A Hogwart's Tale: Interview with a Snape
Chapter Nine
Disclaimer: I do not own JK Rowling's Harry Potter.
A/N: SS/HG. This is the sequel to A Hogwart's Tale: Romeo & Juliet. This chapter follows along with DH chapters 32-36.
Answers to questions/comments can be found at the end of this chapter!
May 18, 1998
As Hermione sobbed, Kingsley motioned for Gawain Robards and the recorder to excuse them. He knew that Hermione was hiding something. The Aurors sent to recover Severus Snape's body returned empty-handed. The body was missing.
Then, as the injured were being transported from Hogwart's to St Mungo's, rumors began circulating. The Welcome Witch reported a young woman carrying a Death Eater disappearing into St Mungo's hours before. Again, the Aurors were unable to find anything.
Yet, Hermione had been seen visiting St Mungo's for long periods on multiple occasions prior to being summoned for her interview. When questioned, Healer-in-Charge Hippocrates Smethwyck refused to impart any information about the patient behind the door she disappeared into. Up to this point, the Aurors have been unable to gain any further information.
The Ministry needed to know if Severus Snape was alive, and Kingsley hoped that Hermione would trust him enough to tell the truth.
vvv
Hermione's eyes hurt. As her sobs began to lessen, so did her tears. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out some tissues and dabbed at her face. Looking around, she realized that she was alone in the room with the minister.
He was watching her as he softly spoke, "Hermione, I need the truth."
Blinking, she felt her heart sink into her stomach. He knew. Eyes wide with fear, she nodded slowly.
vvv
The Truth
Steadying her breathing, she blinked the last of her tears away and began, "When Severus screamed, I tried to get past Harry but he was already moving. He moved the crate out-of-the-way and approached Severus.
Severus was bleeding heavily. As Harry revealed himself, I began casting Vulnera Sanentur."
"Vulnera Sanentur?"
"Um, it was a spell Severus had taught me. I had previously seen him use it to heal Draco Malfoy."
The minister nodded for her to continue.
"I don't know how many ties I muttered the incantation as I watched him and Harry. I only paused longed enough to conjure a flask for Harry to contain his memories. Then… then the bleeding stopped and Severus passed out."
"Passed out?"
"I believe that he had lost so much blood before the incantation took effect that his body went into shock."
Lifting an eyebrow in question, she was prompted to continue.
vvv
"Before Harry or I could move, Voldemort made an announcement. He called for a retreat and gave us one hour to recover our dead and injured. He gave Harry one hour to turn himself over.
The three of us, Harry, Ron and I, retreated back to the castle. When we arrived at the Great Hall, Madam Pomfrey was treating the injured. In the middle of the room lay the dead. That's where we found the Weasley family.
Ron and I joined up with them and soon learned," Hermione gulped, "that Remus and Tonks Lupin were among the dead. I saw Harry flee from the doorway. Excusing myself, I followed him.
Harry ran up the marble staircase to the headmaster's office. He shouted Dumbledore and was allowed in. I froze at the base of the stairs, afraid of what Harry would learn. Because, the only reason he would have run there would be to see Severus memories."
vvv
A tear rolled down Hermione's cheek as her voice became quieter, "When I entered the office, Harry was already seated at the desk and slumped over the Pensieve.
As I walked towards him, I notice a book lying open on the desk." Hermione's fingers played with the cover of the diary. "I flipped through some pages and realized it was Severus' diary."
Hermione hesitated before continuing, "When I picked the diary up," she reached into her bag, and pulled out a small velvet drawstring bag, "this was beneath it."
Pushing the bag across the table, continued, "I placed the diary into my bag and picked that one up. When I opened it, I… I knew what I had to do."
Minister Shacklebolt opened the bag and gasped.
"With Harry still in the Pensieve I borrowed his Cloak. I placed the Time-Turner necklace around my neck and donned the Cloak. Turning the hourglass once, I moved through time."
vvv
Kingsley watched the young woman across from her. He knew she incredibly smart, and that without her Harry would probably have failed. Yet, he feared that intelligence.
vvv
Oblivious to the minister's thoughts, Hermione continued. "I rushed out of the office and back through the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack. When I arrived, Voldemort was ordering Lucius Malfoy to bring Severus.
Using the Muffliato Charm, I moved the crate. After replacing it, I hid behind the other boxes and waited." Hermione shivered. "I listened to it all… again. But I waited until Ron, Harry and I had left.
I ran to Severus' side. After covering his face with his Death Eater garb, I Apparated the two of us to the St Mungo's Welcome Witch. She was surprised to see me. I asked her to direct me to Healer-in-Charge Hippocrates Smethwyck, since he had saved Mr. Weasley when he was bitten by Nagini.
Levitating Severus, I rushed through the hospital to find the Healer. When I found him, he called for another to help him, but I refused. So, we took him to a private room." Hermione sniffed, "The Healer was able to save him, but he didn't wake up."
Eyes downcast, Hermione whispered, "I… I made the Healer promise… promise on his Oath as a Healer, to keep Severus a secret."
"Ah," Minister Shacklebolt leaned back in his chair. "A promise on the Oath of a Healer is a binding magical contract."
vvv
Silence began to fill the room. Kingsley sensed that Hermione felt bad for what she did. Yet, he knew she would do it again. He would.
Sitting forward, he tapped the table, causing her to look up. "Go ahead."
vvv
Hermione nodded. The worst was over, and he didn't seem upset. Gathering the last of her reserves, she began the end of her story.
"As soon as the promise was made, I Apparated back to Hogwart's. With all the enchantments ad protections gone, I was able to Apparate at the base of the staircase leading to the headmaster's office.
Though I was gone more than thirty minutes, Harry was still in the Pensieve. I replaced his Cloak and returned to the Great Hall. It wasn't long before I was put to work searching for bodies.
As the hour neared its end, Ron and I became anxious. Harry had not returned and we couldn't find him. Then… then Voldemort announced that Harry was dead. Someone fully opened the entrance hall doors. Everyone in the castle began gathering there.
We watched. We waited.
Then, Professor McGonagall screamed.
More gathered at the entrance. People were pushing to see Harry. Ron, Ginny and I made it to the front." Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she sniffled, "We though he was dead."
vvv
Kingsley contemplated Hermione and her tale as she spoke of Neville Longbottom, the Sorting Hat, and the Sword of Gryffindor.
She had fought to save the Wizarding world. She sacrificed her relationship with her parents and son. Yet, she saved them all, even her husband.
vvv
Hermione was determined to finish her story. Even as the minister zoned out on her, she continued to tell it.
"Then Harry disappeared and chaos ensued. Centaurs and thestrals attacked the Death Eaters and giants. Jinxes and curses flew everywhere. House-elves flooded the castle.
Ginny, Luna and I found ourselves battling Bellatrix until Mrs. Weasley took over. As Voldemort's followers fell, everyone stopped to watch either their duel or Voldemort's. As Bellatrix fell, Voldemort turned to Mrs. Weasley and… and Harry cast Protego to shield all of us.
Voldemort was the only one left and Harry was ready to fight him. Yet, Harry took time to explain everything… even how Severus was on our side, before he tried to take Voldemort's wand. Then, Voldemort's spell backfired and killed him.
As cheers and cries erupted, Harry grabbed Ron and I. Under the Cloak, we snuck up to the headmaster's office." Tears spilled from Hermione's eyes. "Once we were up there, Harry spoke to Professor Dumbledore's portrait and repaired his wand. Then… then he told Ron and I about Severus' memories.
He had seen me in them, and he told Ron. They yelled at me and stormed out. I had neither seen nor spoke to them until I saw them in the Ministry's café last week."
vvv
Kingsley picked up the small bag with the Time-Turner and stood. "Thank you, Hermione. I have much to think about."
As Hermione looked up at him, he noticed the redness around her eyes and the grief held within them.
Sighing, he told her, "Go home. Hug you parents and kiss your son. Visit you husband. But, be at my office first thing in the morning."
As he exited the room, he heard the soft sound of her sobs fill it.
vvv
May 19, 1998
The next morning, Hermione woke early and arrived at the Ministry before it was open. Standing before the doors, her heart thumped in her chest. Today she would be judged.
As the doors were unlocked, Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat and entered the Ministry of Magic. She made her way to Minister Shacklebolt's office slowly, yet it felt as if she arrived all too soon.
Knocking on the door, she was asked to come in. Hesitatingly, she entered.
vvv
Kingsley sat at his desk reading a scroll. As Hermione entered, he set it aside and observed the young woman. As usual she was impeccably dressed. Yet today, like yesterday, her eyes were red and full of grief. Her back and shoulders told him that she was tense.
Mentally sighing, he addressed her, "Mrs. Snape, please sit."
vvv
The Decision
Hermione sat in the chair opposite the minister. Clasping her hands, she laid them in her lap as she waited.
A knock at the door signaled the arrival of Pius Thicknesse, the temporary Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Gawain Robards, the Head of the Aurors Office. The recorder sent by the Wizengamot Administration Services followed them.
As they settled in the chairs to either side of the minister, Hermione tried to judge their demeanors. To her dismay, they gave off no clues as to her fate.
Minister Shacklebolt began immediately, "On this day, May 19, 1998, I, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the temporary Minister of Magic will make an official decision in regards to the pursuit of charges against Headmaster Severus Snape and Mrs. Hermione Snape to the Wizengamot. The following recommendations shall be taken into account.
Mafalda Hopkirk, the head of the Improper Use of Magic Office, determined you to have acted in manner befitting a Hogwart's student. She was of the belief that you acted in the best interest of both your friends and the Wizarding World.
Professor Grubbly-Plank, the Head of the Department of Magical Education, determined the teaching practices that occurred at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding during the Second Wizarding War by Headmaster Severus Snape to have been enacted in a reasonable matter. He was of the belief that Headmaster Snape acted in the best interest of his students
Professor Wilki Twycross, the Head of the Apparition Test Center, approved your use of Apparating, and awarded you a License to Apparate." He turned his attention to Gawain Robards, "Sir?"
Robards nodded slightly and turned to Hermione, "As the Head of the Aurors Office, I have found you to have acted honorably and within reason during the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hogwart's."
Hermione's heart fluttered as the minister turned to Pius Thicknesse, "Sir?"
Thicknesse stared at Hermione as he spoke, "As the temporary Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I have considered the recommendations of both the Head of the Aurors Office and the head of the Improper Use of Magic Office. I agree with both and recommend no action be taken by the Wizengamot."
As the full gaze of Minister Shacklebolt fell upon Hermione, she began to feel as if a great weight was to be lifted off her shoulders.
The deep voice of the minister was proud and clear as he stated, "The Ministry of Magic has found no reason to the pursue charges against Headmaster Severus Snape and Mrs. Hermione Snape to the Wizengamot. Any and all actions leading up to and during the Battle of Hogwart's are found to have been made with just cause."
Hermione's whole body relaxed as the depth of those words sank in. Severus was going to be okay.
vvv
Hermione was in a daze as the office cleared out, leaving only her and the minister. She watched through a haze as he rounded the desk towards her.
"Hermione?"
She looked up at him.
"I think it is time for you to visit your husband. May I join you?"
Hermione nodded.
vvv
Severus
Hermione stared at the closed-door to her husband's room as Minister Shacklebolt and Healer-in-Charge Smethwyck discussed Severus. Her hands were clammy and her stomach in knots. If all went well, she would have her husband back soon.
"Hermione?" the minister's voice broke into her thoughts. "Shall we begin?"
Nodding, she stepped back and waited for the Healer to lead them into the room. As her eyes took in the room, she noted that Crookshanks was curled at the foot of the bed as Severus lay motionless. His slow shallow breaths were the only proof that he was alive.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears. Slowly she walked towards the bed and took his limp hand in hers. Ripping her gaze from his face, she looked to the Healer for directions.
"Since Mr. Snape is in a magically induced coma, we will need magic to wake him," the Healer instructed. "A potion has been used to keep him in this state. This potion," he pulled a vial from his robes, "is its counterpart. He need only drink it."
Hermione's eyes were locked on the potion as he continued to speak.
"As a Wizarding hospital, we do not use intravenous fluids. Therefore," he cleared his throat, "he will need to be forced to drink it."
Bewildered, Hermione turned to the minister.
Smiling kindly, Minister Shacklebolt stated, "You have a choice. The Healer can pour the potion into his mouth while massaging the throat to cause reflexive swallowing." He paused as Hermione began to understand, "Or, you may try giving him the potion via a kiss."
Hermione blushed as the two men stared at her. Finally, she found her voice, "Well then, give me the potion and leave."
Both men stifled their remarks. The Healer gave her the potion and followed the minister out.
vvv
As Hermione stared at her love, her eyes filled with tears. Memories of their time together filled her heart. And as she embraced them, she thought of the doomed Romeo and Juliet. Smiling, she realized that her Romeo and Juliet story would have a happy ending.
Lifting the vial, she toasted, "Here's to my love!"
After pouring the potion into her mouth, she leaned over her husband and kissed him. Armed with the knowledge that he needed to react, she deepened her kiss. When his tongue moved beneath hers, she responded in kind.
When Hermione finally broke the kiss and opened her eyes, found Severus staring at her. With a smirk on his face, he quoted, "Thy lips are warm."
Answers to questions/comments:
(1) Last Chapter :( This story arc is finished. I have a minimum number of reviews I would prefer to hit before starting the 3rd and final story… Almost there!
(2) Also, thinking of changing the title from A Hogwart's Tale: Diaries to A Hogwart's Tale: Interview with a Snape. What do you think?
(3) In the books, when the Time-Turner is used it takes you back to where you were at the time you'd gone back to. In the movies, when the Time-Turner is used it leaves you in the same place you were when you turned back time.
(4) Check out my facebook page! www .facebook anna .kaehler .7 (No spaces.)
(5) Beta'd by DragonSlayer412. R&R!