Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Minerva McGonagall/Rita Skeeter
Warnings: alternate universe; and femslash
Prompts: (Pairing) Minerva/Rita; (Word) Half; (Subject) Transfiguration; and (Length) 336 words to 356 words

We Found Love
020. River Lea

From a young age, Rita knew she wasn't like others. While she was a half-blood, she was labeled as a muggle-born – because her pure-blood father wanted nothing to do with her or her mudblood mother. Without a father to "claim" her, Rita was branded as a muggle-born and she was tossed aside, like trash.

When she started attending Hogwarts, Rita learned how to navigate the pure-blood world. Money spoke volumes, but information and blackmail could buy more.

Upon meeting Minerva, Rita decided Transfigurations was an awesome subject. Minerva was an animagus and she could turn into a silver tabby cat. She used her form to spy on students. Rita was smitten.

"How hard is it to become an animagus?" Rita asked, cornering Minerva in the library one night. Since she was Professor Altair's apprentice, she lived in Hogsmeade.

"It takes years of practice and hard work," Minerva answered.

"How long did it take you?" Rita knew he had to become an animagus. It would be key to aquiring information and blackmail.

"It took four years, Ms. Skeeter," the young woman replied. "It's a long and hard process."

"Aren't there any shortcuts?" There had to a way to make it easier and faster, like a spell or a potion.

"There is no such thing, Ms. Skeeter," Minerva responded with a frown. "One can only become an animagus through hard work and determination."

"It's good that I'm a Hufflepuff."

"Why the sudden interest, Ms. Skeeter?"

"It's not that sudden. It's merely a usual tool to my future endeavors."

"Like what?"

"I'm going to be something!"

"Are you going to need any help? It's dangerous to attempt without a Transfigurations Master."

"Minerva, I didn't know you had your Mastery."

Fllushing, Minerva explained, "I'm only six months away, and I can't stand by and allow you to do something boneheaded and reckless."

"Is that your way of saying you care?"

Minerva's face darkened. "So what if it is?"

Rita's heart skipped a beat at those words. "I'm free tomorrow."

"I'll be here until ten."

With a flirtation smile, Rita said, "It's a date."

This was written in response to the following: (1) 200 Different Pairings Challenge; (2) The Album Drabble Challenge; and (3) Once Upon a Time Character Category Challenge-itition from Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges Forum.
(1) 200 Different Pairings – 079: (Pairing) Minerva/Rita
(2) The Album Drabble – "River Lea" by Adele (3:46) from 25: Write a drabble between 336 words and 356 words.
(3) Once Upon a Time Character Category – Prince Phillip: Write about Transfiguration.

Count: 350