A/N: Sorry bout slow update… I'm nearly finished writing…so close to the end I can feel it… I have 4 more chapters already written up… and I think another 5 max to write before the end :D Thank yo all for your support and reviews, means the world to me that so many of you take the time to click the button! And now for the chapter so many of you have been waiting for! Hope you like it!

Kit: Chapter 21

Getting Even

Severus had finished eating breakfast and was now on his second cup of coffee. He was watching the youngest male Weasley from the corner of his eye, plotting his revenge. Suddenly a black dash darted in through the main doors, causing people to scream loudly, and stand suddenly as they moved to back away. The black dash jumped up to the head table and then leapt into Severus' lap.

"Ebony?" he questioned softly, running calming hands gently through his fur. "Are you okay? Do you want to stay with me in class?" The large panther purred in response.

"Severus?" came the mild mannered question from the Headmaster. "I thought…." As he waved in Ebonys direction.

"You thought what Headmaster?" still calmly petting the feline, while avoiding Poppys disapproving glare. Severus suspected that this didn't count as rest, and that he and Ebony would both be in trouble with her later.

"I thought young Ebony here had, shall we say, passed on, after his accident?"

"No Headmaster, he had not. He was in a coma. He awoke several weeks ago. Also, it was not an accident. Ebony was able to show me his memory of what happened that evening, only last night. I do not believe he recalled it before then. But since he can only communicate with me via general feelings and occasional images I do not know for certain. My familiar was pushed over the stairwell Headmaster."

"That's a very strong accusation to make Severus."

"Yes it is. But I'm sure a private interview with Mr. Weasley will clear everything up Headmaster."

"Ronald? Really Severus, as if the boy could do such a thing. I know you dislike the Gryffindors more than most but this is taking it a tad too far now."

"Headmaster, we are both aware that you are not above using legilimency on students. I suggest you speak with him. If I am incorrect, which I know I am not, I will apologise. If I am correct, however, I want retribution for the months of pain both myself and Ebony have been in because of his selfish actions. I want his parents contacted and told of the event. I want detentions. Points taken, and a limitation on his NEWT grades. Understood?"

"If he has indeed purposefully harmed your familiar it is perfectly within your rights to punish him as you wish. I will contact you after I've had a chance to speak with him." And with that Albus left the head table, walking past the Gryffindor table, and stopping to talk to the boy in question briefly, before continuing on to his office.

That afternoon Severus was called to Dumbledore's office, so he and Ebony made their way to his tower. When the entered the room it was to find Albus looking very disappointed, and Ron Weasley sat silently before him, head bowed, neck flushed darkly, horribly clashing with his hair.

"Unfortunately Severus, it would seem you were correct. Mr. Weasley has admitted to his mistake."

"It wasn't a mistake. That thing is a menace! Snape gets away with everything! How come it's okay for him to have a vicious monster, but all we're allowed are frogs and rats! It's not fair?"

"Is that what this is about?" Severus hissed at him, as he levered himself closer to the child, "Fairness?" He practically spat out the word. "You purposefully harmed my familiar because it was unfair! How dare you! HE NEARLY DIED!"

Ron cringed away from the professors shout.

"That's enough now Severus. I believe we need to discuss his punishment?"

"Yes of course. Perhaps we should call his parents here?"

"You wish for them to be present?"

"Yes Headmaster. I want them to know the full extent of what their son is capable of. Also I want them aware of his punishments, so any punishments they choose to give don't conflict."

"Very well. Fawkes!" Dumbledore quickly wrote a quick note, then passed it to the phoenix. "I need you to take this to Molly and Arthur. Thank you." And with a burst of flames, the red and golden feathered bird was gone.

Severus leaned back, smirk in place, content that the punishment would soon begin, as Ebony jumped up to be petted and laid himself across his mates lap. The young Weasley boy cringed away as the panther yawned loudly, sniffling to himself the whole time.

Forty-five minutes later and Severus and Ebony were finally leaving the Headmasters office. They left the room to the sound of Molly Weasley loudly berating her youngest son, as she fully endorsed the potion professors methods of punishment. She had agreed whole heartedly with the severe punishment that Severus was suggesting, including weekend detentions for the rest of the school year, helping Hagrid in the forest whenever he was needed, in the hope he would learn some respect for other creatures, his banishment from quidditch and the limitations of an Acceptable being the highest grade he could achieve in his NEWTs. She had also mentioned her own punishments, which seemed to basically mean that either he paid an extortionate rent or he moved out the moment he graduated. Arthur had said very little throughout the whole interview, but he looked on in disappointment and silence as his wife scolded their son.

Harry and Severus continued on with their routine for another month. Harry refused to see his friends with his new form, and only spent time with them as Ebony. Severus explained that Harry had since undergone some changes due to his inheritance and wasn't comfortable showing his friends yet. Severus also explained to the four students the truth about Ebonys accident, and how the Weasley boy was going to be punished. Ron had since been keeping his head down, never spoke out about the potions professor, Ebony or even about Harry. Ebony kept Severus company at meals and during classes, Angelica in the office more often than not, and everything settled down, just as it was before Ebonys accident. Severus and Harry made love regularly, normally after Severus had reassured Harry that he was beautiful and definitely not a freak.

Then one day, everything changed.