Chapter Two
- Old Friends -
It took Molly a good half hour to wake up from the shock. While she was out (Arthur layed her down on the floor with pillows, his arms had gotten tired) Cat talked with Harry and The Weasly's, sharing memory's and hearing about their first and second year's at Hogwarts.
"Remus remember our first Halloween?" Remus laughed.
"Do I remember? What kind of question is that? Of course I do!" Jaelithe snicked.
"What could you possibly have done?" Cat smiled.
"It's not what I did, but what I didn't do. I went to Hogwarts knowing and being able to do more magic than most students, James was the only one who knew as much as me. Although Sirius and Remus quickly learned."
"You knew my Dad?" Harry asked with excitement.
"And your Mom. Lily was my best friend and James was my brother." She waited for Harry's reaction to the news. Ron frowned.
"Wouldn't that make you Harry's Aunt then?" Cat smiled and nodded.
"If you're my Dad's sister, why did The Dursley's get me? Why didn't you get me?"
"That would make sense, because you were married to Sirius and that would make you Harry's legal guardian. Wait why didn't Lily make you Harry's guardian if you were her best friend?" Jaelithe asked.
"You were married to Sirius?! I thought you said he broke it off?" Max said confused.
"Your Mom married a killer? WOW!" Ron said in amazement and Cat shook with laughter.
"How about I set the record straight? But first things first. Harry, I didn't know about you, if I had I wouldn't have hesitated to bring you here. I just found out tonight about your parents." She took a deep breath trying to keep her voice steady. "In Hogwarts about our third year I started going out with Sirius Black, my brother's best friend," Cat was interrupted by Molly waking up and the arrival of a bright red, yellow and orange bird that flamed into the room.
"Fawkes!" Harry said surprised. Cat beamed at the bird, who came and landed on the floor beside her.
"You know Fawkes, Harry?" She asked stroking Fawkes who dropped a letter into her lap.
"Yeah He helped me out last year in the chamber, brought me the Gryffindor sword."
"Your close to Albus then?" Ripping open the letter she quickly read it.
"Yeah, sorta."
"Well you about to get to know him a whole lot better. This is what the letter says:
Dearest Trina,
How good it is to know where you are at last, you've been missed among us. Fawkes, for one, has never been the same bird. He's mourned for you ever since you left, I started to believe that he would leave us along with you when he lightened up somewhat, but he never fully recovered, not that is, until I got word that you were alive and getting married. I still had no idea where you were living, all I knew was you were in the states, Madame Berry is an old school friend of mine and she wrote to me about you. The Order suffered from your loss, but when I heard I knew why you'd left. I'm sending this note in hopes, that Remus has reached you and you will be willing to visit with some old friends. Minerva has been asking about you non stop since she learned I knew where you were and has requested to come along with me for a visit. I have sent your most faithful friend with this letter, feel free to enjoy his company.
With the utmost regard and affection,
Albus Dumbledore
"I would love to see them again, Fawkes. Would you send word?" Fawkes plucked a feather from the underside of his wing giving it to Cat, she grinned and tossed the feather into the air, where it floated for a second before going up in flames and disappearing.
"I owe everyone explanations, and I only want to say it once so I'm going to wait for Albus and Minerva to get here." Cat stated. Molly was sitting up curled in Arthur's arms and Cat got up and sat down next to her and Arthur.
"What are you thinking?" Molly sighed and turned to look at Cat.
"That we'll soon be related, weather we want it or not." She said gesturing to the corner where most of the teens had sat in, what look like, a spread out plant of Devil's Snare. Cat laughed softly.
"I kinda already figured that out. I was wondering what you were thinking about, well, me." Molly looked at Cat with eye's that seemed to have aged forever, sighing she shook her head.
"I don't know what to think Trina. On one had I'm ecstatic at seeing you again, on the other I'm scared this is all a dream and I'm going to lose you again. I can't go through that again, Trina, I just can't."
"I'm not going anywhere, in fact-" Crack. Crack. Everyone looked up to see a old man and woman standing in entrance to the living room, smiling broadly. Cat was on her feet in a split second.
"Albus!" Cat launched herself at Dumbledore nearly knocking him over, laughing through her tears. Albus hugged Cat back, glancing at his companion saw that she too had over bright eyes.
"It's good to see you, Trina Black." He said holding her at arm's length. Cat smiled.
"So you know about that, do you? I didn't think anyone accept, perhaps Minerva."
"And just what do you think I did with that information?" Came the forced crisp question. Cat turned as Albus let go of her to see Minerva McGonagall desperately trying to keep a stern face. Cat beamed at her former teacher and mentor, making Minerva loose the battle to keep a straight face, she shined back. Cat reached out to hug Minerva, receiving a fierce hug in return.
"Oh, it's been forever! I've missed you, it's good to have you back!"
"I've missed you too. It's been far to long, hasn't it?"
"Who's fault is that?" She all but barked and Cat laughed.
"It's good to be back!" Albus smiled and wandered into the living room and immediately Isabel, George, Fred and Chloe vacated the couch and sat on the floor beside the rest of the gang.
"Ah! Thank-you! I'm afraid these old bones aren't what they used to be, therefore bending down causes some, somewhat uncomfortable complications." Fred and George shickered along with the rest of the teens. Minerva joined Albus on the couch.
"Explanations! Finally!" Jaelithe announced.
"No, introductions first." Cat countered Jaelithe groaned in obvious frustration.
"Thank God it's only six-thirty. At this rate it'll be midnight before we get anywhere." She muttered
"Jae! Watch it! Since your so concerned with time I'll be sure to send you off before nine."
"FINE! Sorry! Jeez." Cat decided to let it go.
"Most of you know each other, So I'll just make sure the adults know one another. Martha, the two over by the fire place are Arthur and Molly Weasly, Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall just came in. The dark haired young man beside Martha is her son, Clark and Pete's beside him. Martha and Pete are the only true Muggle's in the room, Clark's from the sister planet of Jack's and though he has abilities, we don't think he's magical."
"Fascinating! I would be privileged to have a chat with you." Clark went pink and grinned.
"I don't know about me being a 'privilege', But I'll talk with you if you want."
"Wonderful!" Albus was all but rubbing his hands together with glee.
"I haven't seen him this excited since he was fifteen!" Minerva said with a smile. Jaelithe and Ginny burst into hysterical laughter. Everyone stared in surprise at the two girls.
"Raving looneys. Ignore them." Cat said. Max, Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.
"Barking." Fred shook his head.
"And here we always thought she was normal. Task! Sad." George said good humouredly. Hermione started laughing along with Jaelithe and Ginny, shocked Fred glanced at his twin.
"It's contagious! Run for it, George!" He joked. Cat who had take a seat next to Remus's chair and was leaning on his knees again, started shaking with laughter and Remus looked up with a smile.
"I think your right, Fred, it is contagious." After the laughter died down, Harry decided to ask what he had been itching to ask from the moment he'd heard Cat was his Aunt.
"How did you know my Dad? I mean you don't have the same last name as me so you couldn't be related by blood to him, right?" Cat smiled it was time for the explanations.
"Let me start at the beginning, that'll save time after you can ask questions" She looked at Jae "All of you" Cat folded her hands on Remus's knees and rested her head on her arms.
"Your stalling Mother" Jae commented pointedly Cat held her temper but glared at Jaelithe. She glared back.
"I guess I should start with my adoption. It was strange to begin with not to mention against every law imageable."
"How come this is the first we're hearing about this?!"
"JAELITHE! YOU WILL STAY SILENT!" Cat bellowed raising her head from Remus's knees. Jae shot Cat a nasty look but stayed silent.
"Phoebe and Cole went into the future and got an unborn child. Using magic they transferred the baby to Phoebe's womb. Therefor I got the power as if their biological child." Cat sighed and turned to Harry.
"I didn't know the details just that they did this. My parents knew Marie and Chris Potter, your grandparents Harry. Almost from the moment I came into Cole and Phoebe's lives I went to Potter Plantation. The first time I met your dad was when I was three, well that's my first memory at any rate." Harry frowned,
"The how did you become-" Cat held up a hand stopping him.
"We became fast friends when I shimmered us out of room to the lake in the middle of the night, when we got grounded, and let me tell you Marie never hesitated to punish us when she felt it necessary!"
"I spent every summer at the Plantation and as I got older more vacation time. Reading break, long weekends, Easter, Christmas, you name it. If I could get away, I'd be found there. I learned magic at Marie and Chris's knees. They were excellent teachers. James and I often experimented with different spells landing us in some kind of trouble."
"I also met Sirius Black at James's. He would turn out to be my High school sweetheart. Marie and Chris knew Chesley and Greg Lupin, but we never met Remus till the Hogwarts train."
"When I found out I was adopted was the year we were to go to Hogwarts. I had no idea about the school or that I was to be shipped off with or without my consent. Almost the minuet I found all this out, I packed up and went to the Plantation and stayed their till I left Hogwarts. By that time James and Lily were engaged and so was Sirius and I. Remus was stalling with Tonks." Remus grumbled but stayed quiet.
"Voldemort was quickly raising in power and attacks were happening daily. The authorities were trying to get control but their grasp was slipping. Fast. The Order was formed an secret society to help bring Voldemort's reign of terror to an end. We were all part of the Order and some how Sirius got caught and I got caught in the cross fire trying to help him. The day of our wedding Sirius came and said he wasn't about to marry me when I could possible be at risk. He wasn't about to marry me just to make a widow out of me. And even if I wasn't at risk of any sort, he couldn't go through with the wedding, I deserved better and he was walking away."
"But that doesn't explain how you ended up with the Black name." Isabel said.
"Your right it doesn't. When we were in school Sirius was...well...Frisky. I held him off for as long as I could." The kids shifted uncomfortably.
"Ah, Mom, um-" Max started and Cat smiled.
"To be honest I got sick of dealing with it and decided to rectify it, but Sirius wouldn't hear of it with out a marriage, because of my vow, so we married. Quietly. Minerva was our witness." Cat looked to Dumbledore. "I desperately wanted you their Albus, I don't know why I didn't try harder to talk to you about it, I am so sorry." Dumbledore smiled.
"I will not deny I would loved to have been part of your wedding, but I had an excellent detailed report. Our choices shape our lives and I have no doubt I will have the privilege of the next time."
"Cat, I know he must have hurt you, and you couldn't think past the pain, but to just up and leave-" Remus said softly while the others discussed the most recent news. Equally quietly Cat replayed,
"I was pregnant, Remus." His eyes shot to Isabel who was looking back at him, but quickly glanced away. Cat rested a hand on his hand to get his attention. "No. It was a boy. I had to give him up, but not before I named him. Nicholas Xander Black."
"Oh Cat." He breathed then let out a humourless laugh. "No wonder you left and didn't write. What a mess."
"I'm sorry." Remus smiled.
"Don't be. I didn't know all the facts." Harry pipped up.
"So you knew my Dad you're whole life?"
"Yes. I loved your father very much." Cat stated. Harry hesitated a moment before asking,
"Can... Can you tell me about my Dad? And my Mom too?" Cat smiled.
"I'll tell you everything." Harry grinned brightly. Cat turned to Chloe who had been silent throughout.
"Chloe, love? You Okay? You're awfully quiet." Chloe looked up into Cat's eyes, saying softly,
"Where do I fit in? I'm not part of this world." Cat shot up and in two strides was beside Chloe gripping her arms, shook her lightly.
"Never say that! Never! Do you understand me?! You are as much my daughter as Isabel or Jaelithe, got that?! You are a part of MY world and MY world is THIS world, therefore you're part of it!" With that Cat dragged Chloe into her arms and held her. After a moment Cat let go.
"Time for bed, all of you. It's late. Boy's with Boy's and Girl's with Girl's in this house, bunk with whom you will. My kids know where to find extra bedding stuff."
"Is Clark and Pete staying?" Max asked.
"Putt the question to Martha, everyone's welcome." Max looked at Martha who smiled.
"You sure it's no problem, Cat?"
"I love having them. Call your brother's Pete and let them know what your doing." Every one of the kids scrambled upstairs.
"So much for the phone call. Isabel make sure he phones alright?"
"Sure mom. Hey mom can I talk to you for a moment?" Cat turned to Isabel frowning a little.
"Can it wait? Tomorrow's always a new day." Isabel shook her head.
"It has to do with Nick." Cat sank into the nearest chair.
"Oh God, how do you know about him?" She breathed. Isabel looked sheepish and turned apologetic eyes to Remus.
"I read Uncle Remus's mind." Shock, Pride and Warmth battled for dominance in Remus, so that he didn't know what to react to first. Cat had no such qualms.
"When did you develop this ability?"
"About a month ago." Cat rolled her eyes and groaned.
"No wonder you've been so chipper all month. " Cat pointed a finger at Isabel. "Stay OUT of your siblings minds, stay out of EVERYONE'S mind for that matter or your bound to be beat up, slaughtered by your siblings is probably more accurate." Isabel just grinned.
"What did you find in my mind, Isabel?" Remus asked Isabel's eye lit up as she asked,
"Are you really in love with Aunt Tonks? And that in fifth year you-"
"ISABEL! That's enough." Remus turned pink and coughed lightly. Isabel grinned like a siren.
"You wanted to know about Nick?" Remus said changing the subject. Isabel nodded.
"Yeah I did. Is he a year older then me?" Cat sighed.
"Yes."
"You just told me that one of the most popular guys a school is actually my brother?" Cat turned shocked eyes to Dumbledore, who nodded.
"GREAT! JUST GREAT! He's such an ass!" Cat burst out laughing at Isabel's comment.
"Oh that sounds familiar!" Isabel frowned.
"So that means he's coming to live with us, since he lives in an orphanage, right? Is Uncle Remus coming to live with us too?" Cat shook her head and sputtered,
"Wha...I...I...um...ah...Um can we discuss this in the morning?"
"Okay, sure. Night Grandpa." Isabel said hugging Dumbledore. "Hey, what am I supposed to call you at school? I can't call you Grandpa." Words completely eluded Cat for the second time in her life as she gaped at Isabel.
"And why not?" Came the crisps reply from McGonagall. "Just because he's the headmaster doesn't mean we stop being family, and it certainly doesn't mean you'll get special treatment." At this Cat shut down and turned to Remus.
"Things are happening fat too rapidly for my brain tonight. I think I've earned a drink." Remus laughed softly.
"Yeah I know what you mean. When she said she's read my mind I panicked."
"Why? It's not like it would bother her." Remus eye Cat wearily.
"You sure about that?" He said sarcastically. Cat shrugged.
"One way to find out. Isabel, I have something to tell you about your Uncle Remus." She felt Remus stiffen beside her as Isabel came over to them.
"What?"
"Would it bother you if the man you dubbed as Uncle Remus was a werewolf?" Isabel frowned and cautiously asked,
"You only change on a full more right? Like the rumours that you can change at will are false right?"
"That's right." He said stiffly. Isabel's eye lit up.
"COOOOOLL! Can I sit in on one full moon?" She asked excitedly. "PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLLLEEESSSEE!!!!" Remus gaped in shock while Cat laughed.
"If that doesn't prove she's my daughter I don't know what will!"
"Aren't you scared? Doesn't it bother you that I'm a monster?!"
"No. Probably because you not a monster. This is soo cool! I have a werewolf for an Uncle! I can't wait to tell the rest of them!" She tore towards the steps before coming to an abrupt halt. "You'll be up later, mom?"
"Of course, but don't wait up."
"We wont! Night Everyone!" She turned and bolted up the stairs with Cat calling after her,
"Lights out!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Came the reply and Dumbledore laughed.
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Cat was outside staring at the stars. The kids had gone to be hours ago and the adults were starting bunk down, she had a full house, just as she liked. So wrapped up in thoughts she didn't hear Dumbledore come up beside her.
"Beautiful aren't they?" Cat jumped startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She smiled
"You don't need to apologise, Albus. A herd of hyenas could have passed and I wouldn't have noticed, I was so wrapped up in my thoughts." Dumbledore nodded
"Care to share any of them?" Cat laughed humourlessly.
"I wouldn't know where to begin."
"How about with James and Sirius?"
"Sirius, surprisingly doesn't have anything to do with this. My sadness stems from missing James and Lily. It feels like someone ripped out my heart, theirs so much pain. I was alway safe in the knowledge that they were alive and that I could go see them if I so chose to. Now that been take away from me and I'm lost."
"Yes grief can often make us feel that way. It's only natural for you to grieve, now that you know the truth, but is equally important to remember the good times. Remember that they live on inside your memories, and cherish the happy times you had with them."
"Your right, but that doesn't make it easier."
"No, I don't suppose it does."
"Albus I want Harry to come and live with me and the kids." Cat said truing to look at Dumbledore. "He should be with people who love and appreciate him. Where he wont have to hid his powers or be ridiculed. I'm moving to England since the youngest ones are going to be going to Hogwarts next year, it'll be more convenient then travelling, Harry would love the Plantation." Dumbledore sighed
"Oh I'm sure he would, and I think your right, mentally he would be better off. But it's not possible."
"Why? It's what James and Lily would have wanted."
"Yes that true, but Harry's mother sacrificed herself for Harry, to protect him. Her BLOOD was spilt so he could be safe, so his mother's blood must keep him safe. Do you understand, Cat?"
"Yes, But I don't like it. He should be with me."
"I wont say I don't agree."
"You know I wont give this up right? I keep digging until I find a way to get Harry. And I'll use any vice I can get." Dumbledore nodded and put his arm around her.
"I'm counting on it. I'll help in any way I can, but you must understand that if theirs even the slightest risk I wont change the charm. Harry's safety is superior." Cat smiled.
"I know."
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