Cash slowed down his pace when he heard the shuffling of feet several hallways over. "Sirius" Cash all but hissed as he recognized the scent of the wizard. Moving far too quick to be seen by the human eye, Cash made his way through the maze of passages just in time to block Sirius from entering one of the many hidden rooms contained within Hogwarts.

"Look who it is" Cash said flatly as he approached Sirius "You know, I was really hoping you would be part of the clan, I thought you were honourable. Guess I was wrong." Cash remarked harshly as he stared coldly at Sirius. . . . .

Severus wrapped his arms around Catri as they left the restaurant, relieved to finally have her to himself. The food had been wonderful, and he had greatly enjoyed their ‘picnic’ in the grove, despite all the strange mishaps that had plagued them all night. Al seemed to take it personally and was almost despondent over the fact that Severus had decided not to propose to Catri as he had originally planned. Luckily Cori had stepped in and pulled Al away before he managed to blurt anything out in front of Catri.

"I apologize Catri, I have no idea what happened tonight" Severus sighed as he felt her head resting against his chest. "I wanted everything to go perfectly, I swear someone will pay for this. I know a curse when I see one." he added angrily.

"Shhhh, Severus, let it be. I think I know who it was" Catri said softly as she nuzzled closer to him. "I’d recognize Esmeralda’s pathetic spells anywhere, I can’t believe she’s still causing so much trouble. Doesn’t she have children to take care of or something?"

Severus bent to kiss Catri’s head before responding "That creature? Thank the stars no. I shudder to think how her children would turn out." Pulling out his wand, Severus quickly apparated them to his living room just as a light snowfall began.

Severus helped Catri remove her cloak, savouring the softness of her skin as his hands brushed against her neck. He felt an immediate flare of passion as he heard Catri sigh softly, he wanted to take her in his arms and into his bed. Knowing what a mistake it would be to try and rush her, Severus settled for stealing yet another kiss, delighting when she wrapped her arms around his neck and standing on the tips of her toes, deepened the kiss. "Please tell me this is not a result of the wine Catri." Severus asked softly as he stoked her soft hair.

Cat smiled softly as she caressed his face "No Sev, its not the wine." she assured him as she kissed him tenderly.

Sensing his chance, Severus gently took her in his arms and returned her kiss.

Her kisses, at first very sweet, had quickly become quite passionate. Severus could feel his hands trembling as he ran them down Catri’s slender waist and over her round hips. Severus allowed his lips to stray from hers as he made his way to her neck. He tenderly nibbled at her neck, slowly moving downward as he unbuttoned her blouse with his shaky hands. He paused when he heard Catri inhale sharply, but she made no move to stop him, in fact, she herself was now unbuttoning his shirt, letting her fingertips play with the dark hair of his chest. . . . .

Severus could feel his knees go weak as Catri allowed him to gently nuzzle against the creamy softness of her skin as he timidly kissed her, Sev looked deeply into Catri’s eyes and realized she wanted this as much as he did. Sweeping her into his arms, Severus easily carried Catri up the stairs and to his bedroom, where he gently laid her on his bed. He whispered "incedinia" and hundreds of small candle-like flames appeared in the room as he joined Catri, kissing her tenderly on her lips.

Severus smile at her as he caressed her face, the last thing he wanted to do was rush through this, he had waited his whole life to make love to her, he intended to take his time and do it properly. He looked down at her with tears of happiness in his eyes, all these long and lonely years of waiting for someone he could honestly love, and finally, finally she was here. Sev closed his eyes to hold back his tears.

Catri smiled when she felt Sev's gentle touch. She had wondered how and when this would happen, but to be honest, she never expected it to feel so natural, as if this is as it was always meant to be. The tenderness and tears in his eyes only served to endear him even more, it was so obvious how much he loved her. . . .

"Cash?... What are you talking about? What have I done?" Sirius asked unsure of what had happened to cause Cash to be so angry with him.

"The name Esmeralda Filch mean anything to you? Angel saw her going to see you, congratulations, you broke her heart ... again." Cash replied nastily, he paused out of surprise when he saw a look of utter hatred pass across Sirius’s face.

"Don’t ever mention that ....... bit ..... person’s name in front of me again." Sirius responded through clenched teeth. "If I had known what she did to Cat , I would have left Lily kill her then and there." Sirius snarled as the anger flashed in his eyes.

That had certainly gotten Cash’s attention, narrowing his eyes, Cash stared deeply into the wizard’s eyes and asked "So she’s not your wife then?"