As the students entered the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade, Severus Snape went to meet Cat MacLeod in the teachers lounge. He stopped in front of the door, taking deep breathes and trying not to smile too much. He was hoping that she would be willing to respond to the note he sent, curse Lupin for making her open it in front of everyone, luckily she had the presence of mind to close it before anyone else could read it. That was one of the things he admired most about her, she was intelligent. Still he didn’t agree with the way she tried to hide it on most occasions, a quick mind was something to be proud of. Yet he did understand to some extent, being smart singled you out for many things, some of them less than desirable, others, downright painful.

Opening the door quietly, he entered, it appeared she was the only one here, most of the other teachers were either getting the students on carriages, or leaving themselves. He watched her for a few moments, she was reading again, Latin no doubt. It was amazing how little she had changed, her skin was just as fair and flawless as it had been all those years ago. Her hair was done up in the “teacher’s knot” as she referred to it, he wondered if it was still as long and as soft as when he first touched it. His mind flashed back to that moment, she had seemed so fragile to him, she needed someone to comfort her. He had been more than willing to accept the challenge, especially after he held her in his arms, she was soft and warm, and very affectionate. He stood there staring at her, mesmerized by her beauty. He sighed as he watched her, noticing the subtle rise and fall of her breasts as she breathed. Sev flushed red as he thought of what he wanted to do to her. Suddenly he began to feel guilty standing there watching her read. “Are you ready Miss MacLeod” he said softly, she seemed a bit startled at first, but quickly smiled at him. Until this past week, he never realized how much he had missed her smile.

“I was beginning to think you forgot about me.” MacLeod said teasingly “Or maybe you had a better offer.”

“Nonsense. And what exactly had you so absorbed? “Pseudodraconae: mortis psyche” Assisting Hagrid are you.”

“Someone needs to keep them under control” MacLeod explained “and lets face it, sweet as Hagrid is, he doesn’t have it in him if those Drakes go wild. I want to be prepared.”

“Sweet,... well I suppose that is one way of explaining it.” Snape said coldly.

“Honestly Severus. Cruelty is very unbecoming on you.” MacLeod chided “And its certainly not how I remember you.”

“Should I ask how you remember me?” Severus asked sulkily, “Or would that ruin our afternoon?” he cringed inside as he waited for her answer.

“Actually Severus,” Cat responded, lowering her head and blushing slightly “ I always seem to remember you as the boy with the sad smile and kind eyes, who found a soft spot in my heart.”

Snape couldn’t help but smile, it appears she remembers him as fondly as he remembered her. Trying not to blush he helped her with her cloak and suggested the leave immediately. Pulling a small wooden box out from within his robes he looked at her expectantly.

“Portable port key?” she asked. Severus gave her a wry smile and nodded as he opened the box. “Well, that explains an awful lot doesn’t it. I’ve been wondering how you get everywhere so fast.” touching the inside of the box they were transported in seconds.

They arrived at Hogsmeade just outside of the Three Broomsticks. Luckily they had gotten there before the students started arriving so they had no trouble finding a table. Severus had just returned with 2 glasses of butterbeer as the students began piling in. “So Sev, potion master of Hogwarts” began MacLeod “not bad, but I must admit, I never really pictured you as the teacher type. Certainly nothing like Professor Morano.”

“I take that as a compliment” replied Snape raising his glass toward his companion as he looked deeply into her eyes.

“Good. It was meant as one. But honestly, I always thought you would end up working for the Ministry or something. Don’t take this the wrong way, but teaching just seems, ...not beneath you,” MacLeod continued frustrated “ oohh I can’t find the word I’m looking for..”

“What, to many languages to pick from?” purred Severus.

“You can be a real smart ass sometimes Severus Snape. You do know that, right?. But I’m willing to continue this conversation in any language you choose.” MacLeod continued a challenge in her tone. “Let’s see we’ve done Latin, French, German, Hebrew,....I know” as she snapped her fingers “what about my native tongue, Gaelic.”

Severus shot her a look of mock anger.

“Come now Sev, all these years and you’ve never bothered to learn,” teased MacLeod “I thought you would want to know what it was I’ve been saying under my breath all this time.”

“I do not need to know the language, to understand what you say. Thank you. Besides you know as well as I do that the Knowledge of the Celts have been forbidden for years.” he finished abruptly.

“O yes, another brilliant decision by the MOM. I swear someone must have cast the curse of idiocy on the entire lot of them.” she responded, the disgust in her voice evident.

Bending his head closer to MacLeod’s “You know very well there was a good reason for that.” Snape answered with an edge in his voice.

“No I don’t know that.” Cat responded angrily “Tell me honestly Severus. Am I that horrible? Am I so terrifying that they can’t even stand the sound of my language, my heritage?” she finished. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

“Of course your not.” he answered softly, taking her hand in his “but you know what could happen if someone who didn’t have your.....temperament, used the power of that knowledge.”

Trying to find some way of changing the topic, without upsetting her even more. Severus noticed Remus Lupin standing near the door, looking rather depressed. “I think one of your old friends is here.” nodding towards Lupin.

“Poor Remus, it looks like he’s feeling about as good as I am right now.” Cat stood up and waved Remus over to their table. “What’s wrong?” she asked as she touched his cheek “Past haunting you again acushla?” Snape’s face grew very icy at the sight of Cat and Remus together. He hated the way she touched him like that, as if it were a natural thing for someone to do.

“Just old memories, thats all Cat. Nothing to worry about” said Remus trying to assure his friend, but his sad eyes and melancholy smile told a different story. He was remembering his past, both the good and the bad. Bittersweet he thought. The brightest of dreams and the darkest of nightmares. “Some ghosts never leave I’m afraid.” He could see she understood, the two of them never really needed words to understand the other. It had been like that since the first day he met her in Dumbledore’s office. Still he did want to speak with her, but looking over at Snape he knew this was not the right time. In fact he had the distinct feeling that his next dose of wolfsbane potion might have a little extra kick in it if he didn’t leave very soon.

“Besides I believe Severus brought you here to show you the sights. You should hurry up if you want to see it in daylight” he added, winking playfully at her and laughing when she shot him ‘the look’. Severus, sensing his opportunity suggested that they should in fact leave, especially as the pub was becoming quite crowded.