Slowly Snape walked up behind her, silently. He had a very strange look in his eyes and his cheek kept twitching. He looked strangely confused by the scene in front of him.

Harry really didn't like the look of this, pulling out his wand, Harry took aim at Snape, ready to stupefy him at a moments notice. Snape reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder. MacLeod didn't respond at all. Snape's brow knit in apparent concern. Harry was trying to remember what Cat had told him, about Snape being a nice guy, but Harry was less than convinced at the moment. Harry had made his mind up, if Snape made so much as one suspicious move Harry was going to do it, even if it meant expulsion. Harry had gotten even more anxious and confused as Snape stood over Cat waiting for her to react to his presence. She never did, she just sat there tears rolling down her cheeks.....…

. Snape sat down behind MacLeod and wrapped his arms around her, placing his cheek next to hers. "Catri, please, say something." She stopped rocking. "This is not like you. When have you ever cared what people thought."

Harry couldn't believe his eyes, Snape was being so kind to her, maybe he did really love her. Harry was especially struck by the tenderness in Snape's actions, it seemed so unlike him.

"Cat, why do you let them get to you" Severus said softly, picking up her hand "you are always telling me what idiots they are. Why do you even listen?" his voice was deep and gentle as he tried to console her.

"I know, Sev, I know....but still ..mo nuar,... it hurts." she finally answered "I keep trying to help, trying to protect people, and they just keep cutting at me. I'm so afraid that one day..." she just shook her head sadly as she closed her eyes tightly.

"No! You should never even think that." Severus said forcefully "Never. I would never allow it, and neither would Albus."

"I know" her tears were falling freely again "I just can't seem to stop thinking about it, the hatred on their faces...." she couldn't continue, she began sobbing into her hands.

Severus turned her around to face him "That was not hatred, that was fear" he said a little more sharply than he should have, he just could not bear to see her cry, it tore his heart in two.

She just turned her face away from him. Trying to stifle her sobbing, she wanted to be brave and stoic like he was, but it wasn't in her. She felt emotions so strongly, her own and others, she could see and smell them sometimes, like now. She knew that Severus wasn't angry with her, despite his tone, he was concerned and afraid for her, he always used anger to mask his feelings. She knew her outburst in Dumbledore's office had caught him off guard, after all only Albus and Minerva had known about her mother.......

Sighing deeply, Severus took her face in his hand, and lifted it to his. "Please, Catri. Stop doing this to yourself." He was stroking her cheek gently as he wiped at her tears.

She closed her eyes and bit her lip as she tried to calm herself. Severus looked tenderly at her, and once again wrapped his arms around her, letting her head rest against his chest. "Hush, everything will be fine. I promise." Severus told her softly, his voice becoming thick with emotion, as he listened to her muffled sobs.........

Harry felt glad that Snape was being so kind to her, but there was something in him that felt this was wrong. It shouldn't be Snape, it should be someone else comforting Miss MacLeod, someone who could smile and laugh like she did. Someone who knew how to have fun, ..... like Sirius. Besides he had already made up his mind, he even wrote it down in his journal, Cat was going to marry Sirius, by next Christmas. Cat had told him over and over again, everything is connected, if you can change one thing, you can change everything. Its all a matter of perception. All a matter of will - and if there was one thing he was,... it was strong willed, Snape had reprimanded him for it time after time. .............

Sirius was still frantically looking for Cat, he had searched the forest and met up with Remus in the dungeon, they had even checked out Snape's room, just in case, but they couldn't find her anywhere.

Sirius was still frantically looking for Cat, he had searched the forest and met up with Remus in the dungeon, they had even checked out Snape's room, just in case, but they couldn't find her anywhere. Sirius was on the verge of breaking down when it occurred to him to check her room again, after all she must be getting tired by now, it was the most logical thing for her to do. He quickly padded down the hall that lead to her room, one good push against the door was all it took. *Still not locking her door, I really need to talk to her about that* he thought. Once Sirius entered the room he reverted back to his human form and closed the door behind him, Cat still wasn't here. The only thing giving him hope was the fact that none of her personal items seem to be gone.

Sirius sat down on her bed as he looked around her room, the first thing that caught his attention was the dresser, it was covered with pictures in an amazing assortment of frames. Walking over to them Sirius began to study the pictures, slowly a smile spread across his face as he realized how many of the pictures were well known to him. The first one that he had noticed had a heavy, rough wooden frame, it was a picture of Cash, Tris and Cat arm in arm, all of them smiling happily they were standing in what appeared to be a garden. Sirius laughed as he took a closer look at the picture, it was a muggle one the figures were frozen but he did notice the flowers that Cat and Tris had apparently woven into Cash's hair. Sirius looked through the pictures one by one, they were a mixture of muggle and wizard photos. The one in the ornate silver frame was of Cat and some of her brothers, Sirius had only met a few of them himself, but he liked them all. He recognized where that one had been taken, her house by the pond, they had stood in front of the large fireplace to pose for this picture. And there was one of Cat and her father, her *poppa* you could see the pride in his eyes as he gazed fondly at his youngest child, his *poppet* as he called her.

Sirius kept looking at each photo until he came to one that stole his breath away. He couldn't believe she had kept it. Sirius closed his eyes as he remembered the day the picture had been taken, they had just won a match against Slytherin, even though it had almost cost Cat her life, but luckily James had caught her before she hit the ground, managing to score a goal on top of it. They had been so wound up after that, they couldn't relax in the common room like they normally did, so they decided to take a walk, Remus had taken a camera with him, he had recently been fascinated by photography for some strange reason. He had taken so many pictures of them that day, but this one was his favourite. Sirius sighed as he ran his finger along the picture of them, James and Lily were holding hands as they kissed each other, while he and Cat looked on smiling. He watched as Cat laid her head against his chest as he smiled at her tenderly while his arm hugged her waist tightly. Sirius wiped away a tear from his eye, yet another memory the dementors had stolen from him, but these photos along with all the other reminders of his past, were quickly restoring his memory, .... and his hope.

Gently Sirius returned the photograph to its spot on her dresser, but not before he noticed one last thing, Cat's brush. He had given it to her as a gift, he had seen it while he and his father were out shopping for a birthday gift for his mother. It was a work of art, it was inlaid with different types of wood and small semi-precious stones forming a picture of a Celtic knot. Sirius picked it up and smiled at the well worn handle, *she must still use it* he thought, he couldn't explain it, but for some reason it filled him with a great sense of satisfaction to know that she had kept it close to her for all these years. Just as Sirius was going to see what other reminders Cat had kept he heard someone coming down the hall. Reacting quickly he transformed back into Snuffles and quickly crawled under Cat's bed as the doorknob turned. Holding his breath, Sirius waiting anxiously to see who had entered Cat's room.

"Are you sure Catri?" Severus asked "I really do not think it is a good idea for you to be alone at the moment." Sirius's heart sank as he heard Snape's unmistakable voice, he was with Cat. Sirius shut his eyes tightly as his mind raced through what Snape and Cat had probably been doing together, he felt his stomach wretch at the thought of Severus Snape touching his beloved Cat. Just as Sirius was about to give up all hope of every being with her again, he heard another voice, just as unmistakable as the first.

"Professor Snape, she said she was fine, and if she needs anyone to stay with her, it will be me." the voice said testily.

"Really" Severus responded icily "and do you think you are a match for a deatheater Mr. Potter, because that is what they will send."

Sirius felt himself smile gratefully, Harry. She had been with Harry, Snape must have walked into them as Harry was bringing her back to her room. Sirius heart was soaring again, he hadn't lost his chance to win her back. Sirius listened intently to the conversation

"I've managed fine so far" Harry replied sternly "and I doubt they would send anymore deatheaters into the school, the Gangrel don't like them very much."

"He has got a point, Severus" Cat said softly as she sat on one of the large armchairs "and trust me, if I was in any real danger, Cash and Tris would be here in an instant. I don't know if you've ever seen a vampyre truly run, but even my eyes don't move that fast."

"I do not like the idea of you being alone right now, not after tonight" Severus insisted as he knelt next to Cat "at least let me stay here to protect you. I know better than anyone what Lucius is capable of."

Harry looked intently at Professor Snape, the worried in his eyes was beyond question, but Harry felt the line needed to be drawn here and now. "If your staying, I'm staying!" Harry told Snape.

Severus turned and stared at Harry, with a look of indignation "Mr. Potter, I am perfectly capable of protecting Miss MacLeod, and regardless of your relationship to her" Severus raised his eyebrow as he scowled "you are still a student and as such subject to school rules. As it is you are out well past curfew are you not?"

Harry took a deep breath before answering "I'm not trying to be smart, Professor Snape, but there is no way I'm leaving her here alone with you...." Harry said as calmly as possible "this is her bedroom... or hadn't you notice." Harry felt an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness wash over him every time he looked at Cat's tear stained face. He couldn't even imagine leaving her with Snape, regardless of his intentions, not when she was so vulnerable. The two men stared at each other, trying to decide how far either of them would be able to push the other.

The standoff was quickly broken by the sound of Cat's laughter ringing through the air. Both Harry and Severus turned to face her. Cat had one hand loosely covering her mouth as she shook her head, she tried to stop laughing as she noticed them both staring at her. She looked down for a moment as she tried to gather herself, only to look up again with a bright smile on her face. Throwing her arms open wide she said happily "My little man, ... protecting me already are you?" she hugged Harry as he went to her side, smiling happily she planted a kiss on his forehead as she tussled his hair........

As perturbed as Severus was he had to smile at them, Harry was certainly living up to everyone's expectations, not many wizards would dare to stand up against the *feared* Professor Snape, yet Harry had hardly given it a second thought when he realized the implications. Severus stole a quick glance as their twin emerald eyes looked at him sparkling happily. Sighing resignedly Severus felt a smile flit across his face, maybe having Harry as a step son would be bearable after all, provided he did not become too much like his father, or worse, his godfather. As Sev realized how widely he was smiling, he turned his face away from them, he knew he would not be able to simply wipe this smile off, this one was coming from his heart.....…

. Harry almost went into shock, he couldn't believe that Snape smiled at him... almost fondly. Harry found his mind wandering to a life with Cat and Snape, what would he calm him? Probably Professor, Harry couldn't imagine calling him dad, or anything else for that matter. Realizing what he was thinking, Harry shook himself, it would be better than the Dursely's but it was going to be Sirius, it had to be ........

Cat was the first to speak "As wonderful as all this attention is, I do need to get some sleep" she stood up and crossed to Severus and kissed him gently on his cheek "don't worry Sev, Harry is absolutely right. Voldemort and Malfoy are going to be very careful from now on, I have no doubt Raul made it very clear to Lucius that his kind was not welcome here."

Severus paused for a moment, he knew it was pointless to argue with her, he could see it in her eyes. "Very well, Catri, if you are certain you will be alright" glancing quickly towards Harry, Severus kissed Cat's hand as he looked deeply into her eyes "you will be in my thoughts tonight, ..... as always" he purred as he left the room.

"Now, as for you my little man...." Cat said as she turned around to see a blushing Harry. Cat couldn't help but smile at him "you’re really going to give your uncles a run for the money, aren't you. Amazing.... how long have you been my son?" she said as she walked back to Harry, once again opening her arms to embrace him.

Harry smiled back at her as he returned her hug, "I thought I was always your son, at least to hear you and Remus talk."

"Good point sweetie" Cat replied softly as she kissed Harry on his hair, "Now, for the mommy part - go directly to the tower, I don't want anyone...anything happening to you," she said sternly, "don't go anywhere but straight to the tower, no exploring, no what was that noise/ shadow /feeling, nothing... straight to the tower and into bed. Am I understood?"

"Yes mother" Harry sighed mockingly, he hated to admit it, but he loved it when she got protective like this.

Cat watched Harry walk down the hallway until he turned the corner, she was half tempted to follow him, but he was 15 years old, certainly old enough to be able to take care of himself, at least inside the school. Cat closed her eyes for a moment as her mind searched for Tristessa's. She felt the whispers of a hundred different thoughts as she glided through the ether, finally settling on Tris. *Tris he is alone, protect him, watch over him* Cat smiled softly as she heard Tris's reply..... *already with him*

Sighing loudly Cat let herself fall heavily onto her bed, her arms spread wide and her eyes closed. "What else can go wrong tonight?" she asked herself out loud........

Sirius was startled by the sudden thump on the bed, so much so that he hit his head as he heard Cat speaking to herself. *Ohh. Man, Ouch* Sirius thought as he shook his head trying to clear away the pain. He was about to show himself when he heard Cat get off the bed and start walking around. Sirius peeked out from the dust ruffle and felt himself smile as he watched her.

Cat had taken off her shoes and had immediately shrunk two to three inches, she almost always wore high heeled shoes. She was placing them back into the wardrobe and removing her earrings and some other jewellery. Sirius sighed as he watched her rub the back of her neck and stretch out her arms and legs. He was debating whether or not to show himself when she began to unbutton her robe. He watched as she slipped out of her inky black robe, only to reveal a soft blue slip underneath. "I need to get something with colour in it, this constantly wearing black is getting to me, and there is only so much you can do with accessories.." she said as she hung up the robe and walked to her dresser. She unpinned her hair and pulled her fingers through it, revealing both its length and curls.

Cat picked up the brush from her dresser and began to brush the curls into long loose waves of fiery red silk. Sirius felt his heart pang as he remembered what it felt like to run his fingers through her hair as her lips warmed his. Sirius whined softly as he longed to hold her once again, only then did he realize what a mistake that had been. Cat had nearly jumped a whole foot into the air, the evenings activities had obviously taken a toll on her nerves.

"What.... Who's here?!" she said forcefully holding the brush like a weapon waiting for the slightest movement to attack. Thinking quickly Sirius whined once again, louder this time as he began to crawl out from under her bed, with a very sheepish look on his face. He knew as soon as he looked into Cat's eyes how frightened she had been. Walking over to her, Sirius began to lick her hand, whimpering softly as he waited for her to respond.

Cat dropped to her knees as the dog began to whimper, she had been terrified one of Voldemort's supporters had gotten into the school without her knowledge. Relief flooded through her as she smiled at the large black dog "You... what are you doing in my room puppy?" she scratched him behind his ears as he sat down in front of her. Sirius wasn't sure what he should do, he wanted to talk to her, to explain the last decade or so of his life to her, but just looking into her eyes he could tell it would be to much for her to bear if he transformed in front of her. So he did the only thing he could at the moment, watch over her and bask in the affection she showered on *Harry's puppy*. Sirius nuzzled up against Cat as he whimpered again, he closed his eyes as he felt her long soft hair cascade over him as it fell over her shoulder and onto the floor, he lay against her as she stroked his fur and spoke softly to him, recounting the conversation in Dumbledore's office, she was angry with herself for letting her anger and pain show in front of her enemies. Sirius looked up to see her eyes glimmering with tears, the pain in her heart shone through them.

Sirius's attention was pulled to Cat's necklace, her mother had given it to her, it was Brighde's cross, a woven wheat cross, with a small emerald and diamond drop that hid neatly behind the cross. He watched as it dangles between her breasts, tinkling daintily as the emerald hit the golden cross, feeling himself begin to blush he looked up at her face. He could still see the traces of where her tears had rolled down her cheeks, he wished desperately that he could have been the one to wipe them away, to comfort her as she had comforted him. As much as he was enjoying watching her, he couldn't help but notice his necklace was missing from her neck. Cat had always worn his ring on a gold chain, Sirius could remember distinctly the chains becoming entwined just as he and she had. He vividly remembered sitting in History class with her, he used to caress the back of her neck playing with the curls hidden under her long thick hair, she would shiver whenever he hit that *certain spot* on her neck. Sirius suddenly became overwhelmed with emotions, he needed to be able to speak with her as a man, he couldn't keep going on like this it was killing him.

Sirius licked Cat's face and quickly ran towards her door, hoping she would follow him....

"What's wrong puppy, need to leave" Cat asked as she got up from the floor "or are you just tired of listening to me go on about my troubles?" she finished as she reached the door. The dog looked up at her for a moment then using his nose he pushed her thigh towards the door.

"Whoa, cold nose" Cat laughed "Is there something you want to show me sweetie, is that why you’re pushing me out the door?" She watched as the dog nodded his head and jumped excitedly, the minute she opened the door, the dog tore out of her room and down the hall. Cat stood there stunned for a moment, then took off after the dog, running down the hall in her bare feet and slip.

As she turned the corner at the end of her hall she felt herself hit something warm and strong. She felt a pair of arms wrapping around her protectively ‘Sev must be checking up on me’ she thought as she waited to hear his familiar voice chastise her for not being asleep in her room.

"Catrianna..." the voice was soft and full of emotion, it was very familiar to her, but certainly not the voice she expected to hear.