Disclaimer: Just for your amusement. The characters are JKR's.
The Return to Hogwarts
Minerva McGonagall had officially been named Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during the summer after the cataclysm. Cataclysm was how most of the Wizarding world referred to the death of Albus Dumbledore and the frighteningly real return of Lord Voldemort. Most of the faculty had returned, as had the staff. However two posts remained vacant: Potions since Professor Slughorn vanished without a trace and Defense Against the Dark Arts since Professor Snape also had vanished. Hagrid rebuilt his cabin, weeping for his beloved Headmaster and shaking his head at the mere thought of what Severus Snape had done. Hagrid's conversation went back and forth from not believing what Harry had reported because Dumbledore had trusted Snape to feeling deep desire for revenge against Snape should he ever been seen again. In the end all Hagrid wanted to do was to tear Snape limb from limb, sticking whatever happened to be left of the Professor's wand where…well, he grumbled to himself.
For her part, the new Headmistress went about trying to renew confidence in the school as a safe place to train the next generation of wizards and witches. Many families simply refused to let their children out of their sight, not even for the briefest of instances. Fear pervaded the whole of the community. Even the continental schools were feeling the fear. Darmstrang's and Beaux Batons' enrollments were down by 25 percent. McGonagall was certain that this was what Voldemort had wanted all along – sow fear and discord among the magical world. He was succeeding brilliantly. Hogwarts had only 25 percent of its students willing to return. Most of the Gryffindors, except most notably Harry Potter, returned. Few Slytherins bothered to meet the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ on the First of September. For the sake of keeping an eye on the children, Slytherins were moved from the dungeons to Gryffindor Tower. The dungeons were simply closed to the students. In doing so, McGonagall hoped to accomplish two important things with one major move. She wanted to keep the children safe, and equally important, ensure that no more Slytherins defected to the Dark Side. She hoped that some form of camaraderie and friendships might develop between the two most contentious houses. She had also housed the Hufflepuffs in with the Ravenclaws in hopes of making nightly patrols easier for the staff and faculty. She did miss the effect Snape's evening patrols through the castle had on the more wayward children, especially the Slytherin sixth and seventh years. She sighed.
Looking up at the slumbering Dumbledore, "Ach, Albus. How could you have been so wrong about Severus? I just don't understand. You loved him like a son, and I could have sworn that he returned the filial affection in his own tense way."
She looked at the portrait with longing in her eyes, "Albus, when will you awaken and give me some guidance?"
She then did what had become commonplace in her late afternoons; she buried her face in her hands and wept miserably.
Phineas Nigellus Black ruffled his throat, "Minerva, crying isn't going to make it go away or get any better. Stop your blubbering woman!"
She looked up at the portrait, "Just about what I'd expect a Slytherin to say," she spat back smoothing her hair into place.
"So tell me, Phineas, why won't Albus awaken?" she queried the former Headmaster.
"I can't tell you," he rejoined.
"Well, you're certainly not much help, are you?" she was defiant. "I'm presiding over the death of our school. One thousand years – gone in a night! And it was two of your house that did it. Severus Snape and Tom Riddle have put an end to the traditions and hope of wizards in Britain."
"I do believe you are being a bit too hasty, Headmistress," he smiled softly. "I was out patrolling the hall portraits a bit ago and have yet to hear the Fat Lady singing."
All Minerva could do was muster a glare and return to the paperwork littering the desk.
Within a few hours, she had ploughed through the majority of the Ministry and school papers. She leaned back in the chair and heaved yet another sigh. There was a gentle rapping at the window. She opened the window and let in Fawkes.
"Fawkes, I never thought to see you again!" she exclaimed with joy. "Come in, come in."
He flew to his perch, vocalized a trill, and held out his leg. A small vial was neatly attached to it. Minerva carefully removed it and rolled it in her fingers. She turned to the still slumbering portrait of her mentor and friend.
"Thank you, Albus!" she said respectfully.
She held it reverently before opening the cupboard door behind which stood a stone pensieve. Gently she poured the memory into the basin. She paused a moment to collect herself then dipped her head into the swirling silver mist.
Instantly she was transported to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. She was witnessing Albus and Severus in a heated exchange. Suddenly Severus' attention was diverted to a crack of a branch nearby. In one swift smooth movement, Severus had his wand drawn as Albus merely watched in a detached sort of way. Albus then called his attention back to the matter at hand.
"Headmaster, what you are asking me to do is, well, impossible. Your hand may make it improbable that you can survive the Draught of the Living Death and to be restored later," Severus complained.
"Severus, I am not asking you, I am telling you," Albus spoke with authority. "I also expect you to uncover which of your house are moving toward Voldemort. We know that Draco is in over his head. Has he told you anything, anything at all about what his task is yet?"
"I do not want to see you dead," Severus replied, "And I especially don't want to see it happen at my hand. You have been a good father to me all these years. I can't see how your death will accomplish anything anyhow? And, no, Draco is keeping his task tight against himself. I was somewhat surprised that he would not confide in me, especially after I told him of the Unbreakable Vow."
"Severus, this is not about me. It's not even about Draco. This is about you and about Harry," Albus began.
"Potter," Snape spat. "Why is it always about the arrogant brat?"
Dumbledore let out an exasperated breath, "Will you stop confusing Harry with his father. It will be your undoing and the undoing of all that we have worked toward in defeating Voldemort."
Snape cringed at the mention of the name.
"Severus, you need not shrink back any longer. Voldemort's reign of terror will soon be completely over. You have to trust in the prophecy and your own abilities," Albus encouraged him.
Snape shook his head, "I can't do it. I won't do it."
"Yes, you will," Dumbledore's eyes flashed with anger. "You are the only one who can. And you will do it."
"But Headmaster, I'm tired of this. I'm tired of being caught in the middle of it all. I'm tired of being a pawn," Snape mumbled. "I do not want to do this any more!"
"Need I remind you of your oath, Severus?" Dumbledore spoke in measured tones. "You will protect Draco if I am unable to persuade him otherwise. If that means that you must strike me, you will do so. You have a wizard's debt to pay. I mean to hold you to account. Do I make myself clear?"
Severus bowed his head and the image faded.
Minerva's head swooned with what she had witnessed. It was some time later when Hermione Granger knocked on the door. When she had no answer, she entered, wand drawn just in case, anyway fearing that perhaps something had happened to Professor McGonagall, too. Fawkes was perched on his stand and acknowledged Hermione's presence with a few notes. Hermione ignored the phoenix when she saw McGonagall lying in a crumpled heap of green tartan.
"Oh, Professor!" she shrieked moving to the body on the floor.
Minerva slowly came back to reality, "Child? What am I doing on the floor?"
Hermione noticed the pensieve, "Was that a memory from Professor Dumbledore?"
McGonagall shook herself and picked herself up, straightening robes as she went.
"Fawkes brought it," she began. "Albus wanted to let us know that he pressed Professor Snape into the encounter on the Astronomy Tower. Severus had no choice in the matter."
Hermione mulled it over for a moment or two. She pursed her lips before speaking. She noticed that Fawkes was suddenly gone from his perch.
"That would explain why Professor Snape did not kill Professor Flitwick or even Luna and me that night," she posited. "He intentionally got us out of the way before the Death Eaters began to scour the castle. He protected us again."
"And it would explain why he did not harm Harry or even carry him off to You-Know-Who that night as well," Minerva added. "Lord knows Harry baited him strongly enough, that had Severus been working for the other side, he would have lashed out. I can only imagine how hard it was for Severus to control his temper after Harry called him a coward several times over."
Hermione nodded, "Why is it that Professor Snape is so sensitive about that one word – coward – anyhow?
McGonagall smiled as she considered the question, "It has to do with Severus' own past. Harry's father and his friends never let Severus be Severus. Before Hogwarts, his own father had abused him terribly, as I understand it. Mind you, Severus would never disclose anything about his past to me or to anyone other than Albus. Well, Sirius and James took an instant disliking to Severus when they first met. Peter and Remus just let things unfold as their friends bullied Severus on a regular basis. When caught, detentions and such were meted out, but often as not, they managed to keep the bad behavior unseen by faculty members. How Severus was treated here is a matter of common knowledge of the faculty of my generation."
"So you're saying that Professor Snape was brutalized by the Marauders?" Hermione asked.
McGonagall nodded, "It was only after graduation that some of us found out what had been happening behind our backs. Children can be quite cruel…"
"Yes, I know," began Hermione wistfully. "Nobody much liked me either."
McGonagall raised her eyebrow, "Really? I thought you and Harry and Ronald were the best of friends."
Hermione smiled and ducked her head, "It wasn't always so. They positively hated me first year. It wasn't until the incident with Professor Quirrell's troll that they decided that I was okay."
McGonagall cocked her head, "Do tell, dear. Go on."
Hermione was in for a little, may as well go all the way; "I was in the girl's bathroom when the school was being herded to the dormitories on account of a loose troll. Ron and Harry remembered I was in there crying and why. We won't go into that now, but they came to warn me. It was too late as the troll was already crashing around in the bathroom. Harry and Ron knocked it out and I lied to you all and Professor Dumbledore as to why I was in there in the first place," she paused a moment then addressed the portrait, "I'm sorry Professor. I truly am. I never should have lied, but I just really needed friends at that moment. I was so scared."
McGonagall smoothed Hermione's tears away, "Not to worry child. Not to worry. It's done and you have learned."
"I'm not proud of myself, Headmistress," Hermione looked earnestly into McGonagall's face.
McGonagall nodded, "What was it that you came to see me about and found me on the floor just now?"
Hermione shook her head, "Oh yes, I can't find Crookshanks anywhere. I've searched the castle from the kitchens to the dungeons to the towers. He's nowhere. It will be dusk in an hour or so, and I'm worried about him."
"Perhaps he's out on the grounds hunting, "McGonagall mentioned. "Have you spoken to Hagrid about him?"
"No, ma'am," Hermione began, "I wanted your permission to go down to Hagrid's."
"You have it," McGonagall replied. "Just be back in the castle before it gets dark."
Hermione nodded and departed.
Before she got halfway to Hagrid's cottage, she spied Crookshanks and called out to him. He ran partway toward her, cried, then ran back toward the Forbidden Forest. He repeated this action five times before Hermione quit yelling at him to stop it.
Hagrid had been listening and watching and came out to accompany her.
"Hermione, wait up," the half giant called out.
Hermione waved and headed toward Hagrid.
"It's Crookshanks! He wants me to see what he's found. Will you go with me, Hagrid?"
"Of course," Hagrid hefted his crossbow to his shoulder.
Crookshanks stood at the edge of the forest waiting impatiently for Hermione and Hagrid to get to where he was. Once they were closer, he edged further into the forest. Stealthily he led them in half a kilometer. In the dying shadows, dappled by leaves above, lay a wadded up lump of black robes. Crookshanks stood vigil over the body. Fawkes perched himself in a tree nearby, carefully observing the goings on.