“Good point” Siri whispered hoarsely as he nuzzled against her neck, enjoying the loud gasp as he nipped gently on her delicate skin. “At least let me walk you to your room, gra. I swear I won’t push you if you’re not ready yet.”

Nodding Cat slipped her arm around Sirius’s waist, leaning her head against him as they walked towards her room. “I miss this Sirius, I’ve missed you….I’ve missed us.” she admitted softly.

“Does that mean we can pick up were we left off?” he asked hopefully, “My life has been so empty without you Cat, you were all I thought about, I searched everywhere for you. I kept thinking you would come back for Lily’s wedding, and then I was so sure when Harry was born you would find a way to see him.”

“Believe me Siri, it wasn’t for lack of trying.” Cat explained, “I had been so upset that they refused to let me be at Lily’s side for the birth, or to be there at the ceremony as his guardian that I left for a long time. Even my brother’s couldn’t find me, and then, after Lily and James’……” she paused, not wanting to reopen Sirius’s wounds. “I tried to steal Harry away from Petunia, the last time I was told the clan, ‘my’ clan would cast me out if I ventured into their world ever again. I left for good after that, for years they searched, only Tris managed to find me, and it took her over a year.”

Siri kissed her head as they walked “I had no idea it had gotten that bad, I should have been here for you, and for Harry.”

“If you had been here Sirius, I doubt things would have happened as they did. You and I probably would have fought over who would raise Harry.” Cat teased, trying to change the subject.

“True, we would have fought tooth and nail, and it would have been a draw…and then I would see the tears in your eyes and give in….and then I would have kissed you and asked you to marry me and raise Harry as a true family.” he said softly, pulling her against himself as he leaned against the wall, kissing her once more, relishing the feeling of arousal and passion

It wasn’t until he heard voices approach that he release his hold on her, only to see that she wasn’t willing to step away, she ran her fingers over the buttons of his shirt, smiling tenderly and melting his heart. “Someone’s coming, gra.” he told her softly, “and if you keep looking at me like that, I won’t care if its your brothers. It would be well worth the beating they‘d give me if I can keep holding you like this.”

“You say that now Siri,” Cat sighed, “but I doubt you’d feel that way in the morning.”

“I would if I woke up next to you.”………

“So Cobryn, are you feeling any better?” Cash asked as he smiled at the young Caitiff “I apologize for my childer’s behaviour, but he was unsure as to your allegiance. We’ve experienced a great deal of difficulties over the past few days.” Extending his hand to the pale, dark-haired man. Cash smiled as he felt the young Caitiff gasp his hand firmly, pulling himself out of the coffer where he had been placed to protect him from any accidental exposure to the sun.

“My thanks to you Cash MacLeod of Gangrel” Cobryn replied, giving the Methuselah a formal bow out of respect for the elder’s position within the Carmarilla. “Prince Daithi offers his respect and assistance to you and the Angel in your time of need. I am yours to command.”

Cash nodded approvingly of the young Caitiff, he was everything Daithi said he would be and then some. Well spoken, courtly manners and an obvious intelligence that was only obscured by his young face. “Has Prince Daithi informed you that more Caitiff’s will be joining us here? Desiree and her clan should arrive tonight, and our Primogen Raul has requested that more Gangrel be sent as well.”

“More Gangrel?” Cobryn repeated, “that hardly seems necessary. As it is your clan quickly found and held us with no trouble at all.” he became quiet when he saw Cash raised his hand.

“Granted, but we apparently have a spy amongst us.” Cash sighed, “Raul seems to think he knows who it is, but he has not had the opportunity to discuss this with me. And of course the accursed Tremere Gustavas still roams the grounds.” he added, turning to Brutus “Can you feel him? Or do you rely upon the gifts as we all do.”…..

“I’m going to be visiting the Weasley’s tomorrow, after that letter Ginny sent to Cash, I’d like to avoid any trouble before it starts.” Cat informed Sirius as they stood in front of her bedroom door. “Would you like to come along with me? I’m assuming that since all the children know about you their parents do as well..”

Sirius nodded, “Yes, Arthur and Molly know all about me, but Molly still doesn’t trust me. After all, I’m the infamous Sirius Black.” he grimaced, “the most horrific murderer of all times.”

“Well at least when you do something, you do it right.” Cat teased, “Not that you would ever settle for second place or anything.”

“You do realized you only get away with comments like that because you’re so beautiful.” Sirius responded, kissing Cat playfully. “Although you do have a point about me wanting to win.” he added, leaning into her as his kisses went from playful to passionate. They were so lost in the pure affection and romance of the moment, that neither of them heard the pair of men approaching them.

“Well, no need to ask how things are going.” Remus stated dryly as both Kitty and Sirius jumped at the sound of his voice. “As much as I hate to break this up, I feel obliged to tell you the rest of her brothers are behind us, and that includes Duncan.” Remus hinted as Luke grinned widely, a slight blush crossing his face as his eyes met his sisters.

“Oh, Kitty” Luke sighed “not a word, the less I know the less they can pump me for.” he insisted as Cat opened her mouth to offer an explanation. “Besides, I’m married with two children, I think I can figure this one out for myself.” he added. “Come on lover boy, as much as you two may want to, in all good faith, and being the eldest, there is NO way I’m leaving you here with her.” he stated as he tugged at Sirius’s arm.

Laughing softly, Sirius nodded “Alright, alright, I can take a hint. Just let me say goodnight first?” seeing Luke nod, Sirius turned back to Cat. “Goodnight gra, …..dream about me?” he whispered as he kissed her softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow before you leave for the Weasley’s.” he added as he stepped away from her and joined Remus and Luke.

“I don’t need an escort, honestly. I won’t do anything…” Sirius insisted as Remus and Luke placed their arms around him and pulled him along with them.

“It’s not an escort” Remus replied evenly, “Luke and I need to have a private and possibly painful discussion with you Padfoot.”

“All I did was kiss her, you can’t honestly be thinking of hurting me for that.” Sirius joked as he turned to Luke who had a crestfallen look on his face.

“Sirius, my friend. If all you’ve done is kissed her, I can almost guarantee this will be painful.” Luke sighed deeply as he motioned the men into his room, which was only a few doors down from Cat’s.

“What’s going on?” Sirius asked nervously as Luke sat him down on the bed and drug a chair over for himself as Remus sat down next to Sirius. “Please, don’t toy with me like this, has something happened? Have they already refused to even let me ask for her hand in marriage?”

“No Sirius, nothing like that. In fact the whole clan is very fond of you.” Luke answered softly. “Its just that we noticed some things today while everyone was dancing.”

“I’m sorry” Sirius responded immediately “I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong when I held her, I mean, she was sleeping, and no one really seemed to mind, …..even Duncan thought it was…”

“It’s not that Sirius.” Luke interrupted, shuffling himself nervously. “It’s more the fact that she fell asleep, than what you or anyone else did regarding it. Some questions have been asked regarding the state of her health…and…uhm…..” Luke looked to Remus for help as he struggled to find the right words.

“Padfoot, do you swear to me, and to her brother that you and Kitty haven’t ’done’ anything?” Remus asked, stepping in for Luke. “It doesn’t matter to us one way or the other” he assured him, “but before we go any further with this conversation we need to know what we’re dealing with.”

“What do you mean ’what you’re dealing with’? Remus, you’re not making any sense.”

“Just answer the question Sirius” Luke insisted, taking Siri’s hand in his and drawing his attention completely. “Yes or no”

Sirius shook his head, “No, we’ve only just started getting physically close again. I swear, I haven’t done anymore than kiss her and maybe a little touch here and there, but nothing that even Duncan or her father could be angry about.”

“I was afraid that would be your answer” Luke sighed, his shoulders slumping noticeably as he looked back up at Sirius and Remus. “I’ve never know her to fall asleep when there was dancing or singing to be done. I’m not the only one who noticed that, ….add that to the innocent, but rather incendiary question of one of the children and you can imagine what I’m dealing with.”

“What question was that?” Sirius asked, obviously oblivious to what was being hinted at.

Remus cleared his throat and looked at Luke before explaining to his friend “Sirius, there is some talk that Kitty may be with child.” he said softly, “We don’t know this for sure, but her behavior over the past day or two,…..well….” he watched as Sirius’s eyes lit up with the thought of being a father, only to fizzle dully as the realization of what Luke and Remus were telling him sank in.

“You mean he’s the father.” Sirius said flatly as his body and mind went numb…..

Cat sighed deeply as she ran her fingers over the spot were Sirius had nibbled on her neck. “How can he still do things like this to me? One day of being together and he leaves me breathless every time we kiss.”

“Does he now? Well I’ll make sure to tell that to Cash tonight when I see him.” Desiree grinned as Cat jumped at the sound of her voice. “My, my, but you must be in love, I can’t ever remember a time when I actually managed to startle you. I guess the rumors are true then?”

“What rumors and how did they get started already?” Cat sighed as she reached out and hugged the Caitiff Primogen. “And be very careful what you tell Cash, he doesn’t exactly need the encouragement to interfere in my love life.” she added, shaking her finger at Desiree.

Laughing lightly, Desiree slapped away Cat’s finger and stuck out her tongue. “As if Cash needs my encouragement to do anything. Although I will admit to being personally interested in what’s going on.” she hinted, pulling Cat down onto the bed and sitting next to her. “He seems a bit scruffy, and he needs some meat on his bones, but he has amazing eyes and he seems absolutely smitten by you.” she gushed as Cat blushed furiously. “And judging by your reaction, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.” she added winking playfully.

“Alright, alright, that’s quite enough” Cat sighed as she put her hands against her cheeks, feeling the heat pouring from them. “And yes, you’re right of course, but I’m afraid its not that simple…..I have someone else I’m also very fond of.”

“Really? Where is he? I didn’t see anyone but Sirius, Remus and your son come with you.”

“He’s still at the school” Cat explained, “I made Cash swear to me that he would watch over and protect him, although I know he really doesn’t want to. Cash seems fairly set on having Sirius as my husband, and I must admit it has crossed my mind too.”

“And what does your son have to say about the situation? Do you think he can accept either of them as his new father?” Desiree inquired, smiling knowingly. She and Cash had been talking almost daily, filling her in on all the goings on at the school, and of course their favorite topic of conversation had become Angel and her love life.

“Harry? Well I know he would love to have Sirius as a father, he’s already told me that.” Cat replied, smiling tenderly as she thought of the two of them with their nearly identical smiles and looks. “Heaven knows they could easily pass for father and son.”

“Yes, they could” Desiree grinned “but what about the one you left behind at the school? Does your son seem as willing to accept him if that is were your heart leads you?”……..

Severus was at a loss for words, he had no idea how to respond to Rick’s question. “I am honestly not sure what to think. You seem to… what I mean is….if you were Catri and touching me like this, I would not think it brotherly.” he finally said, blushing profusely as he avoided Rick’s eyes.

“But I’m not Angel, I’m me, and I am asking you what you think when ‘I’ touch you.” Rick insisted. “Look at me Severus, look me in the eyes and tell me what you think, how you feel.” Seeing the wizard’s blush spreading to even the tips of his ears, Rick relented and rephrased his question. “Okay, let’s try it this way. Have you ever seen Angel treat anyone the way I treat you? Holding their hands, touching them, even kissing them on the cheek or forehead….”

“She treats many people like that, particularly the students and Lupin.” Severus sighed, “I know she is a very affectionate woman, and I try to understand that, but she really should try to control her actions…” he stopped as Rick held up his hand.

“Does that mean you would like me to stop as well? Or that she should withhold her love and affection to those who mean so much to her?” Shaking his head, Rick sat on the bed with Severus, crossing his legs and getting comfortable. “You specifically mentioned Remus Lupin, you realize he is being fostered by my clan, and has been since he and Angel met as students here. I have seen them walk down the halls arm in arm, laughing, teasing, and at times chasing and hexing.” he added, smiling widely as he pictured them in his mind’s eye. “Would you deny her the joy that she gains from his friendship?”

“I would prefer they not make a spectacle out of themselves, and I could certainly do without her touching him so much. Or more to the point ‘him’ touching her, I have caught him kissing her outside of her classroom…” Sev replied, scowling darkly.

“Kissing her? On the cheek I’m willing to bet.” Rick commented, “Remus considers her a sister, and she has grown up around boys and men her entire life. She had to ‘learn’ how to conduct herself as a Lady, she preferred to be out with her brothers, wrestling and learning how to use a sword.” he laughed, remembering far to well the wild child of Magnus. “Her father had to forbid her to pick up a sword until her lessons for the day were over, she had to prove she was able to perform as both a healer and a Lady before she was allowed to join her brothers as a warrior.”

“So when you realize this, is it so odd that she would naturally prefer the company of a man of her own clan? One who understood how she was raised, appreciated her talents and humor,….one who understood the difference between passion and affection.”

“He doesn’t see her like that.” Severus spat. “He desires her just as much as I do.”

Rick shook his head, “No Severus, he doesn’t. He loves her as a brother loves a sister, in fact Cash had to all but force him to lay with her when she needed healing, he didn’t even want to think of her in such a way, it made him feel uneasy…….What?” Rick asked as Severus snorted disdainfully.

“You have NO idea how he feels about her.” Sev commented, “I went looking for them one night, I went to his rooms, I found a letter he had written to her, only he tried to burn it, and it was anything but brotherly.”

Rick paused for a long moment, thinking over what Severus had just told him. “You found it burnt, he was trying to destroy it?” he asked, seeing Sev nod, Rick continued. “He tried to destroy it so she would never know, never be harmed by a moment of male weakness. I would consider that proof of his good character as well as his dedication to her and to our clan.”

“You didn’t read the letter” Severus replied snarkily, “it left little doubt as to the depths of his ‘weakness’ as you so charitably call it.”

“You’re right, I didn’t read it, and neither should you. He threw it into the fire for a reason, it was written for no ones eyes, not even his own.” Rick chastised, “It is common practice amongst my clan to write things down and then burn it to rid yourself of hurtful things, whether they be habits, fears, or feelings……”

“I don’t care” Sirius shouted as Remus tried to calm him down. “Luke get out of my way or so help me. I need to talk to her!”

“Sirius, please, we don’t even know for sure that she’s with child, you said yourself she had a rough time of it. Healing you and Harry and then bringing you all here…I’m sure the shopping trip with Harry didn’t help things.” Luke pleaded as he stood in front of the door, barring Sirius from leaving.

“Aren’t you listening to me?!” Sirius bellowed, “It doesn’t matter……if she is with child then she is marrying me. I’ll propose to her now, with or without Magnus’s consent. I will NOT have her go through this alone, and I will be damned to hell before I let her go back to ‘him’.” he stated, an unusual viciousness rising in his voice. “he isn’t fit to be a father, he is cold-hearted, petty and just plain nasty.”

“You’re forgetting slimey and greasy” Remus sighed as he forced Sirius away from the door with Luke’s help and into the chair. “Now listen to me Padfoot! Either you stay still and quiet in this chair, or so help me I will bind you to it and gag you.” he insisted as Sirius shot him a nasty glare. “Now before you have a complete breakdown, try to think this through. One, how do you think Kitty is going to react if you barge into her bedroom and accuse her of being pregnant? I doubt it will go well.” Remus stated, “Two, we don’t even know that she is, we simply asked you first on the chance that …..well….you know, that you and she had…” shrugging his shoulders, he continued, “Three, if she is, and at this point, it is an awfully big ‘if’, you and I both know that she will do whatever is best for that child, now that may well mean marrying you, or Snape, or someone else, or maybe it will mean taking no husband at all. That is ‘her’ decision Sirius, not yours, not mine, hers.”

“She won’t marry him” Sirius insisted, “maybe she would a few days ago, but not now. She can’t claim to love him completely, she still loves me Remus, she told me so herself. And I swear I would raise the child as if he were my own, you know I would.”

“Yes Sirius, I know you would.” Remus agreed. Seeing Luke nod his head and squeezing Sirius’s shoulder he added, “We all know you would, trust me, her clan has been keeping a very close eye on you and the babies. But its still not our choice.”

“The best thing any of us can do right now is simply to keep an eye on her.” Luke interjected, cupping Sirius’s face in his hand and forcing the wizard to meet his eyes. “Listen to me carefully Sirius, not a word of this is to leave this room. If she thinks we think she is pregnant, she will immediately think we somehow conspired to cut this other man out of the picture.”

Sirius shook his head “Why would she think that? Honestly Luke, she’s not like that…”

“She ‘wasn’t’ like that” Luke corrected himself “Ever since our mother passed away, she has had to take over the brunt of her duties, including most of the diplomatic ones. If you ever wanted to make someone paranoid and think the worst of a person, teach them to be a diplomat. She has to put on a brave face, play nice and see every angle of every move, she has to anticipate if someone is truly wishing to be an ally or if they are plotting to destroy us. I have watched her and have been completely amazed at what she does. There have been people I was “certain” were our friends, only to have her tell me what they were really up to, and she was absolutely right, every time.” he sighed deeply. “Sirius, she is not the same girl you once knew, she is a woman now, a leader among her clan. She has learned through suffering and experience what she could not learn any other way.”

“Hmmm, no wonder she sympathizes with Severus so much” Remus mused as he sat down on the bed, the wheels of his mind visibly spinning as Luke and Sirius stared at him, waiting for him to speak……

“So Brutus, Cobryn, are you ready to meet Desiree and the rest of our Caitiff brethren?” Cash asked “Fang and his Garou are already waiting for them in the forest. And from what has been reported to me, the Roma should be arriving by late morning tomorrow. Dimitri is with them, he is a Ventrue childer with no sire, and I have the distinct feeling he may well be joining with the Caitiff before our time here is done.”

“Really?” Cobryn replied, his darting, intelligent eyes taking in every inch of the school, searching out its secrets as they made their way to the main doors. “And what makes you say this? Has he voiced a desire to leave his sire’s clan?”

“Not in so many words, although he has hinted in words and deeds that he wishes to remain with my clan.” Cash explained, keeping a careful eye on the young Caitiff hunter. “He has stated on several occasions that he feels more comfortable and more accepted by the Gangrel than the Ventrue.”

“By the Gangrel or by the MacLeods” Brutus asked, smiling knowingly. “Your mortal clan is as addicting to we kindred as our blood is to humans. I have heard many the story told of Clan MacLeod and their acceptance, if not outright love of us. Even the Nosferatu are said to hold a soft spot in their ancient stony hearts for them.”

“Is that what is said?” a deep, soft voice spoke from the depths of the shadows, startling Brutus and Cobryn, but only eliciting a lop-sided grin from Cash.

“Hello Mohrg. How are you this brisk and cheerful evening.” Cash asked as he walked up and offered his hand to the Nosferatu. “Have you met our guests yet? This is Brutus the hunter of Clan Gangrel, and this is Cobryn the hunter of Clan Caitiff.”

Cash tried not to laugh outright as Brutus and Cobryn, brave warriors and proven hunters both, stared at Mohrg with a mixture of trepidation and amazement. “This is Mohrg the scholar of Clan Nosferatu. His knowledge and skill have been invaluable to us and to the students of this school.”

Mohrg nodded politely, “I and my ancient stony heart are glad to see you have arrived safely. Although in the future, I would suggest you not speak of things you know nothing about.” he added icily………

Merlin sighed as he watched over his sleeping god daughter, “Very soon my dearest, very soon. We’ll have you married to a man who adores you and wants nothing more than to have a family of his own.” he whispered as he tenderly kissed her forehead, grinning widely as she smiled in her sleep. “It seems you like the idea, good. I would much prefer that you love your husband as opposed to it being a purely political match. Those just don’t seem to turn out very well now adays.”

“Merlin?” Luke whispered as he silently apparated into his baby sister’s room “What are you doing here? Has Aunt Orpha sent you too?”

“Sent me ‘too’? No dear boy, she hasn’t said a thing to me, but I often check in on my little girl, especially when she’s endured more than she should.” he added sadly, glancing tenderly at Cat.

“Endured more than she…..oh no, so you mean she ‘is’ carrying the other man’s child?” Luke sighed, a forlorn look on his face…

“WHAT!!!” Merlin shouted, startling Luke and waking up Cat, who immediately tackled Merlin, but sailed through him and landed on Luke.