There were only a few days left before the holidays began. The castle was quieter than usual, the hallways echoing with the soft hum of winter magic and the occasional distant laughter. Most students were either packing or lounging by the fireplaces, basking in the warm glow of freedom soon to come.

But not you.

You had other plans.

You were an unregistered Animagus — a fact kept hidden with care and a streak of rebellion. Nights like these were your secret delight. When the castle slept, you roamed. Through dark corridors, across frostbitten courtyards, sometimes even sneaking into the restricted section of the library just to feel alive.

With a silent breath, you transformed. Fur replacing skin, senses sharpening. You slipped out of your common room like smoke, paws silent against the stone floor, tail flicking behind you. You loved this part — the freedom, the stillness, the way the world changed when you walked through it unseen.

Until it wasn’t unseen.

Without warning, hands — human hands — closed tightly around your belly, lifting you from the ground with surprising speed and precision. Another hand followed, gripping beneath your armpits (or rather, where your armpits would be in human form), and held you up like a misbehaving pet.

Your heart skipped. Your claws flinched. But it was too late.

You twisted in the air just enough to see a pair of obsidian eyes glaring down at you, narrowed with suspicion and pure loathing.

Severus Snape.

He had caught you.

—What in Merlin’s name.. he growled, his voice low and dangerous. —Where do you think you’re going, creature

You squirmed in his grasp, but his hold was firm. He studied you carefully, his sharp features tight with annoyance, but also… curiosity. He hadn’t hexed you. Not yet. That was either a blessing — or a very, very bad sign.

—You’re not on the list he muttered more to himself, eyes flicking over your form —Not one of Hagrid’s. Not a student’s pet either...

Then, suddenly, his expression darkened further, as if a suspicion had begun to form.

—Unless...

He narrowed his eyes and brought you closer, inspecting you like a potion ingredient about to explode.

You were in trouble.