A/N: Edited March 7th, 2015.
Chapter 10: The Trial
As predicted, Snape was summoned to the Ministry by owl, and he and Arthur Weasley traveled together as soon as the owl had been paid and had departed. Snape had dressed in his usual black attire and moved like a shadow through the bright Burrow. He caught Harry's attention just as he was about to leave and the little boy scrunched up his face, deep in contemplation, as Snape waited for the fire to be ready to receive its travellers - like he recognized Severus but not entirely.
"What is wrong with you?" Snape asked as he plucked Harry from his high chair and watched as the little boy look him over, still with deep contemplation on his brow.
"Bad!" Harry stated and pushed a finger into Snape's shoulder.
"What did you say?" Snape asked holding Harry out in front of him.
"Bad!" Harry repeated and started to struggle and squirm to get out of Snape's arms.
"He just spoke Severus!" Molly cried. "He said 'bad'."
"Why bad?" Severus asked as he held the child tighter.
"Perhaps he doesn't like your look." Molly laughed. "Perhaps he is remembering what dark wizards looked like, or he is relating your dark, deathly, attire to the Death Eaters that his parents had warned him about or who came to his house with Voldemort that fate filled night."
"Bad!" Harry shrieked this time and began to wail.
"I'm not bad," Snape stated, forcing a smile and a chuckle from his lips, "I'm good."
Harry scrunched up his face once again and tried desperately to get away from Snape with more fore as he shrieked and cried.
"He'll settle once you have returned." Molly laughed again as she took Harry from Snape as Arthur returned to the fireside ready for their departure.
"I don't want him to think of me as bad!" Snape stated feeling uncomfortable by the fifteen month olds accusation and behaviour.
"He won't when you return and change into things that he us used to." Molly smiled, "until then, take this as a simple warning that he does not like your old look Severus!" she giggled. "It is not comforting."
"It was never meant to be comforting, only menacing to children."
"And it is just that," Molly stated cheekily, "but Master Potter is not one of your Hogwarts students."
"As always, you are right, Molly. I'll relinquish my wardrobe to you when I return."
"Are we ready then?" Arthur asked and with a little hesitation Snape followed him into the flaring green fire.
"You really got to him, little one," Molly giggled as she placed Harry in the high chair once more with a peck on his cheek. "I doubt we will see the dark sides of Severus Snape around here anymore."
Harry smiled and giggled as Molly laughed. Little did he know he had truly made his point, and Snape would be very cautious around him from now on. It was time to leave the darkness behind, for Harry's sake, and let the brightness of what ever dwelled within Severus' heart escape.
HP
Severus and Arthur walked through the halls of the ministry of magic before settling into the court room for the trail of Peter Pettigrew. Both Pettigrew and Black were in attendance, both shackled and guarded by the Dementors that had traveled from Azkaban for the protection of the counsel and those who had come as spectators for the trial. There were Death Eaters all around him, but the proof of their allegiance was not with them, and so they still walked free. Severus sucked in a deep breath when he saw Lucius Malfoy walked into the court room and glare at him from across the room.
"He is as guilty as Pettigrew but we can't prove it," Arthur whispered in pure disgust as he followed Snape's line of sighed.
"Oh you have no idea," Snape whispered and shot another glare across the assembly at the man who walked with airs of prejudice and pride.
"He will be a thorn in your side until the end of time," Arthur sighed but his attention was captured when Dumbledore and the rest of the Order entered the courtroom.
Dumbledore's opening statements were convincing enough for most of the members of the jury. Pettigrew seemed to shrink with every word. By the time he took the stand he could no longer look at the members of the jury but rather hissed and whimpered with every question that was asked of him, and every time he lied to tried to save his own skin a halo of purple mist appeared around him, choking him and condemning him even further. Finally Snape took the stand to many quizzical looks and whispers from those who had gathered in the gallery to watch.
"Professor Snape, it is understood that you have some testimony for this court." The Minister of Magic stated from the podium.
"It is true, you honour," Snape said, his old tones and movements coming back to him.
"Would you care to tell the court why you believe Mr. Pettigrew is guilty of the charges that have been laid before him?" the minister asked.
"I understand, from a very reliable source, that Mr. Pettigrew was the Potter's secret keeper. He broke his vow to protect them by telling of their whereabouts to those who committed their murders and, because he believed everyone would think that Sirius Black was James Potter's secret keeper, he framed Mr. Black for his own crimes." Snape stated calmly as the gallery erupted in gasps and hisses.
"Can you prove these accusations?" The minister asked.
"I can," Snape stated. "I was keeping a secret myself. I had made a vow with another person. Lily Potter trusted me with the information and the protection of her most precious assets. I am the guardian, by magical rights, of the-boy-who-lived." He added and the jury gasped in astonishment. "Lily did not trust Pettigrew, in fact, she suspected him of his disloyalty. She knew that because of his betrayal she would die and because of this she came to me. She told me. The words came from her lips. Provide me with a Pensieve and I will prove it for I have the memory stored away."
"Without testimony from Lily or James Potter, we cannot prove that Mr. Pettigrew has betrayed them." A little witch from within the congress stated her eyes twinkling with malice.
"If I may, your honour," Dumbledore interjected. "We do have testimony from Mrs. Potter. And furthermore, Professor Snape's memories with the help of the pensieve would be proof enough."
Again, a gasp rose from those in the surroundings. Snape felt his temperature rise at Dumbledore's statement. The minister motioned for Dumbledore to continue, and from within the folds of his robe, Dumbledore produced a small painting. With a flick of his wand, accompanied by the fan fair that Dumbledore was known for, the painting was enlarged and within it sat the calm young figure of Lily Evans-Potter. Snape could not stop himself, he gasped to see her figure, her beautiful green eyes and the sad, betrayed look on her face. Pettigrew slumped in his seat - his eye averted her gaze, as Lily Potter cleared her throat.
"This painting hangs in one of the classrooms at Hogwarts. It was painted for Professor Slughorn and his collection." Dumbledore explained. "Mrs. Potter was one of his favorite students and so she sat for the painting that will forever keep her likeness and her spirit."
"Mrs. Potter, who is your betrayer," the minister asked the painting.
"Peter Pettigrew." Lily stated.
Again and eruption of sound filled the court until the ministers gavel fell once and for all.
"I find you, Peter Pettigrew, guilty of the charges placed against you. You will be removed immediately to Azkaban where you will spend the rest of your days!" The minister stated forcefully. "You will receive the Dementor's kiss and if it does not kill you, you will loose yourself bit by bit knowing the evil you have committed. You will die in Azkaban" he added and his decision was final and binding.
A cry rose up from the small, insignificant man, as the Dementors dragged him away kicking and screaming. Snape moved to leave the witness stand and caught Lily's eyes. He had not thought that anything, holding her resemblance, had ever survived the devastation of her murder. To see Lily now, looking more beautiful than he had ever remembered her, was heart warming and heart breaking at the same time.
The minister cleared his throat, preparing to hand down another verdict as the gaze between Lily and Snape was broken.
"Sirius Black, you are here by cleared of all accusation. I set you free from the confines of Azkaban and offer you my sincere apologies for the troubles that have befallen you. Take up your place, once again as a productive citizen of the magical community. I restore your wand to you and all that was yours in the time before your incarceration will be yours once more." the minister stated and magically the shackles fell away from Sirius Black.
There were a lot of things said, in the court room, when the trial had ended. There was anger, there was fear and there was rejoicing, but Snape remained silent as he watched Dumbledore conversing with the painting. He moved toward them, hesitantly, not wanting it to seem like he was desperate, but he was. He needed to see her once again, needed to hear her speak. His heart was light, knowing that there was a reminder of her in the world.
"How is my baby, Severus?" Lily asked with a cautious, sad expression on her face.
"He is adjusting." Severus stated, lowing his eyes. "We believe he may be suffering some trauma from the attack, but he is making good progress."
"What kinds of trauma," Lily gasped.
"He does not speak, nor does he walk on his own." Snape stated. "Did he speak before?"
"Oh yes," Lily said, "and ran."
"Quite a good thing for his age," Dumbledore stated trying to lighten the mood.
"He spoke for the first time today," Snape stated. "It was only one word, but it was something. I hope to see him walking again soon."
Lily frowned and fell silent.
"Well we best be getting you back to the castle," Dumbledore stated, "thank you for your help, Lily." He added and shrank the portrait and placed it back within the pocket from which he had retrieved it.
Snape fell silent as well. He had wanted to say more. He wanted to apologies for everything he had done, over and over again. He wanted to profess his undying devotion to her and the child he had now become quite fond of. He wanted just to hear her voice, to look into her eyes, but he knew that his time would someday come when he would face her again. He sighed to himself as he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you Severus," Sirius stated when Snape jumped and looked in his direction. "I didn't expect you to be my saviour, but it turns out that you are, and I owe you everything."
"You owe me nothing," Snape stated. "I did it for Lily and for Harry."
"If only more people knew what you have done." Black smiled and patted him on the back again.
"I am sure they are going to know soon enough," Snape stated wearily.
"I must ask you," Sirius started and then hesitated, "I would be very much in your debt if you would allow me to see my godson."
"You may see Harry." Severus stated and then turned and walked away.
Once the trial was over, Arthur lead Severus back through the ministry. They tried, as best as they could, to avoid people, but it was not to be done. They'd nearly reached the fires of the Floo Network, that would take them home, when Lucius Malfoy stepped out from behind a column.
"My wife will be very pleased, and so I must extend my gratitude to you for freeing her cousin. We were all dreadfully shocked to hear of his incarceration." Lucius said darkly and with lies and distain dripping from every word.
"I was under the impression that the Black family had disowned Sirius because of his loyalties." Snape countered.
"The ladies all have a soft spot in their hearts. It is a woman's way." Lucius shrugged. "In any case, my family will be very grateful for the information I will return to them, and thus I must thank you."
"I'm sure all of your acquaintance will be very interested to hear what you have to report." Arthur huffed and tried to steer Severus toward the fires.
"You would be wise, Severus, to remember who it is you are associating with. We are all on the same side, now, aren't we, and the Boy-Who-Lived deserves to be treated like the celebrity that he has becomes, and not some filthy friend of a Weasley." Lucius said and Snape pulled himself away from Arthur, drew his wand and charged on the Malfoy man who threw his hands up before him.
"You and I have never been on the same side," Snape hissed at the man before him and pocketed his wand as a crowd began to gather, "and you will not find yourself anywhere near Harry Potter, so long as I live." He added in such a low voice that Lucius had to strain to hear.
Snape then turned away with a great flurry of his cloak and jumped into the fire with Arthur.
HP
Back at the Burrow, an angry, brooding, Snape jumped out of the fire and stormed past Molly and the children. He disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived and was gone for a long time. Arthur tried to calm Molly's nerves by telling her all that had passed, but the story only made her feel sorry for her husband and anxious for Severus, and his movements had greatly upset the smallest of the children.
In due time, Snape did find his way down to join the family. His billowy cloak was gone but his dark attire remained - as prim and proper as he'd ever been.
Harry looked up from the stack of blocks before him and with a great smile said, "hi" and the greeting melted Snape's heart of stone.
"Hello little one. What have you got there?" he asked as he got down on the floor and stretched out to watch Harry.
Harry smashed through the tower of blocks and crawled up to Snape, with a mischievous look on his face, and he reached out and poked at Snape's nose. "Beep!" Harry stated and giggled as he hurriedly tried to escape.
"Oh really?" Snape laughed and grabbed Harry before he could flee.
Harry squealed with delight and giggled as Snape tickled him and held him in the air as he rolled onto his back. "How do you thing you are going to escape now?" Snape asked the squirming, giggling, child.
"This, Severus, is the reason we have children. They can change everything in a moment." Molly said as she walked in with Ginny in her arms. "They can chase away all the darkness in our souls. You needed to come home to him, didn't you?" she asked.
Severus sat up, still holding a squealing Harry before him and then pulled him close to his chest and hugged him. "I think I did." he answered. "I needed to see joy in his eyes because I only saw sorrow in Lily's today."
"Arthur told me about the portrait. It must have been a great shock to you." Molly said sympathetically.
"It was a shock, but so was seeing a mother who could not hold her baby. I felt so sorry for her and so angry. It's unfair, and there are still people who have not paid for what they have done, and those people can walk around and still throw their conceit around at others. My behaviour today was appalling, but I couldn't help myself."
"You need not be angry for our sake. We would never want to associate with the Malfoys, nor should you, so they can say whatever they want about us. We know who our friends are and who are truly horrible, and one day the Malfoys will get what is coming to them." Molly stated proudly.
"They want to get close to Harry, and I fear that Sirius Black, because he is their family, will bring them even closer than they already are." Snape said as he awkwardly got to his feet with Harry in his arms and stood before Molly.
"I know you don't like him, and you have every right to be worried, but Sirius Black is the farthest thing from the Black family. He is good, but you are the one Lily chose to take care of her child and so you are better than all of them." Molly said and saw the look on Severus's face change. "Think on that for a while and clean yourself up, and the boy too. Dinner will be served in a half hour." she added with a smile and returned to her kitchen with her sleeping daughter in her arms.
"Well, we've been told, now haven't we?" Snape asked as he turned Harry around and spoke to him.
"Yup." Harry stated as he reached out and poked Snape's nose again. "Beep!"
"And so ends your silence," Snape stated with a laugh, and with Harry held tightly in his arms he bounded up the stairs to make them both presentable for dinner.