2 weeks later
Severus and Bhaminii sat in the library, going over her potions homework. "So the boomslang skin needs to be added before the shredded thistle root. Do you understand why now?" "Um…because the roots cause the potion to coagulate if not properly neutralized first?" Severus let out an irritated sigh. "Not quite. It's the boomslang skin that causes coagulation if added after the thistle." "Okay, I think I get it now." Severus stood up. "If that's all, I have to get going." He made for the door and was out in the hall when she came running up behind him.
"Severus!" He stopped, but didn't turn around. She stepped in front of him. "What's gotten into you? Why have you been acting so damn moody lately?" He was shocked at the angry fire in her eyes. Some other students walked by, eyeing them strangely because of the yelling. "Perhaps we should find a more private location to talk?" She glared at him as if to say, "Way to go genius. So you finally want to talk?"
They walked around the corridor and Severus spotted a room he didn't notice before. It was empty though, so he walked in and closed the door behind them. It was a small room, with a fireplace and two armchairs. Severus motioned to one of the chairs. She sat down, not taking her glare off of him. He sat in the other chair and began, "I've been acting different lately because I don't think I can trust you." This was obviously not what Bhamini had expected to hear, but he continued to speak before she could interrupt him. "I know that it was my Grandfather that killed your Dad. He told me about it on the first day of school, how your father snuck up on them and everything. Until that night, I didn't know with whom my Grandfather had fought. But you must have known since you met me on the train…judging from the reaction I got when you heard my surname. That's why I find it so suspicious that you've made excuses to hang around me. I can only assume that you're spying on me to eventually exact your revenge for his death." He finished, crossing his arms in front of him.
Bhamini's eyes became glassy and a tear rolled down her cheek. "You don't know the whole story. My father was a Death Eater." Severus' jaw dropped. "He was with your Grandfather when they attacked those Muggle children. However, he was under the impression that they were only going to strike against wizards that argued against Voldemort's reign. He didn't know innocent lives of children would be lost…just for fun. Disgusted, he tried to stop the other Death Eaters. The rest of what happened is true." Severus sat in silence, trying to digest this new information. "That doesn't mean you don't have a reason to hate my family…to hate me."
She scoffed. "Typical Slytherin! You're always around to assume the worst, with an emphasis on the 'ass'. I did know who you were that day on the train, but I was willing to give you a chance. My father was a Death Eater, but not in the end and I know I'm not one either. I don't assume to know people, so I gave you the benefit of the doubt. From what you seemed like at first, I thought you were alright and that we might have been friends." Severus just sat there with his head in his hands. Without getting a response, she stood up and ran out of the room.
Meow? "Mars? How the bloody hell did you get in here?" The cat just blinked, then jumped into his chair. "I'm such a fool, you know? I've made a terrible mess of everything." The cat arched his back, then flopped down into Severus' lap. "If she only knew of this terrible burden on my shoulders. Of the pressure my family gives me! Of my stupid Grandfather watching my every move from that painting." Mars just looked at him and mewed. "At least I have you to talk to…although, people will think I'm crazy if they catch me." He picked up the cat and made his way down to the dungeons. Mars curled up next to Severus in the bed as he went to sleep, something he rarely did, but sensing his master's troubled mind, obliged.
"AAAAGH!!!" A loud scream jolted Severus out of his sleep. "Get that bloody cat of yours out of here!" Severus looked over at the portrait of his Grandfather, or rather, what was left of it. It had been ripped to shreds. His Grandfather continued to yell, "I can't see a damn thing, where did that cat go?" Severus looked over just as Goyle gave a swift kick and booted Mars out the dorm. "Don't kick him!" "Oh, shut it. Your stupid cat woke us all. It's only 5am!" Severus knew he couldn't do anything and that Mars would be fine out in the castle, so he turned back to the painting. "It's best if you go back to the house, Grandfather. I don't think this is repairable." "Damn cat! I'm not a scratching post…" he grumbled out of the frame and it was silent again.