A/N: This took longer than I intended to, but I vowed myself that I would not post this chapter until the story was back on track, meaning that I had written some more chapters. I have done so and that's why I'll give you No.12 now.

I hope, you are not tired of it, but thanks for your reviews. They really warm my heart, which is plagued by a cold. So, please, warm me more and keep on reviewing.

Chapter 12 – Strangers in the Night 

"You goddamn bastard! How dare you!" Never in her entire life had Melina felt that much anger surging through her body. How dare he hit on Aunt Minerva. How dare he hit on a vulnerable woman! How dare he kiss her! How dare he breathe for Merlin's sake! Grabbing him by the collar and punching him relentlessly was the only way to get rid of her anger.

A pair of hands grabbed her from behind. "Melina. Melina!" And then with even more force "MELINA! Let go of him!"

She struggled against the vice like grip on her arms, but to no avail. "Melina, let go of him." Minerva demanded forcefully.

"What is going on here? Melina? Minerva? And why is Snape unconscious?" Uray asked in puzzlement from the doorway, having been called outside by the noisy commotion.

"Nothing." Melina answered, breathing heavily.

Uray wasn't convinced. "Minerva?" he asked his sister.

"Nothing, Uray. Don't worry." Minerva took her wand out and with a quick "ennervate" revived Severus.

From the doorframe, Baldur Nipps commented with a grin: "Maybe, Mr. Snape can elaborate, on why he is going to sport a beautiful black eye for the next weeks."

Severus glared at him, while he wiped away the blood that was trickling down from the corner of his mouth. Turning to the two women, an embarrassed  crept onto his face when he spotted Minerva. The woman next to her however, was still shooting deadly looks at him. His face tightened. "I'd better take my leave," he said nervously.

"Not through my house!" Melina said icily and flinched slightly, as she felt the grip on her arms tightening even more.

Severus merely bowed his head in acknowledgement.

"He can come with me. We'll walk some miles down from here and apparate to Hogsmeade." Nipps chimed in. "It will make a nice cover-up. I'll say that on my way to Hogwarts, I found him outside of a pub after a 'somewhat unsuccessful' brawl and took him along."

"Why should you be going to the school?" Minerva asked in confusion. 

Baldur smiled. "Because I am the new Transfigurations teacher."

Minerva opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. Therefore, Nipps came forward, took her hand and said: "I promise that I'll do my best to give your students back to you in top shape." Kissing her hand goodbye, he added: "I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. McGonagall."

With a nod to Melina and Uray, he walked over to Snape and dragged him out of the yard. The three McGonagalls remained in a state of shock.

Uray was the first to recover. "Would you now care to explain, Meli, why you nailed Professor Snape?"

Melina snorted. "Because he is a rotten bastard. That's why." Her father only raised an eyebrow. She threw her hands up in defeat and then pointed at her aunt. "Ask her. Maybe she'll give you an explanation. I'm going to bed." With that she stalked inside.

Uray looked at his sister. "What was that all about, Min?"

Minerva grinned halfheartedly. "Melina chose exactly the wrong moment to butt into a spur of the moment mistake. Apparently, this set her off." Then her grin became broader. "Seems like your little girl has started to develop feelings for Severus."

Her brother frowned. "Yes, feelings of intense hatred."

"I would not be too sure about that, dear brother. "

The siblings taxed each other for a while. Then Uranos opened his arms wide. Minerva went gladly into his embrace. "I missed you, Uray."

"Missed you, too. And I am so glad that you could escape. Meli told me the whole story. Seems like the potion thingy is out of the question."

"Yes, it would seem so." She sighed into his chest. "I had really hoped the potion would work. I don't know if I can make it through another Animagus process without Albus." Feeling her brother bristle at Dumbledore's name, she quickly changed the subject. "Did Meli also tell you about 'the thing'?"

Uray relaxed. "Yes, she did. But I cannot for the life of me imagine what kind of object those goons could be searching for."

"Me neither. I am wracking my mind going through all my belongings to find one that could make a weapon against You-Know-Who."

"Speaking of belongings. The parcels you sent to me, shortly before this mess began have arrived. I have stored the packages in your room. Whatever possessed you to send all that stuff home?"

Well, things like this usually happen when Albus is away for some time. I get bored and lonely and to ease my mind I usually do things like that. Rearrange my chambers or do a big cleaning. So I did it the weekend before this and decided to send the pieces I wouldn't need home. By the way, did my whistle collection arrive safely?"

I didn't check, but if you'd like I can look through the parcels." He paused. "Now, Min, you are tired and so am I. Lets go to sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow." With that both went inside.

***

Walking up the meandering path from Hogsmeade to the towering castle that was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the two men shared a comfortable silence. Finally the older of the two men decided to voice his question.

"Why did Melina deck you, Mr. Snape?"

"Apparently I did something that she didn't think I had a right to.")

"Would you care to elaborate on that?"

"She caught me kissing Minerva." Snape said with his breath catching. Dear Merlin, what had he done? He had kissed Minerva mere seconds after she had cried her heart out over another man. Was he out of his mind? How could he hit on a vulnerable woman? How could he…? How could he not enjoy it? It had felt so good and… why did he remember more of the anger in Melina's face than the kiss?… Great wizards, he must be out of his mind!

"I guess that would do the trick. However, I can't blame you" The man beside him said, almost to himself. "She is a handsome woman. And I daresay, I've never met a more fascinating one. Of course, I've heard stories about the formidable Minerva McGonagall, but she is even more fetching in person."

Severus glared at the other man, but Baldur Nipps merely smiled. "Don't worry, young man. Your secret is safe with me. Though I believe it to be better to refrain from such open displays of affection. I am not even sure we can pull this story off. More shiners might be impossible to explain."

The younger man fidgeted under the amused scrutiny of the other man. This Nipps was in many ways similar to Dumbledore, with the piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through a person and this constant amusement. Trying to steer the conversation away from himself, he asked: "How did you become the new Transfigurations teacher? So far, the school's staff didn't even hear that the Ministry was searching for a new one."

"Well, it seems that the new Headmaster and the Minister were quite in a hurry to come up with a new teacher. They didn't want any discussion about the candidates. So, they came to me and offered the job and since I was in the mood for a little change I accepted. And after Melina's message arrived I knew it would be of even more importance that I accept. So, here I am."

"What were their conditions?"

"None. As a matter of fact, they even granted me my conditions."

"Which are?"

"I cannot stand boarding schools. Never could. Even as I child I was educated at home. Call it an annoying trait, but I still prefer living at home. Therefore, I received the permission to go home every night."

Snape looked at him in shock. "They let you out of the school each night?" He took several steadying breaths. "I can't believe it."

"Yes, yes. It seems like the new powers that be have become frantic. They are in a desperate need to present a new teacher to stop any questions leading towards Professor McGonagall. Thus, they are willing to accept everything."

"What do you suppose that means?"

Nipps shrugged. "Well, maybe their flawless facade is cracking?"

Severus stared into the other man's face. Did he hear correctly? Did Nipps believe that Voldemort and his people were showing a weakness? Could it be?

A voice shook him out of his frantic musings. "Isn't it a little bit cold for a late night stroll, gentlemen?"

~~~

Comments:

LinZE: The not-so-nasty AD will have to wait a bit more until he can redeem himself, I'm afraid.

The SilverWitch: You are right, this is no decent behaviour. However, there is a reason behind it. But you think that complicated? Let's see if I can't top that still.

Jestana: No it didn't work. There are going to be much greater powers at work than a simple potion.

Petriebird18: I don't forget that Minerva belongs to Albus. I ship AD/MM for life.

LauraKay: Thanks, but I'm afraid that MM/SS-part is over. Definitely over. AD/MM rule, after all.

Mascaret: That he should. Btw, lazy me has not reviewed your epic tale, but finds it absolutely awesome. Can't wait to find out what Riddle plans to do with Kitten.

FinWitch1: Phew, there are quite many questions you have. About Fudge, I'm asking my muse – she is however not answering yet. But no, this is definitely no prank of Percy's, who is too much of an idiot to think such a scheme up. About what happened to Albus, you will have to read on I think. Thanks for your review.

Child-of-the-Dawn: I aim to please and since I'm a sucker for soap operas I always come up with complications. However, my muse is absolutely unwilling to share with me, what has happened to Fudge. I hope she'll be more willing soon.

Tetris: Don't worry, the MM/SS-part is over. AD/MM is what I write. Oh, and since I'm posting your stories on our website, but never told you: I love your stories. They are awesome.

To the others I didn't mention, like you Athenia McGonagall, thank you again and please, use the little button down there..