As if on cue, Severus burst into the hospital, his cloak billowing out behind him as he quickly came up to Cat’s bed, potion in hand. Pausing only to hand Harry the goblet, Severus sat on the bed next to her head, he carefully took away the pillows and cradled Cat against himself as he motioned for Harry to hand the goblet back to him. Severus gently lifted Cat’s head as he raised the warm goblet to her lips, "Slowly Catri, you must drink it all" he told her tenderly. This was the worst he had ever seen her, he was used to the cold and weakness, that had always happened when she had one of her *episodes* but never blood, not like that, he had been terrified that she was going to die, despite his efforts to revive her. He promised himself that he would never hide his feelings from her again. Life was far too short, and becoming more precious with every passing moment.

Sirius was still hiding in the shadows, if only Pomfrey would stay in her office, it wasn’t fair, he needed to see Cat. Remus had left in tears and Albus had a terrible look on his face, as if the world was about to come to an end. Sirius shuddered as he pictured what Cat must look like for wizards like Remus and Albus to be affected so deeply. He needed to be there with her, for her and where did Harry go? Sirius shook with rage as he remembered Snape pretending to be so concerned for Harry, holding his hand as he took him away from Cat.

Sirius closed his eyes as he pictured her, vibrant and happy, back when they were students. She always had a smile on her face, and her singing... she loved to sing, constantly. He used to tease her about it all the time.... she even sang in her sleep. Sirius sighed deeply, she couldn’t die, Harry needed her, he needed her. Sirius laid back down as he thought over what he had heard Albus saying.. Something about bloodlines and a prophecy, something that Voldemort was looking for. Sirius’s mind flashed back to his conversation with Fallon and Dimitri, the lineage they had called it. Sirius wondered if it could be the same thing, they both certainly involved bloodlines. Some of them hundreds of thousands of years old, he hated not telling Dimitri the truth, he *had* seen more than he told them, but he had promised Maharet he would never tell anyone, no matter what....

Sirius’s ears pricked up as he heard someone run into the room,... it was Harry. He watched as Albus quickly put on a smile for Harry’s sake, no point scaring him anymore than he already was. Sirius sighed thankfully at Dumbledore’s thoughtfulness, it was going to be hard enough to talk to Harry about this. He had witnessed several of Cat’s episodes, they were never pleasant, but Sirius could never recall there being so much blood involved. But judging from the smell and the colour of the cloth Remus had been using on her, this one must have been different. Sirius watched as Albus quietly walked over to Poppy as Harry sat on Cat’s bed, holding her hand and talking to her.

Sirius felt his heart soar again.. If Harry was talking to her so calmly she must be recovering, Sirius was finally becoming calm again when Snape strode back into the room. Sirius jumped up as he saw the greasy git sit right on Cat’s bed, taking full advantage of her situation to do whatever he wanted to her no doubt.

Sirius growled softly as he watched Snape lean Cat against his own body as he forced a potion down her throat, acting so concerned. And why wasn’t Harry stopping Snape from touching her, potion or not, there was no need for him to be touching her face like that. Sirius began to pace between the beds, he could hardly stand it. HE should be the one taking care of her, not that slimeball...

"Thank you Mr. Potter. But I think it would be best if you returned to your tower now." Severus suggested as he held Catri tightly against him. "There is nothing more you can do for her tonight."

"No Sir" Harry replied.

Severus stared at him for a moment. "It was not a request Mr. Potter. It is well past curfew, I can give you detention..."

Harry stood there, not moving an inch, "I’m not leaving, she’s my mother...... I won’t abandon her." he wasn’t being smart about it, he just wasn’t leaving until he was positive she was going to be fine.

Snape hesitated for a moment, torn between insisting Harry obey him and sympathizing with him over the near loss of Catri. Severus sighed as he motioned for Harry to take his seat again, there was obviously no point arguing with the boy. But Snape had no intentions of hiding his feelings for Cat, not anymore. He shuddered as he recalled how she had nearly died tonight, he felt her heart stop several times as he held her in his arms, carrying her to the hospital. No more waiting, no more regrets, he loved her, and he didn’t care who found out, they would just have to accept it, student and teacher alike.

Making sure not to jostle her, Severus very gently laid Cat back down on her bed as he got up and pulled a chair up next to her. She smiled softly at him as he took her hand in his "you need to rest Catri. Please, close your eyes and try to relax, the potion will do the rest." he said as he kissed her hand.

Harry looked at them, a strange expression crossing his face ..... Maybe Snape was not so horrible after all, but why couldn’t it be Sirius here with them instead. Harry sat down on the bed next to Cat sighing softly, he felt so confused. He missed Sirius terribly, and he wanted them to be a family, but he couldn’t help but see how tenderly Snape treated Cat. The effect Cat had over Professor Snape never failed to amaze Harry, it was like he was two completely different people. The Professor Snape everyone knew and hated, and Severus, who was in love with Cat, and who was turning out to be a very kind man.

Severus was still holding Cat’s hand, he looked at her again, the potion was finally beginning to work, she wasn’t nearly as pale as she had been when he brought her here. He stroked her cheek as she stirred slightly, he smiled tenderly at her. He could not put into words how wonderful it felt to be able to hold her, to take care of her, he smiled warmly as he let his fingers linger over her lips.

Severus wanted to kiss her, but he could feel Potter’s eyes on him. He felt the urge to withdraw into himself, to wrap his cold, protective shell around his heart. Suddenly something Cat had once said to him rang in his ears. <The difference between expressing love and having regrets is that the regrets may stay around forever> Sev took a deep breath and addressed Harry.....

"Something bothering you, Potter?" Severus asked, sounding a bit abrupt.

"What happened to her,... do you know" Harry asked, his voice barely a whisper. He didn’t even care that Snape was touching her like that, it didn’t mean anything, Cash and Remus held her hand and touched her all the time. And she had no more intention of marrying them than she did Hagrid, Harry reminded himself.

Severus turned to face him and paused, the boy looked as though he had been through torment enough to last several lifetimes. Severus was half tempted to embrace him the way Cat would, but he knew Harry would never allow that, so he settled for an explanation, or at least the closest he could come to one, the boy had a right to know. Sighing painfully Severus explained as best he could "You must realize by now Mr. Potter, that Miss MacLeod has a unique gift, the ability to see into the future, a true seer" he paused as Harry nodded "Unfortunately this comes at a high price, as you can see. From what I understand, a power of some sort invades her body, causing her to see and hear things we cannot, most often this only happens when there is a great deal of danger involved."

"You mean like Voldemort?" Harry asked, he just knew this was because of Voldemort, who else could do something so horrible to someone.

"Yes Mr. Potter, but he was not directly involved." Severus continued "I have seen this happen to her on several occasions, although none quite so severe. The last time was right before the school was attacked, the time before that, it was when the Dementors had begun infiltrating the school. That is when she invited those vampyres and Garou to *join* us" he said sarcastically "these visions leave her weak, tired and at times, near death...." Severus flinched involuntarily as the words passed his lips.

"You really don’t like the Gangrel or Garou ... do you?" Harry questioned

"I most certainly do not, they are a danger to all living creatures. I still find it hard to believe that Dumbledore allowed it" Severus spat as he recalled his run-in with them after Draco’s severe lack of judgement.

Harry paused, he had to think very carefully how to word his next sentence. He looked at Cat for a moment and then to Snape "You do know that the Gangrel and MacLeod are one clan.....don’t you?"

Severus gave Harry a long, thoughtful look "You mean they are allied with each other. Yes I am aware of that little *arrangement*" he said distastefully.

"Uhm.... no Professor. I mean they are almost the same. A lot of her... our family became Gangrels when they died. The clans .... kind of merged" Harry explained

Severus’s eyes grew wide "So when she called those creatures her cousins.. That monster ....Cash..."

"Actually I think he’s her great-great uncle or something like that, not monster..." Harry replied "but he said I should just call him uncle or cousin... whatever I felt comfortable with." he smiled softly as he remembered the kindness Cash treated him with, and the fun they had playing with each other.

Severus shook his head, it was too horrible to be true. No wonder she had no fear of them, they had brainwashed her into believing that they were her family, and he knew how far she would go for family. He became more determined than ever to protect her and Potter from those creatures, he had know idea how Cat had truly become acquainted with them, but he would see to it that they never had the opportunity to harm either of them.

Severus gazed down at Cat, who was finally falling asleep, he tried placing her hands under her covers, only to hear her whimper as she tried to bat something away. Severus and Harry looked at each other and sighed as they each took one of her hands in their own. "Will she be able to sleep?" Harry asked "Or will she have nightmares ....visions.... the rest of the night?"

"Once she has truly fallen asleep, she will have a dreamless sleep." Severus explained "Due to the severity of her episode it is simply taking longer for her to reach a deep sleep." The two wizards remained by her side for nearly an hour longer, watching anxiously as Cat finally drifted off into a deep sleep. Poppy, who had been checking on them on and off since the whole episode began decided enough was enough and insisted they both leave... or she would be forced to wake Albus and see what his thoughts on the matter would be.......

Severus gave Poppy and icy glare but did as she said. "Come Mr. Potter, it appears we are no longer needed here." Harry was going to argue, but Snape added "She needs rest Mr. Potter, she will be here tomorrow, you can see her then" Harry sighed deeply as he walked out of the hospital door that Snape was holding open. As Harry heard the door swing shut, he heard Snape speaking again "consider tonight’s *activities* your detention Harry. Now go to your tower...try to sleep" he said gently as he placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder. "I am sure she will need us tomorrow"

Severus and Harry walked to Gryffindor tower in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the last few hours and what the future may hold for them. Severus left Harry as the portrait opened, Snape lingered in the hall for a few moments, just to make sure Harry didn’t try returning to the hospital wing. After he was satisfied that Harry was safe for the night, Severus walked wearily to his room, where he fell asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow......

Harry walked slowly up to his dorm, he didn’t know what to do, or to think. Cat had almost died tonight and there was nothing any of them could do to stop it. Even Remus seemed lost when he saw her laying unconscious on the hospital bed, Remus always knew what to do were Cat was involved. Harry fought back the tears as he entered his room, trying to be quiet so he didn’t wake up the others. As he undressed for bed, Harry noticed the new robe Cat had bought him hanging on the door of his wardrobe. As he touched it, he remembered the pride that shown in Cat’s eyes as she watched him try it on. She had been smiling so happily, Harry clenched the robe in his fist, he thought his life was finally going to be normal. He was going to have a family, he didn’t have to be alone, or worse, forced to live with people who hated the very fact that he existed. Harry sobbed as he pulled the robe off of its hanger, he wanted to burn it, to destroy the happy memories that were now causing him so much pain.

As Harry held the bunched up robe over his head, ready to throw it into the fire, he remembered how happy Cat had been when they had spoken about the ball. She made him promise to dance with her at least once, *if he could manage to squeeze her in* she had teased. His tears burned as they fell down his cheeks, it wasn’t fair.... how could he be expected to suffer so much. How could Cat be expected to live through so much pain. Harry hugged the robe close to himself as he fell onto his bed, sobbing softly as he surrendered to sleep.......

Sirius watched impatiently as Poppy did her final check on Cat... it was nearly two in the morning... surely Poppy had to sleep sooner or later. <At least Cat is resting now, no more nightmares> Sirius thought as he watched her sleep. After what seemed like hours Poppy finally switched of her light and went to bed. Sirius silently transformed and walked over to Cat’s bed.

Sitting down on the bed he picked up her hand and kissed it softly. He closed his eyes as the sight of the dried blood and her pale skin shocked him. Placing her hand back on her blankets, Sirius picked up the bowl of fresh water Poppy had left on the bedside table and continued the work Remus had to stop. Sirius felt the tears rising to his eyes as he pictured the look on Remus’s face earlier in the evening. Poor Remus, he still loved Cat, it was obvious, especially at times like this. Sirius sighed as a bittersweet smile crossed his face as he remembered Remus doing everything possible to set he and Cat up, including locking them in a closet until they spoke with each other.

Sirius finished cleaning the blood off of Cat and just stared at her for a few moments. She was so beautiful to him, his heart felt as though it was going to break several times tonight. First from depression and grief, then to jealousy and helplessness as he watched Snape fill his role as Cat and Harry’s protector. Sirius caressed her face gently, he was overjoyed to feel the warmth returning to her flesh, it meant she was beginning to recover. Sirius sighed with relief, he didn’t know what he would do if he ever lost her again. It had been hard enough the first time.

Sirius clenched his jaw as he relived the night over again in his mind. It was the exact moment his life had begun to fall apart .....

He had jumped in right when Snape had asked her to go to the Spring Ball with him, "She can’t go with you, she going with me." he had said it so loudly, right there in the middle of the great hall, everyone had heard him, everyone knew that they were still together, even if he had asked her for some *breathing* room. If anyone had any doubts all they had to do was to look at the black eye Peter was sporting, Sirius grit his teeth at the thought of him, he had just *assumed* that it was his turn to date Cat, as if she was community property or something. If her knocking him down the steps of the girl’s dorm and screaming at him hadn’t put an end to his delusions, Sirius’s beating surely did, it took James, Remus, and several other students to pull him off of Peter. Everyone knew he still loved her, and she loved him. So why did he do something so stupid, so heartless...

Cat, Lily and Mrs. Evans had spent over two weeks looking for the right dresses, he had watched them pour through the magazines Lily’s mom had sent them, he always loved the dresses they picked, they were just as amazing as the women wearing them. He could hardly wait to see what they would come up with. He had even joined in when Lily had asked his opinion on what he thought Cat should wear. Sirius remembered exactly the dress he picked for her, it was *daring* to say the least, he could never forget the huge grin Lily had on her face when she saw it. "And exactly what are you planning on doing *after* the ball? That dress isn’t exactly made for a picnic." She had winked knowingly at him, while Cat blushed. James sat watching her, laughing the whole time, everyone believed they were back together, ..... including Cat...

When the night of the Spring Ball finally came, Lily and Cat had gone down first, they said they wanted to *make an impression*. He had just smiled, he knew exactly what that meant, they had chosen their dresses and wanted to keep them a secret until the *unveiling*. It had become something of a tradition at the balls, Lily and Cat would wear a wrap or shawl of some sort until it was time for the first dance, then he and James would help the girls *unwrap* themselves. Much to the amusement and titillation of the student’s and, at times, the shock of the teachers.

As he and James left the common room to go to the great hall, Sirius had excused himself.. *something I’ve got to pick-up* he had told James. "I’ll meet you there" he had grinned as he waved to James. It never really occurred to him that Cat had taken him seriously, he thought she would have realized he only said he was taking her so Snape wouldn’t. Sirius had naturally assumed that she would go with Remus, after all, they usually ended up dancing together a good part of the night anyway, why should tonight be any different.

Sirius had almost fainted with shock when he saw Remus with EmilyJane Harper on his arm, they were joking with Lily and James as Cat waited expectantly for him. Sirius paused as he remembered the look on Cat’s face when he met her in the hall, with a 5y student on his arm, a Hufflepuff named Esmeralda Filch , whom everyone knew by reputation, and not a particularly good one at that. He had stood there and watched her heartbreak in front of his eyes, he remembered all to well the way her eyes had shown the pain and hurt she was feeling. As far as she was concerned he had betrayed her, he had played her for a fool, leading her on the whole time...

Sirius wiped the tears from his eyes as he remembered the rest of the night, it was the night part of his heart died, he traced the outline of her lips with his fingers as his tears began to fall, landing on her pale skin .....

As hurt as Cat was she refused to fight with him, she simply turned her back and headed for the tower. James and Remus stared at him, as if he were the most wretched creature to ever walk the earth. But even that was preferable to Cat’s silence. Lily had run after her, grabbing her arm and making her stay. James had walked over to make sure they were alright, Sirius watched as James’ face went from anger to grief as he hugged Cat. Sirius felt a horrible pang of guilt as he watched James wipe away Cat’s tears.

He should have done something right there and then. Even to this day, he had no idea what possessed him, he didn’t care a thing for Esmeralda, never did. But instead of walking over to Cat and apologizing to her...... he sneered at her and whispered something about time to grow up under his breath. Sirius watched as EmilyJane and Remus glared at him, he could feel James’ eyes boring through him from across the corridor as well. Just when he thought the worse was over, Esmeralda made some stupid comment about *some people* not knowing when to give it up. Lily must have crossed the floor in three seconds flat, her hand was twisted in Esmeralda’s hair, and she was pulling her down to the floor leaving clumps of hair in her wake. He and Remus had to lift Lily off of her, kicking and screaming all the way. Just when he thought things had finally calmed down, Lily turned on him... she actually struck him across his face. Everyone was stunned. Sirius just stared dumbfounded as Lily berated him for his callousness, "how dare he treat her sister like this", "how could he even show his face" the only thing that stopped her was Cat. .....

Cat had stood alone, against the stone wall, tears silently streaming down her face. She had whispered "Lily... no..", the look on her face was enough to bring Lily running to her side, with James close behind. The only thing that had hurt Sirius worse than Lily’s attack and James’ anger, was Cat’s numb expression when she managed to look at him. To top everything else off, Severus had seen what had happened, all of it. He came out into the hall as Lily was trying to stop Cat from leaving.

Sirius remembered as if it had been yesterday, Snape had been so sickly sweet "You can’t leave Catri...you promised me a dance" Severus said as he held out his hand....."

"You already have a date Sev, I won’t do to someone else what’s been done to me." Cat could barely manage a whisper.

But Severus insisted, "she only came with me because of Lucius, he’s the one she wanted to go with" he could tell Cat wanted to leave, to be alone with her pain. But Lily interceded, she had actually agreed for Cat, literally pushing Cat into the great hall, .... and into Snape’s arms.

Sirius had been infuriated when he saw Cat and Snape together, "didn’t take her long, did it? and with him" Now it was his turn to be shocked and hurt. How could she just go to Snape like that, she was supposed to be in love with him.... not Snape.

James shot him a terrible look, ‘I really think you should be quite Sirius. You’ve already done enough for one night" he had snapped irritably. No small wonder considering how upset Lily still was. Several times during the night, James had to physically restrain Lily when Esmeralda made snide comments about Cat. Sirius remembered staring longingly at Cat, who was sitting with a group of Slytherins, he narrowed his eyes at Snape, who was being more than slightly attentive towards Cat.

Things had finally begun to calm down, Lily had stopped trying to turn her butter knife into a sword, and Remus was talking civilly to him again. Then the music started, Sirius automatically got up, forgetting completely that it wasn’t Cat with him. He felt like a fool when Esmeralda pulled him back down, he watched as Lily drug James over to the Slytherin table.

"Ready Sissi?" Lily had asked Cat.

Cat shook her head slowly "Not really... Not much in the mood for it tonight" she had answered softly. Lily gave Snape a look that said move, and he did, pulling out Cat’s chair for her, he offered his arm as they walked toward the dance floor.

Sirius could feel his blood begin to boil, there was no way Snape was going to dance with her, and he refused to allow Snape to be the one to *unwrap* Cat, that was his job and his alone. Sirius tried to get up once more, only to find himself stuck to his chair. "Did you forget?" Esmeralda asked all too sweetly "your *my* date tonight. Not hers." Just as Sirius was about to reply, he heard a gasp come from behind him. Turning around he saw what everyone was speechless over.