Tara shook her head, “You heard me, apparently Catri’s … uhm…possible husband to be?” Tara knit her brow as she looked at her half-sister. “Ghee, that sounds promising… is ill and they feel a few days in the sun will do wonders for him, and for her. She’s supposed to be bringing her son….. When did she have a son? What did I miss, I mean by the grace of the gods, the Sidhe are pregnant for an entire year, I think I would have noticed ‘something’ don’t you?”

“Keep reading Tara, this is getting more and more interesting” Areanna remarked, smiling as she read between the lines of Orpha’s letter.

“Bringing her son and several other children of the clan, including your Tanja, of course…. Of course, of course. …..” Tara added. “I am hoping that you and your sister will find it in your hearts to help Kitty with her burden and perhaps teach some of the children while they are there. Of course I will send a letter to Deo requesting the same. While I realize how important politics are in that region, I admit to being woefully unversed in their protocol.”

“More children” Kalliope interrupted excitedly. “The fair ones like Lady Tara?” she asked Lady Emma, barely containing her joy as Emma nodded.

“Go on Kalliope, make the arrangements, I know how much you enjoy spending time with the little ones.” Emma smiled tenderly as the Damia ran off to prepare for their guests, it was true, she adored children, Emma herself had heard the girl weeping many, many nights over the cruel actions of her father. That was the first thing that had endeared her to the Lady’s heart, her compassion for others, and the second was her unquestioning loyalty.

“So, I guess that’s a ‘yes’ to Aunt Orpha” Tara smirked, knowing all to well her sister would never decline a visit from family, even distant family.

“As Orpha said, politics my dear. I am most certain father would want me to extend every hospitality to them.” Emma winked, “And besides, I remember Kitty. I want to see if she can still soothe the savage beast. ….. He’s really been getting out of hand lately.” she sighed, looking over her shoulder to the distance end of the island, where several large spirals of black smoke could be seen. “I wonder if I could talk her into singing him to sleep for another decade or two.”

Tara nodded “Without a doubt. Let me tell you this sister, the MacLeods ‘look’ for any excuse to sing, dance, make noise….”

“In short, my kind of people” Emma interrupted, winking as Tara laughed.

“Actually, you may find yourself having a hard time keeping up with them.” Tara jabbed. “I just hope Tanja still knows how to conduct herself like the Lady she is.”

“I have met the woman you call Kitty, the Lady Catrianna, and I assure you, she can both rise or sink to any occasion upon demand.” Areanna added, smiling sedately at the two women. “I also know of her immortal sire, the Methuselah, Cash MacLeod. I am under the impression he has trained her quite well. I hope I may yet meet him face to face.”…..

“Cash!!” Harry shouted as the Vampyre stepped into the room, apparently looking for someone.

“Harry” Cash shouted back, picking up Harry and tossing him in the air as if he were a small child. “How are you boyo? You look a good sight better than the last time I saw you.” Cash winked as he sat Harry back down. “And where’s your Mum? I need to talk to her about something.”

“Right now?” Harry asked, a strange look passing over his face.

“Yeah….” Cash said uncertainly as he looked over at the mantle clock, “I mean, its not ‘that’ late, not even midnight yet.” he returned his gaze to Harry and immediately knitted his brow. “Has something happened? Is she alright? What about Sirius and Remus?”

“Remus is just fine” a loud voice yelled as he tried to get into the room where Cash and Harry were standing. “Just a bit preoccupied…..Lia, please, I swear, I have had more than enough to eat and yes, I will come over and talk to your girls as soon as I’m finished speaking with Cash.”

“Hey Lia” Cash waved and grinned, holding his arms open as his fellow Gangrel practically leapt into them. Cash sighed softly as he tangled his fingers in her silky, white hair, pulling her back far enough to see her smiling amber eyes. “I’ve missed you childer. And how are your girls?”

“Lonely” Lia responded, looking pointedly at Remus. “Kitty has finally gotten herself settled, and now its time for one of my girls.” she pouted.

“Kitty’s gotten herself settled?” Cash repeated, smiling from ear to ear as he looked at Remus.

“Well….” Remus replied, running his hand through his graying hair, “they have been in there quite a while. Either everything is settled, or their sleeping.”

“Sleeping??!!!” Cash spat, “If they are it damn well better be from exhaustion.” he added as he tussled Harry’s hair on his way to pull Remus out of the room for a private conversation. “So….where are they?” he asked

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Remus signaled Cash to follow him quietly. They made their way up to the room where he had left Cat and Sirius, and stopped short when they saw a glimmering veil blocking the hallway that led to the room. “Looks like Orpha’s handy work” Cash grinned as he brushed it aside like so many spider webs. “Its kinda an understood thing, you see one of them, you stay out.” he explained as Remus looked at him curiously. “Don’t worry, I’ll replace it if I need to.”

“Well then by all means, lets hope you need to” Remus whispered as they silently walked to the room. Remus noticed the door was still slightly ajar, precisely the way he had left it “I don’t think they’ve even come near the door.” he commented as he peered inside.

“Really? Is there a bed in there?” Cash asked, half-joking as he craned his neck to try to catch a glimpse. Becoming frustrated, he moved Remus out of the way, shaking his finger at him to keep quiet, as he peeked through the crack and smiled broadly.

Cat and Sirius were still there, arms wrapped around each other, dancing slowly to a melody heard only by them, pausing every now and again to kiss. Cash felt his heart melt when he caught sight of Sirius’s eyes, he had never seen him looking so happy, so peaceful….so content. He was half tempted to go back to school and forget the letter, but he knew better. Angel had no idea how many, or even who she had killed when she saved he and Harry, but the Weasley’s did, and if they ever wanted to complete the prophecy; bringing the bloodlines back upon themselves and getting Merlin’s physical body out of that wretched cave, and stopping the madness in the human and wizarding worlds, they were going to need the Weasley Clan firmly on their side.

Taking a deep breath, Cash knocked softly on the door before he walked in. “Well, I see you two are finally spending some long over due quality time together.” he remarked as he approached them. “Feeling better Sirius?” he inquired, knowing full well the answer.

“I haven’t felt this good in years.” Sirius replied as he hugged Cash tightly, whispering in his ear “Thank you for not letting me give up.” Cash patted Sirius on the back as he release him and looked at Angel. “Look at you, blushing like that, its just too cute.” he teased as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as he felt her warmth and love flow into him through his skin. “I’m sorry to interrupt like this, but I need to talk with you about a letter I received today, its from Ginny Weasley.”

“Is something wrong?!” Cat and Sirius said in unison, only to shake their heads as Cash laughed deeply. They all looked over to the door and Remus entered, smiling widely, but still a bit nervous as to Sirius’s reaction to his use of the imperious curse earlier.

“Nothing that can’t be handled by a little trip by one Cat MacLeod” Cash replied as he handed the parchment to her. He studied her face carefully as she read the letter, her reactions seemed to mirror his own.

“Oh my, an angry mother on the warpath” she stated, looking at Cash for anything she might have missed, only to see him nod in agreement with her. “I suppose I should pay them a visit.”

“Molly Weasley?” Sirius asked, smirking when Cat and Cash nodded. “Better you than me gra, she’s almost as bad as you are when it comes to having a temper.” he teased, only to be pinched sharply by Cat. “Oww, heeyyyyy.” he whined, trying not to laugh as Cat stuck out her tongue at him.

“Well, falling back into old habits quickly I see” Remus remarked, remembering all too well the way Cat and Sirius would carry on together. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he asked, artfully avoided Cash’s penetrating glare.

“Most definitely Moony” Sirius grinned, hugging his friend tightly. “But expect me to return the favor one day” he added, winking playfully.

“Do I even want to know, is the question” Cat remarked as she watched the two old friends. Turning back to Cash, she added “So, do we have an address? Or some sort of plan?”

“Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon,” Cash replied, “And I’ll leave all the planning up to you. I figure it’s a ‘mother’ thing” he winked as she grimaced at him. “And for what it’s worth, my moneys on you sweet.”…….

“Oh I give up” Fallon sighed “no wonder Erich can’t wait to get to Hogwarts, she’s enough to drive a person mad.” she added as she plopped down next to Dimitri who had recently come back from hunting.

“Now, now Fallon, she’s in love” Dimitri winked, brushing the snow off of his curly hair as Fallon shrieked and giggled at him. “Sorry” he said sheepishly, helping her brush the snow off of her dress, “wasn’t thinking” he added, smiling brightly as his eyes flickered with their familiar warmth once more.

“So, you found someONE it seems.” Fallon said knowingly. “You never get this warm or soft when its an animal.”

Dimitri nodded. “Deatheater, he even had that stupid black and red uniform of theirs in under his cloak. Nice and full that one.” he smiled, revealing his fangs as Fallon laughed and shook her head. “What?”

“What. … What a conversation.” Fallon teased, “Never did I think I would be traveling across Europe with a vampyre, discussing gourmet dining, of ‘his’ variety, not mine.”

“Oh, so if we discuss rack of lamb and potatoes, it’s better?” he teased back, only to get swatted by her for his efforts. “Keep it up and I’ll send you back to keep Elora company” Dimitri teased, drawing a look of dread from Fallon. “Come on, she can’t be ‘that’ bad.”

“Want to bet? Every other sentence is Paddy this, or Paddy that…” Fallon threw her hands in the arm “I can’t stand it anymore, I don’t know what she’s going to do if he isn’t at the school.” she added, staring at Dimitri expectantly.

Dimitri stared back at Fallon for a few moments “Sooooo… I take it this is my hint to go talk to her?” he asked. Fallon’s only reply was a large smile and a single nod. “And to think I was the one who wanted to fit in….whatever was I thinking.” he teased as Fallon playfully kicked his bum as he walked through the door, and into the chilly night air…….

Harry yawned and stretched waiting to hear the clamor of his cousins telling him to wake up, but looking around the room, he saw that most of them were still sleeping, even though the sun was streaming down through the trees. He smiled as he snuggled back under the warm blankets eager to get back to the dream of the house and his little sisters. He had been playing with them in the yard, near the pond, as a young man with long silvery-white hair like Orpha’s and Lia’s sat on the water, laughing with them as the girls chased Harry, jumping onto him as he pretended they had beaten him. He heard Sirius’s laughter coming from the porch and looked up to see he and Professor Snape grinning at them as Cat brought out lemonade, tea and biscuits for everyone.

Harry heard the twins squealing with delight as they toddled, hand in hand, over to the porch clamoring for one of Cat’s chocolate chip biscuits. Cat never had the chance to get to the girls, before she could even turn to pick them up, Sirius and Severus had already crossed the distance and had each picked up one of the girls as Cat made an off-handed comment about wishing all men were so easily trained.

Harry watched in wonder as Sirius and Snape sat down at the same table, each with a twin on his lap, having a civil conversation, and actually smiling on occasion. Just as he was about to ask Cat what was going on, he saw the man again, the one he had seen in the hall at Fernglennis when he was looking for Cat, the man with Sirius’s eyes……

“Well, well sleepy-head” Orpha cooed as she pulled open the curtains in Cat’s room. “Alone again I see…..tsk, tsk,…. ‘what’ do I have to do to get some heirs within the next year?” she sighed, looking pointedly at Cat, who for her part groaned loudly at being woken in such a manner.

“Aunt Orpha, please, it was a late night, Siri and I were up talking until nearly three, and I was up at half past five yesterday morning.”

“Hooray for you” Orpha deadpanned, “so all you did was talk? Nothing else?”

“Nothing that you’d be interested in” Cat replied as she put her pillow over her head, blocking out the light and Orpha’s voice. She knew it was a vain attempt at best, but she wasn’t ready for the “where are the children” lecture this morning, it had been an emotionally draining night for her.

“Oh no you don’t” Orpha informed her, “this isn’t just you anymore dear, and you know it. As it is, I’ve sent your brother to speak with Sirius, so the stories better match.”

Cat lifted the pillow and looked into her aunt’s aqua eyes. “You didn’t” seeing the look on Orpha’s face, Cat sighed deeply and asked “which one did you send?”

“Well both Duncan and Luke were up, so I told them to sort it out between them. So are you ready to talk now?” she asked as she handed a cup of tea to Cat. Producing another for herself, she sat on Cat’s bed, waiting expectantly.

“Aunt Orpha,” Cat groaned, “don’t go getting your hopes up. Sirius and I had a lot to talk about last night.” she shook her head. “Things I should have been told about, things I should have ‘known’, I can’t believe what he’s suffered through.”

“No worse than you I’m sure Kitty.” Orpha replied softly. “But what I want to know now, is what are your feeling towards him. Is it possible that he is the one? Should I bring this before the crones? You know Maharet will hear of this, sooner more than later, may I add.” Orpha took a sip of tea as she looked intently at Cat, who was so far remaining very quiet. “At least tell me you kissed him, and I mean ‘really’ kissed him, none of that peck on the cheek……” she paused when she saw the blush creeping up Cat’s face. “ahhh haaa”

“No..no..no…” Cat moaned “Aunt Orpha, please, don’t do this. I’m confused enough as it is. Just let nature take its course, give me some time to sort things through.”

“Confused, my dear child, why are you confused? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Cat nodded, “I was with someone else only a few days ago, and yes, I mean in the biblical sense. I’m not sure what to do, I ‘thought’ I loved him, ….I know I love him, but its not the same as Sirius. I see Sirius and my heart just aches, I want to hold him, I want to feel his arms around me, I want to lose myself in him, but then I think of Sev.” she sighed deeply, looking at Orpha with tear filled eyes. “Aunt Orpha, I care so much about Sev, and he’s been hurt by everyone he’s ever trusted, his entire life has been one pain filled episode after another. He’s opened up so much over the past few weeks, and he’s brave, strong, intelligent….”

“But does he love you?” Orpha asked softly “Does he love you as much as Sirius does?”

Cat nodded, “Yes, without any doubt in my mind or my heart. He loves me every bit as much as Siri does. I’ve seen it in his eyes when he looks at me, oh Orpha, the way his eyes go soft when he holds me.” Cat whispered, half closing her eyes as she recalled the memory. “He actually cried when we… you know…” she added shyly.

“So, what you are trying to tell me child. Is that you have two men who love you, equally love you, it seems. You could be happy with either, and they are both strong, capable and intelligent.” she paused a moment to consider these facts. “I think I will have to meet this ‘Sev’ you talk about. And how far into your cycle are you? Is it possible that you are already with child?”

Cat shook her head, “My cycles got all screwy when I started jumping back and forth between our worlds.” she explained “I’m honestly not sure, but I don’t feel much different.”

“Much different?” Orpha repeated, knitting her brow as she stared intently at Cat’s adbomen……….

“So, Cash MacLeod, where will I find you?” Cobryn asked himself as he motioned to the blonde vampyre with him to follow along.

“You bring me across Europe to Scotland, and then get lost”? the wild looking vampyre replied sarcastically, “Are you sure Prince Daithi knew what he was doing when he sent you?” he asked in a deep, resonating whisper.

Cobryn paused, staring at Brutus intently, he wasn’t exactly imposing, at least not in the physical sense of the word. At five foot, eight he wasn’t going to be hovering over anyone, but that wasn’t exactly Brutus’s style either. He was a warrior, he lived to fight. The Gangrel who had embraced him had done his job well, the man still looked new in the blood, his blue-green eyes only hinting at the animal hiding within them. And his heritage would be anybody’s guess, the mans long dirty-blonde hair had been braided into cornrows and decorated with small beads and feathers, giving him a rather exotic look, but his face was almost Scandinavian in appearance, save for the full, pouty lips, which several of the Toreador had been heard to envy over. “I assure you Brutus, I know exactly what I’m doing and where I am going. Prince Daithi has contracted me for an extensive period, you on the other hand have only one mission.”

Brutus smiled, “Yes, I know. Kill my accursed brother and end this immortal night for the both of us.” He appraised the young Caitiff once more, he was very bold for being only one hundred years or so in the blood. But from everything he had heard, the childe deserved his deadly reputation. “How soon until we find Cash? I can feel my brother’s presence, he’s either moving further away, or he has grown very weak.”

Before either of them could answer, three swords appeared in front of them, and an elderly man behind them. “Who are you and why are you here?” the apparent leader asked, as the old man waved a wand, rendering them unable to move from the neck down.

“I am Cobryn of Caitiff, sent by Prince Daithi on an urgent mission regarding his esteemed and honored friendship for Cash the Gangrel Methuselah and his Clan of MacLeod. I come in peace and bring Brutus, as asked by the Angel. I was instructed to begin the blood hunt with the setting of the Solstice sun. My apologies for the delay. We were detained for a few hours by a clan of Sabbath.”

“I trust they are well taken care of?” Hamish asked, stepping to the front, sword still in hand.

“Who asks?” Cobryn replied, taking full measure of the Gangrel before him. He was strong, but hardly a Methuselah.

“Hamish MacLeod, Childer of Cash by both MacLeod and Gangrel. Tell me true Caitiff, for I know many of your clan, but I have never heard your name before. Are you truly here for peace?”

“I am here by the command of Prince Daithi, that should be enough for any childer.” Cobryn replied stonily, “Especially any childer who runs with humans.” he added.

“Ah, I believe that comment was referring to me.” Albus said softly as he walked to the Gangrels, standing between Hamish and Angus while Roel’s quick and darting eyes kept lookout, should anyone else decide to join them. “I am Headmaster of this school, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I hope you will see fit to accept my apologies, but until Cash returns and verifies your story, I am afraid I must keep you in your present state. Cobryn and Brutus, was it?”

“School? You brought me to a school?” Brutus asked incredulously, “My, but my brother has truly sunk to new levels hasn’t he?” Seeing Albus’s knit brow, Brutus motioned to the Gangrel’s around the old man. “Ask them, they know the story well enough, it was their Clansmen who did this to me.”

“Cash is back” Angus said quietly, “he’s heard us, and so has Raul.” He turned his head as if to listen to the silence. “They are on their way, he wants us to take care, something is amiss.”

Cobryn sighed silently as his eyes looked towards the quickly approaching sun, they were lucky to get inside and undercover before it rose, but if they didn’t move quickly, he was going to have a rather unpleasant experience once the sun began to cascade through the tall windows. ………