“Thank heavens, finally a friendly face” Remus said ecstatically “all I’ve seen have been Pomfrey and Severus for the past week.”

“I can imagine” sympathize Harry “you should see Snape in potions this week. I think he’s going to kill someone yet. Yesterday Neville and Ron accidentally added mandrake instead of mandragoria to a potion. You should have seen the smoke, it was actually pink, Snape had a fit. Ron and Neville have detention for two weeks, Ron’s trying to talk Fred and George into making something especially for Snape.”

Remus now laughing “Better tell them to be careful, I’m afraid Professor Snape knows most of their tricks already. But I’d love to see them try them out.”

“Hey, Remus, I’ve got a serious question, if its okay” Harry said timidly, seeing Remus nod Harry continued “What exactly happened? With Mac Lir and you and Cat? I mean, that guy wasn’t like any wizard I’ve ever seen. And on the way back in the coach Miss MacLeod said he was related to her, and..”

“Slow down Harry.” Remus continued calmly “Let me try to explain this as best I can. Mac Lir is related to Cat. I’m not really sure how, I know its through her mother’s side of the family, but it’s a very large family, and I’m really not clear on all the blood lines. Anyway, her father is the one that allowed her to come here, mostly because of Dumbledore and McGonagall”

“McGonagall, how does she fit in? I know she was really angry when she saw what Mac Lir did to Cat, but I thought it was just because she’s a teacher.”

“No Harry, its much more personal than that. Professor McGonagall is related to Cat’s father, I think their 2nd cousins or something along that line. I do know that they spent a lot of time together growing up. The problem is Mac Lir’s side of the family, her mother’s side, tends to be a little,...well....dramatic, when they get upset.”

“Yeah, obviously, but why are they upset? I mean what’s wrong with teaching here?”

“The only thing wrong with her teaching here, is that means she’s not there. Her family is very protective of her, especially since her mother’s death. And the fact that she hasn’t started a family of her own only aggravates the situation.”

“Why does not having her own family make it worse” questioned Harry.

“Because of the blood lines. They need her to have children, preferably daughters. Her family is what they call matriarchal. It follows the blood of the mother, and right now she’s their last hope. Her oldest sister died without ever having children, one of them only has boys and the other one is apparently unable to have children of her own. So you can see why they would be upset if anything happened to her. It would effectively end their bloodline.”

“What’s so all fired important about that” Harry was completely confused now.

“Let me try to put this simply. You saw what Mac Lir could do, now that’s the power of Cat’s mother’s blood. You see the magic, the power, is literally flowing in their veins. Because he is a man, none of his children will have that sort of power. Are you with me so far.” Remus asked.

“Your saying that power can only go from mother to child, right?” stated Harry.

“Exactly. So, if Cat’s mother had 4 daughters, and so far 3 of them have not had daughters....” Remus waited expectantly.

“Then the last daughter needs to have a daughter or the power can’t go any further.” finished Harry.

“Now you have it.” smiled Remus. “If anything happens to Cat, her family’s power ends.

“But Remus” Harry yelled incredulously, “their the ones that did this to her. Not us, she was fine.”

“Relax Harry, and keep your voice down” Remus said motioning to Cat “They didn’t do this to her either, she did it to herself, because of me.” Remus said quietly hanging his head. “She should have left me be, she was too weak to try and heal me. Poor Cat, that’s why she’s still unconscious, she shouldn’t have done it, she was too weak, I’m afraid it wiped her out completely.”

“She shouldn’t have done what?” Harry questioned.

“She can use her body as a sort of transmitter, she has the ability to “pull” energy from around her and transform it to her needs.” Remus continued “Mac Lir did the same thing to make those energy balls of his.”

“Pull energy, it that what that feeling was? The two of them pulling energy?” Harry said, amazed at the idea.

“Harry, what feeling are you talking about. Did you feel something in the pub?” Remus asked anxiously.

“Yes. When Cat and Mac Lir were fighting, I felt funny. When Mac Lir was fighting I felt really ill, my skin got all crawly and I thought I was going to be sick. It was really awful. But when Cat touched you, it still felt odd, like someone was pulling at me, but it felt....well...nice, kind of comforting, I guess.” Harry said almost dreamily.

“Thats strange. Lilly used to say the same thing when Cat and she would work together.” mused Remus.

“Hey Remus, did my mom get a strange feeling in her head when Cat was around too.” Harry continued excitedly “Its almost like she’s there in my head, not doing anything, just...there.”

“Not that she ever told me Harry, but I don’t know for sure.” Remus sounded puzzeled.

“What exactly did Cat do to you Remus?” Harry’s curiosity growing.

Remus opens his pajama top and showed Harry the imprint of Cat’s hands on his chest. “She knew how badly Mac Lir’s blast had hurt me, she tried gathering enough energy to heal me. You can see what it did to her” he said looking sadly at Cat. Remus sadly thought back to all the times Cat had come to his aid in the past, even after he almost killed her, she never failed to stand by him.

“Is that why she started crying blood? Because she was so weak?” Harry questioned.

“I honestly have no idea Harry. I’ve never seen her do anything like that before. But then, its been several years since we’ve been able to talk at length. I’m sure it was nothing to worry about.” Remus answered, reassuring himself as much as Harry. “Anymore questions Harry, or has you brain finally reached critical mass” joked Remus.

“Well I had two more questions, but Professor Dumbledore said I should ask Miss MacLeod the one directly. He felt she’s the only one who would really know the answer.” sighed Harry disappointedly.

“You said you had two questions Harry. Can I help you with the other one?” Remus gently probed.

“Uh,yeah, Remus, why didn’t you tell me about her and Sirius? Someone told me that they used to be together all the time, with my mom and dad. He said they were practically inseparable, ” Harry asked intrigued “he also said he thought they would end up together, like my mom and dad. Is it true?”

Remus gave a heavy sigh “Yes Harry, its true. And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you asking her about it, Harry. I can’t explain it here and now, but I want you to give me your word of honor that you won’t ask her.”

“Doesn’t she know he escaped from Azkaban, they can be together again” said Harry hopefully.

“Harry” Remus said softly and firmly “she doesn’t even know he was ever in Azkaban, and I would rather keep it that way.”

Just as Harry began pressing the topic Madam Pomfrey appeared. Informing him that visiting hours were over and he had better be getting back to classes. Remus waved goodbye to Harry as Pomfrey shooed him out of the room.

Remus let out another heavy sigh as the remembered days gone by. They had all been so happy. Lilly and James deeply in love, their entire futures in front of them. Cat and Sirius, quickly catching up to their best friends in the romance department. They had all been so close, up until that last week. Remus shook his head sadly, amazed at how one stupid mistake could ruin so many lives. But the past was the past, Cat was back amongst her friends, and unless he was greatly mistaken Sirius would soon be joining them as well. Remus looked over at Cat MacLeod, watching her sleep, she would have to wake up soon he thought. They would have a nice long talk then, there was so much he needed to tell her about, and even more he needed to asks her about. He thought back to the first time he ever saw her, she hadn’t really changed, she was still beautiful. He missed her being around, he longed to feel her touch, she alone understood him. She was the only one who knew first hand what he went through, and he couldn’t wait to see her smiling eyes again. Smiling at the memories of their past, and the hopes for all of their futures, Remus soon fell asleep himself.........

The next day Miss MacLeod finally woke up. Opening her eyes slowly she looked around and saw her dear friend Remus Lupin grinning at her from the next bed. “I can’t believe I ended up in the hospital wing already.” she said disgusted “You know Lupy, I figured I could at least get past the holidays without landing in here.”

“Really, I thought you did quite well, personally I was betting you’d land in here you first week back” Remus replied laughingly.

“Ha ha, very funny. I almost forgot about the Lupin sense of humor” she shot back, sticking her tongue out. Remus was all smiles now, clearly relieve his friend was alright.

“How is everyone else, Harry and Severus?” Cat asked “They’re not here, they are okay, aren’t they?”

“Yes Cat, their fine.” Remus said patiently “Harry only had a few scrapes, and Severus only had to stay overnight, until the bones healed.” Cat sighed audibly. Remus continued trying to stifle a smile “But about Severus, do you know he’s been here to see you every day, several times a day in fact.” He said, hinting that there was more going on than either was saying.

“Now honestly Remus, I’ve been laying here unconscious, how would you expect me to know about anything” she replied, blushing furiously.

Laughing loudly now Remus continues to tease her “aaahhhh...does our little Kitty have a secret admirer? Gee let me see, who could it be? Maybe it’s the guy who took her for a walk,... the one that she didn’t return from for almost.....three hours...hmmm. Could it be” Remus stopped suddenly as a pillow flew right into his face.

“First of all Mr. Lupin, don’t you DARE call me Kitty. Aaghh, you know how much I hate that. And as for a secret admirer, I really don’t think its all that secret, now is it.” Cat said, holding another pillow, ready to be launched at Lupin, grinning widely.

“Okay, Okay, no pillows.” Remus tried to talk between laughs “Geez woman, you’re a real danger to life and limb sometimes....can’t even take a joke. So you and Severus are really seeing each other? Or was it just one of those haven’t seen you in years, hows it been going sort of talks?” he asked hopefully.

“My goodness Remus, your quite the busybody aren’t you” Cat said mocking shock “and why are you so interested in my love life. Have a change of heart have you?” she finished winking at Lupin.

“Tempting as it is, I think we made the right decision a long time ago on that one.” Remus answered tenderly “Actually I was just wondering, I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Severus so happy. What did you do, kiss him or something?”

Cat simply lowered her head and bit her lip.

“Cat,.....Cat...look at me. Oh my god, you did didn’t you.” Remus leaned back into bed covering his face with his hand “Good heavens woman, what were you thinking, do you know, I think he’s been waiting for that kiss since the last time he sent you roses. By the way, you did promise to tell me what that note said.”

“The hell I will, I’m getting enough abuse now.” She responded still blushing crimson, “and what do you mean, what was I thinking.... You know Lupy, I know my clan “adopted” you, but I really, really, really don’t need another brother” she finished playfully.

“Alright, I promise, no more picking on you” he said raising his right hand. “But I still want to know what the note said, and you did promise that you would tell me”

“Same thing it said last time “Happy Belated Birthday” she replied innocently.

“Wait a minute Cat. Last time he sent you roses it was February, this is the end of November” Remus asked inquisitively “so how many birthdays do you celebrate in a year.”

“Well Lupy, its like this. Apparently Severus decided the only way he could send me roses without getting the stuffing beat out of him by you guys was to pretend it was my birthday. He figured that if he sent them as a belated birthday present, you guys would be so busy scrambling to get gifts that you wouldn’t have time for him.” she was smiling and shaking her head “and you have to admit, it worked like a charm.”

“Why didn’t you tell us it wasn’t you birthday then?” asked Remus

“I tried. Lilly knew. But you guys avoided me the rest of the day, and by the time Lilly and I finally got you guys settled enough to let you know, most of the common room was filled gifts and Sirius and James had even went to the trouble of getting a birthday cake and, well, neither Lilly nor I had the heart to tell anyone.” she finished apologetically.

“So you let us throw you that huge party and you never told us the truth” Remus said sarcastically “shame on you, Miss MacLeod, and shame on Lilly. I can’t believe she didn’t at least tell James.”

“I think she was using it as an excuse to get Sirius to, you know, open up” Cat replied softly “Lilly knew the minute she saw that note it was wrong, our birthdays are only 3 days difference. Both Leo’s.”

“I don’t suppose you and Sirius ever kept in touch after you left” Remus asked knowingly.

“No. We didn’t exactly part the best of friends” she said shortly “and considering the way I left, I hardly had a chance to see you and Lilly, let alone anyone else.”

“Still I wish things could have been different. I know in my heart how much you and Sirius cared for each other” Remus said gently “as I recall by Spring he and James were making plans for a double wedding and adjoining houses.”

“Well, thats news to me. .... Remus, can we please change the subject” Cat asked somberly “I really don’t feel like talking about this right now. Besides if I know Sirius, hes married with about ½ dozen children by now.”