Severus could not move... his heart had stopped beating the moment he saw what had happened to Cat’s sword, he had not even had time to utter a counter spell it had all happened so fast. He shut his eyes tightly as the scene of that vampyre killing her played again in his head, over and over. Her scream as his blade cut through her skin, only to be followed by the sound of her body hitting the stone floor. Severus was numb with shock, .... she was gone, everything he had been hoping and dreaming about since the moment he laid eyes on her was gone with her. His tears began to flow, he did not care anymore, first his daughter and now Cat. It was beyond unfair.... it was beyond bearable, if he thought he could work the avada curse on himself, he would. .

His eyes watched as the vampyre dropped to his knees, screaming out in his pain and grief, it was obvious this was not what he intended, not that it mattered she was still dead. Potter’s face said it all, he was crying and screaming for her, he just could not fathom it, Severus understood, neither could he. To be so full of life one moment, laughing, dancing....loving, only to have it taken away so quickly, so brutally. Severus wanted to go to Harry, to try and say something to ease his pain, but he had no advice, no word of wisdom, only pain. He slumped heavily against the wall as he closed his eyes on his pain, willing it to go away, knowing that it never would. His mind raced over the last few weeks, the roses he had sent her, their walk in Hogwarts, the sweetness of her kisses, their long discussions after supper, her smile. .

Severus was startled out of his bittersweet memories by the sound of Cat’s voice..... he was sure he had lost his mind. He straightened up quickly as he turned to look at the crowd of vampyres surrounding her, his heart stopped for the second time tonight as he saw her, yelling indignantly that someone had tried to kill her. Her vampyre friend turned to look at the room, his eyes were actually glowing, Severus knew someone was probably going to die in a few minutes....

"I said who did it, who hexed your blade?" Cash repeated, even angrier than before. He was quickly answered by Sirius’s growls and the pointing fingers of several of his clan; they were all facing the alcove off of the main doors. Cash turned to look and saw three students, "SLYTHERIN" he cried out, as the trio began to run for the door..

Sirius paused only long enough to make sure Cat was going to be alright, before leaping from the table in hot pursuit of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco had a good head start, but Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere near as fast. Not that it would matter much, because following Sirius was a group of several Gangrel and Garou. Gaz and Raul were at the head of the pack, as much as they wanted the blood of these monsters, they had made a pledge to protect the school and the students, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t inflict some pain, just leave them alive. .

Draco rushed out the doors of the great hall, followed closely by Crabbe. Goyle would have made it if he hadn’t have run into Ron Weasley, who stuck out his foot, tripping the Slytherin as he yelled "jerk" and walked off as Gaz, Fang, Kara and Regeane (the Garou sisters who had been dancing with the twins all night) grabbed him and pulled him off to a corner, where the sounds of fist hitting flesh were shortly heard..

Crabbe and Draco split up when they exited the great hall, hoping to increase their chances of getting away. Draco headed for the Slytherin common room as Crabbe ran towards Dumbledore’s office. Raul, Josh and Hamish followed after Crabbe, while Sirius, Angus and Melanie chased down Draco......

Severus watched with horror as he realized who had cursed Cat’s sword, it hadn’t taken long for Black and the vampyres to give chase either. Goyle was already down, he hadn’t even made it out of the hall, Severus quickly chased after the pack of vampyre and Garou, convinced that they would kill the students if they got their hands on them. Or worse yet, if Black got a hold of Malfoy, Severus had no doubt in his mind that Black would murder him in cold blood, not that the thought had not crossed his own mind. It was his duty as a teacher to protect his students, and Malfoy was a member of his house, ..... but he decided right there and then that he would see to it that Draco Malfoy suffered everyday of his life at Hogwarts. Severus paused outside of the great hall as he saw the pack split off in two different directions, taking a chance he chose the one that would lead towards his house’s dorms...........

Cash and Harry were fussing over Cat, who was angry enough to spit nails, but apparently none the worse for wear. She was still bleeding from the smaller scratches and she looked terrible, covered in her own blood and beginning to bruise. Cat looked up at Harry and grinned half-heartedly, "Don’t worry sweetie, scary as it may seem, I’ve been through worse" she said as she watched the dog and several Gangrel chasing after Malfoy. "Glad to see someone’s got the situation under control" she laughed as she nodded towards the pack "personally, I hope your dog bites that brat right on his pasty white a**" she slid off the table and began shaking the shards of glass out of her hair. She watched as Severus followed after the pack, his black cloak trailing behind him, Cat sighed deeply, *still being Malfoy’s whipping boy* she thought. Cat’s mind drifted back to their school days, she remembered as time after time, Lucius Malfoy had used and abandoned Severus, simply to get what he wanted, never gave a care about what he was doing to his *friend*. Cat snorted to herself, friend, who could ever call a mean, conniving, two-faced creep like Malfoy a friend, he used people like he used tissues. Cat was pulled from her thoughts as Cash threw his arms around her and squeezed her tightly..... .

Cash watched as Angel slid of the table, trying to shake the pieces of glass off of herself, he was overcome with relief, he had been so afraid for her, his blood ran cold as he remembered the look in her eyes as she saw his blade coming towards her. Impulsively he threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly, afraid to let her go for fear she wouldn’t return. Cash pressed his face into the curve of her neck and began rocking her back and forth "If it makes you feel any better Angel, I’ll disqualify myself, you can have the dog." he told her as his voice broke with emotion. He felt her embrace him, patting his back as she softly hushed his worries. Cash sighed heavily, if anything would ever happen to her, he shuddered at the thought, she and Tris had been his whole world lately, even when they were miles apart, they were always on his mind. He blinked away the tears that were forming in his eyes, he looked over Angel’s shoulder only to see Harry’s tear stained face, he looked frightened and confused *join the club* Cash thought, as he stretched an open arm to Harry, who quickly join he and Angel. *His little family* Cash thought his descendants, he hugged them tightly, making sure they were both safe, he could leave the explanations to Angel; she would know how to tell Harry..

Composing himself, Cash took a deep breath as he looked deeply into Angel and Harry’s eyes, he smiled tenderly at them, "My little family" he kissed them both on their foreheads. "Harry, take care of her" he said sternly "I’m going to help Sirius tear that little bastard apart" Cash quickly changed into a wolf and ran towards the door, sniffing the air for the scent of fear and blood. He quickly picked up the track and ran at breakneck speed towards the dungeon. It didn’t take him long to run into the pack, who were surrounding a terrified Draco Malfoy. Cash sneered as he saw a pale man dressed in black pulling Sirius back with all of his strength, muttering curse after curse to no avail. Cash noticed that Draco had already been bitten on his thigh and left forearm, Sirius’s work no doubt, couldn’t really blame him either. "If it had been me, I’d have torn his throat out, child or not." Cash said loudly, as he reverted to his human form, causing every head to turn towards him.......

Cash laughed darkly as Snape fell backwards onto the cold stone floor, turning to Snape, Cash asked him "And exactly what do you think your doing?" his voice was ice cold as he walked towards Snape "He harmed clan, his life is forfeit." Cash reached out quickly with his arm, hitting Draco forcefully in the face as he tried to run away. Draco grabbed his nose as the pain began to radiate, he was horrified as he wiped the blood away and noticed several of the other Gangrel had reverted as well, and had been joined by Gaz, Kara and Regeane, all of whom were splattered with blood. They took turns punching and scratching the wounded Draco every time he tried to get away from them, he was getting penned it, like a lamb among wolves. .

Severus had no idea what to do now, but he had to think fast. He was fortunate enough to be able to prevent Black from doing anymore harm to Malfoy, but he didn’t know how long he would have been able to hold him back, even using all of his physical strength and several rather effective curses, nothing seemed to be affecting him. And now vampyre and Garou, all of who appeared bent on Malfoy’s blood, surrounded them. "She would not want you to do this" Severus told Cash calmly "you must know that." Severus could only hope his gambit would work, he knew there was no way he could protect Draco against so many..

Cash turned on Severus "Oh really, that little beast nearly gets her killed, and you think she would want us to walk away?!!" he growled dangerously. .

"I am told you know her well" Severus spat angrily "Do you truly believe she would allow you to kill a child....".

Severus was cut off by Cash’s angry outburst "Child, you dare to call this creature a child?" his voice was booming in the echoing dungeon "He has no innocence, do you think this is the first time he has tried to kill?" Cash grabbed Draco roughly by the hair and drug him to stand in front of Severus, his feet dangling as Cash held him in the air by his slick blonde locks. "Look at him, ask him how much blood he has on his hands" Cash tossed Draco to Snape, who cringed as Malfoy landed with a sickening thud at his feet. Cash looked at his hands with disgust as he wiped away the shocks of hair that had pulled loose..

Severus relaxed a little as he heard Draco moan, he was hurt but at least he was still alive. "And what about the alliance, how do you think vendetta will effect that?" Severus asked Cash, they were now face to face, and neither was blinking. "For Cat’s sake, leave it be. Let the boy to me, I am head of his house." .

"You have no standing in our clan" Cash sneered, "why would I believe you?"

Severus pointed to Black "Ask him, he knows Cat trusts me".

Cash turned to Sirius who was still busy growling at Malfoy’s nearly unconscious body to pay attention to the discussion, he jumped as he felt a hand on his neck. It was Cash; he wanted to talk with him, man to man. Sirius looked around, Malfoy was out for the count, and everyone else here was either Cat’s ally or Severus. Sirius shook himself as he reverted back into a man. "What......" he was still growling as he stared with cold anger at Draco..

Cash spoke calmly to Sirius, he understood how he felt, she had almost died tonight. He looked into Sirius’s eyes when he tried to carry her to the hospital; he had seen the desperation and pain. "This man tells me that he knows Angel, that she trusts him. Is it true?" Cash asked softly..........

Sirius paused a long time before he turned to Cash and nodded "Don’t ask me to explain it, but for some unfathomable reason, she does" he replied bitterly..

"Really?" said Kara and Regeane in unison as they walked up to either side of Snape eyeing him closely. The sisters looked at each other, then at Cash, who nodded and winked at them. Each sister took one of Severus’s arms in their hands and pulled them back tightly, no so much hurting Snape as much as restraining him, Kara used the ball of her foot to push the back of Snape’s knee, forcing him to kneel between them...........

Harry couldn’t believe Cash, *take care of her*, he had to smile at the thought. He was really enjoying belonging to a family, even if the family was a bit strange, vampyres, werewolves, Sidhe, and heaven only knew what else. But Harry could tell that they loved him, and that was worth everything to him. He turned to look at Cat who had a very strange look on her face. Harry was about to ask her what was wrong when Ron and Hermione came running up to them..

"Harry, Miss MacLeod" Hermione said as she ran up to them, slightly out of breath "are you both alright?" she turned to MacLeod "We thought you were dead.".

"Nice Hermione" Ron told her as he rolled his eyes "real subtle".

Harry and Cat looked at each other and started to laugh as Ron and Hermione eyed them suspiciously "What’s so funny then?" asked Ron..

"Nothing Ron, its just been a very long night" Cat replied softly as she put her arm around Harry’s shoulder "its got to be after midnight, and I’ve had a rough couple of days, I could really use some sleep."

"Oh no" said Harry "Cash said I was to take care of you, and your going to the hospital wing first" he said determinedly.

"I don’t think so Harry" Cat replied just as firmly "I’m perfectly fine, Cash took care of me, remember"

"He also told me to take care of you" Harry told her "remember" he stared at her, refusing to blink, she was not getting out of this, she needed to be checked by Madame Pomfrey.

Cat sighed "Honestly Harry, your as bad as my brothers" she told him, rolling her eyes.

Harry smiled at the thought, she had brothers, he had uncles, and he was already acting like them. "Must be a family trait then" he said, smirking at her.

Cat tried not to smile at Harry’s protectiveness, but she couldn’t help herself. She grinned broadly at him, as she pulled him closer in a little hug, "oh your uncles are just going to love you." she said sarcastically, as Ron and Hermione exchanged confused glances as they all began the familiar walk to the hospital wing.

"Wonder if they caught Malfoy yet" Ron asked, grinning from ear to ear at the thought..........

Severus felt completely helpless as the two girls held him fast, they had taken his wand and given it to Sirius, and he was unable to fight them without it. "SOOoo" Cash began, "You’re a friend of Angels huh. Seems strange she never mentioned you to me." he walked around Snape regarding him carefully, "Now Remus and Sirius, I’ve heard all about" he lied, Angel had never mentioned Sirius, but Remus certainly had, many, many times "yet you...... nothing" Cash crouched down right in front of Snape so he could see his face "why is that?"

"And I suppose she discusses everything with you" Severus said spitefully, refusing to show any fear to the arrogant vampyre hovering in front of him..

Cash sneered at him, the guy was annoying, but he had to admire his moxy, most men would have starting crying by now, or at least begged for their lives. "As a matter of fact," he said softly, taking care to pronounce every word "she does, in vivid detail".

Severus glowered at him, that last comment had hit home, he knew Cat cared for him, enough so that he was planning to ask her to marry him this Christmas. "Apparently not" Severus growled in his most velvety voice "or you would have heard about me. She gave up on *that* " he said nodded towards Sirius "years ago."

Cash turned to look at Sirius and saw the same painfully haunted look he had seen in the hall earlier this evening. Cash turned back to Severus "Really, well I guess I’ll just have to let the girls decide that one" he stood up and nodded to the girls.

Kara and Regeane looked at each other and smiled, they were going to enjoy this, it wasn’t often that the Gangrel allowed them to play. "Well sister, what do you think" Kara said as she sniffed Snape curiously "is he Angel’s type?"

Regeane looked sceptically at him "Dark eyes, very pale, doesn’t seem to smile much" she said quickly "my guess would be no.".

"But we owe it to Angel and Cash to be sure" Kara retorted, enjoying the look of panic that had begun creeping over Snape’s pale face.

"True sister, true" Regeane agreed as she slowly ran her free hand over Severus’s face and down his chest, "it would be a pity if we rushed to judgement" she grinned knowingly at her sister, who returned her smile in kind.

Severus was frozen, he had no idea what these young Garou had in mind for him, but he knew it couldn’t be any good. He stared harshly at the Gangrel and at Black, he didn’t care what Cat thought about either of them, they were vicious and evil, if she were here, she would see that for herself. He grimaced as the Garou began touching and sniffing at him, it didn’t hurt, but it was extremely unnerving. He could hardly bear it as they moved closer and closer, trying to expose his secrets, in fact they had become quite *personal* with their touches. .

"He has hidden talents" Regeane said to Cash "Angel know this, she can sense these things."

"How hidden" Cash questioned them "and is he a danger to her or us?"

Kara nodded to her sister, indicating she should take both of Severus’s arms, as she walked in front of Severus and looked deeply into his eyes, invading him. .

Severus wanted to look away or at least close his eyes, but he was unable to do either. He could feel the girl probing his mind and his heart, he cringed as he felt her presence reach in to his, violating his soul, she wasn’t even trying to be gentle, in fact he had the distinct impression she was enjoying his discomfort immensely. .

"He would destroy us in an instant" Kara said emotionlessly, "but he would die before he let Angel come to harm."

Cash was suddenly furious "Really, then why is he protecting that whelp" Cash gestured indicating Draco Malfoy’s limp body "he nearly murdered her. I didn’t see him running to her rescue." Cash’s tirade was interrupted by Olia another member of his clan.

"Raul wanted me to make sure you didn’t actually kill anyone" Olia whispered softly in Cash’s ears "He doesn’t want to risk the alliance".

Cash turned and glared at her "So politics is more important to him than his own clan?!" Cash answered her his eyes flashing fiercely.

"Of course not, but Angel is safe, she is with us as is her son" Olia turned to look at the damaged student and the pale professor, "it appears you’ve done quite enough already."

"Oh really?" Cash said as he grabbed Olia’s hands "Looks like you’ve done quite a bit yourself" he commented as he pointed out the bloodstains on her hands.

Olia smiled sweetly at Cash, "Can I help it if I’m so much faster than the rest of the clan" she told him sounding wonderfully innocent "I had to do something to stop the other boy from evading the clan." she walked over towards Kara, Regeane and Snape "I did apologize for being so rough, but I don’t think he heard me, there was too much blood coming out of his ears" she grinned wickedly as she remembered the terrified look on the little beasts face. She had to obey the clan laws, including the whims of Raul, he was their primogen, but family is family, and as far as Olia was concerned if Angel’s blood had been spilt, then her attackers blood would be spilt as well, preferably all over the floor.

Kara and Regeane nodded at Olia, they had played with her before, they knew this was going to be fun. Kara returned to her position holding one of Severus’s arms, she turned to her sister and grinned, Olia may not look like much, but she could inflict the deepest terror upon men either of them had ever seen. A point that was soon proven, Olia stood directly in front of Severus, who was still a little woozy from Kara’s attentions, she knelt down before him, getting uncomfortably close to the potion master..

Kara spoke to Olia, "He has many hidden secrets, and apparently is keen on our Angel." she looked up as Cash snorted his disapproval of the idea..

"Secrets.... not from me" Olia said ominously as she placed her hands on either side of Snape’s face. Olia’s eyes grew wide and very, very deep as she peered into Severus’s soul, he could feel her ripping his most intimate thoughts and feelings from him, she moved one of her hands to his chest, right over his heart, and pressed roughly against him. Severus felt a tingling sensation from his neck to his groin, not entirely unpleasant, but completely unnerving. Olia began to laugh mockingly at him "So you think to marry our Angel and make her leave us?" she paused as she heard both Cash and Sirius growling dangerously at the idea. She shook her head, all the while keeping eye contact with Severus "You can never turn her heart against us." Olia said firmly, "If she were to appear before us right now, she would ask you what you did to cause this, not us.".

Severus tried vainly to evade her eyes and the nauseating feeling of having his mind violated in such a way, she was almost nose to nose with him, he tried to mentally defend himself against her attack, she merely smirked at him as she pressed harder against his chest. The tingling had now become a burning, causing pain to ripple through his body, a groan escaped his lips, but he refused to scream, he would never give her the satisfaction of knowing how much she was hurting him.........

Cash almost admired the guy, he had stones, most people would have passed out by now, maybe Kara was right about these hidden talents of his. Cash felt a hand on his shoulder, turning he saw Sirius staring at him with mixed emotions of satisfaction and shame. .

"Its not that I’m ungrateful, I enjoy making him angry as much as the next guy, but.... this goes beyond discomfort or embarrassment. She’s torturing him now, he doesn’t deserve that, even if he is a Slytherin." Sirius told him softly "Can you please make her stop.".

Cash was slightly surprised by Sirius’s charity towards the man who was obviously competing against him for Angel, but he saw the sincerity in Sirius’s eyes. "But why, he’s not your friend....".

Sirius closed his eyes and paused before answering "Cash I was tortured almost every day of my life for 12 years" as he opened his eyes again, Cash saw his pain and torment "I just can’t bare to watch it, he’s only trying to protect his house, - his clan.".

Cash understood, he could see the wounds Sirius carried with him, the hurt and the loneliness. He had been there himself; Cash placed his hand on Sirius’s shoulder and nodded, if the Slytherin needed to be taken care of it could be done later, no point forcing anyone to watch. Cash turned to where Olia, Kara and Regeane were still busy *amusing* themselves with Snape. Cash watched for a moment as Snape’s body tensed with pain, before Olia released him, only to begin her torment over again. Cash turned to Sirius and rolled his eyes "Never, ever turn an empath into a vampyre, very bad mix," Cash turned once again to face the girls and cleared his throat loudly, getting the attention of the threesome. .

The girls looked at Cash as he gave them a signal, Regeane gently tapped Olia on the shoulder, it was never a good idea to push your luck with Cash, they both knew that, they had seen what he had done to the last primogen of his clan. Olia paused her torment for a moment, as she scowled at Cash, she was enjoying this, Kara was right he had many hidden talents and secrets; he could hold her interest for hours, if he survived. Olia backed away slightly, but when she saw the look of relief on Snape’s face, she couldn’t help herself, she quickly moved towards him again, catching his eyes in her gaze. She reached deeply into his mind, to where he kept his hopes and desires, all of his suffering and longing, and she smiled evilly. "My, my but aren’t you naughty" she said as she closed her eyes and licked his face, just to see his reaction, she was not disappointed. She laughed mockingly as Severus shuddered, she didn’t care that Cash was yelling at her to stop. She ignored Cash, refusing to let go of her new plaything, until she felt the excruciating pressure of Cash’s hand around the back of her neck. .

Olia stopped immediately, removing her hands as Snape slumped to the floor, panting and wincing with the pain, he wasn’t sure which was worse, the physical pain aching every muscle in his body, or the emotional pain of knowing how helpless he was, as this girl violated every part of his heart, mind and soul..

Cash picked Olia up off the ground and glared dangerously at her "Something you’d like to say to me?" it was more a growl than a voice. Olia returned Cash’s gaze "Kara is right, he keeps many secrets hidden from the world" she answered quickly "Angel knows things that we don’t, she has a talent for this, she understands things that we can’t".

Kara and Regeane looked at each other, this was not where they wanted to be, thinking quickly they walked around to where Sirius stood, they had seen the way Cash responded to him. They were certain that Cash liked this wizard, and if he liked him, then they were safest with him right now. Kari and Regeane slipped their arms around a surprised Sirius, as they cringed at Cash’s anger, they were both shocked as Sirius placed his arms around their shoulders protectively. No wonder Cash liked him, Sirius appeared to be as unafraid and accepting as Angel was, and as kind, the sisters smiled up at Sirius as they pressed against him, trying to avoid Cash’s temper. .

Cash for his part was done with Olia, he had no wish to harm her, but she needed to learn her place, she was neither primogen nor elder, he gave her great leeway due to her *special* needs, and because her embrace had been an accident, but she had to stop challenging her elders, or she may not live to become one herself. Cash walked towards Snape and Malfoy, he regarded the potion master coldly, Snape was still on his knees, to unsteady to rise to his feet, and since Sirius had his wand, he was little threat to anyone at the moment. Reaching down, Cash picked up Draco by the hair once again, he moaned loudly as Cash shook him back to consciousness. "Just so you know this, you little beast, you have been marked by Clan Gangrel, you are our enemy as is your clan." Cash paused for effect "Nowhere is safe for you, not this school, not your home, we wander the night and stalk the darkness. We are vampyres, Born to Darkness and Embraced by the blood there is no escaping us" Cash spat on Draco as he finished.

Kara, Olia and Regeane gasped, Cash had actually cursed him, marked the boy for torment and death, Angel must have been hurt far worse than any of them had realized for Cash to be so angry, usually he would scare them and let them go, but not this time. Kara and Regeane pressed even more closely to Sirius, hoping that he would be able to stop Cash’s tirade if he turned on them. .

Severus had finally be able to rise to his feet, albeit unsteadily, he felt as if he were drunk, his body was not obeying his commands, but he had more pressing issues to concern himself with. He watched in horror as the vampyre shook a limp and crying Draco like a doll. "Enough" yelled Severus "for Cat’s sake, for your Angel’s sake, let him be".

Cash turned around to face Snape, "You dare use her name against me?" he wasn’t sure if he should be angry or amused. This human could barely stand on his own two feet, and he was challenging him.

"Do you think she would have me do anything less?" Severus replied as forcefully as he could. "The boy is from my house, it is my duty to protect them, and to punish them."

Cash smirked at Snape, "you want him so badly" he said tauntingly "here he’s yours" as he tossed Draco over to Snape, his body landed with a stomach turning crunch this time. Cash turned around, only to see Kara and Regeane cowering under Sirius’s protective embrace and Olia staring at him with wide eyes "What..... tell me he didn’t deserve it" Cash remarked easily as he walked past them, he needed to find Angel and Harry, make sure they were both safe.

Sirius stared with disbelief as Cash walked by, as if nothing was wrong, he looked down at Kara and Regeane who shrugged their shoulders at him, they were just as confused.

"Apparently the storms over" Olia remarked as she followed Cash down the hall, quickly followed by the Garou sisters. Sirius paused for a moment, looking back to Snape and Draco, he had no love in his heart for either of them, but he couldn’t leave them there like that. Sirius walked silently to Snape, and handed him back his wand. Severus stared at him with untrusting eyes as he hesitantly took his wand. Both men regarding each other for a few moments until Sirius gave Severus a look of disgust "you’re welcome" Sirius told Severus as he reverted to his dog form and ran after his new friends.......