"Oh you must mean Severus" Cat said nonchalantly, "actually he was invited, just refused to come..... I think he has some issues with my friends" she said as she smiled at Remus’s reaction.

"You mean you knew the whole time he was here?" Remus said incredulously. "I thought... I mean..."

"What? .... You thought you were setting me up" she smiled slyly "Remus, acushla, give me some credit... I knew what you were up to." she was laughing now

"So... why did you play along then?" Remus asked as he began blushing, leave it to her, and here he thought he would have to explain his behaviour to her.

"Cuz I hate it when he acts like this" Cat said simply "He worries terribly about me, but he won’t come out it the open about it. It’s a bit annoying. Besides you know how much I love to dance, especially with you." she grinned as she looked up at him "I figured as long as you didn’t try to kiss me or anything, it would be alright." she was positively beaming

"Caught at my own game" Remus whined, "Cat, you could have at least told me. Do you have any idea how guilty I was beginning to feel?" he told her as he began laughing with relief, now all he had to do was explain it to Sirius and Harry. "So I take it your not upset with me then?" he asked her knowingly, she could never stay angry with a marauder, and he knew it.

"As if" Cat said laughing at the look on Remus’s face "when have I ever been able to stay angry with you?" She added seriously "Remus, don’t pick on Severus, alright? I know you and the guys used to do that a lot, but I really wish you wouldn’t."

"You and he *together* or something?" Remus asked her, trying not to sound judgmental.

"Or something" Cat said, "I’m really not sure myself. He has been very *attentive* since I’ve returned, and he’s awfully sweet...."

"Cat, please" Remus said "please tell me your not considering becoming *serious* about him. I know he’s always been nice to you, and it’s obvious that he cares for you, but I hardly think he’s your type."

"And exactly what *type* would that be?" Cat asked more curious than offended, she would never admit it to anyone, but Remus’s opinions meant a lot to her, she trusted his judgement and appreciated his honesty.

"Well not him" Remus said emphatically "he has no sense of humour, and look at him, lurking in the shadows, ... hasn’t even asked you to dance" Remus sounded positively offended by Severus’s actions. "What kind of *boyfriend* is that, you realize he’s just let me dance with you the whole night, not to mention Raul...." Remus said as he rolled his eyes, remembering Raul’s little move from earlier.

"Hold it right there wolf-man" Cat said suddenly awake and very serious "Nobody *lets* me do anything, I make my own decisions, I’m a full grown woman. I decide who I dance with, who I date.... got it?!" she looked pointedly at her friend, she loved him like a brother, but she was not about to let anyone dictate to her.

"Down girl" Remus said, taken aback by her sudden outburst. He had forgotten what a sore subject that had always been with her "I was talking metaphorically, I know, believe me. I know no one controls you....’cept maybe Poppa" he added grinning widely "Because I happen to know what a Daddy’s girl you are"

"Remus....." Cat said narrowing her eyes "shaddap and dance" she tried to look angry but instead laughed loudly as he crossed his eyes at her while sticking out his tongue......

Severus was half insane with worry and jealousy, he was still frantic about the vampyre biting her, and now Lupin had apparently decided that Cat was his personal plaything. He was not sure which was bothering him more at this exact moment, but he knew how to put and end to at least one of his problems. Smiling nastily, he pointed his wand at Cat and Lupin, he had wanted to do this earlier but they had been dancing so fast he was afraid he might hit Cat by mistake. Taking careful aim, Severus cast the jelly leg curse at Lupin, causing him to collapse as he was dancing with Cat. Severus gave a very satisfied chuckle as he watched the commotion that followed, but just as he was enjoying himself, he saw Lupin stare directly at him and shake his finger towards him. Severus pressed himself as close against the wall as he could, watching intently as Cat and some vampyres came to Lupin’s aid. Severus scowled as he watched Cat fussing over Lupin, as if he were actually hurt, he needed to find a way to get to Cat, to make sure she was unharmed.......

Raul and Cash rushed over to help Remus up; luckily Cat was still holding on to him, preventing his head from striking the floor. "Remus, sweetie, what happened are you alright ?!" Cat said, obviously concerned for her friend.

"Come now my brother" Raul said, equally concerned "that is no way to end an evening." Raul searched Remus’s face, trying to tell how badly injured he was.

"No, its alright" Remus said "really, just seemed to trip over a curse or something" he explained as Cat checked his legs, making sure he wasn’t injured.

"Tripped over a curse?" she stopped what she was doing and look directly into Remus’s eyes "curses don’t go rolling along by themselves Remus"

"True. But sometimes they do have a terrible habit of turning up at inopportune moments" Albus said as he joined the group hovering around Remus. "And I was so enjoying watching you and Miss MacLeod dancing. Perhaps you can continue at a later time, the curse will wear off quickly, no doubt."

"No doubt" Cat said as she placed her hands on Remus’s thighs and closed her eyes, she concentrated for a few moments as Remus felt the familiar tingling and warmth that always accompanied Cats healing touch. "That should do it.... want to give it a go acushla?"

Remus smiled at her, he had to admit he liked her fussing over him, reminded him of their school days. "I’m fine Cat" he said genuinely "I’m sure it was just someone’s idea of a prank."

Cat looked around the room quickly "Sirius?" she asked "though I can’t imagine him doing something so stupid to you. Maybe a Slytherin..." she said irately.

"Not Sirius" Remus said emphatically "you’re right, he would never do anything like that to me or to you." Remus was half tempted to tell her, but he decided now would not be a good time, to many other people around who may feel tempted to take matters into their own hands "Raul, why don’t you and Cat sing something while I rest up a little" Remus suggested, hoping Raul would understand his hint.

Raul nodded knowingly, he understood what Remus wanted, he just didn’t know why. "Come Angel, he’ll be fine" Raul said as Harry came running up, a worried look on his face.

"Remus, what happened? One minute you were fine and the next...." Harry began to ask.

"Nothing to worry about Harry. Though I would appreciate some company if you don’t mind. I think I’ll be setting the next few out." Remus said smiling "Besides, we’re going to listen to Cat sing a little more, aren’t we?" he said, not giving her much choice.

Raul smiled brightly as he pulled on Cat’s hand, dragging her up to the makeshift stage. As Cash stood by Remus and Harry watching them both closely. He knew how much they meant to Angel, and if they were important to Angel, then they were important to him, and to their clan. Cash grinned as he watched Raul teasing Angel into singing, again, not that it would take much, she loved to sing and dance, just like the rest of the clan. Live hard, love hard, fight hard, play hard. Never do anything half-way, no point to it, do it right all the way, or move over and let someone else who cares take over. That’s what Raul had told him right before they came to this school, he had been arguing with Raul that the wizarding world didn’t concern them, Raul wasn’t going to listen, Angel had asked for their help, end of story. Looking around him, Cash realized how right Raul and Angel had been, he felt himself growing fonder and fonder of these humans. Cash glanced back at Remus and Harry, smiling at them affectionately, he sighed at his own reactions, he was already hooked.

Harry was grinning broadly at Remus, trying very hard not to break into laughter. He couldn’t believe the way he and Cat had danced, they were amazing. He and Remus took their seats, Harry looked closely at Remus, he was still winded, and his hair was slightly damp and curling from all the dancing he had done, but he was smiling happily as he watched Cat and Raul getting ready on their ‘stage’.

"What is it Harry?" Remus asked seeing Harry’s expression.

"Just wondering where you and Cat learned to do that." Harry said smiling happily, this had been a wonderful night; the only thing missing was Sirius. If only they had been able to bring Pettigrew back with them, Sirius would be a free man. He cringed again as he thought about his harsh words earlier, he hoped Sirius was still here.

"Cat and I learned to dance together a long time ago, along with your mother and father" Remus explained, "Lily’s mum insisted that we learn to dance properly." Remus smiled remembering those happy days, he particularly remembered the look on Sirius’s face, right before he *accidentally* pushed him into the pool for dancing so closely with Cat. Mrs. Evans had thought that it was hysterical, especially seeing that Sirius and Cat had just kissed for the first time less than an hour earlier. Remus shook his head and laughed at the memory.

"Did my mum and dad like to dance as well?" Harry asked wide-eyed. He loved to hear stories about his parents, it made him feel closer to them.

"Yes they did, especially your mother, just like Cat." Remus said cheerfully as he looked at Harry’s expression. "Of course Cat could tell you a lot more about your mother that Sirius or I can. They were inseparable."

Harry smiled back at Remus as a group of girls came over, hovering near them, pointing and giggling at Professor Lupin. Both Harry and Remus began to blush as the conversation drifted their way. "Did you see the way his muscles were bulging, I never realized how buff he is," they heard one girl say " and those moves, can you imagine what he could do without his clothes." Remus turned positively red with embarrassment as Harry laughed nervously.

Remus gave Harry a look of mock horror as he spoke. "Harry hand me my robe would you, feeling a little exposed" Remus quickly put his robes on as he slouched down in his chair, artfully avoiding any eye contact with the students.

Luckily any further embarrassment was halted by the appearance of Professor Dumbledore, who had come over to see how Harry and Remus were doing. Albus took the seat next to Harry "Are you feeling alright Professor Lupin" Albus asked, "You seem a bit flushed, not an after effect of the curse I hope." Albus paused and looked curiously at Harry, who had burst out laughing.

"No, I’m fine Headmaster" Remus said as he jabbed Harry in the ribs "just a little tired from dancing, that’s all."

Albus regarded them both with a look of suspicion and amusement "Very well then. Is Cat going to be singing again?" he asked looking towards she and Raul.

"Without a doubt" grinned Remus as the music began to play, Remus listened for a moment and then smiled widely "I think your going to enjoy this song, it’s a duet"

Cat began singing in what Harry could only describe as a pouting voice [I] you can haunt any house by yourself, be a man or a mouse by yourself, you can act like a king on his throne,..there are lots of things that you can do alone[/I] Raul joined her as they continued [I] but it takes two to tango, two to tango, two to really get the feeling of romance, two to tango, two to tango - do the dance of love[/I] they were dancing together as they sang, and the guitarist in the back were doing their own little dance as they played. It was Raul’s turn now [I] You can get very old by yourself, Catch a fish or a cold by yourself, dig a ditch, strike it rich by yourself, there are lots of things that you can do alone[/I] Raul was really hamming it up, much to the amusement of the students, who had started dancing again. Harry laughed as he saw Fang trying to dance with a Hufflepuff girl, but he couldn’t seem to stay still long enough to actually dance with any one. Turning his attention back to Cat, Harry was amazed as she really started to get into it, belting out the song, she had a very strong voice, it sounded completely different from when he heard her singing to the drakes. Her voice had been like liquid air when she sang to the drakes, but now it was very earthy, very powerful.[I] you can fight like a champ by yourself, you can lick any stamp by yourself, you can be very brave on the phone, there are lots of things that you can do alone [/I]she was camping it up, over acting a lot of the lyrics, to the great amusement of the students. Raul was smiling as the band yelled out "sing it girl" and "go for it darlin" as she and Raul slid into each other as they sang [I] two to tango, two to tango, do the dance of love, it take two, only two, darling it only takes two [/I] Raul put his arm around her waist as they danced, stepping in perfect time as they kept singing, they even turned their heads in perfect time to the music, as if each one knew what the other was going to do. Harry looked at Remus questioningly.....

Remus smiled at Harry’s amazed stare as he watched Cat sing,” You should see her play, ....I’m pretty sure I have pictures of her and Lily on stage"

"My mum sang like this too?!" Harry almost fell out of his chair

"Not exactly" Remus told him "but they did sing together quite a bit, nothing quite as boisterous at this though" pausing for a moment he added "I think Lily and Cat wrote quite a bit of their own songs as I recall. Should ask Cat, she probably still has them."

Albus chuckled softly as he remembered them as students, Lily, Cat and the Marauders; every teacher in school knew them, if only by reputation. The only thing more remarkable than their pranks was their shear raw talent. If only he had realized how much talent, he found it unbelievable that he could have had three animagus in his school and not have known. They certainly knew how to keep each other’s secrets well, even when they shouldn’t have. Albus applauded with the rest of the hall as Raul and Cat finished, they both jumped off the stage, landing gracefully and walked towards Albus, Remus and Harry.

Albus stood as he greeted Raul “A wonderful performance. I am so very glad that you and your clan are enjoying themselves."

Raul nodded and thanked Albus, but his eyes kept drifting to Cash, he was still concerned about his earlier behaviour. "Thank you Albus, my clan is indeed happy to be here among you. At least most of them are..." he said looking directly at Cash.

Cat walked up to Raul and placed her hand on his arm "I’m sure Cash is happy to be here to, aren’t you?" she asked him genuinely.

Cash walked over to them and put his arm around Cat’s shoulders, "I am now" he said honestly "you were right Raul, I admit it."

The look of surprise on Raul’s face was priceless, Cash admit he was mistaken, he never thought he would see the day.

"There see, everyone is happy" Cat chimed cheerfully "with the possible exception of a few Slytherins" she added looking very innocent. Harry had to laugh, she pulled off that innocent thing a lot better than Sirius and Remus did.

Albus chuckled as well "So I have been told. Most unfortunate, but I am sure it will not be repeated.,” he said looking at them all pointedly "As for myself, I am afraid it is time I take my leave, I have a rather busy day planned for tomorrow."

Remus and Raul walked with Albus to the door as Cash and Harry began their own conversation, Cat smiled at them, she loved the fact that her family loved Harry as much as she did. She tussled Harry’s hair as she walked past him; she needed to get something to drink. Cat laughed as she watched some of the older female students checking out Remus, she made a mental note to abuse him about it later, he was so cute when he blushed, and just to funny.

She was lost in her own thoughts when she felt herself being grabbed from behind and drug off into the shadows.......

Severus sensed his chance, as everyone was busy saying goodnight to Albus: slipping up beside Cat he quickly covered her mouth with his hand as he pulled her body tightly against his as he stepped back into the shadows. He felt her panic as she struggled, trying to wrest her body free of his grasp. Severus paused for a moment, ashamed to admit how much he enjoyed her struggling against him, the feel of her warm body pushing against his, as he wrapped himself around her.

Using the hand he had clamped over her mouth, he pulled her head back, pressing her against his shoulder, he bent his head down until his mouth was next to her ear "Catri, stop, its me" Severus whispered, his voice like velvet "I need to make sure they have not harmed you, that vampire was dancing very closely to you, he could have done anything." he was gratified to feel her body relax in his arms, as he slowly removed his hand from her mouth, savouring the softness of her skin.

Cat wanted to scold him for thinking Raul would do such a thing, but the obvious concern in his voice softened her heart. "Severus, how many times must I tell you, the Gangrel will not harm me," she turned to face him, she noticed that he kept his arms around her, even though she wasn’t trying to leave anymore. She smiled softly at him as she touched his cheek "They are like family to me Severus, why can’t you understand that?"

"I know you think they are your friends Cat" Severus replied, looking directly into her eyes, trying to get his point across to her "but they feed on the blood of the living. Can you truly say in the deepest recess of your mind that you trust them completely, without reservation?"

Cat looked tenderly at Severus, he had no idea what it meant to be able to trust completely, she knew that, and she couldn’t blame him, she only had the slightest idea of the torment he faced growing up, and the mere thought of it sent terrors down her spine "Yes Severus, I can." Severus sighed and turned his face away; she cupped his face in her hand and pulled his eyes back to hers. "I know you cannot understand that, but please believe me, not only do I trust them with my life, I trust them with Harry’s as well."

Severus stared at her with disbelief, she trusted them with Harry Potter’s life, how could she have so much faith in monsters like these. "But I thought you considered Potter to be your son?" he paused as he saw Cat nod "And you trust them... with him?" she just smiled softly at him, he could not understand her faith in things, he needed proof, needed to know beyond all doubt. Yet she was willing to risk everyone and everything on faith. Severus closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

"One day Severus, I truly hope you will understand" Cat said to him as she kissed his cheek, pulling herself out of his arms, and returned to Raul, Cash and the others. Severus watched her walk away, she joined the Gangrels who were talking with Harry, draping her arm around Harry’s shoulders, protective and comforting, she easily slipped into conversation. Severus scowled as he saw Cash place his arm around Cat’s waist, and kiss her cheek.

Remus had noticed Sirius sitting under the table as he and Raul had escorted Albus to the door. Remus excused himself to Raul and went to the table, pausing for a few moments until he had Sirius attention. Sirius followed Remus as he made his way to a dark corner, behind some Garou, Sirius reverted back to his human form looking at Remus with sad, hurt filled eyes, "You seem to be enjoying yourself" he said sulkily.

This had been exactly what Remus was afraid of; Sirius had always been very sensitive where Cat was involved. "Sirius, you know better than that." Remus reminded him gently "Cat and I are friends, nothing more, that hasn’t changed."

"Then why were you dancing with her like that?!" Sirius cried "Are you trying to drive me insane, or just remind me how hopeless this is." He felt completely lost, he knew in his heart that he could trust Remus with Cat, but it was killing him not to be able to hold her, and Harry’s treatment of him tonight hadn’t helped.

"I did it because I wanted Severus to see me doing it." Remus smiled knowingly, if there was anything that would cheer up Sirius, it was teasing Snape.

"Really?! He’s here,.... I haven’t seen him" Sirius said, grinning madly "Did he see you, or better yet, did you see him see you?" he finished excitedly.

"Who do you think cursed me?" Remus told him winking "He’s been here scowling at Cat’s guest all night, can’t imagine she’ll be happy with him."

"I’m surprised she didn’t haul him out when he cursed you" Sirius said emphatically "I know what a bad temper she has, and hurting you would certainly make her angry."

"That’s why I didn’t tell her." Remus told Sirius, who was staring at him completely dumbfounded.

"You didn’t tell her!! Why not?" Sirius yelled as Remus motioned him to keep his voice down "It would have been perfect, she would have refused to speak with him for weeks, if ever."

"Sirius, I want you to listen to me very carefully" Remus said, making sure that he had Sirius’s full attention "Cat asked me tonight to specifically NOT do anything to him. She still protects him.... I don’t know why, but please, let him be. It won’t help if you get Cat upset with you."

"So your just going to let him get away with that" Sirius replied angrily, his blue eyes flashing "your not even going to tell her what *he* did."

Remus shook his head, "Padfoot, shame on you,.... you have the nerve to talk about her temper" Remus laughed.

Sirius looked at his friend and sighed, he was right "I can’t help it Moony. I’ve lost so much, I honestly think it would kill me if I lost her or Harry." he said sadly "But at least I know if anything happens to me, Harry will have someone to take care of him, someone who loves him as much as I do." Sirius finished as he looked at Cat and Harry, they were talking with Cash and some other Gangrels, her arm was around Harry’s shoulders. He wanted to walk up and join them, he just knew if he could get Cat alone for an hour, everything would be fine, they would be together again.

"I take it you saw them crying earlier" Remus asked as he smiled at the dreamy look in Sirius’s eyes.

"Yeah, I hope your going to tell me what that was about" Sirius turned to Remus waiting expectantly.

Remus smiled widely "Remember when I told you Cat considered him her son" Sirius nodded "well it appears that Harry is more than happy to have her as his mother. And her family is overjoyed as well" Remus finished beaming at Sirius.

"Really, .....he likes her that much?" Sirius was grinning as widely as Remus "He doesn’t mind her taking Lily’s place. That’s fabulous." Sirius’s eyes were shining with joy as he watched Harry and Cat, they even looked like they could be mother and son, and Cash was there with them, Sirius could have done without the arm around her waist, but it was obvious that he adored Harry as much as Cat did. Sirius laughed out loud as he watched Cash and Harry trading goofy looks as Cat rolled her eyes and laughed at them.

"Mind" Remus said sarcastically "your godson spends as much time with her as he does with me. He loves her Sirius, ..... almost as much as you do." Remus told him "Now all we have to do it to get Snape to bow out gracefully, and life can continue the way it was meant to."

"Do you actually think Snape is just going to walk away?" Sirius said seriously, knowing full well that the chances of that happening were about as good as Peter Pettigrew turning himself in.

"Not on his own, but I’m hoping with a little help from Harry, we can convince him that she’s not worth the effort" Remus told his friend.

"What do you mean... help from Harry" Sirius wasn’t sure that he wanted Harry to cross Snape, he could be dangerous and as much as he wanted Cat back, he was not going to risk Harry.

"Do you really think Severus Snape wants to be Harry’s new daddy?" Remus asked chuckling as Sirius made a face at the idea "Exactly! And if it came to a choice between keeping Harry or keeping Severus, who do you think our dear Cat would choose?"

Sirius smiled so hard it hurt, he hadn’t been this happy since he held Cat in his arms last Saturday. Leave it to Remus to think of something like that, he was absolutely right, Cat would never walk away from Harry, he could see it in the way she stood next to him, and she always had a protective arm around him or an affectionate wink. She would no sooner abandon Harry that she would her own flesh and blood.

Sirius turned at smiled at Remus "you’re a genius, you know that" he said as he hugged his friend tightly.

Remus laughed as he tried to catch his breath, "Sirius, a little air please" he laughed, it was so good to see him happy again, he missed seeing his smile "Actually, it gets better" Remus said as he winked at Sirius.

"Yeah.... and" Sirius was practically bursting with curiosity. "Don’t leave me in suspense like this, my heart can’t take it." he said as he grasped at his robes, pretending he was trying to find his heart.

"Well remember when I told you Severus was lurking in the shadows" Remus asked, as Sirius nodded yes "lets just say he’s been less that gracious to Cat’s guests, our new allies against Voldemort."

"New allies, Remus what are you talking about?!" Sirius asked him, a look of shock across his face.

"All these Gangrel and Garou,... there not just here for the party." Remus explained, completely serious now "They have come to speak with Dumbledore about joining forces against Voldemort. And the Gangrels have agreed to an alliance with us."

"But how... the ministry would never agree to speak with them?" Sirius responded still surprised at the news, they had allies now, they had a chance.

"True, but Dumbledore would, and he knew if Cat asked them to come, they would" Remus told Sirius "Her clan and theirs have been allied for generations" he explained as he saw the confused look on Sirius’s face "and a lot of her family has become Gangrels,... like Cash for instance."

"Cash... you mean he’s related to her" Sirius asked, as he began to feel amazingly better about the whole arm around her waist thing, "Does that mean Raul is related to her too?" that would be such a relief, he had been so worried about the way they had been holding her.

"Ahhhh, no." Remus responded, trying to pick his words carefully "Raul is ‘like’ family to her, they all are, but Sirius,... please listen and remember this.. It is very important" he waiting until he had Sirius’s full attention "Whatever you do, please, please, don’t ever make a fuss about the way they touch her." Remus stopped Sirius who was about to argue with him "Listen to me closely, they call her Angel for a reason. She is not afraid of them, not afraid to talk to them, hold their hands, dance with them, .. Nothing. I have seen her fall asleep in their arms, and they love her dearly for it. They would kill for her, she is the one sure connection they have to life, look at her Sirius." he turned and did as Remus asked "See the way they hold onto her, they don’t want *anything* from her, except to know that she will allow them to, that she accepts and loves them, just as they do her."

Sirius watched as a few Gangrel had approached Cat and Harry, they were touching them both, their hands, cheeks, a few of them had even greeted Cat with kisses on her cheeks, which she gladly returned, smiling happily at them. Part of him was repulsed that she would so willingly allow a vampyre to touch her like that, but then he quickly remembered Cash, he was one too, and Sirius had found himself growing very fond of his playfulness and sense of humour all to quickly

"So your telling me they won’t try to harm her or Harry, they just want them to ..." Sirius wasn’t sure what he was going to say.

"They just want to be treated normally, the same way we would treat one another." Remus finished the sentence for him "And as for harming Harry or Cat, forget it, like I said, they would kill to protect them. Sirius, I can honestly say Harry has never been safer in his life."

Sirius smiled as Remus finished his explanation. He could live with them touching Cat, as long as it didn’t get too personal, and the thought of Harry being safe filled him with a tremendous amount of relief, "Remus, do you really think it will make a difference" he asked sincerely "having them for allies, I know their strong, but against Voldemort... will it make a difference?"

Remus smiled happily "I am *sure* it will my friend. Right now the Garou and Gangrel are protecting the school and surrounding grounds from deatheaters and dementors... turns out the Garou are pretty much immune to the dementors." Remus explained smiling at the look on Sirius’s face "And they do enjoy fighting, rather like Quidditch to them, just with more bludgers"......

Harry’s sides were sore from laughing so hard; no wonder Cash and Sirius had become instant friends. Harry looked to Cat who was rolling her eyes and swatting Cash for telling such terrible jokes in front of him. It didn’t even matter that he hadn’t understood some of them; the reaction from Cat was too funny, especially when she pinched Cash for telling a dirty joke in front of him. "Cash, why do you put up with all of her abuse" Harry asked between bouts of laughter "you can take her, right?"

Cat’s jaw dropped open as she stared at Harry "Well now, isn’t that a fine how do you do? Encouraging a scoundrel such as yourself to beat me up." Cat said pretending to be mortified by the idea as Cash doubled over with laughter, "besides" she added slyly "I can kick his tushy from here to Hogwarts, no problem" she laughed as Cash pop up and gave her a look of disbelief.

"Oh, reeeeaallyy" Cash said, getting a mischievous look in his eyes "I’m willing to bet that lovely black dog over there that I would win any competition you come up with" Cash winked at Harry as Cat shook her head.

"You can’t go betting Harry’s dog" Cat admonished him "he doesn’t belong to you, besides Harry would miss him."

Harry stared at Cash for a moment, he wondered if Cash really knew about Sirius, he decided to take a chance "It’s alright, .... I mean if its you" Harry chimed in "at least for a day or two." Harry looked at Cash again, who gave him a thumbs up and a knowing grin. Harry’s heart leaped, he knew, and he was on Sirius’s side, Harry could only imagine what Sirius would do when he found out. After all if Cat won, and Harry was pretty sure that was Cash’s intention, Sirius would have to stay with her. Harry’s stomach lurched, he wasn’t sure that this was the best way to get Cat and Sirius together, especially after seeing the way she responded to his name earlier.