A/N: Yeah. I got somethin' to say this time. And ya' ain't gonna like it one bit. Folks, for some reason, the chapters are going to get a lot shorter. No idea why. Don't know what happened. I just suddenly seemed to have started writing really short chapters. Sorry.
Enjoy.
Tried And Convicted
CHAPTER SIX: DESTROYING EVIDENCE
Trennerson watched from his office window as Snape and the other man left the ministry office building.
Why had they come?
The brown haired man he didn't care much about. But Snape. Now there was a dangerous man if ever there was one. Shrewd, cunning, and as bad tempered as they came, there were few within the ranks of the Deatheaters that even wished to tangle with the man. Voldemort had been trying to recruit him even before he had gone to work for Dumbledore as the potions master of his school. Once he joined the school's staff, Snape's position there only seemed to make him that much more desirable as a recruit to Voldemort. When Snape had finally agreed to join Voldemort's followers, Trennerson knew it spelled deep trouble for him. For he felt he knew very well knew why Voldemort was trying so hard to bring the Hogwart's potions master into his fold. A few too many mistakes had placed him well out of the dark lord's favor. Snape would be a highly prized replacement for him.
But why was the potions master coming to visit Black? Had he come on Voldemort's orders? Trennerson knew he couldn't go to Voldemort and question the dark lord on the matter. Placing himself in Voldemort's presence at the moment would likely only end in a curse for him. Voldemort had given him the task of getting the Auror Black convicted of the Potters' murders. And that was all he was told to concern himself with.
Trennerson had no idea why the dark lord wanted Black convicted of the Potters' murders. But he also had the good sense not to ask. Others suggested the dark lord found it amusing that the ministry would try, convict, and sentence to the Dementors Kiss one of their own for a crime he was, in fact, completely innocent of. But such was the man's sense of humor. The task for him, plain and simple, was a chance to redeem himself that Voldemort had suggested quite strongly he not fail in. And he had no real evidence to take to Voldemort that Snape was up to anything unscrupulous that might suggest the potions master was a traitor.
Now there was a pleasant thought.
How very high in the dark lord's favor could he reestablish himself if he not only managed to complete his assigned task, but also brought the dark lord proof that Snape was a traitor.
Leaving his office, Trennerson headed for the jail. He was bound and determined to find out what Snape had been doing at the jail.
Down at the jail area, Trennerson had asked about the prisoner's visitors. That guards had told him the brown haired man had come by twice that day and that he had said he was simply a friend of the prisoner. Snape, they told him, had presented himself as Black's solicitor, who had come to help the man settle his affairs.
Trennerson did what he could to hide his shock at the statement. Snape acting as Black's solicitor? Why would he do such a thing? Trennerson had heard Snape speak about the man with others. He positively loathed him for reasons Trennerson had never bothered to investigate further. And now he was ready to act on Black's behalf? That made no sense at all.
"I need to make one last check of the prisoner for the night." Trennerson told the guards. "Make sure he isn't having any reactions to the potion."
The guard led Trennerson down the corridor without any further questions. It wasn't unheard of for prisoners to have any thing from mild to severe reactions to Veritaserum minutes, even hours, after they took the potion. And Trennerson often made one last check of prisoners before leaving for the day.
Down at the prisoner's cell, Trennerson asked Black a few customary questions. But whether or not Black answered them, Trennerson barely paid any attention. He was more concerned with other matters. Snape had been there for a reason. And he doubted very seriously it was to help the man in any way. Trennerson was about to leave when a small spot on the floor caught his attention. A small, perfectly circular patch of something dark red that had dried on the stone floor.
Blood!
Trennerson turned abruptly back to the cell.
"Stand up!" He commanded.
Sirius slowly got to his feet under the watchful gaze of the guard and Trennerson.
"Roll up your sleeves!" Trennerson demanded.
Sirius paused, then slowly rolled up each sleeve in turn and presented his arms to the man.
"Turn them over."
Sirius turned his arms over, his face an expressionless mask as he did so.
Trennerson's own expression shifted ever so slightly at the sight of the cut across Sirius' wrist.
"How did you get that?" He ask pointedly.
Sirius thought for a few seconds. "I cut it on the bench." He replied, indicating the wooden seat in the back of the cell.
Trennerson stood for a few moments studying the man before him, then turned and abruptly left the jail.
Snape had come for Black's blood. He was likely going to test it for traces of Veritaserum. From that he'd learn the truth and then everything would probably start to unravel before they could do anything to stop it.
"I need to see the head of Ministry Justice." Trennerson told one of the guards. "Is he still here?"
Within minutes Trennerson was being led down another corridor towards the office of the head of the Ministry Justice Department.
"Avery Trennerson." The man behind the desk greeted him. "It has been a while. How are you? A bit late to be here still isn't it?"
"I was making one last check on the prisoner, Sirius Black." Trennerson told the man. "It's standard procedure when Veritaserum is used, for the prisoner to be checked several times for ill effects."
"I'm aware of procedure, Avery. Is there some problem?"
"Black was apparently still under the effects of the Veritaserum. I asked him a few standard questions. Then I asked him is he was planning to escape again."
"That was hardly standard, Avery."
"No. But Black escaped the ministry jail once before just a few months ago. And no one seemed to know how. Most speculate it was by dark magic. I thought it would be wise, as long as the Veritaserum was still effecting him, to ask."
"And?"
"Black told me that tomorrow night the Deatheaters are planning to attempt to free him. He said Voldemort was sending a number of his Elite."
The man behind the desk was on his feet. "Did Black say when?"
"No."
"We'll need to contact....."
But Trennerson cut the man off before he even got started. "Sir, perhaps there is a simple way to avoid any problems at all."
"How?"
"Move Black before the Deatheaters think. The judges will deliver their verdict in the morning. If we move him immediately to Azkaban, he'll be sent to the Dementors before the Deatheaters even know he's gone. I'm sure some sort of 'leak' could be arranged to get the news to the Deatheaters after Black is at Azkaban, and they'll likely call off the attack then."
The man slowly lowered himself back into the chair. A small smile playing across his face. "An excellent idea, Avery. And it'll solve our problem of Black a few days earlier as well."
"And no one would question the moving up of Black's sentence being carried out, since we have good cause to do so, if anyone bothers to question it at all."
Trennerson knew good and well two people at least would most definitely question the change of schedule. Snape and that meddlesome old School Headmaster, Dumbledore. But by the time questions started to be asked, Trennerson would long be gone. Once Black was taken to Azkaban and given to the Dementors, it would no longer be possible for him to stay in his position. Too many questions could be brought up. And it was likely only a matter of time before Snape started causing trouble.
Well, no matter. He would be long gone by then. Moved by Voldemort to a new assignment. And likely leaving this one high in the dark lord's favor, having eliminated one of the department's best Aurors. Arranging for him to be executed by his own people and branded a traitor. The dark lord would be most highly pleased. Perhaps he could get transferred back into his old position. Experimenting with potions. Work that would secure him back in the lair, where it was much safer and he could work undisturbed. A fitting reward indeed.
Trennerson left the minister's office with a pleased smile.
Q&A
Doom Song: Yes, it is very good. I think the writer is doing an excellent job with Snape. I haven't seen him portrayed this well since Starbright's It's A One Time Thing That Just Happens A Lot.
Lazy Unicorn Whisperer: Sorry about missing you last week, Whisp. You and Zim just missed my cut off date.
I don't know if I mentioned it or not, Whisp. But your story transmitted just fine with a few strange characters along for the ride. But it appears to still be readable and I am working on it. Give me a little time and I'll send something back. However, due to transmitting problems with my e-mail between you and me for some reason, I'll review this back to you via one of your stories. O.K.? But don't expect anything until the end of this story. This is taking up most of my time right now.
I think if Snape had refused still to help Sirius it definitely would have strained the friendship he has with Remus. Ended it? That I'm not so sure of.
All right, all right! Settle down! I'll give it to you that Sirius always blamed himself for James and Lily's murders. The phrasing of the questions had a lot to do with it, as this chapter showed. And the potion? Well, that remains to be seen.
I go back to Of Western Stars from time to time, and I believe I was or did read Cheating Death. I read so many parts of stories due to odd posting schedules, I very often lose track of what I was reading and never go back to them. These are, in fact, two such stories that fell into that category, I'm afraid. I'll have to look in on them and see where they are at now.
Vacation!? *Blows Whisp a raspberry.* Everybody seems to get to go on vacation but P.A.R.. (And 'no', the writing one doesn't count. I still had to work my real job. I just was vacationing from posting stories..)
By the way, Dear, a 'big five goldie' what? Or are you counting all those stars you've won again?
Zimmy Russell: Sorry I missed you last time, Zim. You came in just after the gate closed.
Yeah. No one can set someone straight quite like our favorite werewolf when he gets his back up, huh?
I was pretty sure you had said you lived in Orlando. City drives me crazy personally. They don't seem to know how to lay out streets in Orlando. Don't know why. Nothing downtown seems to be in a straight line, ya' know.
Oh, P.A.R. likes thunderstorms! Rain, clouds, wind. Give me a good old fashion Florida storm any day. I love 'em!
I don't know that Snape is a softy. But he definitely has a soft side.
Severus is a Deatheater at this point. But where he stands in that comes up later. However, the plot against Sirius is very well guarded and is sort of a 'need to know' basis. And currently, Severus doesn't need to know.
Same with all the little Deatheater people.
I thought someone else did the Special Effects for Harry Potter, not Industrial Light
and Magic.
Why Severus and Remus 'stopped' being friends is part of a story, called Proper Friends. That story also explains the reason Sirius and his brother are at odds ( which is also brought up in Family Relations). But that story is not due out this year at all. It is, however, a major story arc and will likely rival Family Life.
No, Dear. P.A.R. has not read or seen the movie The Princess Diaries.
sweets: *P.A.R. looks around.* Where's Nagini? She's usually first. *Shrugges.* Oh, well. Hey, sweets. You're first up this time.
Dear, I have no idea where that basket came from either. There's no basket in this entire story.
I think you'll find Snape's 'decency level' depends on what's motivating him. As I pointed out to Whisp, what do you think Remus would have done had Snape continued to refuse to help?
But I truly never saw him as never 'not helping'. If you can't get the man one way, drag his pride into it and you will likely have him every time.
Nicky: I think Snape will never pass up a chance to bait Sirius. But it served a purpose here that Remus caught onto. Snape was looking for a reaction, which he didn't get. Although in the story only Remus' worry was indicated, Snape was also a bit concerned that Sirius didn't 'rise to the challenge', as it were.
Snape's interest in Sirius right now is almost purely scientific. He has been handed a puzzle, and he has a very limited amount of time to figure it out.
Actually, Sirius' attitude of behaving like a three year old wherever he gets around Snape annoys me a bit. Especially since it is totally contradictory to his personality the rest of the time. Although I could never get away from the feeling from Book Four that the man's stairs aren't quite reaching all the way to the attic anymore.
Dark Whispers: Sirius is, without a doubt, one of P.A.R.'s all time favorite characters. I'd be hard pressed to ever do him real harm. I mean, as far as my stories go, he's still alive at the end of them, right?
Sailor Sol: Unfortunately, as that Enemies is almost completely OC, there are very few Harry Potter characters in it. About the only thing I am using in that story is the setting. Still, I hope my readers will like it. Especially that it is likely to be my first R rated story. And that is a very mild R rating. I just don't think it is appropriate for certain age groups, hence the rating.
Anyway, as always, thanks for the review. I really look forward to your opinion of Enemies.
Mayleesa: Ohhhh! A hug! Thank you!
UnrepentantReader: I liked the 'little Dementor' line too. And yes, Severus had quite a bit to do in this chapter.
lilahp: Actually, you might be surprised by Sirius reaction to all this in the end.
I hate to squash your hopes, Dear, but no Peter in this story. Sorry.
As for Sirius going away to The Rock....., yup, the clock is ticking. Especially after this chapter.
All right. I liked the Slytherin one best. By the way, how many Gryffindors does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one. They hold the light bulb in the socket and the world revolves around them. (Not mine. 'Barrowed' it from an author who had a fanfiction by the name of something like How many? Go look for it. It was very funny. A whole collection of these things.)
Another one who I am eager looking forward to your opinion of Enemies.
Karla: Yes, Dear. He does. Right after Sirius.
As that this chapter is now up and read, I can answer 'that certain someone' question. The question, Dear, wasn't 'will Snape recognize Trennerson', but will Trennerson recognize Snape', which he did. And he's plenty worried about it. The point was the position it put Trennerson (that certain someone) in and all the worries he has about it.
Man! You and purple water sure keep old P.A.R. on her toes, I'll tell you that!
O.K., let me see now. Snape is checking Sirius' blood for traces of the Fake Veritaserum? He's actually checking it for a lot of things. But the main thing is a trace of Veritaserum. That's very important to the story and you find out why next chapter.
Mr. Green was a redundant character, Dear. His absence was only explained as far as it has been in the story. I didn't feel the need to go into any further detail, though some readers may not agree. But it was sort of a time issue.
Peter is not going to show up in this story. Trennerson likely does have some idea of his role in things, since he knows Sirius is, in fact, innocent.
Mr. Crouch in not involved in this because Sirius is not in the hands of the Minister of Magic. In this story, Sirius actually did go to trail, so he is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. As you recall, in the original books, Sirius was never given a trail. Therefore, since Sirius did, in fact, have a trail in this story, the outcome will be decided by the Ministry Justices, not the Minister of Magic.
There are never enough hits. True. But 13,000+ is a pretty good start. And I haven't even been at this a year yet.
Blizzard: Always happy to hear from a new reviewer!
So glad you like the story.
What's a girl to do when she's addicted? That's easy. You either write or read.
Naw, underneath it all, Snape has a soft side. And I always felt that if anyone could draw it out, it was Remus. I mean, being mean to him is like kicking a puppy.
Sorry. Due to my schedule I'm restricted to only posting on Sundays and Wednesdays.
purple water: O.K., the first reason that won't work is exactly what you said. It's the most obvious thing.
As for accepting new evidence, well, that sort of depends on how you present it, doesn't it? But that comes up later, so I'll stop there.
*P.A.R. sits staring at computer screen in stunned silence.* Honestly! How do you come up with this stuff. *Hugs the computer screen.*
You are SO close with your reasoning about what Snape is up to. But your train pulled out of the station just a little too soon and all the passengers didn't quite make it on board, Dear. You'll see what I mean Sunday.
The fact that Snape isn't Voldemort's Potion's Master was addressed in this chapter in a underhanded sort of way. Suffice to say he isn't Voldemort's Potions Master yet. Which is sort of why Trennerson is so afraid of him. I mean, lets face it. You don't exactly get fired from your position in Voldemort's fanclub, do you?
Actually, though it doesn't come up in this story, but oddly enough does come up in an unrelated story (Family Relations), Snape's position in the Deatheaters is (was) to find ways to alter potions to make them either more effective or deadlier.
I have never understood why Snape wants the DADA job so badly when he is so good at Potions.
Don't throw the computer across the room. It's only momentary satisfaction and a long time recouping the lose.
As to the 'old' theory, I believe what you described was what Katlin was doing. Except Sirius wasn't in a dark room (he was in the front seat of a car, heading for the backseat if things got any further), and Katlin wasn't exactly trying to entice him by having him stare down the business end of her wand. The woman plays to her strengths. Fortunately, Sirius valued something else above a good time. The one thing that was straight up about that whole scene was what Katlin told Sirius about Harry. The only place where your theory of how things would have gone in your version went slightly askew was in the fact that you talked like Voldemort wasn't in power at the time. Voldemort was very much in power..., through Katlin. She was his right hand. And in order to get to Voldemort, whatever his condition at the time, you had to go through Katlin. Trust me, few Deatheaters would have ever been so stupid as to try that route. The woman has a very simple solution to problems. (And if you don't know what that is, people, you haven't been paying attention at all.).
I always wondered about Deatheaters. And I figured that aside from the Malfoy's and a few others, regular people, like Snape (when he was a Deatheater), must have had to have regular day jobs to earn money. Voldemort simply could not have been supporting the whole lot of them.
Thanks for the review and oh, heavens, please keep those theories coming. As I told Karla, you two really keep me on my toes.
Reviews are as of 08272002.
(Sign in a pub.) Anyone here drink beer and speak English?