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

44. Reestablishing Bonds

After rejoining Sirius, the pair headed through the tunnel under the Whomping Willow towards Hogsmeade. They then returned to their cave, packed up their things and flew away on Buckbeak.
Over the next few hours they flew around all of Britain, informing all of the old Order of the Phoenix members of Voldemort's return.
It was nice to see so many friendly faces, especially when they greeted both Sirius and Cassiopeia with open arms.
When they finally arrived at Remus's cottage, the pair were absolutely exhausted. But they knew they couldn't sleep yet, not until they had spoken to Remus.

After being ushered into Remus's home, the siblings stood awkwardly across the room from him.
"I've been waiting all day... Ever since Dumbledore's Patronus message arrived last night, I've been expecting you both to turn up" said Remus, filling the silence.
"Dumbledore wanted us to alert everyone else first before coming here" explained Sirius.
"He wants us to stay here, so he knows where to reach us when he needs us. But we don't want to put you in danger. So, if you're not happy about us staying here, then we will move on" added Cassiopeia.
"I'm fine with you staying here, if that's what you want" replied Remus.

Sirius frowned, "Why do you say it like that?".
"I didn't know if you would want to stay here? I didn't know if the reason I hadn't seen you all day, was because you were avoiding me? I wasn't sure if you were still angry at me for what happened last year" admitted Remus.
"Why would I be mad at you for that? It wasn't your fault that you turned into a werewolf and Wormtail got away. You had no control over your body" reminded Sirius.

"I know that. But because of me, Wormtail escaped and you are still on the run because we weren't able to clear your name. So, I didn't know if you would want to blame me for that... I also wasn't sure if you were still angry at me for not helping Cass out, all those years ago" Remus said quietly.
"You apologised for what you did, or didn't do, and I've had a whole year to think it over. I've decided that I just want to put it all behind me. With Voldemort back, we can't afford to fight amongst ourselves anymore" replied Sirius.

Remus turned to look at Cassiopeia, "What about you, have you forgiven me for letting you down?".
"While I may never forget what your absence put me through, I have forgiven you" revealed Cassiopeia.
"Really?" Questioned Remus, not believing what he was hearing.
"Yes. Like Sirius said, we've got bigger things to be dealing with at the moment. As Dumbledore will have said in his Patronus message, Voldemort has returned, meaning we are back in another war. We cannot hope to win this one if we are fighting each other instead of the enemy".

"I'm glad that we have all decided to move on... You're welcome to stay here as long as you need to. My place only has one bedroom through, as my house is only meant for one person. Since you are my guests, you should take the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa tonight" suggested Remus.
Sirius shook his head, "No, we are not going to take what is yours. I'll sleep on the floor, and Cass can have the sofa".
"Are you sure?" Asked Remus.
"I've been on the run for two years, and during most of that time, I slept on the floor. At least here I have a roof over my head, and 4 walls to keep me warm, which is better than I had it some nights".

"If Dumbledore doesn't have any plans to move you two on, then I will buy some camp beds for you both to sleep on" promised Remus.
"Sounds good" yawned Cassiopeia.
"I'll let you sleep, and we can talk more tomorrow" replied Remus.
"Good, because I'm about to drop where I stand. We didn't sleep last night as we were too busy guarding Harry. And we spent all day talking to everyone in the Order. If I don't get some sleep right now, I'm going to go insane"
"Alright alright, I'll leave you guys to it"
"Thanks".

****

Dumbledore's head appeared in Remus's fireplace the following morning, but he had no updates on the Voldemort situation.
He just told them to stay put, and he would contact them in a few days.
But Cassiopeia had other ideas.
Since reuniting with old Order members, who never thought she was a crazy murderer to begin with, there was one person Cassiopeia wanted to see, and that was her cousin Andromeda.
Dumbledore was hesitant to give her Andromeda's new address, but eventually he relented, as long as Cassiopeia tried to convince Andromeda and Ted to join the Order, while she was there.

Sirius wanted to come along too, since he also wanted to see their favourite cousin.
So, the pair hopped back onto Buckbeak and headed to the Tonks residence.
Once there, they were shown inside by Ted, who led the way into the living room where Andromeda was waiting.
The minute she saw them, she hurtled towards them, and threw one arm around each of their shoulders, holding them tight.

"Where in Merlin's name have you two idiots been all this time?" Questioned Andromeda, as she let the siblings go, and slapped them both on the head, before hugging them once more.
"You know, here and there" mumbled Cassiopeia.
"Well, you should have been here with me, where you would be safe and cared for. You don't look like you've had a decent meal in months" commented Andromeda, as she released them both.
"Probably because we haven't" admitted Sirius.

"Why didn't you come to me for help?" Asked Andromeda.
"Because we didn't know what you thought about us. We didn't know if you believed what the papers were saying about us. We didn't know if you thought we were killers" explained Sirius.
"As if I would believe the garbage the papers write" replied Andromeda.
"We also didn't want to put you, Ted, or Dora in danger, by hiding fugitives in your house" admitted Cassiopeia.

"I don't care about the risks. I would rather have you in my house, because at least then I know where you are. The sleepless nights I've had, worrying about where you two are and what you are up to. But no more, from now on, I want to know that you are safe at all times" informed Andromeda.
"It's not that easy Andy. We can't be writing weekly letters, when we are supposed to be on the run. And we can't be popping around for tea once a week, in case someone sees us. You can't come to see us either, in case you are ever followed. It's too dangerous" insisted Sirius.

"He's right, my love" Ted said gently.
"I'm not just going to abandon them both" countered Andromeda.
"I'm sure there are ways we can stay in contact, without putting each other in danger. Because I am done hiding in the dark... I isolated myself for all these years, because I thought that being alone was what I deserved, for my crimes. But I'm done feeling guilty about what I did. I can't keep looking back, I have to look forward. And I want you all in my life" announced Cassiopeia.
"Dumbledore isn't going to like this" sighed Sirius.
"Who cares what he thinks? He doesn't run my life. And if I want to see my cousin, then he is not going to stop me" replied Cassiopeia.

"If that's how you feel, then please stay for dinner, so you can see Nymphadora again. She's an auror now, and she won't finish work until this evening. Please stay and reunite with her. It would give us longer to get reacquainted as well" begged Andromeda.
"I'd love to" beamed Cassiopeia.
"Actually, I promised Remus that we wouldn't be gone long" Sirius said awkwardly.
"Then you should return to him. In fact, it is probably better if you go back alone, as there are things you two need to discuss in private, without me being there" replied Cassiopeia.

"I'm not leaving you alone. Especially as you have no way of getting back to Remus's, if I take Buckbeak" said Sirius.
"Cassie will be quite safe with me. And I will return her to you this evening" reassured Andromeda.
"I don't like the idea of us being parted" Sirius mumbled.
Cassiopeia took hold of his hands and squeezed them tight, "I'll be OK here with Andy. I promise I won't leave her house, until you come to collect me".
"Alright fine. But don't do anything foolish" begged Sirius.
"I won't. Now run along, us girls have some catching up to do" smiled Cassiopeia, as she turned back to face Andromeda.

"I'll see you out" Ted said to Sirius.
"Thanks" murmered Sirius.
"I will keep your sister safe, you have my word" whispered Ted, once the girls were out of earshot.
"That's a promise I'm going to hold you to" replied Sirius, before heading out the house towards Buckbeak, who was waiting for him.