Chapter 12: The Trial
Severus opened his eyes and blinked. He rubbed his head and groaned. "Where am I?"
"Prison." Severus glanced up at Dumbledore.
"Why am I in prison?"
"You were arrested, what else?"
"Am I going to get out any time soon?"
"I'm trying to get you out, Severus," Dumbledore assured him. "But they might make you stay for a little while longer."
"What about Lily and James." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Are they…"
"They escaped safely. The marriage contract is signed and last I heard, they had apparated to Hawaii."
"And Rolanda?"
"She's also safe. Your employer and her parents are looking after her, last I heard."
"So, am I going to get a trial, a chance to explain my position?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "I cannot say. They saw your mark. I'll speak on your behalf. Most aren't going to trust you as well as they used to. Perhaps they'll forget, but all in time."
"People don't forget the people I'm with. I'm amongst killers."
"But are you?"
"Someday I will be—on your orders or on his. Does it matter when anymore? I'm already your spy. When will I be your assassin?" Each word brought anger and despair. Severus glared at Dumbledore with pure contempt. "Why did you choose me to risk my life for your pathetic cause? I trusted you!"
"Severus, calm down. Think of where you are."
Severus blinked and glanced around. A Dementor floated a few feet away from them. Somewhere in the prison, either near or far, someone wailed pitifully.
"Azkaban?"
"Yes."
"But I haven't been tried yet."
"You will be. I'm already working on getting you out."
"But they'll have released to the press that I'm a—Tom will fire me."
"Not if I talk to him first."
"He won't believe you. Tom can be a stubborn fool."
"So can I," Dumbledore assured him. "And I've known Tom since he was a lad of eleven. You won't be fired. And if you are, well, Professor Slughorn is willing to take you on as an apprentice. He's thinking of retiring, you know. And before he does, he'll need to pass on the trade to someone."
"I thought you had to be in your twenties to become a teacher."
"I'm the headmaster aren't I? I can make an exception if I want to," Dumbledore regained some of the twinkle in his eye. Severus didn't notice it had not been there since he woke in his cell. "Don't fret now, my lad. You'll be out of here soon enough if I have anything to say of it."
The cell opened and Dumbledore left. "Remember to think of pleasant and wonderful thoughts. It might keep you sane for your trial."
"Not funny!"
But whether Dumbledore heard him or not, Severus could not be sure.
Three weeks passed by before Severus was allowed his hearing. By then, most if not all of the happiness and pleasantry he knew had been seeped out of his very being. People thought it was the Dementors' doing. And most of the time, it was. But no one ever counted for the occasional wail of someone elsewhere in the prison.
Severus felt grungier than usual. He barely ate, leading to a rapid weight loss. His already pale appearance became more sallow and skeletal than before.
Two guards approached his cell and carried him out of the prison and apparated to the Ministry of Magic.
"Hearing Number 3165," a squat man shouted, banging a gavel against the banister. Severus was led into the room and fitted into a contraption with several knives ready to stab him if one false move is made. "Severus Snape, Death Eater, accused of crashing a wedding in the name of You-Know-Who."
This is ridiculous, Severus thought. He suppressed his emotions along with his thoughts when the judge entered. Bartimaeus Crouch sat in the Judge's seat, frowning down at Severus. His eyes filled with hate.
Following him was Dumbledore.
"Albus Dumbledore for the defense."
"How does the defense plead?"
"Not guilty," Dumbledore stated.
"Naturally," Severus mumbled. Crouch glared at Severus, Dumbledore shook his head warningly. Severus rolled his eyes and willed that the trial to speed up.
"Severus is still a lad, by all rights," Dumbledore began, "He has yet to use an unforgivable."
"He is a graduate of eighteen years old and therefore an adult. It is known that Severus Snape has a history of being a sort of spell-creator. Of course, his own spells have been more than innocent," Crouch said. "But isn't there a spell you created with its intent being to kill or maim?"
"That is true," Severus said. Dumbledore gave him another warning look. Severus ignored it. "I was a victim of bullying back at school and abuse at home. That spell was solely for protection. Passive defense spells aren't always good enough."
"What did that spell do?"
"It could cut limbs off the attacker, kill him if necessary. Like a sword."
Have you used the spell on a person?"
"No, just pillows and matting."
"Severus," Dumbledore said, "why didn't you inform one of your teachers?"
"You think I'd be allowed to forget that I was a rat?"
"Young man," one of the witches in the room snapped, "the teachers are there not only to teach you, but to protect you from your fellow students."
"And the teachers surrounding me were trustworthy enough to stop them?" Severus countered. "What would they do? Give them detention? Suspension? That wouldn't have stopped the bullying; it'd just encourage it more. The power teachers have over their students are limited."
The room became earthly silent.
"So you sought power from You-Know-Who rather than seek help from your teachers?"
"Yes," Severus lied. "But I haven't taken a life yet."
"Then, Mr. Snape," Crouch growled, "There's hope for you yet. What was your intent at the Potter-Evans wedding?"
"I was acting on the Dark Lord's orders," Severus said. "Since when has that become a crime for anyone."
"Following orders is a good trait. But your loyalties are misplaced. I'm curious, Mr. Snape," Crouch leaned back in his seat. "How is it that the Death Eaters with you went the wrong way?"
"Trick mirrors," Severus said. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "It's a Muggle's trick performed by Muggles impersonating Wizards called Magicians. Lily Evans is a Muggleborn, I wouldn't be surprised if she knew how to create a diversion or two the Muggle way."
"You seem to be proud of falling for a Muggle trick."
"Lily Evans was my best friend up to a few years ago. She's like my sister."
Crouch's eyes narrowed. "Then why would you obey an order to ruin her wedding?"
Severus glanced at Dumbledore, unsure what to say now. Dumbledore, who saw his distress, came to the rescue as promised: "Severus was an enemy of the groom, if I perceive correctly. James Potter and the accused have been school rivals since their first year. Severus, is it true that Lily was a large part of your fights?"
"Yes. She's my best friend and my first love. Potter had been infatuated with her since meeting her on the train. I suppose he and his gang were after me because he was jealous of my familiarity with Lily."
"But she was marrying your enemy. Suppose your purpose was to kill the groom and steal her away," Crouch accused.
"That was never my intent. I'm in a relationship with another woman right now. I had long accepted that Lily belongs with James."
"And is your lover aware that you are a Death Eater?"
"I have told her."
"And she accepts that."
"She has," Severus said, hesitantly. He had to keep it secret that he was a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. But what if that was his only way of getting him out of here?
"Mr. Crouch," Dumbledore began, "Severus' explanation for his presence at the wedding is clear. His friendship with the bride makes it clear that he was invited for his knowing her. I saw him there with his lover, a former student of mine as well. I'm sure everyone is still aware of Rolanda Hooch's accident which led her to ending a promising career as a Quiditch sensation."
The room buzzed excitedly.
"Rolanda Hooch?"
"Yes, I heard of what happened at that match."
"She had promising talent, I heard, but can't hold a quaffle again because her wrists were broken. Poor lass."
Severus wished they'd shut up and finish the trial.
Crouch banged his gavel on the banister, calling for order. Dumbledore approached him and whispered something in his ear. Crouch looked absolutely livid at whatever it was Dumbledore said to him.
"Just this once," Crouch growled, "I will listen to your so-called reason, Dumbledore." Severus fumed at Crouch's attitude. "Death Eater Severus Snape will be released on pension."
Severus, as everyone else in the room, stared at Crouch open mouthed. Dumbledore gave Severus a bright smile as the guards released Severus from the cage.
When Severus left the changing room, dressed in his now loose clothing, he tapped Dumbledore's shoulder. "What did you tell Crouch?"
"Nothing in particular," Dumbledore said with the annoying twinkle in his eye that symbolized a secret he desired to keep secret. "Go on, you have to let Rolanda you're all right."
Severus shook his head and left for his apartment.
