Cassius had never been so relieved to see the end of a school year before.
After watching a twelve-year-old Hufflepuff go toe to toe against the Minister of Magic on the protection of his new friend, a basilisk older than the school itself, Cassius was happy to just focus on the end-of-year exams instead.
Cassius was also pleased that Beatrice was the one who had to oversee Harry interrogating Newt Scamander and whether the man would treat Marshmallow correctly when the man had shown up to take the basilisk to his creature reserve. Everyone who had been around to watch them had said that Harry was quite ferocious in protecting the ancient snake.
Terrence had teased Cassius later that night that if Harry ever had to protect Cassius he might rip someone's head off. Cassius just called him an idiot in return, ignoring the warm happy feeling from inside him.
Before Cassius knew it, they were at the end-of-year feast and then heading home for another summer. Getting on the train this year was a lot less stressful since they did not have to worry about Harry's family this summer. Harry would be spending the first half of the summer with Susan Bones so that way Madam Bones had easy access to Harry as they go through lawsuits and other legal proceedings. The second half of the summer Harry would spend with Beatrice and her family. With lots of visits from the rest of his friends.
"You'll visit me won't you Cassy?" Harry said from his seat next to Cassius, hugging his stuffed Manta Ray that had been shrunk down to a more manageable size for the ride home.
"Of course I will Little Ray. Nothing will keep me from visiting you." Cassius promised.
Harry was quiet for a moment before leaning against Cassius' side. "I'm gonna miss you."
Beatrice was trying her best to look like she was reading her book, but sitting across from the two oblivious boys just made her want to coo at how cute they were without even meaning to be.
"I'll miss you too. But I promise to visit often and the summer will fly by quickly. We will be back at school before you can even properly settle into Beatrice's house." Cassius murmured, kissing the top of Harry's wild-colored hair without even thinking about it.
Harry blushed but was deeply pleased. Harry spent the rest of the train ride cuddled up against Cassius' side.
As the train pulled into the station, Cassius reluctantly untangled himself from Harry and grabbed their luggage. They said their goodbyes, promising to write and visit each other often. Cassius watched as Harry disappeared into the crowd of magical families, feeling an emptiness in his chest. He wished he could spend every moment with the young boy but knew that was not possible.
As he settled into his summer routine, Cassius found himself missing Harry more and more each day. He tried to distract himself with work and studying, but thoughts of the young boy always lingered in the back of his mind.
The next school year couldn't come fast enough.
Sirius had spent the last twelve years in the dark damp cell in Azkaban mourning the loss of his friends, and the betrayal of not only Peter but also Dumbledore. The cell was dim and only lit by a thin slit of pale moonlight that broke through the ceiling in the middle of the night. The rest of the time it was a dreary black.
The walls were made of grey stone, chipped and cracked along the corners and edges. The entire ceiling was a dripping black mass of mold. The smell of death and despair hangs heavy in the air, permeating every stone and brick of the prison. It was as good a hole to die in as any.
But Sirius couldn't die yet. Not after discovering that not only was Pettigrew still alive but he was hiding with the Weasleys who all attended Hogwarts where Harry would be.
Sweet small Harry, his dear godson and his only heir. After an accident in one of the battles against the Death Eaters, Sirius had been cursed sterile so he made Harry his son and heir in every way he was able to with both James and Lily's blessing.
Sirius had to protect him. He couldn't trust that anyone else would. After twelve years of being locked up and forgotten, Sirius was finally able to escape from his cell since his animagus form was so malnourished and skinny he was able to slip through the bars. All Sirius wanted was to get to Harry and make sure he was safe.
Beatrice loves Harry.
Truly she does.
But she really doesn't love Harry's ability to find magical creatures that could be dangerous.
They only had one week left before they returned to Hogwarts.
One week. Seven Days. One Hundred and Sixty Eight Hours.
And what does her dear sweet devious and secretly evil little badger find? A grim.
A grim that is a foot taller than Harry and is in desperate need of a bath and a meal.
Beatrice sighs deeply, running a hand through her hair as she stares at the large, black dog sitting obediently at Harry's feet. "Harry, you can't keep this...thing," she says, struggling to find the right words. "It's dangerous. It's a sign of death, for Merlin's sake!"
Harry pouts, looking up at her with big, pleading eyes. "But he's just lost and lonely, Bea. He needs us to take care of him." The dog, as if understanding, nudges Harry with his nose and wags his tail.
Harry excitedly hugged the unfortunately dirty dog close to him. She couldn't help but smile at Harry's excitement. It was infectious, and she found herself approaching the grim cautiously. As she got closer, she noticed the matted fur and the dull look in its pale grey eyes. Beatrice knew all too well the stories surrounding Grim. They were an omen of death, a sign that someone close to them would soon pass. But Harry wouldn't care about superstitions like that. Harry saw a creature in need and Harry's big heart wouldn't let him not care for the beast.
"Okay... I will help you clean up and feed the beast. Make him more presentable but you will have to be the one to convince my parents to let you keep him. Okay?" Beatrice caved. She couldn't say no to her little badger, not for long anyway.
Harry squealed happily hugging the grim again before hugging Beatrice.
This boy could take over the world by just being too damn cute to deny.
When Cassius boarded the train for the new school year, all he expected was the surprise of what Harry's new hair color would be since Harry had insisted on Cassius seeing it in person.
Instead, Cassius was greeted by not only an adorable Harry with Slytherin green and Hufflepuff yellow hair wearing a yellow, off-the-shoulder blouse and a flowy white skirt with big sunflowers covering it. But following behind Harry's heel was a grim, a giant ass grim scaring the shit out of everyone on the platform except for Harry.
Cassius couldn't believe his eyes. Harry's hair was always a shock, but the addition of a grim was something else entirely. Cassius approached Harry and the grim, apprehensive but curious nonetheless.
"What on earth is this?" Cassius asked, eyeing the dog warily.
"This is our new friend, Cassy!" Harry said, beaming up at him. "His name is Jazzles."
Cassius couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the ridiculous name, Harry really had a fondness for naming things after sweets. "And how did you come to acquire a grim?"
Harry's face fell slightly. "He was lost and lonely. Bea and I took care of him."
Cassius shook his head in disbelief but couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. It was just like Harry to take in a dangerous creature and treat it like a lost puppy.
"Well, let's get you and Jazzles on the train," Cassius said, grabbing Harry's trunk and leading the way onto the train. "We have a lot to catch up on."
As they made their way through the train, people couldn't help but stop and stare at the large black dog following Harry obediently. Some of the first years even let out small screams of fright. But Harry didn't seem to care. He was too busy talking excitedly to Jazzles.
Cassius settled into his seat with a sigh, watching as Harry curled up next to Jazzles on the opposite seat, already lost in conversation with the grim. Cassius couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards the animal. He wished he could capture Harry's attention as easily as Jazzles had.
But as the train chugged along, Cassius found himself getting lost in Harry's stories and anecdotes. It was impossible not to get drawn in by Harry's infectious energy and enthusiasm. Jazzles, too, proved to be a surprisingly good listener, his head resting on Harry's lap as he gazed up at the boy with his soulful eyes.
As the sun started to set, Cassius couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. For the first time in months, he felt truly happy and at peace. Being around Harry had that effect on him.
The train suddenly stopped, confusing both Cassius and Harry. They weren't anywhere near Hogwarts yet. Cold slowly started to fill the carriage causing the two boys to be able to see their breath. Jazzles started to whimper and whine as their window iced over.
"What's happening Cassy?" Harry asked worriedly, not liking the cold hopeless feeling beginning to fill him.
"I don't know Little Ray, come here." Cassius urged, pulling Harry in close next to him as Jazzle's whines got louder.
Suddenly, the door to their compartment creaked open. In floated a hooded figure, their face obscured by the shadows of their hood. Cassius instinctively reached for his wand, preparing for a fight. Harry clung onto him tightly, fear etched on his face.
Cassius never thought he would come face to face with a Dementor but here he was. He felt all the happiness being leeched from him as the floating creature surveyed the train compartment. Jazzles seemed just as affected as they were by the depressing creature.
"Stop it!" Harry suddenly shouted at the cloaked nightmare. "You are being mean! Leave!"
Did Cassius think that the 13-year-old yelling at the necromantic abomination was going to do anything? Nope not even a little bit.
Did it actually work? Weirdly fucking enough it did.
The creature seemed to look at Harry for a moment before turning around and leaving their compartment. Both Jazzles and Cassius were shaking, but Harry just huffed angrily before wrapping his arms around Cassius.
"That was so rude!" Harry exclaimed, still angry at the Dementor's intrusion. "Who does it think it is, coming in here and making us all miserable?"
Cassius couldn't help but chuckle at Harry's response. Despite the danger they had just been in, Harry could always find a way to make him smile.
"You're something else, Little Ray," Cassius said, ruffling Harry's hair affectionately. "But let's try to forget about that and focus on getting to Hogwarts safely, okay?"
Harry nodded, cuddling up to Cassius as the train resumed its journey. Jazzles, too, seemed to calm down, his whines turning into contented sighs as he rested his head on Harry's lap once more.
As the train pulled into Hogsmeade station, Cassius and Harry gathered their things and made their way onto the platform. Hogwarts was always a welcome sight, promising a new year of adventure and learning.
But as they stepped off the train, Cassius couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He really hoped that this year would be calmer than the last two, if only for Harry's sake, but Cassius was a bit of a pessimist at heart. Only time would tell at this point.