Voldemort turned his unblinking reptilian eyes to Severus “Severus Snape….has my own spy betrayed me?” he asked in his cold, cruel voice.

“My Lord” Severus replied as he knelt before Voldemort “I must admit, I am utterly confused as to why I was brought here. I have been doing as you have asked. I have watched and listened to all, reporting faithfully to you.”

“It seems you’ve been doing more than watching. I have witnesses who have seen you and MacLeod together, a rather intimate arrangement with the enemy, wouldn’t you say?” Lucius taunted.

Severus turned to Lucius, all the while keeping a close eye on Voldemort and the death eaters “And how else am I to gain her trust? It has taken me weeks to get her to the point that she trusted me enough to leave Potter unguarded for even a few hours. I had her were we wanted her, or at least I did, until Potter was attacked without my knowledge.” he added bitterly, narrowing his eyes at Lucius “I do not suppose you know anything about that Lucius.”

“Yes Malfoy” Voldemort’s voice rang out “What about this attack? I was told it went badly, very badly” he glared at the death eater, grinning evilly as the man all but wilted under his stare.

Lucius bowed his head as drops of sweat gathered on his brow “It was the Tremere, he decided to move without informing you. I swear I did everything I could to prevent it Master.”

“Did you, and since when does some foul vampire gain control of death eaters?” Severus retorted “I though only you and our Lord could command them.” Severus smile to himself as he heard the uncomfortable shuffling of feet coming from the death eaters behind him, obviously they had their doubts as well. “Or have there been ‘other’ changes I am not aware of?”

“How dare you!” Lucius yelled “Who are you to question my loyalty, I am not the one fraternizing with the enemy.”

“ENOUGH” Voldemort screeched “Severus, tell me, what have you done to further our goals? I recall giving you very specific instructions regarding the matter of Potter and the Sidhe.”

Severus bowed deeply as he rose to his feet. “I have done everything in my power to gain the trust of the Sidhe, as you directed my Lord. I have learned her weaknesses and her strengths, and I have paid close attention to her relationship with Potter.”

“Gain her trust, more like gain her bed” Lucius snarled “I have a witness who saw you with MacLeod, a ring in your hand.”

Ignoring Lucius, Severus addressed his response to Voldemort instead. “One must attack the enemy were they are the weakest, for MacLeod, that means her heart. She is notoriously foolish where romance is concerned.” he added “look at how she stupidly trusted Black and what he did to her, she has no sense in these matters.”

“My, isn’t ‘that’ convenient, and the ring comes in where? I don’t recall a marriage proposal being part of your duties.” Lucius snapped, hoping Severus would take the bait.

“I have great concerns about this as well Severus” Voldemort agreed as he fingered his wand, cold reptilian eye flashing between Snape and Malfoy.

Severus bowed once more “I understand Master, but I believe your exact instructions were to gain her confidence and discover how powerful she was. And my Lord, she is unbelievable powerful. I have altered my course slightly it is true, I simply thought you would have more use for her as a pawn than as a corpse, but if you wish her dead, I will see to it immediately.”

“As a pawn you say” Voldemort asked, his curiosity now piqued. “And how would that prove useful to me.”

“As I said my Lord, she is very powerful.” Severus responded quickly, “The protection charms on the school have no effect on her, she can apparate in and out at will. And Dumbledore trusts her implicitly, he sees no need to prevent her from doing so. Add that to her control of the clans of vampire and Garou that are now ‘protecting’ the school…”

“Which only proves how dangerous she is to us” Lucius retorted. “We should have killed them all when we had the chance.”

“And when did you have that chance?” Severus questioned “When I removed her from the school? You fool!” he bellowed, releasing his fury on Malfoy. “I had her where we wanted her, she trusts me now, it was only a matter of days until she would have brought Potter. The two of them alone, unprotected, ripe for the picking - and you ruined it. Your short-sightedness and temper destroyed everything.” he glowered at Lucius, daring him to contradict him…..

Cash knocked softly on the door to Angel’s bedroom “Hey sweet” he called to her as she sat on the chaise in her bedroom, her eyes fixed on the sleeping figures in her bed. “How are they? Any change?” he asked as he sat next to her.

“No Cash, still sleeping.” Cat replied sleepily, lifting her arms towards her ancestor, who gladly hugged her as he lay next to her on the chaise. “Is everyone else alright? I thought Hamish said something about injured students when I arrived.”

“He and Roel took them to Poppy and everyone seems fine, except these two, Remus, me…and you.” Cash replied softly, not wanting to alarm her anymore than she had been.

Cat’s eyes opened wide “Remus? I just saw him, he was a bit tired and pale, but he didn’t seem hurt.”

“Shhhh, relax, he’s with Poppy now too. And he’s not that bad, she just wants him to stay with her for a little while to be sure. He’s entertaining the students as we speak, and demanding some butterbeer as I recall” he teased, hoping to calm her.

“That sounds like my Lupy” Cat sighed softly. “And how are you holding up Cash, you don’t look so good.”

“I’ve been better” Cash sighed as he nuzzled against Cat’s neck, drinking in her warmth and scent as she stroked his hair. “I hate to ask this of you Angel, I know you’re not exacting bursting with energy at the moment…..”

Cat smiled tenderly, “No, it’s alright Cash. Physically I’m fine, I’m just emotionally drained. And I’m sure that will rectify itself the moment they wake up and I’m sure everyone is safe and sound.” she replied as she nudged his lips closer to her throat.

Cash smiled thankfully at her understanding, making a small puncture on her neck Cash sighed as the first burst of blood hit his tongue. He did truly hate asking her for this, but it wasn’t so much his need to feed that was causing his pain as the nagging voice in the back of his head, the one telling him that Gustavas was right. He had fought off the panic and depression, but he couldn’t shake the doubts from his mind, the thought that maybe his clan no longer needed or wanted him in their lives.

“You should never even think that Cash, we love you. You must know that” Cat responded as she kissed Cash’s hair, enjoying the way it tickled her nose. She knew he didn’t need the nourishment from her blood, but he did need nurturing, he needed her comfort and her love every bit as much as she needed his. “We’re Clan Cash” she continued “we are a part of each other, we rely on each other for support and strength. Without Clan, we are lost to the world.” She smiled as she felt him chuckle against her “That’s right, laugh at me, but I remember you speaking those exact words to me almost three decades ago Caisearbhan. And I also recall you reminding me of our connection when I wouldn’t speak after my mother’s death. If it weren’t for you…..” she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Cash, I don’t know what I’d do without you. Please, don’t ever make me find out. I want you to be there to teach my children, just as you’ve taught us all.”

Cash hugged her fiercely, burying his face in the hollow of her neck “I promise Angel.” he sniffled. That was exactly what he needed to hear, he needed to know that his family still needed him, still trusted him to protect them. He wiped his eyes, berating himself for being so foolish as to doubt his own clan. “But about me teaching your children, I’m not going to live forever you know. Are you planning on having them any time soon?” he added, hoping to lighten the mood. He smiled as he felt her laugh at him and swat his head playfully. Laying his head against her once more, he continued to lap at the small stream of blood as it flowed down her throat, secure in the love of his clan….

Sirius finally felt the warmth returning to his body, he sighed softly as his hand felt the soft material underneath him. He blinked his eyes a few times, trying to clear his vision and hoping to recognize where he was. He looked up to see the golden red rays of sunset streaking across the ceiling of a vaguely familiar room. Feeling someone stir next to him, Sirius turned his head and became painfully aware of the events of the past few hours. Every muscle in his body screamed with his movement, but he was glad to be alive, and even more glad to see who was laying next to him. Harry, his Harry alive and seemingly well, and the room, he knew this room.

Sirius laid still as he tried to remember where he was, he vividly remembered the torture by Gustavas, and the sudden appearance of Cat…. Cat, this was Cat’s room, they were finally together again, she was back. Fighting against the pain, he lifted his head just enough to see Cash resting his head against Cat’s bosom as the two spoke softly. Sirius smiled, Cash was alive, Harry was safe and Cat was home again. Now if only he could move without feeling the need to scream out in pain, maybe he could have that long needed talk with her…..

Cat shook Cash as he dozed lightly against her, “I think they’re stirring” she whispered, pausing only to let Cash heal the small wound on her throat and lap up what was left of the blood before she went to Harry’s side. She sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his cheek lightly with the back of her fingers. She beamed happily as Harry smiled up at her, she kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair “I love you sweetie, get some rest now” she whispered as she smoothed down his hair and kissed him once more.

Moving to the other side of the bed, she reached out to touch Sirius, stroking his cheek as she sat down on the bed. Her heart trembled when she heard him moan and his eyes fluttered open, she watched as he smiled and sighed softly when he saw her. He mouthed her name, although no sound came out, but it didn’t matter to her, not now. They were both going to be fine, and no one would ever take them from her again, not as long as she lived and breathed….

Sirius felt his heart pang when he felt familiar fingers against his skin, he knew it was her, no one else could touch him like that. He forced himself to face the pain and open his eyes, he had never been happier to see her in his life. He wished he had the strength to sit up and talk to her, or better yet, take her in his arms and kiss her until her toes curled. But at the moment, all he could do was silently mouth her name. Sirius’s heart almost broke when he saw the smile dance across Cat’s face and the tears of relief in her eyes as her fingertips gently pressed against his lips. She knew, she finally knew and she was here with him, sitting by his side, touching his face. Just as Sirius was wishing he could manage the strength to kiss her, he saw Cat bend over him, her hair brushed across his face, delighting his senses as she softly pressed her lips against his …..

“Don’t think you’ve won this Severus” Lucius growled as he tried to catch up with the potion master, “I remember the way you would pine over her at school. The way you would watch her for hours on end, doing everything in your power to make sure you were partnered with her. She didn’t want you then, what makes you think she wants you now?”

Severus froze, taking a deep breath, he swallowed his anger by reminding himself how much was at stake. “Honestly Lucius,” he remarked flatly, “how much further do you intend to take this? Or do you so enjoy the punishment he inflicts that you are eager to receive more?” Sev asked, his eyebrow raised and an unreadable expression on his face.

Lucius glared hatefully at Severus as he favoured his mangled leg, “This is nothing compared to what will happen to you. I know you Severus, I know you better than you know yourself. You’ve always been the weak one, the sentimental one. I know it and your father knew it too.”

Severus rounded on Lucius, refusing to back down any longer “You know nothing Lucius, least of all me.” he whispered menacingly. “Apparently you do not even know how to organize an attack on a half empty school,” he added as he purposefully knocked Lucius’s wounded leg, grinning maliciously as the man gasped in pain. “A fact that Lord Voldemort made very clear as he was torturing you. Now if you are quite finished with you little temper tantrum, we were both given assignments to accomplish.”

“Yes, Severus, we were. And I am sure you will ’enjoy’ your assignment, won’t you?” Lucius remarked snarkily.

“I am confident that I can repair the damage you have caused, and convince MacLeod to come with me, to join us, after all I am certain she will be told of the Ministry’s part in this afternoons events, and her distrust for them is well known.” Sev replied confidently “Now all you have to do is place yourself as head of the Ministry, and our Master may yet allow you to live.” he finished as he turned on his heals and walked away, his long black cloak billowing out behind him as he turned a deaf ear to the remainder of Malfoy’s ranting……

Sirius could feel his strength returning to him the moment her lips touched his. Gods how he missed this, the feel of her warm lips against his as they shared the same breath, their hearts entwining along with their bodies. If only they could stay like this forever, he never wanted to be apart from her again, he never wanted to forget what it felt like to have her fingers comb through his hair or stroke his cheek. He found himself lost in memories of their past, suddenly every moment, every little detail was becoming crystal clear, as if he was opening his eyes for the first time. He quickly found himself longing for their school days once more, he had been young then, so strong, so confident, so sure of their love…..

Cat sighed softly as she felt the warmth returning to Sirius, she knew she shouldn’t be kissing him like this, actually, considering what she had been doing over the past few hours, she shouldn’t be kissing him at all. But just seeing him there, injured and helpless, she couldn’t help herself, she knew he needed comfort and care just as much as Harry and Cash did, although she had to admit, the phrase took on a whole new meaning were Sirius was concerned.

Cat fought off the urge to deepen the kiss, more for fear of being startled by an anxious Severus than any real qualms regarding Sirius’s reactions. He had always enjoyed showing his affection in anyway possible, from the silliest little gifts to the most romantic and heart-felt poems, nothing was ever too small, too grandiose or too outrageous were Sirius Black had been concerned. Finally pulling herself away, Cat smiled tenderly as she saw the sleepy smile on Sirius’s face, she couldn’t believe how much she missed seeing his smile or feeling his fingers playing with her hair, or any of the hundreds of other little things he would do.

Cat sat up and sighed deeply, “What am I going to do Cash?” she asked softly as her fingers lingered on Sirius’s skin. “I wish I would have know about this before I left with Sev. I don’t want to hurt him, …. Either of them.”

“What do you mean? ‘What am I going to do’ What sort of question is that?” Cash replied a knowing smirk on his face. “I told you when you left the clan would never allow it to be more than a fling between you and Mr. Sunshine” he added as he sat down behind her, pushing her closer to Sirius.

“Oh, that’s smooth Cash” Cat grimaced, “trust me, I don’t need the encouragement. If anything, I need to take a step back before I….I can’t just..” she sighed as she hung her head, not knowing how to explain her feelings.

Cash rested his head against hers and smiled as he hugged her tightly “Now Angel, what have I been telling you, constantly, over the past few weeks? Huh? Have you even been listening to me?”

“Yes, Cash.” Cat replied, rolling her eyes “I’ve been listening, but you calling him my husband doesn’t change anything, as much as I wish it did. It would certainly make my life, my decisions much easier.”

“What decisions? If you’re talking about choosing between Sirius and Slimy… sweet, that’s not even a decision…” Cash paused as Angel held up her hand, a pained look on her face.

“Cash, you don’t know what we…. You don’t understand. What if I’m carrying his child?” she asked, stifling a sob “I can’t deny him his own child, it isn’t right.”

Cash and Cat turned toward Sirius as he moaned painfully and turned his head. “My thoughts exactly” Cash deadpanned, only to soften considerably the moment he saw Angel’s reaction. She had practically dove to take his hand in hers while her other hand gently stroked the wizards cheek. Cash watched in amazement as all traces of pain and discomfort left Sirius’s face the moment Angel touched him. “Still doubt he’s your husband?” he said, realizing the pain had only returned to Sirius when Angel had removed her hands in the first place.