Authors note: Sorry I haven't updated anything in a while. I'm struggling for ideas with 'The Poetry of Love' right nowso that why this ones being updated. My dad recently had an operation so I've been playing nursemaid and just haven't had the time to get onto the computer to upload anything. Apologies, I'm gonna try and be reguar with updates now. Hope you enjoy this chapter
Hermione's mind tried to think through the situation logically even though a potentially overwhelming sense of panic was ready to swallow her whole. She could not afford to panic now and become irrational. That would waste time and time right now was precious. They both had to somehow find out how to return to their human bodies else they would eventually be consumed by the animal inside. Hermione couldn't imagine life as a cat and she was sure that Snape couldn't imagine life as a crow. Perhaps a bat but not a crow. At that thought Hermione tried to suppress any laughter as an image of Snape sweeping the corridors like a bat and then suddenly morphing into a bat and settling upside down on the ceiling bulldozed into her mind. The crow Snape titled his head to the side slightly, the dark eyes focusing intently on Hermione. He obviously knew that something was going on in her head that she wasn't sharing. Hermione shook her head and stretched her entire body almost to the point of breaking before crouching down, feeling slightly drained after the action.
Do you have any idea about what we're going to do?Hermione questioned, looking lazily up at Snape from her rather comfortable position on the grass. It no longer seemed as hard as it had when she had first gotten up, but nor was it the soft blanket she had thought when she was returning to consciousness. It was the happy medium between both and certainly more comfortable to her than it would be to Snape. She could feel it with her whole body where he would only be able to feel a few blades stroking his clawed feet attached to thin legs.
We? We are going to do nothing. I will return myself to my body and you, being the birhgtest witch of your age, I'm sure will be able to do the sameSnape's tone was drenched in sarcasm, she could practically hear it dripping from every syllable. It was obvious to Hermione that despite him saving her during the battle, twice, he was still the same Snape who she had thought on more than one occasion really did deserve to go to hell. Hermione was about to retort in the normal manner she would but then she realized something, a very crucial thing that was in her favour for once. For perhaps the only time in her existence, Hermione actually had an advantage, an upper hand over Snape. If she was in her human body she would be smiling like a fool right now. As such, she had to settle for a purr. Snape cawed loudly and attempted to glare at her. The effect wasn't exactly the same as it was in his human body but those eyes were still enough to stop her purring and, if she didn't have this newly discovered advantage, force her into submission of his will.
I think we should go to Hogwarts and find Professor McGonogal. She will know what to do, after all, she's been an animagous for a long time. She was the one who taught me how to transform Hermione thought, her tone the same collected one that she used in her classes. A strange gurgling noise, that sounded rather horrendous to Hermione's sensitive cat ears, came from the crow's throat. Hermione was unsure what the noise meant but as she heard a sound from Snape in her head she realized what was happening. Snape was laughing, at her. Hermione felt irritation rise and she was sorely tempted to leap up from the grass and pounce on Snape. She barely managed to hold herself back from doing it, but that would wait for when she needed it. The concept of her managing to convince Snape to do what she wanted was very slight but Hermione was a firm believer in talking before attacking. Unless, of course, the person you were going to talk with was trying to kill you or something just as horrible. Then attack was the only form of survival.
What's so funny? Hermione questioned, the annoyance at Snape's laughing creeping into her voice. There was a pause and both the gurgling from the crow and Snape's laughter in her head disappeared. She waited, resisting the urge to yawn and roll over on the grass whilst she waited for an answer
The fact that you are stuck in your animagous form is not complementery to Minerva's skills as a teacherHermione leapt to her feet and hissed at the crow. Minerva Mcgonogal was a wonderful teacher and Hermione would not let her and her teaching skills be insulted by the greasy haired dungeon bat in front of her. Except, he wasn't greasy haired (although his feathers did have an odd shine to them that she hadn't seen in a crow). He wasn't even human. He was a crow. He was also stuck in his animagous form like her.
I'd like to point out that this has nothing to do with teaching skills. After all, your stuck as a crow right now and I'm sure that Professor McGonogal didnt teach youHermione retorted, satisfied in a rather smug way when the crow cawed loudly and hopped back from her, once more attempting to glare at her. Hermione wasn't going to allow herself to be intemidated by a man who posed her no threat because he wasn't actually a man, he was a bird. She glared right back at him and began to advance forwards. The crow was silent and still for a moment. Hermione watched carefully and was quite satisfied when she noticed the realization dawning in his eyes. He was no aware of her game, of her advantage.
Now Miss Granger, let us speak of this in a calm, rational way and together we will reach the most logical conclusion. No acting rashly Snape's tone had a slight edge in it and if Hermione didn't know better she would have thought that what she heard was a small note of fear. She stopped and sat on her back legs, attempting to fool Snape into thinking she was considering his proposal. She remained like this for a while, waiting until she saw him relax slightly. Then, with no warning at all she leapt and pounced, claws out and mouth wide open. The crow Snape cawed even louder than before, it was almost like a shriek, and spread his wings, trying to fly away. Hermione was too fast thought and managed to secure one of his wings in her mouth. She clamped her jaw down and heard another, even louder caw, although she was unsure how that could be possible after the last one. He struggled, trying to get away and in return she shook her head rapidly from side to side. She felt rather dizzy as she did it but not as dizzy and as pained as she was sure Snape was feeling
MISS GRANGER! UNHAND ME THIS INSTANCE!Snape's tone was thunderous but Hermione would not concede to his demands. For once, she could have things going her own way where Severus Snape was concerned, and that was exactly what was going to happen.
No! We are going to do things my way for once Professor. We are going to go to Hogwarts and we are going to get help when we get there. It is a school of magic so the answer to this is bound to be there. Hermione pronounced each word perfectly and precisely, relishing the power that she had over one of the Greatest Wizard's she knew. Snape stopped struggling and dropped to the ground, his wing still in Hermione's jaws.
Very well Miss GrangerCame the tried reply. Hermione immediately requested reassurance that when she let him go that he wasn't going to fly off and leave her, that he would stay and they would both go to Hogwarts. Snape didn't give Hermione an answer quick enough for her liking so she pressed her teeth down onto his wing and shook him quickly again. He cawed loudly again
DAMMIT MISS GRANGER! YES! NOW BLOODY LET ME GO! He roared that loudly in her head that she winced and immediately let him go, stepping back. He turned his head to examine the damage she had inflicted on his wing whilst Hermione spat a few feathers out that had come loose in her mouth. When she was finished, she looked over at the crow who was flexing his slightly damaged wing in and out, waving it up and down to see if it would still work. He seemed satisfied that it was ok and that it would work so after quickly arranging the feathers he looked back to Hermione. He took a deep breath, ruffling all the feathers on his body before hopping towards her
Never again Miss Granger, do you hear me? Never again!Snape spat venomously. Hermione cocked her head slightly to the side and spread her front paws out towards him, allowing the claws to come back out again. It was a gesture performed in a rather casual way but the threat in it was clear to both Snape and Hermione.
Follow me then girl. The quicker we get back to Hogwarts and our human bodies, the betterSnape sighed heavily, spreading his wings and preparing for flight. Hermione stretched again and this time yawned, preparing herself to run after Snape as he soared through the sky above her, leading her to Hogwarts. As a bird, he had an aerial view, and so would be able to see where they were better than Hermione. He would guide them both better than she would.
You better not leave me behindHermione threatened, surprised when, instead of ignoring her, Snape answered
I'm not stupid Miss Granger. Minerva would have my hide if I left youHermione purred in response to this, pleased with the knowledge that no one, not even Severus Snape, would cross Minerva McGonogal and risk her wrath. It was true, the sometimes rather intimidating Gryffindor House Head would kill him if he left Hermione behind, three times over because Hermione was a Gryffindor Student but also because she was Hermione Jean Granger. With that Snape flapped his wings and rose from the ground. Hermione watched his progress, waiting for when he started moving away from her. He headed in a westerly direction and as he flew away Hermione bounded after him, eyes altering between watching his progress in the sky above her and watching the ground before her so as to avoid running into any rocks or trees or anything upon the ground. She had a horrible feeling that it was going to be a long trip and she would not enjoy it
I will pay you back for your conduct just there Miss Granger Hermione sighed heavily. She definitely knew she was going to enjoy the trip
