“Only just” Rick countered, “and I don’t want you to push anything. The last thing either of us needs is you ending up flat on your back again.” Rick already had a smile on his face, he could see Severus had a comment ready for him. But unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to speak it, Rick had heard something and he wasn’t sure if it was friendly or not. Gently pushing Severus into the shadows, Rick stood in front of him, waiting to see who it was that he had heard.

Tilting his head to one side, he listened carefully “Cash? Fang?” Rick asked softly as the voices grew closer to them.

“Rick? What are you doing down here?” Cash shouted back from the far end of an attaching hallway. The sound of running feet could be heard as Cash and Fang rounded the corner and slid to a halt just in front of Rick. “I thought you were watching over Snape?” Pausing to sniff the air, Cash moved Rick to the side and smirked as he peered into the shadows. “Never mind then, I guess you still are.”

“Careful Cash, someone may accidentally misinterpret your actions and think you actually care about what happens to me.” Severus countered as he hobbled out of the shadows.

Cash grinned from ear to ear as Fang growled menacingly at the wizard. “Nice to see you too sour puss. Did Poppy say you could get out of bed? And Fang, calm down, those Alpha juices are running a bit high today, don’t you think?”

“He’s the one who took her away from us” Fang growled, “Olia would still be alive if he hadn’t taken Angel….”

“Stop” Cash said sharply. “Angel choose to go with him, no one had any idea the Tremere had already gotten here and penetrated the defences of the school. Olia sacrificed herself to protect us, all of us, and I will not see you belittle her life by attacking one of the people she died for. Am I understood?”

Cash watched as Fang lowered his head and winced his eyes, sighing deeply, Cash added in a much softer tone. “Listen Fang, I’m not asking you to become his friend, I’m not even asking you to like him. Tolerate him if you can, but do not harm him, not under any circumstances, alright?”

Fang looked up into Cash’s compassionate eyes and knew he understood the pain that was threatening to overcome him. “You’re telling me we are to protect this ‘wizard’ and his house? Even after they themselves have tried to kill Angel?” He saw Cash’s hand moving towards his muzzle and froze, he honestly wasn’t sure if the Gangrel intended to stroke him or strike him. Fang relaxed as he felt Cash’s strong fingers gently comb through his mane, tilting his head upwards.

“Yes Fang, that is exactly what I’m telling you. I know it doesn’t make sense to you at the moment, but it will in time.” Cash assured him softly, his calm demeanour and soft touch doing wonders to calm the new alpha down. “You have to trust me on this one Fang, when Angel comes back she’ll be able to explain it all to you.”

“Alright Cash” Fang replied softly as he tried to quash the tears he felt burning his eyes. “For your sake and your sake alone, I’ll do as you ask, you’ve never lied to me and I respect you for that.” He nodded his head curtly and walked away, not bothering to look back and see the pained look on Cash’s face.

Cash shirked as he felt Rick’s hand on his shoulder, “Don’t do this to yourself” Rick whispered, not bothering to hide the concern he felt for them both. “He’s still hurting, he misses her.”

“I know he does, I’m just worried about him.” Cash heaved a sigh as he turned to face Rick and Severus. “Rick, keep a very close eye on Severus, I know Fang won’t go looking to hurt him, but the way things stand now…..”

“I understand” Rick replied, placing his free hand on Sev’s shoulder, “we’ll return to Angel’s room now. Don’t worry about us Cash.” he added, winking as he tried to get Cash to smile.

Cash smirked, “Well at least ‘your’ confident, I wish I was. But knowing you, I really don’t have anything to worry about, do I?”……….

“You really would fight to protect me, wouldn’t you?” Sev asked, a tone of disbelief in his voice as they walked down the dimly lit hall together. “You wouldn’t even think twice about it.”

“And why would you think I wouldn’t?” Rick countered, steering Snape back towards Angel’s rooms. “I thought I had finally gotten it through that thick skull of yours that we aren’t the bad guys. I mean if we were, Cash would have waited until the Tremere finished torturing you and drained you of your life’s blood before attacking him, as it was, he just let him rough you up a little” he winked.

Sev grimaced, “Comments like that do NOT help. You do realize that I hope.”

“Actually, they do, I think you like the challenge” Rick retorted, grinning widely as Severus rolled his eyes. He was becoming so much more relaxed around him and his clan now. “And I think we’re heading the wrong way, Angel’s room is down the other hall…..”

“I know, I want to get some things from my room” Sev explained, “if I am going to remain in her room any longer I must be able to do something, or I’ll go mad. Unless of course you would like me to tutor you in potions?”

Rick smiled brightly “Don’t tempt me, oh potion master. You have no idea how much I love to learn, Aunt Orpha calls me her perpetual student. Every time she travels she always brings me back books and interesting things she’s discovered. I just love taking things apart and seeing how they work.”

Severus beamed as he saw the look of joy on Rick’s face, if only all of his students were so eager to learn. “I am being earnest, I will teach you the art of potion making if you feel you are up to it,” he insisted, “but I warn you now, very few ever master the subtle science of potions.” Severus tried to hide his smile as Rick’s eyes lit up at the thought of it.

“Sounds like a challenge to me, and I ‘never’ turn my back on a challenge.” Rick grinned

“Ah, so now the truth comes out. I was wondering how you got elected to be my nursemaid.” Sev responded sarcastically, only to stifle a laugh as Rick slapped his palm to his forehead.

“Dang, tricked me again. You are a smart one professor…..although not smart enough it seems.” he said as the stopped in front of a large, dusty bookshelf, “Forget the way back to your own room?”

“Don’t be an idiot” Severus deadpanned as he spoke the password and the bookcase folded back upon itself, revealing a short corridor. “Do you honestly think I would have the doors to my private chambers exposed for all to see?”

“Angel does” Rick commented, “so does Remus and Minny.”

Severus smirked, no matter how many times he heard it, he simply could NOT get used to the idea of anyone calling Minerva McGonagall, Minny. “Well that may be, however ’I’ do not like unexpected visitors. Much like Albus, I prefer my resting place to be kept private.”

“Who sounds like a vampire now” Rick tease, sticking out his tongue as Sev growled at him, only to stick out his own tongue at the Gangrel. “Oh, now that’s attractive, is that how you lured Angel to you?” Rick laughed as he followed Sev to his bedroom, shivering slightly as he felt the cool, damp air against the exposed skin of his forearms. “You aren’t planning on staying here very long are you? It’s not healthy, this place….it’s too cold in far too many ways.”

Severus sighed, Rick was right, his room lacked not only the physical warmth of Catri’s, but the emotional warmth as well and he already missed it almost as much as he missed her. But he should move back into his own rooms, it wasn’t seemly to be living in her rooms without her consent, not that he thought she would mind, but still.

“What should I bring back with us?” Rick asked, “Lesson plans and your books I can figure out, but anything else?”

“Yes, I’ll need a great deal more than that.” Sev sighed deeply, “I really should move back here, all my things are here, everything I need.”

“Everything you need to be a professor, perhaps, but I’m a bit more concerned with you as a person. One who should be more concerned about his health than his lesson plans and research.” Rick reminded him sternly. “I don’t want you to do anything silly…..like living in a dark, damp, dank dungeon….and so help you if you call me mother again.” he added, shaking a finger at Sev.

Laughing softly, Sev nodded, “Fine Rick, just get the books by my bed, the ones next to the picture.”

“What picture? The one on your table?” Rick asked, a bit confused by Severus’s directions.

“No, the one on my bedside…..” Looking around his dimly lit room, his eyes surveyed everything very closely, and narrowed as he realized things had been moved. The photograph of Catri was no longer in its normal place on his beside table, and someone had been rummaging through his desk, “Someone has been here.” he hissed as he continued to visually search the room, looking to his secret hiding place and sighing with relief when he saw it had not been disturbed. He immediately felt Rick’s arm across his chest as the Gangrel stepped in front of him, crouching as if to attack and sniffed the air.

“No one is here now Severus. Although there is a very familiar scent here….its female….its…its….” his eyes grew wide as he suddenly stood erect, “it’s Angel. She‘s been here and not that long ago either, maybe a day or two.”

“What??? She was here? She came looking for me?” Severus bellowed, furious with himself for not being here. Limping quickly to his writing desk, he sighed as he realized she hadn’t left him a note. “Circe !! Why didn’t I insist on being brought back to my own rooms. She came here looking for me, she’s probably been to my office as well. Perhaps she’s left a note for me there.”

“Or maybe she left one were she knew you would have to find it.” Rick responded, looking pointedly at Sev’s bed. He watched as Severus all but dove onto the deep green cover, grabbing for the note that had been propped up on his pillows. “What does it say?” he watched as Sev quickly read over the note, feeling his heart ache for the wizard as tears sprung to his eyes. “Severus, what is it? Wasn‘t she here?”

“She was here.” he responded softly. “She came looking for me and I wasn’t here.” Sev winced as he crushed the note in his strong hand. “She thinks I’m avoiding her, she thinks I’ve changed my mind.” Wiping at his eyes, Sev looked up at Rick “She thinks I don’t love her, that I used her just like Black did.”

“She said that?!” Rick gasped, not believing Angel would ever think such a thing of the wizard.

“Not in so many words.” Snape replied dully, “but the meaning is perfectly clear.” he explained as he hobbled back to his desk, his tears streaming freely down his face.

“How can you be so sure Sev” Rick questioned as he guided the wizard to a chair, “she left a note didn’t she? What did it say? She probably…..” Rick paused when he saw the forlorn look on the potion masters face. Gently taking the note from his hand and smoothing it out, he read what she had written.

Dear Severus, I had hoped I would find you here at the school. I’m sorry I left the way I did, but Harry was in danger, he was harmed during my absence and I ‘had’ to get to him immediately. Since you are not here, I am assuming you decided to remain at your home and have been informed that I have taken Harry, Remus and Sirius with me back to Fernglennis. I had hoped to take you with me as well, but I must assume by the lack of your presence here and the absence of any communication, that your feelings towards me have changed.

I do miss you, and I apologize if I have done anything to hurt you. I care for you deeply and I would never do anything to knowingly cause you pain. I hope you will still be willing to speak with me if I return to Hogwarts.

Rick sighed as he finished reading the note. “Just talk to her when she comes back, she’ll understand. All you have to do is you tell her what has happened.” Rick assured him. “She’s a very understanding woman, and she specifically stated how deeply she feels for you….. All you need to do is pull her aside for a few minutes when she returns..”

“IF” Severus replied sharply, narrowing his eyes with pain and anger. Seeing Rick’s confusion he flicked the letter in the vampyres hand with his long fingers. “IF she comes back, read what she wrote, not when, if.”

This was the final nail in his coffin, the last piece of his heart, not only did she think he didn’t love her, but he would never have the opportunity to explain to her how wrong she was. He HAD tried sending her letters, he realized when he had read her last note that he needed to let her know how he felt, but the house elves kept bringing back his letters, telling him that the owls couldn’t find her to deliver them, they had no idea where Fernglennis was. Feeling Rick’s strong and comforting hands on his shoulders, Severus shrugged out of the vampyres touch. “Just let me be Rick…I need time alone.” he insisted hoarsely.

Rick sighed silently, “Alright Severus, I’ll leave you here for a little while, but I’m coming back for you and taking you somewhere warm and bright. I’ll understand if you don’t want to go back to her room. But I won’t let you here to wallow in grief and pity. And I’ll be at the end of the hall, so please, do not try to leave, you’re no where near well enough to go anywhere on your own.” he insisted firmly, “I don’t want anything to happen to you Severus, I know in your heart you’re a good man. The wizarding world could use more like you.” he added softly as he squeezed Sev’s shoulder and left the room.

The moment the door closed behind Rick, Severus closed his eyes and sobbed freely. “Catri, how can you even think I don’t care? I love you, I have loved you for years, do you know how many nights I fell asleep wondering what it would feel like to have you wrapped around me? Your arm on my chest as your head rested over my heart, tucked just under my chin so I could feel your soft hair against my face. The sound of you softly breathing lulling me to sleep as I tried to calm my pounding heart as I realized you loved me every bit as much as I loved you. And ‘now’ that I finally know how it feels to truly be loved….” He shook his head, “I won’t do it Catri, I won’t go back to my old existence …I will find a way to get to you, even if I have to beg Cash to do it. I love you, and you must love me, or you wouldn’t have come here looking for me…”

Cat and Sirius were bundled up against the light snow, walking hand in hand and talking softly. Sirius smiled as he heard the voices and laughter of children playing, looking over the split rail fence, his heart felt full and warm as he watched Harry and his cousins playing. He sighed contentedly when he felt Cat lean against him as she too watched the children playing their games. “So, do you think Harry’s going to try out that new bracelet of his anytime soon?” he asked, grinning widely.

“I would be very surprised if he hasn’t already, you know boys and their toys.” she teased, playfully punching Sirius in his side. She was about to say more, but suddenly stood straight and narrowed her eyes at the scene before them.

“What is it Cat? What’s wrong?” he asked as he saw her brows knit, “You look like there is a problem brewing.”

“I just realized something” she replied somewhat distracted “its Harry, I guess I just never realized it before”

“Harry, what is it? He’s alright isn’t he?” Sirius asked, his concern immediate as he stood the fence, placing his hands on the rough wooden poles.

“He’s fine, its just, .... I never really noticed.... look at the way the girls are all trying to get his attention. I think they consider him a ‘hottie’ or some thing.” Cat responded with disbelief.

Sirius leaned over the fence so he could see what she was referring to “Hey, you’re right. Way to go Harry, …. they’re practically fighting each other over him” Sirius said happily with a lopsided grin on his face.

Cat looked at Sirius and swatted him, “That is not the response I was looking for.” she said exasperated “What kind of father are you?”

Sirius couldn’t have been more thrilled, that was the second time in less than an hour she referred to him as Harry’s father. “Hopefully a very good one, .... he smiled even wider as he kissed Cat on the cheek, “care to put me to the test?” Seeing the look on Cat’s face, he took off running as she chased him, throwing snowballs at him as she did so.

“Get back here Sirius Black, ….You are going to pay for that little comment.” Cat laughed as she pelted him with a barrage of snowballs. She watched as he faked a dramatic little death scene, complete with a final spin as he collapsed on his back into a soft snow drift. Running up to him, she shook her head as she giggled. “Why do I even put up with you Siri?” she asked as she offered him a hand up.

Sirius grinned as he took hold of her hand “Because we both know we can’t live without the other” he informed her as he pulled her down on top of himself. He grinned widely as Cat yelped and then giggled as the two of them rolled around in the snow, trying to pelt one another into submission. After getting yet another handful of snow down the back of his neck, Sirius finally decided enough was enough.

Using all of his strength, Sirius flipped Cat onto her back and straddled her as he tickled her mercilessly “Cry Kirin” he insisted as she laughed and wiggled, attempting to get free of him. “I mean it Cat, I’m not letting you up until you say it.” he paused long enough for her to catch her breath and say the words.

“Never you beast” Cat responded, reaching up to tickle him, but only getting pushed back again as Siri continued to tickle her again. “Stop,…Siri,….. Please….”

“Say it Cat, say Kirin.” he teased, smiling brightly as he saw the crimson blush on her cheeks. She was ready to give up and he knew it.

“Alright, alright Kirin….you win” she conceded breathlessly. Trying to catch her breath, she lay there for a few moments after Sirius released her. “Now my sides hurt, I hope your happy.”

“Ecstatic” Siri countered, grinning like a fool as he stared at her still flushed cheeks and snow filled hair. “Let me help you up gra.” he added softly as he bent over he and wrapped her in his strong arms.

Cat gasped as Sirius wrapped his arms around her, hugging her as he stood and easily lifted her off of the snow. He was even stronger than she remembered him, but every bit as loving and playful as he had always been. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she looked up into his blue eyes, feeling her heart thrill as he smiled softly down at her. She thought he might kiss her, but instead he gently forced her head against his chest and embraced her tightly, rocking from side to side as he kissed the crown of her head.

After a few moments, Sirius released her and sighed happily. “So, going back to what started all of this. Judging by your reaction of the girls to our little boy….you still don’t know about Ginny kissing Harry at the Yule Ball…huh?”

“She WHAT?!” Cat half yelled, half laughed. “Oh Sirius, she didn’t.”

“Oh yes she did.” he laughed as his arm circled her waist, pulling her close to himself and kissing her cheek.

“Poor Harry…..what did he do?” she finally asked, “It couldn’t have been too bad, or I’m sure I would have heard about it.”

Sirius laughed deeply, “He didn’t get a chance to do anything,…she kissed and ran…” he was laughing hysterically now as he pictured the scene once more. “she saw the stunned look on his face, they both turned bright red and she ran for the hills.”

“Oiy, my poor boy is going to have a complex if that keeps up.” Cat sighed as they made their way back home to get warm…….

Paddy looked lovingly at his sleeping daughter, he never grew tired of watching her and the way she responded to everything around her. To her everything was brand new, a wonder and a miracle waiting to present itself to her. “So Edana, would you like to have a mother? A real mother? I know Aunt Kitty treats you as if you were her own, and Uncle Sirius adores you, but I have someone else in mind, and she has brothers and sisters for you to play with already.” he added grinning happily. “Not that Kitty and Sirius won’t in due time, but I really think you’ll like Elora. I know she’ll love you.” he added as he kissed her forehead gently, taking great care not to wake her.

Hearing a noise at the doorway, Paddy looked up to see Zach and Duncan standing there, huge smiles on their faces. “You’re not going to go through with this, are you?” he sighed.

“We have to, its family tradition.” Duncan grinned and winked ,

“Yeah, you know as well as we do that any man who thinks he can marry into this clan had better be able to hold his own against us.” Zach added, “And since he seems pretty certain he’s going to be one of us, I see no reason to hold off any longer. What about you Duncan?”

“I’d say its long past due.” Duncan agreed, smirking as he looked at Paddy. “So, you joining us or are you babysitting all night again.”

“Did someone say babysitting” Remus chimed in as he tried to get into the room, all the while attempting to free his arm from a rather rambunctious three year old. “I don’t suppose he belongs to any of you?” he asked as he lifted his arm, laughing as the little boy hung from it like a monkey, giggling happily.

“I know who he belongs to” Duncan grinned, “come here you little monkey. Lets get you back before poor Dawn has another fit….Hey Paddy, why don’t you let Remus keep an eye on Edana for a little while. He’s good with kids and she’s going to be asleep for a few hours anyway, right?”

“Oh, are you boys having a night out?” Remus asked, extending his arms for Edana. He smiled tenderly as the little girl yawned deeply and snuggled against him, “You are a very lucky man Paddy.” he said softly as his eye misted over.

“I know” Paddy agreed “there are some days I can’t believe she’s really mine.”……

Cash grinned as Desiree’s kinder continued to ask him questions about kindred law and traditions. She was a bright girl, quick to catch on and very eager to please, “So Saralonde, how is it you came across Desiree? Was she known to you prior to your embrace?”

Saralonde nodded, “Yes, I had witnessed the clan attacking a gang that lived near my house.” she explained as she shuddered involuntarily. “I was only eight or so and she made me promise not to tell anyone, not ever. I agreed without thought, I believed they were angel’s punishing the wicked, just like the priest had told us they would.” she gave him a half hearted smile, “imagine anyone considering us angels.”

Cash nodded, smiling softly at her. “Actually you were more right than you realize. We only attack and kill the evil doer, they alone are our prey, and are to be hunted without regret or mercy.”

“But I’ve seen the clan feed off of others, not evil doers, but friends….”

Cash nodded “Yes, we feed off of those that know and trust us from time to time. As you get older and learn how to control your thirst, you too may be allowed to do this. After a few decades, you will grow tired and lonely of hunting constantly in an attempt to slack your hunger. Right about that time, you’ll come to realize it isn’t your hunger driving you anymore, but your loneliness. You will long to feel close to someone once again, someone warm and tender, and you will venture into the mortal world once more, not to hunt for blood, but to search for love.”

Saralonde shook her head, “No, I only had one love, and he has been lost to me forever.”

“Because you were embraced?” Cash prodded gently, knowing she needed to talk through her pain, but not wanting to push her.

Saralonde shook her head no and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve, “Because he died in my arms, that’s how Desiree found me. I was bleeding to death and still holding onto him….” Looking up into the Methuselah’s eyes, she could feel the sympathy and concern he held for her. She felt herself wanting to tell him, but also felt the nervous panic she always got around those so much older than herself. But somehow he seemed different, softer, warmer, as if the blood hadn’t really gotten to him the way it had the others. Those old ones barely even glanced at her, seeming to be more marble than flesh. Feeling the Gangrel’s hand on her shoulder, Saralonde sighed deeply and told him her story.

“Mica and I had been together for two and a half years, he would walk me to and from my classes, even carried my books now and then. We would hang out at the school yard, talking or watching him play basketball…whatever, you know. Well we were at the school one night he and his friends were playing ball and I was talking with my girlfriends, figuring out what we were going to wear to the prom. Well this one guy, Joe, was there, I don’t know why, he was bad news and everyone knew it, we just should have left the minute he showed up.” she stated sadly as a hint of anger coloured her voice. “It was starting to get dark, and me and my girls, we were going to go to Staci’s and look through some magazines to get some ideas. I yelled out to him and started walking over to tell Mica, but when I looked at him, he had this horrible look on his face, only he wasn’t looking ‘at’ me, he was looking behind me.”

“He came running at me fast, grabbing me and pulling me down, but it was too late. These stupid gang bangers saw that Joe was there and decided to take him out. They didn’t care other people were there, Staci’s little brother and sister were right there…RIGHT THERE…I don’t even know if they were hit or not. All I knew was I felt this terrible pain rip through me as Mica swung me around, trying to get me out of the way.” She paused and swallowed loudly as the scene once again played vividly in her mind. “He tried to save me, but they got him too, Desiree told me some of the bullets passed through him before they got to me….I couldn’t do anything but hold onto Mica….he was looking up at me with his big, brown eyes. Smiling at me like I was one of those angels he was always praying to at Father’s Raymond’s church.” she broke down into choked sobs as she tried to continue. She expected the Methuselah to scold her or despise her for being so weak and foolish for mourning her mortality. But he didn’t, in fact he did something she never would have expected from anyone so far above her in Kindred society, he hugged her and allowed her to cry on his broad shoulders.

“It still hurts you kinder…that’s to be expected,” Cash cooed as he held onto her tightly. He had been down this road countless times with his own childer, but it had been easier for them, they had always known and understood what it meant to be Gangrel, and they still had their mortal families besides them to love and comfort them. “The pain will lessen in time, I know it may not seem that way, but you must trust me that it will.” ……..