A/N: I AM SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRY THAT IT TOOK ME TWO BLOODY MONTHS TO UPDATE. Ugh this chapter has been hard to write. Loss of all inspiration that has ever been in my body. *sigh* but I am back now! Wahahahahahahahaha!! Sooo prepares for the longest chapter yet! CHAPTER EIGHT!!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There was a tension in the staff room that night. Barely anyone spoke and when they did it turned out in a feeble joke to lighten the mood. Any laughter sounded forced.

The absence of Minerva McGonagall had caused this. Of course Dumbledore told them where and why she had gone, but the reason was what was unsettling.

She had gone to rescue Lucius Malfoy from prison.

Some thought it preposterous, a joke. . .

But Dumbledore wouldn't joke, not about something as serious as this.

The small professor Flitwick had quickly aired his concern that Lucius was a Death Eater and that he couldn't be trusted.

"He's pure evil!!!" Flitwick had said, "Sided with You Know Who he has!!"

The headmaster just insured them all that he knew what he was doing and that Mr. Malfoy deserved a second chance.

Some teachers were quite vocal at this remark. Several "HA!!!"s and "You're CRAZY"s were heard but Dumbledore simply ignored them. Almost all professors had something to say.

All but one. . .

Severus Snape had remained quiet. He just stared at the table or at the wall. If truths be told, the potion master was consumed with guilt.

He looked around the table at his colleagues, who were either still shaking their heads at Dumbledore or getting up to leave.

At the far end of the table was Sybil Trelawny, a rarity to see her in the castle. Just as it was on the night, she had approached him.

Since then he had played those words over and over again in his head.

'"I was the one. . . . I was the one who told the Dark Lord that you had gone to work at Hogwarts."'

Why had he not trusted Lucius from the beginning? He asked himself the same question every day and he could never find the right answer.

Severus closed his eyes searching, yet again, for an answer. Jealousy?

Severus looked back down at the table. Had he been jealous? It was quite probable. Lucius had had a beautiful wife, a huge sum of money, a Manor to rival Hogwarts, and Narcissa at the time had just announce to Lucius that he would be a father.

And all Severus had was a small apartment in Knockturn alleys. But what did this have to do with not believing his only friend? Maybe he had been so consumed with jealously that he wanted Lucius too loose . . . something. . .

~No~

The ebony haired wizard yawned, stood up and headed for the door. He felt Trewlawny's eyes rake over his every movement. His dark eyes snapped over to her briefly. Relieved that she hadn't followed him, he sighed and relaxed a little. He still walked quickly, as was usual for him. All Severus wanted to do was get his mind of how the night was going to turn out.

"Severus. . ."

Snape turned sharply to find him facing the headmaster. "Headmaster."

"Severus I have noticed over the past weeks you have been quite . . . edgy. . ." His dark eyes flashed slightly, but no emotion showed on his pale features. "I am fine."

Unconvinced Dumbledore raised his white eyebrows, as if probing Severus for an answer.

The younger wizard held his gaze and repeated, "I am fine, Headmaster."

"Very well Severus," he placed a wrinkled hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Do not worry. Minerva will get him out." With that Dumbledore silently left Snape standing in the middle of the cold hallway.

In truth Severus hadn't been worried about Lucius getting out. He knew what McGonagall was capable of. . .

He was worried about how Lucius would react when he saw him again. Would Lucius be able to forgive him? Even as he asked himself the question, he felt his heart fall to his stomach. How could anyone forgive someone for something like that?

He reached his office shortly. But instead of going in he stopped then turned around backtracking all the way to the entrance hall. Severus pushed open the doors and strolled onto the snowy grounds.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"You're here to save me?" Whispered Lucius in disbelief. "Yes! Now be quiet and let me explain," McGonagall answered shortly. Richelle was now listening intently, even though it seemed as if McGonagall hadn't even noticed her.

"All right, Malfoy, first I will transfigure you, into an animal of some sort, something small enough to fit through these bars, then I, being an Animagus will transform and we will escape."

Lucius looked at her intently. "One thing. . ."

McGonagall stared at Lucius crossly, "What Malfoy?" "You transform her too." Richelle looked shocked as Lucius pointed at her and said this.

"Who IS she?"

"It's not important," Lucius commented haughtily, "I owe her a favor, that's all."

Richelle stood up and walked beside the blonde wizard. McGonagall looked thoroughly angered, and not the slight bit inclined to do what Lucius wanted.

"If I go, she goes."

McGonagall's face turned slightly red, and she pursed her lips. "Fine," she said shortly.

Richelle smiled widely, even though she was being affected by the Dementors.

"Enough chit chat. We must hurry," McGonagall said hastily. The older woman raised her wand and pointed it at Lucius. She then did a complicated wave.

It was the most peculiar feeling Lucius had ever known. It felt as if his bones were melting then molding into another shape. The shrinking alarmed him as well as be begun to look up at the people that he once looked down at. Soon he felt hair sprouting from his body.

Soon Lucius Malfoy was no more. In his place was now a Tonkinese cat.

McGonagall repeated the complicated wand movement this time pointing at Richelle.

The Lucius cat watched a Richelle's body shrunk and changed shape. She now was an Abyssinian.

Now the older witch transformed into a tabby cat without as much as a glance at the others.

She waved her tail as if to motion Lucius and Richelle forward. Together the three of them exited the cell and slinked past the soul sucking Dementors with ease.

They wandered through many corridors, staying in the shadows just incase a prisoner happened to see them.

The three were close to the exit when they saw Cornelius Fudge waltzing in. "Take me to Lucius Malfoy," he said to one of the Dementors. "I feel his execution is too far off. I think maybe today would be a fair time."

Fudge looked down at the floor. He saw three cats skulking towards the door. One of them looked familiar. . . He racked his mind for a bit. "McGonagall . . ." He whispered to himself. Slowly he started to realize what was happening and cried, "ESCAPEES!!!!"

Many Dementors looked--or turned there heads-- in the direction of Fudge. But since the creatures couldn't sense animal feelings they couldn't decipher where Lucius, Richelle, and McGonagall were.

The three cats bolted as they when they heard Fudge's voice. When they reached the outside of the prison Lucius realized something. Azkaban prison was on an island. They would have to jump.

Lucius started to fall behind, his weakened body finally catching up with the adrenaline that was pumping through him.

Soon the edge of the land was visible and deep blue water splashed below. McGonagall jumped first, head long into the cold water. Richelle was next, followed by the lagging behind Lucius.

The cold water was a shock on Lucius's cat body. Trying to swim with a cat body wasn't exactly simple. Lucius looked over to his right were McGonagall had already transformed into her human form. She treaded the water while pointing her wand at Lucius, she then waved it and Lucius was no longer a cat.

Lucius coughed up water and then croaked, "Where's Richelle? " McGonagall looked around her and saw nothing. Horror struck Lucius like it had only perhaps once before. He whipped his golden head around frantically,

looking for some sign of the furry female. Then Lucius dove into the freezing water.

The Blonde wizard could barely see anything in his blurred vision in the depths. Frantic, he swam deeper, and deeper. At last, he saw a reddish blur, and without a second thought, he kicked hard and reached out for it.

Lucius grabbed the cat and started swimming a fast as he could towards the surface. His lungs felt like they we going to explode, his head pounded. Lucius ignored his body's screams for air.

Finally, as if it had been hours, Lucius broke the water's surface. The effort of treading water nearly stole all his strength as he tried to breathe again. He cast a hurried and desperate look at his witch companion, unable to find the air to speak, pleading silently for her to transform Richelle back. But McGonagall had already started, and within seconds Richelle had appeared.

Lucius looked at the unconscious form in his arms. "R-R-Richelle," he stuttered, though whether from fear or cold, he couldn't decipher.

"Malfoy, w-we ha-ve to g-g-get out of h-here," McGonagall gasped. The cold was getting to her too. "Do, you-you have e-e-enough s-strength t-t-to Apparate?"

"M-Maybe, but for two. . ." He looked down at Richelle. Apparating was hard enough as it was but for two, and in his weakened state he doubted that he could even Apparate at all. His mouth dipped below the surface for a second, the weight of Richelle taking from his already lessened strength and making it difficult to stay afloat. "I-I-I'll try. . .W-where is the c- c-closest p-place that w-w-we c-can apparate t-t-too?"

"H-hogsmeade," answered McGonagall after a moment of thought.

Lucius nodded and watched as she disappeared with a loud crack.

~All right. . . I can do this. . .~

{Hah}

Lucius blocked out the voice, needing his entire mind for this task.

~I will do it. For me. . . for her~

There was a crack and Lucius felt himself land on something hard and cold. He looked down and saw that Richelle was still lying unconscious in his arms. He placed the woman on her back on the ground.

"Richelle? Richelle?" He shook her slightly. "Richelle?!?!" Lucius stared at her and then plugged her nose. He put his mouth to hers and blew.

"Malfoy, this is hopeless! Can't you see that she's d--" McGonagall stopped and watched with awe when Richelle sat up and coughed spat out a large amount of water.

The red head gasped for air. She then looked around in disbelief. "How did- what- who--"

"Malfoy. . . saved your life. . ." McGonagall said with a look almost like Richelle's on her strict face.

She spun her head around, her soaking wet hair plastered to her face. "Lucius. . . you- you saved me?" She looked over the worn wizard.

He said nothing, just nodded. He was too tired now to say anything. He wanted to sleep. But there were other things he had to do, first. Other people he had to see....his son.

"How did we get here?" Richelle changed her glance over to the older woman.

"We -myself and Malfoy- apparated here. Malfoy, amazingly so, apparated both of you."

Richelle stared at Lucius who was now trying to get to his feet. "How? You're so weak. . ."

"It. . . Doesn't . . . matter how . . . it's done . . . isn't it," he answered shortly, his pride somewhat trampled by Richelle's statement.

~Lets just go back to the school and stop blabbing on and on. ~

Lucius looked over at the castle in the distance. "Should. . . we make. . . our way back?" He looked at McGonagall.

"Oh. Yes, yes we should. . ."

Snow started to fall from the dark sky.

Lucius continued trying to stand up, but he was having trouble. His weakened body was finally done working and all his limbs seemed to give up. He collapsed onto the frozen ground. He then let out a sigh of frustration and swore under his breath. But he just lay there, in resigned and angry weariness. It felt good to lie down....

But Richelle, who had gotten up easy went to got help Lucius to his feet. "Thanks," he said a little awkwardly.

The three slowly made there way to the school, through the light dusting of snow falling upon the ground, chilling them no more than the excitement of the escape and biting ice of the water.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Severus stood watching for any sign am movement. He looked over at the road to Hogsmeade. He saw three figures stumbling towards him. Severus couldn't make up who they were, but he had a hunch...a hope, though the third person completely escaped his reckoning. He started walking swiftly towards them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucius tried hard not to fall asleep and keep walking. He looked forward. To his amazement he saw a dark figurer striding towards them. He tried to make out the face but the snow obscured his view.

Soon the figurer was right in front of him. Anger boiled in his heart, yet he said or did nothing.

"Severus," said Lucius through a clenched jaw, his voice rough and gasping in exhaustion.

"Lucius, I'm glad to see that you're out!" started Severus brightly. He wanted to heal their broken friendship as soon as possible.

"Like hell you are," spat Lucius angrily, a spark in his eyes.

Severus looked down at the snow covered ground.

"I have no time to talk to you. Right now I want to see Draco. We'll talk later," he promised gravely.

Richelle and Lucius walked forward, while McGonagall walked behind with Snape.

"Well this is going to be hard," commented Severus.

"What is?"

Shaking his head Severus simply said: "Nothing."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The warmth of the Entrance hall greeted them first. Lucius was grateful to see light again, being in the dark for three weeks had been horrible.

He looked around to see the hall covered in Christmas decorations. "Is it Christmas?"

"Christmas Eve," answered a warm, friendly voice. Lucius looked over at the staircase to see Dumbledore walking down them, that ever-present smile on his ancient face.

Lucius felt a wide grin spread across his face.

{Why are you smiling? You hate this man!}

"You did this?" Lucius asked in wonder and gratitude.

"If by did this, you mean planned your rescue then I would have to say yes." He smiled at Lucius "But not without the help of Minerva."

Lucius found himself doing something he thought he would never do in his life. He stepped clumsily forward and hugged Dumbledore.

Dumbledore seemed surprised at first, but he soon returned the embrace as if Lucius was a long lost son. And then to the disbelief of everyone Lucius cried. He didn't care anymore, all he wanted now was to cry.

Everyone stared as Lucius broke down, letting all his emotions flow into Dumbledore's robes.

"Severus," said Dumbledore over Lucius' shoulder. "Could you fetch young Mr. Malfoy? I know it's late but I am sure he will understand when he is down here." Severus nodded and quickly headed to the Slytherin Dormitories.

Richelle stood and watched looking very uncomfortable. She had no idea what was happening and why it was. She didn't understand. . . Seeing someone break down like that was strange. She could tell that Lucius had been through a lot. "Now, Lucius come on calm yourself." Dumbledore pulled away from the sobbing wizard. Lucius just stood there, now fully aware that everyone was watching him. "I-I am sorry," he said in a small voice.

"No-no its alright Lucius, you have been through a lot." Dumbledore looked over to Richelle. "Now, who might you be?"

"Oh, me? I'm Richelle." She shifted nervously.

"I don't remember you from Hogwarts. . . did you go to. . .?"

"Durmstrang." McGonagall shot her an icy look." But I am not like that. . ."

There was the sound of food steps. Everyone turned to see Severus and Draco walking towards them. The boy still hadn't noticed his father as her was furiously rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Lucius stared for a moment and then said, "Draco. . ."

Draco quickly looked at his father. He stopped walking and stood where he was.

"Maybe we should leave these two to talk on there own." Dumbledore motioned everyone to leave.

Severus and McGonagall went their separate ways and Dumbledore stared heading back up the stairs.

"Er. . ." Richelle looked around, she had no where to go. The head master looked at her and then said, "Come, I am sure we can find you a place to sleep in this castle."

Richelle looked a little hesitant but then she followed Dumbledore up the wide stair case.

Lucius stood there looking at his awe struck son.

"Father?" Draco looked as if he could break into tears at any moment. He walked forward and embraced his father.

"Oh, Draco I'm sorry for every thing. . . Whatever I may have said or done to you I'm so sorry......"

"Its alright Dad, I'm just glad that you're here again."

"Me too."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

k yeah a Tonkinese cat is like, well a platinum blonde cat and an Abyssinian is a cat with a reddish coat. So yea that I why I picked those two.

I promise u that I will never wait that long to do a chapter again.