𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥

Chapter 9

Dumbledore bent down slightly, his eyes twinkling as he looked around the dark, damp cave. "You did get creative, Sirius," he said, taking in the makeshift bedding and the sparse surroundings.

Sirius grunted, leaning against the rough stone wall. "Not like the Ministry gave me many options," he muttered,

A heavy silence hung between them until Dumbledore waved his wand, conjuring a simple chair to sit on. The cave was cold, the flickering light casting long shadows as the two wizards faced each other.

"Why are you here, Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, suspicion in his eyes.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he folded his hands in his lap. "I was just curious, Sirius. You see, I happened to hear that you were spotted sneaking around the abandoned Flint residence. Quite a peculiar place to be lurking about."

Sirius's expression darkened, and he looked down at the ground, his jaw clenched.

Dumbledore watched him with a knowing gaze. "You're searching for Valerie, aren't you?"

There was a moment of silence before Sirius nodded

Dumbledore sighed softly. "Sirius... Valerie is gone. She died."

Sirius's head snapped up, his voice laced with disbelief. "No."

Dumbledore nodded sympathetically. "Yes, Sirius. Years ago."

Sirius stared at him, processing the information. His mind raced as he connected the dots. "Wait, that means... Cassiopeia lives with Cissy?"

Dumbledore immediately shook his head. "No, Sirius. Cassiopeia doesn't live with the Malfoys."

Sirius narrowed his eyes, confusion deepening. "Then where is she?"

Dumbledore's gaze softened as he explained, "Valerie made it clear in her will that Cassiopeia was to be raised by the Pierres."

Pierre?" Sirius echoed, the name unfamiliar to him.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, a trusted associate of Valerie's. He has been taking care of Cassiopeia. We've kept it discreet, as we didn't find any records by you—"

Sirius's mind raced, but his thoughts suddenly shifted, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Speaking of that... why on earth is Harry living with that vermin Dursley fellow?"

Dumbledore blinked, visibly taken aback by the sudden change in topic. The lines on his face deepened, and his usual calm demeanor wavered ever so slightly. "Sirius—"

"Yeah," Sirius pressed on, his voice rising. "Why couldn't you have sent Harry to Remus? He'd have been far better off there than with those fucking Muggles!" Sirius paced back and forth, his movements restless, caged.

A tense silence filled the air,

Sirius stopped abruptly and turned to face Dumbledore, "I want him to live with me, Dumbledore."

Dumbledore's gaze softened, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. He held Sirius's gaze, "I cannot allow that, Sirius," Dumbledore said quietly

Sirius clenched his fists, frustration etched across his face. "I am his godfather, Albus! I swore to protect him!"

Dumbledore sighed, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I have my reasons, Sirius. Reasons that I wish were not necessary." He rose from his chair, the movement slow and deliberate.

 Dumbledore took a step closer to Sirius, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Sirius, I fear you are too focused on Harry. You've barely asked about Cassiopeia. She is your blood after all"