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

4. Family Secrets

**TW SA**

It had been a long time since Cassiopeia had been afraid for her life.
But as she stood on Platform 9 and ¾ with a scarf over her head, she felt truly scared.
If anyone recognised her, she would spend the rest of her life in Azkaban.
She knew that what she was doing was reckless, but she was desperate to prove to Harry, that she wasn't a coward. And she also knew that he needed her there, so she had no choice but to join him, or risk letting James and Lily down.

When Cassiopeia saw Harry arrive on the platform through the barrier, she immediately headed towards him, in case he didn't recognise her in her disguise.
"Did you get here alright?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"Yep. Although I wish you had met me at King's Cross instead, because I panicked and forgot how to get onto the platform. Luckily a wizarding family coached me through it, and I got through the barrier O.K" answered Harry.

"I couldn't hang about on the Muggle side, it was too risky. Muggles and wizards might view my behaviour as suspicious. Magical families are on high alert on the Muggle side, to make sure that no Muggles see them running through the barrier. So, it would have looked odd if I was just hanging around the barrier" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Yeah, yeah, I know" mumbled Harry.
"Well, you made it through in one piece. Here you are, ready to start the next chapter of your life" replied Cassiopeia.

Harry looked at the Hogwarts Express and smiled, "It really is about to happen, isn't it?".
"It most certainly is. Your real life is about to start" grinned Cassiopeia.
"Yeah, it is... This must have been hard for you, when you were a kid. Waving your brother off to Hogwarts, knowing you could never join him" replied Harry.
"It wasn't easy. But at the time, I thought I would be joining my brother at Hogwarts. I thought I was just a late bloomer, and that my magic would come in eventually. It wasn't until I was 11, and I never got my Hogwarts letter, that I really accepted that I was a Squib".

"Is it hard for you now? Being here with me?" Questioned Harry.
"No, it's not. I don't have magic, so I do not belong at Hogwarts. I'm way too old for school now anyway. It's time for your generation to start your journeys" answered Cassiopeia.
"Will you write to me, while I'm away?" Asked Harry.
"I don't own an owl Harry, so there is no way I can send you letters, since I can't exactly stroll into Diagon Alley and pay to use the owl post, when I'm a wanted criminal"
"I could send Hedwig to you, and you could use her to send back a reply".

"I'm homeless Harry, I don't exactly have a fixed address that you could write on a letter" admitted Cassiopeia.
"I'm sure Hedwig could find you, if you stayed in Little Whinging" insisted Harry.
"I can't really afford to spend money on luxuries like quills, ink, and parchment" replied Cassiopeia.
"My parents left me loads of money, I can send you some"
"I will not take your money. It is my job to provide for you, not the other way around".

"But I want you to write to me, and if that will only happen if I send you ink and stuff first, then that is what I will do. This is for my benefit, not yours, so will you agree?" Asked Harry.
"You are a very determined young boy. Alright fine, I will write to you, to see how you are doing. But only once a month" informed Cassiopeia.
"I will take whatever I can get. It's not like anyone else is going to write to me this year" Harry said quietly.

Cassiopeia stepped forward and hugged Harry tight, "Your parents would be here right now, if they could. And I know that wherever they are, they're watching down on you, wishing you luck".
"I'm going to need all the luck I can get" mumbled Harry, as he extracted himself from Cassiopeia's embrace.
"You don't need luck, for you are going to do great. Now, get on that train and find yourself a seat" instructed Cassiopeia.

"O.K. Will I see you at Christmas?" Questioned Harry.
"I think you will prefer to spend Christmas at Hogwarts, just like my brother used to do. I've heard that the Christmases there are quite spectacular. I'll see you next summer though, and in the meantime we will communicate via owl" replied Cassiopeia.
"Alright then. Stay out of trouble until I get back" instructed Harry.
"I'm like you Harry, trouble seems to seek me out, no matter how hard I try to avoid it. But I will try my best, if you promise to do the same"
"I promise"
"Good. Now go and have some fun".