Title: Minnaloushe part 11

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Same as before.

A/N: I had meant this to be in the last chapter, but that would have made the chapter twice
as long and I just didn't want to do it that way. If you have a problem with that, take it up
with Snape and Shadowfax.

Also, if you like my story, be sure to read On The Side. It's short and fluffy and has Snape
in an apron! That's all I'll say.



Shadow was ruler of the world. At least that's what she believed, and no one in the world
could convince her otherwise. After being let out of Snape's quarters, she began her
customary tour of her territory. She terrorized a few mice and tried, unsuccessfully, to tear
the ears off of a house elf. The poor elf was on her nightly rounds checking the fireplaces
when suddenly a small, but fierce hunter was clawing at her head. She managed to shake
the young feline and run off before any real damage was done.

It was late, and there didn't seem to be any students out after curfew to harass, so Shadow
would have to entertain herself tonight. Fine, she had done it before. She spent many
evenings roaming empty corridors by herself because she was bored. Snape wasn't exactly
the easiest human to live with. He ignored her more than she'd like and he didn't give her
nearly enough of those little treats that tasted like tuna. Although sometimes it was nice having
a wizard as a human because if he was in one of his rare good moods, he would put a charm
on the tuna treats to make them flop around on the floor like real fish. It was always so much
more satisfying to play with your food before eating it.

Shadow's mind worked like that of course. It flittered from one thing to another as quickly
as a butterfly. One minute she would be trying to kill some unsuspecting house elf . The
next minute she would be fantasizing about enchanted tuna treats.

She spent the next hour chasing after invisible tuna treats. They were difficult to catch
too! She'd chase them up a flight of stair, and the damned clever kitty snacks were already
making their way down a poorly lit hallway. She had them cornered at one point, but they
managed to swim up t he wall and back down the stairs.

Those tuna treats are clever! But they're not as clever as I am!> Shadow chased them
down one flight of winding stairs after another, until she watched her prey scuttle under the
crack of Snape's own chamber door.

You're as good as mine now! I'm gonna get you little fishy!> Shadow stood in front
of the door looking up at it triumphantly. She meowed loudly to declare herself. I'm ready
to come in now!>

Of course, there was no answer. Snape was probably in there asleep by the fire. She
announced herself louder, but still there was no answer. Annoyed now, she began to wail
and cry outside his door. How dare he ignore her this badly! After several minutes of
persistence, Shadow gave up. Her tasty tuna prey had, by now, escaped. When Snape let her
in, he was going to pay dearly for this discourtesy. If she had to, she would claw up all his best
robes and knock empty potions bottles off the selves.

Shadow settled down beside the door to patiently wait for her chance at revenge.

**********

She was startled out of a light sleep by an unfamiliar sound. It sounded like someone was
walking towards the door, but the steps seemed slow and awkward. Whatever it was, it was
still out of sight, hidden behind a turn further down the hall.

Shadow rose to her feet, a low growl starting deep in her throat. The little gray kitten with
the big green eyes suddenly looked a lot more feral and threatening at the sound of a stranger
approaching her home. Her hair stood on end and he teeth were bared as she prepared to
fend off any would-be trespassers. The steps came closer and closer. A foot appeared from
around the stone corner.

**********

Agonizingly slowly, Snape made his way around the last corner towards his chambers.
Every muscle, every bone in his body shook with the effort of moving. He knew he'd feel
a little better after a long night of sleeping, the pain wouldn't last forever. He'd be well
enough to teach in the morning.

Voldemort had been especially rough on Snape. He cursed him three times before finally
growing tired of watching the potions master thrashing about on the cold ground. Through
a haze of pain, he had managed to stand back up, and continue with the death eater meeting.
There were plans to be made. Voldemort needed Snape for those plans, and Dumbledore
needed Snape to hear those plans.

Snape's unpleasant memories of the night's events were interrupted by something gray
and snarling. It flew through the air, tackling him at his shin. Shadow might have been
small, but in Snape's weakened condition, he was nearly toppled by his pet. As it was he
reacted by instinct, feebly kicking the cat away and continuing on to his door. He didn't
have the energy to feel any guilt for the hurt look he received from Shadow. She'd get
over it.

His chambers were cold, of course. The fire had burned out hours ago. If there had been
any light in the room at all, Snape might have even seen his breath come out in whimsical white
puffs.

He waved a hand in the direction of the fireplace and mumbled a few well chosen words. The
fire blazed back to life, sending a deep, warm glow across the stone room. Snape took the last
few steps to his bed before collapsing completely. Though he was very cold, he didn't have the
strength to pull a blanket over himself, so he lived with the discomfort.

Just before his mind turned off completely, Snape heard a pathetic sound coming from the
foot of his bed.

"Mrowr?"

Shadow called him once again, this time softer. When he still didn't respond, she made her way
up to the head of the bed and sniffed his face.

Shadow, I can't pet you now. Go away!> he thought. But she wasn't looking for attention.
She stepped gingerly onto his chest, circled around several times, and then settled herself down.
She snuggled her head up against his chin and began to purr softy and gently.

It was a soothing, relaxing feeling; one that Snape was not entirely familiar with. It was a subtle
thing to have a cat purr against his chest; a simple thing; and yet it seemed to drain the pain from
his limbs and drive the worry from his mind.

Is this magic?> He thought drowsily, and then slowly drifted off to a deep, restful sleep.