Chapter 28- Asylum for the Demented?

Rufus Scrimgeour couldn't help being amused as Albus explained the reason behind the strange sight that had befell him when he entered the Castle. He had a very hard time with keeping a straight serious face as befitting his post as the Minister of Magic while Albus explained. Besides he thought that the young Potions Master was already humiliated enough after being knocked down and having his face washed by the large clumsy black dogs wide slobbery tongue and didn't need any more laughter at his expense.

"Severus...be a good lad and check on Snuffles for me- please. All the excitement may have upset him." Albus asked in a tone which sounded very saccharine sweet to Severus who turned and glowered at the Headmaster even as he bit back a scathing comment. He slammed down his mug which was now drained of the extra strong black coffee he was especially fond of- which everyone else believed would be very corrosive considering it was reputed that the elves had to have ground at least one pound of coffee beans to one cup- and his mug equalled at least two of theirs. Only Hagrids tea mug was bigger.

"Albus. You! You are a very infuriating man!. " Minerva snapped at the astonished Headmaster as she watched the stiff shoulders and billowing robes of the obviously angry wizard disappear into the distance.

"W-h-a-t?" Albus looked at her with obvious confusion written across his face. "All I did was ask Severus to check up on Snuffles."

"Precisely!" Minerva snapped crisply as she stood up and walked away very much like an affronted cat whose sensibilities were not to be trifled with.

Albus looked bewildered as he watched her stride down and out of the Hall. Normally he would have inquired as to what she was referring to but even he had the sense not to aggravate Minerva when she was angry. He sighed as he looked at the Minister apologetically. "Sorry about the scene Rufus, but I forgot a very simple fact for a moment about interactions between cat's and dogs. As you know Minerva's animagus' form is a cat... "

As he quietly finished drinking his hot cup of tea, Rufus Scrimgeour diplomatically kept his thoughts to himself and fought the urge to roll his eyes. Dumbledore was a brilliant strategist and powerful wizard but even he really needed to learn a few social niceties that others took for granted.

Minerva moved swiftly as only a cat animagus could to catch up to Severus who was stalking down the corridor. "Severus wait up." She called out as she came within calling range. Severus stopped and turned to look at her- Tensed with a scowl still etched upon his face. "Y-e-s-?"

"That infuriatin' habit ay albus' Ah swear he is jist as dunderheaded as onie student Ah have come athwart."

Upon hearing the stern witch's broad Scottish Brogue, Severeus relaxed a little. It was obvious even to him that Albus had managed to piss off the Deputy Headmistress. "Weel lets gang together tae dae as he speart an' check oan th' disaster prain dug."

Not quite getting what she said but understanding the meaning Severus nodded and smirked a little bit while he followed the stern elderly witch, thanking Merlin that she hadn't turned her obviously still simmering feline temper on him. He wouldn't admit to anybody- even if he was threatened with an Avada Kedavra that he thought she was even more terrifying than himself when her Scottish temperament flared .

Meanwhile Rufus Scrimgeour, in his role as the Minister of Magic was quietly telling Albus that the pardon for Sirius black was granted but that there seemed to be no sign of the wizard or his animagus form to be found. In fact it was thought that it was possible that Black was either dead or somehow fled the British isles.

"Then again once the Daily Prophet publishes the facts he just may reappear." Albus said seriously with a slight shrug. "I thought somebody would have found him by now myself."

"Well for a moment I thought that black dog could have been him... But then when he jumped and started licking Snapes face... There is no way that dog is Black despite the uncanny resemblance to his animagus form." Rufus Scrimegeour shook his shaggy head. " As I remember from years gone by, for Snape and Black to get along would be anathema to the pair of them due to their prior histories."

Albus smirked to himself as he shook the Ministers hand. "Thank You Rufus for coming here personally to give me the information. I suspect you are correct. I know my Deputy and I thought the same when we first saw the animal but the fact he and Professor Snape seem to get along so well..."

"I seem to remember your Deputy scolding Snape for playing with the animal at that moment...does that occur often?"

"Oh yes, sometimes their exuberance in playing practical jokes upon one another goes a little overboard." Albus answered blandly. "I don't think Snuffles hasn't quite gotten over his puppy hood yet and is still very playfull."

Albus strolled alongside the Minster as they headed down the corridor and out of the castle. In the distance they spotted Severus Minerva heading towards Hagrids hut where two dogs—Fang and Snuffles where laying side by side in the warm sun while Hagrid was doing some gardening.

The black dog lifted his head at that moment and noticing both Snape and McGonnagal advancing towards him—he bounced up on all fours, barked at them and then with an impertinent shake of his massive head and saucy wave of his tail he raced towards and then around them in agitated circles as if he hadn't seen them in ages.

To Scrimgeours horror and Albus' amusement - He then leaped up at the Potions Master with wide open jaws as if he was going to attack. Then they heard Snapes response.

"Snuffles! DOWN!" RoaredSeverus as he fended off another attempt to slurp his face by the massive dog. "Hagrid what have you been feeding this animal? Dead Hippogriff steaks?"

"Sorry Perfessor, He just 'appy ta see you." Hagrid responded pleasantly as he lumbered over to pull the still overly exuberant dog away.

Snapes eyes narrowed as he glared at the panting black dog and hissed in a deadly " You – are - lucky- Professor - McGonnagal- decided - to - come - with - me." even as he turned the dogs black fur into a bright eye searing fluorescent pink colour while a stick transfigured itself into a matching wide bow and ended up wrapping its self around the dogs neck. Snuffles now bright pink eyes widened with horror as his fur flashed and sparkled in the bright sunlight.

"Its nice how Snuffles brings out Severus' playfull side. What a funny prank. My favourite shade too." Albus said with a chuckle to the Minister of Magic who was debating to himself as to whether he had somehow landed inside an alternate universe where Hogwarts was not a School for Witchcraft and Wizardry but an Asylum for the demented.

Autors notes

Wasn't it for Snuffles that Professor McGonnagal happened to come along with Severus? He could have had something worse happen to him... Total removal of said fur coat, Considered as parts for specialized potions... Then again being turned into ALbus' favourite colour...

Translation

"That infuriatin' habit ay albus' Ah swear he is jist as dunderheaded as onie student Ah have come athwart."

"That infuriating habit of Albus' I swear he is just as dunderheaded as any student I have come across."

"Well lets go together to do as he asked and check on the disaster prone Dog."

"Weel lets gang together tae dae as he speart an' check oan th' disaster prain dug."