Black-and-white (Translation)

21. Fudge

The way to the big hall was longer than expected. Harry seemed to re-discover the castle through his new being. He kept leaping from one side to the other, chatting with the paintings and even jumping at the bloody baron. He looked grumpy at first, but as the cat-boy began to purr it, the ghost could no longer be angry.
The boy's companions were also having fun, especially when Harry started chasing his tail and catching him. just in time the boy seemed to realize that this furry naughty thing belonged to him, otherwise he would have bitten.
Luna almost could not walk straight with laughter. and for Severus it was clear that the next time would be very eventful and he did not mean the problems with the Ministry for once.
His little one really behaved like a cat puppy discovering the world and his own body.
"Kitten, we should not let the others wait any longer."
Harry responded to his husband's nickname like a dog on a thrown ball, absolutely excited.
the potions master had a violently purring cat on his side, who grinned at him with faithfulness.
And Luna was already laughing again.

Finally they had reached the hall. When Severus opened the door, he briefly spoke.
Nothing in the room reminded me that usually hundreds of students were eating here. All tables had disappeared, instead the room was furnished like an oversized living room. In other words comfortable.
However, the newcomers could not enjoy this picture for a long time because the screaming started.
No sooner had they discovered Harry, as already all cried out. From "Merlin, how cute!" Over "Now you're the perfect Griyffindor!" Was all there.
The cat boy, however, did not seem to like it at all, because he had both hands over his sensitive ears and was about to flee.
Severus put a hand on his partner's back and sent death glances around. but before he could correct the pack, McGonagall surprisingly came before him:
"Now everyone is still! Do not you see that you worry Harry, you are all too loud. Let the three sit down first. "
The outburst of the Transfiguration teacher seemed to help, because suddenly it was absolutely quiet in the room, even the pictures did not say a word.
Gratefully, Harry looked at his tutor and then let Severus lead him to a comfortable sofa.
Luna, of course, immediately sat down on the other side of her cat's brother, the two birds made themselves comfortable on each lap and Zwirbel pranced over Luna's head.
"Why does the hall look so different?"
Harry addressed this question directly to the director.
"Since I do not know how long we will stay here, I thought it would be so much more comfortable."
Understanding nodding was the answer.
Sirius could not hold back anymore.
"Harry, how was the transformation, was it very bad? What exactly are you now? "
The boy looked at his exuberant godfather smilingly.
"The transformation hurt like hell, at least until I fainted, and according to Severus, I cursed myself there, but in Parseltongue. And what am I? Well, either a cat child or a nekomata. both are possible according to the pedigree of the Potters. "
"I think I can help you with that, Mr. Snape."
This statement came from Gripock, who had been silent until now.
He looked attentively at his favorite customer and friend. this child was truly inimitable, never had the goblin met anyone with so many impossibilities.
Harry looked curiously at the goblin and wondered at its presence.
"Kobolds, in addition to their talent with precious metals, still have a special ability. We can see through every magical armor, and we also recognize the nature of every magical being. Both, however, only when said being is awakened. In your case, it's the nature of the Nekomata. "
"But Nekomata are female after all. Does that mean Harry is a girl? "
This almost screamed question came from Hermione. The reaction was terrifying. Almost all present looked at the cat-boy wide-eyed. Ron stammered something about 'my best friend is a girl' and the rest of the Order members, with their imitation talent, once again let every fish pale with envy.
Harry, who at first had flinched from Hermione's loud voice, looked as if he would strangle his friends for commenting.
"When I checked this morning, I was still a boy," was the only thing he said. then he crossed his arms over his chest and growled into his nonexistent beard.
Severus's hand had already moved back onto his partner's shoulder to appease him. However, he shot with angry looks around.
Luna was also less than enthusiastic about the reactions. How the hell did they come up with the idea that Harry was a girl, had no eyes in his head? With a rather strict voice for her, she said:
"It's very rare, but there are male nekomata too. Just like male Veela. "
"That means Harry not only has the skills of a cat, but also the magical powers of his being."
Sirius looked at his goddaughter admiringly. Did he even know what that meant?
"Until now, only the intensified senses have struck me. Besides, unfortunately, I can not taste anything sweet, but Severus thinks that would happen after my second transformation.
if I remember rightly, then Nekomata have the ability to transform, whereby always a body part does not make the change, so ears, fangs or eyes. Then I think I remember that, like Japanese foxes, they can create illusions. "
"That's right, my boy, but those are not the most remarkable powers of your new being by far. In the Nekomata, after a certain time, the tail splits into two parts, which also increases the magical powers. "
even before Dumbledore could go on, there was a frustrated cry from Harry.
"That's not true now, is it? Two tails, I'm already overwhelmed with a total! "
Polyphonic laughter followed this statement, which pouted the boy's lower lip.
"Do not worry about that, you're already learning to deal with her new body part. I had my difficulties there in the beginning, but that is fast. "
Doubtingly, Harry looked at McGonagall. He did not know if he could trust that statement. after all, the whole body of his teacher turned into a cat and not just parts. But when he saw the encouraging nod of Sirius and Remus, he decided to just accept it.
Dumbledore resumed his explanation.
"What I actually wanted to say is that when the tail splits, it does not just mean more magical powers, it adds a peculiarity. Namely, the Nekomata also receives nine lives. That's exactly what the cats are always said. For example, if you are hit by a Killing Curse, you will die, but only for a short time.
They can also revive the dead when they jump over them. But only while there is still a soul in the body. "
After this explanation, there was a reverential silence. everyone tried to process the consequences of what has just been said.
Harry, who had flinched slightly at the mention of the killing curse, had instinctively moved closer to his man. He did not like it at all, he did not want to be special again.
severus closed his little one in his arms and stroked his back.
The Potions Master had listened carefully to the Director's comments, but he seemed to be the only one who noticed his expression. severus bet for his rarest potion ingredients that old Zausel was already planning how he could use those new abilities of the boy. The potions master was almost seething with rage, this old chicken should kindly keep his hands off Harry. unconsciously he intensified the embrace into which he had pulled the boy.
Severus vowed to protect his kitten from any further manipulation of the old man.