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

60. Gift Or Curse

"Mistress instructed me not to say. Mistress didn't want you to know, she thought you would not approve" revealed Kreacher.
"Merlin's beard Kreacher, this is no time for with holding information. I am the heir of this family, not her, so you will obey me, and tell me everything that you know about this letter. If you don't tell me what you know, then she might die, and you wouldn't want to be responsible for her death, would you?" Asked Sirius.
"The letter was not important. It only said two words" insisted Kreacher, as he got down and retrieved the letter from Cassiopeia's bedside table.
"It's not signed, so there is no way of knowing who it's from" sighed Remus, as he peered at the letter Kreacher was holding.
"Mistress said the letter was from Narcissa. Mistress said she recognised the handwriting" informed Kreacher.

"Have the two been conversing all this time?" Questioned Sirius.
Kreacher shook his head, "Mistress has not written to Narcissa in over a year. Kreacher swears this to you, Master".
"Then why is Narcissa writing to her out of the blue? And what is she sorry for?" Quizzed Sirius.
"Kreacher does not know for sure. Mistress said Narcissa was apologising for not joining our fight against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" replied Kreacher.
"Narcissa would never apologise for something like that. She never admits she is wrong"
"Mistress believed the letter meant Narcissa was sorry, and Mistress lovingly took hold of the gift inside".

Sirius froze, "What gift?".
"Narcissa sent Mistress a necklace alongside the letter" answered Kreacher.
The house-elf climbed back onto the bed, and pulled the chain out from under the top of Cassiopeia's dress, so that everyone could see the pendant.
"That's got to be it right? That's what's killing her?" Suggested Sirius, as he stretched his hand out towards the heart shaped pendant.
"Wait, don't touch it" warned Remus.
"I don't care if it's dangerous or not Remus, I'm taking that thing off my sister, for I am not going to stand here and watch her die" announced Sirius.

Before Remus could stop him, Sirius took a hold of the silver heart, and yanked the necklace over Cassiopeia's head. He immediately dropped it onto the floor, before turning his attention back to Cassiopeia.
Remus then pressed his fingers against Cassiopeia's wrist, to check her pulse.
"Well?" Demanded Sirius.
"Shh. Give me a minute" hissed Remus.

The room sat in complete silence for several minutes, watching Cassiopeia's chest rise and fall.
"Her pulse is getting stronger" Remus suddenly announced.
"Oh thank Merlin" sighed Sirius.
He knelt on the ground and took hold of Cassiopeia's hand, squeezing it tight.
"Cass. Cassie, can you hear me?" He asked softly.
A few moments later Cassiopeia's eyes flickered open, and met Sirius's.
"Hello big brother" she murmered.
Sirius smiled and leant forward, kissing her forehead, "Don't ever do that to me again".

"What exactly happened?" Asked Cassiopeia.
"It seems the gift from our cousin, was less a gift, and more a curse" Sirius said through gritted teeth.
"What do you mean?" Frowned Cassiopeia.
"The necklace Narcissa sent you, was enchanted. It was designed to make you very sick. It might have even killed you if I hadn't removed it in time" explained Sirius.
"No, Cissy would never send me anything that might harm me"
"She would if her master told her too"
"But she looked after me. She loves me. She kept me safe when the world wanted me dead"
"That was before Voldemort returned. Now that he's back, you have to accept that both Narcissa and Bellatrix are dead to us. They will do whatever their master commands of them".

"But why would Voldemort want me dead? I'm not exactly a threat to him, so why would he force Cissy to send me a cursed necklace?" Questioned Cassiopeia.
"I don't know. Maybe he hoped if you got sick enough, we would be forced to take you to St Mungo's. And if you were there, Harry would want to visit you, which would give Voldemort the chance to get him, while he was away from the safety of the school" suggested Sirius.
"Seems like a convoluted plan if you ask me" admitted Cassiopeia.
"Aren't all of his plans?"
"True".

"Kreacher is glad you aren't dead, Mistress" smiled Kreacher.
"Me too Kreacher" replied Cassiopeia.
"Voldemort knew that you wouldn't check to see if the necklace was dangerous, before putting it on, because he knows that you trust Narcissa. He used your feelings for her against you. I know you want to think that Narcissa loves and cares for you, but this little escapade has to prove to you, that she doesn't. And wanting to continue a relationship with her, puts you and us in great danger. From now on, you really have to cut ties with all of them; the Malfoys and the Lestranges. And that includes the boy. You can't send Draco Malfoy presents anymore, because it puts us all at risk" insisted Sirius.
"Yes. I think I'm starting to see that now" Cassiopeia said quietly.

"The rest of the Order will be arriving soon for our scheduled meeting. We had better head down to meet them" said Remus, glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Yes, and they all need to be told about Voldemort's attempt on Cassie's life" announced Sirius, as he stood to his feet.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure they all know what has happened here" reassured Remus.
"Cass, you can stay here with Kreacher while the meeting is going on. And we'll check on you afterwards OK" informed Sirius.
"No, I'm coming down with you" countered Cassiopeia, as she pushed herself up unto a sitting position.

"But you're still recovering from almost dying" reminded Sirius.
"I don't care. These Order meetings are the only interesting things that happens these days, and I'm not missing a single one. Nor will I have you keeping information from me, because you think I'm too fragile to handle it. So, I am coming to the meeting, whether you like it or not" announced Cassiopeia.
"Why do you have to be so stubbon?" Sighed Sirius.
"Because I'm like you"
"Yes, I suppose you are".