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

49. What Is Best?

Dinner that evening ended up being a chaotic event as Molly and Sirius exploded at each other, on numerous occasions. They both felt that they knew what was best for Harry, and they wouldn't be persuaded otherwise.
Once dinner was over and the kids had all gone to bed, Cassiopeia followed Sirius to his room, to confront him about his behavior.
"What exactly was all that about?" Demanded Cassiopeia, as she folded her arms.
"What do you mean?" Frowned Sirius.
"You were incredibly rude during a dinner where we had many guests present. Molly did not deserve to be treated that way" replied Cassiopeia.

Sirius shrugged, "She got what was coming to her".
"No, you were completely out of line" countered Cassiopeia.
"Me, out of line? Did you hear what she said to me?" Asked Sirius.
"I did-".
Sirius continued speaking as if Cassiopeia hadn't said anything, "She said I haven't been much use to Harry all these years, because I've been in Azkaban! As if I chose to be in there, instead of out here looking after my godson. How dare she say that to me! I would have given anything to escape that hell and be reunited with Harry. But unfortunately I was serving a sentence for a crime I didn't commit, as Molly already knows".

"She does, and while her remark may have been rude, she is still a guest in this house, so she should be treated with respect" insisted Cassiopeia.
"So, just because she's a guest she can say whatever she wants and walk all over me?" Quizzed Sirius.
"No. But she only said how she felt tonight, because she was trying to protect Harry. And we can't fault the woman for looking out for him, since we need as many people as possible watching over our boy" reminded Cassiopeia.
"Harry doesn't need her watching over him, he has me and you. Molly has other children she can worry about. She should leave the parenting of Harry, down to us".

"I don't disagree with you, but it won't be easy for her to just stop caring about him. Feelings don't work like that, you can't just turn them on and off" said Cassiopeia.
"Well, I'm not going to let her talk to me like that again in my own house!" announced Sirius.
Cassiopeia flinched at his tone, and took a step back.
"You sound like mother" she whispered.
Sirius's face dropped, "Cass I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you".
"It's fine. I'm fine" reassured Cassiopeia.
"No, I raised my voice at you, when you're not the one I'm angry at. So I'm sorry" apologised Sirius.

"I accept your apology... Look Sirius, I don't like Molly mothering Harry, or trying to decide what is best for him, any more than you do. But Molly is a wonderful woman. She has taken charge of running this house, so that we don't have to. She is the one cooking meals for all of us, including the Order. She's also the one in charge of cleaning and de-cluttering this place, since you have decided not to step up to the plate yourself. Molly is also the one who fed us back in the old days, when we were doing Order work. She may not have officially been in the Order back then, but she still helped us out. During the school holidays she also offered Harry a warm and safe place to go, and for that I am grateful... We weren't there for Harry at the beginning, but she was. And I'm glad she was" admitted Cassiopeia.

"I don't hate Molly. And I'm glad she is the one preparing all the meals so that I don't have to. But I don't like the idea of her trying to push us out of Harry's life, because she thinks she knows best" Sirius said quietly.
"Molly has 7 children, and a lot of experience being a parent. Which is something we don't have. And that is probably why she has been stepping in to mother Harry. She doesn't think we have the skills to do it" replied Cassiopeia.
"Well then, we will just have to prove her wrong" insisted Sirius.
"Yeah, I guess we will".

"Are you going to go with Harry to his trial instead of Arthur? If we want to step up at being parents, then one of us should go" suggested Sirius.
"You heard what Dumbledore said, he doesn't want us leaving the house. He especially doesn't want us tagging along with Harry to his trial, even if we were in disguises. It's one thing to hang around at Hogwarts and it's another to walk straight into the Ministry of Magic. We'd be signing our own arrest warrants if we stepped foot in there" replied Cassiopeia.
"But Harry needs our support" insisted Sirius.
"And he will get plently of it before he goes to court. The last thing Harry wants, is us attending his trial with him. He will have enough on his mind as it is. He doesn't need to worry about us being arrested as well".

"I suppose you've got a point... Do you think the Ministry will expell him?" Asked Sirius.
"I don't know. Dumbledore seems to think not, and even though the Ministry is rather corrupt at the moment, I'm still willing to put my faith in Dumbledore. Underage wizards are allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts, in life threatening situations. So really, the Ministry don't have a leg to stand on, and Harry should be cleared of all charges. Fudge is a moron who will probably try to turn the court against Harry. But luckily the rest of the Ministry isn't quite as thick as him. So, Harry should be fine" answered Cassiopeia.

"But, if for whatever reason he is expelled, he would get to stay here, with us" Sirius said quietly, unable to hide the smile on his face.
"Don't you think about that for even a second. Harry belongs at Hogwarts and you know it. Don't try and wish for him to be expelled, just because you selfishly want him to stay here" snapped Cassiopeia.
"It's selfish to want my family to stay together is it?" Asked Sirius.
"Yes, it is. Being is expelled is not the best thing for Harry and you know it. He belongs back at school with the rest of his friends".

"Come on, don't tell me you haven't thought about it? The Weasleys return to the Burrow in September, and the kids all return to school. This house will go back to being a miserable hell hole again. So don't lie and tell me that you haven't thought about how great it would be if Harry stayed at Grimmauld Place with us, so we didn't have to be alone. We could be a proper family for once" said Sirius.
"Even if a thought like that had crossed my mind, I would never say it out loud, because I don't wish for it to happen. I never got to go to Hogwarts when I was younger, so I know what it's like to be left behind by everyone that you love. And I would never wish that fate on Harry. He deserves the best, and the best thing that can happen for him, is for him to return to Hogwarts. And if you truly love him like I do, then you will want that for him as well" announced Cassiopeia.

Sirius sighed and sat down on his chair.
"Of course I want what is best for him" he mumbled.
"Good... Our own thoughts and feelings do not matter. Harry's happiness is all that is important" insisted Cassiopeia.
"Yes, I suppose you are right" admitted Sirius.
"I usually am. And hey, even when everyone leaves in September, we won't be alone. 12 Grimmauld Place will still be the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. So there will be plenty of people coming and going. This place is not going to be quiet any time soon"
"Right again little sister"
"Less of the little thank you. Now come on, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get ready for bed"
"Yes ma'am"
"You're so annoying"
"Maybe, but that's why you love me".