Cat sighed deeply “There’s nothing to be done about it Lupy. I accepted the fact that some people will simply dislike me because I’m not human. There is nothing you or I or anyone else can do about it. I just wish it wasn’t Harry’s date, I don’t want to be the reason for them not working out. Its obvious how fond he is of her.”
Remus patted her back gently as he felt her heave another deep sigh, trying to get her to brighten up he teased “You know. . .as much as I enjoy having you all to myself” he winked as she looked up at him “I can think of at least two men that would be sorely tempted to skin me alive if they walked in on us right now.”
“Anyone so much as lays a finger on you and they’ll have to answer to me” Cat practically growled “I’m the only one who gets to beat on you” she added as Remus laughed. “Besides, I would think you’d be more concerned about what the students thought than the adults.”
Remus laughed deeply “I already know what the students think” he squeezed her tightly as he explained “about half of them have made me out to be a tragically romantic figure, spurned by his true love due to his werewolf curse” he said dramatically “of the other half, well they’re pretty evenly divided. Part of them think you’re just looking for a good time, and the other part insist Severus has been slipping some sort of potion into your drinks at supper.” He winked at her playfully “Personally, I’m siding with that last one, makes the most sense to me.”
“Very funny Lupy” Cat grimaced “you know there is a VERY easy way to put all those rumors to rest, don’t you?” she reminded him as she looked into his hazel eyes, her own growing soft with emotion.
“Now Kitty, we’ve been through this before” Remus reminded her gently “as much as I wish I could, I would never risk your life again. I almost killed you last time, and its only gotten worse with age.” he admitted as he felt Cat hugging him “I want you to live a long and happy life Kitty. I want to see you with a small brood of your own. . .although I wouldn’t have any objections to being a godfather” he hinted as she giggled at him. “That’s better, I want to hear you laughing tonight,. . .even if it is with Severus” he added, rolling his eyes.
“Hey, you, no complaints.” she teased back “I’ve given you more than enough chances to change my mind, you furry little brat” she added as she stuck out her tongue at him as he laughed and shook his head.
Sirius closed his eyes tightly as he watched Remus and Cat teasing each other, at least their friendship had endured. In fact it seemed as strong as ever, Cat still relied on Remus to be her rock, and Remus clung to Cat, knowing she would always be there to support and comfort him no matter what. As hard as it was for him to watch them hold onto each other, he had learned a long time ago not to be jealous of them. After all, Remus loved her just as much as he did, so much so in fact, that he had willingly given her up to protect her from his curse. He simply wished he could join them, he needed to feel the touch of another person as much as Remus did. He needed to know Cat would accept him the same way she did Remus. Sirius felt a sob catch in his throat, he needed to get some fresh air before he lost his head and did something unforgivably stupid.. . .
Severus perked up the moment he saw Potter and his friends enter the hall, he noticed the concerned look on Harry’s face immediately. Scowling at the thought of what could have happened to make Harry look like that, and the fact that Catri was not with him, Severus quickly made his way to the group of friends.
“Mr. Potter” Severus said, pronouncing each syllable very clearly as his long black cloak swirled around him, “may I ask were Miss MacLeod is? I thought she would be accompanying you here. Has something . . . .happened?” he asked anxiously.
“Professor Snape” Harry felt almost happy to see him, if nothing else his presence help to relieve the awkward silence following Cho’s comments about Cat’s heritage. “No, nothing’s happened. Mum’s out in the hall talking to Professor Lupin, he wanted to take some pictures for the album.” Harry was almost positive he saw a small smile flit across Snape’s lips. “She should be in soon? Do you want me to get her?” he asked, looking for an excuse to talk to Cat in private about Cho’s reaction to her.
Severus seemed surprised that Harry would be so willing to bring Catri to him, she had mentioned she intended to speak to Harry about her feelings, but he certainly hadn’t expected him to respond so eagerly to the news. “Thank you, Mr. Potter, but no, I am sure she will be in shortly.” Severus stepped aside and allowed the students to walk past him and find their table.
“That proves my point Harry” Cho whispered “she’s enchanted him with her magic. How else can you explain him suddenly acting so nice?”
Hermione felt Ron squeeze her hand as she opened her mouth “Don’t do it Hermione” Ron whispered “its his mum and his girlfriend” he whispered lowly.
“Maybe he’s in love with her” Ginny stated simply as she ignored the glare Ron had just given to Hermione “people always behave nicely when they’re in love.”
Cho shook her head “Snape would need a heart to fall in love, we all know he doesn’t have one of those. Unless you count the ones he keeps in jars on the storage shelves.”
Ron chortled as Hermione sighed, she was no fan of Professor Snape’s, but Cat certainly wasn’t doing anything to make him fall in love with her “Isn’t that a bit harsh Cho? Even he has a heart, I mean. . .just look at him, you can tell how much he cares about her.” she said as she turned around to make her point, only to see the potion master right behind Cho, his eyes glittering angrily. Hermione felt herself go pale as she squeezed Ron’s hand tightly, causing him to yelp.
“Hermione, what are you doing? That huuuuurr. . . .Professor Snape” Ron choked as he went as red as Hermione had pale.
Harry froze for a moment before turning around to face the potion master, clearing his throat Harry spoke as clearly as possible “Yes Professor Snape? May I help you?”
Severus glared at Harry for a split second before returning his icy gaze to Cho. “I was simply curious as to how Catri had reacted to Miss Chang. Obviously it no longer matters, I doubt she would tolerate her lack of manners for any length of time.” he could feel the young girl shrink under his gaze. He took a step closer to her just to watch her squirm “There are very few things Miss MacLeod finds intolerable, bad manners and prejudice, however, are quite high on a very short list.” Returning his gaze to Harry, he softened his voice slightly “I *hope* you will keep that in mind Mr. Potter” so saying, he turned quickly and walked towards the doorway leading into the corridor.
Severus muttered under his breath, he hoped desperately that Chang hadn’t ruined Catri’s good mood. She was so looking forward to meeting the girl, she had spoken about it constantly over the past week. Catri was hoping they would get along as well as she and the Weasley girl did. Severus sighed deeply, there certainly did not seem to be much of a chance of that happening if the girl had conducted herself in that manner in front of Catri.
Severus relaxed slightly as he heard Catri’s musical laughter ringing through the corridor, apparently it had not gone as badly as he had feared. He grimaced as he also heard Lupin’s laugh alongside Catri’s. “Fabulous” he sighed “just what I needed, a threesome” He straightened his formal robes as he walked towards the corridor, only to pause as he heard her approaching. Trying not to look overly anxious, Severus quickly found a spot near Flitwick, and was about to strike up a conversation when he caught sight of Catri.
Severus could feel a fever rising within him as he looked at her. Her beauty was simply indescribable. He felt his knees go weak as he watched her walk in, her long, soft hair was piled loosely on top of her head with several long tendrils dangling over her shoulders, caressing her porcelain skin. He felt himself turn bright red as his eyes lingered momentarily on her bust as his thoughts ran wild. Severus quickly diverted his eyes and his mind as he adjusted the collar of his shirt, it had suddenly begun to feel very constricting to him. He shook his head to clear the vision of Catri gasping in carnal bliss under him as his body entered hers. He suddenly had the feeling that this would feel like the longest ball in the history of Hogwarts.
Severus watched intently as Remus escorted her into the hall, walking up to them, Severus extended his hand to Catri “My dear” he cleared his throat as he tried to calm his quivering voice “My dear, you look enchanting” he smiled happily as Catri placed her hand in his, a warm and tender smile on her face “for you” he added as he produced a perfectly formed white rose from under his cloak.
Severus could feel the longing of too many years in his heart as Catri allowed him to place the flower into her hair, gently pressing her body against him as he did so. Severus felt both anxious and amazingly relaxed as Catri looked up at him, her beautiful emerald eyes meeting his own as a playful grin danced across her face. “Do not do it Catri” he warned teasingly as he saw her hands move towards his ribs, “not in front of the students” he winked as she pouted at him.
“Hmpft, some fun you are” Cat said as she continued to pout, hoping she could get Severus to lighten up and play along. Judging by the look on his face, the idea wasn’t out of the question.
Severus finished fixing the rose in Catri’s hair, placing his finger under her chin, he tilted her head so he could look into her eyes. “My dearest Catri” he said softly, almost purring “I can be a great deal of fun, . . .but not here” he glanced towards the throng of students “I am a private person, you know that.” he added as he brushed his thumb over her lower lip, savoring the fullness of her soft lips.
“I know” Cat replied softly “it’s too bad though, if you weren’t so ‘private’ I might just be tempted to kiss you here and now.” she teased as she stood on her toes, as if to kiss him anyway. She was a bit surprised when he didn’t move away, as if he really didn’t care what the students would say.
“I am relieved to see you are still smiling, I was afraid spending the day with your students would wear you out.” Turning towards Harry and his friends, Severus motioned towards Hermione and Ginny “Your handy work I assume?” he grinned when he saw Catri smile and blush “I thought as much, it is a pity Miss Chang did not ask for your assistance. She is being sadly out shown by your Gryffindors” he noticed the twinkle in Catri’s eye as he mentioned the students “The Weasley girl. . . .her dress, it is not from *this* world is it?”
“Now Severus, don’t start” Cat warned gently “Her brothers ruined her only good dress, the poor dear was crying her eyes out in one of the empty classrooms, I couldn’t just ignore her”
“That would be a yes” Severus smirked as Catri rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Severus” Catri purred, the tone in her voice a clear warning against pushing the matter.
“Very well Catri” he replied as he placed an arm around her slender waist and guided her towards their table, as he nodded a pointed good bye toa smirking Lupin “I will not bring it up anymore tonight. I simply do not want you to give the Ministry any reason to interrogate you, or the students.” he explained quietly as he pulled out her chair, nodding politely at Minerva and Flitwick. Whispering in her ear he added “However I am overjoyed that you are wearing my gift” he told her as he quickly kissed her cheek.
Harry was keeping a very close eye on Snape, he still couldn’t believe Cat had chosen him over Sirius, it just didn’t seem right. Harry scanned the hall and noticed Dumbledore and Remus watching Snape and Cat just as intensely as he had been. “I wonder what the two of them have in mind?”
“The two of who Harry?” Cho asked “MacLeod and Snape?” she turned to look at them “It seems pretty obvious, don’t you think?”
Harry felt the most amazing sensation of having his blood run cold at the mere thought of his mum and Snape doing anything together, and having his blood boil over that someone was even suggesting such a thing. “No. . .I don’t think. Snape’s been chasing her since the day Hagrid brought her here. There is nothing different about tonight, he’s just dressed better than usual.” Harry snapped.
Cho noticed the strained look on Harry’s face and decided to change the topic “I really like your new robes Harry. You look very handsome, they really bring out your eyes.”
Harry smiled weakly “Thanks, mum got it when she bought her gown” the silence that followed was awkward at best.
Ron and Hermione cast worried glances at Harry and Cho, this wasn’t going as well as everyone had thought it would. Hermione sighed loudly, which unfortunately caught Ginny and Neville’s attention.
“Is something wrong?” Ginny asked “Harry, its not about Professor Snape again is it? I know you’re not very fond of him, but. . . .well, look at them.”
“Yes Potter, look at them” a snide voice said from behind Harry “Slytherin’s head of house seducing the Sidhe bitch” Draco laughed cruelly as Harry flushed red with anger.
“Shut up Malfoy” Harry warned “You don’t have any idea of what you’re talking about. “
Cho placed her hand on Harry’s shoulder as Ron stood up defensively, ready to help Harry at a moments notice. Hermione groaned as she saw all the boys hand’s on their wands, knowing Harry and Ron wouldn’t be able to take on Malfoy, Goyle and Crabbe at once. Luckily before anything progresses a loud, booming voice was heard.
“Ere then. Wats all this s’about?” Hagrid asked as he narrowed his eyes at the Slytherins “Wouldn’t ave anything t’do wit tha nasty stare Prof’ser Snape is givin, would it?” he asked as he crossed his massive arms over his chest, waiting for someone to answer.
“Severus? What is it?” Catri asked softly as she placed her warm hand on his cheek “Do I need to help Hagrid with anything?”
“No, I doubt that will be necessary.” Severus said quickly, narrowing his eyes at the three Slytherins “They would never be idiotic enough to do anything here, far too many witnesses”
“Lovely” Cat said dryly, “so glad the Malfoy name lives on. . .” she hesitated when she saw the shadow pass over the potion masters face “What is it Sev?”
Severus shook his head sadly “Draco Malfoy, he has an amazing talent for potions. He is intelligent and has a chance at a good life, but his father’s influence will destroy any chance for happiness the boy has. He’s been raised to have a thirst for power and cruelty.” He paused when he felt Catri’s hand resting on his arm, reassuring him he was not alone.
“You survived Sev” she whispered “and more to the point, you broke the cycle. You learned to care for others, you stood up to your father, made him stop.” she squeezed his arm gently as he smiled and placed his hand on hers “You can’t keep reliving the horrors of your past Sev. Help Draco if you can, if he will allow you too, but don’t tie your soul to his. . .you may well drown.”
Josh ran through the doors and burst into Prince Julian’s study, disrupting his conclave meeting with the Primogen’s of several other clans. He skidded to a halt as he felt their eyes and their fury centered on him. Prince Julian glared at him as he approached Josh.