A Second Chance
Chapter One- Prologue and a Meeting With the Headmistress
By Kalison A.
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Disclaimer- I do not own this story, all I own is the plot and what may happen to the characters of JK Rowling.
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Severus Snape had traveled to the far reaches of the Forbidden Forest, in hope of finding solace, a place to escape his guilt. He stumbled into a clearing, different and out of place in the forest, for it had grass blanketing the ground, and a crystal clear pool in the middle of the clearing. He stepped over to the pool, and was preparing to take a drink of the enticing water, to quench his parched throat. He was suddenly startled by the unheralded appearance of a hovering entity, a being that demanded respect while exuding kindness, and hinting with pity.
"Who are you to disturb the pool of Samar'kand?" the being demanded of Snape, with arms and legs crossed, and one eyebrow raised.
Severus felt as though lying would be useless with this entity, and so truthfully replied, "I am a man in search of redemption for his crimes."
"What are your crimes, oh forsaken human?"
"I have killed, for I was cursed with the Unbreakable Vow. I have served the Dark Lord, for the sake of revenge. Then I betrayed the trust of the former Headmaster of yonder school."
"I can give you a second chance at life, from any wished age, or you can stay here as a hermit, never to return to the world of others, until you have given up your old ways. Choose."
"If I choose the former, all my sins will be forgiven, but others will still recognize me, once I get older or if I run into old acquaintances of mine, won't they?" he asked for fear of discovery.
"No, for I shall provide you with an alibi, and no matter what choice you make, the mark shall be removed from your arm. If you so wish it I can alter your appearance as well, to a different hair color and eye as well."
"I wish to be age seventeen again, a transfer student that has gone to an Irish school for the past couple of years. My name, I shall take up my father's first name of Tobias, no one will suspect that, and my last name shall be Sparrowhawk. I think that brown hair and gray eyes shall work. Do you have an owl to send the notice with?"
Their conference lasted only a couple minutes longer, ending with the spirit working his magic. He was transformed into a mischief-making 7th year, with dragon gray eyes that reflect mood, and short cropped brown hair. He was then sent to the borders of the forest, while the owl was simultaneously dispatched.
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Professor McGonagall was rather surprised to find an owl awaiting her return from the staff meeting that she was just attending. She had recently been informed by her favorite Gryffindors that they would be returning for their last year, only to receive more knowledge that might be helpful to them in the near future. Yet there was a Tyto sitting on her desk. It held out its leg for her to remove the letter, that of which she was willing to oblige, for her Gryffindorian curiosity was getting the better of her. She read it as the owl took off through the open widow to return to Tobias, to whom, the spirit had given him to. She read the letter, and rushed down the stairs, making it in time to the Entrance Hall to meet him just as he stepped over the threshold.
He strode up to the Professor making a deep jester bow. He straightened, mischief twinkling in his eyes, as he prepared to introduce himself to her, as she tried to hide a smile, for he had also decided to be civil to all, instead of sneering at them as he had done in the past. But he was saved the effort.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress. I was just informed of your circumstances, Mr. Sparrowhawk. I am truly sorry about the tragedy that befell your parents and your school. Now, I've asked Hagrid to go retrieve and supplies you may need, but he needs your robe size, if you would Mr. Sparrowhawk." He was doing as she requested as she continued. "I shall have you sorted before the start of term, jut so we will not make the House Elves suppers go cold on your account, and so that you shall not be embarrassed any further. Now" He was now writing down the size stated on the hem of his deep, dark blue robes, which he was wearing over Muggle clothing, as she finished her statement, "If you would follow me, Mr. Sparrowhawk."