Chapter 7: A Beautifully Wicked Witch

"You're not taking the dog into the dinner are you?" Severus asked as he, Sabrina, Tabitha, and several other professors stood in the teachers' private entrance/sitting area. They were just straightening up before they entered the Great Hall.

"I most certainly am," Tabitha stated again flinging her curls over her shoulder, "You don't seem to realize that Furball has been with me for years. He's the only true love I've ever had."

Sabrina giggled at the story her cousin had so easily come up with for the others to know.

After all; Albus had not wanted all the teachers to know about Sirius.

"A dog is your true love?" Severus said deadpanned.

"He's more than a dog. Furball can do loads of tricks and is the sweetest creature in existence. What more could a girl ask for?" Tabitha smiled as Sirius barked happily and nipped lightly at her fingers. Severus rolled his eyes as he opened the door for the others to enter.

"No wait!" Minerva shouted as she and Albus entered the room.

"For what?" Rolanda asked.

"Tabitha and Sabrina have to be sorted. Any new member of staff that should not have been a former student at Hogwarts has to be sorted," Minerva said holding the hat.

"I'm first!" Tabitha shouted as she hopped beside Minerva. Albus' eyes twinkled brightly as he saw Tabitha's eagerness and heard Minerva's laughter. That laughter which was the sound he loved most.

The hat went on Tabitha's shiny head and the dog cocked its head to the side curious what someone like Tabby would be.

"No question or doubt to this headmaster. She's devious and determined. She's a SLYTHERIN!" the hat answered.

Tabitha gave the hat to Sabrina smirking, "I told you so."

"Yeah whatever," she rolled her eyes and placed the hat on her head. The hat sat there for some time before looking at Albus again.

"Hard to place. She's not as determined and devious as the other. She's courageous and willful; and in the end she is a GRYFFINDOR!" the hat replied.

"A snake and lion," Filius pondered, "a formidable pair."

"I see great chaos in their wake. The castle will not stand!" Trelawney exclaimed shuffling her cards.

"Oh please," Tabitha rolled her eyes, "you are an old bugged eye bat without a lick of sense. Sober up and get a clue," Tabitha snapped pulling on Padfoot's chain making him follow her through to the teachers' table.

"And that is the Aunt Minerva influence," Sabrina laughed as she pulled Severus with her.

Minerva left before anyone said anything and went to get the first years.

Severus sat on Albus' left with Sabrina by him. Tabitha sat by Sabrina with Padfoot's chain tied around her chair leg. The dog sat quietly with his head in her lap smiling a doggy smile as her limber fingers ran over his soft fur.

The three were chatting with each other when the chair beside Tabitha scrapped; indicating someone sat down. They turned and they all blinked as there sat in all her toady pink glory…Dolores Jane Umbridge.

Tabitha turned again and for a few seconds Severus and Sabrina were bombarded with Tabitha's internal scream of rage. It very nearly made them wish they weren't Legeminsists.

Of course it was then the sorting started and then the feast. Tabitha picked at her food giving most of it to Padfoot under the table.

"My dear it's not sanitary to feed animals at the table," Dolores replied looking over at the girl. The Ministry Official found the girl's low cut robes quite unprofessional.

"He's had a bath. He's cleaner than most people I know," Tabitha replied continuing to eat her dinner. Dolores blinked at the woman before turning back to her dinner.

Harry was chatting with Ron and Hermione during the desert when Albus called attention to start his speech.

"Welcome new and returning students to another year at Hogwarts!" Albus smiled to polite applause.

"Now there is a new list in each common room on band items by Mr. Flitch and please note that the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden. Also please welcome Professor Sabrina Smith who will be assisting Professor Snape with Potions. She will be teaching the first through fourth years," Albus smiled.

Sabrina stood and nodded as the students clapped. She sat back down allowing Albus to continue.

"We also must remember to welcome Professor Tabitha Reynolds as she will be filling in for Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."

Tabitha did not stand for the dog's head was still in her lap; she merely saluted and smirked causing a few students to laugh.

"We also welcome Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge as Defense Professor," Albus added. Umbridge smiled picking up her purse.

"Now I also want to…"

"Hem hem," a sickly sweet voice replied.

A murmur went amongst the students as their heads whipped around. The teachers looked murderous. No on had ever interrupted Albus' speech before. It simply wasn't done.

"Thank you headmaster for the kind words. And I'm sure we'll all be getting along marvelously soon," Umbridge stated as she walked along the dais.

Sabrina was holding Severus' hand under the table as she listened to the boring speech. From reading the books she could say it verbatim. As her mind wondered her eyes caught sight of Tabitha gripping her fork so tight her knuckles were turning white and Sabrina was quite sure the girl's manicured nails were piercing her tan skin.

"I'm here to insure that you…"

"Forgive me professor but I do not believe I understand correctly. Perhaps it is because I am a simple Scottish/American witch so correct me if I'm wrong," Tabitha started standing and coming around the table with the chain leash in her hands. She stood by the Professor and Harry noticed that while they were the same height…it was like watching a toad and cat they were so different.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds as if the Ministry is plotting to take over the school. Now I know I must understand wrong for the governors run the school and the Ministry is not affiliated with the castle…although governors can easily be manipulated as can the Ministry. Am I right or wrong?" Tabitha asked with a wicked smirk.

"I…I…but…that's not what I meant," Umbridge stammered.

"Well I suggest you return to the table and decide what you mean so we simple minded people can understand. I don't take kindly to diviners and I don't take kindly to double talking politicians. So next time you wish to address something you better be able to back it up!" Tabitha replied. A cheer rose above the crowd as she nodded and gracefully left the room.

Dolores returned to her seat speechless as Albus finished his speech and allowed the students to finish their dessert. Sabrina and Severus smirked on.

"You were brilliant! Bloody Brilliant!" Sirius exclaimed as he transformed back into himself as soon as she shut the door to her rooms on the Professors' Hall.

Tabitha turned around to speak and found herself pushed against the door with Sirius' lips hungrily devouring hers. Tabitha moaned softly as her eyes closed and she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer as their tongues waged a battle of wills.

They broke apart when the need for air was too great and stood panting with their heads touching. A knock at the door broke the enchantment and she was released as a brown dog leapt onto the couch. Tabitha inhaled and exhaled deeply before she opened the door to fine Severus and Sabrina grinning at her. She momentarily ignored the fact Severus never looked that excited and happy.

"That was great I can't believe you do that!" Sabrina exclaimed entering the room and hugging her cousin.

"Thanks…I thought you two had rooms in the dungeons," Tabitha laughed twirling one of her curls around her fingers.

"We do; we just wanted to congratulate you. That display was far more Minerva than I've ever seen. You are definitely her niece…you could even be her daughter. Well both of you could," Severus stated looking at Sabrina.

"Thank you for that. Um….I'll see you in the morning," Tabitha replied.

"Oh yes tomorrow," Sabrina laughed seeing the dog on the couch, "Late in the morning."

"Very late," Tabitha nodding her head to Severus. Sabrina blushed as she pulled Severus down the hall.

Tabitha shut the door and smiled as Sirius transformed back. She sat in his lap on the couch and wrapped her arms around him.

"No where were we?" she teased.

"OH I remember my beautifully wicked witch," Sirius smiled as their lips locked again.

Minerva and Albus were up in his quarters playing chess.

"I still can't believe it. Tabitha was always so sweet and quiet. She'd never do anything like that!" Minerva exclaimed.

"She's got a temper like yours I suppose," Albus chuckled taking a pawn.

"Albus this isn't funny. She could get in serious trouble," Minerva exclaimed.

"Minerva I don't think it will bother her. She can obviously handle herself. She fits that old saying perfectly," he smiled at her.

"What saying?" Minerva asked staring deeply into his eyes.

"Don't judge a book by its cover," Albus replied.

"What?" Minerva asked quirking an eyebrow.

"On the surface Tabitha is a shy, quiet, beautiful, yet timid young woman. Inside she's brilliant, wise, witty, and packs quite a bite to her as we have just witnessed. By the way…what is her animagus form?" Albus asked.

"I've never seen it," Minerva shook her head.

"Hmm…I think I should like to see it. Maybe it would be of use." He pondered allowed.

"Checkmate," Minerva said standing, "I'll tell her in the morning. Sleep well dear."

"You too sweetheart," Albus nodded picking up the chess set.

The two blinked as Minerva turned and Albus lifted his head.

"I…"

"Uh…" they both shook their heads as Minerva left the office shutting the door behind her billowing robes.