Happy New Year!

I took a break, as you may remember, to write in the LiveJournal giftfest I participated in and then did another fest on top of that, also for Live Journal. Then of course, working retail in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and 'the event' (the store I work for calls it 'the event' now) was exhausting and Christmas followed on its heels very quickly, that I hardly had time to write. I've slowly been pecking away at this chapter, getting the set up prepared for the end of the story; it's very close now.

I thank you for your patience and continued kind words and the follows I get. They are what keeps me going!

If you remember from the last chapter, Alexis stabbed Kane and he died on the spot. She went to Rita in desperation and Rita planted the knife in Severus' shop. The Aurors found Kane and traced the magical signature of the knife to Severus' shop.

We open know with Harry having brought Severus to the Ministry to question him.

Chapter 21

Harry would never understand just how quickly news flew through the wizarding community. As he escorted Severus through the Ministry to the Auror Department, they encountered knots of people, standing and gawping, some hollering 'it's about time'.

He knew that many people were not happy Severus had been pardoned for his part in the war against Voldemort, so perhaps they were happy he was in custody now? He snorted. When they realised Severus would soon be out of custody, they'd be angry. Poor Kingsley; he'd have a headache dealing with the backlash of this.

Harry knew Severus wasn't guilty…someone planted that knife. How he knew, he couldn't be sure, but his gut instinct told him so, and although his gut instinct lead him astray in his youth—the death of his beloved godfather as a result—as an adult and an auror he had learned to use his intuition to ask questions before coming to any conclusions.

He spoke lowly to Severus, explaining quickly that they would be going to an interview room, where they would take a statement and determine whether to keep him overnight or not. "It's a matter of protocol. I hope you understand."

"Let's just get this over with, Potter," Severus replied quietly.

A final turn down another hall lead them to a door marked 'Interview Room'. It was the same one Harry had quested Rita Skeeter in just weeks ago. Harry opened it and stepped aside to allow Severus to enter.

"Go ahead and have a seat, sir," said Harry. "I'll get the suppression cuffs off in a moment. He took a seat across the table from Severus and opened a file folder, a large letter M emblazoned on the front. He flipped a few papers, picked up a nearby quill and scribbled his name on the bottom of one. "There's, that's all tidy and official," he exclaimed, standing and pulling his wand from its holster on his arm.

Severus stiffened in reaction, and Harry, noticing his reaction, said calmly, "Not to worry, sir. I just had to sign a form before I could do this." He moved his wand in a pattern, and he intoned softly, in Latin, a spell. The cuffs surrounding Severus' wrists fell apart and onto the table.

Severus rubbed his wrists. "Thank you, Potter."

"You're welcome. Look," Harry said, sitting back down, "I know you're not guilty, but I must ask certain questions."

"I understand," said Severus. "I assume, as well, you will have another witness in the room, given our history?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Even if we didn't have a history between us," Harry explained, "We always use two people during an interview."

Severus chuckled, "Good cop, bad cop?"

Harry began to explain and then exploded with laughter as he realised two things; Severus had a sense of humour, and he was showing his Muggle side. "No, no, no!" Harry said, once he got himself under control. "And I never realised you had a sense of humour."

"Yes, well…" Severus got no further as the door opened and Kingsley himself walked in. "I'm must be a very special prisoner if the Minister himself is interviewing me," Severus deadpanned.

Kingsley chuckled. "But of course! Seriously though, given who you are and your history, I decided to help Harry myself so that when we release you in due course, I can personally vouch for the validity of the interview."

"As much as the public would believe you," Severus muttered.

"The public will continue to believe what they want to believe no matter which minister is in office. Surely you understand that much of human psychology, Severus?" Kingsley explained.

Severus nodded.

Harry fussed with a few more folders on the table and then suggested they sit and get started. "I'm sure Hermione as heard about your being taken into custody, and they have probably had to probably stun her to keep her from leaving her hospital bed and coming to your rescue. The sooner we get you out of here, the better for her and you."

The men laughed in agreement while Harry and Kingsley sat down. Harry reached over and pressed the button on the recording device, much the same as when he interviewed Rita. He recited the usual introduction to the interview and then began.

"Please state your name, age, blood status, and occupation for the record."

"Severus Tobias Snape, aged forty-five, half-blood, Master of Potions and proprietor of Snape Apothecary."

"And how long have you been proprietor of the shop?" asked Harry.

"Four years."

"Where were you on Tuesday of this week?"

"I was at St. Mungo's, visiting my fiancée."

"Can this be corroborated?"

"Certainly."

Kingsley added, "I can vouch for Severus' alibi; I myself had stopped by to visit Miss Granger. Severus and I met in the hall just outside her room."

"What was your relationship with a Miss Alexis Hannaford?" asked Harry.

"We dated briefly."

"Did you part friendly-like?" Harry asked.

Severus shrugged. "I thought so."

"You've dated several women since the end of the war?"

"It seems some women are willing to overlook certain aspects of my personality. I am a man, therefore…" Severus left the rest of his sentence unsaid.

Harry, in a moment of protectiveness for Hermione, burst out, "You'd better not be using Hermione!"

Kingsley laid a hand on Harry's arm. "Steady on, Potter; this is a formal questioning session. You may discuss Miss Granger's relationship with Severus after the interview."

"For the record, Mr. Potter," Severus begin, "I would never treat Hermione so ill. I love her. She is everything to me those other women were not."

Harry looked at Severus for some moments and then nodded. "Very well. Have you in recent months done anything that could make Miss Hannaford angry with you?"

Severus thought a moment. "There was a day, several months ago, when Miss Granger was at my shop. Miss Hannaford came in and practically made love to me as we stood there. Hermione and I hadn't even begun our relationship, but the desire for each other was there. The little scene caused Hermione some distress and, in an effort to set things right, I threw Miss Hannaford out of the shop and ran after Hermione. I hardly think Alexis Hannaford would seek revenge for such a little thing," Severus concluded.

"I've read through the file on Hannaford a few weeks ago," Harry stated, "I was curious as to why she may have been in collusion with Skeeter and Kane, and by extension, you. At the time, she really hadn't figured into the investigation to the first explosion at MI, but Ron and I had seen them one afternoon at lunch and I wondered."

Severus shifted and began, "You have learnt from your reading then that the Hannafords' decamped to Italy between the first and second wars. Alexis returned once the war was over and was working her way through the various heroes, myself included, in an effort to regain society."

"Yes," Harry agreed, "I did note through various clippings from the Prophet that she seemed to be wherever the latest society party was or whatever 'do good' things the ladies in pureblood society do. She also seemed to make the rounds of various eligible bachelors, all of them pureblood, most of the former followers, and…you."

"So it seems," stated Severus matter-of-factly. "Every pureblood family had ties to the Dark Lord, even if obliquely."

"Do you think she is a petty woman?"

"Perhaps," Severus said.

"Do you think she'd plan a sort of revenge for rejecting her in front of Hermione?"

"Over me? I hardly think so."

Kingsley chuckled. "Come man, think of your days as a teacher and student; I'm sure you've been privy to the schemes of the female student spurned by a young man, or the revenge one took upon another female for 'taking away her beau'."

Severus laughed. "I have, but I hardly think I am worth 'fighting for'."

"What do you know about Kane?" asked Harry.

"He wanted to be a Death Eater. He had approached the Dark Lord through a small connection via the Lestrange's. The Dark Lord was momentarily intrigued given his background in potions. However, Lucius introduced me to Tom a short time later, having boasted quite highly of my prowess. Riddle gave Kane and I each a task to create a potion for him. I produced the better one and won a spot in the circle; not the inner, not quite yet at the time, and Kane was relegated to the outer fringes. He was furious and even more so when I began to move up the ranks rather quickly."

"So that could be a possible motive for revenge on Kane's part?"

Severus shrugged. "Perhaps. However, I believe he was angrier over Hermione having been made head of department rather than him. There had been a host of little things that had happened between him and Hermione. She had told me about several of them over the time we began to learn about each other."

"Such as?" Harry prompted.

"Oh, recipes changed just prior to her brewing them, ingredients gone missing—usually the more expensive ones—meetings cancelled or Kane rescheduling them so he could attend and Hermione wouldn't know. Nothing truly blatant at the time, but looking back and totting them up, it could be construed as revenge."

Harry stood up and paced a bit, thinking out loud, "So Kane and Hannaford happen to meet by chance, both having just been usurped by Hermione either recently or in the recent past, and decide to exact a bit of revenge. Problem is, how does Skeeter figure into this?"

Severus snorted. "Once again, it is my Hermione who is Skeeter's target, I believe. Do you not remember a certain beetle having to spend a summer in a jar? A certain beetle forced to print the truth on your fifth year?"

Harry sat down. "Hermione is very protective, is she not? She would call down the wrath of Satan himself if it meant that she would right the wrongs done to those she loves."

"I agree," said Severus.

A knock interrupted them.

"Come in," Kingsley called.

A young Auror, freckled faced and chap lipped, stepped around the doorframe and said, "Here are the results of the tests we ran on the knife, sir."

"Thank you, Smithers," Kingsley said, taking the folder and placing it on the table. "Let's look these over, gentlemen," he said to Severus and Harry.

A sigh of relief was heard as they read the first few sentences. There were no traces of Severus' magical signature nor fingerprints on the knife. The sigh of relief changed to a mixture of surprise and confirmation as they read further.

Harry spoke first. "So, we have them; Kane's blood, Hannaford and Skeeter's magical signatures."

Kingsley blew out a breath. "Aye, that we do. Well, let's conclude the interview. Severus Snape, as Minister of Magic, and Head of the Wizengamot, I formerly clear of any suspicion of wrong-doing in the death of Andrew Kane. I also swear on my magic that charges will not be laid again at your feet in this matter." A frisson of magic enveloped the room as the vow took place.

"What's next?" Severus asked.

"We'll bring in Skeeter and Hannaford for questioning and hope one of them implicates the other," replied Harry.

"Potter," Severus began, "why weren't the magical signatures of the knife strongest wherever Hannaford or Skeeter were? One would assume that the one would seek out the other after they stabbed Kane."

"We're not sure. As you know, the longer magical items remain in a particular location, the stronger the residue. We traced the knife to your shop, yes, but it probably wasn't there long enough to leave a strong magical residue."

Kingsley interjected, "Where do the woman live?"

Harry picked up a folder and flipped through some papers. He picked up a second and did the same thing. "Hannaford lives in Surrey, in her family home. It's plottable, but there are Muggle repelling wards. Skeeter lives in London, in a block of flats with mostly Muggles; it's not in one of the posher areas, so I suspect she doesn't make enough money for something nicer. Aurors are not allowed to enter Muggle block flats without getting a warrant in case something happens; we have squibs who work in Muggle police stations for help with those situations."

"And this was not one of the situations?" Severus growled.

"Calm down, Severus," said Kingsley, "The process is slow and probable cause is needed. We try to limit exposure with the police over magical crimes."

"Do your Aurors report going anywhere near where Hannaford and Skeeter live in their trace?"

Harry again flipped through a sheaf of papers. He skimmed through one and said, "Yes. No trace of residue at Hannaford's and there was a trace at Skeeter's."

"I want you to get the warrant, Harry. Even though we have the knife now, there may be other evidence to point to one of the women," Kingsley ordered.

"I'm on it," Harry said and moved to leave the room.

Severus stood. "Thank you, gentlemen, thank you. Now, unless I want my family jewels handed to me forthwith, I'd better get to St. Mungo's and placate Hermione."

Harry and Kingsley both laughed and with a gesture, Kingsley led them from the room.

SSHG SSHG

"Hermione, you can't go. You're not well enough!" Desi said firmly, attempting to press Hermione back into bed.

"But I must. Who knows what they're doing to Severus!"

"Look, you know as well as I do that Mr. Potter is leading the investigation. I am certain that he will make sure that Mr. Snape will be treated fairly."

Hermione huffed. "But they haven't always gotten on well."

Desi laid her hand firmly on Hermione's shoulder and urged her to lie back down. "I would imagine that Mr. Snape is as anxious about not only his current situation, but you as well. You can help ease his mind by taking care of yourself. Goodness knows he'll be in a strop when he sees you and you have had a downturn."

"Why do healers always have to be right?" Hermione muttered as she settled among the covers.

"Because we deal with children all the time," Delia said with a laugh.

"I'm not a child." Hermione scowled.

"I've done this long enough to see that even the most frightening individual becomes fractious, much like a child, when they are not well," explained Desi, pulling the sheets and blankets tidy around Hermione's frame.

"I really am worried," Hermione said quietly.

Desi patted her shoulder. "I understand. Would you like some Calming Draft?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. Perhaps you could turn on the wireless? Something soothing I think."

Desi walked across the room and turned the dial to the small wireless unit. It crackled into life, and she fiddled with the tuning knob until the soft sounds of a violins heralded a symphony. "This do?" she asked.

"That's lovely; thank you."

Desi returned to the bed. "Speaking of lovely, who was that woman who was here the other day?"

Hermione frowned a moment in thought and then said, "Oh, Draconia?"

"Is that her name?"

"Yes. Draconia Corvus is a Magizoologist; she loaned me the spider who was injured in the accident. She had come to see me and to show me how well Bucket, the name of the spider, is recovering from his injuries."

"Wow, that's amazing." Desi fiddled with the tubing on Hermione's IV pole. "Erm…any chance I could get in introduction?" She blushed slightly.

Hermione smiled. "You fancy her?"

"Well, I don't know if fancy is the right word, but she is lovely, and I would like to meet her."

"I'd be happy to arrange an introduction then. Now, I guess I am feeling a bit sleepy, so I think I'll just lay quietly and listen to the music, if you don't mind."

With a happy bounce, Desi nodded and left the room.

SSHG SSHG

It was a few hours later when the door to Hermione's room opened quietly, and Severus stepped inside. Hermione was lying on her side, facing the door, her face relaxed and beautiful. Severus almost hated to waken her, but he must tell her the news.

"Hermione?" he spoke gently, rubbing her shoulder softly. "Love, wake up. I've news for you." He smiled as he watched her nose wrinkle and a hand come up and rub her cheek.

"Sev'rus?"

"Yes, witchling, it's me."

At his declaration, Hermione eyes popped open and she smile widely. She tried to launch herself at him, but he caught her as she tried to rise and held her tucked against him.

"You're free? Cleared of charges?"

"Yes, with Kingsley's own blessing."

Hermione broke down, weeping copiously.

"What's all this then? Why are you crying?"

Hermione moved away from the cocoon of Severus' arms, sniffing wetly. A clean handkerchief suddenly floated before her and she grabbed it from mid air with a small chuckle, blew heartily, and sighed. "I'm so stressed, and I hurt," she admitted. "Between the explosion, my recovery, your arrest, and my overthinking all that is to come because of the explosion, I am exhausted. I want my mom," she finished, weeping again.

Severus widened the bed and lay beside her, pulling her closely. "Have the healers said anything about going home?"

Hermione nodded. "Two more days, Rasmussen said. I have to return three times weekly for physio for a few weeks."

"We'll manage, don't worry."

"Tell me what happened…them arresting you, the interview, everything," said Hermione, snuggling into Severus' side a bit more.

"I'm curious as to how you found out in the first place."

"Desi, my nurse, wasn't able to intercept the owl with The Prophet in time. I found out at breakfast. I tried to come to you, but she managed to stop me."

"And right she should have. You could have worsened your injuries and subjected yourself to some very nasty conjectures from the crowds by the shop and at the Ministry."

"There were crowds?"

"I don't know if they knew of Potter and his team's arrival beforehand or if it was just a matter of the curious seeing what was happening. Anyway, they arrived and found a bloodied knife in a remote corner of the shop."

"How on earth did it get there?"

"I suspect that Skeeter planted it."

"Skeeter? What was she doing there?"

"She came in the guise of sussing out a story for the Prophet about the accident. Thought I'd know something. I was busy when she first came in and so I didn't know it was her at first. I just hollered out to a customer that I'd be out in a minute. When I came out, she attempted to interview me, and I told her to buy something or leave. She said she needed something for 'feminine' problems and there was nothing on the shelf. I knew I had some in the back and so went to get it. I suspect she planted the knife at that point. I came out, she paid for the phial and left."

"And then?"

"Potter and his team showed up a couple of hours later. They searched the shop—"

"Why!?" exclaimed Hermione. "What evidence did they have to suggest you did it?"

"They ran a trace on the magical signature of the knife. They followed its trail from where Kane's body was found and was strongest, to several other locations, presumably where the murderer went, and finally to my shop."

"Wouldn't it have been stronger in the other locations? If your shop was the last spot, wasn't its signature spent?"

"The longer an object stays in one location, the stronger the magical residue it. They did trace the knife to a Muggle of flats, the one where Skeeter lives, but couldn't go in because they needed a Muggle warrant."

"Why didn't they get it?"

"Apparently it's time consuming to do so, but Kingsley ordered Potter to get one this afternoon."

"What about where Hannaford lives?"

"No trace of signature was there."

"Oh," Hermione said.

"Regardless, Potter is going to bring both women in for questioning."

"What do you think'll happen?"

"He's hoping one will increment the other."

"I hope so too."

"Let's talk about something else, love," said Severus. "Tell me about your day."

Hermione related how her therapy had gone and excitedly told him about Desi's interest in Draconia. The pair discussed other things until both had fallen asleep.

Desi opened to the door to take a final check of Hermione before she went off her shift. When she saw the pair cuddled together, she simply noted on Hermione's chart that patient was sleeping peacefully, and shut the door quietly behind her, smiling as she walked toward the Healer's workstation.