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It was about a week later when Cassiopeia was summoned to the MLEU for a third time. The questioning on the day of the search had gone fairly smoothly. Cass answered all the questions as evasively but honestly as she could, and they let her go after only a few hours. She hadn't gotten her wand back nor the other things they'd taken from her house yet, so she expected to get an update on that today.

It bothered her not to have her wand, even though she only used it for emergencies and when she was too lazy to reach for things. She'd purchased a cheap temporary wand in the meantime but it was obviously not the same thing. It felt wrong in her hand.

It was just Harry that day. No Bronsard, no note-taker.

Sara squeezed Cass's hand, comforting.

"Miss Said. Miss Black. Thank you for coming," Harry greeted them.

It wasn't lost on Cass that he'd called her by her new legal surname and not Malfoy for the first time. She wasn't sure how to feel about it.

"I've been in touch with the DMLE back in London... I've told them what I've discovered relating to the case while here."

He took a deep breath. He glanced at Sara, then back at Cassiopeia. He stayed quiet for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"Listen... I shouldn't be telling you this but... the rest of the Aurors involved in this case are convinced you did it. That it was you... who's being the Boxing Day Attacks. I... am not so sure about it. And maybe that's stupid of me. But I know for a fact that there is simply not enough evidence to be anywhere near sure. The thing is... this case has been mishandled from the beginning. I want more than anything for there to be justice for the victims... but some people at the Ministry only want the public pressure for a conviction off their backs. So, they've chosen you as the perpetrator. I really really shouldn't be telling you this... but, the powers that be have already decided you're guilty. And that you'll be charged unless there is some very strong evidence someone else is guilty, soon."

Cassiopeia stayed very still. She had to think. Was Potter trying some sort of mind game with her? Was this meant to get a confession out of her? Because there was no way he was being genuine right now.

Sara had gone straight into lawyer mode though. "What charges are being brought forth?"

Cass was sure there was a hint of friend worry behind the lawyer-voice.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Uh... I believe it's ten counts of Grevious Magical Injury, Major Violation of the Statue of Secrecy, Class III Improper Use of Magic, Destruction of Muggle Property... and well, it's also being classified as a hate crime towards Muggles and Muggle-borns."

Well, of course it fucking was.

Sara cleared her throat. "Is there... Are we talking extradition here?"

"It's in the works with Canadian authorities."

"How long do we have?"

"Well... I'm supposed to send a report by the end of the week... I could probably buy some more time, but she'll probably be charged as soon as I hand in my report, and they'll be knocking on her door then."

Cassiopeia felt very cold all of a sudden. She tucked her hands between her legs so Harry wouldn't see them shaking. "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Well... the thing is, I'm not actually the person who is in charge of the investigation... The guy who got assigned... is not great. He's done basically nothing for months and now that he's being pressured for a conviction he's landed on you. I expressed my concerns about him, not just for this case, but he's a powerful and well-respected Auror, so it's hard. I was allowed to help with the investigation to assuage my worries... and they let me come question you by myself, but they're not actually listening to me unless I have some solid proof you're not guilty."

Cassiopeia didn't quite buy it. "What's in it for you though? Why do you care so much if I get put
away for something I didn't do? And do not give me some bullshit about justice and goodness, please Potter, we're adults."

Harry took a slightly exasperated breath. "Dawlish... the Auror I'm talking about, is up against me for the position of Head Auror, which is freeing up next year. He does not like me... has been trying to convince everyone I'm too young and inexperienced for the position... despite the obvious. And I'm afraid he's succeeding. My friends finally convinced me that I needed to do something a bit more drastic. Show everyone how incompetent he really is. So, now I'm here."

Casa leaned back in her seat. "And this is the case you decided to show his incompetence on?"

"It's the only case we're working on together. I know a lot about it. And I've already been allowed to question you on my own and to be the one to try and get you to cooperate. I'm not thrilled about it, but it works."

After a long pause, Cass said, "Okay."

Harry's brows raised.

"I'd be a fool turning down such an eager offer to prove my innocence. So... tell me, what do they have on me?"

Cass did not really expect him to tell her, but he did.

"Many eyewitnesses have attested to seeing a young woman with white-blond hair around the site of the incident. Some sketches have been drawn off the witnesses' descriptions and they do kind of look like you. But none of the witnesses actually saw the woman doing anything other than walking by before the incident. The fact that it happened in Salisbury is also doing a lot of the heavy lifting in the case. Other than your family, there is only one other Muggle-born wizard living in the area, and he is the person who lost his life in the attack."

They made plans to talk later.

"Before you go," Harry said. "There's something else."

Cass raised a brow.

"I... talked to someone back in the UK, I asked them to go through both Remus and Sirius's things that haven't been sorted completely. They found a draft of Sirius's new will. And I'm having it ratified as official. Someone will contact you about your share soon. They also found this. I thought you should have it."

Harry slid a nondescript envelope across the table to her.

"You didn't have to do that," Cass said.

"I know. I wanted to."

Cass resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Do you think he's being genuine?" Cass asked her cousin, once they were on their way home in the back of a cab.

"Harry?" Sara sighed. "I have no idea. I've never seen anything like it. I guess he could be trying to get you to make a confession by getting you to trust him, but... I don't know, that seems even more far-fetched than him just genuinely trying to help you. And the thing about that corrupt Auror seems true to me."

Cass hummed, still ruminating.

"Cass... I think you should really get a real lawyer."

Cassiopeia glanced at Sara. Her thick brows were furrowed. She looked worried.

"I know. I will."

"Not that I don't want to help you, I do, and I'll keep helping you but after Harry just said... this thing doesn't seem like it's going away so easily. Actually, it sounds really fucking serious, Cass."

Cass took a breath, closed her eyes. "I know. I'll get a lawyer, I promise."

They got dropped off at Aunt Sam's house, and Cass walked home from there. The piece of parchment in her pocket felt like it was burning a hole through the fabric of her jeans. She hurried home and opened it the second she was inside.

Hey kid,

How's it going? Hope you're not studying too hard for those OWLs because I know for a fact you'll nail them. You've got your mother's giant brain, you're set. But seriously, put the books down every so often, go out and feel the air on your face, it'll do you good.

Been going especially crazy cooped up in here for the past few weeks. Remus hasn't been around much, that's probably why. Just me and Kreacher in here. And Buckbeak, can't forget him! I think they're both getting tired of my terrible singing though. Speaking of singing, I checked out the album you told me about, and you were right, it's amazing, and unlike anything I've heard before. I see why you like it so much. I also read the book you mentioned, I finished it in a couple of days, couldn't put it down. I don't remember the last time I read a full book (even before prison). You're a good influence on me, kiddo.

Thanks for trying to keep me entertained. I know I bitch a lot about being bored in here but I promise I'm fine. (If you have any other music or book recommendations, I'd definitely appreciate them though).

Your letters keep me company too. I read them again and again and I don't get bored of them. You sound just like your mother. You said you wanted to know more about her, and I'm sorry I don't know more. I'm sorry I couldn't save her. You might have been a surprise for both of us, but a very welcome one. And I loved your mother for what we made together. I don't know if we would've stayed together after you were born, if things had been different. Why lie to you, we weren't sure if our relationship would work in the long run. But we both knew we wanted you and we wanted to figure it out together.

It was my mistake to let her stay with me during the war. I should've sent her far away when I found out she was pregnant. I tried to tell her. To get her to go with her older sister to Canada. But her little sister was here and so she wanted to stay. Your mother wasn't afraid. Not of the war, not of magic, not of finding out she was sixteen weeks pregnant on a random Tuesday. She had seen war before, she had seen unspeakable horrors. She was strong. She wasn't one to back down so easily.

You know, she refused to leave her house when her village was being razed to the ground outside her door. She had to be dragged out kicking and screaming. That's who your mother was. And she wouldn't have been easily dragged out of her home again.

I'm sorry I didn't do a better job protecting her. I would've given my life for you both. For years, a day didn't go by where I didn't curse every god for not taking me instead of the two of you.

I shouldn't be telling you this. I don't want to put this on you. And I don't have a way with words like you do.

I guess I'm just... afraid that you don't know how much I love you. I wasn't around to show it for so long, and now I'm scared you have no way of knowing. Especially after my little episode when I met you. I guess I was scared it wasn't real. You weren't real. Then I was afraid of what the Malfoys had done to you. And I couldn't bear it. It was just easier to be abrasive. I regret it now. But just talking to you for a few minutes, I knew. I knew it was really you. And I knew that somehow, against all odds... the Malfoys hadn't made you into a little she-demon.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't badmouth the Malfoys. I know you still love them, and that they've been your parents in every sense of the word (as much as it makes me want to hurl). And you're within your right to love them. They took care of you when I couldn't. Even if they didn't raise you as I would have, they kept you clothed, fed, physically safe, when I didn't.

Remus told me you're close to finding Mar's family. I hope you can meet them soon, they're great people, and I'm sure they will be elated to hear from you. They've suffered a lot of loss, they'll love getting someone back for once.

You have no idea how much I love this enchanted notebook. It's the best gift I've ever received. I love being able to talk to you freely. Even if I do tend to write things out before transcribing them to the notebook, like I'm doing now. Maybe it's a bit dumb, but I guess I'm scared to say the wrong things. I've only known you for two months and I've already said the wrong thing more than once. I don't want to fuck up any more.

Not to mention how much I start rambling when I write to you. There are just so many things I want to tell you. And not nearly enough time. Which reminds me I wanted to tell you too that I think you should reconsider talking to Harry. I actually think you two have a lot more in common than you realise. And I think you could be good friends. But no one wants their dad telling them who they should be friends with come on Sirius.

I wish I could turn back time.

I love you. I cried earlier thinking about how much I wish I could be wherever you are. Like a parasite you can't get rid off... just your whole life.

Shit. That sounds fucking weird. Kicking myself on your behalf, Sugar.

Always love,

Dad (is it too soon to sign like that? Shit)

Sirius

Ah fuck it,

Dad