A/N - My profuse apologies that it has taken me so long to get another chapter up. I was not anticipating this long of a wait, but due to a variety of events in my life, it couldn't be helped. I am hoping (really, really hoping) that things are calming down and getting back to normal now and I can have the next chapter up more quickly. This is a bit shorter than usual as well, but I didn't want to make you all wait any longer. Thanks for sticking with me!

Chapter 21

Uncertain

12 February 1997

Catherine stepped through the Floo into the Hospital Wing, immediately siphoning the ash from her robes. She loosened the blanket she had wrapped around Carina to make sure the baby was also soot-free. Grey eyes blinked up at her and Catherine smiled.

"Oh, you're here," Poppy said as she came into her office. "Let me see then." Catherine chuckled and unwrapped Carina a bit before handing her to the matron. "Oh, Catherine, she is gorgeous."

"Thank you Poppy," Catherine replied with a smile. The mediwitch sat down and began cooing to Carina, who waved a tiny fist in the air. The chime on the Infirmary door sounded, but Poppy didn't seem to notice.

"I'll just get that shall I?" Catherine asked in amusement.

"Oh, it's probably Minerva," Poppy returned. "I told her you were coming this morning." Catherine shook her head fondly and walked out into the ward. It was indeed the Transfiguration professor making her way across the room toward Poppy's office.

"Catherine," Minerva said in greeting. She seemed to be looking for something. Catherine bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"She's in the office," Catherine said.

"Oh," Minerva said and began to walk past Catherine. She stopped after a few steps. "It's nice to see you too dear."

"Don't worry, I'm well aware I'm not the main attraction today," Catherine smirked. She followed Minerva into Poppy's office. The two older women fawned over Carina, making silly faces at her and talking gibberish. Catherine watched in amusement.

"Do either of you know if Severus has any free time today?" Catherine asked. She had sent the information from Hargrove's letter to him a few weeks ago and wanted to check in and see if he'd come to any conclusions.

"He's got a free period just before lunch," Minerva replied without taking her eyes off the baby. "It starts in about twenty minutes which is all the time I have left until I have to teach my next class, so hand her over Poppy." She held her hands out for Carina. Poppy looked a little disgruntled, but did as Minerva requested. Catherine watched them for a bit, Carina somberly studying the two women looking down at her. Catherine had seen hints of a smile from her daughter from time to time, but only for those she knew and never a full-on grin, no matter how much they smiled at her. She normally regarded strangers this way, serious and contemplative. Catherine glanced at the clock on the wall.

"I'll have to take her back from you now if I'm to get to Severus' office," Catherine said. "I want to catch him before he gets involved with something.

"Nonsense," Poppy said. "You go ahead to Severus' office and just leave her here with us." Minerva nodded in agreement.

"But Poppy, Minerva has to leave soon. What if a student comes in?" Catherine asked. Poppy waved off her concern.

"I am entirely capable of multi-tasking and Severus does have a Floo in his office if I need you," the mediwitch replied. Catherine bit her lip in thought. Carina seemed to do well with most anyone, even those she didn't know well and she hadn't voiced any protests to the older witches thus far. And it would be best to catch Severus right after class.

"All right, if you're sure," she finally said.

"Of course I'm sure," Poppy returned and Catherine just chuckled and handed over the bag she had over her shoulder.

"In case she needs a change while I'm gone," Catherine replied. Poppy took the bag absentmindedly and set it on her desk, then went back to admiring the baby. With one last glance at the two women, Catherine turned and left the office, headed for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

When Catherine arrived at the door, there were only a couple of minutes left in the class. She stood outside, not wanting to disturb Severus while he was teaching, something that she knew he did not appreciate at all. She heard a muffled voice coming through the door and assumed he was still lecturing. She leaned against the stone wall, her hands clasped in front of her.

Luvenia had visited the week before and while she hadn't asked, Catherine knew the other woman was curious if Catherine had any new information. The retired Healer that Celia's current Healer had spoken to hadn't had much to add to the situation. While he had seen a few cases such as Celia's, they had never been able to come up with any kind of cure or treatment for the madness.

The voice inside ceased and a few moments later the door opened and students began to pour into the corridor. Third-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws Catherine realized as she gave Owen a little wave. Once the line of students seemed to end, Catherine stepped into the classroom. Severus was at his desk pulling a stack of essays towards him. He looked up at her entrance.

"Madame Powell," he drawled. Catherine bit back a smirk. She and Sirius weren't actively trying to keep their relationship a secret any longer, too many people knew for that, but she knew Severus would never deign to call her Madame Black.

"Severus," she returned, closing the classroom door behind her. With a flick of his wand it was sealed and warded. She walked to the front of the classroom, conjuring a chair in front of his desk.

"To what do I owe the interruption?" he asked, but with no venom in his voice.

"I think you probably already know," she replied, settling herself into the chair she had conjured.

"Indeed," he returned. He sat back in his chair and folded his hands into his lap. "Given the information I obtained, I am not surprised that Miss Hargrove was affected as she was, nor the countless others that probably suffered the same fate. This potion is highly sensitive and highly complex. The intricacies are," he paused for a moment shaking his head, "astounding. Any number of even minute changes in the preparation or brewing process could have disastrous results."

"What are you saying exactly?" Catherine asked, although she was quite sure she already knew.

"I am saying that no one outside of a qualified Potions Master should even attempt to brew this potion," Severus answered. "If brewed properly, it would give the desired results with none of the side effects. However, somewhere along the line of history, this was overlooked or forgotten or purposely pushed aside so as to save galleons or time. Even the measurements were slightly changed from the original information I have and the copy of the recipe you provided."

"And the possible cure?" she questioned.

"That I cannot answer with any certainty," he said. "The ingredients you know of are too few to give any kind of precise picture." Catherine nodded, having expected as much.

"I will say that any study of a treatment or cure for this particular potion would likely take years of experimentation," he continued.

"Do you think Dushku capable of this?" she returned.

"Capable yes," Severus acknowledged. "Do I think he has? It is difficult to say." Catherine waited as Severus paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts. He rose and began to pace back and forth behind his desk, his hands clasped behind his back. She imagined it was what he might look like while he lectured.

"As I said before Dushku is brilliant. He also relishes a challenge, which this particular remedy would surely be," Severus said as he paused in his pacing. "However, he is also known to lose interest if he does not have some type of result or breakthrough rather quickly. This is a project that I would imagine could take years, even if one was specifically focused on it."

"Which we know Dushku was not," Catherine said. Severus inclined his head in agreement.

"That does not mean that he may not been working on it for some time," Severus said. "It is possible that it has been a long-term side project. Dushku will go where the gold and the fame is. It does not seem likely that this particular cure would garner him much fame, as most families would not want it made public knowledge what they had done to their own offspring. That may explain why he is asking such an exorbitant amount for it. If he cannot have the fame, he most definitely will want the gold." Catherine nodded.

"Do you think it worth it?" she asked. "If it is a cure."

"That is purely a personal opinion," he stated. "But the further one has sunk into the madness, the more difficult it becomes to retrieve them."

"The time factor is not as important as he makes it sound then," she said. Severus shrugged.

"I think that he assigned an arbitrary number to it in order to goad Hargrove into action because he wanted his money," Severus replied. Catherine blew out a breath. It wasn't the news she had hoped for.

"Thank you Severus," she finally said as she stood. He inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"Perhaps you would prefer to Floo back to the Hospital Wing," he said smoothly as he rose as well. She looked at him in confusion. "Your marriage is no longer a secret and will be common knowledge sooner rather than later. I am expecting a few older students from my House with questions on a project in a few moments." He did not elaborate further, but Catherine did not need him to. It would do his spy status no good to be seen having a private meeting with her.

"Very well," she agreed. He directed her up the stairs into his office and she thanked him once again before she stepped into the fireplace and disappeared.

1 March 1997

"Catherine," Sirius called. Catherine's brow furrowed and she looked up at the clock on the wall of the kitchen. He'd only been gone an hour, not nearly enough time for him to meet and talk to Harry in Hogsmeade. She hurried to the Floo. Sirius' head floated in the green flames.

"What's going on?" she asked immediately. "What's happened?"

"They cancelled the Hogsmeade weekend," Sirius said with a sigh.

"Cancelled?" Catherine repeated.

"It's not that much of a shock really, but a little notice would have been nice," Sirius grumbled. "I stood at the foot of the path from the castle for nearly an hour before I walked to the Three Broomsticks and asked Rosmerta."

"Yes, I suppose Albus would have told the merchants," Catherine mused.

"Well, he told Aberforth at any rate, who spread the word," Sirius explained.

"Where are you now?" Catherine asked, hoping he wasn't using the public Floo in the Three Broomsticks.

"Rosmerta's private Floo," he smirked. Catherine rolled her eyes. Sirius and James had made no secret of their flirting with Rosmerta while they were in school. Of course, the majority of the male population at Hogwarts did the same, even still now she was sure. Sirius still carried on a playful banter with the older witch whenever he was in the pub.

"Sirius, you have to talk to Harry," Catherine insisted. The communication with their eldest hadn't improved any over the last month. Catherine had also not seen him on the days she worked at Hogwarts, as he hadn't chosen to visit. In fact, they'd only received one short note from him in the last few weeks and it really said nothing at all. Catherine was sure he had only written it under pressure from Ellie.

It was, in actuality, a letter from said daughter a few days ago that had finally convinced Catherine and Sirius that something needed to be done. Ellie had spoken with Rory a few days prior and her younger brother had been lamenting the lack of Quidditch practices. They had only had one in the last month, even though their next match was only a week away. Rory had even tried to entice Harry to take a fly with him one particularly warm day at the end of February, but Harry had refused. It was this more than anything that worried them. Harry did not refuse to fly. Ever.

"I realize that," Sirius said drawing Catherine from her reverie. "I'm just unsure how Albus will take it."

"You could Floo into the Hospital Wing," Catherine reminded him. "You're still keyed into the fireplace there."

"True, but I'd rather Albus not know that little tidbit just yet," Sirius returned. Catherine nodded absently.

The Headmaster had been rather aloof towards them at the last Order meeting. Catherine got the distinct impression that he was hiding something. Well, he was always hiding something, but she thought he was hiding something from them, specifically. When Sirius had voiced his concerns over Harry's current state of mind, Dumbledore had waved him off, assuring the two of them that it was nothing more than annoyance at his two best friends who were still barely speaking to one another. Catherine and Sirius knew otherwise.

"You know if you send Hagrid a Patronus, he'll let you in," Catherine pointed out. "He loves Harry as much as you do. And I doubt Albus would have you forcibly removed from the grounds."

"Maybe," Sirius mused. "Unless someone intercepts my Patronus like Snape did with Tonks last fall."

"You'll just have to do what you think is best," Catherine said. "Do you want me to come?"

"No love, don't bring the baby out," Sirius replied. Carina had been rather fussy the last few days. Catherine suspected she had a touch of a cold. Her mother and Edward were still in Italy for another week and while she was sure that Remus or Myra would have watched Carina, the baby didn't seem to want anyone but her mother. She even protested when Sirius held her.

"All right," Catherine agreed. "Good luck and be careful."

"Always," he replied with a smile before he disappeared. On cue, Carina began to wail and Catherine glanced back at the fireplace one last time before she rose to tend to her daughter.

Sirius came through the fireplace well after dinner, looking exhausted.

"Where have you been?" she asked jumping up to hug him. "I've been worried sick." His arms tightened around her and he buried his face in her hair. "Sirius, what's wrong?" He sighed and pulled back from her, scrubbing a hand down his face.

"Ron Weasley was poisoned today," he said grimly. Catherine's mouth dropped open in shock.

"What?" she whispered.

"He's fine," Sirius assured her. "Or he will be."

"What the hell happened?" Catherine demanded. Sirius sighed and sunk down on the sofa. Catherine sat beside him. He recounted the events of the day and when he was finished Catherine was on her feet.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I should go, help Poppy, see Harry, make sure," she trailed off as Sirius stood and wrapped his arms around her.

"Everyone is all right Cat," he said kissing her temple. Catherine took a shuddering breath.

"Come on, you must be hungry," she finally said and took his hand, leading him into the kitchen. She reheated some of the leftovers from dinner with a quick spell and poured him a glass of wine. She sat down at the table with him while he ate.

"How is Harry, truly?" she asked.

"Shaken up about Ron," Sirius replied. "I couldn't get much of anything else out of him because he was so worried. They kept us out of the hospital wing for most of the day."

"How did you get in to the grounds?" she questioned.

"Got lucky," he said. "Aurora was coming up from Hogsmeade when I was trying to decide whether to send Hagrid a Patronus or not. Started a conversation with her about Jupiter and walked with her all the way to the castle." He grinned and Catherine chuckled.

"Harry did seem happy to see me though," Sirius said after a few minutes of eating.

"But he didn't tell you anything?" she asked.

"Not really," he said with a shrug. "He was too concerned about hashing over what happened to Ron and trying to figure out who did it and why."

"Well obviously Ron wasn't the target," Catherine said.

"No," Sirius agreed. "Question is who was? Dumbledore or Slughorn?"

"That's fairly obvious I should think," she returned. "Given what happened with the necklace."

"Harry is convinced Draco has something to do with it," Sirius told her. She sighed and rubbed her temples.

"And you?" she questioned.

"Hell, Catherine, I don't know what I think anymore," he answered tiredly. "But Harry is nearly obsessed with this. And he won't hear anything against his arguments either. But you were right. There is something else going on, something he's not telling me. He insists it's just school and homework, but I don't think so." Before Catherine could say anything else, Miranda burst into the kitchen, hair still wet from her shower.

"Dad!" she exclaimed jumping on to his lap. "I missed you."

"I missed you too Princess," he said with a smile, kissing her cheek. "I'm sorry I was gone all day."

"It's okay," she said with a shrug. "Is Harry all right?"

"He'll be fine," Sirius assured her. She hugged him around the neck and rested her head against his chest. Sirius locked eyes with Catherine over Miranda's head and she knew he was thinking the same thing she was. They only hoped Harry really would be fine.

8 March 1997

After sending Miranda off with Ellie and Ethan, Sirius and Catherine made their way to the pitch along with the rest of the school. Carina had been left with her grandparents, still too young to be spending her day at a Quidditch match. They hadn't intended to attend this game, but after the mess the previous week, Catherine wanted Sirius to have another chance to speak with Harry.

Unfortunately, it seemed that fate was not going to allow Sirius any such thing, as Harry took a bludger to the head only twenty minutes into the match. The two of them rushed to the infirmary, Catherine trusting that Ellie would take care of her younger sister. Poppy deftly treated him, but Harry remained unconscious long after Catherine needed to be home. Taking Miranda with her, she left Sirius to sit next to Harry's bedside until he awoke.

Finally, both girls in bed and under the watchful eye of her mother, Catherine returned to the hospital wing in time to hear raised voices in the ward.

"Mr. Black, I must insist," Poppy was saying.

"I'm sorry Poppy," Sirius replied. "But I need to speak with my godson."

"Then please ensure you do it at a much lower volume," Poppy fumed. "Or I will be forced to escort you to the Floo."

"Fine," Sirius replied tightly. Catherine waited until Poppy came back into her office shaking her head.

"Oh good, maybe you can talk some sense into the two of them," the mediwitch said as she spied Catherine.

"What have they done now?" Catherine asked.

"Harry awoke a half hour ago," Poppy replied. "He is nearly mended, but I want to keep him here overnight. He and Sirius were talking and then suddenly they were shouting, something about Draco Malfoy and Harry being obsessed." Catherine sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I'm sorry Poppy," she said.

"It's not your fault my dear," Poppy returned. "But both Harry and Mr. Weasley need their rest and I cannot have Sirius disrupting that."

"I understand," Catherine acknowledged. "I'll speak with them." Poppy patted her arm as she left the office and made her way to Harry's bed. Harry and Sirius were glowering at each other when she reached them, Sirius with his arms crossed over his chest and Harry with his hands fisted at his sides.

"How do you feel?" she asked the boy when she had reached the side of his bed.

"Fine," Harry responded tersely. Sirius shot him a look. "Sorry." Catherine smiled and glanced at Sirius.

"Harry you know we're just worried about you, don't you?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered begrudgingly.

"Won't you please tell us what's going on?" she continued.

"I told you, it's just school stuff," Harry insisted. "And Sirius has already heard the rest. Not that he wanted to."

"Harry that's not true," Sirius retorted. "But you haven't listened to a word I've said."

"He is up to something," Harry hissed. "I have listened to you, but I know."

"How do you know?" Catherine asked.

"I just do," Harry said. Sirius' brow furrowed.

"This 'just knowing' wouldn't be like the 'just knowing' about Arthur being attacked, would it?" Sirius said cautiously.

"No, it's nothing like that," Harry assured him. "I just, I know, okay? I can't explain it, but I do."

"Harry," Sirius sighed, but Catherine shook her head slightly. She double checked the bandages around Harry's head, merely for something to do. His sullen expression slowly faded and he gave her a small smile.

"How is everyone?" he asked.

"If by everyone, you mean Carina and Miranda, they are both fine," Catherine told him. "Carina had a touch of a cold last week, but she's much better now. And she's smiling at everyone." Harry grinned. "I usually bring her with me on Wednesdays." Catherine let the statement hang in the air as Harry's grin faded and his cheeks colored slightly. "Maybe you'll stop in this week, yes?"

"I'll try," he said. "What about your mum and Edward?" Catherine hid a grin at his quick change of subject.

"They had a lovely time and brought back gifts for everyone," she said. "Which you will get at summer hols." Harry nodded.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Poppy said, coming into view. "But Mr. Potter does need his rest."

"Of course Poppy," Catherine returned. She leaned forward and hugged Harry, then kissed his cheek. He smiled at her as she pulled away. She walked around the bed to Sirius who was staring pensively at his godson. Harry was doing everything possible to avoid his gaze. "I'll wait for you in the office." She squeezed his hand as she and Poppy walked away.

"Don't worry yourself so much," Poppy said gently when they'd reached the office. "You know how stubborn teenagers are, especially that one." Catherine managed a half smile.

"You're right, I just hope that's all it is," she replied. Sirius joined her a few minutes later, looking less upset than he had been.

"Ready?" she asked and he nodded.

"I'm sorry Poppy," he said turning to the matron. "About earlier."

"Sirius, I am more than used to your temper, not to mention the stubbornness of that young man out there," Poppy chuckled. "Consider yourself forgiven." Sirius kissed the back of her hand, making her blush and slap his arm. "Off with you now."

"Let us know if anything changes?" Catherine requested.

"Of course," Poppy assured her and Catherine and Sirius stepped into the Floo together.

When they stepped into their living room, Jane and Edward looked up at them expectantly.

"He's fine," Catherine reported.

"Good news," Jane said with a smile as Edward nodded his head in agreement.

"Love, I'm knackered," Sirius said quietly. "I'm going to head up."

"All right, I'll be up in a few minutes." He kissed her cheek quickly and walked towards the stairs. Jane watched him in concern until he disappeared.

"I take it things did not go well," she said.

"Not really," Catherine replied with a sigh. "How are the girls?"

"Both asleep," Edward informed her. He studied her for a few moments. "Go on Catherine, we'll be up for a bit longer if anyone needs us."

"Thank you," she said with a smile and moved to follow her husband.

"Sirius?" she called quietly once she'd reached their room.

"Over here," he said in the darkness. He was sitting her usual spot in the window seat. She walked forward and joined him, sitting between his legs and letting him pull her back against him. He buried his face in her hair and sighed. She reached a hand back and carded it through his hair.

"Tell me what you're thinking," she said.

"What if it's too much?" he returned.

"Too much?" she repeated.

"The prophecy, the expectations, all of it," Sirius explained. "What if it's too much and he breaks?"

"We won't let him," she promised.

"If he won't let us in, how can we stop it?" Sirius asked. She half-turned in his arms and Sirius nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

"We just keep trying," she said. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "We just keep trying." They sat there silently in the darkness, lost in their thoughts until the stillness was broken by the small whimpers of a hungry baby.

10 March 1997

Catherine and Luvenia sat at the kitchen table sipping tea. Carina was in her infant seat, waving her arms at the toys Catherine had charmed to float in the air above her. Every so often Carina would bump one with her hand and smile widely. Luvenia watched her fondly.

"Have you decided?" Catherine finally asked when it became obvious that the older woman wasn't going to start the conversation.

More than two weeks ago, Catherine had explained to Luvenia what Severus had told her at their last meeting. Luvenia had been quiet when Catherine finished and said she needed time to think. It hadn't been until three days ago that she had sent an owl asking to meet with Catherine to discuss her decision.

"I cannot ask you to give me that kind of money," Luvenia replied.

"You're not asking," Catherine reminded her. "I've offered."

"Even still," Luvenia began, but Catherine held up a hand to forestall her.

"If money was not the issue would you do it?" Catherine asked. Luvenia looked down at her tea cup.

"Yes," she whispered, not looking at Catherine. "She is my daughter."

"Then that's what we'll do," Catherine assured her, reaching over and taking the older woman's hand. Luvenia looked up her eyes sparkling with tears.

"Thank you," she managed. Catherine simply smiled and squeezed her hand tighter.

"I'll have Sirius make the withdrawal tomorrow," Catherine said. Aldridge Hargrove had indeed been found guilty of all of the charges against him. He was currently being housed in Azkaban, although Catherine knew that the security there was not as high as it had been in the past with the Dementors guarding it. His marriage to Luvenia had been dissolved and Sirius had been but in charge of the Fawley accounts until Rory reached his majority.

Catherine still thought the practice of only males being in charge was ridiculous and Sirius was already discussing with Washburn if Rory could change things when he became the heir. But, given that they could not withdraw any more money than Hargrove had been able to, Catherine was going to use part of her inheritance to pay Dushku. Luvenia had tried to insist on paying her back by cutting her own allowance, but Catherine had adamantly refused. They were family and this is what families did.

"Will you go to Albania right away?" Catherine asked.

"As soon as I can procure a Portkey, yes," Luvenia replied. Catherine nodded. Luvenia ran a fingertip around the rim of her teacup, her face pensive.

"What is it?" Catherine asked.

"I have tried not to hope for too much," Luvenia said quietly. "But it is difficult."

"Sometimes, hope is all we have," Catherine returned.

"Yes, well, I also try not to imagine the guilt I will feel if we have paid so much for something that gives us no result," Luvenia continued.

"Luvenia, please," Catherine said. "I have told you many times that Sirius has more money than we could spend in ten lifetimes. Even if this potion does not work, I will have no regrets that we tried."

"Still," Luvenia protested.

"I do not want you to go through your life wondering," Catherine said. "Wondering if it would have worked." Luvenia gave her a watery smile.

"I will say no more on the subject," she promised.

"Good," Catherine replied with a smile. Carina gave a shriek at that moment and both women started.

"Well," Luvenia said with a chuckle once they had ascertained that the baby was merely waving her arms happily. "It seems that the little one agrees." Catherine grinned as her youngest tried to stick her flailing hand in her mouth. They spent the rest of their visit smiling over the baby's antics.

"Hello," Catherine said with a smile as Sirius stepped from the fireplace.

"Hello yourself," he replied, walking over and kissing her rather thoroughly.

"How was your day?" she asked when she had regained her breath. He smirked.

"More of the same," he said with a shrug. "How was Luvenia?"

"She's decided to go ahead," Catherine informed him. Sirius nodded, but Catherine knew that he wasn't in favor of the idea. "I know you don't approve."

"It's not that," Sirius said interrupting her. "I just don't want either of you to get your hopes up. You know what Snape said."

"I know," Catherine agreed. "But I don't want to wonder either." Sirius kissed her forehead.

"Oh," Catherine said. "Poppy flooed and she released Harry and this morning."

"He's all right?" Sirius asked.

"Just fine," Catherine replied. Sirius seemed to visibly relax.

"You're still going in on Wednesday," he said.

"Planning on it," she told him. He nodded. "Hopefully he'll stop by." He kissed her again and she leaned into him, losing herself in the kiss.

"Eww," they heard and Catherine felt Sirius smile against her lips. He pulled away from her and turned slightly. Miranda stood in the doorway with a grin on her face.

"Hi Dad," she said cheekily. He chuckled and held out his arms. Miranda ran towards them and hugged him.

"You did that on purpose," Catherine said and Miranda shrugged.

"Worked didn't it?" she replied.

"Hufflepuff huh?" Sirius said to Catherine. "Are you sure this one isn't headed for Slytherin?"

"Da-ad," Miranda said. He ruffled her hair and she glared at him.

"Dinner?" Catherine suggested.

"I'm starving," Sirius agreed. They began to walk towards the kitchen and heard a loud wail from upstairs. Catherine sighed.

"I'll get her love," Sirius said, kissing Catherine's temple. He turned to the stairs and bounded up them two at a time. When he returned, Carina had her fist shoved in her mouth and she was gumming her hand and whimpering.

"I suppose she's hungry," Catherine said taking the baby from him.

"Again?" Miranda asked incredulously. "She just ate less than two hours ago." Sirius looked at Catherine in concern.

"Growth spurt," Catherine explained. "You all had them too." Miranda wrinkled her nose. "You two go ahead and eat. I'll be in when we're finished." Miranda looked a little disgruntled, but her face softened when Carina let out another wail. Sirius leaned forward and kissed his daughter and his wife on the forehead, then took Miranda's hand and led her into the kitchen.

"All right little miss," Catherine said to the baby as she settled herself on the sofa. "Just promise Mummy you won't wake up this often tonight." Carina grunted and Catherine ran a finger down her cheek as she ate. Catherine leaned her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes, smiling. For now, all was right with the world.