When he came to, he was on the Hogwarts Express and it was pulling up to the school station. How long have I been out? He looked down at his arm and winced in pain. What happened? What did he do to me? He flashed back to a scene with a hand on his arm and a high-pitched laugh. No…
He didn't look anyone in the face as he walked into the school. "Mr. Snape?" Severus looked up and into the face of Albus Dumbledore. "May I see you in my office?" He followed the headmaster up the stairs and stopped in front of a stone gargoyle. "Chocolate frogs." The gargoyle spun upward, revealing a winding staircase leading to Dumbledore's office. Once inside, the headmaster pointed to a chair in front of his desk. Severus took a seat, then gasped as Mars came slinking around one of the legs. How do you always manage to get everywhere?
Dumbledore sat down and cleared his throat. "I received an interesting letter this morning, Severus. But perhaps it would be better if I allowed Ms. Stone to explain." Severus stared in disbelief as he watched his cat morph into Bhamini Stone.
"Let me start from the beginning. And please don't say anything until I'm done.
I was born an Animagus. To be more specific, a black cat. If you remember from our Transfiguration class, this gift allows me to converse with other animals in the same species." "Mars…" She nodded and continued. "The headmaster knew of my abilities, but made me promise not to use them on school grounds, as it could compromise the privacy and safety of the other students and myself. On the train ride to Hogwarts, your cat told me all about you and your family. He even gave me a tour of the school that first night." Dumbledore gave her a disapproving look, but smiled a little. She continued, "Mars let me know that you weren't the same as your family, and that I should give you a chance. So I did. On that first day of classes, I left my Housemates behind to follow you to the library. I think you even saw me, but thought I was your cat. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you…to get to know you better. When you accused me a few weeks later of spying on you, you were partly right. I really hadn't done anything yet, but I was about to. You thought I left the room that night, but when I reached the door I noticed that your head was in your hands, so I shifted into a cat. It was a fortunate coincidence that I am nearly identical to Mars…I'm only a little bit bigger. But this gave me a chance to hear how sorry you were. I went back with you to the Slytherin dormitory and resolved to stay when I saw the painting." "My Grandfather." "Yes. All of the hate I had built up against him resurfaced and I couldn't control my anger. I waited until everyone had gone to sleep, then ripped the painting to shreds." Another disgruntled cough came from Dumbledore's direction, but he didn't say anything.
"But after that night, you never came forward and apologized to me in person! James and his friends took me into their group, so I was happy to spend time with them. In fact, I was going to visit Remus over the break before you caught me on the train. I couldn't give myself up, so I just went along." Severus obviously had something to say, but she kept talking. "At your house, I was actually given an opportunity to watch your Mother's activities with the Death Eaters and Voldemort. I didn't know she had planned for you to join that night until it was too late. I sent an owl to Dumbledore that night confessing everything and begging him to help, which is why we are here now."
Dumbledore stood up. "Thank you, Bhamini. Unfortunately, as you pointed out several times in your story, you broke your promise to me. Not only did you transform on school grounds on multiple occasions, you carried out the guise into another student's dormitory and home. The line has been crossed and I have no choice but to expel you from Hogwarts." She nodded, obviously aware of what her consequences would be. "If you will step outside, I need to speak with Severus alone." He escorted her to the door, then sat back down in his chair.
"If what Ms. Stone told me about that night is true, then you had no choice? And by your lack of interjection I see it must be so. Could you hold out your arm for me? - - - Ah. I'm afraid to tell you I cannot allow Death Eaters to be at this school. It is too great a danger." "But Professor.." Dumbledore cut him off. "However, it seems that you were pushed into this without your consent. I will allow you to continue your education here on one condition." "What is that, Sir?" "That you become a potions professor here once you pass the appropriate exams." Severus stared at the headmaster in disbelief. "I don't understand." "I'm giving you a chance, Severus. A chance at the life you deserve. You don't have to accept the path that your mother has chosen for you. In fact, this may be a blessing in disguise. You see, there is an underground Order working to stop the rise of Lord Voldemort and having an internal spy would be most useful." His eyes twinkled at the boy. "You should be going now. I believe Ms. Stone is waiting for you downstairs." Severus stood up, still in shock, and left the office.