“So, everyone is expecting us I see.” Luke commented softly, looking intently at Sirius, or more precisely, the man’s emotion filled eyes. “So, anything you want to talk about Sirius” Luke asked gently as he and Duncan pulled up chairs to Sirius’s bed, while Remus and Paddy sat next to him on either side.

“I didn’t ‘do’ anything to her Duncan, I swear.” Sirius teased weakly, trying to smile and joke.

“Something must have happened” Duncan replied softly, “neither of you have shown your faces yet today. And to be honest, I really expected you to be a bit happier than this.”

“I am happy, well, part of me… I ….” Sirius sighed loudly, his shoulder slumping forward. “I don’t know how to explain.”

“Then let me” Remus stepped in. “He told her everything about his past, since the time she left, his job as an auror, his trading places with Peter as James and Lily’s secret keeper, Peters betrayal, his imprisonment by the Ministry, his escape, everything.”

“And?” Luke interrupted “She loves him, there is no way my sister would turn her heart to him because of what was done to him. I know her better than ….”

Luke stopped as Remus held up his hands, and Paddy shook his head sadly. “Its not that. From everything Sirius has told us she was more than understanding of the whole situation, and in fact was threatening bodily harm to several members of the MoM.”

“So what’s the problem?” Duncan asked. “I mean, we all know she’s got a temper, you had to have expected she would be upset when she found out you were held against your will. Although I have to admit, I still don’t know the whole story, just what I’ve overheard between Luke and Aunt Orpha.”

“I’ll explain it to you later” Remus said quickly. “Our Sirius is a bit heartbroken because Kitty is not prepared to pick up were they left off. I’m trying to tell him not to worry, that’s perfectly normal considering the situation. But Mr. Black here is insisting that her refusal is due to her feelings for one Professor Severus Snape.”

“They are Moony, she told me as much.” Sirius replied, his voice tinged with sadness.

“If I remember correctly, she told you ‘I won’t abandon him anymore than I would you’. Isn’t that what you heard him say Paddy?” Remus asked as he folded his arms over his chest.

“He’s got a point” Paddy agreed, “and never once did she say she didn’t love you, right?”

“I know, I know, ….it’s just…. I thought,….. I hoped.” Sirius stumbled over his words as his heart and mind fought each other. He knew what he had heard, but he also knew what he felt, and the two just weren’t reconciling.

“That’s enough of he said, she said.” Luke interrupted, his voice firm yet gentle. “Sirius, look at me and tell me this. Did you tell her you loved her?” he saw Sirius nod, “And her response was?”

Sirius shook his head “It wasn’t put like that. I asked her to forgive me for everything I’ve put her through. I told her I never stopped loving her and asked her if she thought she could still love me?”

“And?!” Luke and Duncan asked in unison.

“She told me she never really stopped loving me.” Sirius replied softly, but before Luke could say anything, he added. “But when I asked her if we were ‘together’ again, she wouldn’t say yes. She….” his clenched his jaw, not knowing what else to say.

Luke shook his head “And you think this is a bad thing? Sirius Black, may I remind you that you disappeared from my baby sister’s life…what is it now….seventeen, eighteen years ago? Did you honestly expect her to just jump right back into your arms? I know you‘ve suffered through a lot, but so has she. Things she won‘t even tell us about. You need to give her a little time.”

“I know she needs time, but I thought we would be a couple again.” Sirius said softly. “I miss her so much, I don’t want to waste anymore time. I want to marry her, have a family,…”

Luke and Duncan gave each other knowing looks, they knew their baby sister better than most people did. And it was obvious to them that Kitty still had very, very deep feelings for Sirius Black. “Come on you lot, up and out” Duncan grinned as he rose, “Sirius, I’m giving you exactly ten minutes to shower, shave and dress. Orpha is dragging Kitty downstairs as we speak, and seeing as how today is Boxing Day, I think a little dancing is in order. And if you’ll remember Mr. Black, my sister does enjoy dancing, I trust you do as well?” he asked, smiling knowingly as he saw the growing glint in Sirius’s eyes……..

Cash appeared just as the sun was touching the toe of Cobryn’s boot. “What the???… Cobryn? Brutus?” Cash quickly surveyed the situation and immediately took control. “Hash, get them to the haven, he’s not old enough to take the sun” he said pointed towards Cobryn, “Albus, its safe to release them, Daithi told me he was sending them…. Hash, hurry, Now!!” he added, seeing the Caitiff hunter’s eye beginning to glaze over as the sun’s rays spread over his legs.

“Daithi,… ’Prince’ Diathi?” Raul questioned. “Once again, I ask myself, why am ’I’ not told of this? If you want to be Primogen Cash, say so now…”

Cash rounded on Raul, a cold, flat tone in his voice. “Raul, listen to me. I am tired of this game. ’YOU’ are primogen of the Gangrel, ’I’ don’t want to lead them anymore. ’I’ lead my own clan, Clan MacLeod, you were informed of this by several people, including Prince Julian and several of the Gangrel elders. If you can’t handle it, leave, because I don’t have the time to hold your hand and keep my family safe.”

“It would seem Clan Gangrel ’is’ Clan MacLeod, or perhaps I should ask our prince to send a few more Gangrel, ones that are NOT MacLeod.” Raul shot back.

Cash paused for a moment, thinking over what Raul had said. “Actually, that’s a very good idea. I have a very, very bad feeling we are going to need reinforcements before this is over with. Oh, and before you have another hissy fit, Angel is the one that requested Brutus be brought before us. Just so there is no misunderstanding.”

“Anything else I should know about?” Raul asked, folding his arms over his chest as he waited for Cash to respond.

“Actually, yes.” Cash replied. “Rick is with the Slytherin in Angel’s room, he’s doing his best to heal him after the Tremere attacked, Albus is trying to sort out the Ministry end of the whole mess, and Angel will be bringing back about a dozen MacLeod children with her, and half a dozen or so Caitiff, including their Primogen.” he paused and knit his brow. “I think that’s all of it, if anything else comes to mind, I’ll be sure to tell you. Now is there anything you would like to share with me?”

“Yes, you arrogant, bas***d,” Raul growled as he approached Cash, only to have Albus step between them. Raul shot the wizard a withering glare, but realized it would have no effect on the old man. “I think I’ve found the spy. But I guess we’ll discuss that once you’re done tending to “Clan MacLeod” business.” he spat as he turned on his heels and walked away.

Albus and Cash stood silently in the hall, staring after Raul. “Shall I speak with him?” Albus asked as he turned to look at Cash.

“No, he’s too angry right now. And he hasn’t really been himself since Angel had her little temper tantrum and killed all those blokes. I think he’s still trying to figure everything out, after all, he was born human, and we all know they have a hard time grasping power like hers. It scares and humbles them, and they don’t like it.” Cash explained as his eyes followed the Primogen shadow. “He’ll come around in a day or two, until then, Angus will try to soothe his ego and his fears. He and Rick are good listeners, the best we’ve got, and I trust them to do the right thing.”

Albus nodded “But what of these other two, Cobryn and Brutus, did you say?”

“Cobryn is the personal envoy of Prince Daithi, no doubt sent here as much to spy as to assist us. And Brutus is the only person, living, dead, or otherwise that can truly kill Gustavas. The best the rest of us can hope for is to do some serious damage, but Brutus, he was created specifically to destroy his brother.”

“His brother?” Albus repeated, disbelief evident in his voice. “Cash, what are you saying?”

Cash motioned for Albus to walk with him as he continued his explanation. “First you must understand that Gustavas wasn’t exactly embraced, at least not in the traditional meaning of the word, although he does, did, have a sire. He did what so many other Tremere have done, stole the blood through magic and deceit. If you look closely at your own library, you will see several books written by him, all in the restricted area of course. Even as a human he was bad news, and as a vampyre, it only mad him worse. They tell us the longer we live the more truly we become ourselves. Well in his case, his true self would scare the horns off of Satan himself.” Cash paused as Albus smiled at the image.

“He stole the blood and then his ‘sire’ infused him with his own in the traditional way, bonding him to Clan Tremere and increasing both of their strength. However Gustavas had made one mistake, the vampyre he had drained was a Methuselah like myself, we can go bone dry, a husk of leather dry and still survive, and this one did. He cursed Gustavas, decreeing that his own mortal flesh and blood would be the end of him. Well Gusy isn’t one to take chances, so within a fortnight, he killed his entire family, mother, father, brothers, sisters, their family and children, or at least he thought he did. That same Methuselah had come across the massacre and found Brutus, a shadow’s breath away from death, clinging to the lifeless body of his pregnant wife. He was offered a choice, die or be reborn as a Gangrel and exact revenge on his brother for what he had done.”

“A powerful motivation,” Albus said softly, “seeing your entire family slaughtered. It must weigh heavily on his mind.”

“It does” Cash agreed “which is why he wants to kill Gustavas, it’s the only way he’ll be free. He wants to die, he has said as much, and if the terms of the curse have been told to me correctly, and I have no reason to doubt they were not, that is exactly what will happen. Brutus will end Gustavas’s life and his evil, and will promptly die himself.”………

Sirius smiled when he saw the others standing on the steps waiting for him. “And with two minutes to spare” Duncan grinned as he put away his watch. “So are you ready to have a little fun, sing a little song?” he asked knowingly.

“As ready as I’m ever going to be” Sirius replied, feeling a little self conscious in Luke’s old trousers and shirt. He was far more used to robes, more room and more left to the imagination. “Are you sure this looks alright? I don’t want to ….”

“Oh would you stop already” Paddy groaned, “my sisters don’t obsess this much over the way they look. I’m telling you, you look fine” then adding loudly “if you don’t believe me, ask Kitty.” Paddy grinned widely as his cousin’s voice responded to her name being mentioned. He watched as Sirius gulped, only to smile from ear to ear the moment Kitty’s face appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “There you are Kitty” Paddy smiled mischievously, “so tell him, doesn’t he look fine in those clothes?”

Cat smiled, a soft blush appearing on her cheeks as she gazed at Sirius. “I have to agree with Paddy” she murmured softly, the blush deepening as Sirius took her hand in his “you look very good in jeans. And you shaved again too.” she added as she touched his cheek, feeling the warm smooth skin against her fingertips.

“I didn’t want you to have to remind me about it” Sirius winked as he brushed some of Cat’s hair behind her ear. “Sleep well?”

“Well enough to have Aunt Orpha chase me out of bed” Cat replied as she and Sirius walked toward the kitchen “Have you eaten anything, I don’t want you getting sick or worn out or anything like that.” Cat asked, a nervous edge suddenly appearing in her voice as Aunt Orpha fixed the couple in her gaze.

“Cat? What is it?” Sirius asked softly he felt her trying to remove her hand from his. “Have I done something I shouldn’t have?”

“No, its nothing like that” she replied, her eyes full and soft as she looked into his. “It’s just…. Sirius… I….”

Sirius took her hand firmly in his own and pulled her out of the kitchen and into one of the rooms off of the hallway. “Cat, what is it? Has something happened?” he asked as he pulled her down onto a sofa. He became more concerned when she refused to look at him. “Cat?” he whispered softly as he placed his fingers under her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. “What is it gra?”

Cat blinked her eyes a few times, forcing back her tears “Siri, I’m just feeling confused, and I don’t want to lead you on.” she said softly, her voice little more than a whisper.

Her words felt as if a knife had been plunged through his heart, “So you’ve made your decision already. You’re choosing to ……I mean, Snape and you……but what about Harry? And …and...Cat, I love you, doesn’t that mean…” he stopped when she placed her fingers over his lips

“I haven’t made any decisions Siri” Cat informed him, “That’s the problem, it simply isn’t ‘my’ decision to make, it’s up to the crones and my clan. I have little say in the matter.” she wiped away at a stray tear as it ran down her cheek “Siri, I don’t want to fall in love with you all over again, only to be denied you. I don’t think I’d survive it twice in one lifetime.”

Sirius had no answer, all he could do was hold her in his arms and kiss her over and over. He sighed as he realized how upset and helpless Cat must feel, he felt the same way. But Orpha and her brothers seemed to like him well enough, Paddy certainly did, and Mammy Oma had made no secret of her wished for Cat to ‘get along with it and marry the boy’s father’ as she had so eloquently phrased it. “Do you know how they are making their decision?” he asked softly, “You never know, they might actually like me, and I’m willing to go through any test they can dream up….”

“I doubt it will be that straight forward Siri,” Cat replied, smiling slightly as she realized how earnest Sirius was about a future with her. “I just hope they take my and Harry’s feelings into consideration. I know Aunt Orpha will, and I’m pretty sure Tris will, but the rest of them…” she shrugged her shoulders as she let out a deep shuddering breath. It scared her to death to think of what her future held for her at the moment. Orpha was right, she could be content with either Sirius or Severus, or even Remus if things didn’t work out for he and Tris. And she knew in her heart of heart, while Harry may want Sirius as a father, he would accept the other two eventually, after he got over the disappointment.

“What about your father?” Sirius asked suddenly as if an idea had sprung into his head. “Does Magnus have any say in this? He is the chieftain after all, wouldn’t he have to give his blessings, his consent?”………

Remus grinned as Tris walked up to him, it was the first time he had ever seen her in a dress and he was very impressed. “Good afternoon, Miss Tristessa” he said, offering his hand to her “It’s been a long time, but if you’re willing to put up with me, I would be grateful for the chance to dance with you.”

Tris laughed as she took Remus’s hand “It hasn’t been ‘that’ long. I seem to recall you and Angel creating quite a stir with a few dances.” she teased as Remus smiled and blushed, avoiding her eyes as he escorted Tris to the dance floor.

“That was different, ballroom dancing, as they say.” he explained, “But it’s been ages since I’ve done any folk dancing. And I’m hopeless at that crazy clogging thing Kitty does. But I can manage a decent jig and even a reel.”

“First of all, Mr. Lupin, it’s stepping, not clogging.” Tris replied, smirking as Remus laughed, “And this is Contra dancing, the jigs will come later.” she warned as they walked to the end of a line, then turned to face one another as the fiddler began to play once more. They took two steps towards each other as Remus wrapped his arm around Tris’s waist and swung her in a small circle as the music from the fiddles and pipes whirled merrily around them……

Orpha stood in the doorway, watching her family as they sang, danced, talked and basically enjoyed each one another’s company. Her eyes took on a soft glow as she watched Tris and Remus dancing and laughing, although she was becoming worried at the lack of Sirius and Cat, she was certain she had seen them come downstairs nearly an hour ago. Before she had a chance to ask if anyone had saw them, she heard the door swing open, banging loudly against the kitchen wall as Wolf let out a loud whoop. Apparently he had found something worth sharing. “What in the name of Dannaan are you howling about?” she asked as she walked into the kitchen.

Wolf smiled, his lips curling around his muzzle as his sharp teeth glistened in the bright light of day. “Looky what I found coming over the hill” he said as he stepped aside, revealing a small group of people behind him. “I’ve found the O’Hara’s”

“Well as I live and breath” Orpha grinned “Look at you all Zach, Feargus, and little Mea” she cooed as she hugged them all tightly. “Lia, Amber, come quick, look who’s here.” she called out.

Amber poked her head out from the family room and immediately screamed happily. “Zach! You came, you actually came.” she shouted joyfully as she flung her arms around his neck, laughing and giggling as wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around as he laughed with her.

“Did you think I would break my promise?” Zach asked as he placed Amber back down on the ground. “I’ve missed you Amby” he added softly as he rubbed his nose against hers.

“O no this agin” Mea sighed, with a soft lilting brogue, as she watched her brother get all soppy with Amber. “Didna you two get onough o’each other ov’r t’summer? Come on Feargus, let’s find our cousins an’ dance.” she added as she drug her other brother into the family room. “I’ve had onough ah him acting like sum addle headed cow.”

“Mea, you have a few new cousins this year, dear.” Lia called out after her “Ask Sara or Sabrina to introduce you to them, especially Harry, he’s right around your age.” she added, waving at the children as they went to find the others, stopping to help themselves to some snacks along the way.

“So, Amber, Zach…..something I should know about?” Orpha asked, a glint in her eyes………

Paddy looked everywhere, but he still couldn’t find Kitty and Sirius. He had seen a few of their distant cousins arrive from Tir na Nog, and Orpha was sure to be wanting to introduce Harry to them, which meant she would be expecting Kitty to present him formally to them. “Come on you two, don’t play games with me now. If anyone catches you doing ‘anything’ there will be all manners of hell to pay.” he sighed as he began looking in every room, hoping to find them before anyone else did.

After searching several room, Paddy finally found them, cuddled together on the sofa, speaking in soft whispers to one another. He felt a smile spread across his face as he watched Kitty holding Sirius’s hand, playing with his fingers, studying their shape and length, rubbing over the rough neglected skin of his masculine hand with her own soft ones, it was the picture of pure affection and comfort. He hated to disturb them, but he knew Kitty had to be warned before anyone else saw them and started up on her about marriage and children yet again. He knew how much his cousin wanted children, she loved them dearly and had in fact been Edana’s surrogate mother up until the day she left for Hogwarts.

Clearing his throat quietly, Paddy drew their attention and whispered “get out here now….family alert” he turned his head as he heard approaching footsteps, “move Kitty, Irish cousins O’Hara, first wave.” he added, motioning them with his hands to move quickly.

Cat rolled her eyes as Siri laughed deeply, she was so comfortable and so at ease, she ‘almost’ didn’t care what they thought or said, almost. “Come on Siri, let’s go make nice with the family.” she sighed as she stood and walked towards Paddy, only to stop suddenly when Sirius refused to let go of her hand. “Sirius?!”

“Not a chance Cat.” Sirius replied as he too stood up, still refusing to relinquish her hand. “I’m not losing you again. I don’t care what the crones think or say, and yes, I listened to every word you said. I know it’s not exactly your choice, but I love you and Harry, you both seem to love me.” he stated forcefully, blushing slightly but never losing eye contact with her. “I want to have a family, so do you, and obviously so do they. So tell me one good reason why they would refuse to allow me to marry you…..aside from the whole Ministry thing.” he added, his voice losing its determination as he realized how hopeless it all seemed to her.

“Siri, no, don’t even think about that” Cat soothed “You know my clan thinks less than nothing of the Ministry and their ways. And once we get back, I intend to see things put to rights, even if I have to crack skulls to do it.” she said, matter-of-factly. “Now, please, let go of my hand and let’s go find Harry. He’s got more family to meet.”

“Hmmm, well I’ll meet you half way on that one.” Sirius grinned, a mischievous look in his eyes. “We’ll go find Harry and meet more family, but there is no way I’m letting go of your hand, I’ve told you that already.” He and Paddy chuckled as Cat rolled her eyes and tried to pull her hand away.

“Sirius Black, stop it this instant” she fumed, trying not to laugh at him, or even harder, trying not to notice the way his eyes would crinkle at their corners as he laughed, giving him a delightfully puckish demeanour. “You are ‘such’ a brat.”

“I know” he teased as he motioned for Paddy to lead the way, pulling Cat along by her hand as she tugged against his strong grasp. Sirius was enjoying himself immensely until Cat started tickling his sides, he had always been so sensitive to her touch and she knew it, and obviously had no objections to using it to her advantage. “Cat…. Now stop it…. Caaat” he warned as she giggled and continued to tickle and poke at him. “Paddy, stop laughing, you’re only encouraging her.” Sirius teased as Padriac tried his best to choke back his laughter.

“Sorry” Paddy grinned, “it’s just so nice to see the two of you smiling and laughing together, no wonder Harry and Remus are convinced you’re going to be a family.”

Before either Cat or Sirius could reply, the door to the family room swung open, revealing Harry, his face flushed and a light sheen of moisture covering him. “Harry, are you alright?” Sirius asked, worry evident on his face.