A/N: Just wanted to Thank everyone for reading and reviewing. In this chapter there is a lot of plot setting. On my holiday last weekend I was able to write not one but two chapters so another will follow closely as soon as I get it typed up. You have a lot of time on your hands when you sit in the backseat of a car for 7-8 hours traveling (and that was only one way). I am so glad I didn't have to drive. My creative juices were really flowing this past weekend. I hope you enjoy…….
When Evil Returns
Chapter Four: The English Yankee
As Albus sat reading the muggle newspaper an article caught his eye…
Another bombing..
Early this morning in the city of Belfast a bomb ripped through the main electrical power source disabling the entire city. At the time of printing there was only one confirmed dead with at least 10 missing. Authorities state that no group has claimed the bombing as of yet. This is the 10th bombing in the last four years and this resembles the tactics of a group that calls themselves The Deatheaters. The group has claimed the last 9 bombings that has resulted in over 300 deaths.
As Albus finished the article with disgust, Vincent Inknsoot knocked on his office door. "Yes Vincent," said Albus as he frowned yet again at the article.
"I just received a message from Draco. He said that we need to get to Malfoy manor, there has been a threat."
"To who," he asked as he got up out f his chair.
"Lucius has threatened Katarina and Madeline."
"Merlin's beard, let's go," he said as he threw floo powder into the fire place. "Malfoy Manor."
Vincent was right behind him.
~~*~~
When Severus arrived he ran to Katarina who was standing by the couch looking tearful and anxious.
"Kat, what's wrong?" he asked looking worried.
She handed him the letter. As he read it his face turned an alarming shade of red.
"I am going to fucking kill that son of a bitch," he shouted angrily.
"Severus, the children," reprimanded Katarina.
"Sorry," he apologized.
"I'll take the children into the other room," said Hermione.
"Thanks," he said.
Once the children were safely in the other room he continued with his face still alarmingly red.
"How the fuck did he know? That bitch must know him," he said through gritted teeth.
"May I see the letter please?" said Albus.
When he finished reading it Katarina explained what had happened to prompt the letter.
"She has to know him somehow," said Vincent, "Why else would he threaten you like this?"
"I'm going to kill her," stated Severus with such hatred that is scared Katarina. She knew that he could be mean and deadly if the occasion arose, however it was a rarity for her to witness such hate.
"No you're not going to kill anyone," said Albus sharply. "This may be our only way to catch Lucius."
"May I suggest that we get someone to follow her." said Vincent.
"Do you have any suggestions?" asked Albus.
"As a matter of fact there is a man who would be perfect for the job. He is an ex-auror who had been underground for many years. He has seen things that would make you sick. He is the best and can go about totally undetected. He has brought in a number of death eaters. The only one even close to his expertise would be Moody, but Moody is too distinguishable now," said Vincent.
"Excellent, contact him and see if he can meet here at 8:00 tonight. I'll go to Hogwarts and tell Minerva what is happening. I think she also needs to be at this meeting and I will inform her that you will be gone for a couple of days Severus. You need to get things in order here and most of all you need to calm down," said Albus.
After Albus and Vincent left, Severus and Katarina went up to their apartments, once there Katarina threw herself into Severus' arms hugging him tightly.
"What are we going to do? I nearly died when I read that letter. How can anyone be so cruel?" she asked.
"I don't know Kat," he said as he hugged her tightly to him. Albus and Vincent have a good plan. I just hope that this contact of Vincent's can be very discreet and she doesn't notice him.
"I am sure anything that Albus has planned will be good," said Katarina as she rested her head on Severus' chest.
As Severus looked down at the top of her head he was amazed at this wonderful woman that was his wife. She barely stood to his shoulder, yet for such a very slight woman she was surprisingly strong. When he kissed the top of her head she looked up at him smiling. How did he deserve such a beautifully wonderful woman? She got on her tip toes and pulled his head down for an all consuming kiss. He felt his knees going all weak. She always did that to him. As he scooped her up and carried her over to the bed she giggled. "Severus, it's the middle of the day," she exclaimed.
"Yes it is and I plan on making love to you well into the evening."
She was scandalized. "What will everyone think?" she said giggling.
"They will all be jealous. You remember how many times Harry and Ginny snuck off when she was pregnant with Logan. Well it is our turn to sneak off," he said as he kissed her passionately on the lips and they left a trail of kisses from her jaw to the neck of her robes.
Katarina gave a big sigh and gave into the kisses getting all warm and tingly, smiling as he started to undo her robes.
By the time they made another appearance it was dinnertime. With flushed faces they made they way down the stairs hand in hand.
When they walked into the sitting room Minerva was already there enjoying tea with Draco and Hermione. She was filling them in on all the news of Kyleigh.
"She is a wonderful student. A lot like you Hermione only not quite as enthusiastic. Although her hand does shoot up at every question, she doesn't bounce," said Minerva with a smile. "She is very quiet but at the same time her presence is loud and clear."
"Kyleigh is at the top of my class too," said Severus to Draco and Hermione. "I wasn't sure I would ever see another student that took so easily to potions as you two, but I was wrong, Kyleigh is a natural."
Draco and Hermione beamed. Just then Albus, Vincent and another man came walking into the room.
"Good evening everyone," said Albus. Everyone came over and sat down and gave Albus their undivided attention.
"I would like for you to meet Shane O'Roarke," said Vincent. "Shane you already know Albus, this is Sirius and Narcissa Black, Draco and Hermione Malfoy, Harry and Ginny Potter,. Ron and Patricia Weasley," who had returned from visiting the twins that afternoon, "Severus and Katarina Snape and finally the Head Mistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall."
"Nice to meet you all, of course Minerva I have known for a long time. Hello Minnie," he said smiling. Severus gave Albus an amused look.
Minerva blushed saying, "It's been a long time Shane, how have you been?"
"Not bad. And yourself?" he said smiling back at her.
"Very good," she said as the color was still quite noticeable on her cheeks.
"Okay where is this letter that Lucius sent?"
After reading the letter he said, "this man is very dangerous, but I guess you already know that. We need to set up some wards on this house, like the ones at Hogwarts."
"Already been done," said Vincent, "also the children are not allowed outside without an adult."
"Good. Now we just need to think of a way for me to get close enough to the Professor with out her becoming suspicious," said Shane.
"How about you go to work for George Weasley at the English Yankee. He supplies our produce for the school and it gets delivered daily," interjected Minerva.
"Perfect, do you think he will go for it?" asked Shane.
"Definitely, he will do anything he can to help," said Albus.
They discussed things late into the night and when it was time to leave, Shane pulled Minierva aside.
"I was just wondering Minnie, if you would care to have dinner with me on Saturday?"
"What about your wife?" she asked.
"I never married," he said.
"Really," she said blushing again, "In that case I would love to have dinner with you. If you have no objections we could go to the English Yankee, it is a wonderful restaurant and it just happens to be my favorite place to eat out."
"Excellent, I will collect you from the school at around 7:00 on Saturday evening."
"That would be wonderful, I will see you then," she said smiling.
"See you then," he said as he threw floo powder into the fireplace, said "ministry" and was gone.
"I will be needing to talk to you sometime this week Albus, why don't you come by the school and we will have lunch?" said Minerva as she took a pinch of floo powder.
"How about Tuesday?" asked Albus.
"Perfect, I will see you then," said Minerva as she threw in the floo powder, said "Three Broomsticks" and with a green swoosh she was gone.
When she was clearly out of earshot, Severus turned to Albus and said, "Albus," *sniff sniff* "I think your little girl may have a boyfriend."
Smiling broadly Albus said, "I think you may be right."
~~*~~
On Saturday. Minerva was so excited that she had to go to Poppy to give her something to settle her stomach.
"Calm down Minerva or you will be too sick to go," said a clucking Poppy.
"I am acting like I am in school again. Why am I so nervous?" asked Minerva biting her lip again.
"Maybe because it has been damn near 30 years since you went out on a date or maybe because you had one wicked crush on the man once upon a time," said Poppy trying to contain the giggles that wanted to erupt from her.
"Oh bother Poppy, he is just a man," said Minerva breathlessly.
"Oh of course," said Poppy, "a man with a killer Irish brogue."
"That he does," said Minerva smiling.
"What time is he going to be here?" asked Poppy.
"7:00," said Minerva.
"Then you had better get to the great hall, it is already 6:45."
"How do I look?" asked Minerva nervously.
"You look wonderful, now go and have a good time and don't do anything I wouldn't do," she said wickedly, "And I want all the gory details when you get back."
"You will be the first to know. Thanks. See you," said Minerva as she left the room.
Just a few minutes after she reached the great hall, Shane came strolling in. He damn near took her breath away. Still quite the handsome man. He was tall and husky but by no means overweight with a head full of thick red hair with very little gray showing. He sported a full beard and mustache. Tonight he was wearing forest green dress robes with a gray traveling cloak. Minerva decided tonight to wear her hair down instead of the severe bun she normally wore it in. She was dressed in honey colored dress robes with a moss green cloak. As he walked in he handed her a single rose. Roses were her favorite but this type in particular was her absolute favorite. A peace rose, cream colored with orange around the edges.
"This is for you Minnie."
"Shane, how very sweet. Thank you," she said blushingly.
"Shall we?" he asked as he extended his arm to her.
"Yes please," she said as she took the arm offered and they walked like this out the front door.
Little did they know the exchange had been witnessed. Kyleigh and Neona started to giggle.
"That was so cute," said Kyleigh to Neona who was still giggling.
"What's so funny Miss Lupin?" asked Severus in an amused voice as he walked up behind them.
"We just saw Professor McGonagall going out on a date," she said smiling.
"Oh you did, did you?" he asked interestedly.
"Yes and he gave her a beautiful rose."
Severus looked into Kyleigh's eyes with a mischievous twinkle.
"What are you planning?" she asked curiously.
"I don't know yet," Severus said with an evil smile.
"Well what ever it is, count me in," Kyleigh said as she started to giggle again.
~~*~~
When Shane and Minerva walked into The English Yankee they were greeted by Caitlin Weasley.
"Good evening," she said in her southern drawl, "I have your table ready, right this way."
She lead them to the back of the restaurant to a dimly lit section. Quite romantic, that had a view of the entire restaurant. After a few minutes, Caitlin took their orders as they talked, catching up on their lives since they left school.
"So, how have you been Minnie? Did you ever marry?" he asked.
"I have been good and no I never married. The right man never asked," she said blushing. "What about you? Did you ever marry?"
"No, with the job I had at the ministry, I thought it best not too. Something I regret," he explained. "So when did you start working at Hogwarts?"
"Damn near 40 years ago. It became my husband," she said smiling.
"What do you teach?' he asked.
"I taught transfiguration until I became head mistress about 11 years ago. Right out of school I became an animagi and started teaching."
"An animagi? And what do you transform into? No, let me guess," he paused in deep thought for a minute and then said, "a cat."
"Yes," she gave a laugh, "how did you guess that?"
"Well I know that when you become and animagi you transform into the animal that suits you. You are sleek, clever and cunning," he replied turning slightly pink. "Short hair or long?"
"Short hair tabby," she said.
"I'll bet you make an adorable cat," he said blushing yet again.
Turning bright red herself she said, "You are still such a flirt. You make an old woman feel nice."
"You look wonderful to me. Not a day over 50," he said blushing too.
Lucky for them their dinner came at that moment.
"My goodness," said Caitlin as she brought their food, "It must be Hogwarts teachers night. Professor Codrington is also here with a very dashing yet very dangerous looking man. Reminds me a lot of Draco," she said innocently and then she realized what she was saying. Minerva's face dropped.
"Good gracious, it's him isn't it?" Caitlin asked as she turned white as a sheet.
"Yes dear," said Minerva with pretty much the same expression and pallor, "I know that it is upsetting but please don't let on that you know who he is. And when you tell George, tell him not to do anything. Tell him that Shane and I will handle it. Alright?" asked Minerva nervously.
"Alright. Thank goodness it isn't my station," she said as she started to walk back to the kitchen to compose herself and to let George know what was going on.
"Oh and Caitlin," said Minerva.
Caitlin walked back to the table.
"Tell George not to come out here. We don't want Lucius to know that this restaurant is owned by a Weasley. If he knew that he may not come back here and it will be easier to track him if he continues to come here. Okay?"
"Okay."
When they were alone again, Shane asked, "What's going on Minnie? Who were you two talking about?"
"Professor Codrington is here with Lucius Malfoy."
A dark look came over his face, "Where are they?"
Minerva answered, "Front of the restaurant on the right. She has jet black hair and his is snow white."
Upon seeing them, Shane whispered to Minerva, "When I see them leave, I will follow them, they won't recognize me. Will you be alright getting back to Hogwarts by yourself?'
"Of course, I will just transform and go back as a cat. It's faster. When I get back I will contact Albus and inform him that you will be in touch," said Minerva.
"Well let me just say before I have to leave that I had a wonderful evening," taking Minerva's hand and kissing her palm sending little shocks of electricity through her.
Blushing she said, "As did I." And as if on cue Lucius and Darci got up to leave.
"I'll owl you."
"Hurry so they don't get away," said Minerva. "Be careful."
"I will," he said and was gone.
A few minutes later a cat was seen entering the gates of Hogwarts as it made it's way up to the castle.
When Shane came out of The English Yankee he stayed in the shadows. When Lucius and Darci reached the edge of Hogsmeade, they went into an alley. Suddenly, Lucius grabbed Darci and threw her roughly up against the building, kissing her passionately, fondling her body as she fondled his.
Shane thought, "Why don't these two get a room?"
As he stood there amazed that neither seemed to care that they were outside as they removed clothes and had sex right there in the alley. When they were spent and again dressed, Darci kissed Lucius again and started to head back to the school. As he watched her walk away Lucius smiled as Shane heard him say, "You are a very nice distraction, but I long for another. Hermione, you will be mine again, your fear was just too delicious to not sample again and then there is always Kyleigh." He smiled an evil grin and headed behind the shrieking shack, put out his wand hand and hailed the knight bus. As he got on the bus, Shane heard him say, "The port of Ayr," and the knight bus was gone.
Shane took off in a run back to The English Yankee where he used floo powder to go to a contacts house at the port. Shane arrived at the port of Ayr before Lucius by about an hour. Shane was sitting waiting for the ferry when Lucius arrived. Shane knew where Lucius was headed as they both boarded the ferry for Ireland.