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

48. Unhappily Together

"Why do you call her Dora? I thought her name was Tonks?" Frowned Harry.
"Her surname is Tonks, but her first name in Nymphadora. When I was a teenager I lived with the Tonks family, and I always called her Dora, it was a nickname me and her parents used for her. Since coming back into her life, I've found out that she prefers to go by the name Tonks, when around friends, since she doesn't like her fullname. I told her that it would be strange for me to call her by the surname she shares with her parents, and she said that she is fine with me calling her Dora instead. I called her Dora when she was little, and it's what I call her now" revealed Cassiopeia.

"Does Sirius call her Dora too?" Asked Harry.
Cassiopeia shook her head, "Sirius didn't really know her when she was younger. He met her a few times, but didn't spend a lot of time with her, like I did. So when she joined the Order and met Sirius properly, he started calling her Tonks, as that is how she introduced herself. If Dora had a problem with me using her nickname, I would of course try to switch to calling her Tonks. But she likes me using Dora, so that's what I'm sticking with. We are family afterall, so it makes sense for me to use the same affectionate name that her parents use" admitted Cassiopeia.

"Family... We were supposed to be family aswell" Harry said coldly.
"You're angry with me and Sirius for not seeing you this summer, and that is totally understandable" Cassiopeia said calmly.
"It's not just that you didn't see me, you've barely said anything in your letters all summer either! And it's not just you. Ron and Hermione have barely written as well! I've been stuck at Privet Drive with no idea what was going on, while you guys were all hanging out here together! Why was I the only one kept in the dark!" Shouted Harry.
"Because we were trying to keep you safe. Dumbledore had all of us swear not to tell you anything. He believes that ignorance is bliss, and by keeping you in the dark, he thought he could keep you safe" explained Cassiopeia.

"Well, it didn't work! I got attacked by Dementors!" Screamed Harry.
"I know. And trust me, when I get my hands on Mundungus Fletcher, when no once else is around, he is going to regret neglecting his surveillance shift" replied Cassiopeia.
"I'm glad he stopped watching me. Otherwise I would have spent the rest of summer stuck with the Dursleys" admitted Harry.
"No, Dumbledore promised that you would get to spend the end of your holidays with us. We were going to have you join us in a week or two. I never would have agreed to let you spend all of your summer with those people. You know me Harry. You know I wouldn't let that happen!"
"I guess".

"I know you feel like we've let you down, but I promise it was not our idea to leave you alone. We were just following Dumbledore's instructions. All we wanted was for you to be safe. And we thought you would be safer away from all of this. I'm sorry that you got hurt, and I'm sorry you felt like we were neglecting you. Because I swear that was not our intention. Me and Sirius care about you so much. I know we don't deserve it, but please forgive us" begged Cassiopeia.
"I do. Life is too short for me to be holding grudges like that" sighed Harry.
Cassiopeia smiled and stretched her arms out, allowing Harry to step forward and hug her properly.

"It really is good to see you" smiled Harry.
"You too little one" replied Cassiopeia, as she squeezed him tight.
"I'm not that little anymore" countered Harry.
Cassiopeia chuckled and released him, "I guess that's true. You're growing into a handsome young man, just like your dad".
"Speaking of growing, you don't seem to be doing that. How is it you looked healthier when you were living on the street, compared to how you look now, when you are actually living inside a proper house?".

Cassiopeia sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, "It's hard to eat 3 meals a day, when you feel constantly sick because you're stuck inside your abusive childhood home. There's not a room in this house that I wasn't beaten in. And it takes all of my will power not to run out into the street and get myself purposely arrested, just so that I don't have to be here for a second longer... I never thought I would end up locked inside this place again. But the world loves to play cruel games on us all".

"Maybe you shouldn't be here. I don't think this place is good for you" admitted Harry.
"It's not. But at least I'm safe from the Ministry, because they can't get in here, as there is powerful magic surrounding the building. And if me and Sirius are safe, then that's one less thing for you to worry about" replied Cassiopeia.
"You're suffering here, because of me?" Questioned Harry.
"Not exactly. Dumbledore thinks that this is the best place for us, so here is where we stay, until he says otherwise... At least it makes it easy for us to attend Order meetings, since we live in the building where they happen"
"Now that I'm here, do I get to attend Order meetings as well?".

Cassiopeia opened her mouth to tell him no, but before she could, a loud pop echoed through the room, as Kreacher apparated beside them.
"What is that?" Asked Harry, as he looked at Kreacher with disgust.
"This is the Black family house-elf. He's been by my side my whole life and I wouldn't be here without him" admitted Cassiopeia.
Kreacher bowed, "Kreacher lives to serve the noble house of Black?".
"How can I help you then Kreacher?" Quizzed Cassiopeia.
"Master Sirius wishes for you to return to kitchen and rejoin the meeting" announced Kreacher.

Cassiopeia groaned, "Great... Sorry Harry, we'll have to finish this conversation later, during dinner".
"Can't I come with you?" Questioned Harry.
"No, not this time... Kreacher, please take Harry upstairs to join Ron and Hermione" instructed Cassiopeia.
Kreacher bowed, "Of course Mistress".
"Thank you" replied Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia kissed Harry's head softly, "I'll see you later".
"I'll hold you to that" replied Harry.
"Hey, now that we are stuck in the same house, you are going to see me so much, that you're going to get sick of me" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Never going to happen"
"We'll see".