A/N: Here it is, the news you have all been waiting for. And yes, I've build in yet another twist. That last scene was written by request and since I liked the idea somehow, I put it in. I hope, you still enjoy the chapter, even though there is some serious OOC in (ah well, maybe not, who knows). And there is a new character, who looks remarkably like one of the guys from the cheese-poll.
Thankies again to all of you who reviewed: Jestana, Star (no, no ployjuice), petriebird18, SilverWitch (I never said, Dumbly was evil…really), LinZE (same to you), LauraKay, Tetris, Athenia McGonagall (huh?) and VoyICJ.
Please, keep up the reviewing.
Chapter 11 – Oh, Oh!
"My goodness…Aunt Minerva…"
"This is unbelievable, Minerva."
"A most fascinating display, I have to admit."
Severus' breath caught in his throat as a third voice spoke up. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Melina's hand flying to her throat in a very familiar gesture. The black cat with a white breast, white feet and square white markings around the eyes sat frozen on the ground. Slowly he turned around, preparing to attack the intruder with his bare hands if necessary.
At the entrance of the passageway stood two men. One was Uray McGonagall, now without his dressing gown, arms folded in front of him and clearly displeased. His companion was an odd contrast. Severus felt he had seen him before, but was sure to remember such a figure. The stranger was tall and lean, with short cropped sandy blonde hair and piercing light blue eyes. (Think of Peter O'Toole, will you) In more than one way he reminded Snape of Dumbledore, from the bemused twinkle in his eyes to the colourful robes. Only this man wore his in a screaming neon green with a strange assortment of apparently gone wrong transfiguration attempts as jewellery. There was a miniature teapot with wooden branches sticking out of it, a handkerchief that was still half a pencil, a set of half-changed buttons and other odd pieces.
Before Severus could finish his inspection, he was interrupted by Melina launching herself into the stranger's arms crying: "Sweet Merlin, Baldur! You almost scared the wits out of us." She hugged him. "I am so glad that you came, however."
Baldur Nipps smiled tenderly. "It is my pleasure, Meli. When your cry for help reached me I didn't waste any time. Though it seems to me that you have succeeded without me." He turned to the black cat which had been scooped up and now lay purring in the arms of Uray. "This change is quite remarkable, Ms. McGonagall. I am very impressed."
"I'll have to agree, Min. This is unbelievable. I never thought father's potion would really have such an effect. However, could you please change again? We need to talk."
He let the cat that was Minerva down to the ground, where she tried to change her form again. However, nothing happened. Minerva tried again without success, then a third time and a fourth. The only thing happening was that the burning sensation she had felt while changing became stronger and stronger, and was by now very painful.
The other occupants of the room shared worried glances. "It seems like there is a side effect." Melina muttered darkly.
Uray became frantic as the little cat let out a pained wail after another changing attempt. "We have to help her. Can't you do something, Baldur?"
Nipps shrugged his shoulders. "I can try." He stepped forward and told Minerva to try again, while he performed the "Restitutio Animagum Originum" spell that was used during the Animagus training (Yep, there is a difference to the spell that was mentioned some chapters earlier).
With a plopping noise Minerva appeared where the cat had been, and broke down immediately, writhing in pain. Severus was by her side instantly in an attempt to help her into a more comfortable position, but was beaten to it by Uray. Cradling his sister in his lap he looked at Snape and asked: "Do you have something to help her? She's in pain."
"I can see that she is in pain."
"Then do something."
"I am right on it." Severus pulled some vials out of the bag he had brought to the cottage and chose one with a healing potion. He was about to administer the potion to Minerva, who was only half conscious and gasping for air when suddenly two hands from different directions caught his arms in vice-like grips. Two voices delivered a barely hidden threat: "If this doesn't help her instantly, you'll regret the day were born." Looking up he was confronted with the menacing dark green eyes of Uray McGonagall. Turning to his right he saw that Melina's expression matched her father's.
Mustering his own glare against those unsettling stares, he answered equally coldly: "I have no intention of hurting her. Now, let me work... or do you want her to endure the pain any longer, while you tell me what you plan to do to me, if this doesn't work?" He could feel the female hand tightening around his arm in anger and winced inwardly. Pulling himself together, Severus administered the potion to Minerva, who was still convulsing in pain.
After some tense minutes her body relaxed. Severus gave her a strengthening potion as well as a little brew to pull her back into consciousness. Finally, Minerva's breath became even and smooth and she opened her eyes.
"Seems like the potion is not really my best option, doesn't it?" She remarked dryly. "Well, there go the lazy days of basking in the sun."
The others stared at her incredulously until Baldur started to chuckle. Minerva struggled to her feet and then turned to him. "Hello, Mr. Nipps. It's my pleasure to meet you."
Taking her hand and pressing a gentlemanly kiss on the back, he responded: "As it is for me. I was very much looking forward to meeting the formidable, not to mention beautiful, Minerva McGonagall." He turned to Melina with an impish grin. "You were lying, Meli. Your aunt is much more gorgeous than you ever said."
Minerva blushed, Uray grinned, Melina chuckled and Severus narrowed his eyes. He had really thought that Minerva had more common sense than minding the exaggerated compliments of a …whatever. He wasn't really sure, but in his mind this Nipps was a lot like that Lockhart twit.
To steer her attention away from this git, Severus coughed. "Minerva, I'd like a word with you. Could we talk in private?"
Melina frowned at him, but the older McGonagall took that as a cue to get the answers he had demanded earlier. "Very well, you two have your talk and we, my dear daughter, will have ours. Baldur, come along. I am sure you'd like to hear the details as well."
They made attempts to go into the backyard of the cottage, but Snape stopped them. "You'll stay in here and we'll go outside. Minerva is still a bit pale and could certainly use a breath of fresh air."
His colleague smiled gratefully at him and, linking her arm through his to steady herself, they went to the door. Neither one saw Melina narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Outside, Severus and Minerva sat down on a bench near the backwall of the yard.
"I am really sorry that the potion is no help. I truly believed it could do the trick." Severus started.
Minerva shook her head and put her hand onto Severus'. "There is no need to feel guilty, Severus. Nobody could have known the side effects. Besides, I wouldn't say it was a complete failure. I always wanted to know how I'd look with white feet."
Snape's mouth contorted into something that could remotely be called a smile, but wiped it off his face immediately. "Still, I almost killed you. Or, at least hurt you badly. That is the last thing I would ever do…"
Minerva's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean, Severus?"
"I…I…well, I know I usually give you the impression of utter dislike, but as a matter of fact I have come to admire you a great deal. I know you have much on your plate and you deal with it so very well." He took a deep, calming breath, but in an insane moment of daring went on. "And through all of it you look so vital and beautiful like life itself."
"Severus?!" Minerva exclaimed in shock, "I had…"
"And it drives me crazy that I can't help you with even a little potion. I know your life is in danger and thought I held the key to help you, and then I cannot even produce a bloody potion to ease your situation."
"Severus, this is not your fault. You help me a great deal. The fact that you are willing to stand on my side means more to me than you'll ever know."
He looked at her and was mesmerized by her dark eyes, which looked at him almost pleadingly.
"Five days ago I was indeed in a hopeless situation, but now I have people who believe in me. I have Meli and Uray. It seems like Baldur is willing to help, too. And I have you. And I want to thank you for this."
He covered her hand with his and squeezed it in reassurance. "There is no thank you necessary."
She smiled. "That's why, Severus." She became somber again. "I only wish the potion had brought a better result. I can't use it on my own. And I don't know if I can manage a new animagus process." She sighed. "I wish Albus was here."
Severus started. He had almost forgotten about the man. The man who had ordered the Ministry to all but kill her. The man she still seemed to love. "But he isn't here. And I don't think that he would help you to work on a new camouflage. After all, it was he who signed the verdict against you."
"That wasn't him. I know it and I will prove it. If only the potion had helped. Or if I would succeed in the animagus process. But there is no progress, none at all." Her eyes started to fill with tears of frustration and despair. "I'm trying again and again. Again and again, I'll try to find that damn eagle I should be able to turn into, but I don't find him. And there is always the tabby cat chasing me and biting me. And it hurts." The tears were now falling freely and sobs started to build up in her body.
Snape stared at her. He had never heard of such experiences during the time that the mind was searching for the chosen animal. It must be horrible for Minerva to lose her control like that. He put an arm around her shoulder and she leaned onto him and sobbed into his chest. Severus felt a wave of tenderness swelling inside himself.
Minerva's words were by now almost drowning in the sobs and he had to strain to listen. "I'll try and try again, but I know I won't succeed this time. But I have to and that's why I hoped for the potion, and it doesn't work . So I must go through with the process, but there is no progress, none at all.
By now, she sounded almost hysterical. With his other hand, Severus caressed her hair to soothe her, and absently noted that it felt like silk between his fingers.
After a while she calmed down and looked up at him sheepishly. "I'm sorry."
"There is no need to be sorry. It is perfectly normal to lose it sometimes."
"I know, but still."
"Minerva, listen to me." She looked at him curiously. "You are a very powerful witch. You will succeed in everything you try. Believe me, I learned it the hard way." He grinned awkwardly, but eased a little upon seeing her smug smile. "You will succeed with the animagus process and we still have the potion for an emergency. And we'll help you to clear your name. I'll help you. I promise."
Minerva gave him a genuine smile that lit up her whole face and almost made him gasp. "Thank you, Severus." She leaned forward and gave him a little peck on the cheek.
He stared at her in shock. Their eyes locked. And then he leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers in a feather light kiss. When he didn't feel her pulling away, he covered her mouth more firmly.
"How dare you, you slimy rotten bastard!" The shout had barely reached his ears as somebody roughly grabbed him by his collar and yanked him off of the bench. The next second found him on the ground. Somebody grabbed the front of his robes, pulled him close and a fist made contact with his face. The last thing he saw, before everything went black, was Melina's face seething with anger.
***
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