#snitten

“You insufferable, arrogant…”

Well shit! This time he really managed it. He brought Minerva McGonagall to her limit. Ever since Snape started teaching at Hogwarts, he wondered how much it would take for Minerva to fully lose it. Because no matter how many boundaries he overstepped, that woman always managed to stay put. The witch would simply purse her lips, say something flat and leave.

But this time her head turned dangerously red, and the insults just seem to keep spilling out of her mouth. Apparently, all it takes to bring that vicious side out of her, is to question her ability to keep an order in her office. An odd reason to snap, Snape thinks. But perhaps this was simply the last drop it took after the potion master purposely tried to enrage her over the last two weeks.

It started as an experiment. He was bored and curious. But now that he reached his goal Snape feels suddenly very ashamed of himself. He respects Minerva with his whole heart. She’s been a mentor to him over these past years, almost like a mother. And here he is, purposely hurting the elder witch simply to satisfy his own curiosity like a silly child.

He opens his mouth to apologize but Minerva merely raises a forbidding hand while her other hand clenches dangerously around her wand. She rambles on about how respectless he behaved these past days and Snape is sure that she’s about to hex him. His own hand finds his wand within his robes on instinct. And he’s right. Within seconds the woman raises her wand and fires of a wordless spell in his direction.

The wizard is fast enough to block it, but the spell hits the large mirror in the corner of Minerva’s office and reflects it right back at him, hitting him in the chest. A weird feeling spreads where the spell hit. Suddenly the room starts to spin, and every piece of furniture becomes much larger. Snape has to look up to see the smug smile on Minerva’s face. Has she shrunk him?

The wizard also registers many new smells and sounds. It’s like his senses are on overdrive. Suddenly Snape realizes that he’s on all forth and looks down to see he has paws instead of hands and feet. His head turns to the mirror. If his normal sunken face would be reflected, it would have been paler than usual, but instead, he sees a black cat looking back, mimicking his actions.

The shock was apparent on the cats’ face and Minerva couldn’t stop herself from chuckling. “Well finally you get what you deserve, Severus” She says “Remember when you said that I couldn’t even manage a simple transformation spell last Monday? Well, there you go.” The witch turns to walk around her desk, sits down and starts fondling a bunch of parchment before shooting an amused smile at Snape.

“If you think you’re so much better at everything than me, then I suggest you try to turn back into your human form by yourself. I mean, I wouldn’t want to mess it up.” Minerva is well aware that it’s almost impossible for a non-Animagus to simply transform back without being able to wave a wand or say the spell. But that’s exactly the point. She recognized the game Severus was playing lately and he definitely needs to learn his lesson. Let him wander around like a cat in the castle for a while. Gives him time to think!

Snape tried to argue but nothing, but a pathetic meow leaves his throat. Minerva seems pretty pleased with herself. “Go on.” She says waving him off, “You may leave now!”

What? She does not really expect him to leave in this state! Snape lets another annoyed meow escape his throat before slinking towards Minerva’s desk. The soft pads of his paws feel weird on the hard stone floor and his movements are silent even though he’s trying to stomp with rage.

With a light swoosh Snape manages to land in front of Minerva on top of her desk. He hisses at her, his tail swaying nervously behind him. Strange how natural it feels to use that new body part. “Oh no, no, no! Such a bad little kitty.” Minerva mocks him “C’mon now. Shoo!” She gestures him to move off her table, but he won’t budge. She just has to transform him back, right now!

A loud knock sounds at the door and soon Dumbledore enters the room. Thank the Gods, Snape thinks. At least someone reasonable enough in this castle to help him out of his pathetic state. Dumbledore’s eyes twinkle as he scans the Situation in front of him. Snape scrambles to his feet, or paws, and almost runs towards the elder Wizard calling “Help me, headmaster!”, but the other man hears merely a strangled growl.

“Got yourself a new friend, I see.” Dumbledore calls and bends down to give the cat a little scratch behind his ears. The cat hisses at him and takes a few steps back. “Not a friendly one” he muses. “Where did you find it, Minerva?”

“Oh, I saw him right outside the castle and took him in. We have so many cats here, I thought one more stray wouldn’t matter anyway.” She said with the most innocent voice she could muster, and Snape shoots her a vicious glare.

The old wizard chuckles. “You always had a heart for strays, didn’t you?” He can’t be serious right now. Snape lets out a frustrated growl, but the sound leaving his body sounds almost cute.

“You know, Minerva,” Dumbledore leans down again and grabs the cat before it can escape. He cradles it in his arms and starts scratching its head. Involuntarily, a low rumble leaves Snapes throat. He’s purring. “This cat reminds me of someone.”

“Oh really?” Minerva doesn’t look up from the assignment she started marking, feigning innocents.

 “Doesn’t it remind you of a certain dungeon bad?” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkle as he shoots Minerva an amused look. He knows, Snape thinks hopefully. His hand doesn’t stop scratching and the cat can’t stop purring. It just feels so nice, damn it!

“Well, now that you mentioned it, I can see the resemblance.” She smiles “Maybe Severus would be interested in this Cat. As far as I can remember, he doesn’t have any pets.” Minerva’s eyes find Snape’s and a hiss escapes him.

“What a wonderful Idea!” Dumbledore exclaims. He sets the cat back on the floor and makes his way to the door, already leaving the office.

“Albus?” Minerva calls and Dumbledore turns to face her once more. “Why did you stop by again?” The headmaster chuckles. “Oh right. I just thought I heard something off in here. Thought I should take a look. But apparently everything here is just perfectly fine.”

The old wizard shoots the cat a very amused look and winks at Minerva.

 “Well then, Have a nice evening.”

Dark clouds fill the high ceiling of the great hall, reflecting the weather of the windy autumn raging outside. The clouds look as if they would burst at any moment and rain down an incredible amount of water. An unpleasant feeling if you look too long. In contrast, the hall, whose walls reflect the great laughter of the children and the serious conversations of the teachers, looks like a place of bliss.

As always, the tables are set with a wide variety of dishes, from roast with rosemary potatoes to fish with vegetables. You have taken your usual place between Minerva McGonagall and Pomona Sprouts and are following the herbology teacher's exciting story. Pomona has an incredibly amusing way of telling the most humdrum story in such a way that you can't stop laughing, and under normal circumstances you would have fallen under the table laughing at her story about another student fainting while repotting mangroves, but today your mind is on someone else. You noticed the absence of the potion master a few minutes ago. Professor Snape was usually seated on the far end of the staff table. From your position you normally could discreetly take a look at him before blushingly lowering your head again. You’ve been crushing over the dungeon bat since the first day you started teaching at Hogwarts.

There was something about that black cladded man that has your heart racing double time. His high cheekbones, deep onyx eyes and wonderfully hooked nose… You love his appearance. Though it’s not conventionally attractive, there’s certainly an appeal to it. But it’s not just that. There is just something about him in a way that gets you all swooning. The way he commands a room simply by entering it. The way his black robes flatter behind him in this majestic, mysterious way. His intelligence, his dry sarcasm, his voice, his hands. Oh, Gods his hands –

“Are you quite alright, dear?” You turn to see a look of concern plastered all over Minerva’s face. A deep blush settled on your cheeks; you were totally lost in thoughts there for a second. “Ah yes. Just… ehm…a mild headache.” You gave her a weak smile and she lets it go resuming eating and engaging in another story with her colleague.

The most embarrassing part about your crush is that Professor Snape never even noticed you. You barely exchanged a word with him before and when you did try to engage a conversation with him, his answers would always be short, clipped and sometimes even dismissing. It’s quite obvious that this behavior is partly just who he simply is. But you often witnessed him talking to Minerva. Their conversations always seem light and easy going. Snape likes the elder witch, and you just can’t help but feel jealous about that. You know that he wouldn’t possibly harbor romantic feelings towards her, but still; you would give up your right hand simply to talk to him once like they do. So, you just settled to swoon over him from a distance. Which today, due to his absence, is impossible.

A light frown settles on your features. You noticed some time ago that he has a habit of skipping meals sometimes, but it doesn’t mild your disappointment. Pomona catches your distraction and follows your eyes to the empty seat on the other side of the table.

“Severus skipping meals again?” She asks. “Too bad. I was hoping to catch up with him about some herbs he needed from my greenhouse.” Minerva suddenly chokes on her meal, coughing frantically. She takes a sip from her goblet and clears her throat. “I guess you won’t be able to that. I’ve heard that Albus –” she stops in her tracks to take careful look at the headmaster, as if to check if he’s listening. “Send Severus on a mission.” She finished.

“A mission?” You ask without being able to keep the curiosity off your face. “In the middle of the term?”

“Ah yes.” Minerva seems suddenly very interested in a piece of potato on her plate. “Apparently it’s something very urgent.”

A nervous laugh leaves your throat. “Sending someone on a mission… It sounds like Professor Snape is some sort of spy.” You muse. “How long will he be gone and who’s going to take over his classes?” You try not to sound too eager. Mission failed successfully. Thankfully no one seems to notice.

“Oh, I don’t know, dear.” Minerva says, “I guess it depends on how long he needs to fulfill his – duties.” There’s something about the way she talks that makes you think she knows something you don’t. Which she probably does. The familiar feeling of jealousy settles in your stomach again along to the pitiful feeling of not knowing how long your crush will be absent.

“As to who is going to substitute for him. I guess we’ll have to work out a schedule.” The elder witch adds thoughtfully. “Would you be able to take over some of his lessons?” She asked and you nodded. Of course, you did.

With that the both of you worked out a schedule after dinner. You would take over Professor Snapes lessons on Monday afternoons and Thursday and Friday mornings. McGonagall and Professor Flitwick would take the rest. You feel oddly close to the potions master on this behalf. Taking over his lesson. Being able to teach within the dungeons he marked as his. It also gives you the chance to prove yourself to him. If you can keep his class under control and even manage to teach some of the stuff on the curriculum, you are sure it would impress him. You will have to prepare this weekend. Thank the Gods it’s Friday.

You are walking down the endless halls of the Castle towards your chambers. It’s a rather chilly night, in the middle of November. Wrapping your robes closer to your body you resume your journey, when you see a black cat on one of the windowsills opposite to your chambers. That’s strange. You’ve never seen this cat before and normally the students’ cats are either near the dormitories or stealthing in front of the kitchen in hopes of getting some leftovers from the house elves. 

It’s sleeping peacefully when you approach it. The poor thing must be freezing, you think. The cat’s ears start perking up the moment you step too close, and its eyes open slowly. A sleepy expression settles on its features, and you suddenly feel bad for waking it.

“Hello little one” you say lowly, carefully reaching a hand for it to sniff it. But the cat ignores it completely. It slowly settles on its feet regarding you carefully. You take it as a sign to stroke it, but the moment you extend your hand the black cat hisses dangerously. Taken aback you remove yourself a few steps from it. Could it be a stray? No, the fur looks to clean and shiny. “Who do you belong to?” You ask, but the cat merely rolls its eyes and settles back in its former sleeping position. You weren’t aware that cats could roll their eyes, nor did you know they could be this expressive with their features in general.

“Aren’t you cold?” You tried again “You could come in, you know? My chambers are right here” Gesturing towards the doors you notice the cats’ ears are moving again. You managed to catch its attention then. “I could make you a makeshift bed and get the house elves to send some food for you.” With that the cat opened her eyes again regarding you carefully, but not daring to make a move.

“Or not.” You say, taking a few steps towards your chambers. “Stay here, in the cold, all hungry with no one to cuddle.” You open the door carefully, not to disturb the cat. It pretends to not hear you, but you can see its ears moving. “Last chance” you say before stepping into your chambers. As if on cue, a cold draught passes the halls and the cat abruptly stands and gracefully jumps off the sill, before making its way towards your chambers. There’s something about the way it carries its tale, so majestic, it reminds you of a certain someone. You quickly shake that thought.

Of course, it had to be the new professor who finds him. He didn’t know it was her chambers he decided to take a nap next to, otherwise he would have chosen a different place. There’s just something about those newbies he didn’t like. They’re just too enthusiastic, too naïve. It’s just annoying to Snape. Most of them are gone after a year anyways since they’re mostly the new DADA teachers. That’s why he normally avoids them like a plague. This one might be one to stick around though.

You’re teaching History of magic as a replacement for the old Binns. The dullest subject in Hogwarts if you ask him. So, he simply assumed that you must be dull, or at least boring, as well. But the students seem to take a liking in you. You even managed to warm a few students to your subject. Some started calling it their favorite after your arrival. He wondered how you managed it. He never asked about it.

And now he finds himself in your chambers. In one of your armchairs to be specific. You’re rummaging in your closet to find some things for his ‘makeshift bed’ and Snape takes the opportunity to take a quick look around. Your chambers are not really how he imagined them. (Not that he was ever specifically imagining them)

The interior is tasteful, with a queen-sized bed, a few cupboards, and armchairs. A fancy sofa in the corner along with a large bookshelf next to it, a comfortable place to stay in on rainy days with a book. Snape takes a closer look at the books and recognizes a few he read himself. Good taste in literature then, he thinks. Not that it matters.

You have all sort of Knick knacks lying around. There’s no order in your belongings, but it’s not exactly chaotic either. Something in between. A few plants here and there, many pictures of family and friends. Nothing special, but he likes it anyways. It’s a place some would call cozy. Too bad he won’t be staying for long. But your offer of warmth and food was one he could not reject. It was freezing in the halls and Minerva wouldn’t let him back inside her office after she kicked him out.

“Ah Ha’! There we go.” You exclaimed suddenly and pulled out a fluffy blanket along with some pillows. “This will do.” Crossing the room, you sit down on the floor next to the armchair Snape settled on. “Do you like it here? Shall I put the bed here?” The way you talk to him, makes him want to fetch his teeth. The unnatural high pitch, like you’re talking to a infant or a –

Cat.

He represses the urge to roll his eyes at his own thoughts and simply jumps from the chair to make room for the bed. It looks quite cozy when you’re finished, he has to admit. As he eyes the bed you quickly take the opportunity to grab him and set him on his new bed. The next thing he knows is your fingernails scratching him delightfully behind his ears and the unasked purr escapes him again. Gods this feels heavenly, even better than when the old headmaster did it.

Snape loses himself for a moment and simply enjoys the sensation when you giggle prettily. “So, you are a cuddly one.” The purr stops. Snape suddenly feels caught. Embarrassed. In his human form, he would be blushing to the fullest. A frown settles on your features, and you regretfully withdraw your hands. “Let’s get you some food, hm?”

A few minutes and a huge amount of turned down canned tuna later you realize that Snape prefers his food cooked and humanlike. You shrug when you plate him a portion of the casserole leftover from dinner and shriek delighted when he starts eating it.

“You have a very interesting taste for a cat.” you muse. “But I wouldn’t bother with tuna either if I’m being honest.” For the first time that evening you take of your robes and hang them in your closet, sighing tiredly. You’re left in a simple dress that hugs your curves beautifully and you tie your normally lose hair in a messy bun. It looks quite flattering. The way the lose strands frame your face makes your high cheekbones more prominent.

“You know, I should probably give you a name, don’t you think?” Snape feels very annoyed of the prospect of you giving him a name. But he just keeps eating, pretending he hasn’t heard you. “At least until I’ve found your rightful owner.”

A thoughtful expression settles on your face as you regard him. “Well, I don’t need to look twice to see that you’re a male. It’s written all over your features.” You gesture vaguely at him. “Since you like the casserole so much, what about ‘Casserole’?” His tail involuntarily snaps at this idea and your giggles ring through the room. “You’re right! That’s just silly.”

You hum while thinking of a better name. “You really remind me of someone.” You say and a rosy tint appears on your cheeks. “But Professor Snape will probably kill me if he finds I named a Cat after him.”

The cat’s ears perk up at this. Professor Snape. As if I’m her teacher. But he never offered you to call him by his first name, he guesses. A feeling of regret settles in his guts. He ignored you instantly without even giving you a chance and here you are offering him nothing but caring warmth. Offering this to a cat! Not you, you idiot! It doesn’t matter, he decides and makes a mental note to be nicer to you once returning to his normal self.

“I think I’ve got it.” You exclaim excitedly. “I’ll call you ‘Midnight’! It fits perfectly with your fur.”