Squib On The Run (sequel to Squib In The basement)

2. Little Fawn

Cassiopeia stared at her 11 year old godson, who had absolutely no idea who she was, and was stuck with what to say to him.
He looked so much like his father, that she was struggling not to think about James when looking at him.
"Who are you really? I take it that Cee, isn't your real name?" Questioned Harry, interupting her thoughts.
"No, it's not. But I'm not going to give you my real name. Trust me, it's better for both of us if you never learn my true name" admitted Cassiopeia.

"How can I trust you, if I don't know who you really are?" Asked Harry.
"I guess that's a good point. Trusting people is hard, and trusting the wrong people gets you killed. But, you deserve to know the truth, or at least some of it... I was good friends with your parents, and when you were born, they made me your godmother. If anything happened to them, I was supposed to look after you" explained Cassiopeia.

Harry's jaw dropped, "Really?".
"Yes. That is why I've been following you, your entire life. I've been keeping my distance from you, until you were old enough to learn about the wizarding world. Once Hagrid told you what you are, I started keeping a closer eye on you, in case anyone else from our world tried to talk to you" revealed Cassiopeia.
"You know Hagrid?" Quizzed Harry.
"A little" answered Cassiopeia.
"I suppose you know him from when you went to Hogwarts"
"I actually never attended Hogwarts when I was your age"
"Really? How come?".

Cassiopeia sighed, "Because I am not a witch. In our world, I am what is known as a Squib. A person born to magical parents, who has no magic themselves".
"Oh. That must be hard" Harry said awkwardly.
"It is certainly not easy being a Squib. Watching everyone around me do magic, hurt. But since I've never known any different, I've gotten used to it" replied Cassiopeia.

"If you really are my godmother, then why don't I live with you?" Questioned Harry.
"I thought you'd be better off with the Dursleys, so I decided to leave you with them, since that is where Dumbledore wanted you to be... In hindsight though, I think you would have been better off with me, even if I am basically homeless. So, I'm sorry I left you there. At the time, I didn't have anything to offer you, so I thought that leaving you with your family was the best thing for you" answered Cassiopeia.
"That's alright. You can't have known how the Dursleys were going to treat me" replied Harry.
"Still, you deserved better, and I'm sorry that you've suffered... Anyway, I had better get going now. Take care Harry".

"No, wait, you can't go. I still don't know anything about you. There is so much about the wizarding world that I don't know yet. I've asked Petunia things, and she has refused to tell me anything. I'm not allowed to even talk about magic inside the house. I have to know more about this world, and my parents. So please don't go without telling me more" begged Harry.
Cassiopeia sighed, "It's a long story Harry, and not a particularly pleasant one... How long have you got until you're needed back at the Dursley's house?".
"They wouldn't notice if I never came back... But I really should be back by dinner, so that I don't get scolded for being late" replied Harry.

"Alright then. How about I take you out for a cake and a drink, and tell you some things about the wizarding world?" Suggested Cassiopeia.
"Yes please. Are we going to head to Diagon Alley, I liked it there?" Asked Harry excitedly.
"No. Not there" Cassiopeia said quickly.
Harry frowned at her responce.
"It's just that, getting to London is expensive and it would take too long to get to the Leaky Cauldron. Besides, I can't access Diagon Alley without magic" lied Cassiopeia.
"Oh, O.K" mumbled Harry, not really believing her.
"Let's just head for a nearby Muggle cafe. I'll even let you pick out anything you want"
"Sounds good to me".

Cassiopeia headed to the nearest coffee shop, with Harry practically skipping beside her.
He was so desperate to learn more about the wizarding world, that he was willing to follow a stranger through town.
Cassiopeia didn't really have the money to waste on things like cakes and biscuits. But since this was her first interaction with Harry in years, she wanted to spoil him.
The Dursleys were also intent on starving him, so Cassiopeia wanted to fatten him up a bit.

Once the pair had ordered their food, they took it to a small table in the corner of the room, and sat down.
"So, how exactly did you meet my parents, if you didn't go to Hogwarts?" Asked Harry, through a mouthful of muffin.
"My brother was best friends with your dad, and he introduced us. My brother wanted me to be friends with his friends, since I didn't have any of my own, due to me being a Squib. When James started dating Lily, I became friendly with her as well. I got to know your grandparents very well too, as James's parents tried to adopt me into their family" revealed Cassiopeia.

"What happened to my grandparents? Why don't I know them?" Questioned Harry.
"They died of Dragon Pox after your parents got married, so you never got to meet them" answered Cassiopeia.
"What's Dragon Pox?" Quizzed Harry.
"A very contagious disease in the wizarding world. There was an outbreak of it that winter, and like many people, I also caught it. Dragon Pox isn't necessarily fatal, but if you are old or weak, then it's harder to fight off the disease. And your grandparents were rather old, as they had your dad late in life".

"I see... Why did they try to adopt you? Are your parents dead as well?" Asked Harry.
"They are now, but they weren't at the time. My parents weren't exactly the nicest, so me and my brother moved out when we were teenagers. My brother moved in with James's family, and I moved in with my uncle. And then when my uncle died a few years later, me and my brother got a place together" informed Cassiopeia.
"Why aren't you telling me your brother's name?" Frowned Harry.
"Trust me, it's better if I don't tell you anybody's name. It's safer that way, for everyone involved. There are some things that I just can't talk about. Ask me questions about the wizarding world, but don't ask me specifics about your parents or their deaths, because I don't want to have to lie to you".

"I already know that they were killed by someone called Voldemort. He tried to kill me as well, but for some reason he failed, and I was left with his scar" revealed Harry, pointing up the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
"We don't speak his name out loud, and you would be wise not to say it in the company of other witches and wizards" warned Cassiopeia.
She shuddered at the name she hadn't heard in nearly 10 years. After all that time, it still brought terror to her.
"Sorry. Hagrid mentioned that he didn't like saying the name. But I didn't realise it was a universal thing" apologised Harry.

"That man did so much damage to the wizarding world, that even now we don't like to hear his name. He took so much from me, that it hurts to hear his name, and be reminded of the pain that he caused me" explained Cassiopeia.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise. I won't say it again, I promise" insisted Harry.
"It's alright. You weren't to know. That's why I'm here, to tell you things about the magical world, that you don't know about... So, ask away" encouraged Cassiopeia.