It was amazingly easier than she had feared it would not be. Over the next few days, Professor Kathyrnne Celeste avoided prolonged, and even brief contact with Professor Severus Snape. At meals, she was careful to sit at the opposite end of the staff table as he. Should they happen to find themselves in close proximity, she ignored his presence. She made certain there were no longer any late night visits to either one's office, classroom, or personal quarters. It was all made quite easier on her part because he also did not go out of his way to attempt conversation with her. At all. Severus seemed to be holding onto this recent grudge just as well as she. This both frustrated and curiously satisfied Kat, in a small way. As such, it could all be quite confusing.

On a more pleasant note, however, there no longer seemed to be any reason for suspicions to arise from their fellow staff or particularly clever students who sensed something was going on. This did not mean their lack of unusual actions together went completely unnoticed.

It had been nearly a week and Kat had barely said two words to Severus, and even those had been clipped, cool, and barely cordial. She was currently sitting in her office at a pile of ungraded assignments upon her desk. However, her attention was focused fully on a recent owl letter she'd received. As such, she was completely surprised when Albus Dumbledore himself suddenly popped his head through the open doorway.

"I do hope you're writing a letter of acceptance in reply to your sister's wedding invitation."

Startled, Kat practically jumped a mile into the air, papers flying everywhere off her desk. Looking up and focusing on the mildly amused face of the older wizard, she tried to access the strange situation quickly.

She failed completely.

"Sorry… what?" she frowned in confusion, glancing down at the letter in her hands, then back up at him. "But, Headmaster, how did you know that Alanna sent me an invitation?"

He smiled gently, those sky-blue eyes glittering softly beneath half-moon spectacles.

"Because she also sent me a letter begging that I allow you leave to attend." He arched a brow. "And I must say, it was a rather convincing letter."

Kat sighed lightly. "I'm sorry that she had to pester you like that, sir, and I understand my obligations as the DADA professor here. I'll simply tell her that it is entirely impossible for me to – "

" – not pack immediately and leave at once," he cleverly interrupted, standing in front of her desk now.

"But my classes…"

" – can be taught by Remus in your absence. I've already spoken to him and he's already accepted."

Kat would not be defeated so easily, however.

"But Headmaster, I can't just leave in the middle of the semester like this."

"You can and you will." He softened his voice and expression then as only Dumbledore could. "I believe it will be easier on you and a certain potions professor if you spend some time apart."

Kat's eyes widened in surprise and her mouth fell open slightly. She covered it quickly with an uneasy half-laugh, then quickly raised a hand to brush back her hair absently, aware her cheeks were warming a bit.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Why would Severus – that is, Professor Snape – and I need to be apart?"

"Kathrynne," he smiled knowingly, "I know Severus quite well and have noticed the changes in him recently. I've seen the hidden looks and knowing smiles you two would exchange, among other things," he arched a brow, "all barely there, but still visible. I do not see these anymore. The mood between you two has changed, and he is rather more like his usual self."

Kat sighed, knowing there was no point in denying all this, and leaned her elbows on the table..

"Severus is not exactly an easy man to get to know… and trust."

"And yet you care do care for him," he spoke thoughtfully. It was not a question.

She didn't answer, nor meet his gaze. He smiled again, then fondly patted her head with his gentle hand as if she were a favorite student or child.

"Go and be with your sister on her momentous occasion. Send her my best wishes and deepest regrets that I will be unable to attend myself."

With that, he was gone, and Kat was left alone with her thoughts and the letter. The chance to see her younger sister again after such a long time of being apart was too tempting for her to pass up. So later that very same day, Kat would be found hastily packing for her trip. However, she could not leave so easily as without a visit first from someone not so unexpected.

"Sirius, I really need to get going."

The large dog whined miserably before practically leaping past her in a giant bound and landing comfortably on her bed. It was only then that he changed back to his human form with a pop.

"You weren't even going to say goodbye?" the man now lounging on her bed pouted. "You're so cold, woman."

She half-smiled wryly. "Alright, Sirius. Goodbye. Now will you please get out of my room so I can finish packing in peace?"

"Sure you don't want a chaperone along with you? Or a bodyguard, perhaps? This idea of a wedding between a muggle and a witch doesn't sound particularly… 'safe' to me." He made a face. "Why is she marrying some muggle git anyway?"

"Because she loves him perhaps?" she arched a brow dryly. "And he's not a git. Alex is a very charming young man."

Sirius rolled his eyes, standing, folding his arms stubbornly over his chest and approaching her. "I'm charming, damnit. He's just… weird. I met the guy once, y'know. Anyway, she's too young to even know what love is."

"You're right. She is. And so are you. Goodbye."

"But Kitty Kat, what if you get into trouble –"

"Not to worry, Black. Kathrynne has proven time and again that she can handle any trouble that comes her way," a particularly dry, sarcastic voice interrupted from the door. "Why, she's even confident enough in herself and her abilities to go out looking for trouble."

Kat narrowed her eyes at the tall, dark form of Severus Snape. Yes, it seemed he still held that grudge for the recent Death eater incident quite well. Sirius also sent a more murderous glare Snape's way.

"Want me to bite him again?" he asked her eagerly.

"No," Kat quickly replied, moving to forcefully push Sirius into Severus and out the door. "I want you both… OUT!"

With one final shove, she finally managed to get them out and slam the door in both their faces. Heaving a great sigh, she turned to finish packing, but her relief, unfortunately, was to be short-lived. The door she had failed to lock opened and shut again after admitting an unwanted guest.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, Kathrynne?" Severus asked in a quietly deadly voice.

"None of your business, Severus," she clipped coolly, not pausing to look up at him as she finished packing. He took that opportunity to sweep soundlessly to her, shut the bag, and hover over her menacingly.

"If I haven't made if clear already by your incredibly high standards, then I am now making it my business," he hissed in a more threatening tone.

Having him right there in her face like that, Kat almost snapped. Part of her wanted to give in, to tell him, and then to both have another verbal fight with him and then fall into his arms. She knew, deep inside, however, that it wouldn't work that way. Nothing had ever been simple between the two of them. Sighing softly, she met his gaze calmly.

"Then you're setting yourself up for much disappointment," she replied bitterly, before forcefully pulling her bag away. With that, she pushed past him, carrying her bag, and walked briskly out and down the hall. When Severus stepped out after her into the hallway, eyes narrowed and glittering dangerously, Sirius was still there, leaning casually against the wall.

"She told me where she was going," he gloated like a little kid, grinning slyly and pretending to casually examine his nails. Before Snape could say or do anything, however, he winked and then with a pop, turned back into Padfoot and padded down the hallway. Snape was left alone to brood in his own thoughts.

Kat immediately decided traveling to visit her sister was exactly what she had needed. Despite the almost ten-year age gap, the two had stayed quite close over the years. One was always quick to pick up on the other's mood. As such, it was only a short moment after a squealing, overexcited Alanna practically threw herself into big sister's arms that she realized something was up.

"What's wrong?" Alanna demanded, breaking away some, her shorter, deep scarlet hair bouncing about her shoulders with the movement.

"Nothing's wrong," Kat attempted a casual lie, regaining her composure after having her sister nearly bowl them both over. Even though Alanna had a smaller, slender body, whereas Kathrynne's was a bit more rounded and curvy, she still was quite powerful. She was a dancer, afterall.

"Something's wrong," Alanna wasn't buying it.

"I'm fine," the other insisted.

The shorter girl arched a brow, green-blue eyes suspicious and unrelenting.

"Kat. We may have not seen each other for a while, but that doesn't mean I've lost my wits. You're definitely giving off some bad vibes," she frowned, stubbornly crossing her arms over chest. "You look tired. What's going on?"

Kat sighed softly, finally giving in. "A lot, but we're not talking about here or now. Can't I at least settle in first, see Jonathan and congratulate him personally? Its been too long since I last saw him…"

Alanna relaxed at the mention of her fiancé and smiled slowly, apologetically. "Its been too long since you saw me. Alright. We'll go to our place, first, but then I expect you to spill every little detail, big sister."

Kat smiled dryly. There definitely was much to spill, and she already knew Alanna wouldn't care much for one bit of it.

Alanna's fiancé, Jonathan Chateau, had recently inherited millions from a grandfather who had passed away. Along with the riches came the deed of a luxurious mansion, where the wedding guests, including Kat, would be staying. While Jonathan taught English at a nearby university where Alanna taught a few dance classes, neither cared much for this unexpected money they'd been thrown into. Kat knew her sister truly loved him, and that his being rich now had nothing to do with the marriage. Still, it was a great comfort to see her so well taken care of after all they'd both been through in their lives.

"I will have to ask that you try and keep your magic under wraps," Alanna reminded her as she escorted her through the massive, Victorian-style mansion. To Kat, it was almost more like a castle, though it could not possibly hold a candle to Hogwarts. "All those on the groom's side are muggles, naturally, and everyone who is not his parents shouldn't know what you and I really are."

"So the folk's know, then?" Kat arched a brow, her gaze still wandering the sights of the beautiful rooms. "And what did they think of their future daughter-in-law's true identity?"

"Oh, they took it rather well," Alanna nodded casually, "after they got over the initial shock, of course. Then they got all bloody excited about it."

"Yes, Mom and Dad begged and begged me to tie her up and showcase her powers as a kind of carnival sideshow for money and fame," a clearly American, male voice rung out from the swirling, towering staircase above them, "but I told them how stubborn she'd be and want to join a union to take all the money for herself." There was a sigh. "She really did ruin all their fun."

Kat's eyes followed up the staircase to see Jonathan Chateau making his way down. American and a muggle, he also possessed one other quality that might normally go against him – his appearance practically screamed 'geek.' Nerd. Tall and skinny, his dark brown hair parted down the middle, similarily dark, small eyes peered out from beneath black-framed glasses. She remembered him often appearing nervous in the early courting days of the two, but since really falling inlove with Alanna he had long since come out of his shell. They were rather good for each other, Kat thought, what with her sister still being a bit of a wild child and he rather neat and organized.

"My fiancé, the comedian," she rolled her eyes dryly. "Jon, I'm sure you remember my sister, Kat. Kat dear, you couldn't possibly have forgotten someone as annoying as him."

"Ouch, honey," he made a brief face after reaching them, just as she smiled sweetly and leaned up slightly on tip toe to kiss him. Something panged uncomfortably inside Kat at the sight of two people so happy and inlove, but she ignored it. Moving away from his fiancé, he offered his sister-in-law a hand. "Great to see you again, Kat."

"Oh, you can do better than that," she teased gently, pulling him into a warm hug. "Congratulations, Jon. I can't tell you enough how happy I am for the both of you." She arched a warning brow after pulling away. "You break her heart, though, and I'm turning you into a frog."

Alanna snorted at the common witch stereotype. "Oh c'mon, Kat. You can do worse than that." Then added to the joking stereotype. "Turn him into an ant."

"Your support for me is overwhelming," Jon smirked, lovingly pulling her to his side.

"Anything for you, love," she winked, kissing him again, before glancing back to Kat. "Oh, would you take Kat's luggage to her bedroom, please?"

"You know, that's what butlers and maids are for," he spoke dryly, but Alanna was already pulling Kat away.

"You're right. We should get some!" she called over her shoulder, blowing him one last kiss. "Thanks, dear."

"You certainly seem to have him trained," Kat teased after he'd headed back upstairs.

Alanna giggled. "Isn't it lovely? My very own pet husband." She sighed mock-wistfully. "Oh, married life is going to be just grand."

Kat smiled gently, laying a hand on her sister's shoulder. "I really am happy for you, 'Lanna. You deserve all of this."

"Thank you," she returned the smile. "It really is like some surreal dream I keep thinking I'm going to wake up from any minute."

"Not going to happen," Kat raised her brow pointedly

Alanna basked in the glow of happiness a moment longer, before remembering. "Enough about me. What about you? I want you to tell me everything that's happened to you since you got this job teaching at Hogwarts. Sit, sit!"

In a cozy living room, they sat in plush, velvety couches in front of a toasty fireplace. Kat marveled at the grandeur of it all, taking in the deep, rich colors as she gathered her thoughts on what exactly she was going to tell her sister.

"Its also felt like a dream for me," she arched a brow lightly, "and sometimes, more like a nightmare. It seems whoever holds the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is always in for some excitement."

"Oh yeah? What kind of excitement?"

"The kind involving Sirius Black, Death Eaters, tequila, Harry Potter and… Severus Snape," she replied dryly.

Alanna instantly made a disgusted face. "Okay, you had me excited up until you brought Snape into the mix. He been making life a living hell for you like he did me, too?" She grinned slyly. "Please tell me you've turned his hair rainbow colors. I never did graduate to those extremities."

Kat half-smiled wryly. Alanna was young enough to have had Snape as her potions professor his first few years of teaching at Hogwarts. She'd hated the class with a passion, and his feelings for her had been similar. Course, he had good reasons, since she had pulled about every prank in the book on him, including turning his hair blue. Kat figured her sister would get along just splendidly with the young Weasley twins or the similarly young-at-heart Sirius Black.

"Well, no, I haven't done anything like that," Kat began hesitantly, choosing her words carefully, "but he certainly made my life a living hell at times, and at other times… well… "

Taking a deep breath, she plunged on ahead and told Alanna everything that had progressed between her and Snape. She was her sister, after all. The younger woman looked like she was going to be sick several moments while listening, and often made brief, rude and disbelieving comments. It was to be expected, really.

"But you hate him now, right?" Alanna practically demanded, leaning forward in her chair, "because he's a stupid Death Eater and all?"

"Was a stupid Death eater," Kat reminded her, rolling her eyes lightly at the childish description Alanna had used. "Not anymore."

"But, but… still! This is greasy ol' Snape we're talking about here," she stuck out her tongue. "Why couldn't you have picked Remus instead?" Her brow rose. "Or Sirius! He's perfect!"

Kat half-smiled lightly. "Because I told you how things didn't turn out between us when we were kids. I can't go back to that."

"But that was so long ago," she almost whined in her misery. "Things have changed. Despite the whole fugitive bit, Sirius seems like a good enough guy now." She sighed in frustration when Kat, smiling softly, refused to agree. "Snape is such an unfeeling git. How on earth could you have possibly… kissed him?" She made another violently disgusted face.

"Because you don't know him like I do," she continued smiling, eyes going distant a moment. "I mean, he's certainly not perfect nor a Prince Charming, I'll admit, and things have been quite difficult, but…"

Alanna gasped, watching her sister closely as she trailed off helplessly. Suddenly, she jumped up dramatically to her feet and pointed accusingly at Kat. "You like him! You really do like him!" Kat blinked in surprise as her sister, ever the little actress, fell to her knees before her and begged. "Please, please tell me you haven't fallen inlove with him."

Kat's eyes widened. Love… well, really, she hadn't ever thought about that. Could she have possibly fallen inlove with the former Death Eater? It was so much to think about, and almost made her feel rather dizzy and light-headed that she found she couldn't think about it, much less answer her sister's question truthfully now.

"I… I don't know, Alanna," she said instead, quietly. "I mean, I do care for him, but…" She trailed off again with a sigh. "I don't know. Things are a bit… complicated."

Alanna, though somewhat comforted by this, still looked decidedly miserable.

"You're still raining on my happy day," she pouted.

Kat arched a brow mildly. "Have to admit though, 'Lan, you were the one that brought this thing up, not me."

"Fine," Alanna sighed a bit. "Well, Kat, you're my big sister and of course I love you and trust your judgment, but," she narrowed her bright eyes, balling her hands into little fists, "if Snape so much as hurts you in any way, he's going down."

Kat rolled her eyes with a small half-laugh. " 'Going down?'" she repeated. "You know, you really are starting to sound too much like a bloody American."

"Hey now, I do believe that offends me," Jon called dryly from the doorway.

Kat arched a brow. "He always finds the perfect times to drop in one people, doesn't he?"

"You have no idea," Alanna smirked, before pushing herself up to her feet. "Well, come on, then. We've still got a lot to do before the wedding."

"Like what?" Kat asked suspiciously.

"Like try on your dress for the wedding!" Alanna grinned, happy once again, as if the Snape incident had never happened. "We're having a traditional muggle wedding, so no robes, just dresses. I've already picked yours out. Come see!"

Kat arched a brow as her sister tugged at her hand. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of her sister, who had once dyed Severu's hair a violent shade of blue and calling it stylish, picking out her dress. This was going to be interesting, to say the very least.