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

25. Black Stain

Since Narcissa couldn't persuade Cassiopeia to stay hidden, she transfigured her face so that no one would recognise her.
Despite her disguise, Cassiopeia was full of nerves when she snuck into Diagon Alley for the first time in years.
But Narcissa's magic held strong, and no one stopped Cassiopeia or even glanced her way.
So, Cassiopeia bought an ice cream from Florean Fortescue, and sat outside waiting for Harry to make an appearance.

Cassiopeia was prepared to wait all day for Harry, but luckily within a couple of hours he entered the street and headed straight for Quality Quidditch Supplies, to stare at the new Firebolt broomstick on display in the window.
After summoning all of her courage, Cassiopeia stood up and made her way over to Harry.
"Excuse me, Harry, may I have a word?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"Do I know you?" Questioned Harry cautiously.
"It's complicated... Is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Quizzed Cassiopeia.
"I've been told that I'm not allowed to wander off with people I don't know. Not when there's a murderer on the loose".

"You are wise to be cautious, but I mean you no harm" insisted Cassiopeia.
"Why should I trust you?" Demanded Harry.
"Because you've known me all of your life, and I've never hurt you before... It's me, Cee" revealed Cassiopeia.
Harry took a step back in horror, "Why do you look different?".
"I had someone with magic transfigure my appearance so that I could get here without anyone noticing me" explained Cassiopeia.

"I know who you are now. And I know that your real name is Cassiopeia Black" informed Harry.
"Yes, I thought you might have seen the Daily Prophet's article about me" sighed Cassiopeia.
"I assume you've come here to tell me that the Prophet was lying about you, and that you are actually innocent" replied Harry.
"Not exactly"
"So it's true, you are a murderer"
"I am, but the Ministry don't know what really happened that day. They don't know why I did what I did".

"You killed a baby. There is nothing that could ever excuse that kind of behaviour" Harry said coldly.
"I never meant to hurt the baby, it was an accident. You know me Harry, do you really think I'm the kind of person that would intentionally kill an innocent child?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"No, but if you were innocent then why didn't you tell me the truth about your crime?" Questioned Harry.
"Because I didn't want you to judge me for my actions. The child's death may have been an accident, but it's a crime I am still wanted by the Ministry for. A black stain I cannot ever remove from my life. You were too young when I first introduced myself to you, to fully understand what happened all those years ago, so I didn't tell you about it".

"The papers said you killed your own mother, because you're a Squib of limited intelligence who was kidnapped by her death eater brother and taught to be violent. How much of that is true?" Quizzed Harry.
"I killed my mother, I admit, but only because I didn't have a choice. The only way for me to be free, was to remove her from my life. She had made my life a living hell, and kept me chained up in a basement. In the end, I poisoned her, just like she had done to me when I was a teenager. And unfortunately the baby ended up getting poisoned as well. I may be a Squib, but I am certainly not a half-wit, that is just propaganda the Ministry has spread about me. It was based off a story my mother told them, when she abducted me. She told them I was a fool, who couldn't live on her own, and they believed her" revealed Cassiopeia.

"The papers also say that your brother was Sirius Black, a mass murderer and death eater" said Harry.
"My brother is neither of those things. But I don't expect you to believe me about him, since you don't know him, so you have no reason to believe what I say. However, you do know me. I've been watching you your whole life, and you've been spending time with me for years. You know I'm not a bad person" insisted Cassiopeia.
"You've killed people" reminded Harry.

"I didn't have a choice! If you think the Dursleys are bad, you should go back in time and meet my mother. She used to lock me in our family's basement for months at a time. She would beat me, and use Unforgivable Curses on me, just because I was a Squib. She made my whole life a living hell, and killing her was the only way I could escape it. Yes, I killed my mother, but I don't see it as murder, only self defense" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Why did you have to kill her? Why didn't you just run away?" Asked Harry.
"I did! I did run away. But she told the Ministry that I couldn't look after myself. So when my brother was sent to Azkaban, I was taken by aurors and handed over to my mother. She then enchanted our house so that I couldn't leave. The only way that spell would break, was if she was dead. So, I had no choice" replied Cassiopeia.

Harry stared at her in silence for a few minutes, processing everything Cassiopeia had said.
"The Ministry think you are hiding your brother. Is it true?" He asked.
Cassiopeia shook her head, "No, I'm not. I wish I was. I haven't seen Sirius in years, and I would do anything to talk to him again".
"I heard someone say that he has escaped Azkaban, to find and kill me. If he is with you, then it is too dangerous for me to be near you" replied Harry.
"Sirius means you no harm Harry, I promise you. We spent our youth fighting death eaters. We never joined You-Know-Who".

"How can I trust you, when you've lied to me all this time?" Asked Harry.
"I never lied to you, I just omitted certain parts of my life, out of the stories I told you. Withholding information isn't the same as lying" replied Cassiopeia.
Harry rolled his eyes, "You never give a straight answer... I expect if I ask why you don't think Sirius is trying to kill me, you won't tell me the truth".
"I wish I could. But there is too much you don't understand about what happened all those years ago. And if I try to explain it, you'll start to think that I really am crazy, since it's a long story" admitted Cassiopeia.

"You are good at coming up with excuses, aren't you?" Frowned Harry.
"The past is complicated, and I'm not the only one involved in it-" started Cassiopeia.
"Forget it, I don't want to hear more lies, or half truths. I think it would be best if you stayed away from me" interupted Harry.
"You know I can't do that. I'm your godmother, it's my job to protect you"
"Well, you haven't done a very good job at it so far. And since I return to Hogwarts soon, I have no need for a guardian"
"That's not fair. I have tried to keep you safe, but you haven't always made it easy for me"
"Well, don't bother trying to watch over me anymore, since it's clearly such hard work. I don't need you stalking me anymore, and butting your nose in where it isn't wanted".

"Even if you don't want to talk to me, you know I'm still going to follow you around. I made a promise to your parents that I would protect you" reminded Cassiopeia.
"Well, I don't want your protection. And if you continue following me, I will tell the Minister that someone is watching me, and you'll end up getting yourself arrested" warned Harry.
His words hit Cassiopeia like shards of glass.
"Is that really what you want? For me to spend the rest of my life in prison, just for trying to escape from my abusive mother?" She asked quietly.

Harry's face softed, "No... But I don't want you following me anymore. If I feel like someone is watching me, I won't know if it's you or Sirius Black. I don't want to feel unsafe for the rest of my life, while Black is still at large, so the best thing for you to do, is leave me alone".
"Alright. If that's what you really want, then I'll leave you alone... I was just trying to keep you safe, and give you a happy life. You were the son, I couldn't have, and I wanted you to have it all... But if you don't want me, then I understand. I'll leave you alone. And if you ever change your mind, and want to see me again, your owl knows where to find me" sighed Cassiopeia, before turning her back on Harry, and walking away.