Cat took a deep breath as she reached the gargoyle statue that stood outside of Albus’s doorway. She could feel herself shaking as she placed her hand on the statue in an attempt to steady herself. She thought briefly on what she would do if Sirius told her that he was, in fact, still single. Somehow she couldn’t get past running into his arms and kissing him passionately. "Come on now Kitty... calm yourself and at least pretend you’re a lady" she chastised herself as she spoke the password, opening up the doorway.

That’s when she felt her heart crumble into a thousand pieces, ...... standing at the top of the steps was Esmeralda Filch, the filthy tramp that had stolen Sirius from her. Cat quickly pressed herself into the shadows as she watched Albus greet Esmeralda and escort her into his office. Cat couldn’t believe her eyes, she was probably joining her husband for a conjugal visit, ... it had all been a joke, a cruel, thoughtless joke, and she had fallen for it. Cat held back a sob as she stared at the parchment, she watched as the note shook in her trembling hands, while her teardrops softly splat on the parchment, causing the pink ink to smear and run.

Part of her wanted to confront them, to make them pay for causing her to hope again. But she knew better, she remembered all to well Esmeralda’s cruelty, the nasty comments, the threatening letters, and worst of all, the snapshots she had left all over the school. Cat silently slipped out of the room, weeping quietly as the broken fragments of her hopes and dreams trailed behind her. She was so tired of hoping, of fighting, all she wanted was to love, deeply and completely, without reservation, without having to worry if her love was returned.

Her mind immediately wandered to Severus and Remus. Remus had always been there for her, always kind and patient, and regardless of what he said, she could see the longing in his eyes. She had become keenly aware of it when she had woken in the hospital, only to find herself wrapped within his arms. She wondered how much prodding it would take to make him change his mind regarding his stance on marriage and children. And of course there was Severus, he had certainly shown an active interest in her, especially so over the past few weeks. She could tell he wanted more than just a fling, she could hear it in his voice, never more so than tonight, when he had tried so desperately to make her forgive him for his foolish actions. He was terrified he was going to lose her affection, she could see the hurt and pain shining brightly in his eyes every time she had pulled away from him, or stung him with a harsh word.

Cat roamed aimlessly about the school, hoping to run into a friendly face. She would give nearly anything to have Cash or one of her brothers show up at that moment. But her brothers were far away, and Cash was certain to be busy patrolling and searching for the traitor Gaz. She would never forgive herself if someone else got hurt because she had summoned Cash over her own silly heart break, although she needed a shoulder to cry on in the worse possibly way.

As Cat was lost in her thoughts, she saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye, one that was approaching her quickly. Just as she was about to turn and fight, she saw something in its hand. A single white rose, held in long, slender fingers. Cat turned her head away the moment she realized it was Sev "Now is not a good time Mr. Snape" she said icily. She really wasn’t up to this, not now, not after seeing *her*.

"Mr. Snape?" Severus questioned, as his voice edged with bitterness "If you are going to insult me, at least have the decency to address me correctly. It is *Professor Snape* if you please."

"When you start acting like a professor, I’ll address you as such." Cat replied coolly "Until then *I* would thank you to let me be. I really do NOT have the tolerance for this at the moment." She could practically feel Sev wincing over her words, she quickly stole a glance at him. He looked completely lost and alone, he seemed to be shaking slightly as he decided what to say next. "Go to bed Severus." Cat said softly "Maybe we can talk in the morning." she moved to leave, only to feel his hand holding her arm.

"Please Catri, at least hear me out" Severus pleaded, his voice becoming thick as the realization of losing her became all to real. He had to convince her that he hadn’t known about Gaz, that Harry had never really been in any danger. He needed her to understand he had only done it for her, he loved her, he needed her. He blinked away the tears as they stung his eyes "Join me for a cup of tea, let me explain the reasons for my actions." he felt as though a knife were cutting out his heart when she removed herself from his grasp and turned to walk away.

"Severus, please.." she took a deep shaky breath, the last thing she needed was for Severus to see she had been crying "tomorrow, I’m just not up to this"

"I don’t want you to go to sleep angry Catri" Severus replied gently yet firmly as he placed his hand on her shoulder "I have heard it is a terrible thing to do." He paused as he realized she wasn’t even going to look at him. Giving an exasperated sigh Severus asked tersely "Do you want me to beg you? Would that prove to you that I am *truly*, *deeply*, *sincerely* sorry for what I have done tonight?"

Once again he waited for her to reply, "So be it," he said as he quickly grabbed both of her wrists in one of his long, strong hands. Sev quickly twisted her around so she had to face him as he dropped to one knee. "Catri MacLeod, I apologize for my horrible lack of judgment, and for my treatment of your friends. I swear on everything that I hold sacred and dear, I *never* meant to hurt you or bring any harm to Harry or Lupin." he paused as he felt a drip on the hand he was using to hold her wrists "Catri? .....

He looked into her eyes as another tear fell on his hand "Catri, please, talk to me" he pleaded as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her pressing her head against his chest. "I swear if I had any idea my actions would have caused you such pain I *never* would have " he winced as he heard her sob "Catri? No, please, don’t cry." Severus could feel his heart breaking into a thousand shards as she wept against him "Please, do not push me away." he begged as he felt her hands against his chest "believe me,.... forgive me. I only did it so I could spend some time with you. I miss you" he kissed her head and rubbed his pale cheek against her soft hair as he tried to comfort her. "I adore you Catri. You are the only person I have ever been able to trust, the only one who never wanted anything from me but friendship....."

Cat struggled as she felt Severus wrap his arms around her, she didn’t want to cry in front of him, she wanted to run away. She brought her hands and pressed them against his muscular chest, but it was no use, he was too strong and she didn’t really want to be alone. She wanted to have someone to care about her, someone who would protect and love her, someone who would comfort and hold her. She closed her eyes as she snuggled against Sev and sobbed openly, she felt his hands rubbing her back as he spoke to her with his soft, deep voice.

You are the only one who never betrayed me or abused me, .... I want to share my life with you" he buried his face into the crook of her neck "Please, ... please.... I love you. " he said softly as he blinked away his own tears. If he lost her he felt as if his life would be over, she had been the only one who cared about him. Even after all these years, he knew the moment he saw Hagrid walking into the great hall with her, the moment he had looked into her deep green eyes.....

Cat gasped softly "you love me?" she repeated as Sev tightened his embrace. She had always thought he cared for her, but she had NEVER heard him use the word love in her entire life. .....

"Cash.. Would you please slow down." Sirius yelled as he dashed across the grounds trying to keep up with the Gangrel "What in the name of heaven has you so upset. It’s got to be more than a smell."

Cash stopped and grabbed Sirius’s arm to slow him down as he also tried to stop "Listen to me wizard" Cash said as he pointed his finger at Sirius "despite my reputation as a fearless warrior, I *do* have enough sense to know when something is not right and I need back up. Whatever is causing that scent is also killing the forest." Cash shook himself, trying to force off the clammy feeling that seemed to be hanging onto his very flesh. "I want you to stay with us in the haven tonight. And I want to make sure Angel and Harry are safe."

Sirius immediately sprang to attention "Harry and Cat?! Why? What makes you think it’s after them? Is there something you’re not telling me?" he asked as he peered into the darkness behind Cash "Do you know what it is?"

"I have an idea, but I want Olia and Raul to check first. There’s no point in upsetting anyone needlessly." Cash explained "And as for Harry, Angel and you.... " he sighed deeply as he shook his head "everything else seems to be cantered around one, if not all three of you. " he shrugged "I’m not in the mood to take any chances....."

Severus had his arm around Catri’s shoulders as her head rested against him. "Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you for a little while Catri?" he asked softly, the concern evident in his voice "I can easily sleep on the armchair, trust me, I have before" he joked, trying to raise her spirits to no avail. He looked down at her sadly, she seemed so terribly fragile, he was not used to her being like this. He pulled her closer as they walked towards her room, "Are you still angry with me? Do you think you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"Yes" Cat replied softly "to both,..... with time." her voice was hardly more than a whisper, she was just so tired of the emotional roller coaster she had been living on for the past few weeks. Her heart still ached for Sirius, so much so she wanted to curl up in her bed and die from the pain of losing him all over again. But, she kept reminding herself, she never really had him again, he had never asked her out like Severus had, he had never searched her out, much less chased her down as Severus had. It had all been her wishful thinking, she had no right to be angry with anyone but herself for that. She had to get over Sirius and her stupid schoolgirl memories of him. She felt Severus squeezed her gently again, he had just asked her once more about forgiveness, it was obviously very important to him that she could find it in her heart to forgive him for his actions. It was then that it hit her, she knew what she had to do.

Pulling herself away from him, Cat turned to look into his eyes as she narrowed hers into hard slivers of sparkling green ice "Severus .... *if* I do manage to find it in my heart to forgive you for imprisoning my son, taking his wand and leaving him defenceless, and assisting Gaz to harm Fang. ... IF I forgive you for doing all of this and betraying the trust I placed in you" she watched as he winced at her last sentence "Will you Severus Sebastian Snape, SWEAR to me, you will never again do anything so stupid, so foolish.... so ....desperate ....so idiotic... so"

"I swear" Severus agreed as he clasped her hands in his own "Whatever you want of me. Whatever I need to do to re-gain your trust. I swear I will do it." He clenched his jaw as he felt the tears welling in his eyes. He had always been taught never to cry, only the pathetic and weak cried. But he couldn’t help it, he had been certain he had lost her, the one bright spot in his miserable life, the only bit of hope he had left to cling to. He would rather have died, than lose her over a thoughtless action. He blinked his eyes quickly as he fought to hold back his impending emotions....

Cat looked up at Severus and paused her tirade as she saw the tear trickle down his cheek "Severus?" she asked as she gently wiped away his tears with her fingers "ooo Severus" she said quietly as her eyes soften. "Don’t do this... please" she sighed as she "I cry enough for the both of us."

Severus felt the relief flow through him she did not hate him. She was still concerned about him, he reached up and placed his hand over hers as she wiped at his tears. He looked deeply into her gentle eyes as he bent down slowly. Hesitantly he kissed her very, very gently on her soft, full lips "thank you... I was so afraid you would hate me forever" he whispered hoarsely "I could never bear it if you turned away from me." he admitted as he closed his eyes and hugged her tightly.

Cat all but melted against him, he felt strong and warm. Seeing him like this, so emotional, so vulnerable... she felt as if she had to protect him from the slings and arrows of the world. They were both damaged people, both needed someone to love, to share their lives with. She knew he was just as lonely as she was, and they had always gotten along well. He had always been there for her, both in school and now, all she ever had to do was to ask him, and sometimes she didn’t even need to do that. "Severus.... about your invitation to spend the holidays with you...." Cat began, not sure if it was a good idea, but knowing she had to get on with her life. "I have been thinking about it, quite a bit actually" she didn’t want to end up an old maid, or worse, be forced into an arranged marriage by her clan. If it couldn’t be Sirius, then she better choose herself, and quickly before anyone else decided to choose for her.

Severus sighed and waited for Catri to tell him she could not possibly go with him now. "You have been thinking about it" he repeated, bracing himself for disappointment, he felt his hands tremble in spite of his own wishes.

"Yes.... constantly" Cat replied softly as she rubbed her cheek against his strong chest, listening as his heart beat faster and faster. It all but took her breath away as she realized how much he desired her "I want to talk to Harry first, ... . but I don’t see why I couldn’t spend a few days with you before I take Harry home. He’ll probably want some time alone with his friends any way." she paused, waiting for his reply.

Severus felt his knees go weak as he realized what she had said "You are still willing to stay with me?" he asked as he hugged her fiercely, lifting her off the floor in his exuberance. He smiled widely as he swung her around in a circle, laughing with relief "Catri... my dear, sweet Catri" he kissed her again and again as she started laughing along with him.

"Severus... please" she teased as he finally set her back down, "not too terribly happy... are you?" she sighed as she watched the colour flooding his face. Catri could never remember seeing him look so alive, so happy. He looked more like the boy she remembered from school than the overly strict man he had supposedly become.

Severus bit his lip to stop from crying with joy "Happy does not come close to describing my feelings right now." he placed his hands on her soft cheeks "I have never been so overjoyed in my life Catri." He sighed deeply as his eyes sparkled with a new life, hope had finally found a home in his heart.......

Albus Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully as he stared at the woman sitting across from him "Tell me again Miss Filch, why it is you wish to be employed here?"

He asked as he knitted his brow. "I understood you were all too happy to leave Hogwarts and its memories behind you" he hinted gently, hoping she would realized she no longer had any place at the school.

Esmeralda smiled stiffly as she tugged at her ridiculously short skirt, she hated the way Dumbledore always made her feel self-conscious, it wasn’t his place to judge her. She had just as much right to be here as MacLeod, more even, at least *she* was human. "I was hoping to further myself" she replied in a sickeningly sweet voice "and I understood you were hiring, something about Divination.."

Albus did his best not to roll his eyes, so that was it, she had heard Kitty was back. "I’m very sorry Miss Filch, but that position was filled quite some time ago. And as I recall you never really cared for divination ..."

"I was told the position was filled temporarily, by a rather unqualified person as well" Esmeralda replied "Deputy Minister Malfoy suggested that I may ..."

"I will ask you to stop right there Miss Filch" Albus said as he held up his hand "I do know wish to seem brusque, but Mr. Malfoy’s opinions of Miss MacLeod are quite well known." he stood up as he walked toward the door "Kitty is more than qualified to instruct the students on many forms of divination, and inter-species diplomacy as well. She is here at *my* personal request and will stay as long as she pleases." He opened the door to his office and waited for her to leave "I apologize to you if Mr. Malfoy represented this situation to you in any other manner, but as long as I am headmaster, I and I alone will choose who is qualified to teach here. As I recall Mr. Malfoy’s last two suggestions for Defence Against the Dark Arts ended rather badly."

Albus watched as Esmeralda Filch grabbed her handbag and stalked out of his office, muttering under her breath. He could only imagine what that woman intended to do, he rubbed his temples as he thought of her past. In particularly the emotional hell she had put Sirius and Kitty through, he cringed at the thought of what may happen if either of them stumbled across her. Sirius had made it very clear what he would do the next time he saw her, and as for Kitty MacLeod.... well her mind was a mystery to herself, let alone to him. He chuckled softly as he remembered all the havoc her repressed anger had caused Professor Marano. The bog was only the final straw, before that there had been the exploding potion bottles, the books that had snapped at her fingers. And of course, the most memorable in Albus’s mind, the night Morano’s bedroom slippers had sprung to life and nibbled at her toes, Albus chuckled loudly as he recalled Morano’s reaction. She had run screaming through the dungeon, and poor Kitty had no idea she had done anything, she had been fast asleep in her bed the entire time. It appeared she had been very responsible, the picture of restraint, while she was awake. However once her conscious mind had gone to sleep, her subconscious apparently felt the need to take revenge for Morano’s unjust treatment of her.

Albus sighed deeply as he heard the door slam loudly behind Esmeralda "Well, I can only hope you show the same restraint as a teacher that you did as a student Kitty. I myself have only witnessed a small portion of your abilities, and they are formidable." he said as he shook his head and closed the door to his office. He smiled slyly as Raul stepped out of the shadows "I trust you heard everything?" Albus asked knowingly.