“It talks?” Harry gasped. “Brilliant” he grinned, sounding just like Ron. Harry turned and went back to feeding the cattle, grunting and straining as he lifted the heavy bales and pails of feed. He paused now and then to wipe the sweat from his brow and clean off his glasses, or to give one of the animals a friendly pat as he fed them.

Duncan peered down from the stairwell, smiling proudly as he watched Harry struggle, but refuse to give up. “He’ll do us proud sis, I can see the spirit inside of him” Duncan mused as he went to tend to his own duties…..

“Hey, Harry!” Sara called out, “Is Aunt Kitty in here with you? We want to play in the snow.”

Harry finished dumping out the last of the feed for the cattle as he smiled up at his cousins. “Nope, just Uncle Duncan, and he’s upstairs. And what snow? I didn’t see any when we came outside” he said as he walked towards the low stone archway that the cattle used to come in and out of.

“Well of course there’s no snow yet, that’s why we need your mum” Einy replied “You done yet, or do you need help? I want to get out and play as soon as we can.”

“All done” Harry grinned, “But I want to see those firebrands again before we leave. I’m not sure, but I swear I saw one of them snorting fire.”

“That would be Viggo, he’s a bit hot tempered, but Meg and Aunt Kitty can get him to do anything for them.” Callista replied rolling her eyes. “And watch out if he starts doing that backwards prancing thing, because he will stomp you, just ask Uncle Duncan.”

“No, that’s alright, I’ll take your word for it” Harry replied quickly. “Hey, isn’t that Meg over there now?” He asked as the threesome ran up to the stall, climbing on the rails as they smiled at their older cousin.

“Hey guys.” Meg smiled brightly as she placed a saddle and tack on Viggo. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“Snow Chaos” Sara grinned, rubbing her hands together as a wicked look crossed her face. Harry simply stared at her as Einy and Meg rolled their eyes dramatically.

“So, who is going to con Aunt Kitty into making it snow this time? She’s kind of worn out from being gone so long.” Meg asked. She smirked as she saw Sara and Einy turn and look expectantly at Harry. “Looks like you’re nominated Harry, welcome to life in a large family” she winked as she opened the stall and led Viggo out as the cousins trailed alongside of her….

“May I pet him Meg?” Harry asked, his green eyes sparkling with awe and respect as he looked at the firebrand.

“You? Sure, but these two,” Meg shook her head “They’ve already pushed their luck a bit too far with him already. Sara, Einy, why don’t you to go ask Aunt Kitty and I’ll introduce Harry to Viggo.” she suggested as the two nodded and raced each other to the house as Callista wandered over to the Chats. “That was easy” Meg remarked.

“Thanks” Harry smiled “I’m still not really sure what they wanted me to ask her. I mean, mum’s not a weather witch or anything, so I don’t know why they think she can make it snow.” he explained.

Taking Harry’s hand in hers, Meg slowly moved towards Viggo and raised Harry’s hand to touch the majestic steeds neck. “She can do quite a lot of things Harry. Things that even some of us can’t do, and trust me, she can make it snow.” she said softly as she brushed Harry’s hand across Viggo’s flank. “Although at the moment I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, I know that Uncle Duncan is worried about her, I overheard him talking to Aunt Orpha this morning, he says she looks tired.”

“Yeh, well, I guess sometimes she doesn’t know when to sit back and rest.” Harry sighed. “I thought she was going to die once, I’ve never seen anything so ……” he hung his head. “I guess it just bothers me because I can’t help her, all I can do is watch her go through it.”

Meg nodded, “I understand, my mum went through the same sort of visions that Aunt Kitty does. It was never very pleasant.” They stood in silence for a few moments as Viggo allowed Harry to pet him gently, then suddenly took his nose and pushed Harry roughly. “Viggo!” Meg chastised “What was that for, he’s being very nice to you.” As if in response, Viggo snorted and pushed Harry again, backing him up against one of the stalls and staring at him expectantly.

“What…what does he want Meg?” Harry asked as he gulped loudly. The firebrand neighed and stomped one large hoof on the barn floor, causing sparks to shower around his leg as he once more pushed his nose against Harry’s side, only to bring his head back to Harry’s and stare him eye to eye.

“Uhmmm, Harry?” Meg asked quietly as she carefully stepped to Harry’s side, prepared to defend her younger cousin. “You don’t have anything in your jacket, do you?”

“My jacket?” Harry slowly reached and felt inside his pockets. “My wand, a pair of gloves, some gum, a filibuster, an apple.” He froze as Viggo snorted loudly, his hot breath nearly scalding Harry’s flesh.

Meg’s look of apprehension immediately fled, only to be replace by a look of disgust. “I don’t believe you Viggo! For the love of…. Its an apple, a bloody apple, you would have thought he had a soul catcher in there or something.” she ranted as she pushed Harry out of the way and stood eye to eye with the stallion. “You’re addicted, ya know that?”

Harry shook his head with disbelief as he wondered if everybody’s family was this strange. “And I though Charlie was weird when he argued with that Chinese dragon.” he sighed. “Here you go Viggo. You can have the apple” he said as he held the apple in the palm of his hand for the firebrand to take.

Viggo tossed his mane at Meg, and neighed happily as he took the apple from Harry’s hand. “Well you’ve made a friend for life” Meg replied dryly as she stared at the stallion. “Just make sure you don’t run out of apples.”…….

Sirius waved goodbye to Siobhan as he threw on a coat and ran outside in the fresh air to find Harry, only to be side swiped by Sara and Einy as he walked around the corner of the barn. “Hey you two” he smiled as he grabbed them playfully, laughing as he heard them squeal. “Anyone seen Harry?” he asked as he sat them back down. “Harry? Sure Uncle Sirius” Sara grinned, “he and Meg are with the horses inside. We’re going to get Aunt Kitty.” she added as she and Einy continued their race.

Sirius smiled warmly as he thought of taking a walk with Cat in the crisp December air, it would be nice to walk out in the open during the light of day, and even nicer to keep Cat warm as they walked. Peering inside the barn, he saw Harry and Meg with a huge, powerfully built stallion, with whom Meg seemed to be having an argument. Sirius raised one eyebrow as he watched the goings on, “Only your clan Cat, only your clan” he mused as he walked towards the door, trying to get Harry’s attention.

“Sirius!” Harry called out as he carefully walked around Viggo and Meg and into his godfathers warm embrace…….

Cat grinned as Einy and Sara tugged her up off the sofa were she was nestled reading a new book. “you aren’t going to let me rest until I do this, are you?” she asked wearily, but amused.

“Nope” Sara grinned, “come on, we don’t need much, just a few inches. Pleeeeeaassee” she whined as she gave her Aunt her most convincing puppy dog-eyed look.

“Oh Phuleze,” Cat groaned, “that only works on your da and you know it. Women are immune to that.” she teased her niece. “And where is my son? I hope he’s staying out of trouble.”

“Yes Auntie Cat” Einy spoke “He’s with Meg and Cali in the barn, we passed his da on our way here.”

“His da huh?” Cat replied, “What makes you think Sirius is Harry’s father?”

Einy shrugged his shoulders, “Well, he acts like he’s his da, and he looks it too. And Harry’s never said he wasn’t…”

“Did Harry tell you he was?” Cat asked, truly curious.

“Aunt Kitty” Sara sighed, “Snow first, questions later. I want to show Harry how to sleigh and board.”

“You are NOT teaching my son how to snow board. Do you have any idea how many broken bones I had to mend last time?” Cat said firmly “Stick with sleigh riding and tobogganing if you please.”

“Fine” Sara said flatly, then whispered to Einy “for today, tomorrow, after we open our presents. We board” she winked. Sara and Einy scurried to catch up with Cat as she walked to the kitchen door, grabbing a heavy cloak on her way. “Yay! You’re going to do it, aren’t you?”

“Will you let me in peace if I don’t?” Cat asked knowingly.

“No” Einy and Sara said in unison.

“That’s what I thought” Cat smirked as she held open the door for her niece and nephew. “Let’s go, because I’m going to need to take a nap when I’m done with this.” They walked quickly to the center of the yard as the border collies and grims trotted after them, wagging their tails and barking playfully. Cat couldn’t help but smile as a pack of border collie puppies chased after their mother, she remembered how worried she had been about them, they had been born much later in the season than they should have, and she was happy to see they had all come through alive and healthy.

“Alright, I’m going to give this a shot” Cat warned them, “but mind you, I’ve had a rough few days, so don’t expect more than an inch or so, if that.”

“We have faith in you Aunt Kitty” Sara beamed, “once you set something in motion, it just keeps going. We’ll be building snowmen by evening” she added, sticking her tongue out playfully at Cat.

“Oh brother” Cat sighed as she turned to face North. Taking several deep breaths, she raised her arms and opened herself to Fernglennis and all its inhabitants. She pictured the land as it lay around her, she imagined the brownish winter grass being covered by a layer of soft, fluffy snow. The rabbits and foxes tucked snuggly inside their burrows as an insulating layer of pure, white snow gently fell onto the landscape. Within moments, she opened her mouth as a haunting song welled within her, begging to be released into the air……

Harry, Sirius and Callista joked as they made their way back to the house. Sirius smiled as he noticed the way Callista kept staring at Harry, only to turn away quickly every time Harry turned to speak to her. Just as Sirius opened his mouth to speak, they heard a strangely beautiful song, wafting towards them on the gentle breeze that had suddenly begun to swirl around the house. “Oh! It’s Aunt Kitty” Callista said excitedly “They must have talked her into making it snow. Come on Harry” grabbing his hand, Callista pulled Harry along as she raced towards the house.

Sirius shook his head and waved Harry along as his godson turned to look at him as his cousin drug him along in her excitement. “Go on, I’ll catch up” he yelled as Harry turned and sprinted along side Callista. Sirius felt his heart soar as he saw how happy Harry was among Clan MacLeod, he couldn’t have asked for a closer family for his godson. And it was obvious that Harry and his cousins had bonded together already, he noted as he watched the way the cousins immediately pulled Harry into their midst, tossing gloves and all sorts of winter gaming gear at him. Just as Sirius was about to talk to the children, he realized were the enchanting music was coming from, it was coming from Cat herself.

Sirius walked towards her, only to feel Diane’s hands grab his arm “Not while she’s singing.” she cautioned “You’ll hurt her if you distract her now.”

Nodding his understanding, Sirius lingered between the children and Cat as he watched her sing up a small snow storm. Shivers ran up and down his spine as her voice seemed to join with the wind, creating a haunting melody that swirled around her and reached out towards him. He felt mesmerized as the wind picked up, bringing soft gusts of fluffy snow along with it, suddenly, Cat’s voice soared as she flung her arms open and the sky turned a steely gray. Sirius looked up to see the dark clouds, burdened with snow, quickly approached them. He realized by the excited chattering that the children had seen them as well.

Sirius laughed softly as he turned his face skywards, relishing the feel of snowflakes landed gently against his skin, only to melt away moments later. The last time he had been out in the snow, it had been anything but pleasant, he had been cold, hungry and utterly alone. But now, he was wrapped in one of Duncan’s borrowed cloaks, full to brim with wonderful food, and surrounded by what he dearly hoped would one day become his family. Blinking quickly, he banished the tears of joy and relief from his eyes, the last thing he wanted to do was shed tears today. He was with the two most important people in his world, his godson was happy and healthy, fitting in easily and obviously enjoying every minute of it. And Cat,….Cat was here, and hopefully she had had the chance to think over some of their discussion from last night. He didn’t want to spring everything on her at once, but he knew he had to tell her very soon. Seeing her drop her arms and her head as the snow began in earnest, Sirius quickly made his way to her, hurried on by the sight of her wavering slightly as she stood alone in the middle of the yard……

Cat sighed as the wind swirled around her, making her feel as if she was a part of it as it took her voice and carried it to the northern most reaches of Fernglennis. She loved this feeling, the feeling of freedom, of being more than yourself. It was as if the physical world didn’t matter, like it didn’t exist anymore, it was simply an afterthought of a strange dream. A dream she was yearning to wake from, she was tired of the uncertainty and constant struggles that she had to face on a daily basis, she wanted to break free of her body and join the invisible world around her, the one that chose to allow her the briefest of glimpses into its realms at moments like this.

But all too soon, the feeling passed, leaving her tired, weak and somewhat empty. It was only the sound of the children frolicking around her that kept her grounded. She smiled softly as Harry’s voice drifted towards her, he sounded so happy, so content. Even with her eyes closed she could picture him playing with his cousins, laughing and running as his pale cheeks took on a rosy hue……