Cat walked out of her bedroom and smiled at Ginny and Hermione, “So, how do I look?” she asked as she adjusted her shawl. Judging by the smiles and wide-eyed stares, she must have passed the teen test at least. “Ready to meet the boys?”

Ginny stood there with her mouth agape “Wow! What is Professor Snape going to say when he sees you in that? I hope Mr. Black doesn’t get upset, I really think he wanted to go with you.” She smiled brightly as she studied Cat’s gown and hair, Ginny loved the way Cat could pull her hair up in an elegant swoop and still have long curling tendrils dangle over her shoulders. It looked so romantic, she was positive whoever she ended up with tonight would approved.

Cat looked directly into Ginny’s eyes “Sirius? . . . But he can’t go, can he? I thought he wasn’t allowed to be seen. And besides, if he went I’m sure it would be with Esmeralda anyway.” she added hastily as she pushed a curl out of her eyes.

Hermione screwed up her face “Esmeralda . . Who is Esmeralda?” she asked “I don’t ever remember hearing anyone by that name.” she looked to Ginny “Do you?” Ginny shook her head no as well.

Cat gave them a sad smile “I’m not surprised, I can’t imagine he’s exactly proud of her, especially considering the condition he’s in.” she shook her head as she winced “He’s just so thin, and he looks far too old for his years. I remember him when he was younger, when we were students here. He was so handsome, so strong, and he was always smiling” she wiped away a tear from her eye as the girls hugged her.

“Cat don’t cry” Ginny pleaded “I’m sure he’s alright.”

“Of course he is” Hermione agreed “He has us to take care of him, and the way you and Harry worry about him. . .” Hermione became silent as she saw the pain in Cat’s eyes.

Cat blinked her eyes quickly and smiled as brightly as she could “Let’s not ruin our night by talking about this. I personally cannot wait to see what the boys say when they see you.” turning to Ginny she added “Maybe I can get that son of mine to dance with you at least once tonight” she winked as Ginny blushed pink. . .

“When are they ever going to get here?” Ron whined impatiently as he leaned against the wall, “How long can it possibly take them to put on dresses and stuff?”

Harry shook his head and laughed “Sirius said to *never* ask about that. Its some kind of unwritten rule between men and women” he rolled his eyes as Ron snorted. “Just passing on the information” Harry insisted as he threw his arms in the air. It really wasn’t like Cat to keep him waiting like this, he was beginning to get a bit impatient himself, not to mention nervous.

“Hey Ron?” Harry asked as he stood next to his friend “What do you think is going to happen when I introduce Cho? I mean, what if mum doesn’t like her? What if Cho doesn’t like mum?”

Ron gave Harry a huge grin “Welcome to the family” he joked “You should have asked my brother Bill, mum never likes any of his girlfriends.”

“Yeah” Harry agreed “or his haircut or the earrings” the boys continued to talk back and forth, until Harry looked down the hall to see the girls walking their way. “Ron. . . Ron. . “ Harry gasped “Turn around, . . .look at them. . . w-o-w ” Harry found it hard to believe these were the same girls he had been talking to this afternoon.

Hermione was the picture of elegance with her cream colored, sheath gown and all the lovely wispy curls framing her face. Harry chuckled when he saw Ron’s mouth hanging open, trying desperately to get any words at all to come out. He turned back to the girls and suddenly understood how Ron felt when he saw Ginny. She looked like she had just walked out of a story book, her long full gown looked as if someone had painted a watercolor of the pretty butterflies that were circling around her hair onto her gown. Her necklace and earrings seemed to be made of the same dewdrops that were braided into her hair, they shimmered with an almost magical essence every time she moved. Cat stood behind the girls, her hands resting daintily on each of their shoulders. It wasn’t until Hermione had walked up to Ron to close his jaw that they got a good look at her.

Harry felt his heart ache the moment he saw her and realized Sirius wasn’t going to be there with them. She looked absolutely stunning, the full skirt of her gown just grazed the floor as she walked toward them, he could hear the rustle of the silk with each step she took. Harry watched as the embroidered hem seem to shimmer with the same essence as Ginny’s jewelry. He smiled up at her, noticing the way several long curls cascaded over her bare shoulders, contrasting with her milky skin. He was relieved to see she had put a shawl on, he could tell the top was a bit bare, and remembered Remus’s teasing her about it. But the thing he noticed most was her eyes, they were so full of pride as she looked at him. His heart was practically bursting with love and confidence just seeing how she looked at him. Harry was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Ron’s low whistle.

Looking at Ron he could tell he was thinking the same thing - wow!. Harry reached out to hug Cat as soon as he got over the initial shock of seeing them. “I can’t believe how amazing you all look” he gushed as he looked at Ginny and Hermione again. Harry’s insides felt a little funny when Ginny smiled back at him, “So Ginny . . . Are you meeting Neville here? Or are you going to walk with us to the ball?”

“Both” Ginny said as Neville came walking out of the portrait “Neville this is Miss MacLeod, Harry’s mum, oh. . .and she also teaches Divination.” Ginny added as she introduced Neville to Cat.

Cat smiled as Neville nodded politely and mumble his hello shyly, never looking up at her. Cat thought “I don’t recall seeing you in any of my classes Neville, what are you majoring in?” she asked, trying to get a conversation started.

Neville looked up at her and quickly replied “Arithromancy” before turning quite red and looking down again.

Cat raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry, mouthing the words ‘is it me’ and motioning to her dress. She was relieved when Harry shook his head and laughed silently, mouthing the words ‘no, its him’ and winking at her. “Well mum, I guess that means I get to escort you to the ball” Harry said as he grinned widely.

Cat seemed surprised “I thought you were going with that Ravenclaw girl.” Cat narrowed her eyes “She didn’t back out at the last minute did she?” she asked almost dangerously as Ginny and Ron laughed.

“Told ya Harry” Ron teased as he took Hermione’s hand and began to walk with her.

“Told him *what*?” Cat asked as she turned around to look at the two of them “What exactly are you telling my son, Mr. Weasley?”

“Oiy, Mr. Weasley” Ron quipped “Now I’m in for it.” he added as he rolled his eyes “I was just warning Harry about mums and girlfriends, that’s all.”

“Ah hah. . .and you are the voice of experience, having so many girlfriends yourself. Is that it?” Cat teased as Ron’s ears grew quite red.

“Yes Ron” Hermione added “how much experience with girls *have* you had?” she looked pointedly at Ron as everyone else giggled at them.

“Alright Hermione, he’s had enough” Cat said as she saw the uncomfortable look on Ron’s face “give the guy a break. I’m sure he was simply explaining to Harry how protective mother’s can be when it comes to their children’s hearts. . . Right Ron?”

“You betcha” Ron said quickly as he pulled Hermione ahead of the group and walked towards the great hall, trying to avoid any further conversation on the issue.

“So. . .” Cat purred “what *did* Ron tell you anyway?” she asked as Harry laughed all the way to the great hall.

Severus paced nervously as the students began to enter the great hall, he had planned to wait in his room, but found himself unable to sit still. He was beside himself with both joy and anxiety over tonight. He pulled his pocket watch out and checked the time, he had made reservations for them for a late dinner tonight, he wanted everything to go well. After all his future happiness may well rest on the outcome of tonight.

“It is only three minutes since the last time you looked” Albus said softly from behind Severus, chuckling softly as the professor jumped at his voice “Forgive me Severus, but you seem a bit distracted tonight. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, thank you Albus.” Severus replied “I am afraid it is merely a case of nervous energy” he sighed.

“Hmmm, nervous energy you say? I don’t suppose that has anything to do with our Miss MacLeod, does it?” he asked as he peered at Severus over his half moon glasses, only to see the potion master blush and stammer “I see” Albus said as he nodded “Well then, good luck to you Severus” he added as his eyes twinkled mischievously “I hope tonight goes smoothly for you.”

“Thank you head master. I hope so as well” Severus replied distractedly as he looked at the doorway again, hoping that Catri would arrive soon, the wait alone was nearly driving him mad. He could not imagine how he was going to survive the entire evening, he felt both anticipation and dread as his hopes for tonight flashed through his mind. Her bedroom had been prepared to his exact specifications, the flowers, the candles, the bed. He gulped nervously as he straightened his robes yet again, waiting for her to appear and set his mind at ease.

“Oh look” Ginny said loudly “There’s Cho, she’s waiting for you by the stairs” Ginny turned around to see Harry escorting Cat , his arm looped through hers as their matching green ensembles shimmered with an unearthly glow. “I wish I had a camera” sighed Ginny, “You two look amazing together.”

“My thoughts exactly Miss Weasley” a cheery voice said as the sound of a camera’s shutter was heard clicking away. Remus grinned widely as Cat and Harry rolled their eyes “Come on you two. . .did you honestly think I could pass up this opportunity?”

“As if” Cat said dryly trying not to grin back at him “and don’t be so pleasant, I’m still angry with you.” she added as Remus walked up and kissed her cheek.

“Now Kitty, when have you ever been able to stay angry with a marauder?” he asked knowingly as he winked at her. “You’re a big softly and I know it.” pulling her away from Harry for a few moments he whispered softly “I am truly sorry I didn’t tell you myself Kitty. I thought it would be best to let Sirius explain. I knew you would have too many questions that I just couldn’t answer. . .forgive me?” he asked as he squeezed her hand and looked deeply into her eyes, trying to fight off the desires she still awoke in him.

“Like you said Remus, I never could stay angry with a marauder” she sighed “especially you. But when I get back from the holidays, *you* will talk to me. I still want to know things, details, no matter how much it’s going to hurt me.” she added softly as she rested her head on his shoulder “I need to know the whole truth Lupy, I’m tired of being hurt by people trying to protect me from the ugly truth. I know you all mean well, but I think I deserve at least that much.”

“Of course you do Kitty” Remus agreed as he kissed her forehead, “and all you have to do is name the time and place, and I promise you, I will be there. With all the ugly truth you can handle and then some” he sighed sadly as he gave her a gentle hug. “But for tonight, lets try to forget it all and have some fun, agreed?”

Cat smiled at Remus as Harry came over with Cho “Agreed, Lupy. Pinky promise” she said as she linked her pinky with his while he laughed at her. He remembered the way she and Lily would come up with the strangest things, he assumed it must have been a muggle thing.

“Mum” Harry said excitedly “this is Miss Cho Chang. She’s a sixth year in Ravenclaw, she plays on their house team as seeker, just like I do.” Harry waited anxiously as Cat turned from Remus to meet Cho. At first Cat was all smiles, but Harry noticed a strange look ghost across her face for just a moment before her smile returned. “Uhhmm, Cho, this is Catri MacLeod, she teaches Divination. . .” Harry felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched Cho nod curtly at Cat.

“Good evening Miss MacLeod” Cho said evenly “I’ve heard a lot about you. I understand you’re not from around here.”

Cat paused for a moment, regarding Cho as Remus placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently “Yes, that’s quite right.. I come from the North. But please, call me Cat” she smiled and offered Cho her hand “My son thinks very highly of you, I hope I get the chance to know you better.”

Cho hesitated before shaking Cat’s hand “Actually Harry and I had made plans to sit with some of our friends, I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not” Cat replied “I expect Harry will want to spend a great deal of time with his friends” turning to Harry “but he did promise me at least one dance.” she winked as she noticed the nervous expression on his face.

Sirius leaned against the cold wall and shook his head, he had seen this happen far too often when they were students. He recognized the *look* immediately “Oh Harry, why did Cho have to do that” he asked softly, to no one in particular. It was obvious to him, and apparently to Remus, that Cho had already made up her mind about the Sidhe teacher. Sirius simply hoped Harry would be able to make the right decision, he knew how much he cared for Cho, after all, Harry had had a crush on her since the beginning of his fourth year. Sirius chuckled softly as he remembered Harry telling him Cho had agreed to go to the ball with him, the kid was practically doing cartwheels from sheer excitement and joy.

Sirius shifted out of the way as more students flocked towards the great hall, he had almost forgotten that no one else could see him under Harry’s cloak. He hoped Harry wouldn’t mind his borrowing it, but he just had to see them tonight. Harry looked so handsome in the robes Cat had bought him, and Cat. . .what could he ever say to describe her. She was, and always had been, breath-taking to him. Sirius closed his eyes as he remembered the feel of her skin against his own, the soft musk of her hollows as his hands caressed her body, undressing her as they kissed passionately. He could still hear her soft moans as his hands undid her shirt, fondling her breasts as his lips and tongue teased her nipples into pert little peaks of arousal. Her back arching, pressing her body against his as he grew harder by the minute, fighting off the urge to take her until the last moment. Sirius closed his eyes, trying not to think of the long, lonely nights ahead of him. It was bad enough he had lost Cat, but to have Harry gone for almost a whole month, it was almost impossible for him to fathom. But at least Harry would be safe and loved, and for once, he would be with family, real family, his clannad.

Sirius fought off the urge to walk up to Cat and wrap his arms around her, he had to find a way to make her understand. He could have kicked himself when Remus told him what Cat had said to him at breakfast. Why couldn’t he have just taken the chance and told her about Azkaban? It certainly couldn’t have gone any worse than this had, she had stumbled onto the truth with no warning, no one to tell her the whole truth. With any luck, he may at least be able to talk to her for a few minutes tonight. He just had to explain what had happened, why he was still a wanted man, she had to understand, she just had to. . . .

Ginny and Hermione stared at each other, as much as Ron had teased Cat and Harry, they were honestly surprised at the coolness between Cho and Cat. They had been expecting one of Cat’s typically warm greetings, she almost always hugged people when she met them. And suddenly her smile seemed a bit strained, as if she were smiling simply for Harry’s sake. And why did Remus suddenly have such a pained look in his eyes? Hermione nudged Ron and nodded her head at him, trying to break the awkwardness of the situation.

Ron gave the girls a look before sighing and approaching Harry, Cho, Cat and Remus “So. . .are we gonna eat or what?” he asked as he rubbed his hands together, hoping he didn’t sound utterly stupid.