Cat nodded her head, she held out her arms to Harry, but was surprised when Ginny moved first to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright” she said as she gave Cat a tight squeeze. Cat sweetly smiled at her, somewhat shocked by her behavior.

Harry rolled his eyes and grinned “Uhh.... Ginny?” he shook his head as she blushed, realizing what she had done. Reaching over to Cat, Harry also gave her a big hug “Please be careful, if you promise to listen to Madame Pomfrey, I promise to dance with you at the Yule Ball” he kissed her on the cheek as she laughed.

“That’s my son, blackmailing me already” she sighed as she winked at him “and just because the girls are here, I won’t mess up your hair”

“As if anyone would notice the difference” Harry whined as he tried to flatten his hair. As they were leaving the hospital, Harry turned around and waved at her one last time “Goodnight mum” he yelled, he smiled happily as he saw Cat smile and wave back at him.

In the corridor Hermione and Ron looked at each other and began to whisper. Ron nudged her and shook his head, but Hermione quickly walked next to Harry anyway. “uhmm... Harry, I know you and Cat have become really close, but *mum*?” Hermione asked “isn’t that a little ... well... strange. I mean, you don't really know her that well, and none of us know a whole lot about her. . .

Harry felt a surge of indignation “What do you mean, strange, Aren’t I allowed to have a family like everyone else?” He could see where Hermione was going with this, and he just couldn't deal with it, not now, not after he almost lost her last night.

“I didn’t mean it like that” Hermione said “and you don’t need to yell at me like that. Although it proves my point.”

“And what point would that be” Harry said tersely. He knew she was concerned about him, she was his friend and she wanted to make sure he was *being sensible* . But for once, he really wished she could simply accept that sometimes things just fall into place. Not because someone wants them to, but because they need them to

“That ever since MacLeod showed up, you have been acting strangely. You didn’t even trust her when she first came here, you said every time she looked at you, you felt like running. You said it felt like she saw inside of you.” Hermione reminded him.

“It still feels that way, only now I understand what it means” he tried to explain"And to be perfectly honest, it doesn't frighten me anymore, in fact, its kind of comforting to know she's there. She isn't doing anything, its just the blood, I can *feel* her the way she *feels* me. .”

“Just the blood” Hermione repeated “why doesn’t that fill me with comfort. Honestly Harry, are you thinking at all. How do you know you can trust her? How can you be sure this isn’t some sort of trap?” Hermione paused when she saw the look on his face, it was somewhere between pain and anger, but she needed to make sure he understood how dangerous this could be. “And with all the vampyres she know, the term *just the blood* has a very scary connotation to it.”

Harry clenched his jaw, he felt an overwhelming need to defend Cat, but he knew if he said anything at the moment he would probably regret it later. “I just know, and so does Sirius and Remus.” he heard her sigh “unless of course you think she’s managed to hex us all” he added.

“Well she certainly seems to have done something to Snape” Hermione shot back.

“And that’s a bad thing, right” Harry quipped. “At least your boyfriend is helpful.” Harry smiled broadly at Ron “Well done, I can’t honestly believe you told her like that. But very well done.” Ron smiled back at him, looking very proud of himself as Hermione rolled her eyes.

Harry and Ron walked on ahead, talking and joking about everyday things while Ginny hung back with Hermione, she wanted to know why Hermione was suddenly so concerned about Harry and Miss MacLeod.

"Hermione, that really wasn't very nice of you" Ginny said gently "you must know how Harry feels about Cat. I can't even imagine what it must be like to grow up without your family, or your mother."

"But thats my point Ginny" Hermione sighed "she's *not* his mother. His mother was killed by you-know-who when Harry was a baby." she reminded her in a hushed voice "How can he possibly think Cat MacLeod is his mother? He knows better."

Ginny hung her head, she understood how Harry felt about Cat, she felt the same. Cat was just so caring and warm, and she never judged you or made you feel bad. Even when she scolded you could see it was because she was worried, not because she was angry or annoyed. "Its hard to explain Hermione. But I understand how he feels, I can tell her things I could never tell my parents. She understands us, she listens to me when I talk to her. It doesn't matter what its about, school, my brothers, dumb stuff, I can tell she's listening to *me*, not just nodding and planning next weeks schedule or something." Ginny sighed "And don't forget, Harry's never known his mum, and if what Professor Lupin says is true, Cat and Harry's mum were practically twins, that has to count for something."

"I'm not saying she doesn't care about Harry" Hermione insisted "and she *seems* really nice. But you only have one mother, and no matter how much Harry wants to change that his parents are dead. . I don't want to sound cruel, but he has to face reality. He can't just wish them back or replace them. I don't want to see him hurt." she added as her eyes grew moist.

Albus waited until the children were well on their way before sitting on the chair next to Cat’s bed, he noticed that Severus had chosen to take Harry’s spot on her bed. “So my dear, Severus tells me you are upset by this new clan. Upset enough to insist that we talk immediately” Albus stroked his beard thoughtfully “I have known you your entire life Kitty. You do not panic easily, if anything, you tend to dismiss far too much. So, that leads me to ask myself, how dangerous is this clan, and what can we do to protect the school and its students?”

“I don’t know that there is anything we can do” Cat answered bluntly “they have no morals, no sympathies, ... I don’t know how to defend against them. Nothing matters to them but power, they have no taboos, they would kill for the sake of killing. And this one....” Cat said as she pulled the parchment out from under her pillow “I’ve heard about him... He is evil incarnate. I doubt even Voldemort would take him as an ally.” She visibly shuddered as she handed the parchment to Albus “ I’ve heard stories about him. He is known to my Gangrels as well as the Nosferatu, and they all avoid him like the plague.”

Albus studied the note for a few moments “Their wording is very careful I notice. It seems your clan gives them cause to hesitate” he said hopefully.

“Only because their not sure of how far we will go” Cat sighed “and we have a lot more to lose than they do. We have the children, and each other” she smiled weakly as Sev squeezed her hand.

“Do you truly believe they may make targets of the children?” Severus asked gently, he had never seen her like this and it was disturbing to him. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her, promise her everything would be fine. That they would all survive the future without injury or worry.

“May?? ... Severus believe me.... there is no *may*. Especially with this one... Gustavas” The Professor’s noticed her shudder again, the hair on her skin rising with terror. “He is particularly well known, and I am sure it was no accident they are sending him here. The first thing he will do is select his victims, and I can guarantee Harry will be one of the first.” she said as her eyes filled with tears at the very thought of anything happening to her son.

Severus wrapped his arms around her to stop her from shaking “Catri, how can you be so sure? You have always been so accepting of these vampyres before." he reminded her softly.

Cat looked directly into Sev’s eyes “These are not vampyres, they are not clan to me, nor are they allies. They are monsters. And they will kill, horribly and mercilessly. And this one” she motioned to the parchment in Albus’s hands “the one they call Gustavas.. He is the worst of their kind.” Severus watched as her tears began to fall “He takes pleasure in killing, I have heard stories of his horrors. Torturing and maiming, leaving his victims half alive so he can enjoy watching them fight to survive as the scavengers pick at their half dead bodies. Killing children in front of their mothers just to hear the futile pleading and screaming as she begs him to spare her children. Apparently he especially loves to show people how helpless they actually are to defend the ones that they love.” her face was haunted with visions of the horrors the voices had brought to her, she knew in her heart and soul that nothing would stop the monster they called Gustavas, nothing but his own death.

Albus silently moved to Cat and wiped away her tears “It will not happen here my dear. This is the safest place for Harry. And with the Garou and Gangrel here.... how can you be so upset over this?” he asked gently, fearing he knew the answer already.

Cat looked up at Albus “Because Harry is my son... and they will target him first for that very reason. If they can weaken me... then the house of cards tumbles. They know I'm the only thing holding the alliance together.” She took a deep breath “Voldemort has already approached them... and he can have them, they will turn on him just as quickly as anyone else. They are a blasphemy to the blood, they stole their immortality, desecrated the vessels.... the night has never known such horrors as the night they came into being.” Cat leaned into Severus as he pulled her closer to him, he could not stop her from shaking. “Harry is leaving with me now Albus, he is not safe here. And I cannot effectively protect the school if I’m worried about him. He goes home to my clan.. Now!”

“And you are not strong enough to go anywhere my dear” Albus said sternly “you would harm both yourself and Harry if you tried to leave now.” He softened immediately when he saw the look of hopelessness on Cat’s face. “Now Kitty, do not get yourself so upset. I also have allies, and I am sure the Ministry will assist us in this matter.”

“The Ministry. I’m sure they’ll help, those idiots will probably give him the keys to the castle.” Cat spat “If the going to the Ministry is supposed to make me feel safe..” Cat shook her head as the lists she gave Sirius flashed through her mind. How many of the Ministry had been listed there? Did Albus truly believe they would help him?

Albus sighed “We have until the new year, if this letter can be believed. That is more than enough time to step up security, and I am quite sure Cash will have some *interesting* ideas on how to handle this.” he told her as he rose to leave “May I take this with me?” he asked, motioning to the parchment.

“Of course, but please, don’t believe them for a moment.” Cat pleaded “I’ve seen to much of his work to even think about ...... don’t let him near here.” Cat watched as Albus smiled softly at her, she closed her eyes as her tears continued to fall. She felt as if her world were tumbling down upon her. She had to keep the students safe, but most of all, she had to protect Harry, she had to take him home. Even the Tremere would never dare attack her clan, not on their own land.

Severus stared at Catri as he held her in his arms. She look positively haunted “Catri.. What aren’t you telling me?” he asked softly “What aren’t you telling Dumbledore?”

Cat gave a long deep sigh “I’ve seen the aftermath of one of Gustavas’s visits... It will haunt me for the rest of my life.. I was traveling with my father and our warriors, he was hunting the monster and his clan. We came across a village a few hours after he had left. You’ve seen my clan in battle Sev, you know how strong we are, how brave.”

Sev nodded, he had indeed seen them, large men who held no fear of either death or pain. As a deatheater, he had witnessed them willingly sacrifice themselves to protect their clans, their families. They had killed scores of deatheaters every time they came across them, it had gotten to the point that they were told to avoid Clan MacLeod, at all costs.

“I saw them crying over the scene, my Clan, my warriors. Severus, their was nothing left alive, .. nothing. ... Not a man, woman or child... even the animals..there was complete silence, not even the sound of a bird or an insect. He had killed everything, I have never seen so much blood in my life, even on the battle field. They didn’t kill to feed, they killed for the sheer pleasure of it, to do nothing more than cause pain and steal the life from the living.” Cat’s eyes grew wide as the full horror of the memory took hold. “They hung up the corpses like puppets, they enjoyed killing. . .

Severus held her tightly as she started to sob. “I am positive Albus will find a protection spell to stop them. He does have.....” he jumped when Cat started to yell.

“Weren’t you listening to me earlier??!!! These are not muggles who were bitten, or Clan that were embraced.... these are monsters! They were once wizards, they stole the blood from vampyres to try and gain immortality. Only they didn’t take just any vampyre... they hunted down and captured the Nikitu... the oldest and deadliest of all the clans.. Even the Nosferatu fear the Nikitu.” Cat wiped at her tears as she tried to make Severus understand the true horror of the situation/

“The Nikitu’s blood was drained and magically infused to the wizards, creating Clan Tremere. The wizards were already power hungry and half mad.... think of Voldemort as he is now... that was them then.. And they have only gotten worse. And Gustavas was one of the first, he is several hundred years old, very powerful, and truly evil. There is no spell Albus can find that he doesn’t already know.” Cat said as she sunk against the headboard “He knows them all, he was one of you once. I’ve seen some of the books he wrote in the library, in the forbidden section.” She shook her head numbly “I just don’t see a way out of this......” she cried as she covered her face with her hands, as Severus looked on, helpless to ease her pain.

Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he knocked on Sirius’s door, he just had to tell him about Ron’s outburst. “Harry,.. Hi, glad to see you're still talking to me” Sirius said, he was surprised to see Harry, he was sure he would never be able to forgive him for ruining his chances to have a real family “How is Cat? Is she any better?” he asked softly, not looking Harry in his eyes.

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Harry responded happily “She can’t wait to see you.” Harry smiled as Sirius’s head popped straight up.

Sirius looked at Harry incredulously “What do you mean, she can’t wait to see me? She doesn’t even know I’m back.”

“She does now. And she’s practically bursting to talk with you. According to her, she’s been worried about you since the night you left.” Harry felt like jumping for joy when he saw the smile on his godfather’s face “I asked her if she wanted to see you... kind of a stupid question I guess, considering the look in her eyes, she’s really concerned for you. I thought she was going to get out of bed and look for you herself.”

“Really? She wants to see me.” repeated hopefully, Sirius paused for a moment before added sternly “You didn’t let her get out of bed did you?”

Harry had to laugh, Sirius could be so protective, Harry found it annoying when he kept information from him, but it was cute when he did it with Cat. “Sure I did, ... right after she gave me my dance lesson” he said as he winked at Sirius.

“Very funny Mr. Potter.” Sirius laughed “Do you think she’ll see me tonight?” he asked hopefully, “Maybe we can go together... I really should talk to her, about a lot of things I guees." he added softly

“Well I know at least one thing she’ll want to ask you about... and you can thank Ron for that.” Harry laughed as Sirius gave him a terrified look.

“What did Ron say? He didn’t tell her I was Snuffles... did he?” Sirius asked timidly.

“No he didn’t, but you should... I still can’t believe Snape didn’t say anything.” Harry told him sternly “And Ron just told her that your in love with her... half mad in love with her, to be exact.”

Sirius froze, he tried to say something, but nothing was coming out. After a few false starts he finally managed to gasp “What did she say?

Harry paused for a moment, the last thing he wanted to tell Sirius is what Cat had *said*, he wanted to tell him what she *meant*. Harry could tell by the look in her eyes, she may have thought it was a mistake, but she was hoping it wasn’t. “She didn’t get a chance to say anything, Professor Dumbledore and Snape walked in. They’re talking with her now.”

“Really, about her vision again?” Sirius asked, sounding both confused and concerned.

“I don’t know, but she did seem kind of pale. Definitely more so than when I ran into you earlier. I think something else is going on, but no one is telling me anything. Not that that should come as any great surprise.” Harry added sarcastically.

Sirius sighed “Now Harry, you know we only keep things from you . . . ”

“So I don’t worry and ruin my childhood. Yeah, so I’ve been told.” Harry responded, sounding less than convinced. They sat in quite for a few moments before Harry asked Sirius another question “Sirius, I know Remus knows all about this clan law and all, I’m guessing you do too?”

“Sure, she’s not the only celt in the word you know.” Sirius said, giving Harry a lop-sided grin.

“Wait.... you mean you're from her Clan too?” Harry asked as his eyes grew wide.

Sirius laughed “No Harry, ..... although I’m pretty sure Cash would give you a different answer. All of the Celtic Nations are divided into Clans, or families. Thats one of the reasons we always understood each other so well. Even though I was raised in this society, my father insisted on teaching me the *old ways* ; clan laws, language, even some of the magic.” Sirius thought back to the moment he realized Cat wasn’t exactly human. “I guess that’s why I never felt afraid of her, my father had told me stories about the beansidhe my whole life. I knew they would never harm me.”

Harry smiled softly as he watched his godfather, he could see the warmth returning to Sirius’s eyes “Does that mean you can explain something to me... about Cat?”

“I’ll try my best” Sirius replied as he motioned for Harry to sit next to him “but it might be best to ask her.”

Harry shook his head “I don’t want to hurt her feelings.” he knew how much Hermione’s comments had hurt him, he could only imagine how Cat would feel “I just wanted someone else’s opinion. Some people have been making comments about Cat being my mother, that its weird, or just plain wrong.... I don’t know how to explain it”

Sirius gave Harry a knowing smile “If they’re not clan they will never understand. Cat is your mother, every bit as much as Lily was. It doesn’t matter whose body you came out of.” He touched Harry’s chest, letting his palm rest against his heart “This is what matters, it’s the only thing that matters. Do you feel like Cat is your mother? Do you believe she is your mother?”

Harry nodded as tears sprung to his eyes, even trying to imagine life without her was impossible. Everytime he thought of what could have happened last night, he simply went cold. She was his mother, he needed her just like she needed him, they loved each other in a way he could never put into words. He had an anching need to know she would be there for him, to love and support him, to talk to him about school, and friends and all the little things that made him want to protect her from the world.

Then that is all there is to it. She loves you Harry, not *as if* you were her own flesh and blood, because you *are* her flesh and blood. She doesn’t differentiate between the two. . . . Did she ever explain that whole *life is a matter of perspective* thing to you?” Sirius chuckled as Harry nodded “Do you understand it? Because it still confuses me sometimes.”

Harry laughed as he wiped at his eyes. “She’s really good at explaining things like that.”

Sirius nodded “Well knowing her as I do, I can tell you this, as far as she is concerned, you, Harry James Potter, are her son. No one will convince her otherwise, no matter what they say or do. She will fight to keep you safe, comfort you when you’re sad, nurture you throughout your life, because that is what a mother does.” Sirius cupped Harry’s face in his hand “The only person who can severe that bond Harry, is you.... only you as her son could ever deny her as your mother. No one else, not Albus, not the Ministry, not her father, no one.”

“So even if people tell her she can’t be my mother...” Harry asked

Sirius smiled deeply “I truly pity anyone who dares to tell her that. She’s got a wicked temper, and let me tell you, she knows how to fight.” Sirius looked critically at Harry “So..... who *is* telling you she’s not your mother... Malfoy?”

“Among others, .. ... even Hermione was questioning the whole thing. She felt it was strange that Cat would suddenly become my mother,.... I guess it is a little odd, but it feels right.”

“It is right.” Sirius agreed “She loves you Harry, and its pretty obvious you love her. Don’t worry about what anyone else says. You two are the only ones that matter.”

“I hope the Ministry sees it like that,” Harry sighed “I overheard Dumbledore and McGonagall talking.... .. Did you know she’s filed adoption papers?” Harry tried to fight his excitement when he saw the look of shock on Sirius’s face.

“Adoption papers, .... wow.” He said numbly, Sirius wasn’t sure what to think or say “I had no idea. .... Harry. About that,.... its up to the Ministry, if it doesn’t go through..... I don’t want you to think it was because of her.”

“I know, ... they hate her. I was here, remember?” Harry reminded Sirius “I heard they way they spoke to her, and what they did to her mother.”

Sirius reached out and hugged Harry tightly. “I promise, I will never allow that to happen to her Harry. As long as I live, it is my duty to keep you and her safe. I love you both, you're the only ones that make my life worth the struggle....”

“Well, on that note Mr. Black.” Albus said as he walked over to he and Harry “perhaps you would care to see Miss MacLeod now. I know she has a great deal she wished to discuss with you. Seeing as how it is nearly curfew” Albus gave Harry a gently nudge “the students should be out of the halls shortly. I believe it will be safe for you to visit her. I will, of course, accompany you. I wish to speak with Poppy regarding her condition.”

Sirius suddenly looked grave “Harry said she looks worse. Her episodes don’t usually last this long. Is something else going on?”

Albus stared at Harry for a moment “Yes, she received a message today, but I’m sure she will want to discuss that with you herself. Come now Mr. Potter, it is time for you to be returning to the tower.” Albus motioned for Harry to leave. Sirius followed he and Albus into the office “Please wait for me here Sirius, I will be back shortly. I wish to speak with Harry, it will only take a few moments.”

“Harry, I overheard some of your conversation with Sirius. He is absolutely correct, she considers you to truly be her son, it doesn’t matter to her what the Ministry decides. She only did that to simplify matters, I believe she intends to stay with us until you graduate. The only thing the adoption papers will do is give her a *legal* right to make decisions on your behalf. Much as I have Sirius do now, of course as long as it is a school matter I will continue to consult them both.”

Sirius waited impatiently for Albus to return, he paced the floor as his mind wandered over everything Harry had told him. He wasn’t sure how he should react to Cat trying to formally adopt Harry, although he doubted the Ministry would allow it. But the thing that was praying on his mind the most was her reaction to Ron’s comment. He knew Harry wasn’t telling him something, it wasn’t like Cat to let a comment like that go by with absolutely no reaction, regardless of who walked in.

Sirius nearly jumped when Albus closed the door, “Deep in thought I see” Albus commented “I hope I did not startle you. Are you ready to go?”

Sirius nodded as he transformed into Snuffles and quickly followed Albus to the hospital wing. Albus cheerfully greeted Poppy who was sitting with Cat, she was looking just as pale as she had an hour ago. Albus nodded at Snuffles who slunk off as Poppy glared at him “Don’t tell me that beast belongs to you Headmaster Dumbledore. I have half a mind to let Hagrid take care of him, or maybe Professor Snape would be a better choice.”

Albus tried to hold back a chuckle “Now, now Poppy. What has Snuffles done to cause you to be so uncharitable towards him? He’s usually a very well behaved fellow.”

“For one, he shouldn’t be in the hospital. And I can’t even begin to imagine what is growing in that fur of his” Poppy said as she clucked her tongue.

“I give you my personal assurance, he is extraordinarily clean, and he is here to protect Miss MacLeod and Mr. Potter. He seems to feel it is his duty, and I am both unable and unwilling to convince him otherwise” Albus said as he smiled at Poppy’s confused look “Madame Pomfrey, I do need to discuss some security issues with you. May we go to your office, I would rather Cat not have to hear this. She needs her rest.”

“She certainly does. As it was I had to chase Professor Snape away, I think he would have staid here all night if I wouldn’t have.” She paused and looked intently at Dumbledore “Is it my imagination, or is he.... infatuated with her?” she smiled