“But Albus, you and I both know the Ministry is the least of his concerns. He needs Harry and Kitty, why do you think Magnus agreed to allow her own clan to reinforce that wretched barrier between our worlds. He knows what will happen if Voldemort ever gets his hands on her. And as for poor Harry,” she clucked her tongue as her eyes grew soft and mournful, “we’ve already seen what he has in mind for Harry, he nearly succeeded last year, …..”

“But he didn’t” Albus reminded her firmly. “Our Mr. Potter is quite resourceful, and much more powerful than any of us realize, I believe.”

“Or simply lucky,” Minerva snapped, “and luck has a bad habit of running out. Albus, we lost both of his parents, and nearly lost both of his god parents. Heaven only knows how either of them managed to survive, especially Sirius, that poor boy, sentenced to Azkaban and for what?” she sighed deeply, her lips pressed tightly together to stop the words she knew would fall from her mouth if she opened it again. How had this happened, how could one of her students, her Gryffindors have done this? It was bad enough to help Voldemort, but to betray your own friends, killing two of them and allowing the other to rot away inside such an awful place.

She was pulled from her thoughts by the touch of Albus’s hands on her shoulders. “Now, now Minerva. Neither you nor I can do anything to change the past, much as we may wish otherwise. I have a great deal of faith in Harry and Kitty, and in the bond of love between them.” he paused for a moment as he knitted his brow. “Speaking of bonds of love, what is the score between Severus and Sirius? As of yet, I see no clear winner.”

“So I’ve noticed,” Minerva replied flatly, welcoming a change in topic. “Cash is rather irate with the whole situation, he had expected her to welcome Sirius back…’properly’ .. by this point.” she explained, doing her best to keep a straight face as Albus gave her an amused smile. “That’s right, Professor Dumbledore, it seems her feelings for Severus may run deeper than you thought, so it seems I still have a chance at winning our little bet.” …….

“Is this it?” Harry asked, his voice a breathy whisper as he looked passed the standing stones of Ram’s Island to see a hidden grotto that led to Armagh and Mac Lir. “Yes, down that path and into a sheltered grotto” Cat responded “Do you trust me Harry?” Cat asked as she dismounted Viggo, letting him run free as she motioned for Harry to do the same with Shoshi.

“Of course I trust you, you’re my mother.” Harry smiled, taking the hand Cat held out to him. He followed her down the winding path to the grotto, asking her about the strange markings and stones along the way.

Cat’s heart swelled with pride and love as she and Harry strolled down the path, he was so full of questions, so willing to learn. It was all she could do not to fling her arms around him and hug him for the next week, she wished she could put into words how much he meant to her, how proud she was that he was her son. But for now, she would have to content herself with encouraging his mind and his soul, and save her praise and affection for later when they would be able to talk at length.

She found herself wondering how Mac Lir would see him, he had the makings of greatness in him, he would do his clan proud, anyone could see that, but Mac Lir had more than a passing interest in Harry, he would expect a great deal from the boy he had risked so much for. “Touch the walls of the cave, Harry” she instructed as they entered the passage way to Armagh, “the walls are imbued with magic, it reacts to the magic inside of us.” she explained as the cave lit with a soft glow. “Now comes the tricky part, we have to go through the water to get to Armagh, and I’m warning you now, the water is cold.”

“Lovely” he sighed, “anything else I need to worry about, like those monster eels Shoshi likes to chase? Or maybe man eating seaweed, rabid seahorses?”

“Oh stop” Cat sighed, rolling her eyes as Harry laughed at her. “Honestly, its no wonder you and Siri get on so well, you’re both positively goofy. Now behave yourself and hold onto my hand tightly, I don’t want you getting separated or lost. If it gets to be too much for you, just close your eyes, I’ll be right besides you the entire time, alright?”

“Alright” Harry replied, squeezing her hand tightly as they walked into a crystal clear lake within the cave. He gasped as the cold water wrapped itself around him, chilling him to the bone, but still, they kept walking. Harry took a deep breath as the water reached his neck, only to cover his head as the once solid ground beneath his feet slipped away into nothingness. He felt himself growing dizzy as the water swirled around him, it reminded him of travelling by floo, it was completely disorienting and rather rough on the stomach. Just as Harry thought he was going to either be ill or pass out, he felt Cat’s warm arms around him, holding him up as he realized he was once more on solid ground.

“The first time is always the worst” she whispered softly as he opened his eyes. He heard himself gasp softly as he looked at her, she looked so different from just a few moments ago. Her hair which had been in one long braid down her back was now hanging in loose curls over her shoulders, a gold circlet on her head and a long flowing train rippling to the floor from her gown.

Harry took a step back to get a better look at her, he wasn’t dreaming, her riding cloak and travelling clothes ’were’ gone, replaced by a silky gown of varying shades of blue and green. He placed his hand to his forehead, just to make sure he didn’t have a fever, and felt a jolt of surprise as he felt a metal band across his forehead, neatly covering his scar. Seeing his mother smiling at him with a knowing glint in her eyes, Harry looked down, only to see his jumper and jeans replaced by a long tunic and loose trousers made of the same material as hers. “Mum?” he asked, his eyes growing wide as he looked at her and then around the room they were in.

“Is this Armagh” he asked as he turned slowly, looking at the large circular room. The polished walls and floor seemed to be made from coral, with inlaid pieces of abalone and mother-of-pearl outlining the many arched halls that converged on the room. The ceiling was studded with large pearls which glowed softly, giving everything a warm, welcoming sheen. Before Harry had the chance to ask his Mum what had happened, he suddenly heard voices surrounding them. Looking around once more, he now saw scores of people, with both legs and fins, peering in through the archways he had noticed before. They seemed to be in awe of Cat, some of them bowing as she nodded at them, it took a few moments before he realized they were doing the same to him. “Mum?”

“Relax and smile, Harry.” Cat said, her voice soft and soothing as she attempted to stroke his messy hair into place. “These are Mac Lir’s people, we are known to them and they to us. We have both allies and family here, be polite, honest and courteous at all times, understand?” she asked softly, enjoying the look of wonderment in her son’s eyes as he continued to stare at the denizens of Armagh.

“I understand, but who are they, I’ve seen merpeople, and they don’t look anything like that.”

“Correction, sweetie, you’ve seen ‘fresh water’ merpeople, and you’re absolutely right, they look nothing like the sirens and naiads that live here, but I have to warn you to beware of the merpeople from the outer Hebrides, they like to eat people. But the Silkies usually keep them far from shore, so unless you’re out on the rocks, you really shouldn’t need to worry about them.” she added casually. At first Harry thought it was very odd for her to address the matter of man-eating merpeople so matter of factly, but then remembered how much of his clan included vampyres, manimals, and whatever it was that Bruid was. “So, are you ready to see Mac Lir?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be” he replied, gulping loudly as he felt his heart rise to his throat and his palms become slick with sweat. What if Mac Lir didn’t like him, what if Cat was wrong and he was upset about Hogsmeade, what if ….

“Harry, honey, relax, you’re breaking my hand.” Cat teased as she shook her head, her long, shimmering hair reminding Harry of a fiery halo. “Would it be easier if I introduced you to some people as we walked? I know they are all very eager to meet you.”

“Me? But why, I mean, I’m nothing.” Harry replied meekly

“Don’t ever say that Harry.” Cat said gently but sternly, “You are my son, the most important thing in the world to me. You are a member of Clan MacLeod, you have a family that loves and adores you, that alone makes you worth more than all the Malfoy’s and Fudge’s in the world, and certainly more than the Dursley‘s.”

Harry felt a warm blush creeping up his face as his heart filled with happiness. He hated to admit it, but just hearing her say the words, that he was her son, that he was loved….after a lifetime of being told day after day how much he was loathed, how his aunt and uncle wished he had never been born, or that we would have ’joined’ his parents… he couldn’t get enough of her love or of her pride in him. It made him feel as if he could do anything, simply because she loved and believed in him, just like Sirius did.

Remus sighed as he gazed at Tris, sleeping soundly as several of the children nestled in around her for their afternoon nap. He was tempted to join them, as much for the cuddle factor as for lack of sleep from the previous night. He shook his head sadly as he realized what Cash must be going through, he loved his clan with every fibre of his being, to have to watch his own child suffer the way Roel was suffering now, it was inconvincible to Remus. Even as those thoughts passed through his mind, Remus felt the pang of loss as memories of James and Lily flooded to the surface.

Gods, how he wished he could have his own family, someone to love and take care of, and maybe to take care of him from time to time. But he knew in his heart of hearts that it could never be. His curse prevented him from even entertaining the idea for more than a few minutes, the thought of possibly harming his own wife or children, it tore at him, what if the wolfsbane potion wasn’t quite right, what if the bars on the cell gave way, what if he became ill and couldn’t take the potion in time.

If nothing else, his attacking Kitty had proven one thing to him; no one was safe from him, no matter how much he loved them it wasn’t enough to protect them from himself, not when he changed. Remus wiped at his eyes, forcing down his pain as he continued to watch the peaceful scene before him, wondering if he too might be allowed to stay in Fernglennis if the Tremere remained free. After all, he had been ‘adopted’ by the Gangrel many years ago, a ‘mortal childe of the clan’ as they referred to him, and Tristessa was a Gangrel. A beautiful, charming, intelligent and loving Gangrel at that.

“You forgot sweet and sexy” Tris murmured as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled tenderly at Remus as she saw the surprise in his hazel eyes. “I’m sorry, but you might as well have been yelling it at the top of your lungs. You should know from spending so much time with Kitty what we’re like.”

“I wasn’t thinking” he replied softly, smiling down at her as she cuddled against one of the toddlers “I’m so used to Kitty I sometimes forget the extent of her powers, and the fact that they can’t always be controlled…..Do you mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Please do, I think I could use another set of arms,” she snickered as she looked at all the children around her. “did they send them all in here?”

Remus smirked as he nodded, “Pretty much, I guess, but it could be worse,” he added, pausing for effect as Tris’s eyebrow rose questioningly. “They kept telling me to come in here, keep you warm and all.” he winked. Secretly thrilled by the soft blush that was slowly creeping onto her cheeks.

Tris looked away from Remus as she tried to hide the desire in her eyes. He was so appealing to her, from his gentle ways to his tender, hazel eyes, to the soft curls around the edges of his greying hair. He made her feel warm just by the way he looked at her, she could only imagine what he could make her feel if he kissed her again, in fact, even the memory of his New Year’s Eve kisses were making her feel as if she needed to open a window……

Harry froze as he caught site of Mac Lir waiting impatiently for them, he was sitting upon a throne made of the same coral as the grand hall they had just left, only instead of being decorated with abalone, it was encrusted with deep green emeralds and black opals that shimmered with each flicker of light. Harry could feel his stomach tightening as Mac Lir stood up, his flowing hair and beard rippling softly as he fixed his gaze on Cat.

“So, my wayward niece finally appears.” he stated gruffly, “I was beginning to think you had forgotten your promise to me.”

“You never did have any patience” Cat shot back, grinning as Leumadair rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I am my mother’s daughter, you should know better than to doubt me. Besides, there is no way I could resist showing off my little boy, and you know that too.”

Harry felt a huge wave of relief as Mac Lir smiled and laughed deeply, “This is true, my little flower, so, come, show him off to me. Show me the child you have risked so much for.” he insisted, turning a kindly eye towards Harry.

The effect of Mac Lir’s kindness was immediate and absolute, Harry grinned from ear to ear as he stepped forward, Pennyroyal and Irish Tresses clutched in his hand.

Mac Lir wink at him as he took the rare plants from Harry’s hands “I see your mother had the sense to dress you properly” he stated, looking at Cat from the corner of his eye to see her reaction. “And she even managed to look half decent herself. Although a bit of sleep wouldn’t have hurt you any.”

“Oh, honestly, Uncle…” Cat sighed, throwing her arms in the air with exasperation as Leumadair laughed and encircle her with his arms, rocking back and forth as she continued. “You just can’t stop yourself can you? Its not like I have the spare time to stand in front of a mirror for hours and fix myself ‘just so’ every…..” she paused her blossoming tirade as she felt Leumadair’s head pressing against neck as he tried to muffle his laughter. “Something you would like to add, cousin?”

“Just that I missed you” Leumadair gasped in between laughs, “You do realize only you and Magnus would ever dare use that tone with my father?” he asked as he turned her to face him and gave her a large hug. He nuzzled against her neck and hair once more, breathing deeply as he remembered their childhood days, they had been everything from starfish to pirates together, they had been best friends and confidants. Which is why he knew almost immediately that something was terribly wrong.

“Kitty?” Leumadair asked as he pulled himself away from her and looked into her depthless eyes. “What is it? What’s happened?” he whispered, a strained and urgent edge to his voice. “Didn’t the Roma arrive safely? I promise you, I kept my word to you, I gave them my full protection…..”

“They arrived safe and sound several days ago” she reassured him, “But the Tremere attacked, ……the Gangrel…..our Roel…..” she lowered her head as Leumadair pulled her tight against him and stroked her hair soothingly. “Leuma, I know they aren’t telling me everything, I can see it in his eyes. Cash knows how to lie to me, but Hamish doesn’t, his eyes betray his soul. I want to go and help, but Cash and Orpha have done something, I can’t jaunt through.”

“Shhhh, don’t worry so much, cousin, I’m sure you’re over reacting” he insisted as he continued to comfort her. “Cash only has your best interests in his heart, and Hamish is every bit as emotional as you are,” he reminded “perhaps you mistook his pain and anger for something more?”

“I hope so Leuma, I truly, truly do. But I still think there should be more Gangrel at the school, its just not safe anymore, the Tremere, the Ministry,….. I have so much I need to talk to you and Mac Lir about.” she whispered, making sure Harry couldn’t hear. She felt a burden lifted off of her shoulders as Leumadair nodded his head and moved them back towards Harry and Mac Lir to rejoin the conversation.

Mac Lir raised his eyebrow questioningly at Harry, “Any idea what this is about?”

“No sir, none.” Harry replied, gulping as he watched this stranger hold his mother in a very affectionate manner. “He isn’t an old boyfriend or something, …is he?”

Chuckling softly, Mac Lir shook his head, “No my boy, nothing like that, he is my son, her cousin. Although Maharet has broached the subject of them marrying on a few occasions, but I don’t feel it a proper match, they love one another dearly, but not in the way that makes a marriage work.” he stated simply. “When they come over, I’ll introduce you to him, and the rest of my children.” stealing a quick look at Harry, he noticed the relief on the young man’s face. “Tell me something, nephew, who would you pick as a good husband for her?”…..

Saralonde’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the scene before her. A Nosferatu and a Garou, together was odd enough. But to see the ancient Mohrg sitting so casually on the stone floor, a semi-conscious Fang draped lovingly in his arms, a barely discernable trail of blood flowing down his fine, pale fur as Mohrg tenderly placed the alpha’s head on his lap. She watched in fascination as he stroked Fang’s soft, full mane in an attempt to quiet the Garou’s rapid and uneven breathing, whispering enchantments which allowed the young alpha to drift off into a peaceful sleep. The very moment she realized how exquisite a scene had been laid before her, she felt a painful, burning sensation deep within her chest.

Looking up, she saw Mohrg glaring at her, an annoyed scowl and an angry look in his eyes, -“Speak not of what you have no understanding of” - was the only warning she heard as the Nosferatu’s eyes burned into her mind and soul….

“So, temper tantrum over yet?” Mac Lir smirked as Cat and Leumadair rejoined he and Harry.

“I didn’t even get close to a tantrum and you know it” Cat sighed, “certainly nothing that warranted you sneaking off with my son.”

“Sneaking?! My dear child, I do not sneak, I never sneak.” he replied, a silvery eye brow raised as he stared at her. “I simply wanted to have a little chat with the boy, I could hardly be expected to hear him over ‘your’ tirade, now could I?” He waited as Cat moved to argue with him, a grin slowly spreading over his face as he saw the glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

“Brat”

“Impudent” he countered, barely containing his laughter as he watched Harry’s eyes fill with concern for his mother. “Don’t worry yourself, child. Your mother and I have been playing this game for decades.”

“Is that why you attacked her in Hogsmeade?” Harry asked softly, his brilliant, green eyes growing wide as he saw the strange look on Mac Lir’s face. He felt himself cringe as the silver-haired man stared down at him, a look of obvious shock upon his face.

“Attack?! When have I ever harmed my own clan?” he asked, his voice quickly becoming a roar. “Catrianna! What does he mean by this? When did I attack you? When have I ever raised a hand towards you?”

“Uncle, please, calm down.” Cat insisted, “He is simply asking about when you tried to bring me back home a few weeks ago, he doesn’t understand you didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

“HURT anyone” Harry shouted incredulously “Mum, you were in the hospital for days after that. You and Remus weren’t even allowed out of bed, you were both too weak to stand…..”

“Is this true?” Mac Lir asked, narrowing his eyes as if to stare straight into her soul. “Its because you healed those two wizards isn’t it? You must learn to harden your heart to outsiders, my little flower, your kindness will be your undoing.”

“Remus is NOT an outsider,” Cat insisted, “and neither is Severus, at least not to me. And I would have been fine if I hadn’t been attacked earlier by Voldemort’s minions.” she countered, crossing her arms over her chest. “They wanted the …..’gift’ you asked me to take to Albus, among other things.”

“Such as your life?” Leumadair asked as he slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Come, this is no place to be discussing such things. Father, perhaps we should adjourned to your private study before Harry is presented before the court. We can settle out everything there.” he insisted as he steered the little group to the richly appointed study adjacent to the throne room.

Mac Lir sat back and watched as his son slowly and effortlessly pulled all the details from Cat with little more than meaningful glances and soft words. Closing his eyes lightly, he remembered Maharet’s words as she left his palace for the last time, but she was wrong, the clan would not crumble, Cat would not lead them into ruin, his refusing to betroth Leumadair to her was not the end of the world as they knew it. Not that the idea was completely without merit, if push came to shove, he had no doubt they could make a happy life together, but if her son’s reaction was any indication, a suitable husband may have already been found for her.

He sighed softly as he thought of how proud he was of Cat, she was a strong, determined, loving and powerful woman, one any man would be honoured to call his daughter, Magnus was truly a fortunate man. If only Diedre had lived long enough to see her daughter fully grown, not that she didn’t show clear signs of promise as a child. He remembered quite clearly her determination as a teenager as well, the nights she would sneak to Armagh from the wizarding school that Albus was running, at first to visit with Leumadair and relieve her home sickness, but soon she started bringing a friend along. If only she knew the truth about Lily Evans, if only he hadn’t sworn to Magnus he would never breath a word of Maharet’s treachery to Catrianna. Poor child, if she ever found out that Magnus was not her true father, it may well crush her.

But no matter what he swore to Magnus, he held his oath to Diedre and Orpha just as dear, and they both insisted that if the other child, Lily, ever came to him, he should accept her as one of their very own. And that oath he kept as well, even to the point of creating a rift in the barrier between the Wizarding and Sidhe worlds so that the girls could perform the necessary spells to protect Lily’s unborn son. It was high and sacred magic, powerful in both its need and its depth. Even he, the son of the sea had cringed as he watched the young women bond their blood and souls together, making her child, ‘their’ child, effectively giving him the protection that would have been granted only to a child carried and born to the rion herself.

It had been the first time the girls had been together since Cat had been exiled from the Wizarding world, and both were willing to risk everything to save Lily’s child. He often wondered at the inner strength of women like Cat and Lily…to ‘know’ you were doomed to die, that everyone you loved was a target, that you only had the power to save one….who would he pick, how could he pick… but women were different, they didn’t seem to fear death the way most men did. Its as if bringing life into the world also prepared them for death and the complete and utter acceptance of fate. But still, to see them, so young, so full of life, so relieved and joyful at finally seeing each other once more even if they knew it would be for the last time. Mac Lir smiled softly as he remembered Cat rubbing her hands all over Lily’s belly, smiling and crying as the baby kicked and moved under her touch, as if he already knew she would one day be his mother.

It had been so wrong to deny them to one another, both the mothers and the son. They belonged together, Cat had risked everything to protect the boy, even to the point of defying her own father, the chieftain of their clan, to keep him alive. Mac Lir sighed as he remembered Magnus storming into the grotto, only to stop dead at the sight of his youngest and favourite daughter pulling down the power of the very heavens and earth to fulfil her promise to Lily. He had been nothing short of terrified to see his baby girl wielding such power, it was then that Magnus confessed everything to him. They had removed themselves from the girl’s presence, more for Magnus’s sake than anything else, it was after the third or fourth drink that Magnus had confessed that he knew exactly who the girls father was, and why Maharet had done what she had. He also explained why the actions of the girls worried him so much. From that moment on, Mac Lir had decided in his heart that Maharet was no longer the protector of the clan she had presented herself to be.

By the time he and a decidedly intoxicated Magnus returned to the room, the girls were nearly done with their spells. The memory of that night still was enough to take Mac Lir’s breath away, it had been the one and only time he had truly seen fire burning under the water, not the enchanted type that so fascinated the children, but a true, heat giving flame, enveloping the girls as their bright red blood and clear sparkling souls flew about the ring of fire, bonding together as the girls sang the ancient melodies of creation. As much as it had horrified Magnus to realize Catrianna had become more powerful than even the elder crones, it only served to increase Mac Lir’s pride. The children of the clan were strong, amazingly so, the blood line would not only survive, it would thrive.

As Mac Lir surfaced from his memories, he saw Harry staring at him strangely. “What’s wrong, boy? Forget your stick?” he asked, smiling as Harry blushed and looked down. “Come now child, out with it, why are you giving me such a look? Do you still believe I intended to harm your mother?”

Harry hesitated, he honestly wasn’t sure whether or not Mac Lir ‘meant’ to hurt Cat, but it was obvious he had. Then again, considering the way his mum had reacted to Mac Lir, and the way she and Leumadair were talking, maybe it was simply her over doing it yet again. “I was just wondering why you were smiling at me like that.” Harry finally stated, “and I do still have my wand, Mum just changed it a little is all.” he admitted.

“I had wondered why you were wearing wooden items instead of gold” Mac Lir smirked, “and to answer your question, I am smiling at you because you remind me so much of your mothers. They were both seers, both warriors in their own rites, I am very proud of them, they showed bravery and resolve when others would have given up. I trust you will do the same.”

“You knew BOTH of my mothers?” Harry gasped, covering his own mouth when he realized Cat might hear him. He loved her dearly, but he knew there was something she was keeping from him, “How did you know her? Did you know my father too?”