Summer 1994
By Hippy
Gypsy
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all of the stupendous (who uses this word anymore?) Harry Potter characters. I, on the other hand, own the characters Hugo McGonagall and Liz Austin. The city of Paris belongs to France, the sewers belong to the ground, and the moon belongs to the solar system. Don't ask. Just packed myself full of caffeine. I'm screwed! Oh well. That means more for you to read.
Chapter 5: Paris
Hugo stayed at Hogwarts for the following week just to make sure that Minerva would be all right. But no incidents occurred throughout the whole time. He tried to pull his weight around the castle, helping Dumbledore where advice was needed, doing bookwork for Minerva for the new school year (which was a good two months away), and brewing Potions for Snape. Hugo was quite good at this art, which was surprising since most of the McGonagall family had leaned towards Transfiguration.
That Friday night, Hugo accompanied Minerva to the Camalotte Opera House to see the production of Carmen. He couldn't believe that his little sister had a friend like Liz Austin. She was so different. But then he decided that Liz must've been Min's way of getting her wild side out.
As they came in around 1 in the morning, they met Severus in the hall. He was looking concerned. "Are you okay Severus? You look a bit preoccupied," said Hugo.
Snape looked up at Minerva. "Dumbledore wanted me to wait up for you. He said to meet him in his office tomorrow, right after breakfast."
"What for?" Minerva asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know, but he said 'Pack your bag and get a good night's rest'."
Minerva didn't like the sound of this at all. That could mean a thousand different things. She looked to Hugo, but he only shrugged his shoulders. "Just go to bed and find out in the morning."
She decided he was right. She bid both of them good night and went to bed, trying her best not to worry.
Severus and Minerva waited in Dumbledore's office the next morning. They both looked a bit ruffled. "He said nothing to you about what's going on?" Minerva asked for the fifth time.
"Minerva, he said nothing to me what's so ever. I have as much of a clue as to what's going on as much as you do."
It was then that Dumbledore came in. "Good. Both of you are right on time," he said, that familiar shine in his eyes.
"Would you mind telling me what the heck is going on now?" Minerva asked.
Dumbledore sat down behind his desk. "Certainly." He began to look serious. "After some reviewing from some of my spies, I believe that Lord Voldemort is within the country of France. He my be after something, but as of now, I'm not sure if this is true, and if it is, we have no clue what he's after. But just in case, I'm sending both of you there."
"Which area?" Snape asked.
"Paris. I suggest both of you pack and I want both of you back here at 8 o'clock tonight. Then you'll go outside of the Hogwarts gates and apparate in central Paris." Minerva and Severus both nodded and got up from their seats. "Minerva, please let you brother Hugo know that he is welcome to stay in your absence. I would actually prefer it. I may need his help."
Minerva nodded. "I'm sure he'd be happy to."
She and Snape walked out the door.
"See you at eight."
"Remember you Muggle clothes."
After
saying goodbye to her brother, Minerva slung her backpack over her shoulder and
walked out to the castle's front gate. She wore khaki style pants, brown sandals, and a light blue
sweater. As she approached, she found
Severus and Dumbledore. Severus was
wearing black, head to toe, right down to his Muggle sneakers. Hmm, thought Minerva. How original for you.
"Well," said Dumbledore smiling. "Are you two ready?" Both of them nodded. "You have nothing to worry about. Like I said before, we have no idea what Voldemort is planning, and all you're doing tonight is traveling. I've given the directions you are to go to Severus. Once you get there, everything will be pretty straightforward. I'll send owls with news and other information." Minerva and Severus nodded when he finished. "Any questions?" They shook their heads. "Then off you go. And good luck to both of you. Say hello to everyone for me."
I wonder who everyone is, Minerva thought. She looked at Severus. "See you in Paris I guess." With that, she disapparated.
Severus and Minerva apparated in a small alley in the middle of Paris on the Isle de Notre Dame. The cathedral stood towering in the sunset warning off the evil spirits that threatened to harm the city. Minerva turned to Severus. "A thought just occurred to me. Do you speak French?"
Severus nodded in reply. "When I was a Death Eater, the Dark Lord wanted all his followers to master the local languages, that way we could all communicate his plans to one another when it was needed. French was my best language…now how about we look at these directions, because I have no idea where the hell we are."
The directions went on for a page, but at the end, the last direction said, "Climb down the manhole at the street corner."
They exchanged a look. "Is he nuts?" Snape asked.
"I have no idea. You know him. He never needs a reason to be." She folded up the directions. "Come on. Let's get going."
With that, they set out across the city of Paris. It took them a good two hours of wandering and acting like total tourists (Snape's French accent was pretty bad), but they finally found the manhole they were looking for. "After you," Minerva had said to Severus. So Severus lowered himself into the dark sewer and Minerva followed him, leaving the night behind her.
"Eww," Snape said reaching the bottom. "This is gross."
Minerva stepped into the sewage as she stepped off the latter, and she desperately tried not to think of what she was stepping in with her sandals. "So where do we go from here?"
The way to the right of them was blocked, so they took the left, their wands lighting their path. They went in silence, not knowing what to expect. They saw the occasional rats (both dead and alive) along their path, but nothing out of the ordinary for a sewer. Suddenly, a whooshing sound came quietly from behind them.
Minerva spun around and pointed her lit wand into the darkness. "What was that?" she whispered.
"I don't know, but-"
Snape was suddenly cut off as something knocked him to the ground. Before Minerva could react, she was shoved up against the sewer wall. She moved her wand up to reveal a hideous beast breathing it's hot, stinking breath on her, drool dropping from it's barred teeth! She let out one high terrifying scream and cowered, ready for death to come in one quick bite! But it never came. Instead, a look of human comprehension came into the beast's eyes. A moment later, the beast licked Minerva's cheek in what was very much like a dog's kiss to its owner. She forgot her fear for a moment and wiped the slop off her cheek. "O! How disgusting!" She looked at the beast closer and finally recognized what it was…A WEREWOLF! She looked up through on of the grates of the sewer and discovered that it was in fact a full moon! The werewolf was now wagging its tail in excitement, and Minerva began to recognize the markings on its face. "Holy heavens. It's you Lupin!" She threw her arms around the werewolf's neck.
"Minerva! Are you alright?!" Snape called from the shadows.
"I'm better than alright! It's Lupin, Severus!"
Severus pointed his wand at the werewolf in disbelief. "What?"
"It's Lupin! Remus Lupin!"
Note from the Hippy Gypsy: I know it's slow coming, but I'm trying to write this story and "The Moonlight Noon Chateau" at the same time. Please read "The Moonlight Noon Chateau" because it's my first try at a Snape romance fic. Anyone who likes Moulin Rouge should like it. Well, I'm trying. All reviews are appreciated, but PLEASE NO FLAMES!! Gotta go!
P.S. Sorry about the cliffhanger.