Chapter 1: The Trial of Severus Snape
All original characters are those of J.K. Rowling.
Hermione Granger found that she greatly disliked the high wizarding court of Wizengamot. While the Department of Magical Law Enforcement made dozens of successful raids following the end of the Battle of Hogwarts, Wizengamot had been extraordinarily slow in trying and convicting those arrested for war crimes in connection to the Dark Lord. While many of those in Voldemort's Inner Circle fled to South America and could not be located, by mid-June nearly half of his supporters had been captured. Dozens of Dark witches and wizards were thus now held in the cells of Azkaban and awaited their trials, which were to be held during the last two weeks of July. Hermione believed many of them were guilty.
"Miss Granger."
Hermione turned to Chief Warlock Ellison Ebbitt, who leaned forward in his plum colored robes. A silver W embroidered on his chest softly glinted in the dimly lit dungeon as he pulled a newspaper clipping from a large file that sat in front of him. His face, notably wrinkle-free for a wizard of such high rank in Wizengamot, was framed with octagonal spectacles. He was unusually young and seemingly inexperienced for someone holding his position, which Hermione suspected he had been given by the newly elected Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, in an effort to modernize the Ministry in a post-war age. It had been a difficult order of business; many members of the high court had been killed or were missing.
"I––could you restate your question?" said Hermione. She fidgeted with the sleeves of her black robes. The fifty members of the Wizengamot stared expressionless at her. She imagined that many of them already knew what she was going to say. She was, as many already knew, a third of the Golden Trio and quite suddenly a war hero. Hermione Granger was now, more than ever, thrust into the public realm of criticism and curiosity.
"I do hope that your mind is not elsewhere, Miss Granger,. Your testimony is of the upmost importance to the brevity of this case," said Ebbitt with a flourish of annoyance at Hermione's lapse, "How long were you a student of Professor Severus Snape?"
"He was my Potions teacher until my sixth year when Horace Slughorn was given the position as Hogwarts's Potions Master by Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape began to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Did you know him well?"
"No one knew him well," said Hermione. "He was not particularly talkative."
A few members of the Wizengamot gave hushed chuckles at the idea that Severus Snape would be anything but dour..
A silver-haired witch spoke from the back of the court. Her seat was so far from the witness chair that Hermione could barely make out her features. "Was he there when you were inducted into the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yes, as an active member of the Order of the Phoenix, he attended all meetings at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. I was living there during the summer before my fifth year and saw him often. He was a loyal member of the Order on all accounts even after it disbanded," said Hermione.
"Until it disbanded following the murder of Albus Dumbledore," said a mustached wizard. "Despite the testimonies of Granger and the Minister for Magic, I have yet to hear substantial evidence from this witness that would support Chief Warlock Ebbitt's petition to exonerate this defendant of all charges."
Chief Warlock Ebbitt dismissively waved his hand at the wizard and gave the man a wide grin. Hermione thought Ebbitt might have graduated with Charlie Weasley. "Settle down, Lonas, we'll get the evidence when Potter testifies. I know you haven't had your afternoon drink––"
A few members of Wizengamot made sounds of amusement. The man called Lonas did not seem pleased.
"Chief Warlock Ebbitt, I ask that we continue," said Lonas as he picked up his quill.
"Miss Granger, did you or did you not view the memories of Severus Tobias Snape immediately after his death in the Shrieking Shack on the second of May nineteen hundred and ninety-eight?"
"Professor Snape, as you know, did not actually die in the Shrieking Shack," said Hermione.
Lonas gave a small huff.
"Miss Granger, clearly I am aware of Professor Snape's status, as he is sitting in this courtroom. If the witness would answer the question, it would be most beneficial to all parties involved––myself included."
Hermione did not look at the dark figure seated behind her on a bench just outside of her peripheral vision. He looked underfed, and the collar of his striped prison uniform hung low around his neck, exposing the paleness of his chest. Hermione could hear his shackles echo through the dungeon as he moved in his wooden chair, his face twisted into fierce scowl that was almost enough to distract her from the thick, white bandage that was wrapped around his neck. Hermione heard that he had been at St. Mungo's until his trial date. All things considered, Severus Snape was very much alive.
"No, I did not see the memories immediately following the snake attack," Hermione heard herself saying. "But I know they were not altered. There was no indication of visual fringing or changed dialogue that is commonly found in altered memories. I analyzed the strands quite thoroughly after Harry showed them to me. I, too, was worried that there were traces of Dark magic, but I found none. In any case, I believe that a later witness will be submitting them for review."
Hermione heard the rattling of shackles once again but did not turn back to look as the silver haired witch. "I wonder, Miss Granger, what made you certain that the memories were not altered or falsified?
"As I said, you will see them for yourself. I will not speak to what exactly the memories show, but I will say with certainty that the memories that were given to Harry Potter by Severus Snape during the Battle of Hogwarts were valid. Dark magic radiates a type of magnetic force," Hermione said. "Even subtle Dark magic is traceable––there is no enchantment strong enough to permanently hide its effects. It is basic Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Yes," said Lonas, "But how do you know?"
Hermione glanced over her shoulder at the shackled wizard behind her. His eyes were hidden by his lank hair, his entire body was unnervingly still, but Hermione knew he was listening.
"I doubt very much, Warlock Lonas, that I would be alive if Severus Snape had decided to create a Dark object that day," said Hermione. A few members murmured to one another; Lonas said nothing.
Ebbitt flipped his folder shut and rapped his fist on the bench.
"Ah, well, thank you for that positively insightful testimony, Miss Granger," said Ebbitt. "You may be excused, Granger. I heard you're traveling to America. Safe travels."
"Um–thank you," said Hermione, surprised at the relaxed nature of Chief Warlock.
"Bailiff, bring in Potter, I'd like to get through quickly. I'm sure The Prophet is eager to run this on the cover for tomorrow," said Ebbitt, as he handed his closed file to an aide sitting at his right, "I have a few friends up there who would enjoy a jump start on this thing before the day ends. I owe Yvonne Adler a favor or two, but doesn't everyone?" Ebbit gave a hearty laugh and continued. "The damn Quibbler is faster at churning out articles these days––complete nonsense, of course."
The stone dungeon was filled with chatter from the members of Wizengamot as Hermione got out of her chair placed in the center of the courtroom and gathered her things. The fate of Severus Snape had been decided the moment Harry Potter revealed the truth to Voldemort––and to the crowd that had been fighting for Hogwarts.
She slung her purse over her shoulder.
"Nice to see you, Professor," said Hermione under her breath. Severus remained unmoving, shackled to his chair.
"Goodbye, Miss Granger," said Snape, his voice low and sharp. The bite had no doubt affected his speech.
"Goodbye, Professor Snape," said Hermione. She gave him a small nod and strode from the courtroom.
