Gustavas smashed his way through the forest, cursing the Sidhe loudly as thoughts of revenge filled his head. How could such a fragile creature do this to him? Him, Gustavas the soulless, the fiend of the night, the one who the other vampyres spoke of in whispers. He needed blood, he needed to heal. Perhaps, if he could find a suitable victim, he could use their hand to replace his, at least temporarily, after all, had his own sire not done the very same things with the eyes of mortals after the monks of the inquisition had plucked his out. Yes, that is what he would do, but who could he use, most of the students had been evacuated, and their hands would be much too small, he needed the hand of a man, not a child.

A wicked sneer crossed Gustavas’s face as he realized the perfect victim, the professors, there were two that the Sidhe seemed unusually fond of, either of them would do nicely. And after he was done draining the body and stealing the man’s hand, he would arrange the body on the Sidhe’s bed, or perhaps dangle it from the ceiling in the great hall as a warning. A deep and bone chilling laugh escaped the Tremere’s lips, as the horrific sound of madness echoed through the forest……

“Calm down Harry” Cat sighed as he half drug her down the hall while Sirius walked behind them, laughing softly as Harry went on and on about what he had learned and seen today as he played with his cousins. “How are you managing to breathe? I don’t think I’ve ‘EVER’ heard you talk so much.”

“Now, now mother” Duncan’s voice rung out from down the hall, “don’t quell the boy’s enthusiasm, it’s a good thing.” he said as he poked his head out of the nursery and smiled at the trio. “Oh, and could you please come in here, Paddy’s having some issues, and I think a woman’s touch is in order.” he added, rolling his eyes and sighing deeply.

“Oh lovely, diaper duty is it?” Cat asked as she walked towards the nursery, tussling Harry’s hair as she passed him.

“I can handle a diaper, thank you” Paddy called from inside the room, “but something’s wrong and I have no idea what.”

Knitting her brow, Cat shot Sirius a worried look and hurried into the nursery to see what was wrong. Paddy moved aside as Cat picked up Edana and looked her over carefully. “She doesn’t seem to have a fever, and she’s not teething” she said as she ran her finger along the baby’s gums. “How long has she been fussing like this?” Cat asked as she cooed and rocked the whimpering baby.

“For a few hours, I though maybe she was hungry, but she won’t eat, she isn’t wet, I’ve burped her more times than I can count, I’ve sung to her, played with her, tried to get her to sleep….” Paddy sighed. “the only time she was content was when Sirius was holding her.”

“All right, calm yourself daddy.” Cat replied, “she seems to be settling down now, sometimes they just get cranky and you can’t to anything about it, just like adults.” she explained as Edana curled towards Cat and yawned sleepily. “See, she’s just tired, its probably all the excitement and noise of a full house.” she whispered as she stroked Edana’s cheek and rocked her gently.

“So why wouldn’t she do that for me when ‘I’ rocked her?” Paddy asked sharply, only to sigh seconds later “I’m sorry Kitty, I didn’t mean it that way. I just want to be a good father to her.”

Cat walked up and kissed Paddy’s cheek, “I know you do, but sometimes it just takes a woman’s touch, just like Duncan said.” she said as she smiled at her cousin “Besides, I adore playing mum to her.” she added as she gently kissed Edana’s head and hummed a lullaby.

Paddy snorted softly, “You and Sirius both. You should see the two of them.”

“Really? Do tell…” Cat replied as Sirius blushed with both embarrassment and pride as Duncan and Harry nudged each other and tried not to laugh……

“I was wondering when you would show up” Orpha said crossly as Duncan, Paddy, Sirius, Harry and Cat walked down the stairs. “And I’m glad to see Duncan lent you some of his old clothes” she added to Sirius, “They look good on you, don’t they Kitty.”

“They should” Duncan teased, “she picked them out, and their Luke’s, all my stuff hung off of him.” he added as he gave his sister a hug and a playful grin.

“Well, we’ll have to take care of fattening him up” Orpha grinned “won’t you.. Uhm, ‘we’ Kitty.”

Cat hung her head and sighed “Smooth Aunt Orpha, really, really smooth.” she replied, thankful for the sound of arriving guest to distract her family from any further conversation on the matter…..

Harry smiled as he was introduced to both guests and even more clan members, although his eyes kept flicking nervously towards the table. He desperately wanted to make sure he, Cat and Sirius sat together. After all, if they were ever going to be a family, they would have to start acting like one. Harry noticed that Aunt Orpha was also keeping an eye on who was sitting where, and had in fact moved a few people around to make sure things would go the way ’she’ wanted them to. He had to admit, with a ally like Aunt Orpha, things were quickly looking up.

Harry felt himself sigh with relief as dinner was set on the table, he quickly grabbed Sirius and Cat, dragging them behind him as they apologized to Bruid and Paddy, joking that he must be starved to behave like this. He could tell they were both about to say something, but held their tongues when they saw Orpha pulling Tris and Remus along behind her, so that they all sat together, with Harry between the two couples.

“Tris? Something I should know about?” Cat asked as she lean back to talk to Tristessa.

“I was about to ask you the same thing. I think Orpha’s up to something.” Tris smirked, “and I don’t think I care for it” she added, her eyes narrowing at Sirius who was busy joking with Harry.

“Is there something wrong?” Remus asked, noticing Tris’s response towards Sirius’s presence.

“No,” Tris replied, turning and smiling brightly at Remus, “just the normal clan politics and matchmaking I’m afraid. I hope you don’t mind?”

Remus laughed softly “No, not at all, in fact I’m rather used to it, they do it to me every time I show up it seems.”

All conversation ended as Orpha and Mammy Oma stood up and extended their hands across the table towards each other, and then took the hands of the people sitting on either side of them. Suddenly everyone stood up and held hands, chanting the age old words, offering their hearts to the goddess.

“I believe in the power of creation, I believe it the joy of the heart, I believe in the freedom of the soul.” The entire clan said in unison as they held hands making a large circle around the table. “The unbroken circle of love, from the past and into the future. Let it guide and sustain us, through this life and all others.”

Harry watched in wide eyed wonder as the ceremony continued, surprised by the fact that Remus and Sirius seemed to know the words by heart, just as the rest of the clan did. Suddenly Duncan stood up and said in a deep booming voice. “The three beliefs never to be swayed from” to which everyone rose from their chairs and responded “One's Gods, one's Oaths, and Truth.”

He asked again, “The three highest causes of the upright being.” to which the clan replied “Honor, Duty and Truth.”

Finally, Duncan picked up a goblet of wine and held it high over his head. “The three manifestations of civilization” Everyone suddenly picked up their goblet, and holding them in front of themselves answered “Civility, Generosity and Hospitality.”

In unison the entire gathering spoke “Slainte” and took a drink of wine. Harry winced as the wine hit his throat, causing his eyes to water slightly. He knew Cat must have seen him, because she quickly bent over and whispered her concerns to him, only to kiss his cheek as he blushed with embarrassment for causing her so much concern. “Sip it next time sweetie, and don’t think you have to drink that whole cup. Its here for the ceremony, there’s juice, water, milk, just ask and I’ll make sure you get it.” she whispered as Sirius reached around her and placed a concerned hand on Harry’s shoulder. …….

Severus took a deep breath as he stood over the simmering potion, only a few minutes more and he would be able see everything. As much as he wanted to be sure Catri was safe and well, part of him cringed at the idea of what he may see. After all, Catri had been so deeply in love with Black at one time, he feared what would happen if the two of them spent time alone together. “I know you love me Catri, I can see it in your eyes” he sighed “I just wish I knew for certain that you love me more than you love him. After everything he has done to you, to us, you cannot love him, you simply cannot.” he said weakly, not truly convinced by his own words.

Realizing nothing was worse than not knowing, Severus picked up the strands of Catri’s hair that he had found on his cloak. “Show her to me” he whispered as he dropped the hairs into the bubbling cauldron, stepping back as a small puff of bluish smoke rose into the air.

Steeling himself, Sev looked into the cauldron and felt his stomach knot almost immediately. His precious Catri was there, standing next to Black, holding his hand as the spoke in unison. “No Catri, please, please tell me he has not turned you against me.” he turned his eyes away from the sight as he tried to center himself, feeling his heart shattering inside his chest. “Please tell me that this is not a wedding.” he croaked as his jaw clenched with pain and anger, “or at least not ‘your’ wedding.”

Sev gathered his courage and looked into the cauldron again, only to see Catri and Black, wine goblets in had, toasting to something. He shook his head as he felt his world, his hopes crumble around him. Just as he pulled back his arm, ready to knock the cauldron over in a fit of pain and anger, he paused as he suddenly saw a look of concern on Catri’s face. Practically diving on the cauldron, Sev quickly looked in again, only to see her bend over and give Potter a motherly kiss. Sev’s brow knit in confusion as he studied the scene before him. “Pull away, show me more, show me who she is with.” he demanded, his voice deep and stern.

Obediently, the scene in the cauldron slowly drew back, allowing Sev to see more and more of Catri’s surroundings. He felt a huge wave of relief wash over him when he realized that it was not a wedding, but some sort of prayer Catri had been chanting in unison with her family as they stood around the table. Sev let out an audible sigh as his body relaxed and slumped forward, “Catri, if you had any idea how much I miss you. I yearn to hear the sound of your heart beating, your hair brushing against my hand. I want to see your smile, hear the sound of your laughter. You’ve reminded me that there ‘are’ things worth fighting for, worth living for.”

Sev reached into the cauldron, his fingers skimming the surface of the potion as he touched Catri’s smiling lips. As the image rippled and reformed, he saw the blonde vampire sitting on the other side of Potter, between he and Lupin, “Her,…the only decent one amongst them, the only one who so much as spoke civilly to me.” Sev mused, knitting his brow as he noticed the quick glances and shy smiles passing between the two of them “Lovely a vampire and a werewolf, just what the world needs.” he grimaced as the potion cooled and the image faded. ……..

Dinner seemed to last forever, Harry couldn’t believe how perfect everything felt. Looking around the table, he sighed as he realized he wasn’t a visitor here, not the lonely orphan at the Weasley family table, not that ‘certain student’ at his house’s table, here he was one of them, family, clan. He finally found a place where he belonged. Looking to his right, he smiled as he watched Cat and Sirius talking softly and smiling often. Harry held his breath when he saw Sirius place his hand on top of Cat’s, giving it a heartfelt squeeze as she looked up at him, her eyes soft and full of emotions and a tender smile on her lips.

‘Please mum, please ‘ Harry thought ‘still be in love with him, give me a family, a father I can love the same way I love you.’ he wished.

“Something on your mind Harry?” Remus asked, startling Harry from his thoughts. “Thinking about your presents are you?” he added, winking good-naturally as Tris rolled her eyes and shook her head. For a moment, Harry wondered if sharing Cash’s blood would now allow Tris to read his thoughts as well. But one look into her eyes told him he needn’t worry, he could tell his secrets would be safe with her.

Suddenly, during the middle of dinner, a baby started to cry, Paddy and Sirius immediately got up, only to stop and look at each other, several of the older woman laughed and quickly took the men by their hands. “Well, this is a change, come on then you two” a particularly tall and stately woman said as she took Sirius, who obediently followed along behind her, a soft blush and a sheepish grin on his face……

Cat knew she was in trouble the moment Sirius walked out of ear shot. Immediately her clan swooped in with their questions; who is he, where does he come from, is he the one? And of course the two she dreaded the most, ‘is he yours’ and ‘what does your son think?’ A question Harry wasted no time in answering.

Cat groaned loudly, her head resting on her hands as Harry laughed and smiled, perfectly content to tell his clan all about Sirius’s bravery, compassion and of course, sense of humour. He looked to Remus for back up when some of his uncles or cousins would scoff at something he said. Everyone seemed very taken with Sirius, except Tris, who did nothing but roll her eyes and excuse herself from the table, on the pretence of making sure no help was needed with the children.

Tris all but stalked down the hall, she was NOT about to stand by and watch Angel’s heart get torn to shreds again. She remembered all too well the countless, bitter tears her child had shed over Sirius Black, and from the sound of the stories being told, he hadn’t changed a bit. Still a reckless, bragging, thoughtless man, with nothing better to do than play pranks and break hearts. How dare he think he could walk back into her life and do this to her again. As for Cash, he could go to Hell, he wasn’t there to see her tears, to feel her pain. He had no idea how much she had lost, her innocence, her trust, her heart, too much for one so young to lose, and certainly far too much to risk again.

Tris narrowed her eyes as she watched Sirius as he sat in a rocking chair, feeding one baby as he rocked a cradle with his foot. She rolled her eyes as she heard one of the older woman reminding him not to let any of them cry “once one starts, they all start” she informed him, a large smile on her face as she gave him an approving glance…..

Sirius sighed as he looked at the baby boy in his arms, so like Harry, the thick dark hair, the baby blue eyes that were already starting to turn green. His mind drifted back to the wonderful days he had spent with James, Lily and his godson. He found himself imagining this was his home, the children his and Cat’s.

A tingle ran through his spine as the little boy looked up at him and smiled, blowing a bubble as he did so. Impulsively, Sirius brought the baby over his shoulder, pressing his lips against the baby’s thick hair and he closed his eyes, hoping to quell the rising lump in his throat. Just think, by this time next year, he could well be holding his own child, he and Cat would be married, Harry would be a big brother. It was all he really wanted anymore, Voldemort, Peter, the Ministry, his dreams of revenge and vindication didn’t even matter anymore, all he wanted, all he needed was someone he could love, he wanted to start a family, he wanted a life. It didn’t even need to be his old life, true his hopes and dreams had been stolen and shattered, his fortune and home were gone, and with very few exceptions, everyone he had every truly cared about was dead, only Harry, Remus and Cat had survived.

Sirius kissed the baby again as he burped him, relishing the softness and warmth of the little boy’s skin, just as Cat had with Edana. “One day” he whispered softly, only to be startled by Tris’s harsh response.

“You’re pretending their yours aren’t you?” Tris asked nastily as she nodded towards the babies, “Your imagining that they belong to you and Cat”

Sirius blushed, as much with anger as from being caught by his own thoughts “Tristessa, why must you attack me? I’ve never done anything to harm you, not ever. Yet you‘ve done this to me several times, what have I done to deserve this?” He asked as he carefully placed the sleepy baby back into the bassinette.

“You broke her heart Sirius Black, you weren’t there. You didn’t see her tears,.......

“Do you honestly think that’s what I wanted? Do you have any idea how much I love her?” Sirius asked her angrily “My life ended when she left, I searched for her for months... but no one ever knew where she went.... last thing I had heard was that she was in Japan.” he said hurtfully “And that was the day before Voldemort murdered my best friend... I’m sure you know what happened afterwards” Sirius said, turning his back to her as another child began to cry.

Tris went to move to the child, but Sirius blocked her as he picked up the baby and softly cooed at the child, rocking her in his strong, protective arms. The baby’s cries quickly turned to gurgles of delight, causing Sirius to smile tenderly as he cradled the little girl in his arms, “Go away Tris, I don’t need you upsetting the children.....”

Tris was shocked to the point of being speechless. She blinked several times as she watched Sirius hush and tend to the children, completely ignoring her presence, and refusing to be baited into an argument. He was certainly not the boy she remembered from Angel‘s school days, apparently he had finally grown up and become a man.

Maybe, just maybe he was worthy of Cat’s affections, but he would have to prove it, there was no way Tris would allow her little girl to be hurt like that again... not ever. As Tris walked away, she listened to various members of the clan talking about Sirius, how happy Cat seems when he is near her, and dear little Harry, what a good father Sirius is to him, and how wonderful he was with the children. The comments went on and on, looking over at the table, Tris noticed that Angel did in fact look happier than she had in a long time. She had been putting it down to finally being back among her clan where she belonged, but maybe it was more than that. Tris felt her resolve beginning to relent, but she was by no means convinced yet, the only thing to do was wait and watch Cat more closely...