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

42. Taking A Stand

Cassiopeia didn't sleep that night, she just sat in a chair beside Harry and watched over him, intend to stop any more harm from coming to him.
She wasn't alone though, as there was a large group of Harry's supporters around his bedside.
But no one said anything to each other, choosing to sit in silence instead. Since no one wanted to disturb Harry.
However, their peace didn't last long because they suddenly heard a commotion outside of the hospital wing, and it was getting closer.

Cassiopeia just had enough time to dive behind a hospital curtain before the Minister for Magic entered the room accompanied by Snape and McGonagall.
The trio were arguing loudly, and it wasn't long until Dumbledore appeared to question them as to why they were disturbing Harry's rest.
Even though Cassiopeia was disguised, she didn't want Fudge to see her, as he might start to ask difficult questions about who she was, since she would be the only one in the room he wouldn't recognise. So she decided to stay hidden behind the curtain instead, eavesdropping on the conversation, instead of participating.

"Minerva, I thought I left you to guard Barty Crouch jr" said Dumbledore.
"There is no need to guard him anymore, the Minister has seen to that. When I told him we'd caught the man responsible for all of this, he felt his own personal safety was at risk, so he brought two Dementors with him. The minute they saw Barty Crouch they desended on him and they performed the Dementors Kiss" revealed McGonagall.

Cassiopeia didn't hear what was said next, as she was in too much of a shock to listen.
She may have turned her back on Barty, that that didn't mean that she wanted him to suffer the Dementors Kiss.
Many believed it was a fate worse than death, and it was what awaited Sirius, if he was ever caught.
To have one's soul sucked out through their mouth, was such a horrific thought that it made Cassiopeia sick to the stomach even thinking about it.

Cassiopeia thought back to the boy she had laughed with, and danced with at numerous balls during her teenage years.
Now he would never laugh again, or even utter a single word for the rest of his existance.
Barty Crouch Jr was now a hollow husk of a person, unthinking and unfeeling.
And that was a fate Cassiopeia didn't think anyone deserved, except perhaps Voldemort himself.

The sound of Dumbledore raising his voice drew Cassiopeia back to the present.
He continued arguing with Fudge over the death of Cedric Diggory, insisting that the boy was killed by Voldemort.
But Fudge was a stubbon man and he would rather believe that Harry was a crazy liar, than accept that Voldemort had returned.
So he turned his back on Dumbledore and stormed out of the hospital wing.

Once Cassiopeia was sure that Fudge was gone, she stepped out around the curtain and rejoined the others.
Everyone was staring at Dumbledore, waiting to see what he would do next. He was their leader, and they were merely soliders awaiting orders.
"Right, we need to act quickly. Fudge's responce, while not completely unexpected, complicates matters. I need to get word to my correspondences at the Ministry, before Fudge has time to corrupt them and turn them against me... Molly, can I count on you and Arthur's support?" Asked Dumbledore.

Molly nodded her head, "Of course".
"Good, then he needs to be told right away" replied Dumbledore.
"I'll go to dad and tell him what has happened" announced Bill.
"Be careful, don't let Fudge learn what you are up to" warned Dumbledore.
"Don't worry, I'll be discreet" reassured Bill.
He then patted Harry on the shoulder, before heading out of the room at a quick pace.

"Now that is done, it is time for those of us in the group to accept each other, for who they truely are" informed Dumbledore, as he looked down at Padfoot.
"Dumbledore, are you sure that is wise?" Asked Cassiopeia nervously.
"It is necessary, we are all on the same side now afterall" replied Dumbledore.
"Very well" sighed Cassiopeia.
Dumbledore pointed his wand at her and removed his enchantment, as Sirius returned to his human form.

"Sirius Black!" Screeched Molly.
"Mum calm down. Sirius isn't really a murderer" revealed Ron.
"What is he doing here?" Growled Snape, as he glared daggers at Sirius.
"He is here as my invited guest, as are you Severus. And I need you both to work together from now on" informed Dumbledore.
"Not going to happen" spat Sirius.
"I am not expecting you to be best friends. I will settle for now, for a lack of open hostility. You will both shake hands" instructed Dumbledore.
Both men looked ready to argue, but after a few awkward moments they stepped forwards in unison, and shook hands as quickly as humanly possible before letting go.

Once sure that Snape wasn't going to attack her brother, Cassiopeia turned her attention to Molly Weasley.
"Hello Molly" she said awkwardly.
"Little Cassie Black" gasped Molly, when she realised who was stood in front of her.
"Not so little anymore. I've changed a lot since-" Cassiopeia faltered as Molly suddenly ran at her and threw her arms around her, holding her in a hug.
"This is unexpected" continued Cassiopeia.
"Did you expect me to turn on you in disgust?" Asked Molly.
"Well yeah, kind of" admitted Cassiopeia.

"Those of us that helped the Order during the war, knew you. You were kind and sweet, and not the monster the papers made you out to be. And we all knew what Walburga was really like. When we heard that your mother had died and you had been held responsible for her death, none of us viewed you as a murderer, only as someone who had done was what necessary to escape a horrible existence" revealed Molly.
"I killed an innocent child too though" Cassiopeia said quietly.
"Which I'm sure was not done on purpose. And I expect it has been playing on your conscience ever since. But I want you to know that there are many of us who don't see you as a cold blooded killed" insisted Molly.

"Molly, there isn't time for this now. There is work to be done" interjected Dumbledore.
"Of course... We'll talk properly later" Molly whispered to Cassiopeia.
"If Voldemort is planning to rebuild his army then we must do the same... Sirius, Cassiopeia go ahead and alert the old crowd; Mundungus Fletcher, Arabella Figg, Elphias Doge. Anyone that is ready to fight alongside another war. Once you are done, lie low at Lupin's for a while. I will contact you there when I get the chance" instructed Dumbledore.

"Wait, we can't just go around to different Order member's houses, when they all think Sirius is a murderer who betrayed us all during the last war" reminded Cassiopeia.
"She's got a point. No one is going to believe a word I say. And they are likely to attack me on sight" added Sirius.
"I will send a Patronus message on ahead, telling them to expect your company. That way they know you are innocent before you get there" said Dumbledore.
"Alright" nodded Sirius.

"Do you have to go?" Harry asked quietly.
"I have to help Dumbledore rebuild the Order so we can stop Voldemort. Dumbledore can't do it all by himself. You understand don't you" said Sirius softly.
"Yeah, I guess" mumbled Harry.
Cassiopeia threw her arms around Harry and squeezed him tight.
"We will see you again soon" she promised.

As Cassiopeia let go of Harry she saw a silent look pass between Dumbledore and Snape, which made her frown.
"You know what you have to do" said Dumbledore coldly.
"Yes" mumbled Snape as he turned to go.
"Wait!" Cassiopeia suddenly called out, stopping him.
Snape spun back around, eyeing her curiously, "Yes. Can I help you?".
"I think you can. You're the head of Slytherin house aren't you?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"I am" answered Snape.
"Good.  Because there is someone in your house that I need to talk to. And I'm hoping you can take me to them"
"Really? And who might this person be?"
"Draco Malfoy".