Cat simply stared at him, it sounded so cruel, but she recognized the truth in what he said, she felt it herself at times. “So your telling me, if Sirius was not in the picture, and Severus was my only choice, you would still oppose me marrying him?” she needed to be sure of what he was saying, Remus was her dearest friend next to Lily, she knew he wouldn’t lie to her, not about anything this important.

Lifting her chin, Remus stared directly into her eyes and took her by the hand “Cat what I am saying, is that if Sirius was gone, and Snape was your only choice, I would marry you before I would *ever* allow you to marry him.” Remus had the most sincere look on his face, “You know how I feel about you. You know I would never say or do anything to cause you harm, but I would rather risk killing you, than allow you to die slowly day by day as he drained the joy from your heart.”

Cat stared at him blankly. She knew how he felt about her, and about marrying anyone, he was terrified that he would transform one day and accidentally kill them, or his children. He refused to even consider the possibility of marriage based on that. If he would make such a statement, .....her mind went numb, was Severus truly such a terrible mistake to make. “But, if he loves me, wouldn’t he be willing to change, to bend a little?”

“I think you already know the answer to that question achushla.” Remus replied as he wrapped his arms around her once more, comforting her as they sat in silence, keeping watch over Harry and Sirius……

Cissi barely looked up when Lucius slammed the door and stalked into his study, she had grown accustomed to his tempers and had learned the best thing by far was to avoid him. The only thing that ‘did’ catch her attention was the blood covering those hideous red and black robes, and the bruises on his face. She tried to conceal a small smile, apparently someone had put up a fight. She released the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding when she heard the door to the study bang loudly as several muffled crashes were shortly heard.

Cissi returned to her reading, hoping Lucius would stay in his study the rest of the night, but fearing she already knew the answer to her hopes. He always seemed to have a need to ‘prove’ himself when things didn’t go his way. A disturbing habit her son seemed to also be developing. Deciding to go check on Draco and warn him of his father’s foul mood, Cissi sighed deeply “What a wonderful way to begin the holidays for Draco.” Placing her book down, she walked to the top of the large marble stairs, pausing when she heard the sound of the doorbell. She turned to see who could be coming by at this late hour, she smirked when she heard the tone in the house elf’s voice, whoever it was, she apparently did not approve. “My dear little Snilla, what would I do without you?” Cissi said softly as she thought of the little elf that had been at her side since the day her mother had instructed the elf to watch over her.

All thoughts of warmth and fondness were quickly wiped from Cissi mind when she saw who Snilla had taken such a terse tone with. “Esmeralda Filch” Cissi huffed as her eyes narrowed….

Esmeralda scowled at the little house elf, “How dare you take such a tone with me. Your Master is expecting me.” she said as she tried to kick Snilla.

“Hmpft” Snilla replied “Mister may be expecting, but Snilla knows you, Snilla knows bad woman.” she retorted, easily avoiding Esmeralda’s foot “Snilla opens door for you, no more.” and so saying the little elf quickly disappeared from the doorway only to reappear at her Mistresses side.

Esmeralda looked up and smirked nastily at Narcissa, she watched as Narcissa narrowed her eyes and glared at her. Laughing nastily, Esmeralda sneered at the lady of the house “What? No fond greetings Mrs. Malfoy.” she said maliciously, “Well, I guess I should be glad that your husband is happy to see me.”

As if in answer, Lucius’s study door was flung wide, “You, … here now!”

Esmeralda smirked at Narcissa as she made her way to the study. She smiled widely as Lucius held open the door, only to jump as he slammed it closed behind her. Grabbing her roughly by the arm, he turned her to face him, shaking her violently he spat “Learn your place”. He then struck her hard across her face, sending her sprawling across the floor.

Wiping the blood from her face, Esmeralda cringed as Lucius stood over her “What do you think you’re doing? How dare you disgrace my house with your presence” he grabbed her by her arm and yanked her up off the floor, dislocating her shoulder in the process “you will come ONLY when called for. And you will never, NEVER address my wife in such a manner. She is a lady, a gentlewoman, you on the other hand are nothing more than a whore, a piece of flesh worth nothing to anyone.”

Esmeralda could do little more than whimper and nod as Lucius continued his tirade, she waited until he paused to take a breath before blurting out “But I have information for you about MacLeod, she‘s seeing someone, someone you know.” She felt a wave of relief flood her body as Lucius became suddenly silent, an eerie calm coming over him.

“Someone “I” know.” he repeated as his lips curled in a cruel smile “Do tell….”

“I saw them at Arbor of the Moon’s Enchantment, Puck and his wife kept talking of an engagement.” She said quickly as she crawled backwards on her hands and knees along the polished stone floor, hoping to avoid Lucius’s temper. “It’s the teacher from Hogwarts, …. Snape. I saw them together, he couldn’t keep his hands off of her, and they said he had the ring with him.”

“Reeaally” Lucius drawled “how interesting. I believe my son had mentioned something along those lines as well.” He quickly forgot about Esmeralda as his mind turned, he knew he could stay in Voldemort’s good graces by capture Potter and MacLeod, and his old friend Snape seemed like the perfect patsy…..

“So what do you suggest Lupy? I’m so tired of being alone, I want a family of my own. I want my life back, I should be here with my children, Harry should never have been raised by Petunia, anymore than he should be an only child” Cat began blinking trying to fight back her tears “I should be married to a man I love, who loves me, not playing what ifs and maybes” the tears were rolling down her cheeks. She hated to admit this to anyone, she had to be strong for her clan’s sake, for Harry’s sake.....

Remus squeezed Cat’s hand as he blinked his own tears away, they all wanted the same things, a family, someone to love, a home, a place of warmth and safety. He put his arms around her and pulled her against his chest, letting her cry as he stroked her hair. “Catri tell me the truth, I asked you earlier, but you avoided me then, I’m asking you now, and I want an answer, what are your feelings for Severus and Sirius?” he asked her softly “I don’t like to see you cry like this, I know you care for them both, but you have to make a choice sooner or later”

“I don’t know Lupy. I love them both. Severus is so kind and sweet, I know no one believes that, but its true. He loves me, deeply and passionately, and in his heart of hearts he is a good man. I can’t help but admire his triumphs over his own life, he has suffered so terribly, lost so much, his wife, his daughter. He tries so hard to do the right thing, to be brave and honorable.” Cat sniffled.

“And what do you feel for Sirius? I know how in love the two of you were” Remus probed gently.

Cat softly choked back another sob, “Sirius.... I still can’t stop crying. I loved him more than I have ever loved anyone in my life, but he hurt me so deeply. I don’t think my heart will ever heal, maybe, if we had been able to sort it out then, but he hated me so much.... and I don’t even know what I did” her sobs were heart wrenching “The saddest part is, I know all it would take is for him to flash that goofy smile of his......” she broke down completely as Remus held onto her, she still loved Sirius, anyone could see that. He looked over to Sirius’s unconscious form, wondering if he had heard anything she had said.

Cat slowly pulled herself from Remus’s arms as she stood and walked to Harry and Sirius. “I don’t want them to stay here in the dungeon, its just not safe, and they need some light. Sunlight, starlight, moonlight, I don’t care which,” she said as she shivered visibly “I’m taking them to my room. Meet me there?” she asked as she turned to see Remus smile and nod.

“I’ll meet you there in a few minutes, I just want to talk to Albus and Cash on my way.” Remus replied as he kissed her cheek “Be careful, and don’t overdo it, your not exactly the picture of health yourself at the moment.”

Remus stood back and watched as Cat reached out for Sirius and Harry’s hands. She took one in each of her hands and bowed her head, before Remus could blink, he felt a wave of heat and heard the familiar roar of the flames as Cat apparate to her room, taking the two wizards with her. “Take good care of them Kitty. They love you every bit as much as you love them, I promise.” he said softly, a bittersweet smile on his lips.

Remus held back his tears as for the second time in his life, he pushed Cat away from himself, and towards his best friend Sirius. He knew deep in his heart he was doing the right thing, but it still hurt him. He was tired of being alone, he wanted someone to hold onto, someone to share his heart with, but he knew that it could never be. He was cursed, and he was far too dangerous to ever allow himself to forget that fact. But as least this way, he knew Cat and Sirius would be happy together, and he also knew that there would always be room for him in their family. Sighing deeply, Remus shuffled out of the old hospital suite, on his way to find Cash and the others. ….

Cat squeezed their hands tightly as she passed through space and time on her way to her own room, her precious cargo in tow. Landing softly, she levitated them to her bed, she stroked Harry’s cheek as she covered him up with her soft quilt. Then she turned to Sirius, she blinked away the tears as she looked at him, Sirius, her Sirius. She pushed his hair back so she could get a good look at his face, he seemed somehow harsher than she remembered him, he no longer had the look of a school boy to him, and the straggly beard wasn’t helping. Letting her eyes wander, she winced painfully as she saw the dried blood on his chest and robes. Conjuring up a bowl of warm water and a soft cloth, she immediately began to wash him, removing the damaged robe as she did so.

Cat sobbed softly as she realized just how badly injured Sirius was, the bruises where now plainly visible, even beneath his beard. And his ribs were not only broken, but crushed in several places. She traced her fingers along the scar were she had healed the gaping wound over his heart, only to gasp as the burned mark of Cain became clearly visible. She continued to wash his chest, making note of each and every mark and wound, she would see to it that Gustavas paid for everyone of them. In fact, if the fates were kind, she would see to it that his hands would never be capable of such damage ever again. “I curse him Sirius, I curse him for what he’s done to you and Harry, for the pain he’s caused my clan. May his blood spill and flow into the Earth, may his own hands turn against him. May his few remaining days be filled with terror and pain.” she said as her hot tears fell upon Sirius, washing away his bruises just as the cloth in her hands washed away the blood.

She continued to wash away the blood and filth, her mind constantly drifting back to their school days, or more specifically, to their love. She had never felt for anyone the way she felt for him, he could always move her heart, sometimes with little more than a look or a soft whisper. She felt herself cringe as she thought of the past few hours and Severus. She had a deep and abiding affection for him, and she knew she could make a happy life with him, or at least she had thought so at the time. But now, knowing Sirius was available, that he wasn’t married….

Cat felt her heart aching for him, for all the time they had lost, why didn’t he come to her, why didn’t he tell her he was available. Remus seemed sure he still loved her, but if he did, why didn’t he make his intentions known, why did he insist on lurking in the shadows. She paused as Sirius winced in his sleep, her hand had brushed over his ribs, apparently they still needed healing. Setting down the bowl and cloth, she gently pressed her palms against his ribs, she sighed as she watched his face relax, all traces of pain disappearing. “Oh Sirius” she sighed as she picked up his hand and washed the blood from it “I wish you would wake up and talk to me, I miss you.” she whispered as she tenderly kissed his palm, allowing his fingers to press against her face, drinking in his warmth…..

“So, I take it you’ve told her” Cash said as he jogged to Remus’s side. Seeing the look in his friends eyes, he immediately understood. “Come on Remus, we all knew it would fall to you. I don’t have the patience, and our friend Sirius is too frightened of losing her to open his mouth. And Harry, well, would you want to tell your mother?”

Remus gave Cash a half smile “Good point, but I’m a little tired of being the one to try and solve the worlds problem. Right now, a bottle of butterbeer, a hot bath and a warm bed are just what I need.”

Cash grinned widely “Sounds a bit lonely to me…. Ya know, after we get Angel and Sirius hooked up, I think we need to start working on you..”

“Don’t you dare Cash MacLeod” Remus replied as he furrowed his brow, then suddenly burst out laughing, unable to resist Cash’s smile and mischievous wink.

Severus dashed down the stairs, pausing only to grab his cloak before running to the fireplace. He could take the floo network to Hogsmeade and he would just have to apparate into the forest and then run from there. Just as he fastened his cloak, he saw the fire on the hearth burst into bright green flames. His entire body tensed, Catri rarely ever used the floo network, she insisted it made her queasy, so who else would be coming to his house unannounced.

“Well, well, planning on going somewhere, were you?” a dark voice said from behind its mask as several death eaters walked out of the fireplace.

“Honestly Malfoy.” Severus deadpanned, “Why bother wearing the mask, after all these years, one would think …”

“Silence traitor.” Lucius snarled as his fellow death eaters roughly grabbed a hold of Severus. “You did not answer my question. Where are you off to, and in such an obvious hurry at that.”

Glaring at the death eaters who held him, Sev replied “To the school of course, where else would I be going? Tell me Lucius, have you lost your mind? Or is this your idea of a holiday prank?” he asked, as he felt the grip of the death eaters slacken noticeably.

Taking off his mask and hood, Lucius leaned into Severus’s face until their noses nearly touched “Not a prank my old friend. I have proof that you have betrayed our Lord and Master, and I intend to see you pay.”

“Really?” Severus drawled as if this were nothing exceptional “And pray tell, what is this proof? At the very least, I hope it is amusing.” Severus smirked as he felt most of the death eaters leave go of him completely, obviously confused by his remarks. Turning to Malfoy he added “Well come on then, I do not have all night to waste, I am expected back at the school. After all, we would not want Dumbledore becoming suspicious, now would we?”

Shrugging off the one remaining hand on him, Severus walked calmly toward the fireplace, his mind spinning with several plans that would allow him to survive, protect the school, Potter, and of course his beloved Catri….

Sirius struggled to wake up, he could hear everything that was being said, could feel every touch and tear, but he couldn’t seem to move. He felt his heart break in two when Cat told Remus how much she still loved him, it was more than he could have possibly hoped for. But he needed to wake up, he needed to talk to her himself, to hold and comfort her.

Sirius felt a momentary confusion when he felt Cat hold his hand as an incredible heat surged around him, only to fade away into the soft light of sunset. He was sure he felt Cat near him, cleaning his beaten body as she cried over him, healing him with each tear. He sighed breathlessly as he felt her lips on him, kissing his palm and lips tenderly as she sang softly to him…..

Severus stood tall as he was escorted to Voldemort’s lair, he had formulated what he hoped would be the key to his survival. He had a very good idea what Lucius was playing at, after all, Potter had been attacked at the school, so Lucius must have learnt that he had taken her to his home. He would simply have to make it seem as though it was part of a plan to destroy them both….