The fire burnt merrily away in the grate, actually managing to make Snape's office look almost welcoming. At least, until one turned around and noticed the pickled creatures and the rather menacing snake decorations. Or the definite black theme. Or the 'thou-shalt-not-breath-without-my-permission' aura that hung in every place that Snape spent more than a few months in. But, despite that, the room was surprisingly cheerful.
Lilith was not pleased about this.
She was already without her daily brushings, and now she woke up to find a light flickering under the bedroom door. She hissed, stretched and padded over to investigate. She knew her human wouldn't light a fire in his office if you held a wand to his head, so what was going on?
Slipping through the door, she made her way down a short, dark hallway, thinking. Her master had been upset this past week. Far more upset than normal. It wasn't about his students, he normally vented about that by flunking a bunch of them. It wasn't Umbridge. That tantrum was usually under-the-breath mumbling about the potions he wanted to feed to her. It wasn't even the girl-who-smelled-of-cats. That called for standing in the middle of the room and questioning the universe what he had done to deserve this. No, this was moping. She stopped and wracked her brains. Moping. That was usually a note from one of his old masters, wasn't it? He had had another summons, apparently. Though this one was more important than the others. The others hadn't required her to miss her grooming.
She nosed the door open and peered through. There was the figure in the armchair. She sniffed. Not her human . . . What in Feline's name was the-girl-who-smelled-of-cats doing here? She was curled up in the chair making the sniffling noise that humans made when they were cold, sad or sick. Why was she here? Where was Lilith's human? Lilith intended to get some answers out of her.
Padding up to the chair, she tilted her head and inquired politely, -Why are you here?-
No answer. Drats, she had forgotten that humans could only understand what you were saying if you got in their face and yelled. So she did. Reaching up, she sank her claws into the handiest portion of anatomy and yowled as loud as she could. The girl jerked, yelped and looked down at her, reddened eyes widening in surprise.
"Sweet Merlin, Professor has a cat?"
-Yes, he has a cat, you stupid girl. That should be fairly obvious.- Lilith sniffed and began to wash her tail. -Even you should be able to figure that out.-
The girl frowned and rubbed her ears vigorously. When she took her hands away, she whispered, "I could have sworn I just heard you talk. But that's ridiculous. Cats can't talk!"
-Yours might not. However, I am a familiar. His familiar. We can talk once properly bonded. If you humans ever listen, that is. My name is Lilith. And as I was trying to say, why are you here, and where is he?-
He's-" But Kerri never did get to explain to Lilith where Snape was because at that instant the fire roared up and went green. The two of them whirled around to face the flames as Professor Umbridge climbed out of them. Kerri went pale and Lilith scurried up the back of the armchair and began spitting at the intruder. -Go away! Go away! You horrid female!- She then proceeded to call Umbridge all the nasty names she could think of before turning to Kerri. -This never would have happened if you hadn't lit the fire!-
"Nice kitty." said Umbridge, apparently oblivious to the fact that she was being thoroughly insulted. Her gaze transferred to Kerri, who looked as though she was on the verge of arching and hissing as well. "Where's your teacher, dear?"
Kerri took several deep breaths to calm herself, though Lilith noticed that the girl's nails were nearly puncturing the upholstery of the chair. "Out g-gathering ingredients. In the forest, I guess." Lilith's head whipped around. That was a lie if she'd ever heard one. In a fairly steady voice even. Apparently the girl had more guts than her human credited her with.
"In the middle of the night?" asked Umbridge, a hint of scorn in her otherwise smooth voice.
Kerri actually managed to look semi-disdainful. "There are several herbs whose potency depends on the day and time of which they are picked, as well as flowers that do not bloom during the day. Also," she continued before Umbridge could interrupt, "There are those that must be gathered by the brewer, and only the brewer, for them to be at full strength. Surely, as a high-ranking member of the Ministry, you must know that." She paused, almost trembling from shock at her daring. "Why are you here?"
That caught Umbridge off guard for a moment, but the sickly-sweet smile was soon back on her face. "You, my dear, are the first secondary student here. As a high-ranking member of the Ministry, I must discuss your lessons with Professor Snape."
"In the middle of the night?"
"One must make sure one is not disturbed by students." This time, the sweet tone was the same, but there was a sharp glint in Umbridge's eye as if she were re-evaluating Kerri. The short woman began to move toward Snape's desk as nonchalantly as she could.
Professor Snape's letter! Kerri saw the corner of it sticking out from under a few papers. Not much was visible, but both witches could see Dumbledore's name on it, which was enough for Umbridge.
Kerri swallowed hard and tried to distract the other woman. "But surely mealtimes are much more convenient, Professor. This is awfully late for anyone to be up and about." Too late, she realized what she had said.
Umbridge jumped on her words like a dog on a bone. "That reminds me, why are you here, Miss Harper? As you said, it is rather late at night." She looked the girl up and down, raising her eyebrows. "And dressed as you are, no less."
Kerri blushed. She'd forgotten that she wore only her nightgown and housecoat. "I-I'm here because I'm supposed to process the herbs when he gets back. It's one of my lessons. I didn't go with him because, well," She hung her head, hoping she looked ashamed, "I got here late and he had already left. So I went back to my room to change into something more comfortable. And then, I came back here to wait." She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping that the woman would believe the tale.
"And this?" Umbridge leant down to scoop the letter up, but Kerri was faster that she was. Before the older woman could open the envelope, Kerri had jumped out of the chair and plucked it from her fingers.
"Oh, thank goodness you found that! It must be my instructions for bottling the herbs correctly. Professor Snape was supposed to leave it on the door, but he must have forgotten, and I didn't want to go through the papers on his desk. I didn't even notice it sticking out!"
"Are you sure that that's what it is? I don't think that-" Umbridge tried to lean forward to grab it from the girl's hand, but Kerri took a step backward out of her reach. Annoyed, the woman tried again, but again her fingers closed on empty air. Finally, Umbridge lunged for it and Kerri, panicked, stuffed the parchment down her nightgown's bodice.
"Professor! Of course I'm sure!" She crossed her arms over her chest and took another step back, just to be safe. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to set up the proper equipment for the distillation. I'll tell Professor Snape that you stopped by." She nodded toward the still green fire. "If you'll excuse me. . ."
Umbridge glared daggers at the girl and began to move forward again. "Listen to me, girl," she said, all traces of sweetness gone from her voice. "You'll give that to me, or-"
-Oh, for pity's sake, woman! Can't you see you're not welcome here!- Lilith jumped down from her perch, walked up to Umbridge, leant over her slippers, and began to make horrible gagging noises. The older woman recoiled, shot Kerri a sour look and scampered through the fire.
Kerri immediately whipped out her wand and pointed it at the fire. Nothing. With a growl, she dashed off to fill a cauldron with water. With some difficulty, she managed to get it back and pour it over the flames. I hope Professor Snape doesn't notice the water on the floor when he gets back, she thought absently, staring at the sodden logs as she replaced her makeshift bucket.
That done, it took a few moments for her to collect herself enough that she could recall what Lilith had been doing. She glanced down, only to see the slim black cat washing herself.
"Are you all right? That is, er. . ."
Lilith gave her a withering look. -I'm a familiar. Familiars don't get sick unless they want to. It was the best way to get rid of that irritating woman.-
"Er. . .well . . . Thank you."
-If you're that thankful, then brush me. My human was too upset to this evening.- She nodded at a desk drawer.
This was a little too unreal for the girl, so she took refuge in small talk. "Professor Snape brushes you every evening?" Kerri knelt down and began to rummage through the drawer. There was a surprising amount of stuff in it, she couldn't even see the bottom. She fervently hoped that Snape didn't keep anything sharp or pointy in it.
Her fingers brushed something smooth. What . . .?
-Of course he does.- Lilith interrupted Kerri's almost-thought. -He knows how to take care of a cat. Now do hurry up, otherwise I'll be forced to do it myself.-
Obediently, Kerri yanked her hand back and rummaged deeper. Finally, her hand closed on the brush. "Got it!" she exclaimed triumphantly, shutting the drawer. She went back to the chair, and Lilith climbed up onto the arm. "You know," Kerri commented as she began to brush the cat, "I would have thought that Professor Snape would have had a snake for his familiar."
Lilith chuckled, an odd sound that was half purr. -He does seem that way, doesn't he? But a cold-blooded creature wouldn't last a day in this icebox he calls an office. Besides, who would want a snake when they could have a cat?-
Kerri smiled at that. Apparently, cats were the same, familiar or no. This cat, though, was as Slytherin as she could imagine a cat being. Black fur, luminous green eyes, a definite attitude. . . A new thought came to mind as Lilith turned around, presenting her other side to be brushed. "You said that Professor Snape was strangely upset tonight?"
-Oh, yes. He's been on edge for a while now, but tonight he was really bad. When he was writing that letter you stuffed down your shirt . . .-
"Letter? My shirt? Sweet Merlin!" Kerri's eyes went wide and she dropped the brush before hurriedly yanking the envelope out. "I can't believe I did that!" She flung the offending parchment back onto the desk. "Yuck! Yuck yuck yuck! I feel . . . slimy . . .now." She stood up and shook herself all over, trying to get the pervading sense of Snape off of her skin.
The black cat watched her in amusement, but offered no comment until the girl had finished shuddering. -Why?-
"What?" Kerri stared at the cat in amazement.
-Why do you feel, and I quote, 'slimy now?'-
"Because it's Professor Snape! I don't want to have anything he's touched be that close to that portion of my anatomy."
-I fail to see the problem. I don't mind being touched by him directly. He's really very good with his hands. His touch is soothing, not slimy. You should try it sometime, might get you to unwind a bit.-
"Thanks, but I'll pass."
-Pity.-
"Says you." Kerri felt her stomach clench and hot blood rush to her cheeks at the idea of Snape touching her. Eeyuck. . . . She sighed, tossing the cat brush to the desk to join the letter. Why can't the men I know be more like that one at the ball? Kind, gentle, and just the right touch of mystery . .
A sudden noise from the corridor outside made both cat and girl jump. It sounded as though someone had kicked a large bag down the dungeon stairs. "What in . .!" Kerri exclaimed running to the door. About to open it, she paused. What if it was Umbridge again, or Malfoy? She turned to the cat. "Lilith, is there a way you can go out there and see what that noise was? If it was Professor Umbridge, I don't want to give her a way to come barging in again."
-Certainly. I would be glad to. I don't want her to come into my domain again either.- With a flick of her tail the cat turned about and wriggled her way through a crack in the wall.
Scared as she was, Kerri still had to smile at Lilith. Further proof that the she was just the same as regular cats, just a little more vocal.
Several minutes ticked by, and Kerri's tired mind began to wander back to the dance again. She had been very proud of her costume. Hermione had transfigured a set of her robes for her and the hair dye potion had been hers. Even without the charm on the place, no one would have recognized her. And that man she had danced with . . . Perhaps a seventh year? Far too mature to be one of the other students, but also far too . . . intriguing to be a teacher. She smiled gently and began to hum the song they had danced to . .
-Kerri! Kerri!! Get out here now!!-
The cat's shriek sent her staggering. She flung open the door and raced out.
The first thing she saw was the stairs. The stones of each step were marked by a splash of blood, as though someone had fallen down them. Then the bloody handprint on the wall, and another, and a third, smeared toward the ground. And finally the crumpled figure on the ground, attended to by a frantic Lilith. Kerri clapped a hand to her mouth to keep herself from adding to the mess and staggered towards the body.
-Get up! Get up! Please get up!- Lilith was yelling at the bundle of robes. She turned her face to Kerri. -He won't get up . . . Kerri, he's not getting up!-
Kerri gently picked up the cat in her arms, and held her as she knelt. Lilith was shaking, and dug all of her claws deep into the girl's forearms. The pain was a distant sensation to Kerri at that point as she realized that her robes, where they had touched the floor, were also stained, soaked with blood. She started to feel faint, but came to herself when she realized that a human life was at stake.
Shakily, she leant forward to see who it was, but even before she pulled aside the hood of the cloak, she half-knew who lay before her.
It was Professor Snape.