Severus took a deep breath, he knew this question would be coming, he simply thought it would be Catri asking it. "I swear to you, Harry, I had no idea" he barely whispered "I did not even know her mother had died until she herself accused Lucius in front of me." Snape’s eyes looked both haunted and tormented "If I had known, I would have stopped him. I would never put Catri through that pain, I remember her talking about her mother when we were students. They were very close." his voice simply trailed off. He had seen the look of horror on Catri’s face when Black had accused him, it had torn his heart in two to know that she could even think he would do something like that to her.

Harry smiled softly "Thank you. I don’t think she believes it either, but I know I needed to hear you say it, ..... she probably does too." Harry almost laughed when Snape stared at him with disbelief. "You do know I don’t hate you, don’t you? I won’t lie .... I want her to marry Sirius, but you’re really a nice person when she’s around."

Severus was taken aback by Harry’s statement, he had no idea what to say. He simply nodded at Harry and motioned for him to go back to eating his supper. "She doesn’t believe him?" Severus said out loud to himself, the relief flooding through him was enough to make his legs tremble under him. He was so concerned Black’s accusation would have ruined all the trust he had been building between Catri and himself. Heaving a great sigh of relief, Severus returned to the great hall, as much as he wanted to see Catri, Minerva had insisted he wait until she could talk to Cash this evening, not that he didn’t already know the answer to that question. But he would wait, for tonight, but as of tomorrow morning he would be at her side whether she had a chaperone or not.

Cat smiled and waved goodbye to Harry and his friends as they boarded the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade. "I wish I could go with them, I have so much shopping to finish before the holidays" Cat sighed. "And I’m bored near to death."

"Now Kitty" Albus said gently as he patted her hand "I know how much you hate to be left behind, but you simply are not strong enough to be allowed to take such a journey. May I suggest you assist Professor Sprout in the greenhouse if you are that bored. I know she would appreciate your company, and your *other* talents as well." he winked as he gave her a knowing look.

"Albus" Cat whined "you act as if I had control over that. I can’t help it things grow like that when I’m around"

Albus smiled widely and chuckled "I know my dear, your mother was the same way. It would drive your father to distraction. He was always worried whenever she tried to plant a garden or heaven forbid, raise any orphaned animals." he paused for a moment "What ever happened to those puppies by the way?"

Cat laughed "You must mean the black beasts... Samson and Swift are just fine, big as ever and scaring all the muggle half to death. Some of my nieces and nephews have actually saddled them up and ridden them... it’s kind of scary. Those two are bigger than some of the ponies, but much more cuddly" she giggled as she wrinkled her nose and grinned.

 Taking Albus’s advise Cat left for the greenhouse, at least it would get her out of her room. Everyone was so worried about her they had practically confined her to her bed. She had finally had enough last night and began yelling at Cash and Remus as Minerva stood in the corner, artfully avoiding her tantrum. She had felt rather ashamed afterwards, but Remus had taken it well, in fact after her little tirade was over, he waited for a minute or two and started laughing at her "Well, I was wondering when you would finally be well enough to throw a fit" he had told her. The brat had just been waiting for it, waiting for her to be well enough to kick them out and be left alone. Of course everyone was still checking up on her every few hours, but she liked the company. Not to mention how nice it felt to know so many people cared for her.

She smiled as she remembered Severus’s reaction, apparently Remus’s declaration of a chaperone was only in effect until she was well enough to take care of herself. And Severus had wasted no time in informing Remus of that, she noticed the strained look in Sirius’s eyes as well, she could tell he wanted to say something, he wanted to talk to her, but he never seemed to be able to say what he wanted to. He would always change the subject from one thing to another, Cat had the distinct impression he was trying to break it to her gently that he had married and was now *living apart* from his wife, but then again that was only a guess on her part.

Professor Sprout was over joyed to see Cat "My dear!!!! I’m so happy to see you up and about" she chimed as she quickly took Cat’s hand and guided her through the mess of pots and dirt "I was so worried, I heard you had another episode. Tsk tsk. I was hoping you would outgrow them." she sighed as she cleared away a spot for Cat to sit down.

Cat smiled at her, she hadn’t changed much at all, still plump and friendly with her grey hair flying out from under her hat every chance it got. "I’m afraid not Saffron, as luck would have it, I appear to be stuck with them for life." She thanked Saffron as she took a cup of tea "Hmmm your own chamomile, I love this, its so much better than anything you can buy."

Sprout smiled at her, leave it to Cat MacLeod to notice the difference so quickly "So my dear, what brings you out here on such a cold day?"

"Actually Albus suggested that if I insisted on getting out of the school, I should come here and help you. He knows how I get when I’m cooped up too long." Cat winked "Actually I’m beginning to think everyone know how I get, they have been studiously avoiding me lately."

Sprout practically bubbled with laughter "Well I’m very glad you decided to come to me. I can always use and extra pair of hands, and I do miss hearing you sing...... You do still sing when you garden, don’t you?"

Now it was Cat’s turn to laugh "Of course... you know me, I’m always singing. Poor Lily, I think I got her in the habit as well, we used to take turns and sing rounds when we did our projects here."

"I remember" Saffron sighed "I so loved to hear the two of you, if you weren’t singing, you were laughing. And those poor boys, they never did stand a chance against the two of you. Of course I would have thought they’d have figured that out much sooner than they did." she winked as she began her bubbly laugh again.

"Nope, they never learned, or else they never gave up. I’m not really sure which would be truer." Cat grinned. Finishing up her tea Cat asked "So, what can I help you with? Planting, weeding, transplanting, pruning? Just let me know."

Saffron smiled as she handed Cat some gardening gloves "I think transplanting some seedlings will be the most helpful. And to be honest, I’m never really sure what effect you’re going to have on my plants. Although I would appreciate it if you would sing to the mandragora, its not doing very well.".......

Cat and Saffron continued chatting and working as the day went on, before long Cat was singing happily and even teaching Saffron some of the songs she and Lily used to sing.

Picking the petals off of the daisy, one by one {in the garden} do you love me do you love me not do you love me {singing and dancing}

Snuffles was trotting along the grounds, making his daily inspection of Hogwarts when he heard the singing. He knew immediately it was Cat, he remembered the song and of course he could never forget her voice. Snuffles quickly followed the sound of her voice to the greenhouse were he saw his beloved Cat talking and laughing with Professor Sprout. He smiled to himself as he watched her happily tending to the fragile seedlings that she and the professor were transplanting into the large flowerbeds. She seemed much stronger today than the last time he saw her, he sighed deeply as he remembered the past few days. She had nearly died and her recovery was much slower than he would have hoped, he wanted, no *needed* to tell her everything, but he was so afraid that the shock of what had happened would only make her health worse. It was gnawing at him more and more by the day, he knew in his heart if he didn’t find a way to tell her soon, Snape would, actually Sirius was surprised he hadn’t already.

Snuffles darted under some brush that was growing near the greenhouse, he wanted to watch Cat for a while, he enjoyed seeing her happy, and the cut of her dress wasn’t hurting the view either. He still couldn’t believe she had come back, he watched as she sang and dug in the dirt, swaying her hips as she walked across the greenhouse to gather an armful of plants. Snuffles would almost swear he saw the plants moving in time to her song, and the seedlings she planted only moments ago were nearly as large as the ones that Sprout had planted nearly two weeks earlier. Hunkering down to avoid the chilling winds, he laid his head on his paws and gazed dreamily at her through the glass windows of the greenhouse.

Professor Sprout was enjoying herself immensely, it wasn’t often that she got company. Cat had always been a joy as a student and she was even more fun now, the had spent most of the morning chatting and drinking tea while taking care of the seedlings. She was truly amazed at how much they had accomplished in such a short span of time. "Merlin’s beard Cat, you better slow down" Saffron warned her "you don’t want to tire yourself out already. Why don’t we finish up and break for lunch?"

Cat smiled up as she wiped the perspiration and dirt off of her "sounds wonderful to me. I can’t believe how hungry I actually am. What time is it anyway?"

Sprout looked at the locket-watch hanging from its chain "nearly half past twelve.... let’s clean ourselves up and get something, shall we?" Cat nodded back at her as Professor Sprout carried the empty pots to a table, just as she passed the door she thought she saw a shadow. Sprout sat down the pots immediately and carefully pulled out her wand, <no point in upsetting Cat if its only an animal> she thought <the poor girl has been through quite enough excitement this week>. Silently Professor Sprout opened the greenhouse door, wand at the ready as a dark, imposing figure stepped in front of her, pushing her wand out of his way as he glowered menacingly at her.

"My... what a *pleasant* greeting Professor Sprout" Severus hissed as he glared down at her, he paused for a moment "I understand Miss MacLeod is here." it wasn’t a question "I need to speak with her, *now* and alone" he said through clenched teeth.

Professor Sprout had no idea what Cat had done, but Professor Snape seemed furious at her for something. She needed to get Cat out of there and back to the school were Albus could protect her. "We were just going to lunch Professor..."

Severus cut her off mid-sentence "By all means go Professor Sprout, Miss MacLeod will join you shortly." he told her as he strode past her and quickly spotted Catri "You may go now Professor Sprout" he narrowed his eyes at her as Sprout stood there, unsure as to whether she should leave Cat alone with the irrate Snape. "Now Professor Sprout" he repeated as he walked towards her, causing her to back out of the door "this won’t take long" Severus said as he shut and locked the greenhouse door in Sprout’s face.

Cat was still busy gardening, finishing up the last few rows of plants as she waited for Saffron to come back. She was humming happily as she dug into the ground, it felt good to finally do something physical, she was so tired of being confined to her bed, if it were up to her she would have taken Harry to Diagon Alley or Quark’s Quidditch or anywhere, she wanted to get out and do something. Cat wiped at her face with the back of her gloved hand, her hair must be coming undone again she thought as she felt the tickling wisp just above her eyes. She went back to her gardening as she called for Saffron "Professor Sprout... we should hurry up before the house elves left for the holidays themselves." She waited for Sprout’s reply as she once again brushed the wispy feeling off of her face. "Saffron?" she waited for a reply, not hearing any Cat stood up "Saffron?? Where are you" she felt the tickling on her forehead again "what *is* that?!" she vented as she looked up, only to see a rose dangling over her head. Cat leaned further back to see what on earth was holding up a rose, and froze when she saw the familiar face smiling widely back at her.........

Severus couldn’t help but smile when he saw Catri humming happily as she tended the plants, she was the picture of contentment and of beauty. Severus was glad to *finally* have some time alone with her, luckily Lupin had gone to Hogsmeade with most of the school, now as long as Black didn’t show up and Sprout had enough sense not to come back everything would work out wonderfully. Severus quickly pulled a twig off of one of the plants as he crept quietly behind Catri, he quickly transformed the twig into a single rose and stood behind her. He waited for a few moments for her to realize he was there, but she was far to involve with what she was doing. Feeling strangely playful, Severus very carefully grazed her forehead with the rose, hoping to get her attention. He watched as she brushed at her forehead with the back of her gloved hand. Grinning widely he waited until she had started on her gardening, then touched her with the rose once more. He could hardly stop from laughing as he saw the annoyance on her face, he couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed what was causing it. He nearly laughed when he heard her call out to Sprout, he just had to try one more time to get her attention. This time he let the rose fall against her head, he watched as she looked up to see the rose, slowly she leaned backwards and froze when she saw him...

"Severus?" Cat asked as she turned to face him "what on earth are you doing? And where is Saffron?"

"I sent Professor Sprout on ahead. I told her I needed to speak with you" Sev explained as he twirled the rose in his long, slender fingers. "So Miss MacLeod, may I take it you are feeling better today?" he asked as he took her arm and walked with her towards the door.

"Yes Sev, much better thank you. But what are *you* doing here, and why did you send Saffron away?" she asked suspiciously. "I hope you don’t have any *plans* for me today, I’m not feeling that well yet." she teased. "And does Remus or Cash know you’re here? I don’t want there to be any more trouble."

Before Catri could ask anymore questions he transformed the rose he had been playing with into a sprig of mistletoe "Well, what have we here" he purred softly as he held the mistletoe over Catri’s head. "My, my.. could this be mistletoe?" He smiled as Catri blushed and giggled at him, quickly wrapping his arms around her waist he pressed her against himself. "Unless I am mistaken you have a superstition about mistletoe and kissing I believe."

Cat gasped as Sev embraced her, she certainly hadn’t been expecting him to be so forward after Remus and Cash had expressed their displeasure over his previous actions, they still wanted her to be chaperoned. Cat gently pressed against Sev’s chest with her forearms, trying her best not to soil his robs with her muddy gloves "Sev, you don’t want to get all dirty, now do you" she teased gently, as she tried to manoeuvre out of his grasp. "I know how important it is to you to stay clean and tidy." she remarked as she nodded to his crisp white shirt rising up from under his black robe.

"I can think of worse things at the moment" Severus said as he pulled her even closer, enjoying the feeling of her flesh pressing against his own. "In fact..." he looked deeply into her eyes, the longing in his heart evident as he brought his mouth closer to hers, "at this moment, my thoughts are anything but clean.... ." He lifted her slightly off the floor as he kissed her passionately, almost bruising her lips as he deepened the kiss. He felt her struggle against him, but only for a few moments, then he felt her melt into him as she stopped trying to squirm out of his embrace and returned his kiss with a true passion.....

Sirius was all but foaming at the mouth as he watched Snape manhandle Cat. He was on his way to rescue her from his greasy embrace when his heart twisted in his chest. Cat had stopped struggling against him, she was kissing him back, and even worse, she seemed to be enjoying it. Sirius felt his stomach turning violently as he watched the woman he loved in the arms of the man he truly despised. The horrible realization that Cat was no longer *his* hit him with a force unlike anything he had ever felt before. At least up until now he had always had hope, he felt the familiar despair of Azkaban returning to him as the full understanding of what he was seeing hit him. Sirius reverted into his human form as the tears ran down his face, she didn’t love him anymore. He forced himself to look again, he just could not believe after everything he had been through, after the way she would hold his hand when they talked, or the way she would reach out to touch his face ..... she had to love him, there was no possible way she could treat him the way she did and not care about him.........

Severus finally pulled himself away from her, he felt breathless as his heart continued to flutter in his chest. He rested his head against hers for a moment as he softly whispered endearments in her ear. He caressed her back with one hand as he gently touched her face with the other, brushing her hair away from her eye "Please, tell me you have agreed to stay with me for the holidays"....

Sirius felt as if his heart had been crushed "How can she allow him to touch her like that? Doesn’t she realize how much I love her, doesn’t she care.." he moaned as he watched Snape’s euphoric expression. This is what Sirius had feared all those years ago, this is why he strayed, he had always been frightened that this would happen, that he would love her so much that his world would crumble if she ever left him, and now it was happening. Sirius’s pain soon turned into a blinding anger as he watched Cat and Snape together. His heart was tearing apart inside of him, "How can I have been such a fool, she doesn’t care about me" he growled "she probably never did" his eyes narrowed as he watched Snape give her one last long kiss as he walked out of the greenhouse and back to the school. "If she thinks I’m just going to stand here and watch her betray me with him, she is sadly mistaken" Sirius spat as he walked towards the green house to confront Cat........