Chapter 20 And So It Begins

As Harry and Cat made their way to the castle, Cat began shivering again. "OH! I hate that, it feels like someone walking over my grave"

"Walking over your grave? What exactly it that supposed to mean?" Harry sounded a bit apprehensive "Is there something you should tell me?"

MacLeod looked to Harry, "No Harry, I'm not a vampyre, remember. It just means that its making me shake to my bones, as if I had no skin to keep me warm. Its just a saying, doesn't mean anything."

Harry wasn't sure about that, she was looking worse with every step. She was definitely paler than a few minutes ago, and she seemed so tired. Worst of all was the look in her eyes, it reminded him of Sirius when he had first escaped from Azkaban, so haunted, like they had both seen more than they could bear. He couldn't dare to think about it, he need to start a conversation before his imagination got the better of him.

"Uhm, Cat, about that song you were singing to the drakes. Was that some sort of spell or Sidhe magic?"

"No Harry, not a spell. Just a very old song, my people love to sing, its how we remember our history. You see, we're a bit paranoid about people trying to steal our knowledge and use it against us, so we really don't write much down. We keep it alive in songs instead." she explained, amused at Harry's reaction.

"So even your spells aren't written down. How do you learn them?" he grimaced, thinking about how Hermione would react to that idea.

"Same as everything else. The elders teach the young, mostly by singing, sometimes in stories. It just keeps going, from one generation to the next." she put her arm around his shoulder, "Don't worry Harry, its actually much easier than studying all those books. Your mother learned in no time at all."

"My mother, she sang the same songs? Did she sing the one you were just singing?" he asked eagerly.

"The Angels Keen, sure it was one of the first songs she ever heard. She loved it, she was singing it herself by the next day." her voice was softening as she spoke.

"The Angels Keen? What does that mean?" he was intrigued beyond words

"The Angels Keen, ....The Angels Lament...it's a song of what was lost, kind of mournful. But it teaches a good lesson about the strength you can gain by living through sorrow and pain. Reminds you that your never really alone, someone is out there ready to help, all you need to do is ask."

They had finally reached the castle, and as much as Harry wanted to ask more questions, he was glad to be here, maybe Miss MacLeod could get warm now. She really wasn't looking very well at all now. "Maybe you should sit down for a little" he suggested.

"Now Harry, don't tell me your starting to worry about me too." she teased him "Trust me, I have enough people around here who worry for me, almost obsessively may I add." her voice was beginning to sound hollow, Harry really didn't like this, he was about to suggest getting Madam Pomfrey or Professor Dumbledore when, from around the corner, came Remus and Snape.

"Hello Harry, Cat. What has you to down here so late?" Remus said happily as ever. "It's a bit cold to be sitting in the hall though, don't you think."

Harry gave Remus a I-need-your-help-again-look, "Nothing, really. Just talking." he was biting his lip, hoping Remus understood his meaning.

Remus's hazel eyes flashed, he knew that look, one of them was in trouble. Remus turned to Snape, he had seen it too. Hurrying to be the first there, Remus managed to accidentally 'trip' Severus with his own billowing cloak as he hurried to Harry's side.

"Harry, what's wrong, why are you two sitting..." Remus stopped his whispered question mid sentence as he looked at MacLeod. "Cat, ...Cat....Sunshine,... You don't look good. What happened?" he looked at Harry, just as Snape had walked up behind them.

Severus's face was the picture of dread, "It is happening again. You, get Dumbledore" he barked at Harry.

Remus nodded to Harry, "Hurry!" Remus was wrapping her in his own cloak as he and Severus tried to stop her shivering.

Harry only paused for a moment as he watched his two teachers tending to Miss MacLeod. He ran as fast as he could, his heart was clenching in fear and worry, he knew something wasn't right with her tonight. Why didn't he just let it alone, he shouldn't have pestered her so much today. Tears were spilling from his eyes as he ran headlong into something soft. Looking up, Harry saw a very surprised Professor Dumbledore.

"Mr. Potter, what ever is wrong?" Concern was written on Dumbledore's face. "What is it Harry, Why are you crying has something happened?"

"It's Cat,....I mean Miss MacLeod, something's wrong, Remus and Snape told me to get you." Harry began, however Professor Dumbledore stopped him mid sentence.

"Miss MacLeod you say. It must be another episode...Remus and Severus are with her, good, good." seeing the concern on Harry's face, Dumbledore smiled and explained to him calmly "Mr. Potter, you do not need to worry, she has been through this before. Several times I dare say, and I am afraid, she will go through it many more times."

"But what is it, and why does she have to go through it, she looks horrible. I can tell its hurting her." Harry could feel his tears again. Cat was too nice to have to experience something so horrible, he could see it draining her, she didn't deserve this. He was afraid he would lose her, she had just entered his life, just began to fill the void his mother's death had left. He couldn't accept that she wouldn't be there anymore, he felt the clenching in his heart again.

"I know Harry, and I understand" Dumbledore said simply as they hurried towards MacLeod.

If Harry hadn't been so upset, he probably would have laughed at the sight in front of him. Remus and Snape were doing everything they could to stop her shivering, one of them had even summoned several blankets, it seemed as though each one was trying to outdo the other. All the while, Cat was yelling at them to stop fussing over her.

As he and Professor Dumbledore got closer, they could hear Cat's quaking voice "..knock it off, ...no, Remus stop it...... I'm fine, Severus, please stop....... you both act like you've never seen this before"

As MacLeod realized that Professor Dumbledore had arrived, she looked at him with pleading eyes. " Honestly Albus, talk to them, they're acting like I'm dying or something. Please, make them stop." she was whining now.

Professor Dumbledore started laughing softly "I am sorry my dear, it must be terrible to have so many people who care for you so deeply." Albus loved it when they pulled together to protect and help each other, Mac Lir was right, they were his children "I can see how it would upset you. But perhaps we should take this to my office now, I believe you were coming to see me." He smiled down at Harry and whispered "You see Harry, she will be fine. Provided Severus and Remus manage not to smother her with blankets." he winked at Harry, as he led the way to his office.

Harry was laughing with relief now, it actually was funny to see them fussing over her. He wasn't really sure if Cat appreciated it though, she seemed to be getting pretty annoyed. Especially when both Remus and Severus went to pick her up. "Oh NO, nobody is carrying me anywhere, I can walk just fine." The look on her face was priceless, as she tried to throw the blankets off of herself and stand up. Unfortunately for her, their were just too many, she was pinned down to the chair. Her words were clear and a bit strained "Would one of you, PLEASE take these blankets off of me, NOW."

Severus and Remus looked at each other, they had reached a meeting of the minds. Taking out their wands they levitated Cat as the blankets wrapped themselves around her like a cocoon, and preceded to levitated her to Dumbledore's office. "Oh mother of heaven,......would you stop it.....this is so embarrassing."

Once they got to Dumbledore's office, Severus and Remus finally let her down. Albus turned to look at them and smiled widely, Cat was furious with her fellow teachers, he could see the colour coming back to her cheeks. He knew how annoyed she became when they treated her like an invalid, but he also knew how much love she held in her heart for everyone in this room. "Miss MacLeod, before you do anything... drastic...to the staff, perhaps you can tell me what has happened to cause this." Remus was trying to help her out of the blankets, while Severus fed the fire.

"Really Professor Dumbledore, she should be in the hospital wing." Severus spoke up quickly "I am sure you remember how bad this can get."

"Oh honestly Severus" Cat began to chide him, but was cut off by Dumbledore

"Yes Severus, I am fully aware of the dangers to Miss MacLeod, as is she. I have a great deal of faith in her instincts, if she felt she was in any danger, I know she would say so." he stared directly at Cat as he finished his sentence.

Cat sighed and sat down in the chair Severus had placed next to the fire. "I am weak, tired, and....concerned. But I will be fine. I've certainly had worse than this." Looking up at a worried Professor Snape she added "Severus, I don't suppose you remember how to make that potion anymore, do you?"

Taking her hand in his Severus nodded and whispered something in her ear. He quickly strode out of the room, presumably to make the potion. Cat watched him leave, and waited for a moment or two, "Albus, should Harry be here? He seems upset enough." she smiled kindly at Harry.

"Does it concern him Cat? If it does, then I believe he should stay. It has been my experience it is easier to tell him now, then to allow him to wander about looking for the truth." Albus said gently, winking at Harry.

Cat nodded her acceptance "They are close Albus. There are a lot of them, and they are actively fighting me, trying to hurt me. I think they are somewhere in the forest. I believe they will strike us at any time."

"What makes you believe that, has someone been able to contact you?" Albus questioned.

"No, that's one of the things that lead me to think they are going to move against us," she paused as she shuddered violently yet again "and of course this only reinforces that belief, they have been actively attacking me since I left the hospital wing. And they have grown much stronger over the last few hours. I think Voldemort is massing his followers for an assault on the school."

Harry's heart suddenly jumped into his throat, Voldemort...here, and what did she mean. Assault on Hogwarts, he needed someone to explain what was going on. How did she know this, and what was Voldemort going to do to the school. "Ahh, Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry but, I'm confused" Harry looked imploringly at his teachers.

"Come here sweetie" MacLeod opened her arms as Harry went to her, "Remember this morning when you and I were talking, and I tried to explain some of my clan's ways, particularly our magic." she was brushing his hair out of his face now, her hands were like ice "Do you recall what I said about everything being connected?" Harry nodded "And how I use that to do things other people might find impossible?"

"You discussed this with him, Cat you should have told us" Remus seemed agitated by this revelation, "We should have been there."

Albus put up his hand, "Let her continue please." He was curious to see Harry's response.

"Well that's what is happening now. Only instead of using that power for my benefit, Voldemort is using it to attack me, he knows its as much a liability as an asset. I can open myself up to things, literally lose myself to the energy of the world around me. It can be very dangerous if I can't pull myself back,..... or if something else pulls me in. Severus was there one time when that happened, that's why I sent him to make a potion. He would never let me do this, and I have to do it again, now. It's the only way to find out how far Voldemort has gone." Cat looked solemnly at Harry "You may not want to be here Harry, it can be very....intense."

"But you just said if you open yourself up, let that power in. Cat you really don't look as though you could handle that right now." Harry was becoming truly frightened, he knew Dumbledore and Remus would be right here, but he had never seen anyone look so frail. She had gone from pale to ghost white, and she was still shivering so badly that her voice quaked when she spoke. He didn't think she realized how weak she was, how cold her skin had become.

Cat looked at Harry, her emerald eyes were flashing, "Harry, its alright. I have done this before, its scary and painful, but it is very necessary." She could feel his fear, he was so afraid she wouldn't be back, that she would leave him alone. "If you want to leave sweetie, now is the time, I have to do this, before I'm too weak." she smiled sweetly at Harry, he knew she understood his fear.

Remus walked up to Harry and Cat, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder he spoke softly "Come on Harry, I really don't think you should be witness to this." He had seen it himself twice before, it still haunted him, he was just as terrified as Harry. Remus looked at Cat, his beautiful hazel eyes were becoming moist with tears, he wasn't even sure if he could bare this.

"No. Remus I want to stay." Harry answered defiantly "I won't abandon her."

"Harry" Cat said softly "You are not abandoning me, and I would never even think that you would" she was cupping his face in her hands "But Remus is right. This can be a terrible thing to witness, you've seen enough in you young life to turn you grey" she was rustling his hair again "You don't need to see this as well." Her eyes were becoming deeper with every moment, Harry thought you might actually be able to lose yourself in them, it was like they never ended. He was beginning to tear up again.

"Harry, perhaps you should go outside and tell us when Professor Snape returns with the potion" Professor Dumbledore suggested.

He looked to Cat who nodded, "It would be for the best. Don't worry Harry. I am actually a lot tougher than I look, just ask Remus." she gave him another smile "Besides, there no way I'd miss watching you play Quidditch."

Remus walked Harry to the office door "Harry, I don't want you to open this door for any reason. Do you understand me?"

"Remus, exactly what is it she's going to do? I know she said she was going to open herself up, but I don't really understand what that means?" Harry asked anxiously.