A/N: Okay, I have decided to skip the preparations, for two reasons. One, I think, I need to quicken the pace a bit and second: I had no idea how to write those scenes. If anyone of you really wanted those scenes: Sorry!

Chapter 22 - Complicated   

More than a week later, Severus Snape walked down towards the dungeons. He felt uneasy. Uneasy about his private life, uneasy about the situation in the school and with the students. Uneasy about the fate of the wizarding world and definitely uneasy about the task he had been 'entrusted' with by the new headmaster.

Why should it be he that had to to pay a 'friendly' visit to Dumbledore? No message, no delivery, just a "Check and if he's well." What was that all about? Was it really just a friendly visit or was it a test?

Severus didn't know and he didn't like this one bit. Not at all. He wasn't really afraid for himself, after all, what was his life worth… But to see all the past work and danger go to waste for nothing – that annoyed him greatly. And to fail carrying on Albus and Minerva's legacy in Hogwarts…

The potions master sighed in annoyance. He still had not gotten closer to unveiling the secret plan. Hogwarts was doomed and he still had not uncovered what it was doomed to.  In only a few days time the school would have to face something very dark and probably fatal, and he didn't know what it would be. Neither had he found out how Minerva was connected to it.

Closing the door to his chambers behind him, he thought of his colleague. How he had drowned in her deep, dark eyes. How the press of her lips against his had felt. But the more he tried to remember that, the more the unwanted vision of another face, another pair of dark eyes came to his mind. Melina occupied his thoughts a lot more than he cared to admit. Too much actually.

Shoving the disturbing thoughts of the woman aside, Severus concentrated on the task at hand: finding his travelling cloak. People who knew him only as the potions master with an obsession for the perfection and tidiness of his art, would have been surprised at the chaos that reigned his private quarters.

Finally, after some intensive searching, he pulled the cloak out from under a pile of robes. It would have been easier if not all of his clothes were black, he mused and stopped cold. When had he ever sounded like Minerva? His worries returned fullforce.

The news, Baldur Nipps had told him in hushed conversations, was not encouraging. Though making progress, Minerva had still not mastered her new animagus form. Time was running short and they didn't even know how her new animagus form would help.

Even more alarming, however, was Baldur's opinion that the McGonagalls were leaving him out of something. They were working on some secret plan and excluded him from it. Baldur was worried and Severus couldn't blame him. Melina's recklessness, Minerva's desperation and Uray's devotion were a dangerous combination. Almost like Longbottom and a cauldron (though Longbottom lately seemed a lot less dangerous than any plan that nutcase Melina might hatch).

Sighing again, Severus grabbed his cloak, made his way out of the castle grounds and apparated to London.

~~

Upon entering the Ministry of Magic, Snape went to the Welcome Witch.

"Your name and purpose of visit?" She asked mechanically.

"Severus Snape to see the Minister of Magic." He stated calmly, thinking: 'Who actually named them Welcome Witches? All they do is make you feel unwelcome."

When he had received his visitor's badge and stepped further into the building, he wondered again what the purpose of his trip was. The emptiness of the halls was a visible reminder. It was the middle of the night. Why should he go to Dumbledore? At this time? For a friendly visit? It was more than strange. Who was to be controlled here? Dumbledore or himself?

It had taken Severus only a single visit from the new Minister at his former work place to realize that the Dark Lord's hold on his former enemy was a forced one. Dumbledore was weakened. Even the dumbest first years could see that. The aura of power and serene self-assuredness that had always surrounded the headmaster was gone. Instead, each of his movements and each word had seemed to be forced.

Severus understood that Dumbledore had not willingly changed sides. The Dark Lord used some force with him. But which, the potions master didn't know. It had occurred to him that therein lay the danger Minerva was posing. That through the love she and Dumbledore shared, she could break this ominous spell. But that didn't explain this overdone conviction. And shaking Albus out of his funk would only partially remove the threat to Hogwarts. And this solution was too easy. Besides, Voldemort would probably not hesitate to kill Dumbledore and Minerva, if he had the chance.

If it had been up to him, Severus would have refused this 'little task', but that had been no option. Snape was very aware that underneath the polite, almost friendly mask of the Dark Lord, his cruelty was still very active. Refusing his wish was no option at all.

Looking up, Severus suddenly saw Arthur Weasley standing at an intersection, looking around nervously.

"Arthur." He quietly called.

The other man shrunk in shock.. "S… Se… Severus," he stammered, "what are you doing here?"

"Visiting the Minister of Magic." Snape answered with a scowl that clearly indicated his displeasure with this direction. "What about you? I thought that with your promotion the overtime hours had been reduced considerably."

Arthur's cheeks took on the same flaming color as his hair and he looked nervously in every direction. Without meeting his opposite's eyes he mumbled: "I need to catch up on some work. That takes some time."

Severus frowned. The other man was holding out on him, that much was obvious. Though the head of the Weasley-clan and he were by no means friends, they had a great deal of respect for each other. At least they had in the past.

With his brow furrowing Severus contemplated the possibilities. Either Arthur didn't trust him anymore or he was hiding something. Had Arthur, out of loyalty for Dumbledore changed sides as well? Or did he think that he, Severus, had?

The potions master groaned inwardly. Was nothing plain and clear anymore?

Suddenly, a nervous energy came over Arthur Weasley. "Uhm, I have to go, Severus. As much as I'd like to stay and chat…" With that the ministry official hurried down a corridor. Looking after his retreating form, Snape could have sworn that out of the corner of his eyes had had seen an owl swishing by at the end of that hall.

His brow knitted further in confusion. What had that been about?

Shrugging his shoulders, Severus made his way further into the labyrinth of the Ministry. Several intersections later, he turned a corner and suddenly bumped into something solid.

Actually, this something had been hurled against him by pure force of speed. The mumbled curse convinced him that the something was actually a person.

Pushing the person away and drawing his wand was one thing, but then his jaw dropped. "Melina! What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

~~

Comments:

Hermione Gardiner: Thanks…but honestly, that would be telling. I guess, you have to wait a bit.

Liz O'Brien: Something good? Hmmm…we'll see.

Jestana: Oh, I aim to please and if cuteness is demanded…look forward, for what is to come.

Margo Wulfric: Thank you.

Also, thanks to all, who read and didn't review (Shame on you!). Please, take the minute to do so. And please, help me out with a dilemma. Should there be a wedding at the end of this story? And if yes: who should be the happy couple? I've got 4 options and basically can't decide. Thank you all!