Cat couldn’t believe her eyes, it was exquisite, she had never seen anything so intricate and amazingly detailed in her entire life. She looked up at Sev as she smiled brightly at him, he was smiling back at her, his eyes twinkling with happiness. "Severus,... its beautiful" she said breathlessly "but I can’t, it’s just too much" she was beginning to blush furiously. She could tell it was very expensive, she just didn’t feel right about accepting it.

It was a charm bracelet, the most amazing thing she had ever seen. Worked in gold and silver she smiled as she saw the minutely detailed potion bottles, each with stoppers made from precious jewels. They actually seemed to be filled with liquid, Cat could see the names of each philter artfully engraved on every bottle. And hanging between each bottle was a ... square ... or flag.... she wasn’t sure at the moment......

"Nonsense" Severus chided gently "I had it made especially for you. And I can tell you like it" he smiled as he took it from her and opened the clasp. "May I put it on for you?" he held it open as she placed her wrist between his hands. "There ..... a perfect fit" he said as he stared deeply into Catri’s eyes, he hoped she understood he wasn’t just referring to the bracelet. Judging from the crimson blush creeping across her cheeks, she understood perfectly. "So... I take it you approve." he said as he brushed his lips across hers.

"Severus, your spoiling me..." Cat said shyly "and yes, I think its amazing"

"Take a close look at it" Sev told her "a very close look"

Cat gave him a curious glance, but did as he said. Bringing her wrist up to her face, she studied the bracelet closer. "Potion bottles... with gems as stoppers, ... don’t you think that was a bit extravagant?" she asked

"Hush,.. do not concern yourself with the cost." Severus chided "look closer ..." he encouraged.

"Potion bottles, and ... parchments?" she squinted her eyes as Sev chuckled "parchments with writing on..." She turned her wrist as she tried to read what they said, they were each different. "Severus.... these are spells. Ancient spells! And the potion bottles !!!"

Severus smiled "Yes, they also contain authentic potions. After what happened yesterday.... I wanted to be sure you were always protected" he purred as he nuzzled against her "I never want to lose you again. I could not bare it if anything were to happen to you."

Cat smiled warmly at him, she could feel herself becoming more and more fond of him with each passing moment. Perhaps, if he and Harry could manage to get along, she might consider becoming more *serious* with him. "Severus Snape, you really need to stop spoiling me" she said as she kissed him tenderly "One day you’re not going to be able to get rid of me." she winked.

"That I would ever be so lucky" Sev whispered to her as he returned her kiss, sighing contentedly, he wrapped his arms around her as he leaned back against the headboard, he smiled happily as he felt her lean into him. After a few minutes of relaxing silence, Severus finally had to ask her "Have you thought my offer over? Will you spend the holidays with me?" he listened to the sound of her breathing as he waited for her to answer. .......

Cat paused, she knew this would be coming, Sev could be so insistent sometimes. She had no intention of leaving Harry behind, and especially during their first holidays together. But at the same time she didn’t want to hurt Sev’s feelings either, it was obvious how much he cared about her, and to be honest, she was more than slightly infatuated herself. For a brief moment she found herself fantasizing about what life as Mrs. Severus Snape would be like. "Severus, we’ve been through this before" she sighed softly "You know I intend to take Harry home for the holidays. Back where we belong, to clan ...." she paused as she felt the slight tightening of Sev’s arms around her. She had wounded him, she could tell.

"It would not have to be the entire holiday Catri...." Sev pleaded "even if you could managed a few days. I want to spend time with you, time alone with you." He hushed her as she began to reply. "Please,.... please Catri. I do not want you to answer me now. We have over a week until school ends, I beg you, think it over carefully." his voice was wavering slightly.

Cat closed her eyes, she could feel how desperately he wanted to be with her. She could hear it in his shaky, whispering voice, and she could see it in his soft brown eyes. "Alright Severus" she replied softly "I’ll think it over, I can give you my final decision at the Yule Ball" she practically melted as she felt him hug her tightly, she was positive she heard a sob catch in his throat. .....

Severus closed his eyes as he squeezed Catri tightly, he wondered if she had any idea how much it would mean to him if she said yes. He wanted her to be his wife, to stay by his side forever, but he was a private man, he could never even think of asking her while they were at school. Too many eyes, and far too many talkative mouths for his taste. He wanted it to go perfectly, a romantic evening, perhaps a moonlit stroll over freshly fallen snow at his family’s home. Or maybe he would present her with a bouquet of flowers, tied with a ribbon, the engagement ring dangling daintily from the bow. He kissed Cat’s hair, almost absent-mindedly as he thought about their life together. He imagined how wonderful it would be see her every morning, to hold her in his arms without having to worry about idle gossip, and most of all, to be a father again. Tears welled in his eyes as he thought about his daughter, Serenity, she had been his life. She alone loved him unconditionally, and he loved her more than life itself, a piece of him lay buried with her. Severus blinked away the tears as he smiled, he loved Catri, and he was sure she loved him, it was only a matter of time until they would be married. He was about to ask her something when he heard all to familiar heavy footsteps approaching the hospital doors. Quickly but gently, he unwrapped his arms from Cat as he stood up and faced the doors.....

Hagrid burst into the hospital wing, he was smiling widely and cradling something in his arms. Upon closer examination, it was obviously something alive, not to mention large, although at the moment it was hidden under a blanket. "Hagrid?" Cat said hesitantly "please don’t tell me you’ve begun the second term project already... I thought we had discussed that."

"Wot,.... oh this.. .nah, them eggs hatna even arrived yet" Hagrid paused as he looked from Cat to Snape, "Sorry t’bother ye, Cat... Ye to prof’sser Snape. But I think this lil fella belongs t’ya." Hagrid uncovered the squirming bundle to reveal a monstrously large bat. ‘E got trapped by one o’the drakes. Nerly got himself eatin he did." Hagrid smiled widely as he cuddled the large bat under its chin. The bat gave a happy screech as it managed to crawled inside of Hagrid’s coat and quickly nestled himself against Hagrid’s warm body. "Ahhh, now isn’ that sweet. I think ‘e likes me." he said joyfully.

"What makes you think he’s mine?" Cat asked as she watched the bat intently, she had a sinking suspicion Hagrid was right, it was intended for her. Watching as Hagrid tried to reach for the bat, Cat laughed brightly "Hagrid... I think you’ve found a new friend, and he’s found a new perch. ..... He looks like he’s from the Tremere.. Did you find a message on him?"

"Aza matter o’fact, I did" Hagrid replied as he searched his pockets "I know its ‘ere somewheres"

Severus looked at her intently "You do not seem happy about this. Is there something I should know?" He whispered as Hagrid continued to check his pockets for the note.

Cat motioned for Severus to sit down "The Tremere.... they are VERY bad news. At one time, their progenitors were warlocks, they sought immortality, at first through magic, but finding that lacking.... they began to hunt vampyre, not to destroy them, but to drain them of their blood. They magically infused it to their own, becoming the source of their own damnation. No one knows what to do about them, but everyone recognizes the lingering power of their sorcery. The treachery that spawned them has changed everything." Cat shook her head slowly, obviously disturbed by the very thought of them "They make up the youngest clan and likely the lowest. They cannot be trusted, they are not like my clan. The Tremere have no honour.."

Severus gave an exasperated sighed "You *still* consider them to be *your* clan..." Severus said coldly

"Severus ... please, not now. I don’t have the strength to argue this with you." Cat replied shortly "If the Tremere are involved...." she clenched her jaw as she shut her eyes "I don’t even want to think about it right now." she finished as she rubbed her temples.

Severus was about to say something when Hagrid interrupted "Oiy, found it." he walked over to Cat and handed the tightly folded parchment to her "I knew it twer here somewhere"

Cat hesitantly took the note from Hagrid, Severus could see her hands trembling again, she was still far too weak to be getting herself upset like this. Severus protectively put his arm around her shoulders as he sat next to her. "Catri?" she had paled noticeably in the past few seconds "is there anything I can do?" he asked sincerely.

Hagrid looked at the scene before him for a moment, normally he wouldn’t intrude on what appeared to be an intimate moment between two people, but Miss MacLeod just didn’t look right. "Eehhh, Miss MacLeod... Cat?" he stammered "Yer lookin kinda.... ill. Do ya need Poppy?" he asked as he looked into her deep green eyes. He remembered those eyes so well, she and Lily, the *twins*, they always had a friendly smile and kind words for everyone. Even for the likes of Snape, the poor fellow was probably taking her kindness for affection. Still, Professor Snape was strong and smart, it couldn’t hurt to have him watching out for her

Hagrid felt a lump in his throat as he watched Cat read the note he had just given her, she looked even worse than she did a few moments before..... "Cat?" Hagrid and Snape looked at each other as Cat read the parchment, a horrified look spreading across her face. ....

Cat felt horribly cold as she touched the parchment, she fought off the shivers as she unfolded the parchment, hoping that the message would be anything but a self invitation from Clan Tremere. Cat felt her heart shudder as she read the note, sure enough, Clan Tremere had heard of her efforts to unite several clans. They ever so tactfully explained how they felt her *busy* schedule must have led her to *overlook* them. Cat clenched her teeth, <overlook my blue blazes, as if anyone in their right minds would trust them> . Cat could feel Hagrid and Severus staring at her, she just didn’t care at the moment, she had to find Albus, he needed to understand the danger. Cat felt her entire body shaking as she tried to stand up, she knew she shouldn’t, but the school was in danger, as well as every student within its walls.

"Catri!!" Severus yelled as he and Hagrid both reached to catch her. "What are you thinking, you are far too weak to get out of bed!" Severus said sharply. "Madame Pomfrey!" Severus watched Cat sigh as Poppy hurried towards them.

"Thanks Professor Snape. This is exactly what I needed." Cat said sarcastically

"It is *exactly* what you need. Or do you want to die?" he whispered as he bent closer to her ear "If nothing else, think of Harry. I am certain he does not wish to become an orphan again. Now stay put before I conjure some cords to tie you to your bed." Severus stood up quickly and brushed the hair from his face as Madame Pomfrey arrived at Cat’s bedside.

"I *am* thinking of Harry. I need to speak to Albus NOW." Cat didn’t seem to care who was standing there "The Tremere are planning on arriving early in the year. We have to protect the children." she said resolutely, daring anyone to stop her.

"Nonsense" Poppy said "I am sure if it is that important Headmaster Dumbledore will come to you." She clucked her tongue as she checked Cat’s pulse, quickly pulling out a vial of foxglove, Poppy poured a small amount into a glass and mixed it with water before handing it to Cat. "Don’t give me any trouble Kitty..... drink it. Now."

"Only if someone gets Albus first, I *must* speak with him" Cat insisted. She watched as Severus rolled his eyes and sighed deeply.

"When did you ever become so much trouble Catri?" he asked as he took the glass from Poppy. Pushing it into Cat’s hands he knelt so he was eye level with her "Drink it now, ... you are pale, shaking, and judging from Madame Pomfrey’s reaction, your heart is not doing well. Drink it and I swear I will personally get Albus." he stared intently into her eyes, waiting for her to respond.

"You swear?" Cat repeated, she took a deep breath as Severus nodded his head. "Fine..." she took one look at the glass before making a face and draining it in one large swallow. Hagrid laughed as she grimaced and shook her head.