A/N - Hi all! Hope you enjoy this next chapter. It's a bit shorter than normal, sorry about that! As always, thanks to everyone who has reviewed, read, favorite and alerted this story, including my anonymous reviewers. I can't reply to you personally, but I appreciate your reviews all the same! Enjoy!

Chapter 37

Shock

13 July 1996

Catherine stepped from the floo into Grimmauld for the Order meeting. She was a bit early so only the Weasley's had already arrived. Catherine saw that Hermione was with them and that she, Ron and Harry had their heads together at the kitchen table. She smiled at them as Sirius stepped forward to greet her.

"What's up over there?" she asked him, nodding her head in the trio's direction. "Or don't I want to know?"

"Ah, O.W.L. results came today," Sirius said. "They're comparing notes."

"How did he do?" Catherine asked and Sirius grinned.

"Excellently, of course," he said. "In everything that matters anyway."

"Let me guess, in your opinion that would be Defense and Transfiguration," she said wryly. Sirius smirked.

"I'll let him tell you," Sirius replied. "He seemed rather pleased with himself." Just then Harry looked up and caught Catherine's eye. He smiled at her and then stood making his way to where she and Sirius were.

"Hello Harry," she said. "Have a good sleep?"

"Yeah," he replied. "And, I'm, um, sorry about last night, about eavesdropping and all." He looked down at his feet and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. Catherine put a hand under his chin and raised his head so he was looking at her.

"Apology accepted," she replied and then winked at him. "I hear you've gotten your O.W.L. results."

"Yeah, do you, er, want to see?" he asked. The uncertainty on his face brought tears to her eyes, but she held them at bay.

"I'd love to, Harry, if you'd like to show me," Catherine said. Harry held out the piece of parchment and she scanned down the list, her smile growing wider as she read. She looked up at him when she'd finished. "Well done," she said, ruffling his hair. The wide smile he gave her nearly made her cry again. She cursed the Dursley's for the millionth time.

"Your mum and dad would have been very proud," Sirius said quietly and Harry's smile faltered a bit. Sirius clapped him on the shoulder and Harry took a shaky breath.

"How did Ron and Hermione do?" Catherine asked to break the tension that had settled over the three of them.

"Ron did about the same as me, just an E in Defense instead of an O," Harry said, grasping the change of subject gratefully. "And Hermione got all O's except in Defense."

"Not surprising," Sirius said, glancing at Catherine with a smirk. She stuck her tongue out at him.

"All right you four," Molly called to the teens. Ginny had joined Ron and Hermione at the table while Harry had been showing Catherine his results. "Go upstairs now; we'll eat after the meeting." They grumbled and complained as they left the kitchen, but complied all the same.

Catherine looked around the room properly once they'd gone and saw Tonks sitting by herself at the table looking rather morose. Catherine looked at Sirius.

"What's going on with Tonks?" she asked. Sirius sighed.

"Moony is being an idiot," he said. Catherine looked at him quizzically. "They got…close after Tonks was arrested. And now Moony has pulled away from her."

"What on earth for?" Catherine asked.

"Why do you think?" Sirius returned. Catherine sighed and shook her head.

"Have you talked to him?" she questioned.

"Of course I have," Sirius replied. "He's ignoring me." Before Sirius could say anything more, he stiffened. Catherine turned and saw that Snape had walked into the kitchen. She gave Sirius a look, then turned back to the potions master.

"Hello Severus," she said. He inclined his head slightly.

"Snape," Sirius said in greeting. Severus stared at him for a long moment.

"Black," Severus finally returned rather flatly.

"Might I have a word?" Sirius asked. Snape crossed his arms in front of him and sneered.

"Ah, I see," he said. "Now that you've been pulled from the jaws of death, most disappointingly I might add, and you're going to grace the world with your spawn you're feeling the need for freedom." Sirius' hands balled into fists and he tensed, but Catherine's grip around his wrist steadied him somewhat.

"Sorry, Black," Snape's voice dripped with venom. "I won't be giving you so much as a whisper as to Pettigrew's location." Catherine could see Sirius visibly working to calm himself and she was rather impressed that he hadn't drawn his wand yet.

"That's not what this is about," Sirius finally managed. "I know you can't give up the rat, it would compromise your position as our spy and that's something we can't risk now." Snape made a scoffing noise in the back of his throat.

"As if you cared one whit for my position," Snape spat.

"Look Snape, I know you hate me, and with good reason," Sirius continued. Catherine saw Severus' eyes widen just a fraction at Sirius' admission. "I don't particularly care for you either, but the fact remains that we're on the same side." He glanced at Catherine and she lightly squeezed his wrist in encouragement. "I want to apologize for everything I did to you back when we were in school, especially the Shrieking Shack incident." Snape stood in stony silence staring at him.

"I know that it doesn't mean anything after all this time and I won't give you any excuses or try to explain it because there was no excuse," Sirius continued. "I should have been expelled for what I did."

"What are you trying to gain Black?" Severus asked suspiciously.

"Nothing," Sirius said with a sigh. "Which I'm sure you don't believe and I can't blame you. But as you said, I am going to be a father and I reckon I ought to start trying to act like one." Snape stared at Sirius for a few moments more, then without a word, swept past them to stand in his usual corner of the kitchen.

"That went well," Sirius said with a sigh.

"We didn't expect anything different," Catherine replied.

"I meant what I said about Wormtail," Sirius told her.

"I know," she said with a smile. "All you can do is just keep your temper around him and treat him cordially. The two of you will never be friends, but maybe you can work together at least."

"Somehow I doubt that," Sirius said wryly.

"Well, if he treats Harry a bit better, it will be worth it," she said.

"True," Sirius returned as Albus called them all to the table to begin the meeting.

Afterward, Albus asked to speak with Sirius, Catherine and Remus. They passed the teenagers coming back down to the kitchen to eat. Harry looked at the four adults worriedly.

"We'll be back in a few minutes," Sirius assured him. "Go ahead and start without us." Catherine could see Harry falter on the stairs, watching them closely until Ginny grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the kitchen. Catherine hid a smirk. Harry might not know it yet, but she could see it rather plainly.

"What's that look for?" Sirius asked her as they continued to the library.

"Oh nothing," Catherine returned with a smile. Sirius' eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything else.

"Remus," Albus said once the door had been spelled for privacy. "I assume Sirius has spoken to you about his situation." Remus nodded.

"I'm ready whenever the Minister is," he said. Catherine couldn't entirely read the look on Albus' face.

"Albus?" she questioned.

"Forgive me, my dear, I am just unsure as to how this will go," he said.

"You don't think Sirius will be cleared?" she asked.

"It's not that," Sirius interjected. "He's worried that they'll find out something he doesn't want them to know." Albus gave a short nod. Catherine caught a lock of hair in her fingers. If Albus felt that Order secrets were more important than Sirius' freedom, she knew he would not hesitate to sabotage the meeting.

"We are walking a very narrow path given that Rufus insists on using Veritaserum," Albus replied. "Besides Sirius and Remus, the only others present will be myself, the Minister, Gawain Robards as Head Auror and Percy Weasley to record the proceedings. Kingsley will be the other Auror present. Both he and I are competent with memory charms if need be." Catherine gasped and Albus gave her a measured look. "I do not expect that the questioning will stray from the matter at hand, however, one can never be too careful." Catherine nodded quickly. Sirius reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'd like to be there," Catherine finally managed.

"That is not a good idea," Albus replied. "You were not a witness the night Pettigrew escaped and Rufus would question your presence." Catherine opened her mouth to protest, but then closed it again. She knew he was right.

"When will you collect the memories from the children?" Remus asked.

"Once I have set the date with the Minister," Albus replied as he rose from his chair. "I shall take my leave and inform you the moment I learn anything." Sirius rose and approached the headmaster.

"Thank you Albus," he said, holding out his hand. "You don't know what this means to me." Albus shook Sirius' hand warmly and winked at Catherine.

"Oh, I think I might have some idea," he replied, the twinkle in his eye dancing merrily. "Good night all."

"Well, shall we go down for dinner?" Sirius asked once Dumbledore had gone.

"You go ahead," Catherine said. "I want to talk to Remus." Sirius kissed her cheek and whispered 'good luck' to her then left the library.

"Don't even start Catherine," Remus said tiredly once they were alone.

"Someone's got to knock some sense into that thick skull of yours," Catherine said tartly. Remus just shook his head. Catherine sighed and sat down on the coffee table in front of his chair. "Why are you doing this?"

"You know why," he said with a scowl. Catherine held back her temper by the slimmest of margins.

"Listen to me Remus, Tonks doesn't care that you're a werewolf," she began but Remus cut her off.

"I'm too old for her," he said.

"That's ridiculous, even for you," Catherine said with a snort. "And don't even think of bringing up the job excuse. You know Mr. Follensbee would take you back in a second." Remus had stopped his tutoring a few months ago citing his increasing duties for the Order, although Catherine thought it had more to do with the increasing prejudice against werewolves after Umbridge's anti-werewolf legislation and the political climate.

"That's doubtful now," Remus said. "I don't think he wants to draw any more attention to himself than necessary these days."

"Regardless Remus, once we've won, none of that will matter," she said.

"Defeating Voldemort will not defeat years of blood prejudice," Remus pointed out.

"All the more reason to grasp love while you can," Catherine insisted. Remus' head snapped up and he looked at Catherine in surprise.

"This has nothing to do with love," he said quietly and rather unconvincingly.

"If you can look me in the eye and tell me you're not completely in love with her, I'll leave right now," Catherine said. Remus looked up at her but every time he opened his mouth to speak, his eyes slid away from her gaze. She tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin and he glowered at her in response. Catherine reached forward and took hold of one of his hands.

"That woman downstairs loves you," she said. "Don't be an idiot." Remus shook his head in denial.

"She doesn't," he said.

"She does," Catherine replied.

"She's 23 years old," Remus protested. "She doesn't know what she wants."

"I've been in love with Sirius since I was 15," Catherine retorted. "Now you're just being stupid."

"It doesn't matter anyway," he muttered. Catherine sighed, losing her grip on her temper.

"Why not?" she ground out through gritted teeth.

"Because Dumbledore has asked me to go back and speak to the werewolves," he said. Catherine felt as if she'd been punched in the stomach as all the air left her lungs in a rush.

"He what?" she whispered.

"He wants me to speak to the packs on behalf of the Light side," he said. "Try and persuade them to join us or at least to not join Voldemort."

"Tell me you said no," Catherine replied, pinching the bridge of her nose. Remus said nothing. "Are you completely daft!?"

"Who else is going to do this Catherine?" he demanded. "I'm the only one who can. Besides, I've done it before."

"And told me yourself that not only did it do no good, you were almost killed more than once!" she exclaimed. He waved off her concerns.

"It will be different this time," he said. "I know what I'm doing now."

"Does Sirius know?" she snapped, crossing her arms in front of her.

"No, and you're not going to tell him," Remus nearly growled. "He's got enough to worry about right now with this trial and the baby and Harry."

"Damn it Remus," Catherine said in exasperation.

"I'll tell him," Remus assured her. "After his hearing. I swear."

"How long are you going to be gone?" she asked.

"As long as it takes," he replied. She couldn't stop the tears then and Remus put his arms around her and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you before I'd told Sirius," he said quietly. "I'll be fine, you know." She said nothing, merely squeezed him tighter around the middle.

"Does Tonks know?" she asked, finally stepping back from him and wiping her eyes with her sleeve. He conjured a handkerchief, handing it to her with a smirk. She glared at him and then chuckled.

"Not yet," he said sighing.

"Listen to me," she said. "I meant it when I said she's in love with you. If you have to go, fine, but that doesn't mean you have to break her heart before you do." Remus looked at her for a few moments before dropping his gaze. "Remus," she began, but he held up a hand to forestall her.

"Leave it Catherine, please," he said. She sighed.

"Fine," she agreed. "Are you coming down?"

"In a minute," he said, wandering to the window and staring out it. She watched him for a few minutes before sighing once more and then making her way back to the kitchen.

16 July 1996

Catherine alternated between pacing and sitting on the couch twisting her hands nervously. Harry, Ron and Hermione were currently with Albus who was collecting their memories of the night in Shrieking Shack. She and Sirius had been with them until Catherine's nerves got the best of her and she'd had to leave the room.

She knew this was their last chance. If Sirius wasn't cleared, he most likely wouldn't be allowed to leave the Ministry. And she had no doubt that everyone knew about his animagus form by now and a binding spell would be cast on him so he couldn't transform and escape again. There was a part of her that wanted to tell him not to go, to leave things as they were. They weren't perfect by any means, but at least she could still see Sirius whenever she wanted and their baby would be able to grow up knowing his or her father.

She couldn't ask that of him, however. Being locked up here was wearing on him the longer he was here. If he didn't get out soon, something was going to snap she knew. Even if she did move in here with the children, it eventually wouldn't be enough. She jumped as arms slid around her waist, not having heard him come in.

"Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's all right," she replied, leaning back against him and taking comfort in his warmth. His arms tightened a bit more around her, his hands cupping the small bump of her abdomen.

"Everything's going to be all right you know," he said quietly.

"You can't know that," she whispered, covering his hands with hers and entwining their fingers.

"Maybe not for certain, but that doesn't mean it won't be," he said. She sighed and closed her eyes. Sirius gently turned her in his arms and kissed her forehead. She rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the strong beating of his heart, wondering if it would be the last time she heard it. The tears came then and Sirius hugged her tightly to him, running a hand through her hair and keeping the other around her waist.

As the tears finally slowed, he tilted her head up towards him and wiped the remaining ones from her cheeks with his thumbs. And then he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her slowly. It was a kiss full of love and promise more than passion and want and Catherine's arms snaked up around his neck as she pressed herself as closely to him as she could. When he broke the kiss, Sirius rested his forehead against hers, his hands still on either side of her face.

"It will be all right," he said. "You have to believe that."

"I know," she replied. They stood in silence for a few moments before she pulled away and looked up at him. "Are the kids still here? I should say good-bye to Harry before I go."

"He's not leaving," Sirius said. Catherine looked at him in confusion. "He refuses to go the Burrow." Dumbledore had arranged for Harry to go back to the Burrow with Ron and Hermione for the night and remain there until Sirius' fate had been decided.

"Well he can't stay here by himself," she protested.

"I know," Sirius said. He took a deep breath and looked at her. "He wants to stay with you." Catherine's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"Me?" she squeaked and Sirius nodded. "He really wants to stay with me instead of his friends?" When Sirius nodded again, Catherine nearly broke down once more. "Did he say why?"

"No and Albus wasn't inclined to let him go at first," he said. "The Burrow is much more protected than your house is. But Harry was insistent. He pointed out that no one would expect him to be there and that you live in the middle of a muggle neighborhood. Albus finally relented."

"But, I don't understand," Catherine said.

"He really likes you Catherine," Sirius said. "He told me that he feels like a normal kid around you. You don't treat him any differently than you do your own kids." Catherine nodded. Harry had told her the same thing. "And I think he feels a little protective of you."

"He's worried about me?" she asked.

"I think so," Sirius replied. "He knows you're going to be upset tomorrow and worrying yourself sick about what's going on." Catherine shook her head in amazement. "So is it all right?"

"Of course," she said. "I'd love to have him." Sirius grinned and kissed her again. There was a knock on the door and it opened as Sirius drew away from her.

"Forgive me," Albus said with a smile on his face. "I did not mean to interrupt." Catherine blushed. "Catherine I assume that Sirius has informed you of Harry's request?"

"Yes, and it's perfectly fine," she said.

"I must ask that you keep him at the house," Dumbledore said. "No trips anywhere, not even to muggle London."

"That's fine, Albus," Catherine said. "I understand."

"Would you be able to come and collect him in the morning?" Albus asked. "I believe he would like to stay here tonight." Catherine nodded.

"I'll be here at 8," she said. "Where is Harry now?"

"Saying good-bye to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger," Albus said. "I shall be returning them to the Burrow momentarily. Sirius I shall see you and Remus at the Ministry. Be sure to wear the glamour as we discussed and do not bring your wand. Kingsley will meet us in the Atrium." Sirius nodded and the two said their good-byes to the headmaster.

"You can't bring your wand?" she asked.

"It's the only way to avoid the wand-check station, which would cause quite the uproar, as I'm sure you know," he said. "Kingsley will take me in through the Auror entrance." She nodded in understanding, although she wasn't overly comfortable with it.

"I wish I could be there," she said, for probably the twentieth time.

"I know you do, love, and I wish you could be too, but it would just cause more issues," he said, kissing her forehead again. Harry knocked on the open door.

"Harry, I was just going to come and find you," Catherine said with a smile. "I hear you'd like to spend the day with me tomorrow."

"Er, yeah, if that's, um, okay with you," he said nervously.

"Of course it's okay with me," she said. "The kids will be so excited to see you again." Harry returned her smile and then looked between her and Sirius.

"I'll just be in my room then," he said. "See you tomorrow Catherine."

"Good night Harry," Catherine said.

"I'll be in shortly," Sirius said. Harry smirked and Sirius snorted, shaking his head as the boy left.

"Well, I'd say he knows you rather well," Catherine said dryly.

"Does he now?" Sirius asked mischievously, pulling her into his arms again and nipping her neck. For a few very long minutes there was no more talking. When Catherine finally pulled away, rather breathless, Sirius grinned cheekily at her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I'd better go before that 'shortly' turns into something else altogether," she said.

"I wouldn't be opposed to that," he replied with a grin.

"You are impossible," she said as he hugged her again.

"But you love me," he returned.

"Yes, I do," she said. "Merlin only knows why." He pretended offense and she reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips. "I'll see you in the morning before you go. Try and get some sleep."

"Same to you," he said, putting a hand to her belly. "Please try to relax, for both of us."

"It's not as easy as all that," she said.

"I know love," he said, hugging her again and resting his chin on her head. "Just try, all right?" She could only nod, not trusting her voice at the moment. He kissed her once more.

"I love you," she whispered, then slipped from his arms and hurried down to the floo before she could change her mind.

17 July 1996

Catherine looked around at the four laughing children and smiled. They were having a picnic in the back garden. It had been Miranda's idea after Harry admitted he'd never been to one before. Hearing this, Miranda had insisted they have one and after Catherine explained why they couldn't do it properly at the park, Miranda had decided on the back garden.

"Nothing stops her, does it?" Harry had asked as he helped Catherine carry containers of food outside.

"Not much," Catherine admitted with a chuckle. "She's very determined and single-minded when she wants to be." Harry nodded thoughtfully.

"Thanks for letting me come over here," he said.

"Harry, you never have to thank me for that," she said. "We love having you and besides, we're family now." Harry gave her a tentative smile. "I was a little surprised though. I thought you might want to spend some time with your friends instead." Harry shrugged. "Anything you want to talk about?" He was silent for a few moments before he looked at her again.

"If the hearing doesn't go Sirius' way, then I'll have to go somewhere else," he said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore told me that I didn't have to go back to the Dursley's for the rest of the summer, so that means he'll probably send me to the Burrow instead. I do like it there, but," he trailed off as his face reddened. Catherine put a hand to his arm, coming to a realization.

"Harry you can come and see us anytime," she said. "And I'm sure Molly wouldn't mind if we visited you either. No matter what happens with Sirius, you'll always have us. You know that don't you?" He shrugged again. "Listen to me, if I could convince Albus, you'd already be living here with us. He has his reasons why you aren't and while I don't completely agree with him, most of his reasons are good ones. It is never, ever that we don't want you here, it's simply for safety reasons, all right?" Harry nodded, worrying his lip a little with his teeth and Catherine put an arm around his shoulders, giving him a little squeeze. "Now, we'd better get this food outside before I have a band of ravenous savages on my hands." Harry laughed and they had continued out to the garden.

Now, he and Rory were throwing tiny bits of bread at each other while the girls laughed at them. Catherine smiled and turned her face up to the sun, thankful that they could all be together like this and hoping with everything she had that there would be more back garden picnics this summer, only with Sirius beside her.

She leaned back bracing herself with her hands and crossed her legs at the ankles in front of her as the boys gave up on their mini food fight. Rory flopped down on his back on the grass and Miranda joined him, pointing out shapes in the clouds to her brother. Harry rolled over onto his stomach next to Ellie who was in a similar pose as her mother. The two began to chat about school as Harry idly picked small blades of grass. After a few minutes he had a small pile and Ellie began to show him how to braid them into a chain.

"They all seem to be enjoying themselves," Jane said as she sat down on the ground next to Catherine. Catherine smiled at the four of them.

"Harry fits in well, doesn't he?" she asked her mother, who nodded with a smile.

"He's starved for love and attention. Well positive attention anyway," Jane said. "But if anyone can help him with that, it's you and this lot."

"You're including yourself in that aren't you?" Catherine asked, playfully bumping her mother's shoulder with her own.

"Yes, I suppose I am," Jane replied. "He's a wonderful boy. It's a bit amazing really, after everything you've told me about those people he grew up with. You'd think he'd be sullen and angry all the time."

"Well he definitely has his moments," Catherine said. Jane snorted.

"Just like every other teenager on the planet," she said. Catherine laughed.

"I suppose genetics had a little more to do with it than how he grew up," Catherine mused. "Lily was a lovely person. James definitely had his faults, he was a bit of a prat, but he had a good heart. I think Harry is a lot more like his mother than his father, looks notwithstanding."

"How are you holding up?" Jane asked.

"Just trying to be hopeful and not think about it too much," Catherine admitted. "This helps quite a lot actually." She smiled at the kids again. Miranda had joined Ellie and Harry in making the chain with the grass and Rory looked like he was almost asleep.

"Are you going to tell them soon?" her mother asked.

"Let's see what happens with the hearing," Catherine answered. "One step at a time." Her mother patted her shoulder and turned her own face to the sun while Catherine continued to watch her children interact with Harry. If only it could always be this way.

A little while later, Catherine had risen and asked if anyone wanted ice cream. Rory was instantly awake from his nap and she chuckled as his head snapped up. There was a resounding chorus of 'me' and Catherine went into the house to dish it up. Just as she pulled the carton from the freezer, the doorbell rang. Brow furrowed, she glanced at the clock. It was probably too soon for the hearing to be over and besides, if it were good news, Sirius would have either apparated or come through the floo. And if it were bad, Remus would have done the same.

Shrugging her shoulders, she went to the front door and opened it. All breath and ability to speak left her as she saw who was standing on the other side. She simply stood gaping at the person on the doorstep.

It seemed like an eternity before Catherine came back to her senses. She instantly had her wand in her hand and was in the process of slamming the door shut before the person on the other side stuck his hand and foot in to keep her from closing it.

"Catherine please," he said.

"You have ten seconds to tell me what in the hell you are doing here before I hex you six ways to Sunday," she said through gritted teeth.

"I just want to talk, I swear," he said.

"Because you've been so good at doing that in the past," she snorted.

"How are they?" he asked.

"You lost all right to ask me that question more than seven years ago," she said. "Now go and don't come back."

"Catherine," he protested, but she cut him off.

"I mean it Daniel," she said, raising her wand higher and not really caring if any of the neighbors saw. "I let Sarah give you information about the children, but that's as far as it goes. Now get the hell off my property."

"Are they here?" he asked.

"That's none of your business," she snapped, even as she heard the door to the back garden open and someone come into the house. Please don't let it be one of the kids, she prayed. "Leave."

"Please Catherine, I just, I want," he shook his head and scrubbed a hand down his face.

"What are you even doing here?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "I thought you were in the States."

"I was," he said. "I thought it was time I came home."

"Well, if you came back for us, you wasted your time," Catherine said. "There's nothing for you here, now go." At that moment she felt someone walk up behind her and before Catherine could turn around to look, Harry was next to her, his own wand raised.

"Catherine?" he said questioningly. Catherine bit back a noise of frustration. She was happy it wasn't one of her children, but Harry shouldn't be here either.

"It's all right," she said. "Daniel was just leaving."

"Who's this?" Daniel demanded.

"None of your concern," Catherine bit out. "Go now Daniel and don't come back."

"Bit young for you isn't he?" Daniel asked and Catherine's eyes flashed in anger. Harry's hand tightened on his wand as he realized what Daniel had implied.

"You're disgusting," she spat. She could feel the sparks of magic escaping and her hair started to move on her back.

"I'm sorry," Daniel said his face and tone contrite. "That was completely uncalled for. I'm just, I," he broke off again shaking his head. Catherine had completely lost her patience and she definitely did not want anyone else seeing Daniel here. She turned to Harry.

"Please go back where you were," she said, giving him a significant look and hoping he understood that she wanted him to keep the kids outside. She didn't want to say where they were as there really was nothing stopping Daniel from just walking into the garden. Harry looked furious but as she continued to stare at him he seemed to understand what she wanted.

"No, I should stay here," he said, glancing at Daniel from the corner of her eye. Catherine shook her head.

"Just go, please. I can handle him." Harry looked back and forth between the two of them a few more times before he finally nodded and walked back toward the kitchen. Catherine watched him go before she turned back to Daniel.

"I'm not going to tell you again," she said. "I'll just start throwing spells at you."

"Okay, okay, I'll go, but Catherine can we please talk?" he begged. "I'll go anywhere you want, you can have anyone with you that you want, just please." She stared at him for a few seconds.

"No," she said coldly. "Now get the hell out of here and don't come back." Before Daniel said anything else, Catherine felt someone else at her back. Turning slightly she saw her mother standing there holding the telephone.

"You've got five seconds before I call the police," Jane snapped. Daniel looked from his ex-wife to his ex-mother-in-law and then finally sighed.

"Fine, but please Catherine, I really want to talk," he said. "Sarah knows how to get hold of me when you change your mind." Then he turned and walked back down the drive. Catherine watched him until he got into the car parked on the other side of the street and drove off. Jane gently pulled her back into the house and closed the door, locking it as well.

"Catherine?" she said. Catherine looked at her for a second before the shock of what had just happened came down upon her full force. She swayed and Jane grabbed her arm to try and steady her. "Catherine!" she exclaimed. Catherine's vision swam and she put a hand to the wall to try and keep herself upright. She knew she was going to lose the battle but before she could warn her mother, there was a shoulder under her arm and Catherine's head fell forward as she fainted.

A/N2 - Dun, dun, dun! You had to know this was coming at some point!