The Poisonous Jealousy
Leta McGotor
Helo there. I know it took me a bit longer than usually to write something and i know that „At the Grave of my brother" is not finished yet, but I promise that i will now work on it better.
So, just enjoy! ;-D
Chapter 1: Yellow
Minerva McGonagall strode purposely through the corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her facial expression was set, in her hands she held five big rolls of parchment and a bag, wich looked very businesslike and was completely suitable to the dark green dress she was wearing. The sound of her shoes could be heard nearly all over the castle, because as there were holidays no students tumbled through the corridors and made noise no mortable could really bear.
Nevertheless her timetable was more than filled for the day. In a few hours there was a meeting in the ministry together with Albus about all sorts of getting money for the school and paying the school supplies and organising the student groups and so on. Normally there was no problem with that, but now the ministry was sure that they had to have an overlook over the school and its doings.
To add to all this Rolanda Hooch had blockaded her whole morning. She had been nervous and really on edge for days and she, Minerva, and Pomona Sprout had tried all possible and impossible to convince her to tell them what was the matter. But Rolanda had kept silenceand had given them just a few hints. With these the other two were able to distingish the probelm and to describe it as lovesickness. Who the lucky chap was, they did not know yet, but it was merely a matter of one or two days.
Another point on Minervas shedule was no other than Severus Snape. Every year when the summer holidays started, the teachers had to made a list of supplies needed for the upcoming school year. So far all of them had finished this task quite easily as many of them wrote this list even before term ended. Severus was an exception, not every year just this one, but today was the meeting and she needed the list badly.
So after a few minutes Minerva stood in front of the heavy door in the dungeons, behind which Severus Snape was working on a special potion. She knocked sharply but no one answered. She knocked again, but there was no reaction. So she shrugged her shoulders and just entered the room.
Severus Snape did not look up when she entered. He had not expected anyone else. In fact, he had not expected anyone at all. When he noticed Minerva he instinctly knew why she was there.
„Not now!", he said without lifting his head. „Later"
„You have said that the last time"
„Yes, but now is really bad."
„You repeat yourself. I just want the list"
„Come in a few hours and you get it."
„Oh no, don't you think you can get rid of me so easily this time. I have time enough, I can wait." That was not exactly true remembering the meeting with the ministry later, but it sounded just the way, that Severus might give her the list.
„Then wait, I cannot do anything about it, can I."
„You can give me the list."
„I have not written it. Say that I don't need anything, that all is fine." He stressed the last word, still hanging over his kettle. Minerva rolled her eyes. She had hoped that this would be easier.
„Then I will stay.", she declared and put her things on one of the desks in the room.
Severus just shrugged his shoulders. Minutes passed without them speaking anything to each other. The few minutes turned into an hour and still they had not spoken again. Suddenly Severus turned around and looked at Minerva.
„You can help me, after all you are already here and you have nothing to do than bore yourself to death." Minerva stood up.
„If it quickens the whole affair... What can I do?"
„You can stir this counterclockwise –clockwise – counterclockwise – and again clockwise. Each one twelve times. You are able to do that, aren't you?"
„I'm no student of yours, Severus. Of course I am. I also had potions in my time at school."
„Oh, really?", he answered sarcasticly. „That's been quite a time, hasn't it?"
„Why, do you feel you yourself age that fast?", she bit back. Nevertheless Minerva took the dipper and did what she was told. While stirring she looked into the kettle. There was nothing comparable to potions she knew on a regular basis. This one was dark yellow, more an amber tone of colour. Here and there single bubbles emerged from it. But the whole thing smelled of nothing.
Minerva glanced at Severus who stood in front of a desk and looked very puzzled. From time to time he took one of the many different bottles there, opened it, looked at the inside, smelled it and put the bottle back again. Sometimes he shook his head and reached for the next one, sometimes he just stood there deeply in thought. Minerva looked again at the potion she was stirring right now. Somehow the potion looked different. Surely it was still of this strong yellow colour, but there were definedly more bubbles there and the whole kettle seemed to be more filled that before.
„Severus...?", she asked tentatively. „Severus?" But he didn't seem to hear her so absorbed was he with his numerous bottles. Again he reached for another one, opened it and smelled, still he was puzzled.. Then suddenly he wrinkled his forehead and looked at the label of the bottle.
„Severus... the potion..."
In the same moment his face enlighted, for he had solved his own private riddle. He turned around and for the first time realised that Minerva had called him now for the fith time.
„Go back..." he called to her, but it was to late. The whole potion exploded and Severus could just fast enough crouch down to avoid the yellow liquid wash all over him.
When he stood again, he looked around. Minerva had not been able to duck right in time and was completely hit with the whole force of it all. Severus found her lying between two desks, that were upset by the explosion. He crouched down next to her.
„Minerva... Minerva, can you hear me?" Slowly she opened her eyes. Her head hurt badly and when she grazed her lips with her hand she found blood on it. Slowly she tried to sit up, Severus supporting her.
„Are you all right,? Do you have any pain? Say someting!", he sounded a bit frightened and held her carefully and close.
„It's...", she stopped. The world was spinning around her. She looked up into his face, but before she could really focus on anything, she fell into darkness und unconsciousness.
***
So, that's it. The first chapter is done. I already know how the next chapters will look like, so I hope I can update soon. Surely I would be faster with you hitting that small button there and write me a review. Thank you!
