“I.... I’m sorry... I don’t know what happened there.” Cat said as she finally focused on Sev’s worried face. “Don’t look so worried Sev, I’m fine, I just stumbled ... that’s all.” She said as she forced a smile

“Not one of your more convincing stories my dear.” Severus replied as he scooped her up in his arms and placed her gently in his chair. “Do not argue” he said sternly as he examined her “you are terribly pale Catri” Severus said, his voice caught in his throat as he remembered the state she was in the other night, the night he found that accursed note. “Have you been ill?” he asked gently as he took her wrist and felt for her pulse, it was strangely erratic, but strong. She was just so pale and she seemed terribly tired, Severus was sure, deep in his heart, that the vampyres must be feeding off of her, but he knew better than to ask her now.

“Catri. Tell me the truth.. When was the last time you sleep?” his hand was once again stroking her cheek “And I do not mean an hour here or there. When was the last time you slept through the night?”

Cat would normally have ignored such a question, but the concern shining in Severus’s eye was so obvious and endearing she couldn’t “It’s been a while, I have a lot to get done...” she could see the frown immediately appear on his face.

“And why must it be *you* to do this? Is there no one else capable of attending to matters that you should have to become deprived of sleep....” Severus began only to stop when Catri held up her hands.

“Now you sound like a marauder” Cat laughed weakly “Sirius and Remus have been telling me the same thing”

“Pity you choose not to listen to *Any* of us” Severus replied snarkily. “I would have hoped that at least one of us would have gotten through to you.” he didn't mean to sound angry, but he could not bear the thought of her suffering for any reason.

Cat sighed, she had to explain this far too many times already. “I am the only one who can do this, you should know that better than anyone.” she paused then added “I was under the belief that Albus told you everything about my being here.”

Sev Sighs deeply “I know, but still” he seemed almost tortured by the thoughts in his mind. “Do you feel well enough to walk” he asked extending his hand to her

“Yes” she smiled “I told you, I’m fine,... its probably just the beginning of another of my infamous *episodes*” Cat said softly as she took his hand. She loved the feeling of strength that always seemed to show in a man's hands, even hands as deceptively slender and pale as Sev's. The moment his fingers closed around her, she could feel the muscles and sinews of his body working in unison to wrap protectively around her. How could anyone not feel safe in his hands.

Severus grimaced at the thought of her suffering, “I have several sleeping draughts, it may help.” the last thing he wanted was to see her go through the pain of yet another vision.

Cat smiled warmly at him “You really shouldn’t worry so much.” she told him as she gave him a heartfelt hug. “Although I love the fact that you do.” she added as she cuddled against his chest.

Severus held her tightly, he did not want to let her go, he had the terrible feeling he would lose her. “At least allow me to escort you to your room” he purred as she cuddled against him. Severus wrapped himself around Cat, as if sheltering her from the outside world. Albus had indeed explained to him why she had come back now, and the role she must play if they were to defeat Voldemort, but right now that did not matter to him. All he wanted was to hold her, protect her, from everything. He felt the pain of his own emptiness as her warmth invaded his body.

“Severus, as sweet as that is, you and I both know it wouldn’t end there” She replied as she kissed him gently on his lips “I promise, straight back to my room and right to bed” she tried to push herself away from him, but Sev was not letting go of her. Instead he began to kiss her again, very softly, allowing himself to linger over her softness as his fingers played with her silky curls.

“Catri.... Please” Sev asked softly “I do not think you should go anywhere alone right now. You are obviously tired” he said gently “and unless I miss my guess, in pain as well.” he added as he tilted her head toward his, looking deeply into her emerald green eyes he knew he was correct, he could see her fighting the pain even as they spoke. “Catri” he whispered as he shook his head sadly.

“There’s nothing to be done about it Sev” Cat sighed resignedly “I’ve simply learned to deal with it. I know a vision is coming, and more than likely a bad one” she said hesitantly “but I can’t stop it, its part of who I am.” she forced a small smile as she pried herself out of his protective embrace. “I swear Severus..... straight to my room” she added as he moved towards her again.

Severus closed his eyes, there was no point in arguing with her “If you insist on going alone, I will not stop you” he said evenly “but do not expect me to simply abandon you. I will check on you later tonight.” he was relieved to see a sweet smile cross her face.

“I know you will, you have always been there for me” Cat replied as she touched his face tenderly “just promise me you’ll be a gentleman” she whispered as she gave him a playful wink.

Taken slightly aback by her comment, Severus felt his face flush. “Catri.. That is not what I meant at all” he insisted. Although he had thought about it, several times in fact. He relaxed as soon as he heard her soft laughter, her sense of humor no doubt.

Cat shook her head as she watched Sev blush to a bright red “You're too easy sometimes, I thought you would have grown to expect that from me by now” she remarked as she headed for the door of his office. She could tell he still wasn’t happy about her insistence on going alone, but she knew in her heart what would have happened. After all they weren’t children any longer, and he was so protective of her, he always had been. She just wasn’t sure enough to make that sort of commitment, not yet.

As Cat made her way to her room she began to regret not having Severus with her. The pain was definitely getting worse, and she was beginning to hear the voices again. They were only distant murmurs at the moment, but experience had taught her that could and would change at a moments notice. Cat felt her tears fall as the pain became almost unbearable, she leaned against the wall to steady herself several times before she felt stable enough to continue. She gave a great sigh of relief as she finally saw the door to her room.

Cat barely had the strength to open the door, leaning against it with all of her weight, she finally managed to stumble through the doorway and into her room. Her head was throbbing with the murmuring voices of hundreds of people, living and dead, the roar was deafening. She cried out as the pain seared brightly through her head, as if she had been struck by lightening. She grabbed her head in her hands as the pain intensified, the voices weren’t murmuring anymore, they were yelling. Unable to stand the pain any longer Cat passed out, landing safely on her bed. As she lay there a rivulet of blood began to trickle down her pale face.

Sirius smiled wickedly at Dimitri as the young Ventrue continued to tease him about his love for Cat and Harry. “Keep it up Dimitri” Sirius said as he playfully pointed his wand at his heart. “It is made of wood you know”.

“Sirius, you wound me” Dimitri laughed as he placed his hands over his heart “to think a man so full of love would threaten so horrible a thing. It is unfathomable. Truly.... I am heartbroken. It is needless to harm me further.” he said as a crooked grin spread across his face.

They both turned to look at Fallon as she laughed at their antic “Are you always like this?” she smiled, it was nice to see them play, it gave her hope for the future “Your clans must be driven half insane by the two of you.”

Sirius gave Dimitri a knowing look “Actually Fallon, we really hadn’t met until Cash sent us on this mission. I was only introduced to him the evening that we left” he smiled at Fallon’s reaction.

“You mean... No. You traveled across the mountains with a vampyre you didn’t even know you could trust?! You had no idea what he would do?” Fallon immediately regretted her words when she saw the hurt in Dimitri’s eyes. “Dimitri..... I didn’t mean it like that.” her words faltered as he turned away from them, her comment had struck him with the physical force of a fist.

Sirius spoke first “Of course I could trust him.” He stated matter-of-factly, “Cash of Clan Gangrel is the one who asked us to go, Clan MacLeod is allied to Clan Gangrel,... I would trust them with my life” Sirius explained “and I know Cash, he is honest, brave and loyal. He would never allow anyone under his protection to come to harm.” Sirius watched as a Fallon smiled with relief.

“You truly have such faith in each other?” she seemed spellbound “I have always hoped for such a thing, but the Roma are hunted, we trust no one save our own.” she explained “We have been betrayed too many times to believe otherwise.”

“Then why are you even considering joining us?” Sirius questioned her as Dimitri walked over joined them. “Why would you want to ally yourself when you say you can’t trust anyone but the Roma themselves.” Sirius noted that Dimitri was standing closely behind him, it reminded him of the way Harry would stand by him. Willing to stand up if needed, but trusting Sirius to direct him.

“Because we will never survive alone.... and Bean Uasal de MacLeod, she is one of us” Fallon whispered softly “At least through her father’s blood, his mother, Margoli, was of our line.”

Dimitri looked at Sirius for confirmation of Fallon’s words. “It this true? Is she a child of the Roma?”

“I honestly don’t know” Sirius replied “Her family is ancient, I’ve seen her great-great-aunt working on the family history.... it was huge, she had written it on one of the walls of study. She literally painted the history for the children to see.” Sirius closed his eyes as he thought back to the day, it was hard for him, not all of his memories had returned yet. “She said the children needed to know where they came from, so they would know where they were going.” He shrugged, “Sorry, didn’t really understand what she meant, but I do remember it was huge.... it went back almost 20,000 years.” Sirius watched as Fallon and Dimitri stared at him in awe.

“The lineage” Dimitri whispered as Fallon nodded excitedly. “Are you sure Sirius? Are you positive about what you saw? Do you remember where it started? Do you remember any of the names?”

Sirius stared at them both as if they had gone mad “I’m sure I saw Ganemu Maharet painting the names and dates of thousands of people on the wall of Magnus’s study.... he was rather upset about it. She told him he would do well to remember his daughters heritage.... something about maternal lines and.....” Sirius let out a deep sigh “I’m sorry, I just don’t remember it all. But why is it so important? What is *the lineage* and why are you two still staring?” He asked as he crossed his arms over his chest defensively, if this concerned Cat, he wanted answers.

“Did you call the woman Maharet?... Ganemu Maharet?” Fallon asked as she moved closer to Sirius. “Do you remember what she looked like, was she a vampyre like Dimitri?” she placed her hand on Sirius’s arm “Please think back carefully, it is very important.”

Looking confused and slightly concerned Sirius hesitated “Why is this suddenly such an important thing?” he wasn’t about to betray Cat’s clan, no matter what. They had told him things, things they probably shouldn't have, but they were all so certain he and Cat would be married, and then he would be one of them.

“Sirius” Dimitri said softly “its one of the oldest stories known to the Roma. Legend has it that Maharet and her descendants were the first witches. Their history stretches back to the time *before the moon* or in other words, thousands of years. The legend says that the oldest mother of them all, Maharet, will stay among her children, counting and teaching them until the Naga rises for the final battle.” Dimitri looked deeply into Sirius’s eyes “Please, tell me the Maharet you saw, was she like me..... not living, not dead?”

“I’m not sure..... she and Cat looked a lot alike, I remember that. They both have long auburn hair, and amazingly green eyes. Maharet was also very pale, but I don’t ever recall considering her a vampyre. And as for their history, Ganemu Maharet pointed out to me where she began that particular line, but she pointed to several large books on Magnus’s desk and told me it began there. I assumed that meant it went back further, but I didn’t ask.” Sirius explained “But what is a Naga, and why is their a legend surrounding this woman Maharet?”

Fallon answered him in a hushed tone “The Naga is the soulless one, it is represented by a snake in most of the legends. It is a creature that seduces the heart of a man and turn him against his own brothers and sisters, usually for power or money. It is the mother Maharet, the first of the lineage, or one of her daughters that must defeat him if life is to continue.” Fallon paused before she asked Sirius “The woman you call Ganemu Maharet.... Ganemu is a title isn’t it? Can you tell me what it means?”

“A title.. I thought it meant great-grandmother, but Cat told me she was her great-great- aunt” Sirius replied.

“You are wrong young man” said the deep and heavily accented voice of Magda “It means oldest mother”. Sirius watched as Magda walked toward them, he wasn’t sure why, but he suddenly felt frightened of her. He held his breath as she approached Fallon, who could not return her mother’s stare. “And you my child, why do you hide in the shadows with strangers. If there are questions to be asked, they should be asked in the light of day” she said sternly.

“Then *I* will take the blame for that” Dimitri spoke as he stepped in between Fallon and Magda, knowing full well it maybe the last thing he ever did “She is here because I cannot bear the light of day, and my friend will not abandon me.” Dimitri spoke bravely as he prepared himself for Magda’s anger.

Instead, he received her laughter “Is that so child?” Magda asked haughtily, “you were hardly a man when you were made, do you think to become one now?” she mocked. “You who ran away from your family, from your people, you who are no more than a rich man's whore.”

Sirius could feel his temper begin to flare. He may not know a lot about Dimitri, but he did know how painful his young life had been. Sirius remembered to the night before last, when Dimitri had cried in his arms like a child over losing his sister and mother, all due to his father’s anger over a girl. “That is quite enough Magda. You are Queen of the Roma, such behavior is beneath you.” Sirius said as civilly as possible, as he strode to Dimitri’s side, wrapping a brotherly arm around his shoulders.

“You would stand against me wizard?” Magda asked as she raised one eyebrow “You may want to reconsider your stance.”

“As may you” Sirius said as his voice became deep and stern, “I am here as a representative of Clan MacLeod, the laws of hospitality must be abided by. Or will you have us as your enemies as well?”

“Do you think that she, Bean Uasal de MacLeod, rion de daoine would risk everything for the two of you?” Magda asked as she stared deeply into Sirius “Can you honestly believe ......”

Sirius had had enough. “Come on Dimtri, gather your things... it is obvious that Magda and her people do not want us here, and have no intention of allying themselves with anyone” Sirius snapped as he walked over to Fallon and bowed stiffly at her “My apologies Fallon, I had hope together we could save your people.” He saw the look of disbelief on Dimitri’s face as he picked up his bag from off the bed. “Time to go home Dimitri” he said cheerfully as Dimitri quickly followed his example.

“Where do you think you are going?” Magda fumed, she was not used to being dismissed in such a manner. She was queen among her people, and a powerful witch as well, what did this wizard know that made him so eager to leave. “I have not given you leave...”

“And we do not require it” Sirius replied “you are queen of the Roma. Not of Clan MacLeod, nor of Clan Gangrel. Nor do you have any standing among my people.” Sirius took a deep breath and hoped his gambit would pay off “And as for Bean Uasal de MacLeod, she is rion de daoine, because she loves and protects her people. And yes, she would risk everything for us.” he practically spat at her as he walked towards the door. Sirius gave a quick glance towards Magda and smiled inwardly, she was nervous, she probably never expected him to take the offensive. It was obvious she didn't know nearly as much about Cat as she pretended to, and it was showing.

“No wait....” Magda said hesitantly, she paused as she took a deep breath “how can you be so sure she will side with you, it would be your word against mine. If she thinks you broke any chances of an alliance......”

This time it was Dimitri that spoke up “She would know it was a lie. She trusts her people, her clan, they know what loyalty is.” he paused for a moment then added “And if you think for one moment she would accept *your* word over that of her future husband. You are very much mistaken.”

Sirius almost dropped right there, what was Dimitri thinking, he must have been listening to Cash’s teasing and thought it was true. The only thing that stopped Sirius from correcting Dimitri was the look of complete and utter shock on Magda’s face. “That has nothing to do with it Dimitri.” Sirius said softly “She would believe us no matter what, we are allies and clan. We can trust her with our lives, just as she would trust us with hers.”

Magda smiled softly to herself, if Bean Uasal de MacLeod was truly this deeply loved and trusted by her daoine, her clan, it was no wonder they called her rion. And if what she had over heard about the lineage was true, perhaps this wizard was also part of the prophesy. All in all, an alliance was looking very attractive indeed. “Perhaps my words were, hasty...... Please, reconsider. I would like you to stay longer, there are things we need to discuss.”

Sirius and Dimitri smiled at each other, it had worked. “Are you sure that is what you want Magda?” Sirius asked as he turned to meet her stare. “I will only stay if it furthers our cause, I would much prefer to be at my lady’s side.”

“Yes, it is what I want wizard, ... Sirius” Magda replied “but I hesitate to keep you from her side.... Is Dimitri willing to stay?”

“I will not leave him here alone” Sirius said protectively “I saw how you just treated him, he is my friend and my ally, I will not abandon him to strangers” Sirius was surprised to see Magda smiling warmly at them.

“I am glad to see you truly believe in what you say” Magda responded “if you would have left, I would have seen you dead before the moon rose.” She laughed as she saw the look on Sirius and Dimitri’s faces. “Do not be so surprised, the Roma trust no one, or hasn’t my daughter explained this to you.”

Sirius and Dimitri turned to Fallon with accusing eyes. “You were playing us the whole time?” Sirius asked tersely

“No, I meant everything I said” Fallon replied as she nervously eyed her mother “especially about having faith in each other” she whispered as she quickly walked past them and to her mother’s side....