Black [1]

Chapter 15

I'm sitting up in bed, unable to stop myself from glancing towards the clock every few minutes. I'm reading another extract of Sirius's diary, but my heart's not in it. There's nothing really wrong specifically, but at the same time, everything's wrong. This is my first birthday without my adoptive parents, and I'm not really talking to Harry. I just wish things could go perfectly right for once.

Crookshanks jumps up onto my bed and on my stomach, making me let out an obliging "Oof" before clutching my stomach in pain. My movement wakes Oreo. "Really?" I huff at the cat, rolling onto my side and putting the diary on the bedside before my arms go back to my stomach. "Right on my stomach? I don't know why we're friends."

Oreo goes over to Crookshanks, snuggling by his side, clearly exhausted. It's only when she continuously paws at his paw that I take notice, realising there's something attached to it with string. "What's this?" I murmur, taking it before unrolling the note, skimming it quickly.

Beowulf,

Is it possible you could sneak out and meet me? There's something I need to talk to you about.

Padfoot.

"'Talk about something', my-" I stop myself before I can say anything, although I can't stop the wide grin on my face. He knows it's my birthday today, he's my father. Why else would he want to speak to me tonight of all nights? I pull the covers back, quickly getting dressed before going over to the cats, asking if they want to come. Oreo seems to yawn, baring her sharp teeth before curling up in my duvet, and Crookshanks lies down next to her as if saying he'll take care of her while I go. I smile, then leave them behind, bringing the diaries with me.

I swear I hear a sound while I'm crossing in the common room, but now that Harry has the map I can't use it. I'm going to have to rely on my hearing, which is a lot better when I'm a wolf, but I can't walk around as one in the corridors. I turn, trying to make out differences in the dark, but after deeming myself paranoid I continue heading out.

"Cassia Black, where do you think you're going?" I hear the Fat Lady ask tiredly behind me as I climb out of the portrait hall, making me curse quietly. I assumed she was asleep. She's close to it, I see when I turn around, her eyelids droopy.

Trying to make it sound more like a dream, I give the first stupid answer I think of. "The land of unicorns that poop rainbow jellybeans." As soon as it comes out, I want to facepalm. I'm really stupid. There's a reason I didn't get into Ravenclaw.

She yawns, nodding, already not listening. "Sounds good."

I creep through the hallways, insanely thankful not to bump into any professors, before getting down to the Whomping Willow and transforming after freezing the tree. It seems easier than usual, or maybe I'm starting to get used to sneaking around. Strange considering I used to be (and still sort of am) a goody two-shoes.

When I get to the Shrieking Shack, I look around for Sirius, biting my lip when I don't catch sight of him immediately. He's not caught or anything, is he? "Dad?" I call out hesitantly, the first time I've called him that, I can't help but notice. As soon as I say it, I realise I shouldn't have, just in case it was someone else here and not Sirius. I would've given him away.

I turn around when I hear a sound, only to shriek as Sirius suddenly wraps his arms around and spins me around in the air, making me hold onto him tightly as he laughs. Despite having been in Azkaban, he's still strong. Eventually, though, he has to put me down considering I'm quite heavy, not a baby anymore. "Happy birthday," he smiles widely, and I can tell by the shine in his eyes that he's wanted to say it to me for a long time. He's missed out on so many birthdays.