“Harry, relax” Cat sighed, “I don’t know ‘why’ you are so hung up over dragons. With Hagrid as your teacher, I’d have expected you to jump at the chance to play with dragons.”

“Cat? Did you ever consider than maybe its ‘because’ of Hagrid that our Harry’s a bit shy of dragons…and anything else that shoots fire, bites, shocks..”

“Alright, alright, point taken.” Cat sighed. “And don’t worry yourself, Harry, the dragons are much smaller and domestic than those huge beasts you dealt with. Many of the elementals are the size of a large dog, and some are as small as a parrot. It depends on their age and such.” She explained, “All in all, you’ll find them very sweet although the younger ones do tend to be overly playful.”

“Would that be ‘your’ version of playful or Hagrid’s?”

“MY version of playful.” Cat assured him, “They tend to chase after things… feet, hems of dresses, ribbons….hair…” she paused as she heard Sirius laughing softly. “Keep it up, mister; injured or no, I’m gonna pop you soon. You’ve been an absolute beast since we stepped on the ship.” She teased, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You know, you definitely seem to do much better at night than you do during the day.”

“Really? Do you think that’s because of Cash’s blood?” he asked innocently. Only to see a look of shock and realization suddenly show on her face. “Gra? What is it?”

“Cash’s blood…that’s what did it. That’s how you survived.” She whispered, “I was wondering how you managed to survive long enough for Duncan to bring you home, Bruid almost didn’t make it; poor Siobhan was up with him all night long. Although on the plus side, I think it’s helped their relationship.” She added candidly as her eyes drifted towards Sara. “Siri? Have you noticed anything else since Cash blood bonded with you?”

Sirius shook his head, “No, not really, but then again, I’ve gone from Hogwarts to Fernglennis,” he shrugged, “so who can say. I’ve felt a lot better than I have in years, but I’ve been putting that down to the company.” He smiled, pulling Cat closer as he took her hand. Noticing Harry staring at them, Sirius cleared his throat, giving Harry a meaningful glance.

“Oh, right,.. I should…go…yeh, go seeeee, Sara.” Harry stuttered, only to hear Cat laughing.

“No, you can stay right here. Sirius may think he’s well enough to try something, but I assure you, he is NOT.” Cat insisted, fixing her gaze on Sirius, she continued, “And you – stop it now. You already have tongues wagging, the last thing I need is for rumours to proceed me. Especially if those same rumours make it back to Hogwarts and to Severus.”

“Not him again” Sirius sighed, “gra, you really know how to kill the mood.”…..

Severus stretched as he finished grading papers at his desk, he scowled as he realized that his classroom would be full of students in just a day or two. It was a mixed blessing at best, they would give him the opportunity to occupy his mind with something other than thoughts of what Catri was doing; but at the same time their presence only meant that Voldemort had more victims to choose from should the rumours be correct.

He considered patrolling the school once more, it was more important than ever, now that the Weasley children had returned. He wondered if he should find Rick first, he may want to patrol with him and it had to be close to sundown, if not after it by now. Sev felt a strange shudder run down his spine as he thought over the past forty eight hours; Roel’s death, Rick’s need of sympathy, the news of Black’s death and ‘resurrection’ as it were, and of course meeting Catri’s Aunt Orpha. He couldn’t help but smile as he recalled the look in the elder woman’s eyes.

She reminded him in many ways of his own mother, her noble bearing, her emotion-filled eyes, the way she reached out to touch and comfort him. He mentally cringed as he remembered the look in her eyes when he pulled back from her; chastising her for touching him. It was not a look of anger or resentment, but one of pity and understanding. ‘Kitty had told her he did not liked to be touched.’ What else had Catri told her? Had she mentioned him to other members of her family? Would they all be as kind and gentle as Orpha?

Sev felt himself trying to hold in a smile as he thought about Orpha’s letter. He would be meeting Catri’s family shortly, in only a few days time he would be meeting his future in-laws. He stopped in his tracks as the full implication of the situation became clear…he would be meeting her family…how often had Catri explained to him how important her family was to her, even after she had been attacked by one of them in Hogsmeade. Even Lupin and the Gangrels had mentioned the sway her family held over her decisions. If they decided for whatever reason that he was not well suited to her, he wouldn’t have a chance of making her his wife.

He reached up to his chest pocket, smiling as he felt the folded piece of parchment safely tucked away were no one would be able to steal or alter it. At this moment, it was the only physical proof he had. And maybe, just maybe if he could impress her family enough, he would be able to find out exactly where Catri was and finally be able to see her again…..

“Look, Harry, right there, see that haze to the side” Cat asked as she pointed to the left side of the ocean. “That is the veil I was telling you about. Once we get past it you will be able to see Dia. But if you look up you’ll get a closer look at the guardians and their dragons.” She paused as Aeranna handed Harry a telescope. “Take a close look, you’ll see they are nothing at all like the ridgebacks you normally deal with.”

Nodding, Harry looked through the telescope, gasping as he immediately saw the bright purple eye of a dragon staring back at him. Stumbling backwards with shock, he felt his face flush as Aeranna’s hands caught him before he stepped on her feet. “Sorry” he whispered, “I wasn’t expecting to see one looking back at me.”

“Their hearing is extremely acute,” she explained “that’s one of the reasons they like to be sung to. But I’m sure your mother will teach you all about that.”

“Yeah! Aunt Kitty is going to sing to them again.” Sara cheered, “Can I help you this time, please? I promise I won’t bugger it up like last time, honest.”

Harry smirked as he saw a glance pass between Cat and Aeranna, “We’ll see, Sara, we’ll see.” Cat stated, her voice even although she looked as if she was trying to fight off a smile.

“Gheez, you make one little mistake….how was I supposed to know they didn’t like that sort of music.” She said.

“The fact that we told you several times ‘might’ have clued you in.” Aeranna snipped, “Do you have any idea what Kitty had to do to calm that beast down? Oh, Kitty, by the way, he’s been acting up again. Large plumes of smoke, temper tantrums, bellowing, you know, the usual.”

Cat nodded, “As soon as we’re settled Emma and I will go see what’s got him riled up this time. Although I have never seen such an overly sensitive lizard in my entire life.” she added, rolling her eyes as Aeranna smirked….

“Tris, I’m telling you, you really didn’t need to come with me, I’m a big boy.” Remus sighed.

“I know, believe me, I know.” Tris replied, smiling a bit too widely as she winked at him.

“Enough of that” Remus smirked, “we’re back at school and I wouldn’t be surprised if some students are already here.”

“And your point would be?”

“My point, my dear Miss MacLeod, would be that I do NOT want to give the students an education that their parents would not approve of.” he replied, grinning wickedly as he grabbed Tris’s hand which had been slowly moving towards his bum. “And that includes lessons on anatomy. No groping the professor, if you please.” he tried not to laugh as she pouted at him.

“You mean you don’t ’want’ me to ….”

“I mean, I do not want the students, to start asking me questions.” he insisted, only to pull her close to him and whisper in her ear. “However, what we do in the privacy of our own rooms is entirely up to us.” He didn’t need to see her smile, he could feel it, just as sure as he felt her arms encircling him….

“Well, now that we are ’all’ here.” Raul smirked, watching as Hamish elbowed Rick and winked at him. “I am extremely curious to know what the two of you want to talk to me about. I find it hard to believe that Cash let you come anywhere near me if last night was any indication of his current..”

“Stop.” Rick insisted softly. “First of all, do not speak badly of Cash, not only is he our clan elder, he is also our sire. You yourself know what that means, if not by Clan MacLeod standards than certainly by Clan Gangrel. And as for last night? You were both out of sorts and both way over the line.” he added, waiting to hear Raul’s expected snippy comeback.

“I know” Raul sighed, “but what am I to do? I am supposed to be primogen to our clan, yet not one of you shows me anywhere near the respect or trust that you show Cash. You do not come to me to discuss clan matters, you act against my orders both inferred and expressed…..I have no clan here.”

“That’s not true.” Rick replied softly, placing his hand on Hamish’s shoulder as he saw his elder clan brother’s body tense as if ready to argue the point. “But Raul, you must understand, until a few months ago, you were unknown to us. Whereas we have known Cash our entire life, both mortal and immortal. If you put us all together, aside from the first eighteen or so years of my life, there has NEVER been a time Cash was not there. All of us owe him our lives many times over, and you hurt him last night. We tried to talk to you, asked you to wait until tonight, but you refused, and now we’re not sure where anything in the clan stands.” Rick rubbed his temples as he continued. “Raul, our personal differences aside. You seem like a nice fellow, you certainly care about Angel and her son, and up until right after the battle you were right there for all of us. But since then you’ve drifted away from us every bit as much as we have from you. It does goes both ways.” he explained, suddenly thankful that Hamish had the forethought to ask the Roma to leave the room for this part of the discussion.

“Yes it does go both ways.” Raul snapped, trying to keep himself under control as he felt the anger, pain and hurt of the past few weeks rise up within him. “Why didn’t anyone come to me about the hunter being summoned? Cash knew about it, everyone seemed to know about it but me. And before you tell me it was Angel who petitioned the Prince, I already know that, I heard so from her own lips. But that does NOT explain why I was the last to know. And what about when you went after Gustavas? Didn’t I have the right to be included in that little foray?”

“Yes, you did, but so did Rick.” Hamish interrupted. “Someone had to stay behind to protect the school and it’s inhabitants. You were asked to watch the students and teachers, and since Rick is the only person Snape even comes close to trusting we wanted him to stay behind with him. And before you ask why ‘you’, ya big crybaby, let me spell it out for you.” Hamish stated as he crossed his arms over his chest. “We have only fought one real battle with you in our midst. You did an admirable job, no one would deny that. But this was not a hoard of mortal death eaters, or even hunters. This was Gustavas the wicked, we needed to work as one seamless unit or die. A point that was made VERY clear when the Caitiff hunter got involved.” Hamish watched as both Rick and Raul winced at his words. “We insisted you stay out for the very reason we wanted everyone but Clan MacLeod out. And at least ‘we’ didn’t go behind your back to do it. You may not have known every little detail, but you sure as hell knew we were doing something. More than I can say for you.”

“Hamish, that sort of accusing isn’t going to solve….” Rick began, only to be cut off.

“Enough of the touchy, feely bullocks.” Hamish growled, “He’s a big boy, if he can’t handle it he shouldn’t be primogen, should he? I mean, we don’t go running to him to ask him what colour the sky is or to ask him to wipe our noses and suddenly “we’re not a REAL clan”.. give me a $*#! break.”

“And I suppose Cash would make a better primogen, is that it?” Raul snarled as the truth of some of Hamish’s statement sunk in. “Would you prefer it if I just left, return to Prince Daithi and let him know this particular clan of Gangrel does not NEED a primogen?”

“No. What they want is for you to grow up and act like a real primogen. You ‘do’ realize its not all giving orders and commanding respect, don’t you?” a deep voice spoke from out of the shadows. “As much as I dislike the way Hamish phrased his opinions, he is correct. I have heard the same comments from the other clans here at the castle.” A dark figure emerged from the far corner of the room, swathed from head to toe in a dark cloak. “Raul, Primogen of Clan Gangrel, you and I need to talk. And these wayward Gangrel need to return to their sire, he is in need of them.”

“Has something happened to Cash?” Rick and Hamish asked in unison. Raul had noticed that neither of them had even bothered to ask who this stranger was.

“His heart is torn at the lost of his childer, he needs you both to comfort him and ease his pain.” the stranger replied, nodding slightly as the Gangrel nodded deeply to him before dashing off to their sire’s side.

“Now, as for you, Raul. I believe I may have to kill you.” the stranger explained, his voice soft and deep and completely without malice. “I am under the impression that you pose a serious threat to my angel.”…..

“So, married are you? I would have thought it would have been a large affair? Or perhaps the ravens lost the invitations you sent to us.” Deo suggested as he stood before Cat and the others. His long grey hair all but obscuring his yellow eyes as he shook a large staff at her. “And I don’t recall mention of a son before…although by the gods he is the image of you both.”

“And many greetings to you as well, Deo” Cat deadpanned, “Thank you for opening your home to us in the hour of our need.”

“Always the consummate diplomat” Deo huffed, “your father did a fine job raising you, that much is certain. I can overlook the slight of not being invited to the wedding, however…”

“There was no wedding.” Cat sighed as she motioned Harry to follow Aeranna and Lady Emma. “However there may well be a funeral” she added, her eyes flicking towards Sirius, “and if there is, I can promise you it will be followed by ’many’ more.”

Deo paused and stared intently at her, “So the stories are true?” Seeing her nod her head, he quickly ushered she and Sirius into the palace. “Aeranna and Emma will take care of your son. Does your husband need to rest, or would he rather be included?”

“Sirius, gra? Are you up to a long discussion, or would you rather get some sleep?” she asked softly, her hand combing through his hair as he leaned heavily on his cane.

“Just let me sit down and I’ll be fine.” He assured her, “And if this has anything to do with what’s been going on, I want to hear it too. I have the feeling I’ve missed a lot over the past day or two.”

Within a matter of minutes, they were all seated comfortably in Deo’s study as servants presented several trays of fruits, cheeses and liquors to them. The moment the last servant had left the room, Deo pointed his staff at the doors, causing them to be locked. He gazed at the couple for a few moments, taking in every aspect of them, their dress, expressions, body language, anything at all that would help him determine how truthful they, and the rumours, were.

“Where would you like to begin, Deo?” Cat asked. Her eyes darting back and forth between Deo and Sirius. “And how much has Aunt Orpha told you?”

“Enough to be immensely concerned.” The old man grumbled. “Is it true your. . . “husband’. .was attacked in your own land? Under your very protection?” he asked, fixing the Rion with a piercing gaze. “You do realize what it would mean if your Clan was to become divided, unstable?”

“Yes, I do…it would mean wide spread wars as others either chose up sides, or attempted to replace us.” Cat sighed, giving Sirius’s hand a squeeze as she felt his eyes upon her. “We’ve made many, many allies, Sirius. Its how I’ve been keeping myself busy for the past decade or so as I’ve waited to get my son back.” She added softly.

“Yes, many allies. All of which depend upon the strength of your clan to keep the status quo; enforcing the laws which we have all agreed to live by. If your clan should crumble, leave a vacuum, a void….” Deo didn’t need to finish his sentence, he knew she understood the full implication.

“I doubt it will get that bad” Cat said firmly, “I don’t know what is it Maharet expects to accomplish, but it will have to be done over my corpse. And that would end any and all hope for her and her blasted prophecy.” She paused to soothe Sirius as she felt him tense over her words, all the while feeling Deo’s eyes upon her. She knew he was evaluating her, trying to feel her out to see if she was strong enough physically and mentally to face the challenge. “Don’t bother trying to get into my mind, Deo, you wouldn’t survive it. And I assure you I am more than capable of killing her if I must.”

“Oh, are you?” he asked, a mocking tone in his voice as he leaned heavily on his staff. “She’s far older than you, child. And much more devious, if she chooses to see you or yours dead..” he gasped and fell backwards as a bright golden-red glow surrounded the Rion.

“If she so much as lifts another finger against ‘my’ clannad, I swear to the goddess that I will end her existence here and now. I know you think I am too weak, too kind hearted to raise a hand against my own,” she hissed as she stood over the Lord of Dia who was still laying on the floor, “but I have been provoked; baited into action. I have a mother’s heart and a warrior’s soul. Do not think for one moment that I would allow my children to suffer for the sake of a crone. Not now, not ever again.”

Deo’s eyes were large with something resembling fright as he stared up at her. Her normally soft eyes had taken on a fiery fury and the mythical Sword of the Sidhe could be seen floating near her shoulder. It seemed she was every bit as fearsome as her father, and she had her mother’s magical abilities as well, all in all a dangerous mix.

“Gra, gra! Stop it, he’s not the enemy.” Sirius insisted as he struggled to her side. He knew she had been holding a lot inside of her, but to be honest, he never expected anything like this. “Gra, mo ionúin, please.” He whispered as he laid his hand on her arm. He felt a wave of relief wash through him as she turned to look into his eyes. After seeing the look on Deo’s face, he was afraid she had finally snapped, that the kindness and light that he had come to expect from her would be gone. “Lord Deo, perhaps now is not the best time to discuss this matter. We are all tired, it’s been a very long day and I know I’d like to see our son.”…..

“Who are you and what do you mean, ‘you may have to kill me’?” Raul asked as he instinctively took a step backwards.

“I am the angel’s guardian and protector,” the stranger explained, “and it has come to my attention that she is in grave peril. Quite possibly from you.” He watched as the Gangrel’s eyes shifted uncomfortably, the primogen still wasn’t sure who, or more precisely what he was dealing with, but he would be shortly. “Why has Daithi sent you here? Who is your true master?” he asked as he took another step towards the primogen, smirking to himself as he saw the man’s nose turn up at the scent of him.

“Nosferatu?” Raul gasped, “Mohrg?”

“No, not Mohrg.” The stranger stated calmly, “Although I am well known to him, as I am known to all Nosferatu.” He stated as he slowly slid the hood of his cloak down, revealing his disfigured face. “I and my clan brother Mohrg are the eldest of our kind. As I am sure you know, we Nosferatu deal in knowledge and information. The wisdom of the ages resides with us, as does the current political knowledge of our daily lives. It is the latter that has brought me here.” He explained as his long bony fingers reached out, grabbing Raul in a death-like grip. “Sources tell me that Daithi has decided to harm my Angel, they also tell me he has ‘forces’ in place to assure her end. You have been sent here by Daithi...”

“I would never harm her,” Raul insisted, turning his face to avoid the sight and smell of the angry Nosferatu. “she is as precious to me as she is to you.”

“Somehow I doubt that. And I notice that you did not rest with your clan last night; you wandered the school and came to rest with a kinder that is all but Caitiff to his own ilk. What should that tell me, Primogen? What should I think when the MacLeod Gangrels refuse a fellow Gangrel their haven?”

“You should think ‘nothing’!” Raul spat, struggling to free himself, only to find his feet being lifted from the floor as the Nosferatu pressed him against the wall. “Let me go! You have no right to be here..” his words were cut short by a powerful blow to his jaw, one which caused him to literally see stars.

“I have every right.” He hissed, “She is my Angel, I will not lose her to you or your prince. She is under the protection of the Nosferatu, raise a hand against her and your life is forfeit.” Hearing the scurrying sound of footsteps heading towards them, the Nosferatu unceremoniously dropped Raul to the floor as he disappeared into the shadows without a trace….

“Aeranna? Where did Mum and Da go off to? Are they alright? He isn’t sick again, is he?”

“Hush child.” the Toreador cooed, “they have gone with Deo to straighten out a few things. I trust your father asked to be included.” She paused as she looked over Harry. “About your father? He seems to be very much in love with Kitty. Is this so, or does he simply need her?”

Harry knit his brow, “I’m sorry, I don’t really understand what you mean. Aren’t they the same thing?”

“Not exactly” Aeranna smiled, “One is born of the heart, the other of the mind and flesh.” She watched as Harry began to blush deeply.

“Ahh, uhm, I think all of the above would cover it then.” He murmured, finding it hard to believe she was asking him questions like that. He looked up as he heard her laughing at him.

“I think you misunderstand me, little one. I was not referring to, uhm… ‘what’ they do together. I was speaking of the reasons for their behaviour. Does he truly love her for herself, or is it for more…political reasons.”

“Oh, OH.. No, he loves her with his heart” Harry grinned, “In fact,” he whispered conspiratorially, “He’s kind of pathetic without her now. Whenever Mum and I go off somewhere, Uncle Duncan and Uncle Luke tease him about what a pain he was while we were gone. They say he’s worse than Aunt Siobhan, he keeps walking around, checking to see if we’re back, worrying about what we’re doing.” Harry’s smile was warm and bright as he thought about it. This was it, this is what he had been wanting for so long; Cat and Sirius being his parents. Worrying over him, loving him the way Ron’s parent’s love him.

“You suddenly seem very happy.” Aeranna grinned as his thoughts echoed through her mind. “I take it you approve of them being together? Never mind, there is no need to answer, your smile betrays your thoughts.” She added, teasing him lightly. “You asked me earlier how long you will be staying here, it seems you’ll be staying here until Kitty is certain of Sirius’s recovery. At that point you will go to the villa, it’s a bit more private; But for now, Kitty has insisted you all stay together.” She smirked “It seems she’s quite the overprotective mother.”

“So I’ve noticed” Harry grinned, “Do you know how long they will be? Should I wait up for them or just, I don’t know.” He shrugged.

“I honestly cannot say, I doubt it will be terribly long as your father did not look particularly healthy. Feel free to explore the suite until they return; this is the central room, were your guess would be entertained. The bath is through that doorway, the four bedrooms are next to one another with a private study on the end. There are several trays of fruits and such throughout the suite should you become hungry, but please mind the balcony. There is nothing but a sheer cliff beneath it, if you fall I may not make it to your side in time.” she watched as Harry nodded his understanding to her. “Will you be alright here alone? I know you are used to having a great deal of family around you at your home.”

“No, I’m fine, and it will be nice not to have to share for a few days.” Harry added, laughing as Aeranna shook her head at his comment.

“Very well, I will be outside the doors if you need me for anything. Kalliope may stop in latter and I believe you will meet Tara and Fabiana tomorrow.”……

“Angus. Any signs of them at all?” Cash asked, the irritation and worry evident in his voice.

“Not yet, although Fallon tells us they left nearly an hour ago. Dimitri said he thought he saw something in the shadows when we walked in. But there was no sign of any Gangrels at all.” Angus sighed.

“Dammitt! Why did they go off like that, after yesterday I would have thought they would both have enough sense to stay with their clan.” Cash spat.

“Perhaps the Professor that Rick has been watching over?” Dimitri suggested. “Would they have gone to look in on him?”

Cash shook his head, “That’s the first place I checked, he’s roaming the school right now, patrolling…and I think he’s looking for Rick too.” Seeing the questioning look in Angus’s eyes, Cash waved him away. “I told Shashe to keep her eyes on the Slytherin. I know how Kitty and Orpha feel about him, but my own come first….and speaking of the devils.” Cash added as he heard Hamish and Rick’s voices drifting towards them.

Angus smirked and rolled his eyes as he quickly moved Dimitri away from the door. He had seen this too many times not to know what was going to happen. Sure enough, Cash walked up to the door, his hand gently resting on the handle, waiting to feel his childer’s hand on the other side. The moment Hamish’s hand touched the handle, Cash yanked the door open allowing it to make a very loud bang as it slammed into the opposite wall. “And where the hell have you two been? Do you have ANY idea how worried I was about you?”

Angus pulled Dimitri further back, urging him to take a seat and relax “I’ve seen this many times before. Cash can be worse than a mother hen when he’s worried about us, this is likely to go on for the better part of an hour” …

Magnus hung his head as he listened to the ethereal voice of Deirdre whisper her knowledge and concerns to him. He had always feared that this day would come, the day that his baby found herself on the wrong side of Maharet. “What am I to do about this wizard of hers, my love? Even Duncan is fond of him, he and Luke came to me just the other day to tell me how much they approve of him.” he sighed as he saw Deirdre’s shadow flicker a brief smile at him. “I remember you telling me about this one once. You had great hopes for their future, you were certain they would be wed. So certain you refused to properly introduce the boy to me for fear I would scare him away.” Magnus chuckled, causing his long, white hair to ripple over his shoulders.

“I hope you are right, my love. I want to see her happy, I need to know she is safe, and I want grandbabies. Lots and lots of grandbabies, “ he shook his head and laughed as Deirdre’s shadow rolled her eyes. “What? Mac Lir never wastes an opportunity to let me know that he’s added another few to his fold. Is it so wrong to want to add some to mine?”

Once again he paused as he heard her voice echoing through his mind. “Her son? Not yet, but from everything I’ve heard he is as amazing as his mother….both of them. And Merlin tells me he adores his cousins, ….and is encouraging his mother to make him a brother as soon as possible.” he winked. “It seems he’s more us than even we knew.”

Magnus sat in silence, his bright blue eyes watching the eternal flame of the goddess flicker as the shadows of the departed danced around him. He was deep in thought, the death of his wife had left him alone in many, many ways; he missed her touch, her smile, her eyes, her company, but most of all he missed being able to talk to her, to hear her counsel on any and all things. It was a role Kitty had done her best to step into, and she was doing a fine job, but she wasn’t her mother. And now, it seemed, he would be losing her as well. “All I can say is her husband to be had better like company. I won’t let my baby go, I’ve lost too many daughters already. He’ll have to stay with us, preferably in either Tir na nOg or Fernglennis.” He sighed deeply “Although after what happened to him in Fernglennis I could hardly blame him for refusing the idea.”

He smiled as he felt his wife’s cool hand graze through his. “I know, I know, I worry too much. And if you have so much faith in this wizard I can hardly challenge you. Although your warning over our daughter’s womb have me worried. Why didn’t you tell me she lost a child? What could have possibly possessed you to keep such a thing from me? And why are you so frightened that she will shortly lose another? Is it due to this wizard or to Maharet, or to something else entirely? And is there anyway for me to prevent this from happening to her?”…..

“What do you mean? Why is he here? And why, for the love of Lugh, did you leave him alone with Raul?” Cash groaned, knowing full well what his friend was capable of. “We need to find him, if we’re lucky Raul’s still alive.”

“I didn’t think you would be terribly concerned about that” Angus growled, “especially after last night. How dare ‘he’ decide what is or is not..”

“Enough” Cash snapped, “I’m not happy with the blighter either, but he is our Primogen, and until that changes we have a responsibility to him, just as he has to us. I may not like him at the moment, but he hasn’t done anything to warrant death.”

“We didn’t mean to place Raul in any danger, I thought since they were both Primogens…” Hamish asked, “You don’t honestly think he’d hurt him, do you?”

“Hurt him? If he thinks Kitty’s in danger? He would KILL for his angel, you know that as well as I do.” Cash sighed, “What about the Roma? How close were they to you? Do you think they may be in danger?” he asked as they ran to find Raul.

“He wouldn’t hurt them.” Rick gasped, “They haven’t even met her, they have no involvement in this at all.”

“True, but then again he didn’t take the same oath we did. They are food to him, he is under no obligation to protect them, and I know Erich and Fallon well enough to know they would die to protect one of us. I don’t think they realize there are different clans with different views of mortals.” He sighed, glancing at Dimitri, wondering how much the childer had explained to them……

Harry looked around the suite, his mind reeling and his curiosity running amuck. There were things here he had never seen before and he was simply dying to see what everything did. He held up the hand that wore his wand ring and bangle, smiling as he wondered how well they would work in this new land. “Lumos” he whispered, jumping slightly as several lights flared up brightly before settling down to a gentle glow.

He heard a soft laugh escape his lips as he walked into what he could only assume would be Cat’s room. The light in her room seemed to be coming from several life sized peacocks votives that were scattered about the room. The tails of which were spread wide, bathing the room in soft hues of blue, purple and green. He smirked as he saw the bird theme carried throughout the room, even down to the legs of the furniture and the intricately embroidered bedspread.

“Mum is going to love this room.” He said out loud, while silently wondering if she and Sirius would be sharing it now that Mickey had introduced him publicly as her husband. He sighed as he sat on the bed, staring at the pillows and imagining Cat and Sirius sleeping there. He felt a strange tightening in his belly as he thought of them together. He was slightly embarrassed to admit he had no real idea of what a husband and wife would do in bed. He had heard whispers from Ron and his brothers, and the normal stories you hear in the dorms, but they tended to leave him with more questions than answers.

He smirked as he remembered his one and only attempt to talk to Cat about girls, he wasn’t sure who had been more uncomfortable, and Sirius at the movies wasn’t a whole lot better. Maybe Uncle Duncan or Paddy would be a better choice to ask ‘those’ sort of questions to. LJ had once told him that his own father would get tongue tied when he tried to explain the ‘birds and the bees’ to him, but yet he had no trouble at all discussing it with his cousins. “Maybe it’s a parent thing” Harry sighed, turning to stare out of the large open windows.

“Care to discuss it?” a gentle voice spoke from behind Harry, causing the young man to jump off of the bed and reach for his non-existent wand.

“Now, now. Is that anyway to greet me?” Leumadair asked, grinning widely at Harry. He laughed as he saw the boy’s face relaxed with relief and embarrassment.

“How long have you been here?” Harry sighed, “And how much did you hear?”

“Not very long, and enough to know you need a ‘big brother’ shall we say?” Leuma chuckled. “And you are absolutely right about that whole ‘parent thing’, Harry. Kitty has explained the facts of life to numerous nieces and cousins without so much as batting an eye. But I have the feeling she just can’t bring herself to think of ‘you’ like that.”

“What do you mean, think of ‘me’ like that? Like what?” Harry asked, screwing his face as he tried to imagine what Leuma meant.

“Like a grown up” he explained softly, “like a man. She still sees you as her little boy, as the ‘child’ they took from her. She has a hard time accepting the fact that you are nearly a man. Although, to be honest with you, I’m not sure that she’ll ever be able to truly see you as an adult, no matter what.” He smirked.

“Sounds like everyone else.” Harry sighed, “They all think I’m some little kid they have to protect from the truth. They don’t seem to remember that I am growing up. I mean, I’ve faced evil wizards, three headed giant dogs, insane vampyres, an idiot teacher who came closer to getting me killed than the of others combined…” he paused as he saw Leuma laughing and shaking his head, “What?”

“You sound just like your mother when she was your age. She survived everything and usually managed to thrive, yet her parents still saw her as a ‘baby’ someone that needed to be protected and coddled…just the way of the world I suppose.” Leuma grinned, “Come on, Harry, I want you to see this view.” He explained as he walked to the large windows.

Harry suddenly understood why the windows seemed so large to him, they were actually doors that opened up to a balcony; a balcony that seemed to float mid-air. “Be careful,” Leuma warned as he leaned over the railing, watching as the waves crashed against the cliffs, “it’s a long way down.”

“So, are you going to explain it to me?” Harry asked, “The whole, what did LJ call it, the “birds and the bees”? He rolled his eyes as Leumadair sighed, “I take it that’s a ‘no’, then.”

“Actually, it’s a maybe.” Leuma smirked, “You are more than old enough to know, in fact, I’m surprised you’re as ….I don’t know if I should use the term innocent or ignorant…as you are. But what ever it is, you shouldn’t be, not at your age.” Leuma turned to face Harry, leaning against the balcony railing and fixing him with a long gaze. “How much ‘do’ you know? Have you dated anyone? Kissed? Anything at all?”…….

Cash could smell the overpowering scent of the Nosferatu long before they got to the door, and he smelled angry. “Hurry up! Be prepared to move when we get there. Dimitri, I want you to hang back with Rick and Angus. Hamish, you’re with me.” He barely even registered the faces of Elora and her children as he ran passed them, knocking down the door in his hurry to find Raul.

“Where is he, Raul? I can still smell him.” Cash asked as his keen eyes surveyed the darkened room. Hearing no reply and not finding any trace of the Nosferatu’s mind, Cash turned to look closer at Raul. “Hey, you alright?” he asked softly as he knelt next to the primogen.

“What was that? And why does he call her ‘his’ angel? Why is he here?” Raul rambled, still shaken from the sight and smell of the corpse-like vampyre.

“Shh, not here. You’ll upset Elora’s children.” Cash whispered as he helped Raul to his feet and escorted him back to the haven.