Chapter 10.
"I would ask for your attention, but it seems that I already have it." Dumbledore smiled for the students, this was not their fault. He couldn't blame them for wanting answers.
"You have all read the story on the front of today's newspaper. A gift which I believe you have to thank your Professor Secutus for."
Albus' suspicions were sealed true by the guilty shifting suddenly possessing the orange beach ball to his right.
"I am proud of the restraint that you have all shown in the face of this reprehensibly thoughtless act. It is natural that you would want answers here. The question, I believe, was 'is it true?'. Yes, it is true that Potion Master Rubor is Professor Snape."
There were gasps and whispers.
"Please remain silent and listen to what I have to say. As you all know, Professor Snape was placed as a Spy within Voldemort's ranks. His actions helped to turn the tide of the war. He helped to train Professor Potter in readiness for that battle. He risked his life constantly for the Light. In the final battle, his actions took large quantities of Death Eaters out of the equation. We believed at the time, that Professor Snape had died in that battle. Professor Snape did not undergo a sex change, as this disgusting piece of petty journalism suggests. Various Death Eater curses were triangulated upon his position. The curses hit each other before they hit Professor Snape, their functions were changed and caused the resultant change of gender. To be clear in what I am saying, I will refer to Professor Snape as "she" from now on, as from this point in the story, that is the appropriate term. Professor Snape was injured so badly that the carers couldn't even work out which curses had been used, other than that the Cruciatus had been used repeatedly. She was in St. Mungo's long after the other survivors had been sent home."
Albus paused to briefly assess the students and turned to see how Serenity was coping. She seemed less pale, she was still leaning into Remus' embrace but she was listening to the Headmaster and watching the children's reactions. Coping already, good.
"When Professor Snape was taken to the hospital, she was flitting in and out of consciousness, but she was aware of what had happened to her. She was aware that her gender had changed and she chose to give a false name, the name that she is now known by – Serenity Rubor. She felt embarrassed and humiliated by what had happened and when she recovered, she decided to just get on with her life instead of coming back here. She is a truly remarkable woman, who has achieved feats which no other person has dared to reach for. Her potions research is unparalleled by any of the other existing Masters. She has given hope to thousands of people in many different ways. All of you have taken potions "invented" by her. Professor Lupin's life and the lives of all werewolves have been dramatically improved by her work. The Daily Prophet has, until today, lauded praise upon her for her work and she has deserved every ounce of it. Obviously, it is now impossible for her to hide behind the name of Rubor; the wizarding world has been introduced to the truth in a horribly inaccurate way and it is Professor Snape who will have to bear this. I feel immensely gladdened and lucky to have her returned to my life, for the fates to have guided her back here to Hogwarts. Professor Secutus will be leaving us. Never before have I publically chastised a member of Hogwarts staff, but I feel no remorse in declaring in front of you all that I have no doubt that he is responsible for this story appearing in the paper as well as at our table and his employment is hereby terminated. "
He turned to the Professor and spat his instructions at him.
"You will go to your rooms and pack immediately Mr Secutus. You are no longer welcome on these grounds. Professor Hagrid will accompany you. Professor Hagrid, let him collect personal items only and then throw him out."
Turning back to the students, the Headmaster continued his longest ever speech. This had to be done right and in full and now, before any more opinions entered the mix.
"We now have no Potions Professor. I would like to ask a favour of each and every one of you. We have here with us the greatest Potions Master of our age. She is incredibly intelligent, talented without equal, furiously loyal, determined and a true hero of the war against Voldemort. You now know the truth about her story. This is her home. It is also your education. I call upon you to be compassionate and to consider how she feels. I also call upon you to consider your futures. Show her respect, treat her as you would wish to be treated if you were in her shoes. If you react to this situation with the honour that I know you each have, then we might be able to persuade the estimable Professor to remain here with us. Thank you for your attention. For tonight I would request that you leave Professor Snape alone to adjust to what has happened, after that I leave it up to you as how to convince her how much we respect, admire, value and need her."
Dumbledore sat down and took Serenity's free hand in his, gently stroking soothing circles with his thumb. A smile, already, that was ...wonderful. Remus nodded to the Headmaster and helped Serenity to her feet, guiding her towards the Teacher's entrance to the hall. He felt the shudder as the doors to the castle slammed shut on the departing leech, Hagrid must have thrown him out already. Making a snap decision similar to his earlier "Bugger the students", Albus stood again.
"Before you all leave. I would like to also remind the students that Professor Snape is a Slytherin, was the Head of Slytherin and if I get my way, will be again. She is a Head to be proud of, she is a Head to defend. If the Slytherins feel the need to apply their cunning to the problem of Mr Parvus Secutus, I am certain that Professor Snape would not disapprove. Nor would I."
With this unbelievable incitement to revenge, the students filed out of the hall and out into the land of gossip that awaited them.