A/N: Okay, for this one I have only one thing to say: Please, review. Please. Please. ***gets down on her knees and throws huge, wet puppy dog eyes*** Please. Please! Please!!!! – Nooo, I'm not desperate. lol

Chapter 7 – The first Appearance of a Plan

Until the very end of his life, Severus Snape would always wonder about this night, when Melina McGonagall blazed into his dungeons to ask for his help. The journey to the cottage went by him in a blur. Even now, sitting upright in an armchair near the fireplace and listening to Minerva's explanations, he felt almost surreal.

His mind wandered back to the stealthy way he and Melina had gone from his office to the Potions classroom. That woman certainly knew how to duck and dodge any obstacle in their way, he had to give her that. She must be a really able auror. His amazement had grown once inside his classroom. McGonagall had headed straight for the fireplace and impatiently urged him to follow. Severus had thought about reminding her that this room wasn't connected to the floo network, but one look at her face kept his mouth shut. Melina had motioned him into the fireplace, told him to hold onto her (something that had caused a lot of stiffness and uneasiness in both of them) and after throwing some rather odd smelling powder and shouting "Albany House", they travelled to a magnificent study.  

Snape was still in awe over the opulence he had seen. He had been to old and big estates, like Malfoy Manor, and lived in Hogwarts for 16 years, but that didn't prepare him for the sight of the vastness and lavishness of this place. High ceilinged rooms with silken wall coverings and expensive tapestries; the furniture, chandeliers and paintings shouted of money and whispered of magical secrets. Seeing the family crest of the McGonagalls displayed prominently on one Ghobelin, Severus realized with a start that he was suddenly inside the house of one of the wealthiest, most influential and oldest families of the wizarding community. Looking around this magnificent place he finally understood why James Potter and Melina had always treated Lucius like a beggar. Compared to the McGonagalls, the Malfoys were downright poor.   

Although he had suspected hints of magic everywhere, he was taken aback when his companion opened a door out of nowhere in the middle of the huge staircase. Walking through the long passage had made him feel uncomfortable and Melina seemed uneasy too, as if the walls were coming closer all the time. A wave of relief swept over Severus, once he left the tunnel and came face to face with Minerva.

And now he was sitting here, staring at the two witches in front of him and was none the wiser.

"So, are you willing to help us?"

Severus looked blankly at the two women.

"Severus? Did you hear me?"

He snapped back into reality, seeing Melina bristling and Minerva slumping down in defeat. It was a heart-wrenching sight and Snape hurriedly promised: "Of course I'll help you. Just say what I must do and I'll do it."

Minerva smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, Severus." She took both of his hands. "Thank you so much for helping me, …for believing me. It means so much."

He shifted uneasily; fully aware of the daggering looks the younger McGonagall shot him. Turning to his colleague he was all business. "Your niece mentioned a potion that needs to be brewed. What is it?"

The older witch raised an eyebrow at the formal reference to Melina, but said nothing. Instead she took a deep breath. "This is a bit complicated to explain. My father had experimented to mix the Polyjuice Potion with some kind of a Metamorphmagus potion and some other things. He was actually successful. He found a recipe, which would make it possible for me to change the appearance of my cat. Don't ask me how. There is a part in the recipe referring explicitly to animagi. At least, that is what my father said."  

Snape followed her words in disbelief. "How can this be possible? Polyjuice is for human transformation only. Metamorphmagi have nothing to do with potions, it's a gift and Animagi are a part of transfiguration. So how shall all of this mix into a potion and actually work?"

Minerva grinned. "Well, potions was never my strong side, much to my father's dismay. He, however, was a genius in the subject. I am sure he wouldn't have written the recipe down, if he wasn't convinced of its success."

"But how come I never heard of it?"

The transfiguration teacher smiled. "Easily. You see the potion is illegal." Both, Severus and Melina drew in a hissing breath. "Or rather, it has never been legalized."

"Why not?"

"Papa couldn't prove that it worked…well, he never tried to prove it."

"It has never been tested?" Severus asked in alarm.

"No. Never."

"Minerva, do you know what could happen if it doesn't work? I could kill you." He started pacing. "I could kill you by making even the smallest mistake. And we would never know. I could brew the potion correctly and still kill you. The risk is just too big."

"Tough times require tough measures, Severus. The ministry is hunting me, and my animagus form as it is doesn't provide any protection. I need to change it."

"But why don't you try becoming another animal. It can't be more difficult or dangerous than the potion. Please, Aunt Minerva." Melina begged.

"She is right, you know. Going through the animagus process is probably a better chance."

Minerva laughed at the questioning looks of her companions.  She said: "This has to be the first time I saw you two agreeing on something. It looks good, though." The other two blushed in embarrassment. "But unfortunately, there is also the time factor. The animagus process takes too much time. I would have to start from scratch to find a new animal. This takes time – time I don't have. The potion is faster."

"This might be, Aunt Minerva, but I still think you should try the other option. We could find somebody to help you speed up the whole thing…AND…I don't think you need to search for a new animal. There is one within you."

Her aunt started. "Yes, a cat."

The younger McGonagall shook her head. "No there is one more. Remember, when you told me that the family was surprised about your becoming a cat? They had expected another one from you."

Snape followed the exchange in fascination. Those two women were so similar. In their looks, their carriage, their gestures and certainly their stubbornness. And he was mesmerized. But at the moment he was just curious at what Melina was hinting at. "Which form did they expect?"

Melina smiled and pointed to a painting on the wall, which displayed the McGonagall crest: A proud eagle in flight with a staff in his claws on a tartan background. They adage of the family was also displayed. "Viribus Unitis" it said. Severus found it fitting, seeing and remembering how the members of the family had stuck together all the time.

"You mean I should try to turn into an eagle?"

"Yes, why not? You said yourself that a lot of the magic in the house is directly connected to the family members and that the usage of it comes from within us. Why should it be impossible for you to turn into the animal on our coat of arms? And besides I just know the man to help you on that…"

Severus interrupted her. "Honestly Melina, this is ridiculous. We all know how difficult the animagus transformation is. And we all know that a wizard or witch can't change this form at random."

Melina's enthusiastic grin faded. "But it is a lot safer than the potion. Especially with the help of the man I have in mind."

He sneered. "Oh yeah? And just who shall this man be? I mean, whatever we do here is highly illegal. We cannot just go and post an ad for help. And we cannot trust anybody…"

The younger woman was about to come with a sharp reply, but her aunt stopped her. "Stop it, the both of you. You are both right…and that is the problem. Both options are dangerous and both are illegal, but I still have no choice. I must do something and thus, I will try the potion AND the animagus thing." Minerva halted the upcoming protests by raising her hand. "Please, try to understand. I have to do this. I just have to."

The two younger ones opened their mouths to protest, but decided against it. There was really no point. If Minerva McGonagall had made up her mind, she would not change her decision. It was now a matter of helping her to accomplish her plans. Therefore, Severus asked for the recipe. When he had the parchment in his hands, however, he could not refrain from an incredulous comment. "This has to be the most complicated potion ever. Are you certain it is possible? Are you really certain?"

His colleague smiled thinly. "I told you, my father was a genius. I never said it would be easy, but I believe that you are the only one who can do it."

Severus almost smiled. This was more praise than he had ever heard from her. But when scrutinizing the parchment again, another problem came to his mind. "I will be hard-pressed to find all those ingredients in my stock. And it says that the potion needs to be concocted over four days. Voldemort will arrive tomorrow…no," he checked the grandfathers clock near the northern window, "this morning to take over the school. I don't think I can brew this under his eyes, without raising suspicion."

Minerva frowned. "I know, but I believe that I have the right place for you. Not that you can be any less careful there." She started walking around. "The potion in itself would be insignificant to most, but some people could easily draw the connection. And since nobody must know where I am or that you know, we cannot have you disappear from the school grounds on a regular basis, because we need your eyes and ears in Hogwarts, too. So there is only one option…" She turned to her companions: "My father's lab in Hogwarts."

Snape stared at her wide-eyed. "Your father's lab in Hogwarts? He had a personal lab there?"

Melina butted in. "Sure, he did. What did you think?" She shook her head in disbelief. Then she took action. "Aunt Minerva, you go to sleep. I'll bring this …this," she pointed at Severus, "whatever back to the school and show him around."

"Do you know where it is and how to get in?"

"Sure. In the dungeons south of the Ravenclaw dorms."

Her aunt nodded. "Do you know where the secret stocks are?"

"I guess we will find them."

"Good. Now go and please, try to be civil to each other." Minerva waved them out with a grin.

"Very funny." Was the muttered comment from Severus and Melina as they stepped into the passage again.

When they were gone, Minerva had a mischievous grin on her face. "They will make a lovely couple…if they don't kill each other before."

***

Liked it? Hated it? Completely confused? Let me know. Thanks