Chapter 15: The Criminals

The cold air whipped around them as they landed at their destination.

"All well?" They were in the fireplace of the Hog's Head Inn.

"Yes." She wrapped her red cloak tightly around her neck. Many in the bar looked up and continued to stare at them as they made their way out of the fireplace. Thena was quite used to this attention. With her complexion and clothes, she tended to get many eyes on her whenever she roamed in public, especially in the muggle world. It was like they knew she was not one of them, not fully anyway.

The patrons in the bar were not staring at her however, they were watching Severus. He seemed to notice this as well and in result made quick, strong strides to the door.

As soon as they stepped into the street, several flashes greeted them. "Severus! Any response to the claims that you were and continue to be a double agent to both Harry Potter and the Death Eaters?"

"Severus! What do you have to say about the ongoing trials of your colleagues Lucious and Narcissa Malfoy? Have you been called to go on stand?" Several reporters littered the street, snapping photos and calling to him.

Severus's dumbfoundedness quickly switched to anger. Thena could read it on his face. She linked her hand through his elbow and gave a small pull. "Let's go." She whispered. He nodded his head and started to walk away, also reaching for his wand.

"Severus, who is your company? Is it another Death Eater you are attempting to smuggle into safety?"

Thena looked at Severus face and wand in alarm. "Severus. Don't do anything they can use." He nodded again and muttered under his breath, pointing the wand behind him. A thick dark smoke appeared, covering the path behind them. Soon, as Thena glanced over her shoulder she could not see anything, but this dark, black cloud. They briskly walked to Weshook's storefront and stepped inside. Luckily, Weshook Books was not very populated. Only two patrons were in the shop and neither seemed aware of the thick cloud of the smoke scene outside nor at Severus and Thena walking in. Both had their noses remained in their books.

Severus stepped to the cashier counter. "Eyron Weshook."

"Severus!" The man spun around from the counter, the thick lenses of his glasses magnifying his already widened eyes. "Out of hiddin' now, eh?"

"I am looking for something specific." Severus avoided his commend and said curtly. "A first edition."

"Apologies. I don't sell those anymore." Eyron lowered his voice. "Ever since all the evil doin's was wiped, we only sell…useful books ye' see."

"You're not giving yourself enough credit, Weshook." Severus place a coin purse on the counter and nodded his head outside. "I am sure the reporters outside would quite like to hear about your remarkable inventory during the most recent events."

The smoke was clearing and the reporters now could be seen looking around, in dismay.

Weshook let out a growl and suddenly seemed to notice Thena. "Persuasive company you keep Miss." He leaned on the counter towards her. "You look persuasive as well. And what may your name be?"

She opened and then closed her mouth again as Severus took her hand, drawing her in back of him. Her hand started to vibrate from his touch.

"Weshook, I am afraid we do not have time for such pleasantries today." Weshook let out a half clearing of his throat, a half laugh, half growl again, and shuffled down an aisle of books. Severus followed, still grasping onto Thena's hand, leading her behind him. They came to a door in which Weshook took out a key ring.

"Charming." Severus muttered sarcastically.

Weshook didn't seem to hear but the door opened and they became enveloped by complete darkness.

Thena heard a clink of metal and sure enough, Weshook can into light standing ahead of them, his hand resting on a small link to a single light bulb that hung above him. Thena tightened her grip on Severus's hand. Suddenly another single light bulb turned on, then another, and soon several bulbs had given light to the huge warehouse they now stood in the middle of. There was nothing in the warehouse, but one bulky desk and a ratty chair. Its stuffing could be seen coming out of the slashes in the green cushion. Weshook staggered over to the chair and wheeled it to the desk.

"What will it be Severus?"

"The subject matter is De-manging." Severus added, "and like ancient magic."

His words seemed to echo in the warehouse, each repeat bouncing off the wall and leaving a now chilling effect. Weshook seemed taken aback.

"Severus. I don't know if I like the implications of this…" He began "And if you get caught, it will take no time for 'em to find me."

"It's not for me, you Numskull." Severus snapped. "It's for academic research."

"Sure…' academic research' that's what they all say…"

"Can we just borrow the pages we need?" Thena offered. "This way, if you are really worried…and something bad happens…you can just destroy the book cover and it will never be tied to you?"

"I don't like to tear pages out of me books, Miss…but if there is a certain case study you are after…"

"We will pay for the whole book, Weshook and I can send you back the pages after we have completed… our research."

Severus placed three gold coins on the desk. Weshook looked greedily at them and said, "you are lucky Bostwit is drivin' me business into the wall…and recent events with recent parties winning..has cut down thee other lot of me business." He opened a drawer to the desk and reached his arm inside. He dug around for a few moments until bringing out a small red cover book.

Weshook slid the book across the desk and studied both of them. Severus let go of Thena's hand to thumb through the book quickly. Weshook eyes remained on her. "I knew you looked familiar..."

"Pardon?"

Severus stopped looking through the book, his attention back on Weshook.

"You're that little girl." He lowered his voice to a throaty whisper, wiggling his finger, "Very bad, bad little girl."

Thena swallowed, "What?"

"Page 436."

Weshook continued to look at Thena. His gaze made her feel dirty. She could feel the blood rushing to her face. Severus turned to the page and Thena grabbed at the book. Sure enough, she saw her own childhood photo looking back at her, smiling. Under "most recent use cases" it read "Thena Abbott. Case number 51764. Last known case of de-manging solution to criminal reform." She gasped.

Severus quickly snapped the book shut and ripped the book's spine from its cover and end. A cry rang out of Weshook like he had been slapped. "You said a few pages!"

Severus pushed the cover to Weshook. "It will be returned when we are through." Severus turned to Thena. She stood still in shock, her legs feeling unable to move.

"I'm…I'm..I'm listed as a criminal?"

Severus's free hand found her cheek and neck and then met her hand. He grasped it gently and led her out of the warehouse.

"Severus, did you know about this?"

She turned to face him as they walked back to the castle.

"Madam." He seemed to retreat back to his old way of addressing her, his eyes widen. Severus voice got quiet, "How would I have known about this?"

"Before I came. Did Dumbledore tell you? Minerva?"

"Madam. You were in the office when Minerva told me about the crimes done on to you. Were you not?"

"I'm a criminal, Severus."

He seemed to scoff at this, now annoyed, "You are a criminal, Madam? Do you recall the accusatory questions that were hurled at me…today…in the street?!" He spit out the words, his strides back to the castle quickened.

She stopped in her tracks. "Let me see the book."

Severus whipped around and walked back towards her. "Madam, the book is outlawed. No one has read it aside from its authors and Weshook, who has a habit of enjoying his own goods and personal mission to know anything about everyone and everything." He was breathing heavy, her eyes followed his chest moving in and out. Thena couldn't allow her eyes to meet her gaze, but she could tell his eyes were fixed on her waiting. She felt embarrassed now about getting upset. She heard Severus take a deep breath through his nose and then slowly letting it out.

"I understand what you read is upsetting," He spoke low and softly to her. "but I give you my word, I knew nothing…In fact, I gather that very few people knew about this and for most that did, they are dead."

She nodded still unable to look up at him. She heard him take another breath like he was going to say more, but instead, she soon felt his fingertips on her neck and then jaw bone. Thena lifted her gaze to meet his. Severus looked at her questioning.

"Thena," He swallowed "do you believe me…that I am not hiding this…or anything else from you?"

She nodded trying to convey as much genuine conviction as possible. She did believe him.

"Good…I…" His hand fell at his side and he stared at her cheek, deep in thought. "I have had to prove my…intentions for a long time….and I don't know…if it can be done..anymore."

Thena suddenly knew what he was talking about. Dumbledore…Severus's role in the dark war…Harry Potter. Severus probably assumed he was going to die and didn't have answer to all his deeds. He didn't think he would have to live with the memory of taking the life of another. Sure, some understood what needed to be done, what was in the prophecy…what Dumbledore himself had orchestrated..but most would not understand and maybe never understand. In their hearts and their minds, Severus Snape would remain a criminal forever.

"Severus." Thena grabbed his hand. His eyes met her's yet again. "I know that you are good." She added, "So does Minerva, so does the rest of Hogwarts. To know you, is to know this truth."

"Yes, well." Severus seemed to shake out of the trance and pulled his hand slowly away from her's. "I am a bit tired. We explore the book tomorrow, is that all right?" She nodded.

"Good. If you please excuse me. Have a pleasant evening." Severus turned and walked into the castle, leaving Thena on the front steps.