Severus rubbed his eyes, "Dear Merlin, nearly two in the morning" he yawned. The rest of the essays would have to wait until tomorrow, he had had enough *fun* for one evening, although he had to admit Cat’s visit had been a very pleasant surprise. Smiling warmly as the night replayed in his mind, Severus decided to check in on her before retiring to bed. He quietly made his way through the hall hoping not to run into any Vampyre or Garou along his way. Luckily the few he did see paid him little attention when they realized he was a teacher there. Severus let out an audible sigh of relief as he placed his hand on the door to Cat’s room. Very quietly he pushed the door open, the first thing he noticed was the darkness, and then the cold.

Entering Cat’s room quickly, Severus looked to the fireplace, it had almost burnt out. He conjured up a roaring fire and turned to see why she had let it grow so low. Severus felt a chill pass through him as he looked at Cat. She was draped precariously on the edge of her bed, still in her robes, as if she had collapsed on the spot. Severus rushed to Cat’s side and shook her gently, hoping she was simply unconscious and nothing worse. "Catri.... Catri, can you hear me?" he asked as he took her wrist, checking for a pulse. He was both surprised and relieve when she gasped and sat up, almost falling off the bed.

Severus quickly wrapped his arms around her, supporting her as she tried to stand on her unsteady legs. "Catri.. What happened?" Sev asked, his voice thick with worry. He watched as her eyes tried to focus on him. Trying to get a better look at her, he brushed her long hair away from her face, only to feel something warm and sticky on his fingers. Pulling them away, he realized it was blood, her blood. "Sweet phoenix tears, Catri ... your bleeding. What happened?" he asked, the panic of earlier this evening creeping back into his voice.

"What?.... blood, where?" Cat asked as her mind tried to clear the fog, she knew Severus was there with her, but she wasn’t entirely sure where *there* was. "Severus?" she suddenly saw the look of pure worry on his face, he seemed so concerned about something. .....

Severus gathered her up in his arms and placed Cat in the armchair that sat in front of the fireplace, he needed to get a better look at her, and she was very cold. He stared at her for a moment, she was so very beautiful, and at the moment terribly vulnerable. Severus knelt down next to Cat’s chair and gently brushed her hair off of her face again. He winced as he saw the traces of blood against her pale skin. "Catri..." Severus asked softly as he reached into his pocket, "Catri, darling...please answer me" Severus pulled out his handkerchief and carefully wiped away the blood. "Catri..." he whispered, desperately hoping she was going to be alright......

Cat stirred slightly, it hurt to move, it even hurt to open her eyes, but someone was calling her name. She moaned softly as the light of the fire blinded her eyes, someone was here with her she could feel their hands touching her. Who ever it was certainly seemed to care a great deal, their hands were very gentle and she was sure she felt someone kissing her softly. Someone was trying to make her wake up, forcing her into consciousness against her will, making her face the pain. "Severus?" Cat asked, her voice wracked with pain and uncertainty. "Severus is that you.... where am I?" she tried to move, but the pain shot through her body, making her cry out.....

"Hush Catri" Severus replied as relief flooded through him "your hurt, .... you seem to be bleeding." he said as he blinked the tears out of his eyes. He had been so frightened when she hadn’t responded, he had thought for a moment that she was dead. "Do you know what happened to you? Do you remember anything at all?"......

"I remember seeing you in your office" she replied as she smiled softly, his concern was so endearing to her. She reached out to touch his face, Cat was surprised when Sev placed his hand over her own and pressed it firmly against his cheek, kissing her palm as he did so. She watched as he rubbed his cheek against her hand as he sighed deeply. "Severus? Has something happened?"

"That is what I am trying to determine" he said as he kissed her hand again "I came to check on you as I promised. I found you unconscious and bleeding. What happened after you left me? Can you remember anything at all?"

Cat shook her head "I remember getting dizzy and my head hurting." She shook her head slowly "I’m sorry, I really don’t remember much else..... I must have fallen and hit my head or something."

Severus squeezed her hand "I knew something like this would happen" he told her tersely "why did you have to be so stubborn about letting me accompany you to your room. This never would have happened if I had been with you." He set his jaw firmly as he stared at her, only to relent when he saw how much pain she was truly in. Severus wrapped his arms around Cat and sighed deeply "What were you thinking..... You could have fallen down the stairs, or passed out in the hall, anything..... anything at all" he guided her head to his shoulder, letting her rest in his protective embrace.

It was Cat’s turn to sigh this time "You know exactly what I was thinking Sev. I was afraid of what would happen if you actually did see me to my room." she closed her eyes as another wave of pain shot through her body, it was definitely the beginning of another vision, and a very bad one to boot. "We’re not children anymore, we both have *needs* ..... I’m just not ready to make that sort of commitment yet."

Severus pulled her tightly against himself as he nuzzled her neck "And I would NEVER force you to" his voice was full of anguish "surely you must know that." he was fighting his own tears again, he hated to feel so weak especially when Cat needed him so desperately. Severus gently raised Cat’s head, he needed to see her eyes, to know that some spark of life was still glittering in them. She sounded so tired and weak, even in the throws of one of her episodes, she never seemed so helpless as she did right now.

Severus felt his breath catch in his throat as he looked into Cat’s eyes, they were still amazingly green, and deep enough to lose your soul in, but the familiar sparkle was no where to be seen. Carefully he lifted her from the chair and crossed the room to her bed. "It is happening again, isn’t it? It is one of your episodes, a vision. Or am I wrong?" he asked as he placed her gently on the bed. Severus removed Cat’s shoes and placed them on the floor next to her bed, sitting down next to her, Severus ran his fingers through Cat’s hair as she smiled warmly at him.

"You’re right Sev." Cat answered as pain once again flashed through her eyes "and it promises to be a very *intense* episode, I haven’t had one like this since Lily was murdered." Cat closed her eyes tightly, trying to prevent the horror of seeing her dear Lily die in front of her eyes yet again.

Tris almost fell over from the sudden pain that shot through her body. Luckily Raul was by her side, arms wrapped protectively around her "Tristessa.... what is it?!" he asked anxiously "Has something happened to one of our clan?"

Tris shook her head forcibly as she cleared away the shock of the pain. Opening her mind she realized all to quickly what had caused it "No Raul.... even worse" she responded as she turned to look the primogen in his eyes "its Angel, she’s in pain... its coming again."

"Angel?!" Raul practically shouted "has she been harmed, .. Is she in danger?" he questioned as his expression darkened at the thought.

"No.... nothing like that." Tris replied as she regained her feet "it’s the visions.... and the voices.... they are forcing their way into her mind again. It is extremely painful for her." she explained as Raul’s body visibly relaxed.

"Should I have Cash go to her?" he asked, grateful that no one had actually tried to harm their beloved Angel.

"No. He can’t do anything to help her. I’ll go, I’ve been through this before" Tris said as she turned to leave Raul. Pausing she added "Don’t get so worried about her Raul. I know you have never met anyone like her, she has no fear of us, in fact she loves us. But she is my descendant, and I will never allow her to come to harm. That is why I insisted on coming here with her. I remember all to well how she suffered last time she stepped into Hogwarts. I refuse to allow that to ever happen to her again."

Rushing through the forest, Tris sped along to find Cat. She was sure she wasn’t in any real danger, but the thought of her little girl being in so much pain was enough to drive her mad. The worse part about being a vampyre was the way it made you feel so separated from the people around you. But Angel was the exception to that, her empathic and psychic abilities allowed her to touch people in ways that would seem impossible, it was her gift and her curse. Tris tried not to think of all the pain it had caused, she knew exactly what Angel was going through, she had to live through it herself when she was still mortal.

Tris sighed with relief as the school loomed into sight, it would only be a matter of minutes until she was at Angel’s side......

"You really need to get more rest" Severus said after a few moments "you will need all the strength you have" he turned his head from her pain filled eyes, he could not stand being so helpless, unable to prevent what he knew was going to happen to her. "For once I actually wish that pest Lupin would show up, as much as I hate to admit it, he always knew how to help you through this." Severus was startled to feel Cat’s hand on his face, she was trying to sit up to talk to him "Absolutely not Catri" he said as he pressed her back onto the bed "you need to sleep" he told her as he caressed her cheek. Hesitating for only a moment, Severus leaned over and kissed her deeply. As he pulled away he whispered "promise me you will sleep, no more roaming the halls. I worry about you Catri... you mean a great deal to me." he told her as he covered her with several blankets. "I intend to stay here with you, at least until I am sure you are well enough to be left alone."

"You can be awfully sweet Severus. Thank you" Cat replied, Sev melted as he saw the tenderness in her eyes. Cat was expecting him to sit in the chair nearest her bed, but instead did something completely unexpected. After he made sure she was warmly tucked in and comfortable, he laid on the bed with her, on top of the covers.

Leaning on one arm and smiling at her Severus winked playfully at her "not making you *too* nervous I hope." he almost laughed as the blush crossed her face. "Never mind, you do not need to answer. I just want to be close in case something happens." he explained as he played with her hair, studiously avoiding her eyes.

"Are you sure that’s the only reason" Cat asked as she felt the heat rising to her cheeks, she was positive they were crimson by now. She had thought she couldn’t turn anymore red, until she heard him laugh softly at her comment.

Reaching out, Severus cupped Cat’s face in her hand and turned her to face him. "Do you want an honest answer to that my darling Catri? Or one that will make you feel safe?" he asked as he saw a small smile ghost across her lips.

"Safe is nice.... especially right now." Cat replied as she nuzzled against Sev’s chest, enjoying the feeling of warmth and safety he provided. As hard as she had tried, Cat could not fight off sleep any longer, she sighed softly as she felt Severus caressing her tenderly, as she drifted off to sleep......

Severus closed his eyes and imagined what life would be like with Cat. It was so wonderful to hold her like this, to feel her breath against his skin as he stroked her hair. He had waited forever to be able to do this to her, if only it were under better circumstances. He hated knowing what she would have to endure over the next day or two. First thing in the morning he was going to have to brew a new batch of sustinere perpeti potion for her. It seemed to be the only thing that helped during her visions.......

Tris lurked in the shadows watching them, she wasn’t sure if she should step in or simply watch. She had snuck in earlier as the professor was preoccupied wiping the blood off of Angel’s face. She was touched by the tenderness he treated her with, apparently he wasn’t the heartless monster she had originally thought he was. But still, something in her wretched at the thought of this man joining her clan. She watched as the professor both embraced and berated Angel, not that she didn’t deserve it for being so headstrong, she should have called out for someone. The school was patrolled from one end to the other with clan, any of which would have been at her side in moments had she only bothered to call out for them. Tris leaned against the wall as the man picked Angel up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Tris narrowed her eyes, preparing to launch herself on this professor if he tried to take advantage of her little girl. Once again Tris was dumbfounded as he tenderly cared for Angel, making sure she was warmly tucked into her bed, although the kissing may have been a bit much.

Luckily, Tris managed to subdue her maternal instincts enough not to tear the professor apart when he decided to lay in the bed alongside of Angel. <At least he’s on top of the covers> Tris thought as she bared her fangs. Only to stifle a laugh as she watched the teacher wink playfully as he teased Angel, Tris smiled broadly when she saw the blush flare across Angel’s face. <Well, that was worth the three mile sprint alone> straining to hear their conversation Tris shook her head as she heard the words coming from the mouth of the teacher.

It was obvious he was smitten with her, Tris could actually hear his heart skip a beat as Angel cuddled up against him. It was almost too sweet, especially the way he spoke to her after she had fallen asleep. A large home in the country, ready to be filled with children, not a likely scenario.... but still........

Severus continued stroking Cat’s hair long after she had fallen asleep, he never wanted to leave her, not if their lives could be like this. He could not recall ever experiencing such an overwhelming feeling of warmth and joy, he looked down at Cat sleeping peacefully in his arms and smiled deeply. "One day soon, my darling Catri" he said as he kissed her forehead "you will realize how much I love you, and you will be my wife. We will live in my family’s home, I know you will adore it. It is old and large, waiting to be filled with love and joy, and hopefully children....." he continued as he nuzzled against her "I know you can clear the ghosts of the past from its halls. It will never again be a place of pain or anger, only love. I promise this to you."

Severus lingered for a time, he needed to make sure she was deeply asleep, and he was enjoying the new found closeness. Never did it occur to him that Cat would allow such a brazen move on his part, but after her receptiveness tonight, he was filled with a renewed confidence. She would stay with him over the holidays, even if it was only for a day or two. More to the point, he was now sure she would agree to be his wife, he would ask her Christmas week, after the ball. Severus sighed deeply as he remembered Harry Potter, well it seemed he would becoming a father again, not that he minded. The only thing he had ever missed in his past life, the only thing he would never had changed was being a father. Giving Cat one last kiss, Severus silently left her room, making sure to latch the door behind him. He never saw the figure lurking in the shadows.......

Tris waited and listened for the professors footstep to disappear into the distance. Silently she crossed the room and sat next to Angel, who was fast asleep under the layers of blankets the teacher had provided for her. "Well at least he has enough sense to keep you warm" Tris muttered as she gingerly touched Angel’s face. She was still feeling a bit chilled, "My poor Angel" Tris sighed "I wish I could suffer in your place, but we both know this is your curse to bear now." Tris shuddered as she remembered her own experiences with the visions, the searing pain, feeling as if you would never be warm again, and the voices... the voices that would never stay silent. "At least I know your not alone, but I wish you would find someone a bit .... well .... nicer, someone more like family. It really is a pity that Sirius Black turned out to be such a disappointment, I really thought he was going to be the one." Tris sighed as she remembered how deeply in love Angel had been with him. "I wasn’t sure if I should hug him or break his neck when I saw him earlier"

Tris thought back on the past several years of her little Angel’s life. It had been filled with so much pain and loss, it was nothing short of a miracle that she survived. It had all started with Sirius Black abandoning her for that tramp. Then the attack on her clan, followed by another and another. She had always managed to keep it together, for her clan’s sake, she persevered, until they murdered Diedre. Even Angel couldn’t recover from that, the horror of it had scarred her to deeply. Tris ran her fingers through Angel’s hair, "My poor baby. If only Merlin’s childe would make himself known,... then you could return home to us. I don’t like the idea of you being here, even with Clan Gangrel at your side. You are too easy a target for them and I doubt your little boy could bear to lose another mother." Sighing deeply, Tris gently kissed Angel on her forehead, just as she had when she was a child, it was time to talk to Maharet...... she kept the prophecies and the history, she might know what to do. "Sleep well child" Tris whispered "I’m off to find Cash, we need to talk. I’ll be gone for a little while, but I will see you and Harry at home for Solstice.”

Tris walked out into the cold night air, summoning Cash as she did so. She smiled as she felt his reply, he was on his way, and quickly it seemed. Leave it to him, when on of his own needed him, nothing could stop him, nothing. Tris walked to the lake watching the glitter of the ice in the moonlight, almost full moon she thought as she shook her head sadly. He had been dead over 20 years, and still she kept track of the moon. Tris was lost in her thoughts when Cash placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Something’s happened?" Cash asked, "it’s not like you to summon me like that."

"Angel’s having another episode" Tris sighed "and it looks like a particularly bad one. She’s sleeping now, but it is going to get worse, much worse."

Cash gritted his teeth as he recalled some of her past episodes "At least you where there to take care of her..... why didn’t she call out for us, I know I would have heard her if she had?"

"I wasn’t there.... that’s one of the things I needed to talk to you about." Tris turned to look at Cash, it was obvious she was about to cry "What do you know about Merlin’s childe and the prophecy? Has Maharet ever spoken to you about it?"

"A little, but I’m a guy" Cash smiled weakly as he wiped at Tris’s eyes "you know she considers the bloodlines a woman’s domain.... you ladies have the children after all" he said as he gave her a large crooked grin, trying to cheer her up.

"Don’t remind me..... my hips have never been the same" Tris joked back as she leaned against Cash. "I think Merlin’s descendant is here at the school. I saw her with someone tonight....."

"I was thinking the same thing. I think I may know who it is... but I’m not sure yet." Cash replied as he slipped out of his jacket and placed it around Tris "Doesn’t the prophecy mention something about Maeb and the Phoenix Gate as well? We should be able to tell if she gets....*close* to him."

"True, but what if they get to her first" Tris asked as she nuzzled closer to Cash "What if we’re too late next time?"

"We won’t be..." Cash answered

"You don’t know that Cash.... we were too late to save Diedre.... what if..." Tris grimaced at the thought.