A/N: Very well, we are getting into the hot phase of this story…Did they get out? Did they get caught? And what meaning had this piece of tartan? ….Let's get rolling…
Chapter 28 – The Tide is high
The December morning was grey and foggy in Hogwarts. Snow had yet to come, but the freezing wind made it quite clear that winter was just around the corner. Severus Snape wearily trudged towards the Great Hall to have breakfast. He was not anticipating this event on any other day recently, but this morning, he was especially weary.
Last night's stress had taken its toll on him. The upheaval, caused by the McGonagall's break into the Ministry of Magic, had just been the icing on the cake. His own trip to the Ministry had been worrisome enough.
Sent to 'check' on the minister on the orders of Lord Voldemort, he had been caught in the middle of things. Severus still was not certain who was actually checked, but this journey had at least brought one bit of positive information.
Voldemort's hold on Dumbledore was loosening.
When Melina had bumped into him, Severus had been utterly afraid, though he would never admit it to anyone. This feeling had given way to frenzy, when she had told him that Minerva had left the group to go and see Dumbledore. He had not even dared to think what could happen if she was caught. The incredibility of both schemes had almost been too much to process.
In his emotionally excited state, Melina's farewell kiss had barely registered. Oddly enough, once back in his own bed, this short touch had kept him up for the rest of the night. Grudgingly, Severus had to admit that his feelings for this woman had once again left the realm of hatred and contempt. Instead, there was a deep admiration and liking. Severus didn't dare to call it love yet, for it didn't even remotely come close to what he had witnessed between Albus and Minerva.
The Potions Master gave an incredulous snort. He had been working side by side with them for almost 15 years now, but never had gotten an idea about the depth of their feelings for each other. Last night, however, had been an eye-opener.
Finding Minerva kneeling next to Albus' bed, sobbing her heart out, had been a shocking sight. He had never seen the former Deputy Headmistress so emotional, so out of control. Though he guessed that the strain of the last weeks had finally caught up with her. Still, her countenance was incredible.
Mere seconds later, she had stared him down like a schoolboy. Her goodbye from Albus, however, had been so incredibly tender that their onlooker had felt his heart constrict. How could such a love be doomed?
And still only minutes later, Minerva had transformed into an owl without preamble. That woman was simply an enigma.
While Severus had still been pondering this mystery, the intruder-alarm had gone off, broadcasting that Melina and her companions had been discovered. Of course, Severus immediately returned to the Minister's apartment. Inside, the old wizard had indeed been roused by the noise and felt disoriented by the ruckus. The confusion had quickly transformed into anxiety amidst the ensuing chaos.
If there ever was a disturbing sight, it was to see the mighty Dumbledore losing his wits. Only when the security chief had reported the unseen escape of the intruders, had Albus relaxed. In the aftermath, the former spy found this reaction quite peculiar. Something was not adding up in this.
However, Dumbledore had seemed calm again, until his gaze fell onto the small statue on his nightstand. Severus was shocked and overwhelmed by the raw longing in the older man's voice, when he had uttered only one word, one name: "Minerva."
Dumbledore had caressed the small statue, as if it were the woman herself. "Oh my love, how I miss you."
Suddenly, he looked up and fixed Snape with a hard stare. "She was here."
Severus swallowed. "What do you mean?"
"Blue-golden gown, blue eyes. Minerva was here."
Just as suddenly, the older wizard's face was full of anguish. "She was here and I didn't see her. I didn't even wake up. I should have felt it. She was here and I didn't wake up. I missed the chance to hold her in my arms again." Tears were brimming in his eyes. "Oh my love, what you must think of me."
Snape shook his head inwardly, wondering if this scene was real or if he was dreaming.
"Will she come again, Severus? Will Minerva come back again?"
The younger wizard hurriedly pasted an assuring expression on his face. "I am sure she will. She loves you, doesn't she?"
Dumbledore smiled. "Not as much as I love her. No, adore her. No, love and adore her. We made a promise to love each other until our last breath. And we will. I will." He paused, then became serious again. "Oh my love, my perfect Goddess, I miss you so."
Caressing the small statuesque charm, he suddenly asked. "Is she well? She isn't working too hard?"
Once again, Snape was dumbfound. "I believe so." He managed to grunt out.
"Good."
Dumbledore turned his back to his companion, who took the obvious dismissal literally and left. Upon exiting, he saw his former superior caressing the statue again.
Thinking back, Severus had to admit that Dumbledore was still a far cry from his former self – but at least, he was no longer completely under Voldemort's control. Minerva's star was rising again. If confronted with a choice, Dumbledore might not react to Voldemort's liking.
Voices coming from the corridor leading towards the Grand Staircase shook the Potions Master out of his musings. Though trying to school his face to impassivity, he couldn't suppress the flash of relief upon seeing Xiomara Hooch and Baldur Nipps coming down the hall.
However, Snape's face turned incredulous, they had their arms linked and – of all things to do on a day like this – they were flirting! Their world was tumbling towards doom, a close friend was in mortal danger and they were flirting. Flirting!
"Oh, hello Severus." Mdm. Hooch greeted nonchalantly. Turning to the handsome wizard still holding her arm, she said in a stage whisper. "Don't mind him. Where others have a sense of fun, he has a rock."
Nipps raised an amused eyebrow, while Severus scowled.
"Xiomara, you are simply insufferable at times." Poppy Pomfrey's gently scolding voice came from the right.
"You'd be serious as well, if you had witnessed the things I saw last night. Though I highly doubt you'd be able to comprehend…"
Hooch opened her mouth to protest, but Poppy interrupted. "Will you two stop? It's neither the time nor the place for fighting. Better tell us what happened Severus. Did the Dark Lord call a meeting of his supporters?"
"No, he sent me to the ministry to check on Dumbledore."
"Why?"
"I don't know. Though I believe it was luck he did. I ran into Melina McGonagall."
"Melina?!" Xiomara incredulously exclaimed. "Shht." The others shushed her and in a whisper she continued. "What in Merlin's name was Melina doing there?"
"Apparently, Minerva and Melina managed to drag the Weasleys and Moody into their little scheme to break into the Department of Mysteries and steal a prophecy for Minerva."
"Alastor was with them?" Poppy breathed. "And Minerva went as well?"
"No, Melina sent me to bring Minerva safely out of Albus' apartment."
Poppy covered her mouth with her hand to keep a cry from escaping. "She didn't."
Snape's voice was dripping with sarcastic glee. "Oh, she most certainly did."
"Of all the stupid things…"
"This was probably one of the smarter things to do."
"How so?"
"Because it might have given her a motivation to keep fighting."
"That is a valid point, Baldur. But what if she got caught?"
"She didn't."
"Dumbledore didn't call security?"
"He didn't even wake up. And even if he had, he wouldn't have called them." Doubting faces met Severus's statement. "He loves her. And his love is beginning to overpower whatever hold the Dark Lord has on him."
The four staff members proceeded into the Great Hall in much better spirits. Still, the atmosphere at breakfast could have dampened even the cheeriest mood. Though the promised holidays were less than a week away, laughter and chatter were almost non-existent. Whenever a group raised their voices, one look at the Head table was enough to quiet them down.
The four staff members hurried to their places.
"You are late." The Headmaster hissed.
"I apologize for my tardiness, Headmaster."
"Your visit to the Ministry kept you occupied, I gather."
Severus swallowed. How much did Voldemort know already? How much could he safely tell?
The arrival of hundreds of owls saved him momentarily from an answer. As usual the birds dropped down to their owners, dropping letters, packages and papers.
Only seconds later the first cry rang through the Great Hall. "Oh my God!"
"This can't be!" This shrill voice belonged to Ms. Granger.
"Oh no." Poppy's moan was heard beside him.
Wondering what had caused this upheaval, Snape unfolded his copy of the Daily Prophet and his heart stopped.
The glaring headline – written by none other than Rita Skeeter – shouted in capital letters:
"ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE MINISTER!
MINERVA MCGONAGALL – ASSASSIN!"
Comments:
Drat, I didn't break through the 200 yet…but I will wink
Athena M. Dumbledore: Beg? Grovel?…Well, if you put it that way, how can I resist?
Margo Wulfric: Kudos und mucho cookies to you. Because you are not insane…the Ischia-idea came indeed from Billy Wilder's "Avanti", which is an awesome movie (one of my fave). I hope, I caught the atmosphere somewhat. dances happily around Somebody else knows it…Wheeeeee! And yes, of course the McGonagall-siblings have a lot in common.
Minerva's Quill: Yes, shame on you for not reviewing winks. Thanks for doing so again.
BloodSucker13: Gee, your name always throws me. Is the update fast enough?
Jestana: Questions, questions…I hope to answer them all in time.
Liz O'Brien: Why did I end it there? Because, I'm evil. Lol. I hope, this answered your questions.
HogwartsDuo: There, I gave you the next chapter. Happy now? Uhm…well, apparently the left tartan was not good, I'd say.
So thanks to all, who read and reviewed and thanks to all, who read and didn't review (Shame on you!)…Please do so, now…No, I'm not begging…just asking nicely. grin