“So Harry, I take it you still think they should be together” Orpha asked knowingly as Harry smiled joyfully at her.

“Yes, I wish they would. I haven’t seen either of them this happy ever, and I want a family Aunt Orpha, a mum, a dad, .“

“What about a little brother or sister?” Orpha asked. Seeing the size of Harry’s smile, she considered the questions answered. “Good, we are agreed then, just follow my lead, and find Remus, I think we’ll be needing his help with this as well.”…..

Cat, her cousins, and nieces laughed happily as they sat it on of the family rooms, brushing each other’s hair and painting nails. Sirius had never seen so many beads, curls, braids or whatever else it was that women used on themselves. He sat back and watched them, his heart full and completely content to see the way Cat’s clan enjoyed one another’s company. “Hey Sirius, come on, join the men.” Paddy teased as he handed Edana to Aunt Orpha. “I hear you’re quite the game player, care to give any of these a go?” he asked as he took Sirius by his hand and pulled him over to a corner where the young men had gathered.

“So Sirius” Duncan said as he look intently into the wizard’s eyes. “You seem to be quite ‘cozy’ with my little sister. You do remember our discussion, don’t you?” he asked as he sat a chess board and pieces in between them. “You aren’t planning on doing anything, …unsavory to her I trust.” he added, his eyes never leaving Sirius’s.

“Not unless asking her father for her hand in marriage is unsavory, no” Sirius responded, returning Duncan’s gaze, which had suddenly gone from a look of challenge to one of complete shock.

“You mean it?” Paddy asked “Do you really intend to ask Magnus if you can wed Kitty? Hey Duncan, did you hear that?”

Duncan sat stony faced, staring at Sirius as if the man had just spoken in tongues, “Marry her? For real Sirius? Do you ‘honestly’ mean it?” he asked softly, finally turning his gaze from Sirius to his baby sister as she sat on the floor amongst her kinswomen, gossiping and primping as a smile graced her pretty face.

Sirius followed Duncan’s gaze, he felt the smile springing to his lips as he watched Tris brush out Cat’s long auburn hair, and Cat herself brushed Tanja’s. “Yes Duncan, honestly and for real. I love her, and if she accepts me, I intend to ask Magnus for her hand in marriage. Can I count on your support if Magnus challenges me?”….

“Well, our men certainly seem to be deep in conversation,” Tris commented as she brushed Cat’s long, thick hair. “and if the look on Duncan’s face is any indication, I don’t think I’ll be wandering over there any time soon.”

“Even if Remus joins them?” Cat asked knowingly. “Or are you going to deny you have a crush on him?”

“I do NOT have a crush on anyone. I think he’s a very nice fellow and I find him interesting.” Tris replied, “nothing more.”

“Fascinating” Cat corrected.

“What?”

“Last night you said you found him fascinating” Cat reminded her, grinning widely as she watched Tris blush deeply. “Come on Tris, fess up, you’re more than just a bit taken with him, aren’t you. Ow… hey Tris, watch it.” Cat yelped as Tris gave her hair a rough tug.

“Sorry sweetie, must have been a knot” Tris replied innocently. “And you’re going to keep this to yourself, right?” she added, pulling back slightly on Cat’s hair.

“Too late Grandmama” Cat teased, “Aunt Orpha’s already cornered poor Remus. Unless of course she’s trying to hook him up with one of Lia’s girls again.” she added, her voice dripping with false innocence.

“She wouldn’t” Tris said flatly, loosening her grip on Cat’s hair “would she? I’ve hardly even had the chance to get to know him.”……

Severus pondered over the strange turn of events at breakfast, the vampires, or at least two of them, were actually being civil to him, and in the case of Rick, it seemed to go beyond that. That vampire had seemed concerned about him, to the point of being wounded when Sev had allowed his mouth to react faster than his mind. Something that occurred very infrequently thankfully. But still, Rick’s pain-filled eyes had been haunting Sev all morning. “Why should I care” Sev said to himself, “It is not as if he truly cares about me, he’s just doing this because Catri made them swear not to harm me.” Sev concluded, trying to forget the twinging ache in Rick’s intense blue eyes.

Of course there was a difference between not harming someone and protecting them. He knew that better than most, after all, he had been justifying his own dualistic behavior for years and could argue the point better than most lawyers in either the wizard or muggle worlds could.

Closing himself in his office, Sev quickly forgot about everything but Catri. He warmed the cauldron containing the viewing potion, waiting impatiently for and glimpse of her or of Harry. He was rewarded with a wonderful sight, Catri and the other women of her clan, sitting next to one another, doing what would euphemistically be referred to as ‘girl stuff’. Sev placed his chin on his hands as he watched them, a strange sense of contentment settling on him. If only he had know this sort of tranquility growing up, instead of harsh words and even harsher hands. He wished he could hear what they were saying, but no matter what spells he used, all he could hear was muffled laughter and muddy voices.

Sev tore himself away from the potion just long enough to find a few ingredients. Apparently once the potion cooled it needed to be boosted in order for sound to come through. As he gathered together the needed items, he found himself wondering if Catri’s clan would ever accept him. He couldn’t begin to explain how much it warmed his heart to see Catri so happy, so at peace, so content. It was obvious that she loved these people very much, that they were part of her life. He grimaced as he realized that was exactly what Cash and Lupin had been telling him all along. “I must be losing my mind,” he grimaced “learning from a werewolf, taking advice from the undead. I have obviously gone mad.” or worse, he thought, scowling as he thought of the way Rick and Cash had been treating him lately, they seemed almost affectionate towards him anymore. All in all, a very unsettling turn of events.

Stirring the ingredient into the cauldron, Sev’s dour expression turned soft once more as he heard Catri’s musical laughter fill his office. He watched as Tris brushed through Catri’s hair, then braided it into intricate designs, pinning it up into a rather elegant bun, all the while talking and laughing with the other women. He closed his eyes and listened intently to their conversations, children, gifts, the future, although Sev had to admit, when they turned the discussion to the topic of men, he blushed furiously. He had often heard that women were much more graphic in their conversations than men were, but until this moment, he never truly believed it.

He listened closely as the woman discussed their lives and lovers, laughing and sighing in turn as they either complimented or abused former, or in some cases, current lovers. Sev’s ears pricked up when the women turned to Catri, asking her who was forever ingrained upon her heart and mind. At first she had tried to ignore them, and, that failing, then tried humor. But it was obvious her family was having none of it, they wanted answers and they were not going to let her out of this.

“Fine” Catri sighed “hmmm, which lover, or lovers, as the case may be” she added, to the amusement and giggles of the women “are forever engraved in my heart and mind……. Well, obviously the good ones” she winked, holding her hands far apart and winking “and the ones that can keep you up and screaming all night long” she added as a wicked smile crossed her angelic face.

“Good gods Catri,” Sev mumbled, “I cannot believe that comment just came from your mouth, … although I do hope it was in reference to me.” he added, a playful grin rising to his face. He was enjoying his voyeuristic journey so much, he had almost forgotten the reason he had felt it necessary to see Catri. That was until he heard another familiar laugh. “Black” Severus scowled, “of course you would be near her, wouldn’t you? I bet you are feeling much better now, aren’t you? Now that you’ve trick her into taking you to her home.”

Just as Snape clenched his hands into tight fists, he heard the change in Black’s laughter. It had gone from its normal annoying bellow to the painful yelp of pain. Apparently Catri had also heard the change as she sprang up from her spot at Tris’s feet and ran to Black’s side. Severus almost felt pity as he watched the once robust Black shake and turn a shade of gray as his coughing took on a gurgling sound……

“Sirius?!” Cat cried out as she ran to his side. “Sirius, what is it?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around him, supporting him as she rapped on his back. She immediately felt her brother’s flocking around them as they offered to help. “No, let him to me.” Cat said firmly as she lifted his chin, wanting to get a good look at his face, only to sigh deeply as she saw the pain in his eyes. “I need to heal him properly, I was too weak last time.” she added quickly as she maneuvered Sirius to the stairs.

“Kitty, hang on.” Luke called out after her, Duncan and Collin behind him as Paddy slip an arm around Sirius, ready to help take him upstairs so Cat could heal him in peace and quiet. “What’s going on? Why is he coughing up blood? Do we need to call Orpha to help.”

“Relax Luke,” Cat said softly “I don’t want to frighten the children. You know the school was attacked right before we came here, right?” she asked as she wiped the blood from the corner of Sirius’s mouth. “Well Mr. Black here all but sacrificed himself to buy Harry and Cash some time. He’s brave and strong, but not particularly bright at times.” she added, feeling relief flood over her as Sirius snorted at her comment. “Come on Siri, let’s get you taken care of properly. Paddy, do you mind?”

“That’s what I’m here for Kitty” Paddy grinned as he and Cat stood on either side of Sirius and helped him up to the room he was bunking in. “Besides, we can’t have Edana’s favorite uncle sick. She’ll never fall asleep if he doesn’t sing to her.”

Cat grinned widely as she looked at Sirius and Paddy, “You’re singing to the babies?” she asked knowingly. “Why Sirius Onoir Black, you’re becoming so domesticated, there might actually be hope for you yet.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you that for weeks gra” Sirius joked weakly as they walked into the room. He winced and sucked in his breath when he tried to lay down on the bed. “I don’t think this is going to be easy Cat.”

“I’ll get Siobhan” Paddy whispered as he left Kitty to tend to Sirius. He wasn’t sure, but he had the feeling she might need help, and who better than his sister, she may not be a healer, but she could always be counted on when things got tough.

“Does it hurt that badly?” Cat asked as she touched his cheek with her fingers. Seeing him nod, Cat closed her eyes and sighed deeply “I knew you weren’t completely healed, but I didn’t think it was still this bad. Come on, I need you to lie down so I can heal you properly.” she explained as she made him sit on the edge of the bed, then wrapping her arms around his back, she gently eased him onto the bed, cooing softly as he grimaced in pain. “Tis nothing muirneach aon” she whispered in his ear, “I’m here now, you are surrounded by clan, Harry is safe and happy, stop trying to be brave, stop trying to hide your pain from me.” she added, kissing his cheek tenderly as he rested against the pillows……

Severus growled lowly when he saw Catri rush to Black’s side. Although he had to admit the man looked like death warmed over, still, seeing his Catri and a young man assisting Black up the stairs filled his heart with dread. Sev shook his head as the conflicting emotions boiling inside of him. Part of him was relieve to see Black was truly injured, that it had not been a ploy to get Catri alone. The other part cringe as he realized that meant Catri would feel it was her responsibility to heal him, and he knew from experience how intense and physical that could be.

“I wonder if you would heal me again if I asked you to?” he thought as he remembered her cradling him in her arms, stroking his hair and wiping the blood off of his face as she tenderly kissed him. It had been over seventeen years ago, but he remembered it as if it were yesterday. …..

Cat sat on the bed and slowly unbuttoned Sirius’s robes, speaking softly to him, “So, you seem to be holding your own against my brothers. And Harry is certainly enjoying himself.” she added as she pulled back the cloth, exposing his bare chest. She held back a gasp as she saw how truly thin and ravaged his body was, running her hands along his ribs, she made faces as she felt the breaks and saw him wincing in pain. “Siri, why didn’t you tell me they were still this bad?” she asked reproachfully.

“You needed to heal yourself, and they didn’t ’really’ start to hurt until I started coughing again.” he admitted sheepishly, staring into her emerald eyes as her warm fingers traveled along his sides and across his belly, coming to rest just below his navel.

“Yes, coughing up blood” Cat replied “something’s been punctured again. When are you going to stop playing the hero Sirius. I would like to you live long enough to see Harry…”

“I have no intentions of dying any time soon gra.” Sirius assured her as he tried to sit up and hold her, only to feel Cat gently pushing him back onto the bed. “I intend to stay with you and Harry for a very long time.

“Sirius, please, lay still and let me fix this. You had several of your ribs crushed, and I could only do so much earlier, I was too weak to take care of you properly,.” she scolded “As it is it will take a few days to heal them completely. And that means no rough housing, no games, nothing that could re-injure you. I want you to be healed and whole again Siri.” she whispered as she held his hand and brushed her fingers against his cheek.

“Just being with you is healing Cat” he sighed and smiled as she stroked his cheek, gazing tenderly at him. “But don’t tell me about playing the hero, you’re not exactly in top form yourself. And don’t try convincing me, I know you better, I know your eyes.” he reminded her gently, squeezing her hand.

“Fine, we both need to heal and rest, but ‘I’m’ not coughing up vital fluids, ‘I’ don’t have broken bones.” Cat retorted. “Besides, I have too much on my mind to fall asleep.” Seeing Sirius raise his eyebrow, she explained. “You, for starters, Harry, the school, Severus..”

“I was hoping you had forgotten about him” Sirius smirked, rolling his eyes dramatically. ….

“Yes, Black” Sev fumed, “do not think for one moment that you can steal her away from me. She loves me,…me, not you.” he vented “You lost your chance years ago when you threw her aside for that worthless guttersnipe.” Sev cringed visibly when he saw Catri tenderly stroking Black’s now shaven cheek. “Please Catri, do not forget about me. I love you, I want to make you my wife. I will wither and die without you.” He hung his head as he saw Catri take Sirius’s hand in her own and hold it to her cheek, however, his ears pricked up when he heard their conversation…..

“We really need to fatten you up Sirius, you’re nothing but skin and bones, a man needs some meat on him.” she teased gently as she placed her hand over his stomach, secretly thrilling over the sensation it caused in her. Almost absent-mindedly, she lightly ran her fingernails over his abdomen, smiling as the fine hairs tickled the tips of her fingers.

“Oh, you mean like your friend Snape?” Sirius teased, grinning playfully as Cat scowled at him

“Now that’s enough of that Sirius Black” she scolded playfully, “Don’t you dare start picking on Sev. He‘s a good man, just because the two of you don‘t get on…”

“You’ll never stop defending him, will you?” Sirius sighed as he relaxed into the warm, soft bed, thoroughly enjoying being the center of Cat’s attention and touches. “I don’t understand you Cat, what has Snape ever done to gain your loyalty, or your love?” He asked softly, not sure if he truly wanted to hear the answer.

“He has always been kind to me Siri, always. He’s protected and defending Harry and I in ways you can’t even imagine. Even back in school, he endured beatings and taunts because he refused to join the others when they tried to harm me.” she explained softly as she gently lifted Sirius’s arms out of his robes, leaving him naked from his belly up. “Remember when Malfoy cursed me at the Quidditch game? It wasn’t just Remus and James that saved me, that curse was meant to kill. If Sev hadn’t have seen what was happening and tackled Malfoy, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“He meant to kill you?” Sirius replied numbly, “But why, we were all of sixteen, it was just a game.”

“It had nothing to do with the game Sirius,” Cat sighed, “I’m not human, wizard, or ‘mud-blood’ as he calls it. I’m completely alien to your world, he wanted to control me and he couldn’t, so he decided it would be better to kill me, and apparently his father, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, agreed.” she continued, “Now, imagine overhearing that conversation, and having to decide if you are going to risk your hide to protect someone you’ve only recently met. Well Sev did, and he came to me, warned me, and it cost him dearly. Remember how upset you and the others were when he started ‘tutoring’ me in potions?”

Sirius nodded, “yeah, I remember, none of us believed that was what he was really doing with you.”

“Well you were partly right, he was helping me with potions, but I was also doing my best to heal the wounds they, and particularly Malfoy, inflicted on him.” her eyes winced with pain as she recalled the event. “Some days it was truly horrible, like the time Lucius ‘accidentally’ spilled Vesuvius potion on him, the entire left side of his back was so badly burnt. It took Poppy and I hours to heal that, and when I wasn’t rubbing the salve into the wound, I was holding him, trying to get him to talk to me, to tell me what really happened.” she sighed. “But even then, he would never cry, no matter how much pain he was in, he simply refused. He told me he had to be strong, it was the only way to survive. And believe me, that wasn’t the worst thing I’ve seen him endure. Now, please, if for no other reason than for my sake” Cat said, cupping Sirius’s face in her hand “no more picking on him, he is very dear to me and I don’t want to have this discussion ever again.” Seeing Sirius nod, Cat kissed him and continued with her healing.