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

34. Wife Of A Monster

Unfortunately Cassiopeia and Sirius's time in the sun didn't last forever.
When death eaters ran riot at the Quidditch world cup final, and Harry started having visions of Voldemort in his sleep, they knew it was time for them to return to England to support their godson.
With Buckbeak as transport, it didn't take the pair too long to get back in the country.
And the first place Cassiopeia wanted to go was to the home Narcissa had bought her, as she wanted to get some more of her personal items that she had left there.

"Nice place" commented Sirius, as they stepped inside.
"Thanks" mumbled Cassiopeia, before heading towards her bedroom to fetch some of her clothes.
"You know, when you said you were sleeping on the streets while you were in hiding from the Ministry, this isn't quite what I had in mind. A warm bed to sleep in and hot running water is better than anything I had in Azkaban" admitted Sirius.
Cassiopeia turned back around to face him and frowned.

"I haven't been living here for 12 years. After I ran away from Grimmauld Place, I really was living on the streets. After a few years I got better at finding abandoned buildings to sleep in, so I wasn't sleeping outside so much. I also became a better theif, so I was able to steal enough money to sleep in hostels from time to time. But I certainly wasn't sleeping in 5 star apartments every night. I only got this place from Narcissa once the boys were at Hogwarts. I saw her at King's Cross, and when I told her what her husband had done to me, she felt guilty. Which is when she used some of his money to buy me this place. So, I have only started living here recently. But those first few years on the streets were very hard for me. It is not easy to be a young homeless woman you know. I don't want you claiming that you had it harder, because life was just as tough for me as it was for you. At least you got fed in Azkaban, I had to fight for every meal, otherwise I didn't eat" snapped Cassiopeia.

Sirius raised up his hands in surrender, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry. I don't want us to play the who had it worse game. Because both of our lives have been pretty shit so far".
"I guess that's true... I don't want to fight you either" sighed Cassiopeia.
"Good... Look, I know that you wanted to grab some stuff from here, but is it really safe for us to be in here while there is a manhunt going on for me?" Questioned Sirius.
"Cissy bought this place from the Muggle government using their currency, so the Ministry couldn't trace it back to her. Which means it will be safe for us to stay in for a few days if we like, before we head up to Hogsmeade. Unless you would rather spend an extra few unnecessary days on the streets"
"I'm not going to turn down a comfy bed after everything I've been through, as long as it is safe".

"I don't know about that".
Sirius and Cassiopeia spun around and immediately raised their knives at the figure now standing in the doorway.
"Cissy" mumbled Cassiopeia, when she realised who it was.
"Yes. Do put down those silly Muggle weapons, you look ridiculous pointing them at me" informed Narcissa.
Cassiopeia lowered her knife, but Sirius didn't.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"I do own the property, so I am free to come and go as I like. But if you must know, I'm here to see my favourite cousin. And in case you had any doubts about who that is, it's not you" revealed Narcissa.

"How did you know that I was here?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"After you ran off last year, looking for him, I had an enchantment placed around the property, so that I would instantly know if anyone had stepped foot inside" explained Narcissa.
"Smart" replied Cassiopeia, before placing her hand over Sirius's, and pushing his knife hand down.
"I must say, I was very distraught when I found that you were missing. After everything I had done to keep you safe, I couldn't believe you would risk it all, just to find him"
"Sirius is my brother, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for him".

"Yes, I see that now. But I just wish you had given some thought into those you left behind. Both me and Draco were devastated when we saw that you had runaway. And we spent months worrying about you, thinking that every day as we opened the Prophet we were going to read about your capture and imprisonment" informed Narcissa.
"I'm not a small, naughty child, I did not runaway. I went looking for my brother, because I knew that he needed me. Besides, I had been in hiding for years before you came along. So I knew how to stay hidden" replied Cassiopeia.
"You couldn't have written to me to let me know you were OK. I didn't even know you were alive until last month when you sent me that owl"
"I was on the run, with no money. I couldn't exactly stop every week to write you a long essay of what I had been up to, and then send it in the post".

"You didn't tell me you'd written to her as well as Harry" frowned Sirius.
"I didn't write to her, I wrote to Draco. I didn't want him worrying about me, so once you and I were out of the country and safe, I let him know that I was alright" admitted Cassiopeia.
"I see" mumbled Sirius.
"Look Draco is my godson, and he deserves to know that I am OK, just as much as Harry"
"Yeah, but Harry isn't the one living with the enemy"
"The whole wizarding world thinks we are criminals, and since Harry is staying with the Weasleys at the moment, he is technically living the enemy, just like Draco"
"The Weasleys are good people, it's not the same".

"Oh I see. So, I'm the enemy now am I?" Asked Narcissa.
"Since you're sleeping with a death eater who killed many people during the war, and caused havoc at the Quidditch world cup the other day, I would say yes, you are the enemy" spat Sirius.
"I did not commit my husbands crimes" countered Narcissa.
"But you knew about them, that makes you guilty by association. Besides, you are not exactly an innocent woman yourself. You did nothing to help Cassie when she was a child. In fact you even put her in danger on multiple occasions. Instead of trying to protect her from my mother, you tried to hand Cassie over to her. That makes you the ememy in my book".

"I was a very different person back then, and I have tried to make ammends for my past actions. I bought Cassie this house afterall" reminded Narcissa.
"You don't get to show up at the last second and claim to be a martyr by giving her somewhere to live. She didn't need your help, she was doing just fine without you" snapped Sirius.
"I could say the same about you. She didn't need you either. In fact your escape from Azkaban put Cassie in a lot of danger. You're the reason her face got plastered all over the Daily Prophet. The Ministry had practically forgotton about her, but your escape put her crime back in the papers again. Being around you is dangerous for her, and if the Ministry get their hands on her, that will be your fault. Killing your mother won't get you the Dementors Kiss, but being caught with you, will".

"OK, this is not healthy for either of you. So please stop fighting" begged Cassiopeia as she stepped inbetween the pair.
"Fine... But Narcissa, just because Cassiopeia has forgiven you for your wrongdoings, it doesn't mean I have. For I will never forgive you, for what you and your people did to her" announced Sirius.
"Well, it's a good thing I don't seek your forgiveness then" informed Narcissa.
"Cissy, I think it would be best if you leave" suggested Cassiopeia.
"Alright, I can see that I've outstayed my welcome... It's clear that now you have your brother back, you have no need for the rest of your family. But just remember who was here for you these past few years. And when he lets you down again, you know where to find me" said Narcissa, before turning and walking out the door.

"Find the things you want to take with us, and let's get out of here" instructed Sirius.
"I take it we are not staying the night then?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"I couldn't get a good night's sleep in a place where a Malfoy could walk in at any moment" spat Sirius.
"Alright then, I'll get my stuff, and then we'll go... But Siri, just remember that Narcissa isn't the bad guy. She's not the one you are angry at, it's her husband"
"She chose to stay with that monster all these years, even though she knows what he is like. And she failed to help you when you were all alone and desperate for someone to save you while you were locked in 12 Grimmauld Place. That makes her the bad guy in my eyes, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind".