"And if I did deny caring for him, would you believe me?" Cat asked, already knowing what his answer would be.

"Not even on a bet, I know you far too well Kitty." Remus replied, "and what, exactly, are you staring at?"

"Ginny’s dancing with Harry again." Cat whispered as she smiled softly at them "they really do make a cute couple. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize what a crush Ginny has on him."

Remus rolled his eyes "Now Mother MacLeod, no setting up the children if you please, we still have *your* matrimonial affairs to get in order." he teased as she stuck her tongue out at him. "Next time you do that, I’m taking a picture and sending it to your father." he warned her "now young lady, about your plans for this weekend. . ."

Hermione and Ron managed to dance their way to Harry and Ginny "Pssttt, hey, Harry" Ron said, "switch with me willya, I need to talk to Ginny."

Harry looked at Ginny and shrugged his shoulders, "sure" he said as he and Ron changed partner. Harry thought he saw a look of disappointment in Ginny’s eyes as he danced off with Hermione.

"What did you want to talk to me about" Ginny asked glumly, she was enjoying having Harry all to herself for a change.

"Nothing, but Hermione wanted to talk to Harry, she wanted to make sure he was alright." Ron explained as he watched his feet, trying desperately not to trip again.

"I think I could have done that Ron" she said tersely "Hermione isn’t the only one here who cares about Harry you know."

"You’ve done quite enough for one night Ginny." Ron shot back. "Mum will have both of our heads if this ever gets back to her. What were you thinking? Granted she deserved it, but still". . .

Harry grinned as he danced with Hermione "So, how is Ron doing?"

"Aside from tearing the hem in my dress, and having no feeling left in my toes? Not bad, actually." Hermione half-joked "But I was more concerned with how you’re doing. I saw you leaving earlier, is everything alright?"

Harry sighed deeply, "I guess. Cho said some pretty horrible things about mum, but I think I understand why she did it. I guess I was just expecting better from her. Right now the thing that’s bothering me is mum going home with Snape" Harry said as he made a face "I don’t know what she sees in him, Sirius is the one who really loves her. Can’t she see that?"

Hermione sighed deeply "We, that is Ginny and I, talked to her about that while we were getting ready this evening. She seems to think she can’t have a life with Sirius. I think she just wants to settle down and have a real family Harry."

Harry was quite for a few minutes "I wish Peter wouldn’t have gotten away, then Sirius could just marry her and we could all be together, like a real family.". . . .

Cat walked out into the crisp cool air, she needed some space, as much as she loved Remus, she just couldn’t bring herself to tell him the reason seeing Sirius with Esmeralda had hurt her so much. He had kept telling her that if she would only just talk to Sirius, he would be able to explain everything. But what was there to explain? She had seen Esmeralda with her own eyes, and it’s not as though anyone had be forthcoming with information as to what Sirius was up to, or had been up to. Cat sighed as she let her shoulders slump, she was so tired of the games and the second guessing herself. And now the one man she trusted completely was arguing with her over her choices, or lack there of. It was simply more than she could bear at the moment. She felt a tear slip down her cheek as Remus’s harsh words replayed in her head.

"Angel?" a soft, deep voice called from the shadows. "Angel, please. . .allow me to aid you. I cannot stand to see you in such torment" Mohrg said as he touched his icy fingers to her elbow. He felt as if he were seeing her for the first time tonight, until this night, he had no idea how much she truly meant to *his* clan. He could easily understand how his clan brother Daedelus would feel the need to protect her from harm, just looking into her tear filled eyes was enough to make him want to tear apart anyone who would cause such pain in her precious soul. "Angel?" he asked again, he relaxed slightly when she smiled back and placed her hand on his. "I have spoken with my clan brother this evening. Why didn’t you tell me what he had done to you?"

She shook her head "I swore to never speak of it Mohrg, it may well cost Daedelus his life if anyone found out he willfully disobeyed the Prince’s orders."

"And allowing the Prince of the City to believe my brother tried to embrace you does not?"

"No, it does not. Julian thinks it was a momentary weakness, a lapse of judgment, if you will. He knows how close Daedelus and I are, he naturally assumed your brother wanted to take it further." Cat replied as she lifted her head and looked out over the gardens "He saved my life Mohrg, and he asked me for my silence, I give him that and more."

Mohrg nodded, knowing she couldn’t see him. "He has broken the silence with me, will you tell me what he cannot? Will you tell me why the blood hunt was called for you?" He felt her cringe momentarily, before once more regaining her queen-like poise.

"The Brujah tricked Julian, trapped him into calling the blood hunt. He tried his best to prevent it, he risked his position and almost lost the city. He knew if he could delay it by even one night, he would have the proof he needed to absolve me." she shook her head sadly as her eyes turned to the stars. "But Daedelus knew the truth, he knew I never betrayed them to the hunters. I had been with him, he was showing me his paintings and several old manuscripts he had had in his possession since before the plague. He had been so thrilled to find someone else who could actually read them." she smiled widely "He was like a child with a new toy, he couldn’t wait to show them to me. We staid up all night, talking and reading, I ended up falling asleep on the sofa. He had insisted on having furniture brought into his haven for my comfort" she laughed sadly "if it weren’t for him, I would be dead now."

"They did not believe my brother when he told them of your innocence?" Mohrg asked, hardly believing anyone would question a Primogen of the Nosferatu. He watched as Angel shook her head.

"No, they insisted I had bewitched him, and Julian. The blood hunt was called, and the war began. My Gangrels tore through the street destroying all that would think to hunt me, but even their valor was not enough. Daedelus had stolen me away from them to protect me, he brought me to his haven. It wasn’t until he heard the army of Brujah at his door that he bit me. He knows his craft well my friend, I looked to all the world as if I were drained and dead in your brothers arms. I remember hearing Julian sob openly after everyone else had gone. He blamed himself for not being able to hold it off until the true betrayer was brought to justice."

"So Tristessa was mistaken, my brother did not take you against your will, he did not try to rape you with the embrace?" Mohrg asked as he moved his hand to Angel’s shoulder, insisting that she look him in his eyes and let him see the truth.

"Mohrg, you of all people should know better than that. Daedelus is a kind and gentle man, he would never harm me. He risked his immortal life to save me, he could have suffered the final death for his actions. I allowed him to take from me, fully expecting him to kill me" she raised her hand to stop his defense of his brother "not out of duty to his clan or his prince, but out of love. He knew how the Brujah would make me suffer if they ever laid their hands on me. I knew he would take me quickly and with mercy, I never fought him." she said simply as she turned her eyes back to the stars.

Mohrg followed the direction of her eyes and noticed she watched one particular star "Does that star have a special meaning for you Angel? I noticed you have watched it many times over the past several nights. Is it your guiding star?"

Cat smirked "Not exactly Mohrg, to make a very long and painful story a short and happy one. A man I once knew and cared very, very deeply for, told me a wonderful story about that star, about its meaning and its importance. I’ve never forgotten what he said, it gives me a measure of peace to see it still shines in the sky, no matter what has happened here on Earth."

Mohrg smiled "Ah yes, Sepdet the Star of Queen Isis, the Egyptians worshiped it for its power over the Nile. And I remember when the Babylonians used to sacrifice animals to it, they were especially fond of anything with a coppery hue to it. They felt Kakkab-lik-ku preferred fiery colors, whole sects developed around it. I recall the priests going door to door, looking for ruddy and copper colored dogs to sacrifice before the altar. I think they did it to prevent droughts, although it was so long ago I can no longer be sure." He became silent when he heard Angel laughing softly at him, he felt his heart tearing over her unkindness to him. "My apologizes Angel, I should leave you to your thoughts." he said sullenly as he turned to leave.

"No, Mohrg. Don’t leave" she asked as she placed her hand on his shoulder, he must have taken her laughter as an insult. "I didn’t mean to be rude, I just sometimes forget how truly ancient you are. When I realize your true age. . .I guess I just get nervous."

Mohrg smiled softly as he felt her warmth permeate his skin "Do you often laugh when you are nervous?"

"Always. If I’m happy I laugh or cry, if I’m worried I yell, if I’m frightened or terribly angry I become unnaturally quiet, and so it goes. . ." she teased, happy to see him smiling once again. "So was there anything else you wanted of me Mohrg of Nosferatu? Or was confirming your brother’s innocence your only reason for venturing out amongst the mortals on this cold night?". . .

Ginny waited until Harry and Hermione danced towards she and Ron, sensing her opportunity, she quickly cut in between them, leaving Hermione to glare at her as Ron barely noticed his partner had switched. Ginny blushed as Harry stared at her in shock and amusement "Well that was smooth Ginny" he grinned "tired of dancing with Ron already?"

"Who wants to dance with their brother." Ginny quipped "that is if you can call that dancing. Poor Hermione" she laughed as Harry shook his head.

"Poor Ginny is more like it" Harry responded "you should see the look on Hermione’s face right now. She’s fit to be tied." He rolled his eyes as he watched Ron trying to dance with Hermione again. "It looks like Ron should have taken mum up on her offer to teach him to dance as well. And why are *you* smiling so much?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"No reason" Ginny replied as she smiled brightly, loving the feel of Harry’s arm around her waist as they twirled across the floor. Her insides felt fuzzy and tingly as she felt the heat pouring off of his body, he was so handsome, and so kind. She felt her knees go weak every time he smiled at her, his deep green eyes all but dazzling her. She was staring into his eyes the entire time, and never noticed when Seamus Harper cut in, until she felt his arms circle around her waist and dance her away from Harry as Jamie Krafty took her place.

"Hi Harry" Jamie chirped as Harry smiled at her "I see your dance card is full. I can’t believe I actually had to steal a dance with you." she teased as Harry blushed. "Its true, even your own date can’t manage to get a dance with you anymore." she paused when she saw Harry clench his jaw as the smiled faded from his face. "Guess it wasn’t just a rumor then, huh?" Jamie said softly as she averted her eyes from Harry’s.

"Oh fabulous, the rumors have started already." Harry said tersely "so what did I do this time? Curse someone with the evil eye, or maybe I’m just helping my vampyre friends find their next meal."

"Hey, count me in for that" Jamie teased "I’ll volunteer to be a snack for Cash anyday" she gave Harry an exaggerated wink "Just promise me you won’t tell Seamus, I doubt he’d understand" she added as Harry rolled his eyes and laughed.

"Jamie, you’re mad, you know that, right?" Harry chuckled as Jamie laughed and shook her head, causing the candlelight to catch the highlights in her hair. "And people think I’ve gone over the edge, can’t imagine why," he sighed "I mean there’s only deatheaters and vold- . . You-know-who, trying to kill me and everyone around me." he said glumly.

"Harry, don’t be so hard on yourself, no one outside of Slytherin actually believes you’re responsible for anything that’s happened. Not everyone is an idiot you know." Jamie insisted, "I mean, well, it must be hard to have to get up every day and wonder what’s going to happen next. Most of us just worry about homework, parents, teachers. . .running into severely snapped Snape and so on" she grinned as she finally got a smile out of Harry, "but you have real problems. I guess after what happened last year at the tournament, well, . . ." Jamie’s voice became very soft "I guess none of us really took it seriously before that, I mean, it was just a story. We don’t mean to hurt or offend you, I mean, you know. . ." she didn’t know how to finish her sentence, she simply looked into his eyes and hoped he would understand.

Harry gave her a timid hug, " I’m sorry, Jamie, I just get so tired of having to defend myself to everyone" Harry explained "even to my friends" he added softly as he glanced towards Cho, who he noticed was watching him with a sad expression on her face.

"She really feels bad for upsetting you Harry" Jamie said when she noticed Harry looking at Cho "She had no idea how strongly you felt about Miss MacLeod. Is it true you’re going home with her? I heard she lives in Avalon, but Seamus heard Tir na Nog"

Harry stared at Jamie for a moment "Avalon?" he smirked "Now you’re just making things up" he watched as she grinned mischievously. Shaking his head as he laughed softly Harry asked "Alright Jamie, what *do* you really want to know?"

Jamie practically squealed with glee as she quickly hugged Harry. "Really, you don’t mind?" She watched as he smiled widely and laughed "Great! So where are you going with Miss MacLeod? Will you be there long? Is Cash going with you? If he is, can you give him something from me?"

Harry threw back his head and laughed "Sooooo, that’s it. You’re really stuck on Cash, aren’t you?" he watched as Jamie stuck out her tongue at him, then smiled and nodded her head.

"I can’t help it, he’s just too cute, not to mention strong and heroic. . . And. . . Other things." she added softly as she blushed.

"Okay, more than I want or need to know, honest." Harry said as he shook his head, trying desperately NOT to picture anything at all. "I’m going with mum to Caledonia for the holidays, no idea how long, and no I can’t give anything to Cash.." Harry paused as he saw the disappointment in Jamie’s eyes, trying not to smirk, he added "I won’t be seeing Cash, he’s staying here to protect the school and students." He had to laugh out loud when he saw the look in Jamie’s eyes when she heard the news. . . .

quot;Daedelus was the primary reason I came Angel, but to be honest, I enjoy the music." Mohrg told her as he turned to watch the students dancing "I see your son has changed partners yet again, and his dancing has improved since the night I first arrived." He felt the warmth radiating from Angel’s body as she walked to his side and peered inside. He watched as she smiled sweetly, love shining through her eyes as she watched her child dancing and laughing with yet another red-haired student.

"Apparently your clan is fond of red hair, or at least your son is. I believe this is the third one he‘s danced with tonight." Mohrg commented, only to chuckle when Angel hit his arm playfully. He simply adored the way she could forget what he was and treat him as she would any of her other friends. He placed his hands on her upper arms as she leaned to the side, balancing against him to get a better look at her son.

"Jamie Krafty?" Cat said, the surprise evident in her voice "What is he doing dancing with her?"

"You do not approve of her Angel?" Mohrg asked

"Its not that I don’t approve, she’s a very nice girl, its just . . .well, I know she’s quite taken with Cash, . . .and Dimitri. . .and Seamus of course." She smirked as Mohrg chuckled softly "That’s it, laugh at me Mohrg, I know full well how ridiculous I sound. I can’t seem to help it," she said as she turned back to look at Harry "he’s my baby, he’s the most precious thing in the world to me. I can’t help but worry about him, and who he’s with, what they’re doing. . ."

"Motherhood suits you well Angel" Mohrg told her as he gently guided her away from the hall "but spying does not." he admonished her. "Surely you can trust him to make his own decisions,

"Him I trust, it’s the rest of the world I have doubts about" Cat remarked as she craned her neck to get one last look before Mohrg gently turned her towards the courtyard, taking her arm in his as he walked towards the roses. "Something else you wanted to ask me Mohrg?" Cat asked as he led them deeper into the courtyard, soon only the shimmering of the fairies was left to guide their way.

Mohrg shuffled uncomfortably, unable to meet Angel’s eyes "There is one thing I would ask of you my Angel, although I hesitate to impose upon your kindness."

Gently placing her warm hand over his she replied, "Mohrg, you are my friend, and brother to the man who saved my life. Nothing you could ask of me would be an imposition." Cat watched as he turned to look at her, if she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn he was blushing.

"Angel, would. . . .would you dance with me? It has been centuries since I have danced with anyone." he explained softly "Being this close to so many mortals, to you and your clan.. ." Mohrg felt relief washing over him as Angel smiled and offered him her hand while she place her other on his shoulder. He moved stiffly at first, uncertain how to hold Angel for fear of hurting her tender skin with his cold, hard flesh. But his hesitancy quickly faded as old memories came rushing towards him. He had almost forgotten what it felt like to dance, the feel of his hand against soft, warm flesh, the whisper of a silk skirt as she moved in step with him, the knowledge that he was still tied, no matter how tenuously to the mortals that lived and breathed around him. Just as Mohrg was enjoying himself, he saw a figure watching them from the well-lit courtyard. Mohrg self-consciously dropped his hands to his side as he nodded politely to Hermione. "Greetings child, you look very lovely tonight, are you enjoying the ball?"