A/N: Written for the Houses Competition: Slytherin, year 7, Short story, Prompt word: Indelicate, and Word count: 2243. Beta: DaronwyK
Also written for Famous Wizard and Witches Card Challenge (The Return)
The Ministry of Magic was bustling in the worst of ways. Severus had always hated the crowds. They unnerved him, making him feel cornered and trapped. Years of having to watch his back ensured that. It was bad enough that he had to make an appearance here every month for his "probation", the least they could do was allow him to use the floo rather than the public entrance.
"Relax, Severus," Dumbledore scolded him quietly. "You will only make yourself appear guilty of something by scowling at everyone."
"They already believe I'm guilty," Severus replied. "What difference will it make whether I scowl or smile?"
Dumbledore frowned at him, but Severus pretended not to see as he followed the old man through the building towards their usual courtroom. As part of the agreement that kept him out of Azkaban after the war ended, Severus was required to present himself before a jury of peers once a month to show them that he still wasn't trying to kill anyone. Not that they truly believed his claims. No matter how many times his innocence was declared, regardless of who declared it, no one who worked for the Ministry of Magic ever truly saw him. When they looked at him, all they saw was a Deatheater. He wasn't gullible enough to believe they would ever see anything different.
"You did this to yourself, Severus," Dumbledore whispered, as though he could read Severus's thoughts. "You can't expect them not to judge you for the mark that you willingly took."
"Of course not," Severus answered bitterly. "How could they be expected to understand the nature of a mistake when they themselves only ever exhibit perfection?"
Dumbledore snorted. The corner of Severus's mouth tugged up into a smirk at the old man's amusement, but it was quickly wiped from his face again as he stepped inside the courtroom.
In the center of the room, surrounded by benches full of judgmental know-it-all wizards and witches, was an iron cage, complete with shackles to ensure Severus didn't get any bright ideas while he was there.
"Albus," Severus started to object, but Dumbledore silenced him with a single look.
It had been agreed upon, during his last session, that he would no longer be required to be chained while he was here. They had agreed to stop treating him like a prisoner. He was supposed to have a chair this time. Not the chains.
"The prisoner has arrived!" The Minister of Magic, Liam Vachlan, announced. He was a thin, balding man with pale skin, hazel eyes, and a voice that always seemed to be louder than what was necessary. "Please escort him to the cell and secure the chains."
Severus swallowed hard, but didn't protest. He knew, if he didn't go willingly, he would be forcibly apprehended. They had made it clear that if they had to chain him by force they would release him at their convenience, not his. He stepped towards the cage, but Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him. Severus looked back at him questioningly.
"I was under the impression, Minister, that we were past this." Dumbledore pointed out. "Was it not agreed upon by the jury that Severus could now be trusted enough to sit in a chair rather than a cage?"
"That is true. However, after further consideration the leniency was revoked due to the necessity to protect the Ministry from an individual who is STILL a known Deatheater," The Minister answered. "If the prisoner deems the cage unfit, I'm certain we can find him a more appropriate environment in Azkaban."
Severus shrugged off Dumbledore's hand. "This will suffice," he answered simply. His instincts urged him to find the nearest exit, but Severus forced himself to walk calmly to the cage and shut himself in. The wizard sitting on the minister's right-hand side, a tall, muscled man with dark skin and long dreadlocks, quickly locked him in.
Dumbledore audibly sighed, "How long do you intend to treat an innocent man like an enemy, Liam?"
"You and I both know 'innocent men' don't carry the Dark Mark, Dumbledore, and I will protect the Ministry from Deatheaters for as long as I am capable of doing so. It is my job, after all…and its Minister, to you. Thank you," the Minister answered.
"Severus has more than paid for his mistakes. He has renounced his loyalty to Tom Riddle, proven himself an incredible asset to the Order of the Phoenix during the war, and has since been an outstanding asset to the restoration of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I think you and I both know that if the Ministry really considered Severus a danger to the community, he would not be allowed to return to his position at Hogwarts," Dumbledore pointed out.
"There are, clearly, extenuating circumstances. It is our job to ensure those circumstances continue to mold Snape into an asset for the community rather allow him to become a danger to us all," the Minister countered. "Now, shall we begin or would you like to continue debating a decision that you are incapable of changing?"
Dumbledore motioned toward Severus, inviting the Minister to go first.
"For the record, please state your full name," the minister instructed, beginning with the basics, as he always did. A court reporter was sitting nearby, scribbling each word spoken down into a small notebook.
"Severus Snape," Severus answered curtly.
"Mr. Snape, the last time you were here we discussed your intentions to return to your position as the Hogwarts Potions Master. How has this progressed?" the Minister asked, staring down at his fingernails as though he were bored.
"I currently hold the position of Hogwarts Potions Master," Severus answered. He refused to give them any more information than what they were asking for. His life was none of their business, and he didn't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing the extent to which they had disrupted it. If it were up to him, he wasn't certain he would even be teaching at Hogwarts now, let alone living there.
"Do you intend to continue in this position?" the minister asked.
Before Severus could answer the door to the courtroom burst open, slamming back against the wall as a harsh wind blew through the room. It was strong enough that it not only scattered papers, but also knocked a couple of the witnesses out of their seats.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Minister demanded, rising from his seat to try to see who had interrupted them.
Severus stood from his chair as well, but it didn't do him any good. He couldn't see over the heads of everyone who had risen. Whispers swept through the room. There were so many talking at once that Severus couldn't make out what was being said until someone close to him turned to the minister.
"There's no one there, Sir."
"Liam Vachlan!" A shrill, feminine voice rang out. "Murderer!"
A moment later a black wolf leapt through the door with a torch in its mouth. It tore through the room, setting everything it could reach on fire. Alarm rang out among the crowd as many of them began trying to evacuate.
"Catch it!" The Minister yelled, "Someone catch that beast!"
The wizard next to him drew a wand and attempted to aim at the wolf, but the wolf had already dropped the torch onto a large pile of paperwork, setting it ablaze before winding its way between feet. In all the chaos, no one could get a decent shot at it. They had no choice but to evacuate until the fire could be safely extinguished.
"Minister Vachlan!" Dumbledore called out over the crowd to catch the minister's attention. "I trust you're quite finished with my potions master?"
"No, I am not!" The minister answered angrily, "We are not done here. His hearing will be rescheduled for next week!"
"Until then," Dumbledore waved his wand at Severus's cage, opening the door and motioning for Severus to evacuate like the others.
Relief swept over Severus as he stepped out of the cage. The frantic crowd made him cringe, but this crowd would be much easier to escape than that cage was. He shoved his way past the wizards and witches who were still attempting to put out the fire, and realized, with a sense of smug satisfaction, that it was enchanted. Every time they thought they had it out, it flared to life again. They could flood the entire facility and the water wouldn't make any difference. Only a spell could put it out. It served them right.
Severus quickly followed Dumbledore down the corridor, back the same way they had come in. The Minister refused to allow Severus to come or leave magically. He had to exit the old-fashioned way. Severus was certain the idiot would take his wand if he could ever come up with even the slightest excuse to do so.
Once they were outside, the fresh air calmed him again. He slowed to a stop and closed his eyes, letting the natural light soothe him.
"This won't last forever, Severus," Dumbledore attempted to reassure him.
"It will if Liam Vachlan has anything to say about it," Severus retorted. He hesitated before adding, "Though, he doesn't seem to be the most popular Minister of Magic, does he?"
"You shouldn't make comments like that out here in the open," Dumbledore reprimanded him. "Let's go back to the school."
Severus started to follow him when movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. A dark colored wolf crouched low in the alleyway. Pain filled its eyes as it leaned against the brick wall. Much of its fur was singed and a spot on its side was completely hairless, inflamed and angry looking. Severus lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Surely, this couldn't be the same wolf that had just set the ministry on fire…but then again, how many wolves could possibly be roaming around London with burn marks?
He was about to point the wolf out to Dumbledore when the animal began to elongate. Its limbs stretched and the fur receded until it the animal took human shape. The wolf was human. A witch. Her brown hair hung in waves down her shoulders as she let her head fall back against the wall. Her eyes clenched shut in agony. Just as the wolf had, her skin was inflamed in several places where the fire had gotten too close to her.
"Severus?" Dumbledore said, pulling his attention away from the woman, "Are you coming?"
Severus hesitated. He really shouldn't be seen with the woman who had just attacked the ministry. They were suspicious enough of him as it was…but the least he could do was thank her for cutting his hearing short. Besides, she also had to be the source of the voice who had accused the minister of murder. He was curious. "Actually," Severus answered, "I don't believe I'll return to Hogwarts at the moment. I'm going to make a trip to Spinner's End. I'll be back before classes tomorrow."
Dumbledore nodded. He looked like he wanted to object, but he knew better than to try to convince him to do something he didn't have to or want to do. Over the years he had learned to pick his battles. "Stay out of trouble," he replied.
Severus had the feeling that Dumbledore suspected what he intended to do. The old man always was too observant for his own good. Still, Dumbledore turned away and took a few more steps before apparating.
As soon as he was out of sight, Severus quickly moved into the alleyway where the woman was hiding.
She glared up at him and shakily managed to get to her feet to face him. Her body still leaned against the wall for support.
"That was quite a scene you put on," Severus pointed out, studying her more closely now.
The smooth, feminine angles of her face were different from the sharper features of the wolf, but her bright blue eyes were the same.
"You're the one he had in a cage," She said, suddenly recognizing him. "They didn't send you back to Azkaban?"
"I didn't come from Azkaban," Severus explained, "The Minister simply doesn't trust me enough to be in my presence unless I am contained. You may call me Severus. Who are you?"
"Someone who wants to know what you want." She answered suspiciously, taking a step back away from him.
"I owe you my gratitude for shortening the amount of time I had to suffer through that meeting today…and you need assistance escaping from the scene of the crime. Let me help you." Severus offered.
"That wasn't a crime!" she snapped. "It was only the first step towards making them pay for what they've done."
"What they've done?" he repeated questioningly.
"I know what they do to children in the dark," she whispered, leaning towards him.
"You can tell me about it over burn salve and a drink," Severus said, offering her his hand.
"If you're willing to help me, you must agree with my message," she pointed out, trying to read his intentions. "I'm Lenora."
"I can't say I have a very high opinion of the minister…though your 'message' was a bit…indelicate," he answered, choosing his words carefully.
Lenora smiled and took his hand. "For some people, 'indelicate' is more than they deserve."