Gustavas stepped out of the blackness, a smirk on his face as she stared at the Gangrel Methuselah, “Well, well old man. We meet again” Gustavas said, feigning a pleasant tone as he tossed a large object into the air before catching it again.

It reminded Cash of the old films were the gangster is forever tossing a quarter in his hand as he waits to wreck havoc. “Am I supposed to be happy to see you” Cash snapped as he kept his eyes fixed on the Tremere.

“Happy?” Gustavas sneered “not unless you’re looking forward to your own death. Oh, and of course Angel and her precious son as well. In fact, I think I’ll do the kid first, then you, that way I can take my time and enjoy the Angel’s tears and grief as she watches everyone she loves die before her eyes . . .”

“I’ll never allow that to happen” Cash assured him “I know you fear me, . . .and her, that’s why you never attack us directly,. . You’re a coward.”

Gustavas snorted in contempt, “You are hardly a challenge alone Cash of Gangrel. And your darling Angel is beyond even your reach. I have placed spells over this school, haven’t you noticed the silence? Your clan’s childer did, and you clan’s days are as numbered as hers were.” He laughed when he saw the heartfelt wince of the Gangrel’s eyes “Don’t be so upset Gangrel, she won’t be alone long, Angel’s son will be joining her shortly. I’ve made special plans for him.”

“You’ll have to go through me to get to him Tremere” Cash growled as he crouched close to the ground, allowing his pain to feed his fury. He could feel the energy coursing through his muscles as he sprung himself at Gustavas. Cash just missed the Tremere’s face as he lunged at the soulless Gustavas, getting instead, only a small fragment of the Kindred’s shoulder.

Gustavas glared at Cash for a moment “Losing your touch my enemy?” he mocked “There was a time when you wouldn’t miss. Let me guess. . .still starving yourself for the sake of your childer? - Fool. You leave yourself weak and ripe for the taking, and you think you can protect anyone?” Gustavas laughed as the Gangrel ripped his claws against the nearest tree in anger and frustration. . . .

Cash struck his talon-like claw against a tree, ripping out deep tears and leaving the trace of Gustavas’s blood in the deep gouges, let the Tremere think he was too weak to properly fight, his conceit would be his undoing. Any Gangrel worth their fangs would be able to sniff out his blood now, they may not have to wait for Brutus to arrive to destroy the Tremere after all. Furrowing his brow, Cash appraised the situation quickly as he tried to manipulate the Tremere into making a fatal mistake.

“I don’t expect you to understand Clan loyalty Tremere” Cash replied, the disgust evident in his voice. “Your kind has no understanding of friendship or duty, only power and death. Its no wonder the Camarilla detests you and your entire clan.” he added as he manoeuvred his was towards Gustavas, hoping to get close enough for a last minute dash that would leave the Tremere with a ripped throat.

“Ah that’s right” Gustavas taunted “you Gangrel live by some strange code of honour, don’t you?” he asked as he backed up, leading Cash into the trap he had originally prepared for the Angel’s son. “It’s no wonder you and the Garou get on so famously, you’re both half animal.”

“Yet still, my clan are more human than you….hell, even the Nosferatu are more human than you.” Cash replied as he narrowed his eyes on the Tremere, he could tell he was being lead into a trap. “By the way, I didn’t live this long falling for stupid tricks” Cash added as he grinned wickedly. He drug his claws along the trunks of the trees, spraying bits of bark and pulp as he slowly walked towards the Tremere, undisguised hatred in his eyes and a lust for blood swelling in his soul. He could smell the blood of a Garou and a Kindred just beyond Gustavas, it seems he had already started to make his presence know. Cash grit his teeth and prayed that it wasn’t a Gangrel . . .

Gustavas frowned, he wasn’t fooling the Gangrel at all, he had hoped to lead him blindly into the same trap the other had fallen into, if only he could lure him into the clearing, even with the Garou’s life force spent, there should still be enough power to trap Cash in the circle of despair. Taking a chance that the Gangrel’s hunting instincts would over ride his good sense, Gustavas turned and ran, hoping Cash would follow him. . . .

Cash’s eyes flashed as the Tremere took off running; growling loudly, Cash took off quickly, determined not to let the murderous Kindred slip through his fingers this time. The two vampyres ran at break-neck speed through the skeletal forest, artfully avoiding the fallen trees and thickets that would have posed significant problems for mere mortals. It wasn’t until they had reached the clearing that Cash realized what Gustavas was doing, not that it mattered, regardless of the vast knowledge the Tremere may have of human magic, dark or otherwise, they knew nothing about Sidhe ways.

But still Cash had to stop short when he saw Gaz’s body swinging from the trees, as if hovering in the midst of a grotesque dance of death. “Gaz?” Cash mouthed as the silence fell in upon him. So this was the trap the Tremere thought to lead him to, he was going to be sorely surprised in a matter of moments. . ..

Gustavas grinned evilly when he turned to see the ancient Gangrel in the clearing, he was now trapped in the circle of despair, his soul would be torn apart with the knowledge of every horrible thing that he had done in his years of immortal existence, it shouldn’t be long before he became despondent, maybe even suicidal. Gus leaned against on of the outer trees and smiled as he watched Cash staring at the Garou’s twisted body, he wondered how long it would be before he caught site of his own clan mate’s desecrated form.

“What’s wrong Gangrel? Never seen a sacrifice before?” he laughed nastily “Granted they are usually on a sacrificial table, but I like to take my time, you see, I take great pride in my work. I consider myself something of a craftsman. .”

“I guess its easy to do things like this when you are pure evil, isn’t it?” Cash responded as he turned away from the sight of the former Garou leader. Not that he felt an overwhelming sense of pity for her; after all she had betrayed the clans and endangered Remus, Harry and Angel with her games. But still, no one deserved to die like that, it was just too horrific.

Cash paused as he felt an outside force trying to pry inside his mind, at first he thought it was a part of the Tremere’s dark magic, but something about this presence felt familiar to him, it seemed to want to help him. Cash closed his eyes and listened to the whispers of the presence as he opened his heart.

Help me Cash, open the circle. I need to find Angel, I need you to save our clan, he’s planning on killing all of us, starting with Angel’s son. He wants to drive her to madness, to let her do his killing in a fit of rage and despair. I know his weakness, Angel can stop him, she has the power to do it.

“Olia” Cash whispered “he’s killed you, hasn’t he?” Cash heard only the sighing of the wind through the bare trees in reply. Turning quickly he narrowed in on Gustavas who was still leaning against a tree, smiling cockily at him, as if expecting him to break down or go mad. “Nice try Tremere, but I’m made of sterner stuff than that. I came to peace with my actions centuries ago. You’ll have to do better than this to defeat Clan Gangrel, let alone Clan MacLeod.”

“Really? Your little friend felt the same way.” Gus replied icily “Of course, she didn’t have your strength behind her.” he began tossing the item in his hand again, watching Cash for any sign of an impending attack or weakness. “You care too much Methuselah, you won’t win, your own heart will betray you. Did you know her last thoughts were of you and her clan. . . Oh yes, and of a certain Garou. . .seems this belongs to him.” Gus nodded to the object he was tossing “Would you care to return it to him?” he asked as he tossed the object towards Cash, then quickly disappeared into the shadows.. . .

Cash had to dive to catch the object so it didn’t hit the ground, although he had no idea what Olia had that belonged to Fang. Cash caught the item in the knick of time, but froze as he fingers wrapped around the warm, spongy object. His stomach lurched as he realized what he held in his hands. “Oh sweet mother of heaven. Olia, what did he do to you?” Cash asked as he opened his hand and looked at Olia’s heart, still slick with her blood.

Cash felt the tears fall from his eyes, poor Olia, how could she let this happen, why didn’t she call for them, if not with her mind than with her voice. They would have rushed to her aid, she was clan, she was family. That’s when it stuck him, she didn’t call for help specifically to save her clan from her fate. Only he, Hamish and Angus would be able to withstand the dark magic of the Tremere’s circle, if any of the others would have answered her call, they would have ended up like her. Cash gently placed her heart inside his jacket as he searched the debris ridden forest floor for her body. He wasn’t about to leave her here, she deserved better than that.

Growing more frustrated by the second, Cash looked up to the night sky, the sliver of moon was far to dim to be of any use to him. However Gaz’s body was another matter entirely. He didn’t want her clan to see her like this, but he refused to give the traitor the same consideration he gave to Olia, his clan mate who had died so valiantly to protect her ‘family’, and he also needed to make sure the spells Gustavas cast would be ended as soon as possible. Taking a deep breath, Cash spoke loudly and clearly as he pointed his index finger at the remains of Gaz “bi losgadh”. Almost immediately a bright flame appeared and settled upon the corpse, creating a blazing light that both enabled Cash to located Olia’s body, and destroyed what was left of Gaz and the dark spell cast by the Tremere. . . .

Severus walked through the dark halls of his family’s home, wondering what the noise was that had awoken him. He shivered as his feet touched the cold marble of the upper landing of the grand staircase. It sounded as if a party were going on downstairs, he was sure he heard the sound of clinking glasses and soft conversation. Just as he was about to descend the stairs, he caught sight of Catri walking out of his bedroom and into her own, turning to follow her, he quietly approached the door to her room, which was open slightly. He knocked softly on her door, causing it to swing open, in the place of Catri stood a bride, dressed in a long white gown, and a full bridal veil. The bride walked to his side and tilted her head up, as if looking expectantly at him. He held his breath as his shaking hands lifted her veil, only to reveal Catri’s lovely face looking up at him. Cupping her face gently in his hands, he kissed her tenderly, releasing his breath as she wrapped her arms around him, returning his kiss. He looked deeply into her eyes, returning her smile as he stroked her cheek lovingly. He bent his head to kiss her once more, but stopped when he heard what sounded like a stifled scream of pain. Turning back towards Catri, he told her to go to the bedroom and wait for him, only to realize she had disappeared.

Nearly frantic, Severus rushed to her room to see nothing but an empty room, even her personal items were gone, as were the linens on the bed. The house seemed to go abruptly silent as a sudden, terrifying fear gripped at his heart. He rushed across the hall to his own room and flung open the door, and breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw Catri sitting in their bed, propped up on several pillows, reading a book. He crossed the room quickly and sat next to her on the bed, he melted when he saw her smile at him as she took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. “Catri” he said softly as he moved to kiss her, only to feel her grip his hand tightly as she cried out in pain. Sev pulled back and took a close look at Catri, her hands were resting on her belly, which even under the covers looked very large and round. Carefully pulling back the covers, Sev could feel the disbelief and wonder in his heart as he placed his hands on her belly. She was heavy with child, his child, and judging by the painful cry of a few moments ago, he was about to become a father again. “shhh, Catri, I will summon the midwife” Sev said as he tried to make her comfortable, insisting she stay in bed. He kissed her tenderly as he laid his hands on her belly, smiling widely as he felt the movements of his soon to be born child.

He had no sooner placed his hand on the door to their bedroom when he heard Catri give another painful gasp, turning to make sure she did not need his assistance, Sev felt his heart catch in his throat. Catri was gone again, the bed was tidy and neatly made, and there was no sign of her anywhere. “No” Severus gasped as he ran back to the bed, as if she would suddenly appear before him, he fell to his knees as the tears flowed freely, she could not be gone, he loved her more than anything in the world, she was carrying his child, she had to be safe, she simply had to be.

Rising numbly to his feet, Severus walked out of their bedroom, his mind a blur of hope and fear as he tried to imagine where she might be. It was not until he passed Catri’s old bedroom that he heard the singing. Almost afraid to hope, Sev opened the door, expecting to see Catri’s empty room, but instead saw a brightly decorated nursery, complete with Catri nursing their child as she sat in an old wooden rocker, singing sweetly as their child suckled contently.

His heart leaped for joy, they were fine, both of them, he walked over to them, gently placing his hand on his son’s head as he stroked the boys soft black hair. Sev smiled happily as he kissed Catri, the love practically pouring out of his heart and soul for his little family. As he stood there, he was amazed to see his son growing in front of his eyes, he was nearly two years old now, sitting on his mother’s lap and rubbing her belly, which was once again heavy with child. Sev was almost afraid to take his eyes off of them, for fear they would disappear from his life. He held Catri’s hand as her labour pains began once more, he watched as his son slipped off of her lap and toddled to his arms. Sev moved to embrace his son, only to feel empty air, he knew as soon as his eyes left Catri, that she had also vanished once more. Shaking his head in dismay, Severus tried to understand what this all meant, he waited for a few minutes, until he was sure they would not reappear in this room before heading back to their bedroom. Sev experienced the most profound feeling of dread when he realized they were not in this room either. He yelled out for Catri, praying desperately that she and their children were still in the house. He stood still as stone, waiting, … hoping to hear her reply.

His ears strained as an unfamiliar sound reached them, it was coming from downstairs this time. Bounding down the stairs two and three at a time, Severus realized it was the sound of children playing that he had heard. Sev felt his hair fly into his eyes as he skidded to a halt just outside the sitting room; carefully peeking in through the gap in the pocket door, he saw the most wonderful sight of his life. His once formal sitting room had been turned into a playroom for his children, toys and game abounded, as did many books and several drawings, obviously done by his children. His son and twin daughters were playing at Catri’s feet as she worked on her needlepoint, keeping a watchful eye on them and smiling fondly at their games and laughter.

Sliding the pocket doors open, Sev felt his heart bursting with joy as his children ran to him, practically jumping into his arms as he knelt to hug them tightly. He looked at his children, his son with his coal black hair and his mother’s bright green eyes, and his precious daughters, both with their mother’s fiery red hair and strangely familiar blue eyes. He stood up as Catri walked over to him and kissed him tenderly, wrapping her arms around his waist as one of the twins wriggled into her free arm.

Sev had to close his eye to stop the tears of happiness from falling down his face, this is all he had every really wanted, all he had hoped for. He had a wife who he adored, and children he could love unconditionally, and they returned his love and affection in kind. He bit his lip as he blinked open his eyes, only to see his small children standing before him, dressed in Hogwarts’ uniforms, his son a prefect and his daughters beaming happily at him as they teased him for being their head of house at home and at school.

Sev walked his children to their fireplace as they each grabbed a handful of floo powder for their trip to the train station. As they walked past the large mirror his mother had hung in the foyer, he caught a glimpse of himself. His hair was almost as white as Dumbledore’s now, and his face was covered with fine line and a few deep creases, he was an old man now, but a happy and contented one. He turned to look at Catri and noticed that she had barely aged at all, she could just as easily been their elder sister as their mother. Sev turned back to make sure his children were ready to go when he saw them sitting in the salon with Catri, they were adults now, and they had brought their children with them, he was a grandfather, several times over by the look of things.

Feeling suddenly tired, Sev closed his eyes, only to re-open them in his own bed. Catri was there, holding his hand as the tears ran down her lovely face. He watched as she brought his withered hand to her lips and kissed it. Looking around, he saw the tear-filled eyes of his children and grandchildren, he was dying, and they were all sad, because they loved him, his life had not been pointless after all. His sacrifices, his pain, it had all been worth it in the end, he thought as his last breath left his body.

Severus awoke with a start when he felt his body ‘dropping’ off from his soul. He laid his head back down on the pillow as he tried to remember were he was and what had happened. As his dream came flooding back to him, he smiled widely, it was so rare that he had a pleasant dream, usually it was the same nightmare night after night, but this dream had been nothing short of beautiful. He sighed contentedly as he tried to rise from his bed, only to realize he couldn’t, something was pinning him down. Feeling a weight on his chest, Sev looked down and felt his heart catch in his throat. It was Catri, sleeping peacefully in his arms, her head resting over his heart as her hair streamed over her bare shoulders and cascaded over his chest. He felt his heart swell with love as he watched her sleeping, maybe it had been more than a dream after all, maybe he could still make a difference, maybe he still had the chance to know love. . .

Cash cleaned off the last of Olia’s blood as he made his way to Gryffindor tower, he had to make sure Harry was safe. He had detained himself only long enough to recover Olia’s body and heart, and take her back to their Haven and to Raul, she had died to protect them, died a hero’s death, she should be treated as such.