You. I hope you like what comes next. Thank you to all you readers, followers, reviewers, etc. And thank you to my best friend Roza Anne! This story would be nothing without you. Enjoy!