Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all of Harry Potter. End of discussion.
Comments
Qem: That's right, beware of Mrs. Weasley! She could be really vicious! But we need not fear if we practice CONSTANT VIGILENCE! Oh, and thanks for telling me about the chapter scroll problem!
hpfreak: You wonder what happens to Dumbledore? Fortunately for you, there's only two more chapters to go before you find out!
LinZE: I'm glad you like it!
blackstarlett: I'm simply flattered by you wonderful comment! I'm glad you like Snape. It's very fun to work with him!
bigkihap: Molly with Dumbledore at her disposal. Yes, the possibilities are endless! I'll try to keep him from getting too hurt!
scotgurl: Thank you! Dumbledore really is in a predicament! I'll save him, though, so never fear!
My sincerest thanks to all who reviewed!
Also, if you have time, please check out my second story, My Poor Werewolf Child. Here's the summary...
Remus Lupin meets with Albus Dumbledore to discuss the role of Dark creatures in the war against Voldemort. But the meeting turns into something more personal to Remus' heart. This is my second story. A one-shot OotP spoiler. PG just to be safe. NO SLASH!
Please excuse my wierdness in this chapter. I think McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape are a bit out of character here. Oh well...
Chapter 6: Ferrets and Ice Cream Cats
The Order spent the entire day talking. Arthur, Kingsley, and Tonks drifted off to work in the afternoon, but the rest of them did not break up until after six. When the last of the Order had finally left, Remus, Snape, and McGonagall took turns going down to their private quarters to take a shower and change into sleepwear. The three had agreed that they would stay with the headmaster and watch over his sleep.
When Minerva McGonagall returned to the headmaster's office in a tartan nightdress, she found Remus and the Potions Master eating dinner around the coffee table, Snape seated in an armchair and Remus situated on the couch. McGonagall sat next to Remus and began to fill her plate with the array of foods the house-elves had set out for them: biscuits, chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. The three ate in silence until desserts and tea came up.
"You'd think the house-elves would learn to send up less food for three people," said Remus, sipping his tea.
"Oh, come on, you know that house-elves are always too hyper," said Snape, pulling a slice of blueberry pie towards him. "They would be highly disappointed if they were asked to cook anything less than a feast."
Minerva laughed. "Especially since there are over a hundred of them down in the kitchens."
"Yes, but there's enough dessert here for each of us to have two pies, six tarts, ten cookies, and three scoops of ice cream each!" said Remus, looking at the massive display of treats.
"I marvel at your math skills, Lupin," said Snape after swallowing a piece of pie, "but the house-elves will probably find a way to sneak this off to the other teachers' private quarters when they see we won't be able to finish all of this."
"Or maybe they won't have to sneak it off. Some of the teachers might come to the kitchens for it," said Remus with a grin.
"You had some experience with sneaking into the kitchens during your school days, didn't you Remus?" said McGonagall, picking up a bowl of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.
"Oh, yes," said Remus, who was crumbling two chocolate chip cookies into a bowl of vanilla ice cream. "They were so very helpful when we had a party after a Quidditch match."
Snape, who had picked up a bowl of Jamocha Almond Fudge, was making two triangles out of a chocolate chip cookie. He stuck them into the sides of his ice cream scoop. He picked out three of the chocolate chips and stuck them into his ice cream as eyes and a nose. He then picked up six very thin pieces of red Twizlers and stuck them into his ice cream under the "nose". "Look, Minerva," said Snape, "it's you." He held up his "cat" for the other two to see.
Remus smiled. "Very nice, Severus. You know, Minerva, I would fling a spoonful of ice cream at him if I were you."
"I assure you the idea is tempting, but I wouldn't want to waste good ice cream." McGonagall smiled. "Besides, I'm out."
"I wanna make an animal, too!" said Remus, putting down his empty bowl and picking up another, Mint Chocolate Chip this time.
"What about you, Minerva?" asked Snape as he began to eat his "cat".
"Don't be silly," said McGonagall.
"Oh, come on, Minerva," pleaded Remus. "It's fun!"
"Oh, all right," said McGonagall, picking up another bowl of Mint Chocolate Chip.
Snape sat in silence while the other two made animals with their ice cream. After a while, Remus held out his bowl. "Done!"
"Nice wolf, Lupin," said Snape.
"Thank you, Severus," said Remus.
"And what did you make, Minerva?" asked the Potion's Master.
McGonagall held out her bowl for the others to see. Her animal looked strangely like...
"A ferret?" asked Snape.
"I trust it is a monument to Mr. Malfoy?" said Remus, laughing.
"Oh, you heard about that, did you?" said McGonagall, smiling.
"Yes, Harry told me," said Remus.
"I believe you saved Mr. Malfoy, did you not?" said Snape.
"Indeed I did," said McGonagall as she started to eat her ice cream.
"Well, I'll call up the house-elves to take the rest of the desserts away," said Remus. He rang a tiny silver bell and two house-elves came up to take the remaining pies, tarts, cookies, and ice cream.
"So," said McGonagall as they ate their ice cream, "do either of you have anything planned for tomorrow?"
"I planned to meet with a mertribe in the afternoon, but my morning is free," said Remus.
"I might start on my lesson plan if I choose to be diligent," said Snape, "but I know I'm going to sleep in tomorrow morning."
"Good plan," said Remus. "I think I might do that too."
"Well, it would do you two some good to sleep in," said McGonagall. "You both look exhausted."
"Yeah, last week was so busy," said Snape, putting down his empty bowl. "And look whose talking."
"What?" said McGonagall.
"He's right, you know. It's not like you sat around and did nothing last week," said Remus as he set his bowl on the coffee table.
"Oh, all right," said McGonagall, also putting her bowl down, "we're all tired. Let's just get to bed."
The three stood and marched up the stairs to the headmaster's bedroom. Once inside, McGonagall transfigured three chairs into three squashy sofas equipped with pillows and blankets, one on each side of the headmaster's bed.
"Well, good night," yawned Remus as he settled down on the sofa on the right side of the bed.
"Night," mumbled Snape as he practically collapsed on the sofa at the foot of the bed.
"See you in the morning," said McGonagall, taking the third sofa.
Remus and the Potions Master fell asleep immediately, and the room was filled with the soft sounds of breathing. McGonagall, however, did not doze off right away, but stared at the sleeping figure of the headmaster. From her sofa, she could see the dark circles under Dumbledore's eyes. She sighed. "Good night, Albus. Sweet dreams."
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