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

27. Good Heart

Even though Narcissa had promised Cassiopeia that Draco wasn't mad at her, she was still apprehensive about seeing him, since her meeting with Harry had gone so poorly.
She paced the room until Narcissa returned with Draco at her side.
"I'll leave you two alone, so that you can talk" Narcissa said quietly, before stepping back out the door.
"Cissy said that you've known for some time why I've been on the run, so the Daily Prophet article didn't come as much as a shock to do, as it did to others" mumbled Cassiopeia.
"I know you begged me not to ask my mother about you, but did you really expect me not to?" Asked Draco.
"No, I didn't. But you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat. Knowledge isn't always a good thing" admitted Cassiopeia.

"I get that. But I'm glad that I learned what you did. It stopped me from thinking the worst about you" informed Draco.
"Surely knowing the truth about by crimes, is worse?" Frowned Cassiopeia.
Draco shook his head, "No, there are way worse scenarios I came up with in my head, before I found out what you did".
"Really? I'm a murderer Draco. I killed people. That's a pretty bad crime" replied Cassiopeia.
"I don't see what you did as murder. My mother told me that your mother was not a kind woman. She told me that my Great Aunt Walburga was a cruel woman, who used to hurt you. Which means that you killing her was self defense and not murder".

"What about the baby? Do you think me a murderer for killing him?" Quizzed Cassiopeia.
"I assume his death was an accident, right?" Asked Draco.
"Of course. I would never intentionally kill a small child" insisted Cassiopeia.
"Then it wasn't your fault, it was just an accident. And an accident doesn't make you a murderer".
Cassiopeia smiled, "I'm glad you don't hate me for what I did".
"Why would I hate you for something that happened a decade ago, which doesn't even involve me?" Questioned Draco.
"Not everyone can overlook my actions like you, and see that I didn't have a choice in killing my mother. Some people feel that they can't trust me because of what I did".

Draco frowned, "I thought you didn't have contact with anyone other than me and my parents, and neither of them care about any of this. Have you spoken to someone else about the Daily Prophet article concerning you?".
"Yes" Cassiopeia answered honestly.
"Does my mother know you have spoken to someone?" Questioned Draco.
"She does. Cissy didn't approve of what I did, but she knew why I had to do it"
"Who did you talk to?"
"I'm sorry Draco, but I can't tell you that".

Draco sighed, "More secrets... But at this point, I shouldn't be suprised. I know what you are like".
"I don't intentionally keep secrets from you to be cruel, but I don't think that you would like the truth" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Well, if you won't tell me who you met up with, then you can't be mad when I figure out the truth by myself" replied Draco.
"No Draco, please don't do that" begged Cassiopeia.
"Why? Why can't I know the truth? You know that I'm on your side, so you know that you can trust me"
"The truth isn't just about you, it concerns many people. And I can't have everyone discovering this secret"
"I promise you that I won't tell another soul, please just tell me who you saw today".

"Alright, I'll tell you... But first, I want to know what you know about my brother, Sirius?" Quizzed Cassiopeia.
"Not much. The Prophet claim that he is a death eater, but I've heard my parents talk about him, so I know that he wasn't really a murderer, it was one of his friends who committed the crimes he is accused of" admitted Draco.
"What do you know about his relationship with the Potters?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"He was best friends with them, right?"
"Yes, James Potter was like a brother to Sirius. And he entrusted Sirius with a very important task, should anything happen to him and Lily. Do you know what that task was?"
"Oh, yeah, he's Harry Potter's godfather right. Sirius Black is Harry's godparent, just like you are mine".

Cassiopeia heard the pride in Draco's voice when he announced that she was his godmother. And she didn't want to hurt him by revealing that he wasn't her only godson.
"Exactly. And since Sirius is now on the run, everyone is talking about him and his supposed crimes. Which is why I wanted to get to Harry first and tell him that Sirius was not a death eater, but a good person. Unfortunately I got to Harry too late, for he had already read the Daily Prophet. He thinks I'm a murderer just like Sirius, and he said that if he sees me again he's going to summon the Ministry to arrest me. I tried to explain my side of the story to him, but he didn't want hear it" revealed Cassiopeia, spinning the truth slightly.

Draco clenched his fists, "Stupid Potter. He's not as magnificent as everyone claims he is".
"I used to babysit Harry when he was small. And it hurt to hear him cast me away like that. One foolish act in my youth has made him hate me forever" Cassiopeia said sadly.
"He's an idiot if he can't see the reasons for your actions. I always knew he was bigheaded and self-centered, but I didn't expect him to victim shame you. He normally claims to be a protector of the innocent. But I guess he can only overlook crimes if they are performed by him or one of his little gang members" replied Draco.

"I guess I'm not innocent in his eyes. Murder is murder, at least according to him... I just wanted him to like me, was that too much to ask for" mumbled Cassiopeia.
"He's Sirius's godson, not yours, so you don't have to worry about him. You were trying to help out your brother, by telling Potter the truth. But you don't owe either of them anything" insisted Draco.
"Speaking of Sirius, you can't tell Harry that Sirius is his godfather" instructed Cassiopeia.
"He doesn't already know?"
"No. The Prophet hasn't printed it, because the identity of Harry's godparents is secret, since he didn't have a Blood Ceremony like you did, where the godparents are chosen in front of a large crowd of people. And Harry's Muggle relatives don't know anything about Sirius, so they couldn't tell Harry the truth, even if they had wanted to".

"Why can't I tell Potter the truth?" Questioned Draco.
"Because if Harry knows Sirius is his godfather, and he believes that Sirius got his parents killed, then he is likely to act irrationally. Harry has a habit of behaving recklessly to get revenge, and I don't want him getting hurt while trying to seek out Sirius to get what he believes is justice. The teachers who know the truth have been instructed not to tell Harry about Sirius, so I don't want you spilling the beans" Cassiopeia said sternly.
"Why do you care about him, when he doesn't care about you?" Asked Draco.
"Because I am the adult in this situation. Him liking me is not important in the long run, but his safety is. So promise me you won't tell Harry that Sirius is his godfather"
"Eugh, fine, I promise".

Cassiopeia smiled and placed her arms around Draco, holding him tight.
"You're a good boy Draco. Your father may have tried to turn you into a cruel man like him. But deep down, you have a good heart, and I am proud of the person you are becoming" praised Cassiopeia.
Draco hugged her back, "I'm glad someone is proud of me".
"Your mother and I are always proud of you, remember that. And you should always try to seek our approval and not your father's, because we don't want you to turn out like him" replied Cassiopeia.

Draco sighed and released Cassiopeia, pushing her back so that he was facing her, "I thought you and father had put your differences aside".
"We both put on our brave faces for your mother's sake. But we will never be on the same side about anything. There is too much deep rooted hatred between us, for us to ever get on" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Well then, I will do my best and keep trying to make you proud" replied Draco.
Cassiopeia grinned and tucked a strand of Draco's hair behind his ear, "That is good to hear, my little dragon".