“Go on Dimitri, its only a few more miles until we reach Hogwarts. We’ll be there by this afternoon or early evening at the latest.” Erich agreed, “Go on and get some rest, I’ll have Fallon wake you when the school is in sight.”

“Fine, just take care to avoid the forest at all costs. The don’t call it the forbidden forest without reason.” Dimitri warned, “Even the Garou avoid certain areas of it, and I’m not inclined to find out why.”……

Feeling the bright warm sun on her face, Cat sighed deeply as she finally surrendered to consciousness and woke up. Moving to stretch, she felt a strange yet all too familiar sensation run up her spine. “Sirius?” she whispered softly as she turned to see Sirius Black sound asleep, his strong arms wrapped around her. She held her breath as she felt him stir, nuzzling closer against her and sighing contentedly. Allowing herself a moment of selfish honesty, she closed her eyes and dreamed of starting everyday like this.

Sighing deeply, she attempted to remove herself from his embrace and get out of bed. But only succeeded in becoming more entrapped as Sirius’s subconscious longings caused him to tighten his grasp on her. Smirking with amusement, she carefully rolled in his arms so she was facing him. Trying not to wake him, Cat gently touched his face, studying it carefully as he slept, noticing every line and scar on his once handsome face, “I don’t care what they did to you Siri, I still love you.” she whispered as she caressed his face with her soft hands. “I almost don’t want to leave today, but I have to make things right with the Weasleys, Albus tells me Arthur is the only member of the MoM we can truly trust.” twirling his hair around her fingers, she added “Although part of me wouldn’t care if we never set foot in your world again, they don’t deserve your sacrifices, or Lily‘s.”

Looking at the clock on the mantle, Cat groaned as she realized how late it truly was, “After ten and no knocking? I’m willing to bet someone has seen us already. Not that it would upset you or anything, right Siri?” she teased, remembering all too well their conversation from earlier this morning. Unable to resist any longer, Cat propped herself up with her arm as she leaned over Sirius, giving him small, tender kisses as she tried to wake him up.

Feeling him respond to her kisses, she redoubled her efforts, smiling widely as she heard him groan and his arms move over her back. “Siri, ….wake up, Siri…” she cooed softly, watching as his eyes fluttered open. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to see your eyes before I left” she sighed as she laid back in his arms, enjoying the warmth and comfort of his embrace.

“Don’t apologize” Sirius responded, his voice deep and sleepy as he closed his eyes and smiled “I can’t think of when I’ve had a nicer wake up call. Are you still planning on going to the Weasley’s today?” he asked as his hands roamed over her back.

“Yes. Have you changed your mind about coming along? It may be safer for you there then here today, I’m sure you’re going to face an inquisition if you stay here.” she reminded him as she cuddled against him.

Laughing gently, Sirius gave her a squeeze, “Well now we both knew that was going to happen sooner or later. Besides, Aunt Orpha has already been here,” he informed her, “and I’m still alive and well, so as long as Duncan doesn’t get too upset, I think I’ll be fine.”…….

Hugging Harry and Sirius goodbye, Cat took a deep breath as she prepared to face Molly Weasley. From everything they had told her, it wasn’t going to be a picnic, apparently Molly was extremely protective of her children, and she seemed to include Harry among them. “Wish me luck” she called out as the roaring of the flames began, within seconds she was transported from Fernglennis to Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon, England. Looking at the teetering house before her, she couldn’t help but smile as she heard the playing of the Weasley children. “This must be the place” she whispered as she steeled herself and walked to the door.

She was surprised when the door flung open and Ginny came running out. “Miss MacLeod, Miss MacLeod, you actually came” she yelled as she flung herself at Cat, hugging her tightly as the boys ran to catch up to her.

“Hello Ginny, boys” Cat smiled, hugging them all in turn, “Cash showed me the letter, is your mother home.” …..

“Are you sure she should have gone?” Sirius asked Aunt Orpha, “She’s been so tired, and if she….if she is, well….”

Patting his hand, Orpha smiled at his concern “Don’t worry Sirius, yes or no, a little trip like this shouldn’t hurt her. Not to mention she’s looking much better this morning.” she added, winking “Although I can’t imagine why.”

Smiling sheepishly, Sirius ran his hand through his hair and laughed nervously, “yeah, about that….you do know that I,…uhm…I mean ‘we’…uh…”

Laughing at his embarrassment, Orpha nodded, “Yes, my dear child, I do realize nothing happened, remember I was there early this morning. Although had you been wearing robes and not trousers, I’m not sure that I would have been quite so convinced.” she added, winking playfully as Sirius blushed.

“However, since we are on the subject, I do need to ask you a few questions. From what you told me this morning, this other man is not liked by you or by Harry. I will discuss this matter with Harry later, but I wanted to get more information from you, Remus and Cash first.” Orpha explained as she patted the seat next to her…….

“Hello Mrs. Weasley” Cat said as she offered her hand “How do you do? I’m ….”

“I know full well who you are thank you very much.” Molly snapped, “I’ve heard quite a bit about you already. And I’m not sure that I like it either.”

“I am very sorry to hear that Mrs. Weasley” Cat replied, holding her head high. “After all the stories Harry has told me about you and your family, I had hoped we would be friends. I apologize for being presumptuous.” she said politely as she nodded her head and turned to leave.

“Cat…..Mum.. No, don’t be like that Mum.” Ginny cried, “I know you’ll like each other if you just give her a chance Mum, please.”

“I know all I need to.” Molly replied stonily, “She dresses you up like a tart, tells stories to our poor, dear Harry, and allows my boys to fight against monsters while she’s off somewhere doing who only knows what.”

Cat froze in her tracks and turned on her heels “First of all Mrs. Weasley, Ginny looked beautiful, not like a tart, like a lady. That dress was borrowed from my niece Sara, it was an original made by Hermes Giovanni, one of the finest fashion houses in this world or any other, and yes I know Sara’s father spoils her and there is no reason a fourteen year old should have any clothes that expensive, so spare me that lecture. As for my son, I resent your implications. Lily and I swore to each other that we would do anything and everything within our powers to protect one another’s children. That if anything happened to one of us, the other would step in and raise the other’s children as if they were their own. Harry knows full well that Lily is dead Mrs. Weasley, we all know that. So you’ll have to excused me if I don’t ask for details on exactly what ‘stories’ you are referring to. And as for your boys, I have never, and will never allow children to be placed in danger, not as long as I’m around to protect them.” Picking up her cloak, Cat turned toward the door, not even realizing Arthur had flooed in with Percy. “Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be returning home, to my son and the rest of my clan.”

“Miss MacLeod, no….” Ron and George said in unison.

“Great job Mum, now you’ve made her cry” Fred added as he stood in front of Cat, refusing to let her leave.

“Fred, please, let me leave. I’ve had to face prejudice like this my entire life, but to be honest, I don’t have the strength to face it today. I nearly lost Harry, Cash and Sirius to that wretched Tremere. It took everything I had to stop those horrible death eaters and save their lives, I am not going to stand here and argue with your mother over my worth in her eyes.” Sighing deeply, Cat added sadly, “Its obvious she believes the Ministry’s lies about me and my people, just like most of your world does. I’m different, therefore I must be evil….Margali help me, there are times I don’t know why I even bother trying to save your world from the likes of Voldemort.”

“Miss MacLeod, please, don’t leave.” Arthur insisted as he gently took her arm. “Molly is just upset because of what happened to the boys, particularly Fred. When Cash and Raul brought them back…..”

“What do you mean ‘what happened to the boys’?” Turning to look at the Weasley children, she immediately saw the guilty looks on the twins faces. “Fred and George Weasley, I want an explanation and I want it now.” she insisted, arms crossed over her chest as she tapped her foot.

“Uhm.. Well, you see…” George began, “It was like this” Fred added.

“Now boys, right now. And don’t try any of your tricks, I’m on to all of them and you know it.” she stated, shaking a finger at them. “Now tell me what your father and mother are talking about. What happened after I left?”

“Miss MacLeod.” Ginny peeped as she tugged on Cat’s sleeve, “If you promise not to leave right away, I’ll tell you what happened. It really wasn’t anyone’s fault, it just sort of happened.”

Smiling down and Ginny, Cat patted her on the head, “Always the peace maker, aren’t you sweetie? Alright, tell me what happened and if you can, why.”

Looking nervously back at her brothers, Ginny had Miss MacLeod sit down as she explained everything she knew, from Ron escaping the death eaters, to her attempted abduction and Remus’s intervention with the help of Fred and George. She carefully explained how Ron was told to stay and help Remus protect the tower and the twins were offered the chance to join Hamish and the others in searching for Harry since they handled themselves so well against the death eaters at the tower. She skimmed over as much as possible about the fight, more to prevent her mother from having another fit than to hide anything from anyone. At that point Fred and George took over, explaining about how Hamish and the others tried to get into the room to save Harry and Cash, but were so horribly outnumbered by the death eaters. And right when they thought they were going to die, the spell on the school must have fizzled because that’s when she showed up and took care of all the death eaters, giving them enough time to get to the hospital.

Molly sat down on a chair, dabbing at her eyes as she once again thought of how close she had come to losing her children. She watched as Miss MacLeod stared at the boys, her eyes wide and disbelieving. As much as she wanted to dislike this woman, to blame her for what happened, she found it very hard, especially when it was obvious this was the first time she had heard anything about it.

Cat took a deep breath as she rose from her chair. The first thing she did was hug Ron and Ginny, kissing them on their heads and sending them towards their mother. When it came to Fred and George, she also hugged them tightly, but told them “Boys, so help me, if you ever do anything that foolish again I will strangle you myself. Do you have any idea the danger you walked into? Hamish and the others have been warriors for centuries, battle trained and hardened. As much as you may like to argue with me, you are still children, wizard children, you haven’t been trained to fight and defend yourselves the way my clan has. Swear to me you will never do anything like this ever again.” she insisted as she stared them in their eyes.

“Swear to you?! They better swear to me and their father.” Molly interrupted, her face flushed with worry, ‘You have no idea how upset we’ve been, all I could think about is what could have happened to them.” she wailed as Arthur placed him arm around her, holding her tightly.

“There, there, Molly. I’m sure they know not to do it again.” Arthur assured her. Although he couldn’t help but wonder if the twins would ever really learn any lessons from life, they almost seemed to be charmed, considering the way they fell out of trouble, and it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying on their parts.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Cat sighed “no wonder you were so angry with me. I can’t imagine how I would act if I though someone recklessly endangered Harry. Ginny, be a dear and put the kettle on, I thing your mother could use a cup of tea.” Cat suggested as she placed her cloak over the chair and went to Molly’s side.

“Why don’t they understand, why won’t they listen” Molly asked between sobs, “I only want what is best for them. I don’t want them to end up dead like so many others.” She flung her arms around Cat as her tears also began to flow. “I can’t even be sure who to tell them to trust. The only ones I’m positive won’t hurt them is Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, we just don’t know who to trust anymore, I hate living like this.”

Cat heard Arthur sigh deeply as he hung his head, it was obvious this had been a long time in coming. “I understand Molly, believe me I do, but we’ve got to keep fighting, if we give up, no one will ever be safe.” Pulling out a handkerchief, Cat offered it to Molly as she shooed the children into the living room. “Hello Arthur, I believe it was, I’m Cat MacLeod, I teach Divination at the school. Albus has told me many good things about you and your family.” she explained as she offered her hand to Arthur.

“I’ve heard many good things about you as well Miss MacLeod, particularly from Raul. Please sit down” Arthur offered as he went to take the kettle off and make some tea. “My children are very impressed by you as well. They even tell me Fred has developed a talent for your class.”

“Really, have they” Cat replied, a strange look on her face. Seeing this Arthur sighed deeply as he levitated the teapot and cups to the table. “He’s not even in your class, is he?” Seeing her shake her head, Arthur rolled his eyes. “You think I would have learned by now. Those boys are such a handful.” he grinned, obviously enjoying the challenges the twins put in his way. “So, how is Harry?” Arthur asked, hoping it didn’t sound too forward.

“Yes, Harry!” Molly added, wiping at her eyes. “The letter said he was in Fernglennis. Where is he really, is he safe, is he eating enough?”

Cat laughed softly with relief as she realized how concerned the Weasleys’ were for her son. “Yes, he is wonderful. And as for eating, I think you’ll agree he’s made some strides in that department, I swear he’s grown two inches in as many days. He’s enjoying playing with his cousins and the animals, although admittedly its not always easy to tell which is which.” she added, rolling her eyes as Arthur chuckled at her comment. “And you honestly don’t need to worry about his safety, if I’m not there, his uncles are. And trust me, the only thing that can get past a MacLeod man, is a MacLeod woman.” she winked.

“But where is he really” Arthur asked, “you know as well as I do that Fernglennis doesn’t exist, its just a fairytale like Avalon and Tir Na nOg.”

“I hate to break it to you Arthur, but those places exist too. Lady Vivian rules Avalon, and King Oberon rules Tir Na nOg, and my Clan rules Fernglennis.” Seeing the look in Arthur’s eyes, Cat smiled warmly and added. “Come now Arthur, you shouldn’t be so surprised, after all, I’m willing to bet the muggles think places like Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are nothing but children’s stories, don’t you think?”

“Are you interested in Muggles?” Arthur asked grinning widely, “They fascinate me. I can’t understand how they survive sometimes, and their inventions are simply astounding. My favourites are batteries and plugs, I collect them, although my wife thinks I‘m quite mad.” he added winking as Molly rolled her eyes.

“I’ve spent quite a bit of time among humans, trying to forge alliances with certain fractions. Most particularly the ones who realized things are not always as they seem.” Cat explained, “I’ve even done some ‘freelancing’ for them, as a sign of my good intentions. Do you spend time among them as well?”

“Not as much as I’d like. You see, my duties as Chief Minister for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts keeps me too busy to really be able to study them the way I’d like to. I hope you‘ll be able to stay and chat with me about them, I find them enthralling.” hearing Molly clear her throat, Arthur became momentarily silent before changing the subject. “uhm Yes, we do need to discuss what happened at the school as well….I’m… I’m not sure that you’ve been told all the facts yet.”

“All the facts regarding what? Has anyone else been hurt? I thought it was only Cash, Harry and Sirius, and I’ve healed them all. Was someone else….”

“Harry was hurt?! Where is he? I thought you said he was safe, you even told me he grew.” Molly gasped as she jumped to her feet.

“Relax Molly, he’s fine now…..” taking a long look at Molly’s tired, bloodshot eyes, Cat realized quickly the woman had spent far too many nights worrying about her children and about Harry. “Molly, would it make you feel better if I brought Harry here to visit? Would it put your mind at ease if you saw him yourself and made sure he was safe and well?” she asked as she took Molly’s hand in her own.

“Yes it would, when can you bring him?” Molly asked, squeezing Cat’s hand tightly, as she frantically hoped she was telling her the truth.

“I can pop back and bring him right now if it will set your mind to rest. You look like you haven’t had a decent nights sleep in quite a while.” Cat spoke gently. “I would like to be your friend Molly, and if proving to you that Harry is safe and well in my care, then I’ll be more than happy to produce the evidence.”

“We don’t want you to feel you have to prove anything” Arthur interjected, “I’m sure Molly would agree with me, we don’t want to put you through any trouble.”

“I would like to see Harry, its not that I don’t trust you Miss MacLeod, but Harry’s become something of a seventh son to me…..I hope you understand.” Molly stated as she ignored her husbands signals to stop pushing Cat.

“Arthur, relax” Cat grinned, staring at his hands to let him know she had seen his signals to Molly “I would do the same thing in her place. Besides it won’t take more that a few minutes to pop back home, find Harry and then pop back. If I know my son, he’s either at the barn with his uncle Duncan or learning to snowboard with his cousins.” she sighed as she shook her head. “Although for the life of me I can’t understand what the attraction to surfing on snow is. Well at least there are no sharks to contend with, that’s a plus I guess.” she smirked as she took several steps away from Arthur and Molly. “I’ll be back in just a few minutes, I promise.” she said as she clapped her hands together and disappeared in a swirl of flames, much to the shock of Arthur and Molly……

Cash watched with curiosity as Desiree and Cobryn evaluated each other’s strengths and weaknesses. It was fairly obvious that neither of them was willing to trust the other, at least not yet. “Primogen Desiree” Cobryn began, nodding his head politely “I have be anxious to meet you. Although I must express surprise that you brought your kinder with you. It seems a dangerous time and place to teach one so young.” he commented as he casually pushed a lock of his sable brown away from his eyes.

“Among my Caitiffs, we protect and educate our young, she may be my kinder, but she is a childer of the clan. I have no concerns for her safety, her brothers and sisters will aide her at every turn.” Desiree responded, her smoky blue eyes taking in Cobryn’s slender, cat-like figure. “I understand you were not so fortunate, the Eastern clans tend to be less….nurturing….than the Celtic, or at least that has been my experience.”

Cobryn clenched his jaw ever so slightly as he regarded Desiree, his hazel-brown eyes seemingly calm, although he could feel a vicious storm brewing beneath them, but they would never betray the wounds of his soul. She was right, of course, East Europeans were a practical lot, they didn’t have the time or the resources to coddle the young and inexperienced, in his world you learned fast and became strong. He smiled serenely as he waited for the tall, leggy Primogen to try another method of questioning, he had far too much practice to allow such an off handed comment to even register on his emotional radar.

“You don’t reply? Have I offended you?” Desiree asked, standing in front of the fireplace as the light reflected off of the golden highlights of her blonde hair, giving her the appearance of a haloed angel.

“Not at all Desiree, it is well known that the Eastern Kindred have different values than the Western, I take no offence at such obvious observations. Although judging by your mannerisms and looks, I must question if you were embraced a Caitiff, you seem more Toreador, more Artiste, than outcast.” Cobryn allowed himself a slight sense of satisfaction when he saw the slight wince in the Primogen’s right eye.

“How very astute of you,….hunter.” Desiree answered, a tone of condescension in her voice. “But regardless of my sire, I am Caitiff now, by choice as much as by chance.”

Smirking slightly, Cobryn replied “Well, it appears we have at least that much in common.”…….

“Harry? Harry? Where are you sweetie?” Cat called out as she apparated into the barn.

“Mum?! What are you doing back so soon?” Harry asked as he and Duncan stopped moving hay bails and walked towards her. “Is something wrong? You don’t look very happy.”

“No dear, nothing is wrong. Its just that Mrs. Weasley is very worried about you, and she’d like to see you. Would you mind coming back to the Weasleys’ with me for a little while?”

“Would I mind? Are you kidding, wait until I tell Ron all about everything.” Harry said excitedly, “Can I bring some of the Quidditch things I got for Christmas?”

“Sure, sweetie, you go on ahead and I’ll meet you at the house.” Cat smiled as Harry ran towards the house to gather a few things.

“You are getting a little too good at lying baby sister.” Duncan commented as he tilted her chin upwards. “But your eyes still give you away. What is ‘really’ going on?”

“I’m not honestly sure,” Cat sighed, “I’m just tired and moody I guess. And being snapped at by Mrs. Weasley didn’t help, although in retrospect, I can certainly understand why she did.” seeing Duncan raise and eyebrow, she continued. “It seems the twins, Fred and George, decided to join our dear Gangrels in trying to defend the school and rescue Harry. It also seems Fred was gravely injured, I wasn’t about to say anything in front of his parents, but by the looks and smell of him, he was given blood.”

“What?!!” Duncan gasped, “A child, what were they thinking, don’t they realize what that could do to him? A wizard addict, isn’t that how those *&!& Tremere started?”

“Calm down Duncan, calm down.” Cat soothed, “I thought the same thing, but it isn’t that way at all. I took a very good look at him, there is no hunger within him, no yearning for blood, no shying away from the sun….nothing. He reacted to the blood the same way one of us would.”

Duncan’s eyes grew wide as he realized what his sister was hinting at, “Kitty, you don’t mean what I think you do?”

Before she could answer, they heard Harry’s excited voice calling for her. “That sounds like my cue. Do me a favor Duncan, tell Aunt Orpha about this, and see what Sirius knows about the Weasleys’. I’ll find out what I can while I’m there.” Leaving the barn and walking quickly towards the house, Cat smiled as she saw Harry standing on the porch waiting for her, knapsack in hand and Sirius behind him, a protective hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“Now Harry, when I told you that you could bring some Quidditch things along, I was NOT referring to Sirius.” she teased, “Although he is more than welcome to come along, especially if the inquisition has gotten to him.”

Sirius chuckled as he draped his arm around Cat’s shoulder, pulling her close as he kissed her cheek. “Not at all, in fact, outside of Aunt Orpha and Lia, no one’s even mentioned a thing, aside from your sleeping beauty act yesterday.” he teased back, grinning widely as she scowled at him.

“Keep it up Mr. Black, and I’ll send Duncan to talk to you.” Cat replied smugly, “I’m willing to bet you won’t be grinning quite so much after that.”

“Of course I will, I’ll be grinning the entire time you’re there, healing all the damage your over protective brother has done to poor, innocent, little me.” Sirius replied as he steered Cat and Harry back inside the house. “Come inside for a few minutes Cat, you’re cold as ice.” he told her as he took off his coat and placed it over her shoulders. “What did you do with your cloak, I thought you were wearing one when you left.”

“I was,” she grinned, “I just left it at the Weasleys’, I figured Fred and George would take the opportunity to leave a few ‘gifts’ for me in it.”

“And judging by that wicked grin, gra, you’ve already left something there for them.” Sirius laughed as Harry rolled his eyes and groaned ‘oh mum’……

Arthur Weasley jumped at the sound of the explosion, “That doesn’t sound like filibusters” he stated as he and Molly exchanged worried glances. Peering through the kitchen door, Arthur sighed as he saw a stunned Fred and George holding Miss MacLeod’s cloak between them, a package of dung bombs in their hands. “What are you two up to now?” he asked sternly, only to burst out laughing as the boys turned towards him to proclaim their innocence.

It was all Arthur could do not to fall to the floor in a fit of laughter, his twin sons stared at him as if he had gone mad, which only made the situation worse. “Fred, George…you have to see yourselves.” he gasped between bouts of laughter. “Molly, come here, look at this.” Arthur produced a mirror and held it up to the twins who stared wide eyed at themselves. Their freckles were glowing and changing colours while their hair shimmered with an icy frost, they grinned at each other, only to find that their teeth were now glowing bright pink.

“dad, ynnuf yrev” Fred sighed, then covered his mouth quickly. “egroeG”

“on, on, on.” George laughed, “siht did ehs eveileb ton nac I”

“Arthur! What is it, what are they saying?” Molly asked.

“Don’t worry dear, I think Miss MacLeod was being careful and placed some sort of charm on her cloak, they’re just talking backwards…..wonder how long it lasts.”

Molly tried not to laugh, but she had to admit, it was rather clever, and the boys didn’t seem to be in any discomfort at all. “Serves the two of you right” she scolded, “trying to put dung bombs in her cloak, I should make you sleep with the ghoul for trying something like that.”

“It’s alright Mrs. Weasley” Cat’s soft voice replied as she and Harry reappeared in the kitchen. “I really wouldn’t expect anything less from them. But I did warn them that I knew all of their tricks.” she added, smiling sweetly as the twins groaned at having been out-tricked. “that’s right boys, don’t mess with the master, only Remus and Albus have ever managed to get one over on me, and that was only because I couldn’t stop laughing.” she teased. “So Molly, shall I return them to normal?” Cat asked.