From behind the wall Sirius left out a horrible groan as he and Harry stared at each other, the pain and horror etched on their faces. Why hadn't they realized it, she always talked about her father and brothers, but not once since she arrived at the school had she mentioned her mother. Harry had to pull Sirius away from the door, he was trying to get to Cat, she needed someone who could comfort her, who understood what she was going through. He began to weep softly as Harry held onto him, he needed to see her, now more than ever, he thought back to how she had comforted him when his father had died. He remembered vividly the way she had laid his head on her lap, stroking his hair as he cried, they talked for hours, it was so easy for him to open up to her he trusted her completely, he could tell her anything. Sirius slumped to the floor and buried his head in his hands, he had go to her, he had to be with his beloved Cat, she needed him.

Harry sat down next to his godfather embracing him as he tried to stop Sirius's tears, but it was no use, Sirius wasn't there anymore, he was back at Hogwart's, back when he was young and happy. He was clowning around on the Quidditch pitch with James, Remus, and Peter, as Lily and Cat tried to score against them. He and Cat had only been dating officially for a few weeks, but they had been the happiest of his life. The girls were doing a commendable job of trying to score, but they were outnumbered and Cat was not used to playing the game, not that she let that stop her. She was quick, and she and Lily seemed to have a silent connection, they knew instinctively what each other were going to do.

Sirius and James had found it funny at first, until they started to actually score, that’s when Sirius decided to run a little interference with Cat, he had flown up next to her and grabbed her broom, slowing it down enough to tickled her. He loved to hear her giggle, and he didn't mind the way she would lean against him either. He was in the processes of tickling her again when they noticed Professor Dumbledore approaching the pitch. Wrapping his arms around Cat, he guided her broom down as James and Lily followed them. As they dismounted Cat grabbed his hand, he eagerly took hers and squeezed it fondly as he smiled at her.

Professor Dumbledore had come right up to him "Mr. Black I need you to accompany me to my office, if you please" Dumbledore had said to him. Sirius remembered clearly protesting his innocence "what ever it is I didn't do it" he told Dumbledore.

Albus had smiled sadly as he noticed Sirius holding Cat's hand, "It might be best if Miss MacLeod accompanies us as well"

It was then that he had gotten upset "Wait if I did do it, she didn't know anything about it, honest." he wasn't about to let her get involved in something he did, he was man enough to accept the punishment.

"It has nothing to do with the glue in the Slytherin's bathroom, Mr. Black, this is a personal matter, and I believe that Miss MacLeod may prove helpful to you shortly" Albus told him gently "now please, both of you"

Of course they had both followed him, Dumbledore had been silent the whole way back to the school as he and Cat exchanged worried glances at each other. Sirius racked his brain, but he couldn't remember what else the could have done to warrant the Headmaster coming for them himself. Sirius wondered if they had found the Marauder's Map, it was the only thing that he could think of that would lead to this.

As they entered his office Professor Dumbledore signalled Sirius and Cat to sit down. "Mr. Black" he began softly "It is my unfortunate duty to inform you of your father's passing...." everything else just kind of blurred after that, he had heard Dumbledore offering his condolences and telling him his family would be there the next day to take him home, but nothing really registered. He did remember Dumbledore walking up to him, he had placed Cat's hand over his and told her "Take care of him Kitty, he needs someone to stay with him."

Cat held his hand the entire way as they walked back to the tower, she was crying for him, he was still too numb from the shock of it all. When they reached the common room she walked him right up to his dorm, she never even stopped to tell James or Lily. She took him right up to his bed and sat him down. It wasn't until she looked into his eyes and asked him if he was alright that it all hit him. The love and concern shining through her tears was as evident as her hand on his cheek, he looked at her and began to sob deeply as he threw himself on the bed.

Cat closed the hangings around his bed, she knew he would never want anyone to see him like this.

She sat next to him and gently put his head on her lap, it seemed strange, but it was so very comforting to him, he didn't need to see her, to see the pity in her eyes, she just let him cry as she stroked his hair tenderly, softly cooing words of comfort to him. Remus was the first person to come upstairs, Sirius had heard him, but he didn't want to see anyone, he just wanted to be left alone with Cat, she understood; he didn't need to explain anything to her. Remus hovered outside of the curtains for a few moments, listening to Sirius's muffled sobs. He finally left, he had kept everyone out of dorm until Sirius had fallen asleep. Sirius sighed, it was the first night he and Cat had stayed together, he had fallen asleep while his head was cradled in her lap, she couldn't bring herself to leave. Remus had told him later how he and James had peeped through the curtains to see him sleeping on her lap, while she slept up against the headboard, she had never left his side the whole night.

When he awoke the next morning Cat was there, gazing at him tenderly, he realized at that moment how much he loved her, she wasn't anything like any of the other girls he had dated. He kissed her softly as she embraced him, she whispered in his ear that his family would be there shortly, he should begin to get ready to go home. Sirius refused to let Cat go, he wrapped his arms around her as he let his head rest on her shoulder, he had never felt so fragile in his life. It was such an unnerving feeling to him, he had always been the strong one, the daring one, never afraid to push harder or farther than anyone else. Cat had finally convinced him to at least pack his personal toiletries for his trip home, but only on the condition that she wouldn't leave him, she had to stay right there, in fact, she had ended up holding his hand for most of the morning.

Even when his cousins arrive to take him home, he refused to let go of her, she had become his anchor, the only thing in his life that made sense. It turned into quite an argument, Sirius had insisted she be allowed to come with him, his cousins insisting it was a family matter and she should stay at school with his other friends.

After what seemed like an eternity his oldest cousin Liam finally relented, if Cat agreed to go he didn't care one way or the other, Liam had always considered Sirius to be a spoiled brat anyway, so in spite of his family and even Cat's wishes she accompanied him to his home.

The first time she had gone to his home it had been for the *cultural exchange* thing, his father, Angus, had thought it was a good idea. In fact his father had been terribly intrigued with the whole idea, a good portion of their family came from Scotland and stories of the Sidhe had been told for generations, he could hardly wait to meet one in person. Sirius didn't have the nerve to tell him at the time that he was dating her, it had only been for a few days anyway. James and Lily had joined them for the long weekend, just in case she got bored. Not that she would have the chance, Angus had arranged all manner of activities for them, so she could see how a wizarding family lived. It had been a wonderful weekend, at least until his father caught them kissing. His father had been very upset with him, he was summoned to his den, followed by a stern lecture on his treatment of women in general, Sirius remembered how his father had gone on and on about women not being playthings, they needed to be loved and treated with respect. Angus refused to listen to him, he tried to tell him it was different with Cat, but his father didn't believe him. Finally after the lecture had ended, he returned to his friends, Cat knew immediately how upset he was. She could always tell what he was feeling just by looking at him.

Angus had caught them holding hands and kissing a few more times that weekend, in fact he seemed to be making it a point to watch them very closely, but Sirius had noticed the more his father watched them, the more he was smiling, especially when Cat had snuck up behind Sirius and doused him with water balloons, he though his father was going to split a seam from laughing so hard. Sirius remembered clearly how he had chased Cat as she began screaming playfully, she decided to hide behind his father of all people. Thinking back, Sirius realized it was at that exact moment that his father had made his decision regarding Cat. Angus stood there laughing at them as Sirius tried to grab her, but his father had joined in wholeheartedly by this point, he kept jumping in between he and Cat, laughing until Sirius had tackled him to the grass. They had both lain there, laughing as Cat stood above them smiling fondly at he and his father. That was all Angus had needed to see, by the end of that weekend Sirius had once again been summoned to his father's den, but this time his father was smiling broadly. Angus had told his son how happy he was that he had finally found someone he could truly love, his father had found it especially endearing that they held hands so much. But most of all Angus loved to see the look of joy and contentment on their faces when they were together. Sirius grinned madly; his father liked her, Angus's opinion meant so much to him...

Cat had stood by his side for the whole funeral, holding his hand, some of his family had even begun to warm up to her, especially his mother, she had pulled Cat aside to ask what was going on between she and Sirius. Cat made no apologizes for her behaviour, she was worried sick about him, Sirius and his father were so close, they wrote to each other constantly, Sirius always asked for his fathers opinions on everything, even classes to take. Sirius watched as Cat's eyes had filled with tears, she confessed to his mother that she was frightened for him, she was concerned that he wasn't going to be able to deal with this, he hadn't stopped crying for more than an hour or two since Dumbledore told him.

She had told his mother how much she loved him, and how fragile he seemed to her right now, she wanted to hold him and make his pain go away, but she didn't know how. Sirius was surprised to see his mother smile, it was her first time smile since he returned home, yet there she was smiling sweetly at Cat. His mother had known she wasn't just a fling to Sirius, his mother could tell how much Cat cared about her son. Sirius had heard the whole conversation, his heart broke when Cat explained how much she cared about him.

The only thing that had hurt Sirius as bad as his father's death was the way certain members of his family had treated Cat. Several of them had hinted to he and to his mother that she was only there because of the Black fortune. Sirius could hardly control his temper, but Cat stood by his side, ignoring their words and soothing his temper. It wasn't until a particularly nasty aunt on his father's side had actually called her a gold-digger to her face that he lost it. Sirius had begun screaming blue murder at her until he felt Cat's fingernails pressing into his skin, he was frightening her, she had never seen him react like this before, he didn't understand why his aunt's words hadn't bothered her until he had finally sat down, he remembered clearly what she had told him "Sirius, I know you’re upset" she said softly as she brushed his hair off of his face "but there is no shame in being a miner, it’s an honest profession. I don't understand why you got so upset over something so silly." He looked at her dumbfounded, she had no idea at all what it meant. He shook his head and laughed softly as he embraced her. When his aunt saw this she started all over again, this time his mother stepped in, she explained loudly to Cat what a gold-digger was, apparently she was hoping to embarrass his aunt into being quiet.

Everyone in the room was shocked by Cat's laughter, she was far from upset, she thought it was funny. "Why would I need anymore money, I have more than I could possibly spend in ten lifetimes. I end up using it to send the younger clan members to get an education outside of the clan, so they can learn from other cultures, .... like I am" Sirius's mother beamed triumphantly, Cat was a good girl from a good family, it was obvious. He and Cat had excused themselves shortly after, they needed to talk, Sirius had been very nervous about the funeral tomorrow, he would have to say goodbye to his father for the last time, he didn't know if he could do it. Cat reassured him over and over to no avail, it wasn't until she reminded him that James and Lily would be there with them that he began to relax. James would be there, he could help him through this.

When the day of the funeral arrived Sirius had been beside himself, he wasn't sure if he could bear to see his father in the coffin. He asked James to go in to the viewing room before people started showing up, he didn't want Cat there if he broke down again, or worse, fainted, which is exactly what he felt like doing. As they approached Angus's coffin, Sirius felt both numb and terrified, it didn't seem real. He looked at his father's face, but all he could remember was the times they had shared, the laughter and the lectures, his father teaching him to play quidditch, his first wand. He started crying again, the thought of never being able to talk with him again, that was the part that was hurting the most. Sirius had regained enough of his composure to make it through the funeral, he was surrounded by his friends, Cat and Lily were holding his hands, while James kept a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He had wanted Remus to be there as well, but it was a full moon, and nobody had been able to find Peter.

After the funeral everyone came back to the house for the will to be read. Cat conveniently excused herself to the kitchen with Lily and James. Sirius remembered James telling him about Cat's nervousness, she needed to keep herself occupied, she had grabbed an apron and started doing the dishes, much to the dismay of the house elves. Not knowing what else to do, Lily and James each grabbed a dish towel and began drying. After what seemed like hours of talking, Lily had finally calmed Cat down enough that she could make sense out of Cat's frazzled nerves. Cat was worried about Sirius of course, but she was more worried about what his family might do, several of them had approached her the few times Sirius had not been with her and made it very clear that *her type* was not welcomed in their family. She would never make Sirius choose between her and his own blood, but the thought of living without him was tearing her heart into pieces. James and Lily looked at each other, then moved in unison to hug Cat. They both assured her that it didn't matter what anyone else thought, Sirius loved her, and that was all that mattered. Lily of course added that those particular family members were probably afraid that she and Sirius would have a huge family, ensuring that none of them ever got control of the family fortune. James laughed as Cat gave Lily a confused look, "When you say *huge* family.... think you could put a number on that... because I refuse to go above 9! I saw what it did to my mother, by the time I came along she was whiter that Albus and crazy as a loon" Lily's mouth had almost hit the floor, nine children. They all looked at each other's faces and started to laugh "I think nine would more than do it Kitty" James had said, he could just imagine Sirius as father to nine children, he began grinning as the picture formed in his head.

Just as they had finally gotten Cat calmed down and maybe even happy, Liam came into the kitchen "Cat, they need you in the salon..." he had said, his face a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

Cat had jumped up immediately, she had been afraid today would be to much for Sirius to bear. She quickly accompanied Liam to the salon, she held her breath as he opened the pocket doors, all eyes were turned to her as she moved to Sirius's side. He took her by the hand as he pulled her to sit down next to him, he shushed her as she began to ask what was wrong.

"Miss MacLeod?" an old wizard in pearly grey robes said, he waited until she nodded before continuing. "Mr. Black has left letters for all the member of his family, including you, my dear."

Cat looked completely shocked, her hand was trembling as she took the letter, she slipped it inside the pocket of the apron, she didn't wan to read it in front of all these people. She knew that was a mistake as soon as she had done it, several cousins immediately insisted she read it now, aloud. Sirius saw the look on her face, she was ready to cry, it had been a trying few days for her as well, she had been his sole comfort through all of this, and until now, he hadn't realized what a toll it had taken on her. Sirius lifted her hands and kissed her fingers, telling her she didn't have to if she didn't want to, but his mother had come over to them, she asked Cat to please read the letter now, silently if she needed to, but she felt her husband had a reason for leaving her a letter.

Cat nodded her head as she removed the letter from her pocket. Her hands were still trembling as she broke the wax seal, Sirius's mother had pulled a chair in front of Cat, were she sat waiting for Cat to read the letter. Taking a deep breath and squeezing Sirius's hand Cat began to read the letter and almost immediately began to cry.

Dearest Cat,

I hope that my son is treating you well. I suspect he is, we have spoken
several times and lately you have always been the main topic of conversation.
Sirius has told me that you experience precognitive dreams, as do I.

Over the past several weeks I have had several dreams of my own death, and I know it is
only a matter of time. Please do not be upset over this, I too have seen Maeb in
all of her forms, and I am not afraid. I have also had another dream, it has
been the same over and over, night after night. I have seen you and Sirius
proclaiming your love for each other before your clan, as tradition dictates.
(And yes, he does look very good in a kilt)

This wedding is always followed by the laughter of children, your children,
my grandchildren. I know I will never live to see them brought into flesh,
but I will die content knowing that my son has someone to love,
who so obviously loves him in return.
And please remind my son to give my name to his first son, it is a family
tradition, he was named after his great-grandfather.

Love,
your father-in-law to be

Angus

Cat was weeping openly as she folded up the letter, she didn't know what to do with the it. She didn't want his family to hear this, and it would surely hurt his mother to know Angus had seen his own death approaching. Her puzzle was solved by the old wizard, who handed Sirius a small box with another note from his father. Sirius took the package and read the note immediately.

My beloved Son,

I know you’re not ready yet, but when you read Cat's letter
you will understand. Always be a gentleman to her, never
raise your voice, and love her every day of your life.
Believe me when I tell you she will return your love
ten-fold. My blessings are on both of you.
Never forget how much I love you and how proud
I am of the man you have become.

Love, your father

Sirius looked at Cat with his large sad eyes, he read her the first line of his note, hesitantly she handed her letter to him as he wiped the tears off of her cheeks. As Sirius read Cat's letter he began to laugh and cry, suddenly hugging her fiercely, oblivious to his family's stunned reaction. He placed box in his pocket as he held Cat's hand, smiling through his tears. His father had given him his blessing, it was worth more than gold to him

It was at the end of that day that things had gotten bad, Cat had insisted on leaving with Lily and James. No matter how much he pleaded with her, she refused to stay, she kept telling him he needed time with his family, to heal and to help heal; his mother especially needed him now, she felt she was too much of a distraction to him, he argued but she wouldn't hear it. Sirius sighed as Cat kissed him tenderly and told him she would see him at school.

After she left some of his family started giving him a hard time about her and his behaviour, saying he had been disrespectful to his father's memory by *carrying on* with her like that. Sirius had finally had enough of their comments, he had reached his breaking point especially with his aunt, who had refused to back off about Cat's *ambitions*.

"How dare you speak about her like that" he remembered well how loudly he had screamed, even the house elves had popped their heads out of the kitchen to see what had happened "she is going to be my wife, and if you ever talk about her like that, you are no longer welcomed in this house." He had surprised himself with his outburst, but somehow it felt right, he knew it was the truth. His only regret was that his mother had witnessed his outburst, she didn't need to hear that at such a time, she needed someone to comfort her, but Sirius was as lost as she was without Cat, he didn't know where to begin.

His mother had walked up to him, she gently placed her hand on his cheek, he could tell she had been crying again, but she had something on her mind he could tell. "Sirius, let me see the letter your father gave Cat" she asked softly, when he hesitated she gave him a meaningful look "I know you still have it, its in your pocket with the box." Sirius sighed deeply as he handed the letter to his mother, who immediately began crying. It was obvious to him that his father had never told her about his dreams, or about their talks regarding Cat. Sirius tried to ignore the comments from several members of his family, about how could he make his own mother cry like that, what sort of son was he. As he bit his lips trying to control his temper for his mother's sake, he heard the most amazing thing.

"Butt out, all of you" his beautiful, soft-spoken mother yelled at the top of her lungs. Sirius was in shock, in all of his sixteen years, he had never heard her speak like that, she was always the well mannered, proper lady. Suddenly his mother turned to him, "Sirius, what was in the box?"

Slowly Sirius took out the box and the note that had accompanied it. His mother gasped as she opened the box, it was her husbands ring, a gold band with a large star sapphire in the middle surrounded by a smaller diamond on either side, it was a family heirloom, passed from father to son for generations. She trembled as she read the note, her husband wanted Sirius to give Cat this ring until he was ready to give her a real engagement ring, his great- grandmother's ring, it was in the box with Angus's ring. His mother smiled at him through her tears, "perhaps next time she visits she should start calling me Rebekha, instead of Mrs. Black." she said as she kissed Sirius on his forehead.

Thankfully most of his family had left the next morning, it was just he and his mother, and a few of his mother's family, who had enough sense not to upset a grieving widow, unlike his father's sister. Sirius had done everything he could think of to comfort his mother, but they were both at a loss, his father had been the centre of their home life. They ate when he came home from work, they played on weekends and evenings when he was free to relax, he decided were they went on vacation. Sirius never realized until that moment how much of his life centred around his father, he knew how much he loved him, and he would always ask his father's opinion on everything from quidditch teams to career choices, but he was amazed at all of the little things that his father had taken care of for them. Sirius felt the need to take a walk, he strolled aimlessly through his family's estate, somehow he had ended up at his family's grave site, he sighed deeply as he looked at the rose bushes that surrounded the plot.

Sirius continued to wander aimlessly through the tombstones, mindlessly reading the names and dates inscribed on the markers, when he swore he could hear singing. He shook his head, the grief and lack of sleep must be doing him in, but still he could hear a voice, softly singing being carried by the wind. He decided to follow the sound, to see if he was actually going crazy, or if their was a body attached to this voice, the strange thing was, the nearer he got to the sound, the more peaceful he felt, as if there was some sort of magic in the song, or the singer. Finally Sirius came upon the source of the haunting, mournful song, it was a woman in a long, hooded, deep green cloak.

She was kneeling at his father's grave, singing this strangely beautiful song. With some trepidation Sirius approached her quietly, he could hear the melody clearly, but the words were making no sense to him at all, they were in a language he had never heard before. Summoning his courage he firmly placed one of his hand on the woman's shoulder as the other hand went instinctively for his wand.

He waited for her to turn to face him, but she didn't, she simply placed her hand on his and continued singing. It took a few moments before he noticed the ring on her finger, the claddaugh, it was Cat. Sirius dropped down next to her on the soft grass, she took his hand as she finished her song. "Cat?" Sirius had questioned her "what are you doing here, I thought you went back to school with James and Lily?"

"I did, they don't know I'm here, and I have to go back soon." She had told him gently as she kissed his lips "I saw what your father had written about Maeb, I figured he would want the "lament for the dead" sung over his grave, he didn't seem the type to go for a full keening."

Sirius smiled at her sadly, she was right, his father always loved the old ways, *Tradition* was his father's answer to almost anything. He remembered listening to Cat and his father talking at great lengths about ancient spells and customs, Angus had been fascinated by the fact that her people still adhered to most of them, he had so wanted to witness them. As Cat rose to her feet to leave Sirius sighed deeply, "don't worry gra, ..... I'll wait for you." she had said as she kissed him goodbye. Before he could reply she disappeared in a whirl of flames.........

When Sirius returned to school a few days later, he finally got up the nerve to give Cat his father's ring. He had walked with her to the lake after classes, dusk was just beginning to fall, and there was still a slight chill in the air. He had wrapped his robe around her, she had always minded the cold, he smiled as she leaned into him, it felt so nice to be with her like this. It seemed as if they had the whole grounds to themselves, he had led her to a large weeping willow near the shore, there were several benches scattered along the lake shore there, picking one, he gently pulled her down to sit on his knee. Cat had seemed a little embarrassed, but then she had been treating him as though he were made of glass since he returned to school. Part of him adored it, she was always stroking his face or holding his hand, in fact it was a rare occasion when she wasn't touching him in one way or another. It wasn't until weeks later that he had found out why, among her clan she was a healer, she healed by touch, it was her way of helping him recover from the pain of his father's death.

Sirius had kissed her gently as he wrapped his arms around her, he was so nervous, he had never felt like this about anyone, and he was terrified that she would refuse the ring. Taking several deep breathes as he reached into his pocket and took out the ring, he looked into her lovely emerald eyes and said "Please, don't ever leave me" he whispered, barely getting the words out as his eyes began to tear up, the depths of his emotions for her were almost frightening to him.

He saw her hesitate, she had told him later she had been afraid it was his grief speaking more than his heart, but after looking into his eyes she couldn't refuse him. The ring was much too big for her of course, but he had quickly conjured up a gold chain and strung the ring on it. As he placed it around her neck he noticed how it laid right next to her heart, *just were it belongs* he remembered thinking. They had staid there for a while longer, taking comfort in each others company, it wasn't until the sun had almost slipped over the horizon and the cool night wind had begun to blow that they moved to leave, they walked across the grass back to the school hand in hand..........