“I lived a long and eventful life, but it became truly interesting when I thought it was time for me to die. I was an old man, older than Dumbledore, and every bit as white. I thought my time was over, so I put my affairs in order, spoke to all my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and took to my bed, prepared to slip quietly off…..the problem was, it never happened. That’s when we realized I was more Sidhe than I was human, and I wasn’t going to die. Imagine my shock and horror, I was an old, no wait, ancient man. I wanted to die, I was tired of the aches and pains of my old bones, of watching my children grow old and in many sad cases, proceed me in death. I went to Maharet, hoping she would know how to end my life, instead, we discovered I could control my age as well as my physical appearance. I was only old because I thought I should be old, after all, what else would I be?” the man asked as he shook his head at his own foolishness.

“So you weren’t really old and you didn’t die?” Sirius asked “So what ‘did’ happen?”

The man shrugged his shoulders “I just went on, occasionally I would venture into the world of humans, trying to teach them, quite a waste of time that was, might I add. There was this one boy, I really had great hope for him, poor little Arty. Although he did actually managed to organize England into something resembling a country. Not bad for a mortal who couldn’t keep his trousers on around a pretty girl.” he joked. “But still, all my lessons, everything I taught him was forgotten as the years past and barbarians overran his empire. That’s when I simply gave up and returned to the highlands, to the clan and to Maharet. By this time I had practically become a legend in both the mortal and immortal worlds, imagine, me a legend.” he laughed softly as he patted Sirius’s shoulder fondly. “Don’t ever believe what they say about me my boy, they’ve made me out to be some sort of hero or demi-god. I’m nothing of the sort, I am simply a man, nothing more, nothing less.”

“A man who likes riddles and claims to be related to me.” Sirius sighed.

“Something wrong my boy?” the man asked as he directed Sirius to his own thread and pointed him in the proper direction.

“Well a name might be nice.” Sirius replied snarkily “Or do you simply want me to give Maharet a description and let her figure it out on her own.”

“Ahhh wonderful, so you are going to go with Catri and Harry as Cash suggested. Marvelous, I know the two of you are going to be happy together. It has been a very long time in coming about, but I’m positive things will move quickly once you both sit down and talk.” holding a finger up and shaking it in Sirius’s face, the man reminded him “And no holding back, if you don’t tell her the entire truth she will never be able to trust you. And you know what that means, don’t you?” he watched as Sirius nodded “Good boy, now, take care of your godson, get as much rest as you can, and wait for Catri to come back. That spell should be wearing off in a few hours and trust me, that girl will appear in a swirl of fire like you have never seen. Awfully protective she is, she must have learned that from Cash.”

Sirius laughed softly as he remembered how protective Cat could truly be “I’m going to do my best, and knowing Cash, he’ll see to it that I go along. Even if he has to drop me off himself.” Sirius let his hand hover over the thread, but didn’t touch it quite yet. “So, am I getting a name or not? It seems you and Dumbledore are both very good at not answering questions.” he said as he grinned at the man.

“My name? Why my dear boy, haven’t you figured it out yet?” the man asked, returning Sirius’s smile. Stepping next to Sirius, the man placed his hand on the wizards shoulder and smiled fondly at his descendant “I’m the first of your ancestors, the beginning of the branch that shot off from the trunk of the Sidhe. I am one of many who will make sure our bloodlines once again merge and become strong. I am Merlin” so saying, he gave Sirius a gentle nudge, pushing him into the thread so that he would return to his own body. Merlin stood there, waving to his child as he dreamed of finally being able to rest when his new heir was born. “Why must it always be the men in my line and the woman in yours Maharet? Ahh well, at least I have one last son should Sirius fail, but I pray it never comes to that. I have very high hopes for him, not to mention Catri and her son are already so fond of him. And the other has already been tainted by the darkness and chaos we've fought so hard against.” . . .

Sirius’s mind was reeling, it must have been a dream. A very strange and very realistic dream. There was no way that could have been Merlin, and certainly no possible way he was related to the famous wizard. After all, his father would have told him if he was, his entire family would have known. Not if they wanted to stay safe. a nagging voice reminded him. Remember what he said, the reason you’re the only one left. They needed the bloodline killed off, they’re trying to do the same to Cat and her clan. They are the reason you lost her, lost your life, lost everything and everyone you ever loved.

…… Sirius felt an explosion of light as he returned to his own body, he willed his eyes to open. Only to see Harry, sleeping soundly next to him, and Cash’s arm dangling over his shoulder “Cash?” Sirius whispered softly, not wanting to disturb Harry.

“So, finally wake up did you?” Cash replied as he sat up “You had me worried Sirius, you were out a lot longer than I would have thought. I could just picture Angel chasing me across the grounds, sword in hand, screaming about what I did to you.” he wiped the imaginary sweat drops from his head as Sirius laughed softly.

“Speaking of Cat” Sirius said, “what do you know about this prophecy? More particularly, what does Merlin have to do with it?”

“Eckk, chose my memories to go traipsing around in did you? You should take a lesson from your son, at least he chose his grandmothers and mothers.” Cash became immediately silent when he saw the look on Sirius’s face. “What happened? What did you see?”

“More than I should have I’m sure. I saw your mortal death and embrace, I saw someone who looked incredibly like Cat, but I knew she was your twin. I saw you walking through the ages, past and present. But that was nothing compared to what happened when I found Harry and Cat’s memories” Sirius whispered.

“What happened? You aren’t hurt are you? Nothing in my mind should be able to hurt you, its all memories, that’s all.”

Sirius shook his head, “You’re wrong Cash, I can tell you there is at least one thing in your mind that is not a memory. According to him, he’s an ancestor of mine.” Sirius looked down at his hands and noticed the soft glow still emanating from them, looking at Cash, he realized the Gangrel saw it as well. “He gave me this, ….just wish I knew what it was.” . .

“Let me guess” Cash said softly “Merlin.” He sighed as Sirius nodded his head “That would figure, I used to be his companion when he was old and frail. I took him to Greece to visit the Draconieres, Rome to listen to the philosophers, Vienna to listen to the music.” Cash shook his head “What a card, over two hundred years old and sharp as a tack. Of course now that I know he was pretty much immortal, well, I guess its just not that amazing anymore.”

“He told me I’m his descendant” Sirius said softly, not really believing any of what he had seen, but feeling the need to tell someone just in case.

“Really?!” Cash asked excitedly “That’s great! That means I was right, you are part of the prophecy. There is no way Maharet can prevent me from hooking you and Angel up now.” he hugged Sirius tightly as Harry began to stir. . . .

"SHhhhh" Cash motioned, "You and I will discuss this later. I don't want Harry getting any ideas until we figure out where he fits into the whole mess."

Sirius nodded his head in agreement, he had absolutely no desire to try and explain any of this to anyone at the moment, not even Harry or Remus. Maybe when Cat came back they could sit down and figure it all out, after all Merlin had said he was well known to her, maybe she knew something the rest of them didn't. . . .

Harry felt as if he were swimming in a warm lake, everything felt so comfortable, so safe, so perfect. He wondered if he could sleep forever, or if the dream would eventually fade whether he woke or not. His thoughts flitted back to Cat and what he had seen, it was no wonder she was so frightened of being forced into marriage. After everything she had seen her sister Wanda go through, after all the things Wanda had done to Cat. Harry shuddered as he recalled the agony Cat had gone through, fighting to save the lives of her nephews as their mother stood there, laughing cruelly at her, taunting Cat with the lives of the boys.

Harry sighed deeply, he finally understood why she had left with Snape, and why she didn't have the heart to say goodbye to him before she left. Cat knew she wouldn't be able to bear the pain and disappointment she would see in Harry's eyes. "I'm sorry mum" Harry mumbled as his mind began to rise above the waves of unconsciousness, "I didn't know, I didn't understand." Harry felt a warm hand touch him, gently shaking him into the bright light of the morning sun. He half rolled over to see who it was, without his glasses he could only make out the dark hair and wide smile of the man who looked down on him with obvious fondness. "Dad?" Harry asked softly, not sure if he were actually awake or not. . .

Sirius felt his heart swell with love and pride "Dad", if only he could be, not that he would ever be able to fill James' shoes, but he would certainly try his best. Blinking his eyes quickly, Sirius gave Harry's shoulder a firm squeeze, "No Harry, it's Sirius. How are you feeling? Can you sit up?" he asked, the concern evident in his voice.

Sirius smiled with relief when he saw Harry grin back at him and reach over to his bedside table for his glasses. "Yes, I'm fine. Actually, I feel wonderful." Harry said as he put on his glasses and sat up, "I saw you in mum's memories." he added smiling happily at Sirius "you two were really in love. She loved to hear your laugh and she always laughed when you did that half smile thing of yours."

"Oh, you mean this?" Sirius teased, demonstrating the crooked grin Harry had spoken of. "Yeah, I know. It got me out of an awful lot of trouble with her. Luckily she never really held a grudge against me." Sirius was about to continue, but stopped when he heard Cash laughing at him.

"What have I been trying to tell you these past few weeks?" Cash smirked "I keep telling you she's forgiven you, but nooooo. Mr. Moodswing over here has to wallow in pity and doubt for a couple of weeks before he realizes it himself." He turned to Sirius as he heard the wizard open his mouth as if to argue "Go on, tell me, what suddenly made you realize 'I' was right all along?" Cash asked sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest as if daring Sirius to argue the point with him.

"He's right Sirius" Harry chimed in, "I've heard him myself. And Remus as well. . ."

"Who's side are you on?" Sirius teased "I thought you were supposed to help your poor decrepit godfather."

Harry shook his head, "I'm on which ever side will get you and mum together and get me a real family." he stated firmly "I don't want Snape as a dad, I want you. And I know mum does too. She's already asked me once who I would chose to be my father." Harry watched as Sirius's eyes misted over with tears of happiness. Harry felt his own tears begin as Sirius hugged him tightly, promising he would never allow anyone to come between them, and swearing that he would tell Cat everything the first chance he had her alone.

"No more hesitating" Sirius stated "this wouldn't be happening now if I had only had the courage to tell her the whole truth." He raised his right hand and placed the left over his heart "I won't throw another chance away Harry. I want us to be a family every bit as much as you do."

Harry smiled back at Sirius brightly as his godfather swatted at Cash who had sighed rather loudly "about friggin time". Harry laughed in amusement as the two men joked with each other, both obviously relieved over Sirius's newfound determination.

After several minutes of trading barbs and jokes, Harry finally spoke up "So now that that's settled, I'm guessing you two can get on with finding mum and I can enjoy my Saturday with my friends." he said as he threw back the covers and rose out of bed.

"Oh no you don't" Cash chimed up quickly, "just because Sirius has finally come to his senses doesn't mean the danger is over. Gustavas is still out there." Cash said as he placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, gently forcing the young wizard back onto his bed. "Until we can get Angel back here, I really don't think you should be left alone at all. He made it very clear he intends to come after you first."

Harry looked over to his godfather for support, but could tell the moment his saw the anguish and concern written on his face, he had already made up his mind. "Cash is absolutely right Harry. Even Cat was worried about this Gustavas, we spoke about him and his clan at length. She seemed rather upset that Dumbledore wasn't taking the threat as seriously as she thought he should. And I know if she had had any idea at all that he was near the school, both you and she would be long gone by now."

"True enough," Cash continued "even the Tremere would never dare attack on of our strongholds, the odd village here and there perhaps, but nothing along the lines of Fernglennis, even they don't have that sort of power." Cash crouched down so his eyes were level with Harry's. "To be honest, I'm not sure if Angel alone is enough to stop him. I think she has the power, but I don't know if she has the will to destroy. But, should he harm you in any way, I know in my heart Angel will go mad, and many, many people will die, innocent and guilty alike."

"She would never hurt anyone without a reason." Harry insisted "Even when the school was attacked, she and Remus only hurt the deatheaters and dementors, she never even came close to hurting anyone else."

"Because she was calm and in control of the situation" Sirius interrupted "Remus told me all about what happened when she saw you out there. It broke her concentration because she was worried about your safety, the only reason no one else was hurt is because there WAS no one else to hurt."

Harry hung his head as he recalled the way Cat had spoken to him afterward, about his lack of obedience, his lack of respect for her, Remus and Albus. He had felt terrible for what he had done, and her scolding him only made it worse, but he reminded himself, she had only done so because she loved him, and she didn't want him to risk his life ever again. "I know that, but you can't keep me up here all day like a prisoner. And I'll be with other students all day, safety in numbers, right?"

Cash shook his head "Not with this guy. He'd just as soon kill every student in this school, he thrives on the terror and pain his inflicts on his victims. No Harry, even if classes were in full session, I wouldn't consider that adequate protection." Cash looked to Sirius "He has to be with you, Remus or one of us at all times. I just wouldn't feel safe any other way. Maybe you can take him back to Albus's office with you, its probably the safest place. . . ."

“You two can’t baby sit me all day” Harry interrupted “I can take care of myself, I’m not a child. I've survived Voldemort on several occasions, the MoM, the Dursley's, even Snape and his potion classes. Heck I've even managed to survive the worst DaDA teacher in Hogwarts history, Gilderoy Lockhart. I'm not going to stop living my life because of some vampyre. You can't force me to hide somewhere until my mother comes home." Harry added defiantly.

Sirius and Cash stared at Harry, then turned to each other. With a nod of their heads, they both turned towards Harry and said. "Just watch us” Sirius and Cash stood there, brows knitted and arms crossed over their chests, waiting for Harry's reply.