"Hands rise for those who wish to convict Prisoner #S8379."
Their talking is whispers to him. No voices sound recognizable. He knows why he is here. He could remember everything very clearly: The Dark Lord; the snake bite; Potter and his group taking his memories. He had been ready to die at that moment, which had been the only reason he would ever show weakness, especially to a Potter. He had been so close to the darkness that was death, his bliss. And then, he had awoken in an all-white room, being treated and kept alive. He had stayed there for an unknown amount of time, but the moment everything had been healed (at least on the outside, he still couldn't talk) he was shipped straight off to Azkaban. He, of course, knew he deserved this. He was going to rot in Azkaban until he died, and then be buried without a tomb stone or anything of the sort in their pathetic graveyard. He had no problem with this; it would have helped him come to terms with the guilt he felt. Though, everything had been planned. He had killed Albus Dumbledore – on the man's orders – but that didn't change the fact that he was supposed to still kill his mentor; the only father figure he had ever had, the only person who had cared about his existence.
The only one who had never judged him, no matter the crime or decision. His only friend.
"… Very well, it has been decided. While we do not use the Dementors for guards at Azkaban, we still use them for our death sentences. Prisoner #S8379 – otherwise known as Severus Tobias Snape, will be executed via Dementors kiss."
No.
He finally opens his eyes, wincing at the blinding light thanks to the fact that they had had him in holding for two months in Azkaban prison already. He stares up through blurry vision at the judge, trying to see who he was. He didn't mind dying, but by Dementors kiss? No…
No, no, no.
He realizes he must've tried struggling; he feels the spikes of the cage he was in poking into his back, and a whimper escapes his lips. The cage shakes a bit, the spikes jabbing into his side, arms, stomach; one just barely missing his eye. He doesn't want to die this way… he wants to simply pass when it was his time in a prison cell, thinking back on his crimes, learning his lesson! They couldn't—
Then commotion...
His eyes reopen as everything goes silent again. He glances around the Wizengamot, noting that everyone's eyes were on something behind Severus. He did his best to turn his stiff neck, his vision blurring once more at the sudden movement but focusing just in time to see:
The Order. Wait. What?
Probably here to see him rot. He almost, just almost chuckled. He closed his eyes and rests his forehead against a spike.
"We demand Severus Snape be exonerated from all charges."
Granger? Exonerated?
His eyes shoot open and just at the right time. There stood, who else, but Harry Potter, smiling at him and undoing the cage's locks. "Are you alright, Professor?" He whispers. Or maybe he said it louder and it just sounds like a whisper to Severus. He opens his mouth but it closes right back up, making Potter frown at him.
"Halt there!"
"I have evidence."
Potter.
"Do you now? And would you show the court?"
"Of course. They're memories. Unaltered memories, so they are indeed valid as Hermione tells me."
Of course Granger had to tell him that…
"Very well, someone bring us a pensieve!"
Silence.
How many were going in to view the memories? Those were private. Damn meddling brats! His eyes are still open, but everything is blurry; he is so tired… Surely they would be in there for a while? Maybe he can nap. Sleep without screams waking him up every few minutes sounds lovely.
"How dare you!" A woman shrills.
"M'am…"
"No! I will not have excuses! You took him out of St. Mungo's when he was still healing. These records show he still had several broken bones. He still couldn't speak. How do you know he was not traumatized? Azkaban would've made things ten times worse! They probably have!"
Poppy.
"As the new Minister—" Kingsley. "I will have the Aurors whom were in charge of Professor Snape's arrest investigated. Now, I demand release of Severus Snape. I believe the man has suffered enough, do you not?"
"No! I don't think that! He is a murderer! Planned or not!" A man hisses.
"Very well." Kingsley says. "A new vote. Hands rise now for those who think Severus Snape should be acquitted of all charges, with of course, a sort of parole."
"Hands rise for those who think Severus Snape should parish by Dementors kiss!"
"It seems—"
Please…
"That Mr. Snape will be acquitted on parole." He can practically hear the smirk on Kingsley's face.
"Very well…" The judge, he figures, huffed. "The parole is… as he was a Death Eater, he will be given a person in charge, of who will do as Albus Dumbledore did: Watch over him and keep him in line."
"That sounds mana—"
"I'm not finished, Minister."
"Continue."
"This charge will have to live with Mr. Snape."
"Oka—"
"As his spouse."
WHAT?
"That's ridiculous!" Potter shouts.
Indeed it is, Potter!
"Mr. Snape is a male over the age of 35, he should be wed anyway. Should he not? Is that not the new law? Wed by 35 and with child if possible, to keep up our population?"
"Well, yes…"
"Then it is settled. A spouse will need to be found for Mr. Snape; until then, he will be shipped back to Azka—"
"I DON'T THINK SO!" Poppy shouted. "He will be going to Hogwarts Infirmary until he is recovered." She hisses.
He clears his throat. "V-very well. After he is healed, if a spouse has still not been found, he will await until one is found in Azkaban."
The gavel hits the block, signaling the end of his case. He hears the cage he was in being opened and the last thing he remembers – or feels – before he blacked out was falling into a pair of strong arms.