Chapter 15 – In the evening
Just after supper, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny met in a quiet corner of the Gryffindor common room. They stared at each other for some time trying to bring order to their thoughts.
"Hermione, why did you ask that question in the transfiguration class?" Ron finally asked. "You knew that that Nipps guy wouldn't give a straight answer."
Hermione frowned "Honestly, Ron did you sleep in that class? It was a very valid question. Not like your 'lover' idiocy."
"What 'lover' idiocy? Dumbledore and McGonagall were a couple. How come you never noticed something? They were practically glued together." At his friends' doubting looks he added with a nauseated face: "And yes, I saw them kissing. Eeeeww…it was horrible."
"When?"
"The night Dumbledore left for his trip I had to do prefect rounds near the entrance hall, remember ? They were saying goodbye and I walked in on them. Lucky for me they were too busy with each other, or I would have been on the receiving end of McGonagall's wrath. Still, it wasn't pretty."
His three companions were dumbstruck. Seeing that they were willing to listen, Ron said: "See, it was no idiocy. And just how valid was your question, Hermione?"
'Git,' Hermione thought her brows furrowing, 'why do I actually like him?
Before it could get ugly, Harry interrupted. "Now don't lets beat each other here, okay? That won't help." Seeing his friends at least keeping their mouths shut he continued. "However, just like Ron I don't see what answer you got, Hermione. I mean he didn't tell you anything."
Hermione rolled her eyes in a gesture that clearly said: 'Duh!' "Of course he wouldn't give me a straight answer. How could he? It would have blown his cover."
"What cover?"
"You see, he all but confirmed that Professor McGonagall was sacked. I mean, nobody actually bought into the 'other challenges' excuse, but he knows what actually has happened. And…" she made a dramatic pause, "he also knows why she was sacked and that she plans to fight against it."
"Do you think McGonagall was sacked because of what is going to be happening in three weeks?" Ginny asked.
"It would make sense." Harry answered quietly. "If there was one person besides Dumbledore of whom I was sure would never go over to the dark side, it was McGonagall."
"But Dumbledore himself changed sides." Ron said with disgust.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean that McGonagall did too. But as his second-in-command and closest friend, she knew too many secrets. She could cause a lot of trouble. And if your theory is correct Ron, then she would certainly try to get Dumbledore away from Voldemort."
"And considering that she is a descendant of Godric Gryffindor, she could be able to call on powers that are hidden in the school. You know just like Riddle did with the basilisk and the chamber." Ron chimed in. Seeing his sister cringe at his last words, he put an arm around her shoulder and said quietly: "Sorry, Gin."
She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze. "So we have established already that the plan is tied to the school and it is going to be carried out in three weeks. But where does that leave Professor McGonagall?"
"If nothing else, she would be in the way. Probably causing the new headmaster a lot of trouble, organising resistance or at least putting no stop to it, like last year with Umbridge. But Ron's idea with this 'descendant' theory opens a whole new area…"
Yeah," Harry put in. "If an heir of Slytherin could open a secret chamber to purge the school of all muggle-borns, an heir of Gryffindor could stop him from performing anything that could harm the school."
"So what could Voldemort be planning?" Ginny asked.
The others shrugged.
"I don't know," Harry finally said, "but it has something to do with Hogwarts. And whatever he plans, he needs the school empty."
"What do you mean, 'empty'?" Ron asked in puzzlement.
"I went to Professor Lupin to ask what I should do since I couldn't just go home, and he told me that if I couldn't go to the Burrow and he couldn't take me in as it will be full moon by then, I would have to go with one of the teachers or even return to the Dursleys. When I asked why, he said that everybody, all students, teachers and other staff, even Filch, has to leave."
The four stared at each other wide-eyed. Ron pulled Ginny closer with one arm and took hold of Hermione's hand with his free one. "Do you think he will try to destroy Hogwarts?"
"I don't know." Harry answered heavily. "I don't know."
~~~
"Sweet Merlin, that was fun." Minerva laughed when she entered the cottage again, followed by Melina and Uray. After they had finished the exhausting work of setting up the extended protection spell, they had ended up in the winecellar of the manor. Going over some charms out of their fathers spellbook they had discovered a hidden fountain in the cellar which produced a very fine red wine. The afternoon was spent testing the surprisingly good vintage and sorting out a misunderstanding.
"Yes Aunt Minerva, I'm still in awe at how well you can handle and channel the magic of the manor. For me it was overwhelming. I would have never lasted that long. And I would never be able to perform such a close-knit protection charm."
"She's right, you know. Your protection charm is far stronger than I ever imagined, Min."
Minerva waved their praise away. "I've been practicing protection charms quite a lot."
"Is that what your squad in the Order was about?" Uray asked curiously.
"As a matter of fact, it was. Curiously enough, I always had a very good hand for protection and shielding charms. Though I cannot tell you why."
The others shrugged. Who knew for what it was good. "At least the manor as well as the cottage will be well protected now. "
"Yes, and since Meli managed to connect Baldur's place to our net of safe fireplaces, he can visit us without being detected."
Melina smiled. "It's the least I can do. If he can come and go undetected, then we have no need for that overgrown bat anymore." Though she understood what had happened last night and was on good terms with her aunt again, she was very unwilling to forgive Snape. How dare he hit on a vulnerable woman like that? This…this…thing out of a snakepit. He was a walking…a walking…a…why did she actually bother so much about this man? Because he had hit on a vulnerable woman, that was why. Wasn't it?
"Melina?"
"Uhm...yes?"
"When did Baldur say he would come?"
Melina looked at her aunt and found amusement faintly glimmering in her eyes. "He said that he would have to attend the dinner at school, but could leave afterwards. He wanted to go home where I would wait and floo over with him."
Uray checked the grandfather clock near the fireplace. "Well, the dinner at school should be on right now. You'd better go and floo over to Baldur's place. It will, after all, take some time until you are in the house." When Melina got up, he added: "And don't forget, only the fireplace in my study is safe yet."
"I know, Papa. I'll see you later." She left the cottage and went into the passage.
"Min, Min, stop grinning."
"I'm not grinning."
"Oh yes, you are."
"I am not."
"You are. And even worse, you are right. Heaven help me, my daughter and Severus Snape. What has the world come to?"
~~~
It took indeed almost three hours until Melina returned with Baldur Nipps. Upon entering, he sailed over to Minerva, kissed her hand and exclaimed: "My dear Ms. McGonagall, you should not have been named after a goddess but a titan."
His companions were puzzled. "Why?"
"How you can handle teaching day in and day out is beyond me. Even before the first lesson started I only wanted to run, and after that lesson I had to tie myself to the chair not to do it. Teaching has to be the worst job ever. I sincerely hope it is really all over in three weeks and you return and take this burden from me." Nipps said almost in one breath.
"Three weeks? What is going on in three weeks?"
"Well, that is anyone's guess. But Mr. Snape and I agreed that since the Minister himself announced a weeklong extra holiday for all students and staff in three weeks, the plan is going to be carried out at that time."
"Albus was in Hogwarts?" Minerva shivered nervously as she voiced that question. Uray stepped up behind her and put his hands on her arms to calm her.
"Yes he was. Though I do believe his visit was not very welcome. His surprise wasn't either. I never saw so few pupils cheer at the prospect of extra holidays."
"How was he?" Minerva's voice became frantic. "Was he well? How did he look?"
Melina was about to utter a sharp comment, but a warning look from her father kept her silent.
"How did he look? Hmmm…I guess well enough. He seemed unaltered to me. However I heard some staff members, a Mdm. Hooch and Professors Snape and Flitwick, remark that they thought he appeared weak. And some of the students, the famous Mr. Potter among them, said that he seemed to have lost some of his aura."
"He was weak? What did they mean?" Uray asked curiously.
"I do not know, Uranos. I have met the man only twice before. I cannot say."
Minerva extricated herself from her brother's grasp and started to wander around the room. "He is weaker than usual. And Potter says that he has lost some of his aura." She muttered more to herself. "That means that they have taken some powers away from him. Essential powers. Or that they have made it impossible for him to use them. But how?"
"I don't know that either." Baldur said.
"Huh?" Minerva turned.
"I don't know if Voldemort and his henchmen have taken powers from Dumbledore, and I don't know how or why, but I do know that whatever they have in mind is going to culminate in the events in three weeks time."
"Three weeks. Are there any important dates in three weeks?" Uray asked.
"It doesn't matter. Yet. It only means that I be prepared for everything then. So I have to work on my other animagus form." Minerva answered sternly.
"She is right." Baldur supported. "We should start." He turned to face Melina and her father. "However, I believe it better if we are alone in the early stages of the work."
The two McGonagalls eyed him apprehensively. "Is it really necessary?"
"I'm afraid it is. But do not fear, we are not doing anything dangerous tonight. Just some remembering." Nipps tried to soothe.
Minerva smiled at her relatives. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Uray came over. "Are you sure?" At his sister's confirming nod he hugged her and turned to the door. "Good night then and good luck."
Melina followed suit.
Just as they were entering the passage, Minerva called after them. "Please, look for my whistles will you Uray?" As the door closed behind them, she turned to Baldur. "Well Mr. Nipps, I am ready. Let's get to work."
~~~
Comments: Thankies again for all your reviews. I hit 100 now…WOW!
VoyIcJ: Do I ever. Don't worry, Snapey won't hit on Minerva anymore.
Jestana: So thank you.
Mavidian: Yay, you made my 100. Hmmm…the phoenix-comparison has interesting moments.
Selene: Yes, isn't a great deal of sap beautiful? I just love that to. Good to know that you liked it.
Crystalunicorn14: Glad, you enjoyed it. Next time I'll write some sweetness, I'll make sure to put it in the right order. Promise.
Griselda la fey: True, she is very loyal to him. But then…she loves him. I'm sure, Albus will have a good explanation for his behavior.
Child-of-the-Dawn: That's what I ask myself too.
M: I hope to improve Baldur's ratings soon. He isn't bad at all. And yes, you are prejudiced (*g*). And never fear, Albus will get out of it.
Othello, YaYa and "Don't let him park the car, Dickie!"
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