AN: Thanks for reviewing, reading, putting me on alert, and favoriting this! It means a lot to me to know that others are enjoying this story! Also, I'm sorry if I didn't get the details of magical signatures correct. I tried to stay as accurate as I could, but I may have changed a few details for dramatic purposes. That aside, this was one of my favorite chapters to write, so I hope everyone enjoys!
I still own nothing
Hermione strolled into her hotel room and placed the miniature folder on the desk. After taking a deep breath, she sat down and enlarged the documents. The file folder was thicker than she'd originally thought, but that didn't intimidate her. She'd learned early on that trying to get through a whole file in one night was ludicrous. Rather, Hermione preferred to focus on the most pertinent documents first, saving the rest for later. Her main priority tonight would be the coroner's report. If she could understand that, she may unlock the case, or at least be able to speak coherently about it.
She opened the file folder, revealing neatly stacked documents with the coroner's report in the front. Smiling, she took it out and began to examine it.
As the paper reported, Rita Skeeter died from a single curse. Though the coroner couldn't make a solid determination as to which curse it was, he guessed it to be an Adva Kadvra, which told her nothing since anyone with any wizarding education could perform it with a little practice. Heck, she even knew how to cast the curse. She continued to read. Then, she noticed that according to the coroner, there could be no magical signature detected, which the coroner noted was consistent with the fact that there were tiny drops of Signature Concealment Potion found on the ground.
Hermione groaned again. About a decade ago, some one had found a way to conceal magical signatures. At first it was a boon to the law enforcement agency because they could now magically retrieve evidence without risking getting their own signatures on it. The infatuation with it ended though when corrupt Aurors and potions makers taught criminals how to brew it. Soon, it was illegal to brew the potion without a special permit. Only a select few wizards owned permits to brew it.
One of those permit holders was Severus Snape.
Hermione took a deep breath as her eyes hardened in determination. Just because Snape owned a permit to brew Signature Concealment potion didn't mean he brewed this one. Besides, something bothered her about it. In order to get a permit, one must be able to demonstrate his or her ability to brew it correctly. If brewed improperly, it could drip and leave a sticky residue, as this one did. She couldn't imagine Snape incorrectly brewing this particular potion, especially when a thug off the street could brew it perfectly. This piece of evidence could work in her favor.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny notebook. Then she enlarged and opened it. She took a quill from the holder, dipped it into some ink, and at the top of the parchment wrote Coroner's Report. Then, she began to jot down a few notes. After she finished, she looked at the time. Only an hour had passed, and she still felt energetic enough to continue.
She turned over the next document. Time froze and her eyes bulged as she read the title and first line. Finally, her lungs could no longer take the lack of oxygen. She gasped and inhaled deeply. Shaking her head, she looked at the title again.
The Statement of Luna Xena Lovegood-Potter
Hermione took another breath and reminded herself that from the looks of things, she was Snape's last hope. Besides, she had issues with Luna's husband Harry, not Luna herself.
Sighing, she began to read the document.
The Statement of Luna Xena Lovegood-Potter
I, Luna Potter, am of sound mind and body. I testify that everything in this statement is the truth to the best of my knowledge. Any deception will be punishable under perjury. I also understand that due to my condition (pregnancy) that if the interview at any time becomes too stressful, I am allowed to leave without penalty.
Her signature was under it, as well as a notary's. Then, the interview began.
Questioner: Luna Lovegood, what is your involvement with the defendant, Severus Snape?
Luna: Well, he was my professor at the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also taught my husband, Harry Potter. I fought along side him in the Great War, and I thought that a Beezle ate him a few years ago, and that's why he disappeared. It turns out that I was wrong. He's alive, though he should consider being less grumpy. Beezles like grumps.
Q: Yes, well, Beezles aside, when did you encounter him after the war?
L: Oh! My husband and I went to Terminus for him to give a lecture to a college. I was excited because Terminus is home to miniature toe eating dragons. They live in the grass and bite at toes. They like to live in or around urban areas, especially in hilly areas. Snape's house is near Stone Mountain, so I knew they'd be around his place.
Q: Was that the only reason you were there?
L: Well, that was the main one. I also wanted to see if he was really attacked by a Beezle as I suspected. If he was, his survival would've been incredible! No one's survived being attacked by a Beezle.
Q: Okay. What exactly did you do when you got there?
L: Well, the toe dragons were a priority because they only come out during the evening hours when the sun first goes down but darkness hasn't yet completely engulfed the land. Anyway, I remember arriving there and taking out my gear. My baby was so excited. He started kicking inside of me. I knew that meant the dragons were close by.
Q: Was there anyone else there?
L: Initially no, but some one did appear. I recognized her as Rita Skeeter.
Q: Rita Skeeter is the victim, correct?
L: Yes. At first I was upset because my husband is getting tired of her harassing him. I was about to alert him when I heard shouting.
Q: Did you recognize the shouting?
L: Yes, Rita started the yelling, and Severus Snape was the other person shouting.
Q: That's the defendant?
L: Yes.
Q: Did you hear anything they said?
L: Yes, I heard everything. It was easy since Snape had a window open, I guess to keep out the fumes, and it was a nice night. Anyway, Rita Skeeter went up to Snape and yelled, "Do you know what a success story you are? Do you know how many people want to learn more about you?"
He answered, "How can I help you?"
She answered, "I'm writing your biography."
Then, Snape yelled, "Excuse me? I don't remember giving you permission to do anything of the sort! Leave me alone!"
She then said, "You can't stop the news from coming out, Mr. Snape. All of the wizarding world wants to know who their savior is. Are you a scoundrel or a saint?"
He then said louder, "I don't want you to write this."
Then, she laughed and asked. "Is there something you're hiding? Did you lose your virginity to Lily Evans or something? Are the rumors that you're Harry Potter's father true?"
He screamed as I stood in shock. I never thought Harry looked like Severus Snape, but maybe I was wrong. I did a picture comparison later, and found that they do in fact look nothing alike, but that doesn't have anything to do with this. Anyway, Snape yelled, "how could you desecrate her memory with such a vile question? I won't even dignify that revolting question with an answer!"
She then said, "I'll just say that you did."
He just started going off. He was angrier than a thestral with a nail in its hoof. Anyway, he was yelling, "you vile little bitch! I'll sue you for slander if you dare publish that!"
She laughed and answered, "I can publish whatever I want! This piece is mostly done anyway! I just need some details, like did you ever envy Sirius Black?"
"I'll never let you publish this garbage!" he yelled. "I'll destroy you before you publish this!"
She laughed and answered, "What are you going to do?"
"Get out of my store!" he shouted.
"Don't you want to make sure that the truth is published?"
"The truth will never come out of you!"
"Won't it?" she answered. "Remember that I can publish whatever I want! Thank you for your time though. It's really helped!"
"You'll publish that thing over my cold dead corpse!" he yelled.
She laughed and asked, "What are you going to do, kill me?"
Then, she left.
Q: Did anything else happen after Rita Skeeter left?
L: Well, I was frightened, so I didn't see Snape as I'd planned. If he met up with a Beezle, I now see how he won. Anyway, I heard some pounding, like he was hitting a wall or throwing something. My baby was getting upset, so I left and told him about playful Thestrals.
Q: Aside from being questioned, did that end your involvement in this case?
L: Yes.
Q: Thank you Mrs. Potter.