A/N - Hey everyone! Welcome to the third and final story of this trilogy. If you haven't read the first two, Not Over You and Lost and Found, you will be hopelessly lost, I'm afraid. This story will cover sixth and seventh year and picks up right where Lost and Found left off. I will continue to update weekly on Tuesdays. I hope that you enjoy and feel free to review and let me know what you think! And Happy New Year to everyone!

Chapter 1

Frustration and Fear

1 September 1996

"Ellie, bring your trunk down please," Catherine called up the stairs. Rory's and Harry's already sat in the entry waiting for Sirius to take them to the car. The boys were in the kitchen eating breakfast along with Miranda. Rory had still been quiet this morning, but Catherine had at least gotten a greeting and a small smile from him.

"Coming Mum," Ellie called back and her eldest daughter soon appeared at the top of the stairs, dragging her trunk behind her. "A little help?" Ellie asked, cheeky smile on her face. Catherine rolled her eyes, but waved her wand all the same so her daughter's trunk became feather-light. Ellie quickly pulled it down the stairs and set it next to her brother's.

"Thanks Mum," she said, planting a kiss on her mother's cheek and then hurrying into the kitchen for breakfast. Catherine shook her head fondly after her. Just as Ellie had disappeared through the doorway, Sirius appeared in it.

"Morning, love," he said as he reached her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. She smiled when he pulled back.

"Good morning," she replied.

"These all ready to go?" Sirius asked. Catherine nodded. "I'll just get them into the car. You'd better go eat something." He kissed her cheek and released her before waving his wand and levitating all three trunks to follow behind him in a line.

"Forgetting something?" Catherine asked before he could step out the door. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him in amusement.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"Muggle neighborhood," she reminded him. "Floating trunks?" Realization dawned on Sirius' face.

"Oh, right," he replied, settling all three trunks back on the floor. Sighing, he hoisted Harry's and walked out the front door.

Catherine went into the kitchen. The boys appeared to have finished and Miranda was sitting on Harry's lap.

"Why can't I come to the train with you?" Miranda pouted.

"Because you've got school today too," Catherine said. "As you well know."

"It's not fair," Miranda said.

"I know sweetheart," Catherine said as she sat down and began to spoon some eggs on her plate. "But I told you I'd take you to the first Quidditch match, so you'll see them all again before Christmas." Miranda sighed and leaned back into Harry. He rested his chin on top of her head.

"We'll send you loads of owls Manda," he said. Catherine smiled at Harry's adoption of Miranda's nickname. "So many you'll get sick of hearing from us." Harry's voice dropped to a whisper. "And you'll have your mum and grandma and Sirius all to yourself." A smile ghosted across Miranda's face before she hid it behind another pout.

"I'll send you some sweets from Hogsmeade, okay?" Ellie said to her sister as she finished up her breakfast. Miranda nodded.

"I wish I could go into Hogsmeade," Rory grumbled.

"I'll bring you some stuff back too Ror," Ellie said. "Just like last year." He gave his sister a weak smile, then stood and carried his dishes to the sink.

"All right, if you're all finished, go check your rooms and the loo one more time," Catherine instructed. "Make sure you didn't forget anything." All four children stood and did as instructed, Miranda tagging along with Harry.

"Those two have certainly bonded this summer," Jane said as she slipped into the chair next to Catherine's and sipped her tea. Catherine smiled.

"It's good for Harry, I think," Catherine said, as she ate her breakfast.

"Have you spoken to Rory this morning?" Jane asked and Catherine shook her head.

"Nothing of substance," she said. Her mother patted her hand and Catherine sighed. Sirius came back into the kitchen.

"Trunks are loaded," he said. "Everyone ready?"

"Nearly," Catherine replied. She stood and carried her plate to the sink. "I'll just get them all moving." As she moved to walk past Sirius, he put a hand on her arm.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Fine," she replied. He looked at her skeptically.

"He'll be all right," Sirius said.

"I know," Catherine said quietly, clearing her throat to keep the tears at bay. Sirius kissed her temple, then let go of her. Harry and Rory were already coming back down the stairs, Miranda behind them. Before Catherine could say anything, Ellie appeared and came down the stairs as well. Sirius and Jane came out of the kitchen.

"Got everything then?" Catherine asked. The three Hogwarts students nodded and Ellie went to her grandmother and gave her a hug. Good-byes were passed around, Harry looking a bit surprised when Jane gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek, but pleased all the same. Miranda's lip was beginning to tremble and Catherine put her arm around her youngest daughter. It was Rory who squatted down in front of his sister.

"Don't worry Manda," he said. "We'll see you soon for Quidditch." Miranda nodded. When he stood, Catherine lightly grasped his arm. He looked at her and smiled tentatively. She pulled him to her and hugged him fiercely and was relieved when Rory's arms tightened around her. Releasing him, she patted his cheek and received a genuine grin in return.

"All right," Sirius said. "Let's go." The five of them went outside and got into the car, Miranda and Jane standing on the front step and waving until they were out of sight.

Sirius put on his glamour once they'd reached the station, deciding that the fewer people that saw them together on the platform the better, not to mention he was still getting hate mail from time to time. They met the Aurors inside, one of whom took Harry by the arm and hurried him through the barrier, much to Sirius' displeasure. Catherine tried to calm him as the two of them followed Ellie and Rory through.

Once they reached the platform, they saw that Harry had already found Hermione and Ron. Ellie squealed in delight and ran towards Ethan, who caught her in his arms and twirled her around. Rory made gagging noises when Ethan kissed her quickly. Sirius laughed and Rory grinned up at him. Catherine's heart eased a bit more.

They managed to gather their two wayward children in order to say goodbye to the three of them. Rory escaped first, joining up with Owen and a couple of his other friends and hurrying on to the train. Catherine pulled Ellie aside while Sirius spoke to Harry.

"I want you to remember what we talked about in reference to Ethan," Catherine said.

"I know Mum," Ellie said. "I promise that we won't get carried away." Catherine smiled and hugged her daughter, then sent her off to join Ethan, Will and Tess. Catherine turned toward Harry and Sirius.

"I mean it Harry," Sirius was saying. "I don't want you going off and trying to do everything on your own."

"I know," Harry said a bit of exasperation in his voice. Catherine put a hand on his arm.

"We just want you to be careful," she said softly. "We don't want anything to happen to you."

"I know," Harry said again, his voice calmer this time. Catherine reached up and kissed his cheek and Sirius gave him a back-slapping hug. Harry waved and then climbed on the train after Ron and Hermione. Sirius put an arm around Catherine and the two watched as the final few students boarded.

"They'll be all right won't they?" Catherine asked. Sirius' arm tightened around her.

"Of course they will," he said, but Catherine could detect the false bravado in his voice. Finally the whistle blew and the train began to move out. "Come on love," Sirius said. "Let's go." They walked slowly back towards the barrier and out into the bustle of King's Cross.

Catherine rubbed her forehead, walking down the corridor at St. Mungo's. She was near exhausted, but if she left now, she would arrive before the feast and perhaps have time to talk to Albus. Sighing, she made her way to the Floo and arrived in the hospital wing seconds later.

"Catherine," Poppy said as Catherine stepped out. "I'm glad you decided to come." Catherine smiled tiredly and Poppy looked at her in concern. "Maybe you should go home instead."

"I'm fine," Catherine insisted. "Besides, I need to speak to Albus before the feast."

"Did I hear my name?" the Headmaster said genially as he stepped into the doorway of Poppy's office. "Good evening Poppy."

"Albus," Poppy returned. "I'll just give you two a moment." She stepped from her office and closed the door behind her.

"Catherine, you had a good remainder of the holiday I trust?" Albus asked, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Yes, it was quite wonderful actually," Catherine said with a smile.

"Excellent, excellent," he said. "Now what can I do for you?"

"Sirius and I were a bit surprised to find out that you took Harry on an errand with you before bringing him to Grimmauld Place this summer," Catherine said without preamble.

"Ah, yes, our visit with Horace," Albus acknowledged with a smile.

"Yes, well, using Harry's celebrity to convince Professor Slughorn to come back to teaching?" Catherine admonished. "And you didn't even consult Sirius about it."

"I must remind you that at the time, Sirius was not yet Harry's guardian," Albus said, his smile still in place, but the twinkle diminished somewhat. "He was still a ward of the Dursleys and they made no objection." Catherine snorted. Albus smiled a bit wider. "I will confess that it was a bit of a manipulation on my part, but a harmless one. And our goal was achieved. We are fully staffed once again and I daresay, a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is very important in these troubled times."

"So the ends justify the means then," Catherine said, crossing her arms in front of her. "Is that your excuse?"

"My dear, I am sorry that you and Sirius were not informed and I will endeavor to do so in future," Albus replied. "However, in this case yes." He paused and cocked his head. "And now if I am not mistaken, the first of the carriages have just arrived. Shall we head to the Great Hall?" Catherine sighed and shook her head, but knew she would get nothing further from the old wizard. He opened the door to Poppy's office and gestured to Catherine to proceed ahead of him. She did so, joining Poppy in the infirmary.

"Ladies," Dumbledore said with an incline of his head. "I shall see you at the Feast shortly, I trust." With that he swept from the room. Catherine voiced a noise of frustration at his departure.

"I know dear," Poppy said with a pat on Catherine's arm. "Believe me, I know."

A short time later, the majority of the staff was assembled at the head table. Even Sybill was there, much to Poppy and Catherine's surprise. The students had begun to file in and the House tables were quickly filling. Catherine saw Ellie and her group of friends come in and Ellie gave her a small wave as they sat down at the Ravenclaw table. Rory came in next and although Catherine didn't catch his eye before he was seated, he looked happy enough.

She was surprised when Ron and Hermione came into the Hall without Harry. When they began to scan the Gryffindor table and then looked back towards the doors searchingly, Catherine's heart began to pound. She looked down the Gryffindor table student by student, but Harry was most definitely not sitting there. She scanned the other tables quickly, even the Slytherin one, in case Harry had sat down to speak with someone for a moment, but he was nowhere to be found.

As she looked at the Ravenclaw table again, Ellie caught her eye with a quizzical expression on her face. Catherine mouthed 'Harry' to her daughter, who shook her head and shrugged her shoulders indicating she hadn't seen him. Ellie jumped up and crossed to the Gryffindor table, tapping Rory on the shoulder and whispering in his ear. He glanced up at Catherine and shook his head as well.

Ginny Weasley came up behind Ellie and Catherine was so worried, she almost didn't even notice that Ginny was holding hands with a boy that looked familiar to Catherine, although she couldn't quite place him at the moment. Catherine's heart broke a little that she had been mistaken about Ginny's feelings for Harry. Quickly pushing that thought aside, she watched as Ellie spoke rapidly to Ginny. Ginny nodded and her brow furrowed as she replied, looking up to the boy she was with. He shook his head. Ellie looked up at her mother and held her hands up in front of her in a baffled gesture.

"Catherine, are you all right?" Poppy asked from her left. "You've paled considerably."

"Harry isn't here," Catherine said.

"Well surely he just hasn't made it into the Hall yet," Poppy said, looking out at the sea of students in front of her.

"He's not with any of his friends or Rory or Ellie and no one's seems to have seen him," Catherine replied.

"Maybe he's with one of the staff," Poppy said. "Severus is missing, as is Hagrid."

"Hagrid will be getting the first years won't he?" Catherine asked.

"No, they've come up in the carriages with the rest of the students this year," Poppy explained. "New security measures. Minerva gathered them together out in the Entrance Hall."

"Maybe he's stopped to talk to Hagrid then," Catherine said, her fingers drifting to twist in a lock of her hair.

"I'm sure that's it," Poppy said, patting her hand. Catherine was contemplating getting up and speaking to Ron and Hermione when Albus stood and called for quiet. The last few stragglers took their seats, Harry not among them. Catherine's insides twisted and flipped. Albus made a few remarks before Minerva came in with the first years and the sorting began.

Catherine heard none of it as her eyes were glued to the doors of the Great Hall, willing them to open and Harry to step through. She didn't even realize that the sorting had finished until the food appeared on the table before her.

"Poppy, he's still not here," she said. Ron and Hermione were looking equally worried, Ron not even shoveling food into his mouth the moment it appeared on the table.

"Hagrid isn't here either, I'm sure they're probably together," Poppy assured her. No sooner had the words left Poppy's mouth and the door behind them opened, Hagrid stepping in.

"Sorry, 'm late," he said, walking heavily to an empty seat next to Filius. Catherine's eyes swung expectantly to the front doors but they remained tightly closed. Her eyes scanned the hall once more and fell on the Slytherin table and Draco Malfoy. He was miming something that looked like breaking someone's nose if Catherine wasn't mistaken. Draco looked fine and was smiling widely at his housemates' uproarious laughter. Catherine's eyes narrowed when she realized Severus was still missing. If Harry and Draco had gotten into a fight, she had no doubt that Severus would have taken his student's side.

Catherine finally made the decision to get up and talk to Albus when one of the doors to the Great Hall finally opened. Harry stood there, Severus behind him. Harry hurried to the Gryffindor table to sit next to Hermione, but Catherine still did not fail to see the blood covering his face. She gasped and brought a hand to her mouth as Severus joined them at the staff table. Catherine made to rise, but Poppy put a hand on her arm.

"Not here," the matron said quietly. Catherine glanced sharply at her. "You are still trying to keep Harry's guardianship and your marriage to Sirius quiet, are you not?" Catherine sighed and put her head in her hands. "Look, Miss Granger has him all cleaned up. He looks all right." Catherine glanced up and saw that Hermione had indeed siphoned all the blood from Harry's face and clothes and he looked none the worse for wear. "I will insist he come to the hospital wing after the Feast so I can make sure he is all right and you can speak to him there," Poppy said. Catherine pulled in a deep breath.

"Thank you Poppy," she said. Poppy smiled and pulled a small piece of parchment from her pocket. Writing a quick note on it, she waved her wand and turned it into a paper bird, flying it towards Harry. After he read it, he looked up at the staff table, then quickly dropped his gaze to his plate as he caught Catherine's eye. Hers narrowed and she wondered just what the boy had gotten himself into now.

When Harry shuffled into the hospital wing after the Feast, Catherine was waiting with her arms crossed over her chest.

"What happened?" she asked without preamble.

"Nothing," Harry mumbled.

"You arrive in the Great Hall covered with blood, nearly missing the entire Feast and you tell me nothing?" Catherine demanded.

"Malfoy broke my nose," Harry said still looking at the ground.

"And when did this occur?" Catherine prodded.

"After he used Pretrificus Totalis on me on the train," Harry said raising his head defiantly.

And why did he do that?" Catherine asked. Harry said nothing. "Was this an unprovoked attack? Did he come into your compartment and just hex you and then break your nose? Perhaps we should take this up with the Headmaster."

"No," Harry said. "No, I," he trailed off and sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I put my cloak on and snuck into Malfoy's compartment to spy on him."

"Harry," Catherine said tiredly, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"He's up to something, I know it!" Harry exclaimed. "Voldemort's given him some kind of mission!" Catherine glanced around the empty infirmary, then pulled Harry into the storeroom, sealing and silencing the door.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"I don't know what exactly," Harry said, recounting the conversation between Draco and his friends.

"Harry that proves nothing," she said when he'd finished. Harry opened his mouth to protest, but she kept speaking. "How did you get back up to the school?" Harry explained Tonks' rescue. When he had finished, she sighed.

"What you did was incredibly stupid, not to mention dangerous. What if Tonks hadn't found you? What if you'd ended up all the way back in London and no one had found you? You could have choked on your own blood." Catherine shivered. "Sirius just talked to you about this, multiple times. You cannot keep doing these things on your own Harry!"

"No one was listening to me!" he roared. "I know something is going on with Malfoy, I just know it! But no one will take me seriously!"

"I'm not surprised when you go off and do rash things like this," Catherine snapped back. "Harry, no one knew where you were! You're damn lucky Tonks is such a good Auror and noticed you weren't on the platform!" Catherine was shouting now and she suddenly grunted and clutched at her middle.

"Catherine?" Harry said in concern.

"It's fine, I'm fine," Catherine said, trying to wave him off, but she grimaced again.

"Let us out," Harry said quickly. "I'll get Madame Pomfrey." Catherine waved her wand at the door to release the spells and Harry took her arm and led her back into the infirmary shouting for Madame Pomfrey.

"Harry, I'm fine," Catherine said, but Harry ignored her. Poppy hurried from her office towards them.

"What happened?" the mediwitch asked, even as she guided Catherine towards one of the beds.

"I don't know, she was shouting at me and then she sort of doubled over," Harry explained.

"Honestly, I'm fine," Catherine insisted. "It was just a little twinge, that's all."

"I'll be the judge of that," Poppy said briskly pushing Catherine to lie down in the bed. Harry looked at her worriedly and she tried to give him a reassuring smile. Harry bit his lip as Poppy turned to him. "I've got to examine her now Mr. Potter. You'll have to wait outside." Poppy ushered him outside the screens she conjured around the bed and Catherine could hear her talking in hushed tones, but she couldn't hear what was said.

Poppy came back inside and began running diagnostics over Catherine. No matter what Catherine had said to Harry, she had to admit that she was a bit concerned. Poppy's brow furrowed at a few of the readings, but she was going through them so fast, Catherine couldn't even focus on which ones were causing her concern. There was a bit of commotion outside the screens and then one was pushed aside and Sirius rushed in looking frantic.

"What is it, what's wrong?" he asked instantly taking Catherine's hand in his. She was so shocked that he was here, she couldn't even say anything. Of course, Poppy must have told Harry to Floo him. Still, she wasn't sure just how he'd gotten here so quickly. Catherine was keyed into Poppy's Floo, but Sirius was not.

"Everything is fine except that your wife needs to get more rest," Poppy finally said. Catherine relaxed, but Sirius still looked worried.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, I've double checked everything," Poppy assured him. "She's overly tired and she should avoid stress as much as she can, but otherwise, everything looks just fine. It was just her body telling her to slow down." Sirius let out a sigh of relief, then sat down on the edge of Catherine's bed and stroked her hair.

"Thank you Poppy," Catherine said. "Send Harry in will you?" Poppy nodded and vanished the screens around Catherine's bed. Harry stood outside, shifting from foot to foot, looking terrified. "I'm fine Harry," Catherine said.

"Anyone care to tell me just what the hell is going on?" Sirius demanded, looking between Catherine and Harry.

"First tell me how you got here so quickly," Catherine countered.

"Poppy had Filius key me into her Floo last spring while you were recovering in case I had to make a fast escape. Albus didn't know about it and she never had Filius remove it," he said with a shrug. "Now, your turn." Catherine glanced at Harry who sighed and proceeded to fill Sirius in on his adventures on the train. To his credit, Sirius listened to the entire story before getting up and hauling Harry by his collar into the same storeroom Catherine had taken him. Catherine almost felt sorry for the boy for the tongue lashing she was sure he was going to get. Almost. When the two emerged, Sirius' mouth was set, Harry's expression bleak.

"I'm sorry Catherine," he said.

"I don't want your apologies Harry," Catherine said. "I just want you to keep yourself out of trouble." Harry nodded.

"You'd better go up to your dorm," Sirius said. "It's nearly curfew." Harry nodded again, but Sirius grabbed his arm before he could leave. Sirius put a hand on his godson's shoulder and his expression softened. "Take care of yourself Harry. Please." He gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze and one corner of Harry's mouth quirked up for a moment before he turned and left. Sirius sighed once Harry had disappeared through the doors and he scrubbed a hand down his face. "What are we going to do with him?"

"Time remember?" Catherine said.

"Too bloody much time if you ask me," Sirius muttered.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," Catherine quipped and Sirius stuck his tongue out at her.

"Come on, let's get you home and into bed," he said. He helped her from the bed and the two walked into Poppy's office.

"I meant what I said about rest," Poppy admonished. "You've got to get more of it."

"I will, thank you Poppy," Catherine said. Sirius kissed her quickly before stepping through the Floo. Catherine followed and he caught her as she stumbled out. She leaned into him and Sirius wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him and kissing the top of her head. Jane hurried into the room.

"Is everything all right?" she asked worriedly.

"Yes Mum, I'm fine," Catherine said.

"Thank god," Jane said, bringing a hand to her heart.

"We'll fill you in tomorrow," Catherine promised.

"All right, I'm off to bed then," Jane said. "Good night." When she'd left, Catherine sighed and leaned against Sirius once more. Without a word he swung her up into his arms and carried her upstairs, her arms around his neck. He laid her gently on the bed and transfigured her robes into a nightgown. He tucked her under the covers and then kissed her temple.

"Sleep love," he said. "You're exhausted."

"Are you coming to bed?" she asked with a yawn.

"In a bit," he said. "Just sleep." He stroked her face and ran his fingers through her hair. Catherine sighed in contentment and closed her eyes, drifting off almost immediately. She didn't see Sirius keep a nearly all-night vigil, simply watching her for the slightest twitch out of the ordinary. It wasn't until the first fingers of dawn began their creep over the horizon that he stripped out of his clothes and climbed in beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back to spoon against him. And with one hand splayed protectively over her belly, he finally let sleep claim him.

2 September 1996

When Catherine awoke the next morning, she felt more rested than she had in quite some time. Sirius was no longer in the bed with her and when she glanced at the clock on her bedside table she saw that it was nearly 9:30. Yawning, she sat up and pulled on her dressing gown before heading down to the kitchen.

Sirius sat at the table reading the Daily Prophet and drinking coffee. He lowered the paper and smiled at Catherine as she came into the room.

"Good morning love," he said. "Sleep well?" She nodded.

"Did Miranda get off to school all right?" Catherine asked as she sat down beside him.

"Took her myself," he said. "Your Mum had errands to run, so she dropped us off at the school. I walked Miranda in and then apparated back here afterward. Let me make you some breakfast."

"I can get something," Catherine protested, but Sirius had already stood and started pulling out eggs, cheese and ham. Catherine watched him as he moved about the kitchen, making her an omelet. He set it in front of her with a mug of tea when he finished and kissed her.

"Thank you," Catherine said with a smile before she began to eat.

"Get used to it," Sirius said as he sat back down. "I intend to make sure you take care of yourself from here on." Catherine was enjoying her breakfast too much to comment. When she'd nearly finished, Sirius spoke again.

"When is your next appointment with Arianna?" he asked.

"Not for two weeks," she replied. "Why?"

"I just wonder if we should talk to her sooner given what happened yesterday," Sirius said.

"Don't you trust Poppy?" Catherine asked.

"Of course I do," he said immediately. "I just think that maybe she ought to know, that's all."

"I think as long as I do what Poppy said, I'll be fine," Catherine said, continuing to speak over his protests. "But I promise that if it happens again, we'll see Arianna."

"All right," he agreed begrudgingly.

"Did you get Winky all settled yesterday?" she asked. "We didn't get a chance to speak about it last night."

"Yes," Sirius said grimly. "She was most disgusted with the state of the place, not to mention her reaction to the house elf heads."

"What happened?" Catherine said in concern.

"She cried," Sirius said.

"Oh, poor thing," Catherine replied with a shake of her head.

"Well, she's fairly certain she can remove them, but she's insisting on proper burial for all of them once she's done so. I suggested the cottage if that's all right."

"Of course," Catherine agreed immediately. "What about your mother's portrait?" Sirius smirked.

"Still as Harry left it," he told her. "Winky isn't sure she'll be able to remove the portrait, but as long as she can't talk, who cares?" Catherine nodded and the two sat in silence for a few moments while Catherine sipped at her tea. She glanced at Sirius a few times out of the corner of her eye, quite sure he was not going to like what she said next.

"What?" he finally prompted, when he caught her staring at him for the third time.

"I think that we should try and speak with Daniel today," she finally said. Sirius set down his tea cup and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of him.

"And I think you've gone round the twist if you think that's a good idea after what happened yesterday," he replied tightly.

"Sirius, I'm fine," she insisted. "I just needed a good night's sleep is all."

"Poppy also told you to avoid stress as much as possible," he countered. "I don't exactly think a meeting with your ex-husband counts as stress-free."

"We need to speak with him sometime, you know that," Catherine pointed out. "Once you start back at the Auror Department, it will be difficult to coordinate our schedules. We're both free today, why not just get it over with?"

"This is ridiculous," he said, shaking his head. "The answer is no, end of discussion." Catherine fumed as Sirius picked up her plate and carried it to the sink.

"When Poppy told me to avoid stress, I doubt she took into account the fact that you would be the one to cause it," Catherine snapped. Sirius whirled around, confused look on his face.

"What are you on about?" he asked.

"This Sirius," she said gesturing between them. "You making a proclamation and expecting I'm just going to fall in line with whatever you say."

"This is the man who took your children from you," Sirius exclaimed, his voice rising. "He tried to kill you and now he's shown up out of the blue. We have no idea what he wants and you think this isn't going to cause you stress?"

"You were the one that said we should meet with him to see what he's up to!" Catherine shouted.

"Yes I did, but not if it's going to jeopardize your health or our child's!" Sirius thundered.

"I. Am. Fine." Catherine insisted through gritted teeth. "I think I know my own limitations a little more than you do."

"I don't think that you do," Sirius said, still angry, but his voice quieter. He sighed and rubbed his forehead with his fingertips before he looked at her again. "Cat, you push yourself all the time, you always have. Most of the time you don't even realize that you're doing it." He took a few steps towards her. "You've got to slow down and take care of yourself." He reached her and cupped her face with his hands. "Please." She stared at him for a few moments and then sighed, leaning forward and melting into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry," he said after a few moments. "I don't mean to issue proclamations."

"I know," she replied. "And I don't mean to fly off the handle. Sometimes I just can't seem to help it."

"Hormones, I know," Sirius said with a grin and she lightly slapped his arm.

"I meant what I said though," Catherine continued, pulling back and looking up at him. "I really think we should call him." Sirius sighed again. "It's going to cause me more stress if I have to sit and continue worrying about why he's here or what he's up to. Let's just get it over with."

"I don't know," Sirius said shaking his head.

"I'll be fine," Catherine assured him. "You'll be there and while Daniel might be a lot of things, he's not stupid. He won't try anything with the both of us there." Sirius studied her for what seemed like the longest time before he finally nodded begrudgingly.

"But if he gets even close to belligerent or threatening we're leaving immediately," Sirius said.

"Agreed," Catherine replied with a smile. "I'll call Sarah." She kissed Sirius and then picked up the phone to call her sister-in-law.

"He'll meet us for lunch," Catherine said a few minutes later as she hung up the phone. "At that little café a few blocks from here." Sirius nodded.

"Did he give any indication as to what he wants?" Sirius asked. Catherine shook her head, feeling a little less confident. It must have shown in her face because Sirius took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. "It will be fine love."

"I hope so," Catherine said, an involuntary shiver going through. "I really hope so."

Catherine drummed her fingernails on the table until Sirius covered her hand with his.

"Relax," he said squeezing her fingers slightly.

"Sorry," she mumbled. He leaned over and kissed her softly and Catherine sighed, until a throat clearing got her attention.

"Daniel," she said as she looked up.

"Catherine," he replied, somewhat stiffly. Catherine sat and stared at him for a moment before she shook her head as if clearing it.

"I'm sorry," she said. "This is my husband, Sirius Black." Daniel's eyebrows rose as Sirius stood and held out a hand. Daniel shook it and then grimaced a bit. Catherine hid a smile as she saw the satisfied look on Sirius' face.

"Husband?" Daniel questioned as he sat down. "Sarah told me you were seeing someone but she didn't mention you were married." Catherine cursed herself in her head. She'd forgotten all about the fact that she hadn't told Sarah about her marriage.

"It was a quiet affair," Sirius said. "Not many people know actually." Catherine gave him a grateful smile.

"Why the secrecy?" Daniel asked.

"Not to be rude, Daniel, but I don't see how that is any of your business," Catherine said coolly. Daniel held up his hands in surrender just as their server returned to take their drink orders. Sirius took Catherine's hand under the table.

"So, what do you want?" Catherine asked once the waitress had left. Daniel snorted.

"That's my Catherine," he said. "Always direct and to the point."

"I am not 'your' anything," Catherine hissed as Sirius squeezed her hand harder.

"Sorry," he said with a bit of a smirk. "Old habits." Catherine's eyes flashed in anger, but she managed to keep a lid on her emotions.

"I'll ask you again," she said. "Why are you here?" Daniel lost the smirk and his expression softened.

"I told you," he said. "I just want to know how they are."

"And it was my understanding that Sarah was giving you regular reports on how they are," Catherine replied, her voice clipped.

"Yes," Daniel agreed.

"Then why?" she asked.

"Because the more Sarah told me the more I missed them," he said quietly. "I just want to see them." Catherine gripped Sirius' hand harder.

"No," she said immediately. "Absolutely not."

"Catherine," he said. "They're my children." Catherine's jaw tightened and she glanced at Sirius and saw that his had done the same.

"You gave up all rights to call them that when you kidnapped them and then tried to kill me," she said through gritted teeth. "You are not their father."

"And who is then?" Daniel demanded. "Him? A man your sister-in-law doesn't even know you married? What, is he a criminal or something?" Sirius stiffened.

"That's rich, coming from you," Catherine retorted. "Considering what you did." Both were prevented from saying more when the server returned with their drinks. She left hastily after delivering them without even asking if they wanted to order anything to eat, as if sensing the underlying current of anger amongst the inhabitants of the table. All three stared at each other for a few moments before Daniel took a breath, blowing it out as he scrubbed a hand down his face.

"Look I don't want to fight," he said tiredly. "I just want another chance."

"So you've changed your mind about them then?" Sirius demanded. Daniel's eyes narrowed as he looked at the other man.

"You're like her aren't you?" Daniel asked. "You're one of them too."

"If you mean a wizard, then yes, I am," Sirius said. "The children are as well, as I'm sure you remember."

"I remember," Daniel replied.

"I'd like an answer to Sirius' question myself," Catherine said. Daniel sighed again.

"Yes, I suppose I have," he said, somewhat begrudgingly Catherine thought.

"Excuse me if I don't believe that rousing show of support," Catherine said dryly.

"Look, Catherine, this is difficult for me," he said, raking a hand through his hair. "I still don't," he paused. "It's still very hard to wrap my mind around."

"You never even tried to," she said quietly, her heart breaking for her children all over again. "You never listened to me or attempted to understand. You just left without a backward glance."

"Do you think that was easy for me?" he demanded. "To walk out on them, on you?"

"Then why did you do it?" Catherine demanded, raising her head to meet his gaze.

"I was confused," he said.

"Confused?" Catherine repeated. "You don't think your children were confused when you just disappeared? Rory cried himself to sleep every night. Ellie stopped talking all together. Miranda was so little, she didn't understand what was going on, just that everyone around her was sad. And what you did later," Catherine paused and shook her head. "There is no excuse for that." She turned to Sirius. "I think we should go. This was a waste of time." Sirius rose and held a hand out to her to help her from her chair. Before she could rise, Daniel put a hand on her arm.

"No, wait, please," he said. Catherine looked at him and saw the plea in his eyes. "Please." Sighing she looked up at Sirius.

"It's up to you love," he said quietly. "I'll do whatever you want." Catherine nodded and Sirius sat back down.

"I'm sorry," Daniel said immediately. "I shouldn't have just left. I should have talked to you, let you explain, tried to understand. But I was so scared."

"Of what?" Catherine asked in confusion.

"I don't know, of what they could do," he said. "Of what it might mean for me, for us, for my career if people found out."

"For god's sake Daniel, you were worried about your job?" Catherine asked incredulously. Sirius snorted in disgust.

"Look Catherine, you know how things were back then," Daniel said. "My whole identity was based on my job and my family. My idea about my family had just been flipped on its ear. I felt like my job was all I had left." He paused and rubbed his forehead with the fingertips of one hand. "And you know how things were with my mother."

"Yes, heaven forbid you disappoint Mummy dearest," Catherine said in disgust.

"I know," Daniel said shamefully. "Look, I'm not trying to make excuses, but everything I did had something to do with her. She…colored my views on many things."

"We can go over and over this and it won't change anything," Catherine said. "You still abandoned us, then kidnapped the children and tried to kill me. I want to know why I should think for even a second that you've changed. Why I should even entertain the notion of letting you have contact with the children after more than eight years of not caring what happened to them?"

"I always cared what happened to them," he said. Sirius snorted again.

"You've got an interesting way of showing it mate," Sirius said.

"I am not your mate," Daniel said tightly. "And just how long have you been around to care what happens to them?" Sirius opened his mouth to retort, but Catherine put a hand on his arm.

"This isn't a pissing contest Daniel," she said. "But what Sirius says is true."

"You basically gave me an ultimatum" Daniel said. "I didn't have much of a choice."

"You had every choice," Catherine insisted. "I told you if you changed, truly changed, I would consider letting you see them again. Instead, you left and went to the States and we never heard anything from you." Daniel was silent for a time.

"Everything you've said is true," he finally said. "And I know that I have no right to ask anything of you. The things I did were horrible and unforgiveable. But I have changed Catherine. I've missed out on so much of their lives. I don't want to miss anymore." She studied him and while he looked sincere, Catherine knew that he was the master of disguising his feelings.

"Why now?" she asked. "Why after all this time?" Daniel shrugged. "There has to be a reason."

"It's not important," he said.

"Yes, it is," she insisted. "If you expect me to even consider this, you have to be honest with me."

"I was seeing someone," Daniel said. "And it was getting rather serious. I wanted to ask her to marry me, but something wouldn't let me and I finally realized that it was because I hadn't been honest with her. So one night, I told her about the kids. I didn't tell her everything, just the fact that some things had happened and that I'd left. She was furious." He paused and looked pained. "She broke things off with me and told me that she could never be with someone who would do that to his own children."

"So you're doing this to get back with your girlfriend?" Catherine asked in shock.

"No!" Daniel insisted. "No, it's, it's over between us. No matter what I do, she'll never trust me again, I know that. But what she said, how revolted she was with me, it made me hate myself for what I'd done. And I knew then that I had to come back and try and make things right." He looked up at Catherine and Sirius. "I know what I've done. And I know I don't deserve any kind of second chance. I won't be surprised if you don't give me one. But if I never tried, if I went the rest of my life wondering 'what if', I'd never forgive myself. I just, I," he broke off shaking his head. "I want to try and make it up to them. I want to try and fix things and be the man I should have been from the beginning. I want another chance." Catherine stared at him for a moment before she spoke again.

"I went numb for a long time when you left," she said quietly. "And then you came back only to take my children from me and try and kill me. If that was all you had done, if it had only been me that you had hurt, I could probably overlook it and move on. But you broke them Daniel." Daniel flinched. "You broke them when you left and then when you took them and tried to reprogram them or whatever it was that you called it, you broke them again. You left scars on them that still haven't been fully healed. And that is something I can never forgive you for."

"Catherine," Daniel said in anguish.

"No, neither one of them can talk about that night, even still. And now, now when they have a chance at a real family, when they've finally reconnected with their grandfather and their aunt, when they've got good male role models, now you come back wanting to disrupt everything that I've been trying to build," Catherine continued. "I can't let you do that Daniel, I won't." She turned to Sirius. "Take me home. Please." Sirius nodded and pulled a few muggle bills from his pocket, throwing them on the table. He held a hand out to her and helped her to her feet. Daniel's eyes widened as he took in her slightly bulging belly. Catherine couldn't even bring herself to care that Sarah would now know.

"Come on love," Sirius said, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her temple. He began to steer Catherine towards the door.

"Wait," Daniel called. Catherine's eyes closed briefly before she turned to face him once more.

"Please Catherine," he begged. "Please don't do this. Don't cut me off from them again."

"I didn't cut you off from them the first time," Catherine said calmly. "You did that yourself and now you'll have to deal with the consequences. Good bye Daniel." She turned and walked out of the café at Sirius' side. When they reached the sidewalk, she sagged against him, feeling her eyes filling. Although it was only a few short blocks walk to the house, Sirius didn't hesitate in hailing a taxi instead. He would have liked to apparate them both back, but a taxi would have to do.

Once they were inside the cab, Catherine burst into tears and Sirius held her tightly to him until they reached the house. After paying the driver, Sirius helped her out and then swung her up into his arms, carrying her into the house and up to their bedroom. He lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms, letting her cry herself to sleep as he stroked her hair and whispered soothing words to her.