Chapter 41: S.J.'s First Birthday

While Sirius was preoccupied with Harry and the Triwizard Tournament, Cassiopeia was preoccupied with the odd behavior of her friend, Remus as well as S.J. and Tonks. In the seven months since Sirius left to attend to Harry, Remus and Tonks visited whenever they could to keep Cassiopeia and S.J. company. One day, Tonks and Cassiopeia were caught off-guard when Remus started behaving strangely. At one moment, Remus was calmly discussing Sirius and Harry with Cassiopeia. As soon as Remus laid eyes on Tonks, he became nervous and left without another word. Tonks and Cassiopeia were both taken aback as they had never seen Remus behave in such a manner before. Both of them were baffled at his behavior.

"He's gone mental, he has," Cassiopeia gasped. "Well, he always was mental, but that was in secret. Now it's out in the open."

"He hates me," Tonks said.

"Good lord, where would you have gotten that idea?" Cassiopeia asked, agahst.

"Aunt Cassie, you saw how he ran out of here. He wouldn't look at me," Tonks said. "He doesn't like me."

"Oh, I assure you he does. He just won't admit it," Cassiopeia said wisely.

"How do you know?" Tonks asked.

"I have known him longer than you, and I know that Remus can be an idiot sometimes," Cassiopeia said, rolling her eyes.

"He's not an idiot," Tonks said.

"You didn't spend seven years at school with him," Cassiopeia said. "He's too afraid to care for anyone, let alone a girl. He's a hairy idiot."

"I wish I knew him like you do," Tonks said sadly.

"But you did," Cassiopeia countered.

"Cassie, I keep telling you, I don't remember him," Tonks argued. "Maybe I did know him like you told me, but I don't know. I can't remember."

Suddenly, Tonks felt warmth dripping down her arm and cried out in frustration. "Bugger!"

"What is it?" Cassiopeia asked.

"It's that stupid mate mark again!" Tonks groweled. "It just keeps hurting all the time."

"Let me see," Cassiopeia said.

Tonks set S.J down on the floor and Cassiopeia inspected Tonks' arm. "Have you seen a healer about this?"

"I don't like hospitals or healers. Anyway, It hasn't hurt in a while. Aaron said it only bleeds when the mate is near, but it hasn't been bleeding in a long time. It just hurts so much," Tonks said.

"I couldn't say," Cassiopeia said.

"Do you Think Remus could help." Tonks said

"Possible" Cassiopeia said smirking a little

"You really think so?" Tonks asked.

"Sirius told me that the night S.J. was born, you led Remus back into the castle. He simply obeyed you. I think you two have a connection whether he likes it or not," Cassiopeia said knowingly.

"I hope he can make this mark stop hurting," Tonks said. "I just wish I could remember him."

"You will one day," Cassiopeia replied.

In the months since Sirius met Harry in the cave outside Hogsmeade, Sirius had been collecting discarded copies of the Daily Prophet to keep up with what was going on with Harry as well as the Triwizard Tournament. Sirius had not met with Harry since that day in the caves, and he was worried sick. Although Harry only had one more task to complete in June, that did not stop Sirius' worries. He knew whomever put Harry's name in that goblet was an enemy to Harry. Someone was putting Harry's life at risk, and Sirius wanted to know who it was. All Sirius wanted was for the tournament to be over so he could breathe easier and go home to Cassiopeia and S.J. Sirius' thoughts turned from the tournament to Cassiopeia and S.J. He had not seen his wife and son since Christmas and he desperately missed them. He could see S.J with a bright smile clutching the stuffed lion. He could feel Cassiopeia's lips against his as she welcomed him back. Thinking of his family brought Sirius comfort as he awaited Harry's final task.

One day, Sirius sat alone in the caves when he received a letter from Harry.

Sirius,

The third task is coming quickly. I can't wait for it to be over. Mr. Bagman has instructed us on what the last task will be. Last night, something strange happened. I was walking with Viktor Krum in the forest when Mr. Crouch turned up. He had gone completely mental. He said he had to warn Dumbledore about Voldemort getting stronger. And then Dumbledore followed me to the forest and someone had Stunned Krum. We did not see anyone. I don't know who it was or why they would Stun Krum. I wanted you to know that I am alright, and I hope you are, too.

Harry

Sirius was taken aback by the letter. He could not believe that Harry was letting his guard down at this time. He was thankful Harry was not harmed, but at the same time, he could not believe Harry would be so foolish. The first chance he got, Sirius wrote a stern letter to Harry:

Harry – what do you think you are playing at, walking off into the forest with Viktor Krum? I want you to swear, by return owl, that you are not going to go walking with anyone else at night. There is somebody highly dangerous at Hogwarts. It is clear to me that they wanted to stop Crouch from seeing Dumbledore and you were probably feet away from them in the dark. You could have been killed. Your name didn't get into the Goblet of Fire by accident. If someone's trying to attack you, they're on their last chance. Stay close to Ron and Hermione, do not leave Gryffindor Tower after hours, and arm yourself for the third task. Practice Stunning and Disarming. A few hexes won't go amiss either. There's nothing you can do about Crouch. Keep your head down and look after yourself. I'm waiting for your letter giving me your word you won't stray out-of-bounds again.

Sirius.

Sirius waited for days until Harry's next letter in which Harry promised to not go out-of-bounds again. Sirius was satisfied, but not relieved. He would only be relieved when the tournament was over and the culprit revealed. Sirius began to grow angry with Dumbledore for letting Harry compete. Sirius felt that if Dumbledore had not allowed this, Harry would not be in the danger he was facing. One day, Dumbledore came by the caves.

"Good afternoon, Sirius," he greeted.

"Dumbledore!" Sirius gasped.

"I trust that you have been keeping watch over Harry," Dumbledore said knowingly.

"It would be better if I didn't have to skulk in caves and crawl around as a dog," Sirius said bitterly.

"You are fulfilling your duties nonetheless, Sirius. Harry is better prepared because of you," Dumbledore said.

"I don't like Harry going though this tournament," Sirius said angrily. "How could you let him compete? Why didn't you stop this?"

"This is a binding magical contract," Dumbledore said. "Besides, Severus and I felt it was best to let these events unfold."

"And you are aware that Severus tried to have Cassie and me receive the Dementor's Kiss, and yet you still trust him," Sirius growled.

"I know that there are wounds that will never heal between you, but he has been loyal to me," Dumbledore said.

"You and I know that clearly someone is trying to kill Harry. And yet you're still letting him compete!" Sirius said furiously.

"That is precisely why I am letting him participate," Dumbledore told him. "If we are to discover the culprit, I thought it best to let Harry compete."

"You're using my godson as bait," Sirius growled. "You're better off handing him over to Voldemort!"

"Calm yourself, Sirius," Dumbledore said quietly. "I assure you that Harry is well-prepared for the task ahead of him. We will discover whomever did this."

"I'll take your word for it," Sirius grumbled. "You are lucky Cassie isn't here."

"Speaking of Cassiopeia, I would like you to return to Grimmauld Place until the tournament is over," Dumbledore said.

"But what about Harry? I have to watch over him," Sirius protested.

"Harry will be watched carefully," Dumbledore reassured him. "There is nothing more you need to do. I will contact you after the tournament is over. I'm sure you are eager to return to your wife and son."

"More than you know," Sirius admitted.

"Than go to London, and await further word from me," Dumbledore said.

"I will," Sirius said. "Just do what you can for my godson."

"I assure you I will, Sirius," Dumbledore promised. "Good afternoon."

Later that night, Sirius crept out of the caves and made sure that no one was around. As quietly as he could, Sirius crept up on Buckbeak's back and yanked his chains. Buckbeak reared back and then flew off into the distance. It took Sirius two days before he finally reached London. Sirius never thought he'd smile at the sight of his parents' house. It was the thought of Cassiopeia and S.J that made him smile. He could not contain his excitement of seeing his family again. Leading Buckbeak by his chains, Sirius stepped up to the door. He was wise enough to knock so that he would not wake his mother's portrait. Sirius' heart skipped a beat when Cassiopeia came to the door, dressed in a purple nightgown with S.J. on her hip.

"Hello, darling," Sirius greeted.

Cassiopeia's eyes bulged and her breath caught in her chest. "Sirius," she gasped.

"Did you miss me?" Sirius asked.

Without another word, Cassiopeia filled Sirius into her arms and pulled him inside.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Sirius said slyly.

"I'm not the only one," Cassiopeia said, holding S.J. up.

S.J. reached out his arms for his father.

Sirius warmly embraced S.J. and kissed his head. "Merlin's beard, little man! You've grown so much! What have you been feeding him?"

"He gets that from his father," Cassiopeia replied. "And that's not all he's learned."

"What else?" Sirius asked.

"Go on, little man," Cassiopeia said encouragingly to S.J. "Show Daddy what you can do."

Suddenly, the chubby baby in Cassiopeia's arms turned into a small, black kitten. Sirius' eyes glazed over.

"He's an Animagus?" he gasped in surprise.

"Apparently so," Cassiopeia said with a smile. "He gave me a fright when he first did it."

S.J turned back into a baby boy and smiled playfully.

"You are such a brilliant boy!" Sirius said proudly.

"He gets that from both of us," Cassiopeia said. "Anyway, what are you doing here? I thought Harry wasn't finished the tournament until the twenty-fourth of June."

"Dumbleore," Sirius said simply.

"Oh, that old man!" Cassiopeia laughed. "but I have to thank him for sending you back. You're just in time to celebrate Remus' first birthday."

"One year old already?" Sirius gasped. "It feels as if he's been with us for ages."

"It's been the best year," Cassiopeia said happily.

The next week, Sirius and Cassiopeia celebrated S.J.'s first birthday. Both of them could hardly forget one year ago when S.J was born while Remus transformed after forgetting his potion. Sirius and Cassiopeia wished to give their son a more exciting birthday, but alas, their hiding made it difficult for them to do so. Despite their fugitive status, Sirius and Cassiopeia were determined to make their son's day. Cassiopeia made S.J.'s favorite breakfast, porridge with milk. Sirius and Cassiopeia played with their son in Animagus form, although S.J. changed into cat form at random. Sirius and Cassiopeia were not alone in celebrating their son's birthday. Andromeda and Ted sent them a cake as well as a toy wand.

Sirius&Cassie,

We were aware that S.J.'s birthday was coming up, and we wanted to make sure he had a wonderful first birthday. Here's a toy wand because we know he'll be an excellent wizard and he'll be starting early. We've also made a cake for him. I hope all of you are well. Send our birthday wishes to S.J.

Andromeda and Ted

"Thank you, Andromeda and Ted," Cassiopeia said.

"I told you she's my favorite cousin," Sirius said with an approving smile.

Tonks sent S.J. a tee shirt with a giant wolf on the front as well as a leather jacket.

Aunt Cassie and Uncle Sirius,

Wotcher! I'm sorry I can't be with you now, but I'm very busy with my band, the Metamorphing Wolves. I did not forget about S.J.'s birthday. I couldn't forget, more like it. I can't believe he's a year old already. I hope he likes my present, and I hope you three are alright. Tell S.J. his Auntie Nymphie says happy birthday.

Tonks.

Much to Sirius and Cassiopeia's delight, S.J. enjoyed his new toy immensely. He played with his toy wand for hours. Sirius and Cassiopeia took great delight in pretending to be transfigured into animals such as frogs or birds while S.J. burst out in great belly laughs. After S.J. went to bed, Sirius and Cassiopeia sat out in their living room.

"I wish we could've given him a better birthday," Cassiopeia said glumly.

"But we did give him a brilliant birthday," Sirius said. "We made our son happy today, and that's all we need to do."

"I'm really glad you were here with us," Cassiopeia said.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Sirius said earnestly.

A/N: I wanted to apologize for S.J being an Animagus if that offends anyone. When I started this story, I wasn't aware that Animagus transformations are very complex and I wanted to explain myself. I hope you can understand and forgive me. I want to thank Roza Anne for helping me keep this story alive and all the reviewers, followers, etc. I appreciate it very much. Enjoy!