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

32. Stay Or Go

Sirius explained how they had been saved by Hermione using her Ministry issued time turner, but Cassiopeia was only half listening, as she kept slipping in and out of consciousness.
Eventually they landed next to a small cabin in the woods, and Sirius tended to Cassiopeia's wounds, before letting her rest.
When she woke back up, she saw him sitting in a chair beside her bed.
"Watching over me while I sleep, big brother?" Asked Cassiopeia.
Sirius turned to look at her when he realised she was awake, "Always".

Cassiopeia smiled and began to push herself up into a sitting position.
"Careful, the wounds on your back are still healing" warned Sirius.
"Noted... Where are we?" Quizzed Cassiopeia.
"Somewhere safe, I promise. And miles away from Hogwarts, so we don't have to worry about any Dementors finding us" reassured Sirius.
"Good, for I do not like those creatures"
"You and me both"
"It can't have been easy, being stuck in Azkaban with those things"
"It wasn't. But knowing deep down that I was innocent, kept me sane, somehow".

"I'm glad you didn't lose your mind in there. They say most people go crazy in Azkaban" commented Cassiopeia.
"Most do. I heard many people cry and scream over the years, but they always stop eventually, when they give up all hope. I knew I couldn't afford to give up, because you needed me, and so did Harry" admitted Sirius.
"Now that you're out of Azkaban, but still on the run, what is the plan?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"Get as far away from Hogwarts as possible, so that the Ministry remove the Dementors from the castle. That way Harry doesn't have to worry about them anymore. We should probably leave Britain to be on the safe side. Now that we are together it is too dangerous for us to stay in the country, as we will attract more attention as a pair".

"But we can't leave, we have responsibilities here" reminded Cassiopeia.
"Harry is safe while he's at Hogwarts. And now that he knows about his magic, he doesn't need to be afraid of the Dursleys when he returns to them during the summer holidays. He doesn't need us risking our lives by watching over him while he's at Privet Drive. We can stay in contact with him through letters for now, because it will be too dangerous for us to been seen anywhere near him" admitted Sirius.
"We can't just leave him to fend for himself. I've been watching over him his whole life, I can't stop now" insisted Cassiopeia.

"Harry is a 13 year old boy, not an infant. He doesn't need you watching over him anymore" Sirius said gently.
"But Harry isn't the only one who needs me. Draco is my godson as well" reminded Cassiopeia.
Sirius scoffed, "He definitely doesn't need you. He has everything the world can offer, because I'm sure his precious mother and father give him whatever he wants".
"He needs me Sirius, in ways that you just don't understand. He needs me to keep him good" explained Cassiopeia.

"From what I've seen at Quidditch matches, and from my time as Padfoot wandering around Hogsmeade, that boy is as far from good as you can possibly get. He is just like his father" Sirius said coldly.
"In front of a crowd he may act like Lucius, but I know that deep down he is different. Ever since I met him a few years ago I've been helping him to see that his father is not a good man. I've been helping him to determine right from wrong, since his parents never correctly taught him. And I've seen a change in him. The more time I spend with him, the better he becomes. So I know that with more hard work, he will become a good, kind boy, just like Harry" replied Cassiopeia.

"You're deluded. That boy will never be good" snapped Sirius.
"You should not judge a boy for the sins of his father. Draco is not Lucius. And just because Draco was placed in Slytherin like the rest of our family, it does not make him evil. Andy was in Slytherin afterall, and she married a Muggle-born. So, you can be in Slytherin, and be a good person. If Draco only spends time with the worst people in our family, then that is the kind of person he will become. But if he can get to see the good side of the Black family, then he stands a chance of being a good, decent person in the future" insisted Cassiopeia.

"I told you a long time ago that there is no middle ground here and you cannot play both sides. You can't protect Harry, and hang out with the Malfoys at the same time. They are devoted death eaters who will flock to Voldemort's side the moment he returns. And when that happens, you will have to decide where you belong" said Sirius.
"I belong with you and Harry. But Draco is still my godson, and I will not abandon him. I made an oath at his blood ceremony that I would protect him, and put his best interests above my own" reminded Cassiopeia.
"Those are just words. They are not a binding contract like an Unbreakable Vow" replied Sirius.
"I don't care. I gave my word and I don't want to break it".

Sirius sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as he stood to his feet.
"I'm not going to tell you what to do with your life Cass. Our parents tried to do that to us, which is why we rebelled. You can stay in here if you like, and return to Surrey to watch over Harry during the summer. I'm not going to stop you... But I can't go with you. I've been in hiding for almost a year now, and I've hated every minute of it. I want to be truely free, and that is only going to happen if I leave the country and go somewhere different, where no one knows my name. I've seen so little of the world, and it's time I changed that. I may be responsible for Harry, who I care about very deeply, but I still have to try and live my own life. I spent 12 years in Azkaban, and I want the next 12 years of my life to be better than that" revealed Sirius, as he looked out the window at where Buckbeak was frolicking in the sun.

Cassiopeia sat in silence for a few moments, weighing up her options.
She had watched over Harry for so long, that she had forgotten that there was more to life than being a godparent.
After what had happened in Grimmauld Place, she hadn't wanted to keep on living.
But things were different now, for Draco and Harey were both teenagers, and Sirius was finally back in her life.

Very slowly Cassiopeia swung her legs over the side of the bed and forced herself to stand up.
Sirius stepped towards her to make sure she didn't fall.
"Don't overdo it" warned Sirius.
"I'm fine Sirius, stop worrying" insisted Cassiopeia.
"I'm never going to stop worrying about you" admitted Sirius.
"Yeah, I know. And I'm never going to stop worrying about you either... For 12 long years I have waited for this moment, to see you again. And I'm not going to go back to how my life was before, without you"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I am going with you".

Sirius's face lit up, "Really? Are you sure?".
"I am... You were always there for me when I was younger, and my life wasn't worth living when we were apart. I'm not going to lose you when I've just gotten you back. So, from now on, where you go, I go. I will keep in touch with Harry and Draco via owl, to make sure that they are OK. And if they need me, I will be there for them. But for now, it will just be the two of us, off exploring the world" announced Cassiopeia.
"I like the sound of that" replied Sirius.
"Yeah, me too" smiled Cassiopeia.