“This is nothing, wait until your mum hears about this.” Cash shot back “I can’t wait for that damned spell to dissipate, she’ll be hear in a heartbeat as soon as Olia or I get through to her."

"Olia?" Harry questioned, "but I thought you said she was dead?"

Cash nodded "She is, but her soul is still here. Gustavas's shield is keeping her soul, or her consciousness if you prefer, here as well. But as soon as the slightest crack appears, boom! She's outta here." Cash grinned and winked, trying to lighten the mood.

Suddenly the trio heard a soft knock at the door, Sirius quickly transformed into Snuffles as one of Harry’s dorm mate poked his head through the door. “Uhm, hi Harry, hi Mr. Cash.“ Neville said nervously “Has anyone seen Trevor? He‘s gone missing again.”

Cash swallowed hard as a strange look crossed his face “Trevor? You mean Trevor the toad?” he paused as Neville nodded, a haze of tears readily apparent in the young boys eyes. “Uhmm, not in the past few hours, why?” Cash replied, as innocently as possible.

Sighing deeply “He’s lost again, I think he’s trying to run away.” Neville explained as his shoulders slumped. “I honestly do my best, I make sure he has clean water and plenty of flies. Professor Sprout even let me keep him in greenhouse three when the mandrakes where done with it. He really liked it there.”

Cash winced as his smile became tight “Why don’t you try out there then. Maybe he hitched a ride in one of the student’s book satchels or something.” Neville half nodded as he left the room, calling out for Trevor as he went.

Harry shook his head, “Poor Neville, nothing ever goes well for him, that dumb toad of his has been running off since we boarded the Hogwarts Express five years ago…” he paused when he heard a groan come from Cash. Giving Cash a questioning look, Harry inquired if something was wrong.

Cash shook his head and waved his hand in the air “Nothing I want to discuss at the moment kiddo. I have enough to worry about with your mother and that Tremere.”

“Cash?” Harry asked softly “You don’t think one of the Garou ate Trevor, do you?”

“No, ….no Harry, I can safely say the Garou didn’t touch Trevor. But like you said, he’s always running off, right?” Cash asked, looking rather distracted and uncomfortable. Cash crossed over to the door, and looking out to make sure Neville had gone, he closed and locked the door before turning back to Harry and Sirius. "So, do you want to take first watch, or should I?" he asked Sirius.

Reverting back to his human form, Sirius smiled widely "I'll take him, young Mr. Potter and I have some plans to make. I'm sure Harry would like a say in how I propose to his mother....at least I think he would." Sirius laughed when he saw the smile spread across his godson's face. "Well, I guess that answers that, doesn't it."

"Sure does" Cash agreed as he walked over to the others.

"Uhm, Cash?” Harry asked hesitantly “When she finds out about all of this, well, is there any chance of her leaving Snape behind, you know, just her coming back. ..” Cash smiled like a Cheshire cat, “I think that can be arranged.” he said as he winked at Harry and nudged Sirius. "In fact, I'm willing to promise just that." he added as his smile widened even more, showing his fangs . . . . .

Cat cringed internally when she heard Severus mention her family having a great deal of influence over her choice of a husband. Deep in her heart she knew they would never allow Severus to become her husband, a father to one of her children, definitely, but nothing more than that. “I doubt they would show up unannounced Sev” Cat replied softly. She hated to think what would happen if Cash suddenly appeared, or worse, if he told one of her brothers and they showed up instead.

Shaking such thoughts from her mind, she decided instead to concentrate on the soft kisses Severus was placing on her neck. He could be so very romantic when he chose to be, when he wasn’t trying to put on a show for everyone else.

“Something on your mind my dear?” Severus asked softly as he pulled her closer to himself. “You seem distracted suddenly.”

“I’m sorry, just thinking about my family. I don’t think they would approve of my being here. You know how it is, they are extremely old fashioned about some things.” Cat replied as she snuggled against his chest, smiling softly as she felt his arms tighten around her.

Sev smiled warmly as he felt her snuggle against him, resting his head on hers, he whispered “I have no opposition to making you an ‘honest’ woman, if that is what you are implying.” he said, hoping she would agree with him. If only he had brought the ring with him, he would be on one knee, holding her hand and asking her to be his wife at this very moment. . . .

“An honest woman?” Cat laughed, “Severus Snape,….you’re worse than they are. And no, that’s not what I meant, actually in my culture they tend to encourage getting to know…uhmm…all facets of your future spouse before any eternal commitments are made. We call it hand fasting.”

Severus felt a twisting in his stomach as the words settled in his mind. “Hand fasting, I believe I remember hearing something about that. I always thought it was a joke. Do you mean to tell me your family practices such things?”

Cat pushed herself just far enough away from Severus so she could look into his eyes. “Of course we do.” she replied, seeming rather surprised that he was reacting so strangely to the idea. “We have two extremes, hand fasting, and arranged marriages…just my luck I guess.”

Severus felt his breath as it caught in his throat, not wanting Catri to see the look he knew must be showing on his face, he quickly hugged her, squeezing her against his chest. “And does your family have a say in who you are hand fasted to? He asked, fearing he already knew the answer.

“Of course, they have to. Only certain members of the clan are permitted to hand fast anyone” she explained. “They must be disciples of either the Greenman, Morrigan or Brighid. And they must be approved by Maharet of course, she keeps our history, she knows all the bloodlines. Its up to her to make sure the blood will stay healthy and strong. After all, we don’t want any inbreeds or anything.”

“Of course” Severus replied, “So, does this Maharet only allow marriages within you own family? It would seem a rather risky proposition, even in a family as large as yours.”

“Of course not Sev.” Catri laughed softly. “It all depends on the strength of the man and woman involved. If she feels the joining would produce strong children, well, I’ve never seen her say no to improving the blood. ”

“Really?” he replied, feeling suddenly more confident than he had only a few minutes ago. He may not be someone her family would willingly accept, but they could hardly deny he was strong, both physically and magically. And of course if Catri just happened to conceive his child, well, they would hardly be able to deny him his own child, now would they. He looked at Catri and felt a now familiar stirring within his loins as his hands caressed the curves of her waist. . .

“Is there something on your mind Sev?” Cat asked as she grew concerned over the direction of the conversation. She knew full well that Sev’s feelings ran very deep for her, but surely he wasn’t thinking of marriage, not to her, after all, not only wasn’t she a pure-blooded witch, she wasn’t even human. And he must realize Cash would kill him before he allowed Sev to join their clan. . .

“Only you my dear” he replied as he kissed her lips, igniting the smouldering passion he had been trying to fight off all morning. Taking her in his arms, Severus carried Catri to the salon and placed her gently on the couch, hoping they would conceive an heir before their weekend of bliss came to an end. . . .

Harry and Sirius waved to Dumbledore as they walked past the headmaster, his desk was covered with parchments and books, and he seemed to be preoccupied. “Well, good morning Harry.” Albus said as he looked up from his stack of letters “discussing Quidditch strategy with your godfather are you?” he asked as he winked mischievously at the two.

“Nope, not today.” Harry grinned “Today we’re discussing marriage strategies for Sirius and mum. I think Cash and I finally have him convinced.. . Do you have any suggestions professor?”

Albus’s grin grew even wider as he looked at the blush crossing Sirius’s face. “I’m sure your godfather will come up with something Mr. Potter. He always has in the past.” Pausing, Albus added “Although I trust that this time Mr. Black, no livestock will be required.”

Sirius hung his head and nodded as he replied “yes sir” and quickly pushed Harry into his room behind Albus’s office. Once inside, Harry turned to his godfather with a questioning look on his face “Livestock? What did you do?”