CHAPTER 8: My Jealous Best Friend
The first day of school had dawned and everyone was at breakfast. Sabrina, Tabitha, and Padfoot entered the great hall bright eyed and smiling. Tabitha was wearing grey knee length shorts, a black t-shirt, lime green and black trainers and a black robe over it. Her shiny red and blonde curls were in loosely braided pigtails.
Sabrina took her seat next to Umbridge; she was wearing a black skirt and white shirt with a Hogwarts sweater over it along with the Hogwarts tie. Sabrina looked around the staff table and spotted Minerva and Albus laughing at a joke that professor Flitwick had cracked while Minerva served some baked apples to Albus. They seemed so much like a married couple it was obvious that they even loved each other; the weird part was why they never wanted each other to know. Sabrina's eyes wandered toward the Gryffindor table where she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione discussing something with the daily prophet in Hermione's hand while Seamus Finnegan looked disgustedly at them and Neville tried to get into their conversation. Fred and George winked at her and gave her a thumbs up for her first day as she smiled back and waved lightly at them.
"You're an auror aren't you dear?" Dolores asked Sabrina politely in her honey voice.
"Yes," replied Sabrina bluntly.
"So your Jane Smith's daughter," Dolores asked again.
"Yes, that is what I have been told," replied Sabrina.
"Oh I knew your mother; she taught transfiguration before Minerva did," said Dolores trying to strike a conversation with Sabrina.
"She and Albus were in the same year at Hogwarts and they taught your Aunts your mother was the oldest amongst all the sisters probably 27 when your Aunt Minerva was 17 she was the youngest teacher of Hogwarts. Brilliant woman; sadly she only taught me in my last year," said Dolores.
"Maybe I can get this one on my side." thought Dolores. Sabrina knew what she was thinking and she only rolled her eyes.
"If you're a part of the Indian Ministry then I'm sure you've heard that our Ministry is trying to merge with yours so I'm sure you'd love to help them…"said Dolores but she was cut by Sabrina's bitter answer.
"I don't wish to be a mascot for your Ministry if that is what you are implying! Oh and just to let you in on some information; I got a letter from the Indian Ministry yesterday saying that they need all their aurors updated on the last forms of defense because seemingly they believe what Mr. Potter and Professor Dumbledore are... according to you... ranting about and sincerely I stand by my Ministry. I'll warn you something about me professor, I have a temper like Tabitha's it's just that I'm ready to display it publicly more than she is," snapped Sabrina madly as she walked towards the exit. Tabitha smirked at Umbridge and nodded her head at the woman as she followed Sabrina; Padfoot running wildly behind her.
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Tabitha had fifth year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw as her first class so she decided to take them to the heart of the forbidden forest; of course the chances of them getting lost were negligible since they had Padfoot along with them .
"Now people, I suggest you be very quiet," she said as she shifted a few bushes to reveal a lake.
A family of unicorns was drinking water at that lake. Tabitha reached out to the male one very carefully, the unicorn trusted her and indicated safety to his family.
"Sadly only girls get to touch them you see they only trust the feminine touch," Tabitha explained giggling as the baby unicorn licked her hand after eating the carrot she had offered him.
The girls throughly enjoyed the lesson while the boys slumped and watched from a corner. After a while Tabitha and Padfoot got the troop back outside the forest and Padfoot started playing tag with some girls who were reluctant to come back.
"Alright then great lesson and since it's your first day no home work now get going your next class is in five minutes," said Tabitha happily as everybody cheered and cleared out.
"They're so easy to please," Tabitha sighed looking down at Padfoot as he was trying to scratch his ear.
"Awe, Are you itchy?" asked Tabitha scratching Padfoot's ear for him. The dog beat his leg on the ground as he fell against her.
"Better?" She asked kissing his nose, he licked her face nodding.
"Ewe, Furball don't try to kiss me when you're a dog," said Tabitha giggling. Padfoot barked and rubbed agaisnt her as she hugged his neck and the next class started filing down the steps.
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In the dungeons...........
Sabrina had fourth year Gryffindors and Slytherins as her first class, Severus was sitting at the end of the class at a desk writing in a journal.
"O.k. everyone settle down, there are 3 rules when I teach....
Rule 1- No using prefixes like professor, ma'am, teacher etc. call me Sabrina or Rina. You do not speak when I am teaching or cut me off when I am talking to you.
Rule 2- No using your wand in my class unless I ask you too and no dueling in my class or before my class cause if you get hurt before class it's to bad for you because I will not allow you to go to the Hospital Wing before my class gets over of course if its serious your allowed.
Rule 3- If you blow up your cauldron, you clean up the mess you create- without magic please.
Also you will not be getting homework or detention in my class that is unless you have done something drastic.
Alright then let's get cooking," Sabrina finished clapping her hands together.
Severus sneered from the back of the silent class and shook his head.
"I would prefer teaching with you absent in my class Severus so why don't you Get Lost and make your presence felt somewhere else," hissed Sabrina angrily.
Severus only stared at her; he knew she was only removing her frustration from her conversation with Dolores that morning.
"What? Do you need me to call the Ministry mascot or aurors? Don't you understand? Get Out of my class now!" shouted Sabrina fiercely at him.
Severus nodded and left, he didn't want to argue with her not when she was so mad.
The Gryffindors really enjoyed the lecture but Slytherines' slumped a bit although they too couldn't deny that Sabrina was professional at whatever she was teaching.
However; Sabrina felt extremely guilty after shouting at Severus. After class she tried finding him everywhere that day but he seemed to have disappeared.
Later after dinner she found him in the deserted staff room at around nine in the night dozing next to the open window on his favorite chair in the corner.
He had discarded his robes and he was sleeping in a white shirt and black pants. He had tied up his hair into a small ponytail and had a little stubble.
He looked really handsome if one saw him from up front.
Sabrina lightly stroked his cheek and he woke up with a jerk removing his wand.
"Oh it's only you," he said lightly pocketing his wand.
Sabrina saw a red patch on his arm as he bent to pick up the book he had been reading before.
"Sev what happened," She asked shocked and started to heal his arm.
"Nothing it's just a cut," replied Severus.
"A very deep one," said Sabrina applying some healing potion on the cut from the staff storage.
"The dark lord was extreme angry about something today, so he punished everyone though Lucius got most of the crucio," said Severus darkly looking at his wound as it sealed up.
"It'll be better now you'll see," said Sabrina kissing the wound as it healed. Severus smiled back at her but she started crying.
He was shocked with her sudden outburst so he took her into his arms.
"It's just a cut you know I'm not dead." he said trying to soothe her by drawing small circles on her back.
"You could have been and ...and I was so bloody rude to you in the morning. I'm so sure you already hate me but I swear Sev I didn't mean it I just lost control. I swear I didn't mean anything," she sobbed into him. He forced her to look at him.
"Awe, woman how many times do I have to tell you not to waste priceless things like these. I don't even know why you bring them out they don't suit your face at all," he said wiping her tears and kissing her passionately. She responded readily.
"Should we go down to the kitchen for dinner I'm hungry and I'm sure you haven't eaten either," Severus smiled kissing her lightly. He nodded and he stood walking out of the door and towards the kitchens with her.
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A month passed and Tabby and Rina had adjusted well. Both with their classes and thier beaus. The students particularly enjoyed Sabrina finding Snape much more tolerable. The children thought Tabby was border line Trelawney seeing as how she spent so much time with that dog of hers. Some rumors had started that the dog was even sleeping with her; which of course was ridiculous and a well placed tantrum from the Professor silenced them quickly about that.
It was a Saturday afternoon and the girls were spending some quality time with thier aunt while Padfoot was at Grimmuald Place and Snape was with him.
"Aunt who's this?" asked Sabrina trying to recall the 17 year old boy holding her 17 year old aunt.
She and Tabitha were looking at some pictures of their mothers and Minerva.
"I know him too but I can't recall?" said Tabitha pulling the picture closer. Something was nagging her and she knew with the right word the name would come to her. It always did.
But Minerva snatched it and threw it into the trunk causing the girls to raise their eyebrows.
"So Tabby where's Sirius ?" asked Minerva trying to change the topic.
"Oh he and Severus are doing something at Grimmuald Place. They would tell us what and Severus seemed to like the idea what ever it was," said Tabitha.
"You left them alone?" exclaimed Minerva in shocked.
"Of course not; I owled Remus to pop in on them so they don't kill each other. Though lately they seem to be getting along fairly well," replied Tabitha wisely.
"Oh I wait I remember the guy in the picture now! He came with to our ministry of course he looked much older than the picture but he came to report about his baggage getting robbed by some muggle or something! Don't you remember Tabby I mimicked him on the web cam for you; it was hilarious Aunt you should have seen it. He comes into the auror department to report about some luggage robbery, and we had to actually throw him out of the department because he was so reluctant to go to the 3rd floor where the department for tourist wizards and witches is," Sabrina recalled laughing at the memory.
"Oh yea I remember his name now Rina umm… What was it umm… oh yes Dennis ….Dennis….." said Tabitha trying to recall.
"Dennis Milestone." interjected Minerva looking sadly at the photo she took back out of the trunk.
"I loved him in my seventh year and we were almost engaged but then he cheated on me. He slept with...Dol...With someone from my year, he tried to explain but why would I listen to an explanation when I saw what happened in front of my eyes. He slept with one of my best friends, " sighed Minerva almost in tears.
Tabitha looked at Sabrina who made a sad face and they both hugged their aunt.
"Don't worry Aunt we're here for you. You'll never be alone; we promise," said Tabitha kissing her aunt's cheek.
"Yeah if I had known I would have beat his ass for you," Said Sabrina sweetly kissing Minerva's cheek.
"I'm so glad you're both here with me," said Minerva crying into Tabitha as Sabrina hugged her back.
The next day at breakfast Sabrina told Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva's best friend, that she wanted to know who the person her aunt's ex slept with was.
"You must promise me you won't kill that person because she is sitting within us," replied Poppy.
Sabrina looked around the staff table, thinking of whom it could be but she nodded to what Poppy had asked her.
"It was Dolores Umbridge," said Poppy sadly.
"What??" Tabitha gasped choking on her juice as she heard those words. She had been listening covertly as she watched the students. Lucikly there weren't that many that morning so they didn't notice Tabitha's outburst.
"Well you see Dolores, Minerva, myself, Rolanda Hooch, and Pomona Sprout were best friends at school. We had a whole group though we never really liked Dolores. Minerva was always friendly with Dolores though. Minerva tries to be nice with everyone at first. I even told Minerva once that Dolores was only using her but she never believed me. Then on graduation day after the celebration Dennis parted earlier from Minerva after asking her to marry her and no one knew where he went. When we were heading upstairs to our dormitories we saw them, well making out, Minerva saw everything and we couldn't even hide anything from her. She was heartbroken and she has not dated since then. Of course your mothers helped her out of her depression and Angelica being an auror did try getting Dennis arrested but she couldn't so she beat him up herself. Something you might not know about your biological mother Tabitha."
Tabitha had a truly demented glint in her eye at this revelation that only Sabrina noticed as Poppy continued.
"But it still didn't make much off a big difference. After all it was done and couldn't be corrected; though when Minerva confronted Dolores she told Minerva that she was below her feet and that they were only friend's so that she could use her," completed Poppy sighing.
Sabrina was red with fury and she was looking at Dolores like she was a piece of vermin. Tabitha was mad as well and she wished she was thinking of all the ways she could kill Dolores.
Rat posion is good for a rat. No maybe a good old fashion shotgun. No better! Better is I'll put her in a vat with sharks! Yes the perfect way to.... In the miffle of her silent rant Tabitha's sharp eyes caught sight of Minerva and Albus as they were chatting. Suddenly fascinating she started observing their reactions between the other. As she was staring at them Minerva hit Albus on his arm playfully and Tabitha knew he had teased her seeing her Aunt blush crimson. Minerva looked so beautiful with that blush on her face.
"Well at least whatever happened, happened for good, After all if she had married Dennis she wouldn't know she loves Albus more than the rat," Tabitha mused quietly to not draw to much attention. Sabrina heard this and her temper calmed as she two saw the smiles on their faces.
"Yes your quite right Tabitha," said Poppy looking at Albus and Minerva.
"You see Albus had always loved Minerva since the time they had met each other in her fifth year though people thought Albus was perfect for Jane. They were the same age after all. But Sabrina's mother and Albus were more like siblings. He has always loved Minerva and we knew it at the time. Everytime we saw him looking at her we knew; but I guess he was scared of Jane not approving of him. The McGonagall sisters were extremely close," Poppy stated.
"So what is he afraid of now?" asked Sabrina biting into her toast.
"I don't know dear he's just very gentlemanly but I can assure he does flirt," laughed Poppy as the two girls smiled on. As she gave a piece of jam and toast to Padfoot; whose head was in her lap, a quite brillant and devious plan began to form in Tabitha's pretty little head.
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At lunch Minerva decided to confront Umbridge about Harry's cruel detention. Tabitha and Albus were having lunch together in his office that day; while Severus and Sabrina were in the dungeons brewing up some new potion.
"Just what exactly are you implying?" asked Dolores cunningly.
"I am not implying anything I'm merely requesting that when it comes to my students you prescribe to the given disciplinary practices," Minerva said bluntly.
"Seems like you are questioning my authority in my own class room, Minerva?" said Dolores taking a step above Minerva on the staircase they were standing on so that she looked taller than Minerva.
"Not at all Dolores only your mid-evil (medieval) methods," said Minerva taking a step up so that she was taller than Dolores again she looked elegant with that flush of anger on her face.
"I...am sorry dear but to question my practices is to question the ministry and to question the ministry is to question the minister himself. I am a tolerant woman ...but the one thing I cannot tolerate Is – disloyalty," said Dolores indignantly.
"Disloyalty!" Repeated Minerva softly.
Minerva turned around to see the student body had gathered around to see what the commotion had been all about.
Dolores turned to face the student body.
"Hogwarts is worst then I feared Cornelius will want to take immediate action!" said Dolores pushing her shoulders back. She stomped off to her office.
Minerva left for Albus' office frustrated and mad. She didn't know why she was heading there but her mind was only giving her one response 'Go and find Albus to talk to. He'll make everything better.' The students dispersed not long after and Harry gave his friends a worried look.
In Albus's office he and Tabitha were discussing about her animagus talents.
"What are your forms?" asked Albus.
"I'm a multi animagus actually. I have two forms, one is registered, the other I have yet to register. I'm thinking no one knowing about it will come in handy," said Tabitha chewing on her quiche.
"Interesting. And what are they?" Albus asked.
"The registered one is a raven. The unregistered is well....actually that one I'd rather show you," said Tabitha proudly as Sirius' snoring made them turn to him. He had changed into his human form in Albus's office for he knew it was safe there.
"He's much better in his animagus but I do miss his human form sometimes," said Tabitha looking dreamily at Sirius who snored loudly.
"Sometimes." she said disgustedly.
Albus chuckled and stood gently taking her tray from her. "Care to thrill the old man?"
"It would be my pleasure to give you a heart attack," she smiled sweetly before a black jaguar tackled him to the ground and was staring into his blue eyes.
Just as Tabitha did this Minerva burst open the doors of the office. She took one look and screamed loudly pointing her wand and shooting a stunning spell at the creature. The large cat was thrown off of Albus and hit a book shelf as Sirius jumped out of sleep into his animagus form and started barking loudly. Albus seemed to be very calm as he sat up; it seemed that he was very use too Minerva's sudden entrances in his office.
"Albus!? What?"
"Pickles in a hand basket what the bloody hell Aunt!?" Tabitha groaned as she stood up rubbing her head.
"I was getting a presentation of your niece's gifts," Albus explained sitting up.
"Oh," Minerva said lamely pocketing her wand.
"Now what has this big Tabby in such a state she would attack her little Tabby?" Albus asked. (Though the contradiction of that was funny to Albus; he kept his mouth shut)
Minerva's fear and confusion evaporated and her anger returned. "I swear if that Umbridge woman ever crosses me again I swear I'll hex her into the next millennium," hissed Minerva like an angry cat.
"Minerva please calm down, Tabitha why don't you offer your Aunt some tea?" said Albus changing his course of conversation from Minerva to Tabitha. Tabitha nodded and fixed a cup offering it to the professor. Minerva accepted the cup and Padfoot thought it funny both the cup and she were fuming.
"Albus sorry to intrude but I was wondering if you could lend me …that…book…" asked Sabrina as her sentence become softer in the ending when she noticed the unfriendly environment and the heated and angry vibes coming out of her Aunt.
"Who short circuited your brain?" Exclaimed Sabrina funnily. Minerva only glared at her to shut up.
"Headmaster a word in private please," said Dolores commandingly from the door way of the office glaring at Minerva who glared back at her.
"Yes of course," said Albus following Dolores into his study closing the door behind him.
Sabrina sat down in a chair closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on something else.
"Sabrina Penny Smith you will not enter Albus's head," warned Minerva. But Sabrina was too stubborn to listen.
"Sabrina stop that this instant," commanded Minerva.
"What's going on in there?" asked Tabby excitedly.
Sabrina entered Albus's mind and she could hear Umbridge saying something.
"Sabrina this is not a very appropriate time to march into my brain," said Albus's first thought bubble.
The bubble hit Sabrina in the head and pushed her out of his head.
"Damn it he pushed me out," said Sabrina.
"Well then get into Umbridge's head," said Tabitha eagerly.
"Ewe!" cribbed Sabrina.
"Just do it Rina! I'm a bloody cat my curisoity is peaking here. Afterwards I'll ibliviate you if you wish," said Tabitha. Sabrina seemed to ponder this.
"All right," she nodded closing her eyes as Tabby sat on the arm of her chair. Incidentaly the girls and perched themselves in ALbus' chair.
"No girls don't do this!" exclaimed Minerva pleadingly.
"Shhhhhh…..I need to concentrate," said Sabrina shushing Minerva.
Sabrina entered Dolores's head to be hit by a thought bubble showing pink fuzzy cats hissing at her, another thought bubble showing her kissing fudge and then the present scene unfolded in front of her.
"So Albus as I was saying, you see I was promoted to High Inquisitor of Hogwarts just this hour. You see since you are headmaster it is pretty obvious that I can tell Cornelius to make me Headmistress but I don't wish for that post. I wish for the post of Deputy," said Dolores.
Sabrina transferred all the information across the room to her cousin and aunt.
Tabby hissed like a cat as Minerva looked close to tears. Angry or sad was anyone's guess.
"Why do you think I'd promote you?" asked Albus curiously.
"Well, I could give you much more than Minerva could offer," said Dolores flirting with him discarding her outer robes.
"Bloody hell, she's all over him, but wait he pushed her away," said Sabrina transferring the information she had just received.
"What?" exclaimed Minerva standing next to Tabby.
Tabby was chanting to herself, "Please be Albus Darling, please be Albus Darling." It meant she hoped Albus would stay true to Minerva.
"Dolores please that is not what I meant, I'm not promoting you! I'm very satisfied with Minerva's work I will not give up Minerva for you," said Albus annoyed at her.
"Alright Albus don't promote me. I think I just need you," Dolores exclaimed eagerly.
"I can't, I love someone else and I will not betray her. Not for a toad like you; not for this whole world," replied Albus walking away from Dolores.
Suddenly Sabrina jumped from Dolores's head into Albus's and this time she was allowed in.
The first memory she came across was of about a 35 year old Albus joking with a 25 year old Minerva and that bloke who owned Hogshead. There was another woman there too who looked a lot like Tabby. She was wearing an auror robe while another woman who looked like Sabrina was standning by her. Both beauties were with their husbands. The group were chatting and laughing happily as Minerva's sisters gave nods and looks to their husbands who nodded and gave looks to the barman who also nodded in agreement as they watched Albus and Minerva flirt.
Suddenly a small thought bubble burst near Sabrina's ear. "Yes Dolores I know you can't believe that I love someone but I love your ex best friend and I can't deny it any longer."
Then Sabrina heard Albus's angry voice. "Sabrina Smith get out of my head this instant."
Sabrina left his mind and looked at her Aunt and cousin. "He's mad. I'm out of here," she said dashing out of the room.
She entered Tabby's head as she left and told her what she had seen and both had agreed they'd have to talk with Albus. But first Tabby need to calm Minerva.
"At least we know he said no," Tabitha shrugged taking her Aunt's hand, "Come on...I know just the thing to relax you."
"What?" Minerva asked letting the witch lead her out of the office.
"A bubble bath with my own aromatherapy bubble bath potion. It's guareenteed to make your hair shiner, your skinner softer, and calm all your nerves," Tabby replied.
"Sounds too good to be true," Minerva sighed.
"Trust me you'll love it," Tabbitha smiled sweetly.
Yes; Tabby and Sabrina would be having a long talk with Albus. And Tabby would have to rush her plan for sure. But first things first....She would prove how Slytherin she really was.