KILLER | H. POTTER

8. ASHES

Going home for the holidays was both a relief and a hellish experience.

Cass was glad to set eyes on her sister again. It was difficult to communicate with the bed-ridden seven-year-old while at Hogwarts, and though Cass trusted Narcissa's updates on Orion, there was always an uncomfortable tug in Cass's chest when she was away from her sister.

Orion was in good spirits, despite not being much better health-wise. Cass spent the first week of break locked away in Orion's room, reading to her, playing games, and just sitting with her. It also served as an excuse not to speak to Narcissa, which was good.

It was after a few days that Cass had to finally deal with the thing she'd been putting off since Dumbledore had talked to her about Sirius's will. She'd contemplated just doing it by herself, but she knew perfectly well who Sirius would've wanted there. So, she bit the bullet and wrote to Potter.

Potter,

Per Sirius's wishes, I will be spreading his ashes at a location to be disclosed, on Christmas Eve. I know Sirius would've wanted you to be present, so I am extending an invitation to you. It will be a very private affair so this is an invitation for you only.

If you would like to come, meet me at this address on the twenty-fourth at noon.

36 South St, Wellington

C.B.

—

He was late, which was to be expected, but still kind of maddening.

"You're late," Cass said when she opened the door.

Harry didn't seem too worried about it. "Sorry. Hard to find an excuse to get away."

Cass ushered him in.

"Who's house is this, anyway?" He asked.

"My friend Delia's. Her family's out of town. We'll travel to the location by Portkey."

Potter nodded.

Cass sipped her glass of water. "We're just waiting on one more."

Not even a minute later, the fireplace lit up, and Remus Lupin stepped out of the green flames. He was wearing his nicer set of robes.

He smiled when he saw Cass. "Hey, Sugar."

He pulled her into a bear hug. Cass returned it fondly. She'd missed him.

Potter was looking at Remus with a hint of contempt in his eyes. But then he blinked and it was gone.

Remus shook Harry's hand and patted him on the back. "Hello, Harry."

"Well, that's everyone. Let's go," Cass said.

The three of them went out the back door to the large stretch of backyard where a single chipped mug lay on the ground. They each took hold of it.

The wind whooshed past Cass's ears when they landed. Her hair was securely braided close to her head but a few strands strayed with the air.

Cass stepped closer towards the edge of the cliff. The sea crashed against the rocks below. It wasn't a very tall cliff, and the breeze from the sea reached Cass's face.

She unbuttoned her heavy houndstooth coat. It was cold, but she needed to feel the cool air.

She took a deep breath and reached for the simple golden urn. She held it in front of her like a shield. She turned to face Harry and Remus.

"Um, so, I'd just like to say a few words."

She waited for them to nod to continue.

"My dad... deserved so much more. He deserved to be mourned by all the people whose lives he touched, he deserved parades in his honour, he deserved hordes of people lining up just to see his coffin like he was the damned queen of England. I wish I could do that for him, but I hope this can be enough instead."