Cat placed her hand on Rashid’s upper arm as she wrapped the other around Harry protectively. “His name is Voldemort, and he wants my son’s life. It is Harry who has defeated him and the dark wizard will never know full power as long as my son and my clan survive.” she explained softly as she hugged Harry tightly, kissing him on his hair. “But understand me Rashid, I do not fear these men. If they come near me or my son, I will kill them. By the light of the sun or the glow of the moon, I will see their flesh fall off of their bones before my very eyes.”

Somehow, Harry had little doubt that she would keep that promise. He hadn’t really seen much after Gustavas attacked him, but he had heard Cash discussing it before they left the school. And while it made his stomach turn to think of how many had died at her hands, he felt a strange sense of safety and pride in the fact that his mother would do anything to protect him.

“You are ‘that’ certain of your strength Uasal?” Rashid asked, raising one eyebrow as he watched the mother and son. “Never mind Uasal, the look on your face and the fire in your eyes is enough of an answer. I should know better than to doubt you.”

Cat gave him a crooked grin. “Yes, you should. After all, you’ve seen me fight. And don’t look so worried, I’m not planning on staying very long. I just wanted to buy some new clothes for Harry, he’s out growing his so quickly” she sighed.

Bowing his head to Cat, Rashid smiled, as if this is what he was waiting to hear all along. “Very well then, I will leave you to your business, but be aware, and know that you will never be alone while you are here.” he added as he leaned over and kissed each of Cat’s cheeks. “I take my leave of you now.”

Harry watched as Cat stood straight and tall, looking almost regal as she bowed her head respectfully and watched Rashid disappear into the crowd. “Mum, is he a vampyre like Joshua? I mean, you know, not a Gangrel, one of the others? And why wouldn’t he come right out and ask for your help? That is what he wanted, isn’t it?”

Cat smiled at Harry “No sweetie, not a vamprye, but his kind is almost as old. He is one of the few remaining Magi, a warrior/wizard breed. And as for why he didn’t ask straight out for our Clan’s help? Honor and pride, The Magi and there magic have suffered greatly over the centuries, but they are still a force to be reckoned with, as he proved when those men came for us. They knew full well we were there, but they didn’t dare take him straight on. He wanted to prove his strength while testing ours, that‘s why I didn‘t force the issue in the alley.”

Harry’s eyes grew large with shock, “They knew? So they know we’re here now?” he looked around him nervously. “Should we go home?”

“Absolutely not.” Cat replied as she took his hand and walked towards a small shop a few yards away. “I came here to get you some clothes and I will do just that. Besides, you heard Rashid, we are not alone.” sensing Harry’s confusion, she continued “Look around you Harry, for every three would be death-eaters, I see a Magi watching them, watching us. And trust me, one Magi could easily take on a dozen death eaters.”

“So we’re safe? Voldemort can’t get us here?” Harry asked, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.

“Would I risk coming here if I had any doubts at all concerning your safety?” she replied, grinning playfully as she opened the door to the shop. “Come on Harry” Cat smiled as she pulled her son along by his hand. “You’ll love this place, granted most of these robes will be for Spring and Summer, but they’re so comfortable and soft.” she explained as she picked up a deep blue robe and held it up to Harry’s chest to measure it against him. “Maybe we should get something for your godfather as well, with any luck those robes I got him this morning won’t fit him for long.”

“Do you really think so?” Harry asked hopefully, “He’s been through so much, I want him to be happy and safe, with us if possible.”

Cat paused and looked deeply into Harry’s eyes, she could see the affection he held for Sirius and the shadow of something else as well. “Harry, sweetie, what isn’t Sirius telling me?” she asked bluntly.

“What, .. What makes you think he’s not telling you something?” Harry replied nervously, wondering if he had said too much.

“The same thing that makes me think you know what it is and still refuse to tell me.” Cat replied softly. “Harry, you must realize that my clan wants me to have more children, and that means they would also like me to marry. At this moment I have three options, unless of course Remus makes good on a promise he gave me. But basically I have Severus, Sirius, or whomever my clan decides I should wed.”

“But they can’t just force you to marry someone” Harry became very quiet as he saw the painful look in Cat’s eyes. “They can,….can’t they?”

Cat nodded, “For the good of the clan, yes, they can. Which is why I need to know what’s going on. Sirius has been hinting at things, but its as if he’s to terrified to come out and tell me anything. Now I know some of the things I’m going to ask you will be painful, and most certainly uncomfortable, but they are necessary.” she explained as she looked through a stack of shirts, pulling out several different colours and styles for him to try on. Pushing Harry toward a changing room she nodded to the shop keeper and returned his smile. “Try these on sweetie.” she told Harry as she drew the curtain between them. “So can you tell me what Sirius won’t?” she continued as she leaned against the wall of the changing room, waiting patiently for him.

Harry cringed as he unbuttoned his shirt “I don’t think I can. I won’t know how to explain anything, I only know bits and pieces of it myself.” he sighed as he picked up the red shirt to try on. “Not to mention I have no idea what he’s told you. Is this collar supposed to fit like this?”

Opening up the curtain, Cat shook her head and smirked as she fixed the twisted collar “Well he told me that Peter was the one responsible for Lily and James’ death” she said softly, pausing to gauge Harry’s reaction to the mentioning of the incident. “He told me that Peter escaped and that everyone blamed him. Although I find that hard to believe, Sirius has always been very demanding of himself, despite the prankster image he likes to portray.”

“Really? I never pictured Sirius like that” Harry replied, smiling at the thought of knowing a bit more about his godfather.

“Oh yes, he, James, Lily and I were always top in our classes. Believe it or not, Sirius is actually very, very bright, he just needs some directions sometimes.” she winked as she took a step back to see how Harry looked in the shirt. “I like that colour on you. How does it feel? Not too tight?” she asked as she fussed over him.

“It feels great” Harry smiled, aside from a few quick trips to Hogsmeade, this was the first time anyone had taken him shopping for anything. He ran his hand over the front of the shirt, she was right, it was amazingly soft. “Should I try on the blue one now?”

“Yes, and the robes please, I want to see if they need to be hemmed, at the rate you’re growing, I’d rather have them hemmed than buy a smaller size. So Harry, besides your godfather’s rather impulsive proposals of marriage, has he said anything about me, or us?”

Harry sighed and hung his head as he adjusted the long white robe. “I wish you would ask Sirius these questions.”

“I’ve tried, believe me, but somehow I just never get any answers.” Cat replied, an obvious edge to her voice. “So is that a yes or a no.”

Opening up the curtain slightly, Harry stuck his head through and looked at his mother. It was obvious something else was on her mind. “Yes Mum, he talks about you all the time. He wants to be your boyfriend again, like in school. I’m pretty sure he wants to marry you, but he’s scared to death you still hate him for …well, doing what he did.”

Cat’s eyes grew large “He told you about that?” she gasped, dropping the clothes she had in her hand.

“More like confessed it to me.” Harry sighed “That night you’re heart stopped, we thought you were going to die. Sirius just kind of fell apart, he was standing against the hall wall one minute and then down on the floor sobbing the next. He was so afraid you were going to die, we all were.” Harry explained, blinking his eyes to keep back the tears. “He told me that he still loved you, that he always had. He wants you to be in love with him, but he’s afraid you won’t forgive him. Mum, I don’t know all the details, and I’m sure he hurt you really, really bad. But can’t you forgive him, and maybe try again, please?” Harry asked, his voice little more than a whisper.

“He told you all of this? Really?” Cat asked as her eyes filled with tears “Oh Harry, I wish he would just listen to what I’ve been telling him. I’ve forgiven him, twice now he’s asked, and twice I’ve told him I’ve forgiven him. But its like its not enough somehow, but I don‘t know what else he needs to be convinced….and what exactly is Azkaban? He’s mentioned that from time to time as well, but all I know is its some sort of Ministry run prison.”

Harry shuddered visibly, even in the nearly oppressive heat the mere thought of Azkaban and its Dementor guards made a cold shiver pass over him. “It’s much worse than that. Do you remember the Dementors you and Remus fought at the school, the same night they brought the ghouls? Well those things feed off of the prisoners, stealing all the happiness and joy, even stealing their memories until there‘s nothing left but a husk, they even steal their souls sometimes, its called the Dementor‘s Kiss.”

Cat shivered in spite of herself. “What would Siri keep bringing that up for? It sounds vile. Did he accidentally send an innocent person there while he was an auror? Is that why he’s so depressed half the time?”

Harry shook his head as he gathered up all the clothes he had tried on. “Mum, I think we should go home and ask Sirius. I don’t have the answers, only he does.”

Harry grinned from ear to ear as Cat sighed and nodded her head. Signaling the shop keeper, she had him wrap Harry’s new clothes in several boxes, piling them into Harry‘s arms as she paid for them with gold coins. Cat bowed and thanked the shopkeeper as she stepped back and took several packages from Harry’s, lightening his load. Harry realized as soon as he heard the roar of flames that the man must have been a wizard himself because Cat wasn’t wasting any time apparating back home……..

Sirius barely heard what Remus said, but he felt it. He couldn’t believe Remus was doing this. He was his best friend,.... Why would he do this. Sirius tried to fight back to regain control, but he didn’t have the strength. Both his heart and his spirit were completely broken now, first Cat returns and breaks his heart, and now his best friend turns on him, betraying him and breaking his spirit. There was no use fighting for anything anymore, nothing mattered now…….

“Remus, what are you doing?” gasped Harry as he dropped his packages on the floor.

“Harry, be quiet” Remus hissed. “Trust me, I know this looks really bad, but for the love of heaven, trust me.”

Harry didn’t know what to do. Remus and Sirius had always been there for him and for each other, but to use the imperious curse, that was unforgivable.

Just as Harry opened his mouth to argue, Cat came walking in “There you are Harry, why did you go running off like that” she smiled fondly at Harry, then looked at her friends. “Hello, Lupy, Sirius. No tricks planned for me today I hope.” She asked, still smiling, Harry could tell she had no idea what Remus had just done.

“Actually Cat, we do have something planned today, but no tricks, I promise.” Remus said, a strange look glazing over his eyes as he wavered ever so slightly on his feet.

“What’s wrong with you guys today?” Cat asked setting down the packages on the large, polished oak table, “Harry looks as if he just saw a ghost, you look like you’re about to have a heart attack, and Sirius.....well he just doesn’t look like himself. Oh ..and Remus,.... you better not be planning to use that wand on me” she finished noticing the wand in Lupin’s hand.

“Uhmm. Not exactly” Remus smiled, a determined glint in his eye.

“Uh...not exactly” Cat mimic “that’s rather ambiguous of you. Exactly why did you want to see me?” she finished with a ‘I know your up to something’ look on her face.

“Actually, Sirius is the one who needed to talk to you” Remus explained, all the while using his wand discreetly to make Sirius walk up to Cat.

Harry was about to say something to her, warn her, when Remus placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder. Looking up he could see the strain this was putting on Remus. Harry couldn’t imagine how much energy it must take to control Sirius like this, he was like a large toy, a mere puppet, doing exactly what Remus directed him to do. Harry could feel the anger growing in him again, why was Lupin doing this. Just as his rage was ready to explode, he turned to tell Cat, and almost choked on what he saw.

Guided by Lupin’s spell, Sirius had walked up to Cat. Not to talk to her, which would have been almost impossible considering his current condition, but still, Harry had to admit, he got his point across. Sirius was standing almost toe to toe with Cat, and just as she asked what was wrong with him, he wrapped his arms around he, lifting her slightly off the floor and kissed her right on the lips.

Harry was waiting for Cat to pull away and slap Sirius silly for doing something like that. Instead, he watched as Cat placed her hands on Sirius’s shoulders, and ‘deepened’ the kiss. Harry shot Remus a look and said “you placed them both under a spell?!”

An exhausted Remus Lupin looked at Harry with a huge grin on his face as he slumped into a chair. “Both?! How strong do you think I am, I could hardly control Sirius.” he laughed. “And I will have you know Mr. Potter, I release your dear godfather the minute their lips touched.” he said as he wiped at the sweat that had accumulated on his brow, “and I hope to never have to try that spell on Padfoot ever again, it took everything I had in me.” Remus paused and looked from Harry to Cat and Sirius “Although judging by the look of them, I don’t think I have much to worry about.”…

Cat wasn’t sure what was wrong, none of the guys were acting like themselves, especially Remus, and she was getting nervous, more so as Harry‘s explanation of Azkaban chilled her soul. She wanted to pull Sirius aside, find a quiet room somewhere where they could finally talk, or cry, or even scream if that’s what it took. But for the moment, she was busy wondering where the prank was going to come from. She decided to keep her eyes on Remus’s wand, and it wasn’t until Sirius was next to her that she bothered to turned and look up at him. His eyes had a strange glassed-over look to them, as if he wasn’t really there, or maybe he was coming down with a fever. Just as she opened her mouth to ask him if he was alright, he had his arms around her, twisting her to face him, she didn’t even have time to gasp as his lips pressed against her own.

Cat felt the momentary pause of uncertainty, both of them wondering if they should step back or go further, she decided for both of them. Dropping the packages of clothes in her hands, she placed her arms around Sirius’s neck and pulled him closer, reveling as he returned her passion. He pulled her even closer, forcing her to stand on the tips of her toes as they both opened their mouths, allowing their tongues to caress each other, and melted into one another’s embrace. . . .

Harry was staring wide eyed at the two of them, wondering if they would ever come up for air, he looked over at Remus who was still recovering in a chair, smiling at his two friends. This was why he used the imperio curse on Sirius, he knew Sirius would never have the nerve to do this himself. Harry smiled widely at Remus and hugged his friend tightly as he whispered “Thank you.” . . .

Sirius sighed as he caressed Cat, he couldn’t believe what Remus had done to him, more over, he couldn’t believe what Cat was doing, although he was enjoying every moment of it. After another minute or two of enjoying the sensation of her always intense responses to his affections, Sirius pulled back, watching Cat’s eyes as they fluttered open, revealing her tender, emotional eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to quell his trembling and asked her “Do you forgive me Catrianna Marzia MacLeod, daughter of Magnus, childe of the Sidhe? Do you forgive me for all my stupid mistakes?” He could feel his tears welling up, no matter what she said, this was going to get messy. Sirius closed his eyes for a moment, stealing himself for her answer.

“Yes” she whispered softly as he laid her head against his chest, listening to the rapid beating of his heart.

Sirius could hardly believe his ears, his tears began as he continued “Do you still love me? Would you consider starting over.... Please?” he was shaking now, “Please give me the chance to prove how much I love you. How much I’ve always loved you.” he asked as he held her tightly, afraid this was no more than another one of his dreams, afraid that if he left her go she would become vapor and he would awake alone as always. Cat’s tears were falling in steady streams down her cheeks, she tried to pull away from him, but his arms were so strong and warm, she honestly didn‘t want him to remove them, but she needed to see his face. Bringing her hands up against his chest, she pushed herself just far enough from him to see his eyes clearly. She felt her heart breaking as his tears ran down his thin cheeks. “Sirius” she said as she caressed his face, wiping away his tears with her gentle hands. “I told you before, I forgave you long ago.” she sighed as she kissed his lips tenderly, “and I don’t think I ever really stopped loving you.” She added as her kisses became more rapid and passionate, she felt him sighing into her as she held onto his lower lip pulling on it gently, as if hesitant to let him go. ……. Tara sighed and yawned as the young olive skinned girl with the russet hair and chocolate eyes walked towards her and her step sister with a note from Clan MacLeod. “Oh bugger,” Tara sighed as she stretched in the bright Mediterranean sun. “How much do you want to bet that’s from Orpha yelling at me for not being with Tanja.”

Emma smirked “Probably it is, although she is right. Your daughter should be with you.”

“I know” Tara sighed “but I hate it in Fernglennis this time of year. Its far too cold, I never cared for snow, or the holidays for that matter.” she explained as she ran her long, slender fingers through her golden hair.

Emma gave her step sister a knowing glance “And of course it has nothing to do with Sebastian or the memories Fernglennis conjures in you, right.”

“Sebastian is dead Emma, I know it and so do they. I just wish he would have listened to me instead of that crazy mother of his. We never did see eye to eye on anything, I still can’t believe he actually went off on a wild goose chase for this supposed twin sister of hers. Leaving his wife and child behind” she huffed as her eyes became moist, “I should hate him for abandoning us like that.”

“But you don’t hate him, you still love him, and I hardly consider it abandonment.” Emma countered, smiling at the young woman who handed her the note “Thank you Kalliope. Have you and Areanna completed your training yet today? The sun is getting high, and she will need to sleep soon.”

“No Lady Emma” Kalliope answered, “Areanna needed to speak with another Toreador, one named Tereza I believe.” Emma smiled and nodded as she gazed at the small woman, it really was a shame about her people, but they should have known better than to oppose her father. His word was law, and to begin the sacrifice of children once more, it was simply inconceivable. But at least her mother had smartened up quickly, or maybe she always was the smart one come to think of it. After all, once her husband had been struck down, she immediately seized power and rulership of Dia, ending the futile revolt. And then, just to make sure her father never attacked them again, she had offered her youngest daughter as a living sacrifice. At first Emma had been unsure of the arrangement, but now, almost a year later, she wasn’t sure what she would do without her, although she knew Kalliope’s special talents would be needed elsewhere very soon. “Why don’t you go find her, I want you to be confident in your training, if this letter is what I think it is, you will be leaving us very soon.”

Tara waited until Kalliope left before she held out her hand for the letter, “Why she won’t just hand it to me…..” she sighed.

“You know very well her mother instructed her to listen to father’s commands, and he commanded her to listen to me and me alone.” Emma replied as she twisted a lock of her long, dark hair around her finger as she waited for Tara to read the letter. “So is it what I think it is?”

“Well its certainly not what I thought it was.” Tara replied softly “Orpha has decided to send Tanja along with Cat to that wizarding school.” she shook her head slowly, “I’m not sure that I like the idea of that. I know my responsibilities keep me away from her more than I’d like, and Cat and Duncan have always gone out of their way to make up for that. But to leave a hollow and become a target for those creatures….. I won’t allow it.”

“I think it’s a good idea sister.” Emma replied softly as a strong feeling of déjà vu made her body shiver. This is what she had been waiting for, the reason she had asked Areanna to train the young Damia, Kalliope. “It will do her good to see other cultures, and besides, Cat will be with her. Not to mention Cash and more than likely Duncan.”

Tara sighed as she re-read the letter. “I know, I know, and Sebastian would agree with you and with them, but I have the distinct feeling that this is going to turn into far more than a simple ‘studying abroad’ sort of thing.” In fact, she had the feeling this trip would end up changing all of their lives.

“I could ask father if you like, I’m sure he would defend your decision against Orpha if you truly don’t want her to go.” Emma suggested, knowing how loathed Tara was to speak to her father Deo, true he had never been particularly close to his step-daughter, but he had never been unkind to her either.

“You know very well Deo has little use for me, except of course as a living link to Clan MacLeod, my womb was my only saving grace.” Tara replied, an edge to her voice “And before you argue with me, lets be honest, he’s always been disappointed that I didn’t inherit more of our mother’s powers. Aradia’s power was immense, mine is not, add to that the fact that I don’t have your shared gift with the dragons he so favors….”

“Now Tara, you know it’s not that.” Emma sighed, they had been through this so often, and as much as she hated to admit it, Tara was right. Her father had always made a place for Tara among them, but he never really connected with her, and after their mother died, well, things became even more strained.

“Lady Emma, Lady Tara,” a petite woman with flowing chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a creamy complexion said softly “Kalliope informed me that you both seemed overly concerned about a letter from Clan MacLeod. Is everything well?”

“I’m sure everything will be fine,” Emma replied, smiling fondly at her protector, “but I think your student may be called upon to go abroad with Lady Tara’s daughter Tanja. To the North, I believe, tell me Areanna, do you think your student is ready?”…

“Siri, what is it? What won’t you tell me?” Cat asked as she continued to cover Sirius’s face with soft, gentle kisses. “Please, I’m tired of not knowing. I want to know, I ‘need’ you to tell me.”