A Cat's Life

Chapter2: Rebirth

Disclaimer: If I owned these characters there would be a lot more chapters in the books dedicated to that sex god that they call their potions professor.

Warning: Slight Ginny-bashing. If this offends you then I would suggest you not read any further.

Acj11: Thank you for your kind review! I was pretty nervous about keeping Sev in character so I'm relieved that I've done an adequate job.

Mona: Thank you very much.

Very Small Prophet: Your review made me laugh out loud. Dumbledore does indeed love torturing people for his own entertainment. Thank you for reviewing!

Tonks-is-cool: You can definitely count on awkward situations and tantrums galore. And yes it's true, poor Sev would probably Crucio me into non-existence if he knew the trouble I was putting him through.

Crazylove4MCR: Many thanks.

SereneTragedy: Minerva probably would have been the smarter choice but I didn't want it to be too easy for our favorite potions professor! Not to mention I'm planning something fun with McGonagall in the near future.

XoxoxoxoX

It was loud. Really, REALLY loud! This is what Severus Snape knew at the moment. There was squawking, growling, yelps, croaks, howling, and just a general cacophony of noise that had landed Severus with quite the headache. Severus opened his eyes blurrily to see what looked like bars in front of him.

'What the hell?' he thought foggily, trying to get a bearing on his whereabouts. Was he in prison? Those idiots must have locked him up after the battle at Hogwarts. But why in Merlin's name were there animals in his prison?

It was then that the memory of a glittering sphere of magic, containing Nagini, flashed in Severus' mind. The memory of death and Dumbledore and being forced (Painfully, might he add.) back to life in the body of a cat.

'A cat.' Severus' eyes flew open and he leapt to his feet. All four of his feet. Severus looked down at them and there they were, cat's paws, covered in inky black fur. He was most definitely in the body of a cat. A purely black cat from what he could tell. 'Perfect.'

He surveyed his surroundings, seeing numerous other animals of all kinds. He was in Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley. He sat down in his cage, trying to remember how he had gotten here. He looked up when a young man with chocolate brown hair approached his cage. The man saw that he was awake and rushed back to the older woman at the counter.

Severus watched as they both came to his cage. He did his best to glare harshly at them but he wasn't sure exactly how effective this was while in the body of a cat. "This is the one that you found in the alley last night?" The woman asked, looking to the young man.

"Yes ma'am. I already did tests on him and everything and they say that he's in perfect health. He's almost a year old according to the tests." The assistant chirped excitedly.

"Very good, Rene. We'll open shop in just a few hours and there'll probably be some last minute Hogwarts students that might buy him." The woman nodded happily. Severus lay down in his cage with a sigh. Just what he had always wanted. A bunch of snot nosed brats coming in and pawing at him to their hearts content. His problems were only just beginning.

XoxoxoxoX

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger were currently walking down Diagon Alley, Hermione clutching the list of books they would need for their N.E.W.T.S classes. Ron was joking with Harry as The-Boy-Who-Lived-Again laughed quietly.

If Harry was perfectly honest with himself he would have to admit that he wasn't so sure about returning to Hogwarts. Sure, seeing the castle would be great like it always was. It was the people who would also be there that made Harry nervous. There were relatives of people who had lost their lives, people who may have been tortured and murdered all because Harry hadn't been able to defeat Voldemort sooner. This year was sure to be worse than any other where attention on Harry was concerned. Not only had he been the Chosen One but he was also the defeater of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

But he knew that if he so much as suggested that he wasn't sure about returning Hermione and Ron would first both give him looks like he was barking mad. Then Hermione would start to list off all the reasons why it would be in his very best interest to return, giving many examples of how it could help him. Ron, meanwhile, would stammer about how he just had to come back.

The truth was though that Harry really didn't have to go back. Earlier in the summer Kingsley Shacklebolt had informed Harry that he could begin Auror training whenever he so desired. The only problem with that was the fact that Harry wasn't sure if he even wanted to be an Auror anymore.

He had been going up against evil witches and wizards for longer than he could remember. He was, in all actuality, quite tired of it. Where did this leave him? What was he going to do with his future? He had no answer to either of these questions. This was why he had agreed to go for one last year at Hogwarts.

Harry sighed quietly and looked to where Ron and Hermione were walking side by side. They had finally become an actual couple over the summer and Harry couldn't have been happier for them. Though it did make him feel like a bit of a third wheel at times. He knew they didn't mean to do it and he couldn't find it in him to get angry over it.

Though thoughts of relationships still caused a guilty not to form in his stomach. He had decided, earlier in the summer, not to get back with Ginny for several very good reasons. The biggest of these reasons was Harry's discovery that he happened to find wizards a lot more arousing than witches.

In all truth Harry probably should have realized a whole lot sooner. Or at least that's what Hermione said when he had come out to her and Ron. "Harry, love, you described your first kiss with a girl as 'wet'. No matter how hard she was crying there should have still been just a bit more there then wetness." Hermione had explained after she had said that she had been expecting this for a while.

Harry had actually been really worrying about what Ron's reaction would be like. The red-head had actually taken it a whole lot better than Harry had even hoped. "Well, I mean, Charlie's gay too so I guess it just doesn't bother me very much. He's been open about it since his fourth year at Hogwarts." Ron had said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

Harry had actually been quite relieved when Ron had told him this. He had been worried about how things would be with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. But since they had an openly gay son that they still loved Harry hoped that they wouldn't feel awkward around him. But that had still left him with the problem of Ginny.

It actually took Harry quite a long time before he could make time to tell Ginny. Ever since the summer had started he had been horrendously busy. There had been the trials for all the Death Eaters. Harry had decided to speak on the behalf of both Draco and Narcissa Malfoy. In Harry's opinion these two had both been through enough without having to spend years in Azkaban. Besides, Harry knew that they had seen how foolish they were and they sincerely regretted the things that they had done. No amount of speaking could have kept Lucius out of prison however.

Harry's main goal for the summer, however, had been clearing the name of Severus Snape. With Harry's testimony, along with the memories that Snape had left to him, he had succeeded in having all charges against Snape cleared. It had also been decided by the court, with some insisting of Harry's, that the late Potion Master would also be awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class.

Harry didn't know how much Snape would have cared. In fact he may have just been angry that Harry had gone and shown his memories to other people. In fact, Harry was almost certain that he would have been hexed for his efforts. Not that Harry really let that discourage him. He did it for personal satisfaction more than anything. That and the fact that Severus Snape had at least deserved to be seen as a hero.

But with all of the rushing in and out of the ministry Harry really hadn't had much time to sit down with Ginny and explain things. It had been about two weeks ago when he had finally been able to talk to her. It had been an absolute catastrophe. And that was putting it lightly.

She had screamed at him, cursed, called him every name in the book (Including some that Harry had never even heard of before.) and nearly hexed him nine ways to Sunday. It had taken Ron, Hermione, Percy, and Bill to get her away from him.

Coincidentally, this was also the day that the rest of the Weasley family found about Harry's sexual orientation. They had all accepted it rather quickly. Mrs. Weasley had been rather disappointed that she wouldn't have Harry for an actual son. That is until she remembered that Charlie was still single. Ever since she had remembered that she had been reminding Harry about it every chance she got.

Ginny refused to speak to him or even be in the same room with him for an extended period of time. Hermione assured him that once Ginny got used to the idea she would calm down. Ron made sure to cough suspiciously whenever Hermione said this. Harry had to side with Ron on this one. Ginny probably wouldn't ever forgive him.

Surprisingly enough, Harry found that he was okay with this. He still had Ron and Hermione. Even if they were continuing to get closer and closer to each other. And he was going back to Hogwarts where, if he was lucky, he might be able to find a boyfriend.

Hermione finished in the bookstore and then looked to the two boys. "Is there anything else that we need before we go?"

"Yeah actually." Harry answered, looking up from a book on advanced Quidditch strategies. "I've been thinking about getting a new pet." The memory of losing Hedwig still made his stomach clench.

"You want a new owl, mate?" Ron asked as they headed for the pet shop.

"No…I don't know. I just don't think I can handle another owl right now. I know that sounds really stupid and pathetic but there it is." Harry smiled sheepishly.

"It's not stupid or pathetic, Harry. Maybe you can find a nice cat or something like that." Hermione suggested cheerfully. The trio reached Magical Menagerie and went inside.

XoxoxoxoX

Severus was unbelievably annoyed. When the shop had opened the boy Rene had let him out of his cage and put a quick spell on him that would stop him from leaving the shop unless he was purchased. Severus had been simply wandering, trying to get used to his cat body. Everything had been going fine until a middle ages witch had come in with her three young children. And which cat just had to catch their attention? Why Severus, of course!

Since then he had been squeezed, pinched, pulled, and pet so hard that he feared his skin would fall off. Fortunately, he had managed to pay those brats back a bit. The scratches that he landed on them may have been easy to heal but it had been quite satisfying to see them cry and scream. Even if it had landed him right back in his cage.

He was in there for what he was sure was hours before an annoyingly familiar voice shook him out of his daze. "Harry, here's a cute kitten. Aw, come look at him, he's so cute!" Granger gushed, pointing to the cage above Severus. Weasley and potter came over to see what she was on about. Weasley was looking at the kitten which had caught Granger's attention but Potter was starring right at Severus.

Severus starred back, trying to glare. He really needed to find a mirror at the earliest opportunity to see exactly how effective his glare was in this form. From the way that Potter continued to look at him, untroubled, made him almost positive that it was not effective at all.

"Harry this kitten is really sweet. Harry? What are you looking at?"

"I kind of like this cat." Harry answered, pointing at Severus.

Hermione and Ron looked down at Severus as well. "Um…are you sure, mate? I mean this kitten is…well…cuter." Ron said, looking at the lanky black cat that looked as if it were trying to stare Harry down. Though as soon as Ron had said this the cats black eyes switched to him in what Ron would swear was a glare.

Harry didn't even glance at the kitten, instead still starring at the black cat. "There's something kinda…familiar about it. I want this one." Harry answered. He unlatched the cage and lifted Severus out.

Severus immediately stiffened in his arms, every muscle rigid. One thing he had never really desired was to be held in Harry bloody Potter's arms. But he had never wanted to be a cat either and we can all see how that went. Severus briefly considered biting and scratching the brat to bloody ribbons. He ended up tossing said idea aside because, in all painful honesty, he really did need to get to Hogwarts somehow if he was to convince them that he was Severus Snape.

At the surge of dismay that this thought caused Severus considered finding his way into muggle London and strolling into traffic. He quickly threw this thought away as well. If he killed himself he would be stuck with Dumbledore always giving him that look for the rest of eternity.

"Are you sure that this is the cat you want, Harry? He looks kind of mean and I've never seen a cat with black eyes before." Hermione frowned.

"I'm sure that he'll get used to me. And his eyes are fine." Harry frowned back. Severus, meanwhile, was becoming quite uncomfortable with the way Potter was holding him. Severus squirmed until he found a bare patch of skin on Potter's arm. Giving a smirk (At least as much as a cat could.) he promptly sank his fangs into Potter's arm. "Ow!"

Potter came very close to dropping him, instead switching his grip on Severus and checking his now wounded arm. Severus smirked again. That would teach the Chosen Brat to hold him properly.

"Came on Harry, don't get that cat. He just bit you! The last thing you need is a homicidal cat." Ron said, eyeing Severus distrustfully.

"I am simply impressed that you know the meaning of the word homicidal." Severus said, it coming out as a meow.

"I've already decided and he's not homicidal. I think I was holding him wrong. He seems fine now." Harry insisted, reaching to scratch behind Severus' ears.

Severus' first instinct was to claw the brat's fingers off. He would have too if Potter hadn't hit that spot behind his ears. It was only a moment before an odd rumbling was coming from deep in Severus' chest. He realized, with substantial horror that he was purring. PURRING!

Potter laughed softly. "See? He's not so bad."

Severus pulled himself together and swiped at Potter's hand in order to get the boy to stop. Potter simply laughed once more but stopped with the petting. Severus glared at him darkly before turning his head completely, refusing to look at the boy.

"Well if you're sure, Harry." Hermione said doubtfully. Harry really didn't think she had much room to criticize his choice in feline companionship. If one thing was for certain it was that his new cat was far cuter then Crookshanks.

Harry picked out a few toys, a food and water dish, and a collar for Severus. Taking everything up to the counter to check out. "Did we get everything we need?" Harry looked to Hermione as they continued down Diagon Alley.

"I think so. I still can't believe we waited so late to get our things. We go back to Hogwarts tomorrow."

"Well we still managed to get everything. Better late than never." Ron grinned.

The three walked to the end of the street before Disapparating. Severus felt Potter's arm tighten around him which really didn't help the horrible compression that came with Apparating. Obviously, Apparation was a lot harder on cats. Severus certainly didn't remember it being so painful.

Without realizing it, Severus had dug his claws deep into Potter's sleeve. When the pressure broke Severus leapt from Harry's arms quickly. He stood panting in front of a house that he blearily recognized as belonging to the Wealseys'.

"Oh Merlin1 I didn't even think about how Apparating would be on a cat! Are you okay, kitty?" Harry knelt down next to the panting cat.

"Never do that again you foolish brat!" Severus tried to scream. It came out as a vicious hiss instead.

"Sorry, sorry." Harry murmured, petting Severus' back.

"Kill your pet not an hour after you get it why don't you?" Ron laughed. Severus shot a glare to the red-head.

"Don't say something like that, Ron." Hermione scolded.

Severus regained his composure quickly and followed the trio into the house. He looked around, still not used to being on floor level. "Here kitty, kitty." Harry kneeled down as Severus walked into the kitchen, wiggling his fingers to try and tempt Severus over to him.

Severus glared at him and turned away, sticking his nose in the air. "Come on, cat. Come here and I'll put your new collar on you." Harry held up the collar he had bought for Severus. It was emerald green with a small silver bell hanging from it. Just what Severus needed to feel even more like a pet.

Harry watched his new cat, jingling the bell on his collar to try and lure him closer. He would almost swear that the cat was sneering at him (and the collar) with distaste. The cat turned his back on Harry as if dismissing him.

Harry grinned, lunging at the cat and using his Seeker reflexes to scoop him up. The cat yowled and dug his claws into Harry's sleeve, looking offended. "You're wearing the collar. How in Merlin's name would everyone at Hogwarts be able to tell you apart from all the other black cats otherwise?"

Severus gave the brat a long suffering glare as the collar was fastened around his neck. "What are you going to name him, Harry?" Hermione asked, leaning over to pet Severus. He hissed at her before her hand even made contact.

"I'm not sure. I got Hedwig's name from a book." Harry answered, standing up with Severus in his arms. Severus stiffened and glared at Potter. Harry just smiled at him and scratched behind his ears.

"What about 'Midnight'?" Hermione suggested as Severus swatted Harry's hand away from any areas that would make him purr like a common house cat. At Hermione's name suggestion Severus snapped him head in her direction and hissed. Her eyebrows shot up at the glare the cat was pinning her with.

"Uh…call me crazy but I don't think he's a fan of that name." Ron said from his spot at the kitchen table.

"What gave you that idea?" Harry asked sarcastically. "Besides 'Midnight' is such a clichéd name for a black cat."

"You don't want cliché? Name him Snowball! There, it's not cliché and it's ironic." Ron grinned.

"If Miss Granger couldn't come up with an adequate name, , I can hardly believe that you would think you had the right to try." Severus quipped in his head. He knew they couldn't hear him but remaining silent was trampling on every one of his last nerves.

Harry was looking down at the cat in his arms thoughtfully. "How about 'Prince'?" He seemed to direct this question more at Severus then either of his friends.

Severus blinked up at Harry in surprise. He had been expecting some asinine name like the ones his idiot friends were suggesting. He let out a meow of consent for this name. It was his mother'smaiden name after all. If he couldn't be known by his proper name then he could at least stand this one.

"Why Prince?" Ron asked, looking at Severus.

"Well he acts stuck up and always had his nose in the air. He's like a spoiled prince." Harry explained with a grin. Severus hissed at him with a glare and leapt from his arms. He slinked under a table in the living room where, hopefully, Potter couldn't reach him.

"So where is everyone, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"It's Sunday. They're visiting George in London." Ron whispered this last part as if talking about someone who was dying.

"Is he still not doing so well then?" Harry asked. Severus noticed from his spot under the table that Potter kept his eyes on the floor.

"He's getting better. It's just, you know, taking a little while. Mum is still trying to get him to move back here. She's worried that he's going to do something…stupid." Ron whispered.

Severus felt his ears perk up, trying to hear better. So Fred Weasley must have died in the battle. Severus could understand why they were worried for his twin then. The two had never been seen apart while in Hogwarts.

"Is he staying in the flat alone?" Hermione asked in a soft voice.

"Nah. Mum wouldn't let him stay alone. Lee Jordan is staying with him for a while."

Severus lay down beneath the table. He had only woken up a few hours ago but he already felt sleepy. As the Golden Trio continued their whispered conversation Severus found himself drifting off into sleep.

XoxoxoxoX

The ex-Potion Master was awakened hours later by the smell of food. His stomach rumbled insistently as he opened his eyes. Though as soon as he realized what chaos the Burrow was now in he instantly regretted not sleeping longer.

The other members of the house hold had returned a while ago from the looks of it. The sound of banging pots and pans filled the house as Molly Weasley rushed back and forth in the kitchen, giving orders to Hermione and Ginny who were assisting her. Molly soon came into the living room to call up the stairs. "Dinner is ready! Come eat!"

Severus snuck into the kitchen, weaving around the legs of the two girls that were busy setting food on the table. He would wait until Potter got down here and then demand food. What kind of fool bought a pet but didn't leave any food out for it? "Brat." Severus meowed, accidentally getting the attention of Ginny Weasley.

"Whose cat?" she asked, looking at Severus.

"Harry's. He bought him in Diagon Alley this morning. His name is Prince." Hermione explained as she continued to place food on the table.

Severus saw Ginny's lips curl unpleasantly at the mention of Potter. "So why'd he get this cat? It's kind of ugly." Ginny sneered.

"Yes, and according to rumors you'll sleep with anyone with male anatomy. But we all have our flaws I guess." Severus hissed.

Hermione looked down at Prince. He was very lanky and his onyx eyes shone with a kind of sharp intelligence. He looked slightly…odd with the black eyes but she certainly wouldn't call him ugly. He was actually a rather dignified looking cat. "I don't think he's ugly. Just…not very cuddly. Harry really seemed to fancy him at the pet store."

Ginny turned away from Severus with a disgusted look. A moment later the rest of the household had come down, seating themselves around the table. Severus found Potter and promptly climbed up his pants leg.

Harry jumped at the feeling of claws on his leg, looking down in surprise at the cat that was now perched in his lap. His surprise faded into a smile. "Sorry. I guess I didn't leave any food out for you." Harry whispered.

"Idiot boy." Severus growled distractedly. He reached for Potter's plate, hooking a piece of ham with his claw and bringing it to his mouth. Harry chuckled and scratched Severus behind the ears. Severus, far too distracted with actually getting something to eat, never noticed that Harry didn't eat much more. He fed Severus, relieved that he had someone else to clean his plate.

XoxoxoxoX

Severus lay on the bed of blankets that Potter had made for him, thinking about how to convince them of who he was. The only thought that comforted him was that it was sure to be easier to convince them while at Hogwarts.

His plan was to try and convince Draco first. Surely his godson would be the one who was most likely to recognize him. After Draco he would work on Granger. She should be clever enough to figure it out. And then he had to get Potter and Weasley.

He would probably be able to convince Potter. Severus knew that, foolish and arrogant the boy may be, he at least had a bit of common sense. He should be able to get Potter with some help from the other two. The only problem was Weasley.

Severus, for now, decided not to think about this. Going down that road of despair would do him no good at all. And besides, with the help of all the others (and a miracle) he might manage to convince Weasley. It was no use worrying about that yet. He would work on Draco first. With that thought Severus drifted off to sleep.

XoEndChapteroX

A/n: Thank you very much for reading! The next chapter should be up soon! Reviews are much appreciated but please no flames. Flames are to my soul what whips are to bare flesh.