Astraphobia

Part II

Minerva quietly walked down the corridor to the Gryffindor Tower late one night. She was just finishing up her rounds by checking in on her cubs before heading to bed herself. Upon entering the common room, Minerva was surprised to be met with silence. Normally there would still be a few students up talking. Walking further in to the room, she glanced around at the empty chairs. As she turned around to leave, her eyes stopped on the slumped over figure at the table in the corner. Shaking her head, she walked over to who she thought was Hermione Granger. She was used to seeing the girl asleep at the table from studying. As she stepped next to the figure, she was surprised to see Harry asleep on top of what looked to be his Charms essay.

Shaking her head again, she reached out and shook his shoulder gently. "Mr potter."

When he didn't move, she bent slightly and called out again. "Potter."

In answer to her call, Harry turned his head away from her. Glaring at him briefly, Minerva walked around to his other side with her back to the window and tried again. "Potter."

As she spoke, the black sky lit up with lightning, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Minerva stiffened at the unexpected sound. Reaching out again, she shook his shoulder a lot harder than before. "Potter!"

A deafening roar of thunder rattled the window. "Potter!" She hissed.

Looking behind her, Minerva saw a bolt of lightning reaching down from the black swirling clouds and strike somewhere in the Forbidden Forest. "Harry!" She jumped.

Groaning softly, Harry slowly opened his eyes. Lifting his head, he looked around for the person who had cried out his name. Not seeing anyone, he sighed and looked down at the half finished essay that was due the next day. As he picked up his quill, he felt something heavy move in his lap. Looking down, he was met with a tightly curled up cat with dark green eyes. "Professor? Wha-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as another crack of thunder sounded just outside the window.

As the sound eases, Harry feels Minerva start to tremble. Looking down, he was saddened to see the frightened look in her eyes increase with her shaking. Picking her up, he curled his arms around her small body and held her against his chest. "Shh. Shh. I have you. You're safe." He whispered as he patted her head.

When he realized that it wasn't really helping, he got up and walked over to the sofa in front of the fire. Sitting down with his back against the arm rest, he allowed her to burrow into the big jumper Mrs Weasley had made for him. "I've got you. I've got you." He repeated in an attempt to calm her down.

After repeating the same line over and over again for the last few minutes, Harry looked down at the non-moving cat on his chest. He was surprised to see that she was no longer curled up in a tightly ball, but half stretched out across his torso, asleep. Smiling, he slowly moved down on the seat and patted her from head to tail. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep to the sound of her purring.

Groaning quietly, Minerva slowly allowed herself to wake up. Not opening her eyes, she rolled her head to the left, feeling the muscles pull. She let out a small and relaxed, only to completely freeze when something wrapped around her waist. Wide awake now, Minerva looked down to see an arm wrapped around her, holding on top of whoever it belonged to. Looking up, she gasped in shock upon seeing Harry's face.

Starring wide eyed at her student, Minerva didn't hear the sounds of doors of the dormitories opening a top of the stairs. Only when the sounds of hushed voices and stomping feet reached her ears did she move. As quickly and quietly as she could, Minerva unwrapped Harry's arm. Trying not to disturb him, she lifted herself off of him and left the tower, just as the first person entered the common room.

This is dedicated to Rhika & TheRiverUnbroken.

It is a little shorter then I wanted it to be, but at least I updated right?

Anyway, as per request by Lord PotterXXVII, I will be updating Forever Young next.

If you have any requests for updates on stories, except Swing Sets & Tree Tops, because I am actually having a wee bit of trouble finding my notes for that one, don't hesitate to tell/demand/ask me to.

Have a good evening.

Ro.