Chapter 33

Questioning

Outside Hogwarts at the far reaches of the Quidditch pitch was a spartan segment of unkempt grass. Well hidden between the green and fawn coloured leaves, but glistening slightly in the sun light was a small purple bottle.

Three figures all cloaked marched towards this spot of wild grass then stopped. The first figure a tall willowy elderly man with long white hair and a beard to match picked up the bottle and vanished.

The second figure, a much younger man with glossy ebony hair turned to his female companion and excepted a tight hug of reassurance. Not that he was afraid of the port key. Not in the least. It was the events that were to transpire after that which terrified him.

Together they grabbed the sparkling bottle and held on tight.

Severus Snape felt the familiar tug at his navel as he was pulled through time and space to old wizard London. To the foray of the Ministry of magic to be exact.

Waiting for them was Albus Dumbledore. He smiled pleasantly and glanced at his watch again. "Appears that we are a little way from the Leaky Cauldron," he said. "The officials appear to have wanted us here directly. Not to worry though. We are only ten minutes early. Wont have to wait long. It'll probably take just that to find the room." He smiled, eyes twinkling and noticed Severus Snape's perplexed expression twinged with fear. Abruptly Severus relaxed his frown until his vision caught tell tell flashes of white light and his ears picked up the sound of click, click from cameras.

Severus shuddered from rage, and marched with angry determination over to the small group of reporters situated in a vacant corner of the large marble foray.

A woman, dressed in what appeared to be a blue designer suit and wearing large gold heavy earrings that were dangling precariously from her lobes flashed him a false smile and thrummed her red talon like finger nails on her clip board.

"Hello Mr Snape. I'm Rita Skeeta from the Daily Profit," she purred while fluttering heavily coated mascara lashes. Her bee sting red lips curved into a quick puffed up smile before she pouted.

"Professor," he hissed. "I know who you are."

"You do. I am charmed." She swooned over dramatically and fluttered her eyelashes again.

"What are you doing here?" He almost lunged at a small man dressed in tartan robes as he hysterically began flashing his camera into the potions master's face. Quickly Severus made a grab for it and tore it out of his hands. The small bald man with the shiny head and a shock of grey hair projecting out of his ears made an aggravated squeak sound.

"Oi give that back."

"Don't you dare Oi me, sir!" Severus abruptly dropped the camera onto the floor and stamped on it. The photographer gazed at him in surprise, open mouthed.

"You, you..." Severus sneered, obviously completely satisfied with himself.

"Out of my way you snivelling idiot." And he gave the impression that he had shoved the crowd back by physical force, not by simple voice alone.

Taya couldn't help a giggle escaping nor could Dumbledore suppress a smile at the spectacle.

Coolly Rita Skeeta emerged from the crowd of flashes again and stepped back in front of the professor.

"What?"

"Tell, me Professor were you one of...." Prior to realising what he was doing he had his wand level at Skeeta's overly made up face. Before she could even slide away a puff of smoke was discharged from the wand. Skeeta howled like a banshee and there was a loud pop.

Someone gasped. Another took a photograph then the crowd went wild. Flashes of light, bickering and excited gibberish was exchanged and then there was silence.

"Croak."

Everyone looked down at the shiny floor.

Sat there was a large toad. It's warty slimy skin was plastered in thick foundation and it's overly enlarged lips were cherry red. The toad croaked again then moved, revealing a tiny hand with red painted talons.

"Rita?!!" Someone gasped.

"I see no difference," muttered Severus drawing away from the crowd of shocked people and the frantic chatter. He was sure his eye caught a tiny fist being raised and jabbed angrily at him on the floor before he walked away.

A smug expression crossed his face before shortly returning to a normal sneer and Severus rejoined Dumbledore and Taya.

"I can't believe you did that," said Taya.

"I can." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. Even without words his feelings were apparent, just from the look in his eyes. "She deserves what she gets." Severus said then pulled his cloak tightly around his body preparing for what was to come next.

"That will certainly make the front page. Better be careful Severus in case she tells the authorities," Dumbledore warned.

"The authorities will agree with him. The press shouldn't have been in here anyway," said Taya. "Look!" She pointed over at several richly dressed men standing together watching the spectacle with amused interest. "See, they are watching over there."

Somebody cheered, unbelievingly it was one of the ministers. "Good work there Professor Snape," he called jovially. "I always wanted to see that stupid Skeeta crone put down a peg or two."

Professor Dumbledore led the way through the vast building until they came to the correct department. 'Chief Justice-War crimes- Section 302.

They were met by a small stout witch with long sticky out blond straw like hair who quickly ushered them into a tiny room.

The chamber was sparsely decorated. An ornate desk and three chairs consisted of the furniture. The walls were painted a deep red, while the picture rail and skirting were inlayed with gold. The floor was bare floorboards, highly polished, but covered with an ornate Prussian rug, the tassels slightly ragged and torn.

A single moving picture hung on the wall of a man apparently in Ministerial robes carrying what looked like a long golden staff and several papers, certificates judging from the scene. The man was standing proudly, smiling at the three people who had just occupied the tiny room.

"May as well be seated," said Dumbledore, but the door abruptly opened and he remained standing where he was.

A man, evidently the same in the photograph swayed over towards the desk and placed a huge scroll down on it's surface.

"Be seated," he said kindly to the younger wizard. Totally ignoring the other two. Severus choose to stand for a few moments and gaze around the dark windowless room. A gentle hand touched his and Taya smiled tenderly.

"It's okay," she whispered.

"Your loved one?" Inquired the man. Severus scowled angrily. "May I offer you refreshments. There is tea-"

"Cut the pleasantries," snapped Severus. "Just get on with it will you." Dumbledore gazed expectantly at the potions master.

"Be easy," he murmured.

"How can I possibly be easy?" He snapped and roughly yanked his hand from Taya's.

"Very well," said the questioner. "Albus and I have met before I believe?" He gazed at the silver haired wizard.

"Indeed. It is a great pleasure."

Flattering him up, thought Severus grimacing.

"I do not have the honour of meeting you two fine people before-"

"Paf," spat the professor which the young minister before him ignored.

"My name is Minister Eggbert Grot. I am here to interview you on your experiences with a Mister Dionysius Lorsekruker. I am not here to judge, just to ask questions,

"Before we do start is there anything you require or wish to know?"

"No," he stammered.

"Professor Severus Snape," called the man looking up from a long scroll of paper. "You are not on trial, you are not guilty of the crime. We only need your information on what happened to you. Your experiences. If for any reason you find this too painful we will have a interim then follow again later. Anything that you feel you are unable to say out loud may be recorded via 'wisperpad.' Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"This interview will govern the best punishment to suit the crime. Dionysius Lorsekruker is guilty of the murder and rapes of hundreds of innocent Muggle and Magic persons alike."

Severus tensed, feeling his stomach flip at the mere mention of the name again.

"This is a closed room, no information offered and gathered will leak out. Wards have been set and every necessary precaution has been undertaken. We will undertake this questioning as quickly and as painlessly as possible. Confidentially is the prime of importance here. I assure you again,

"Now," said the man. He cleared his throat noisily and ruffled the long curling parchment in his pale freckled hands. "May we begin sir?" He took out a volumous bright red quill. Held it upright so that the tip hovered over the page and let go.

"Hurry up with this nonsense."

"Very well, sir. Your experiences as a Death Eater brought you to Lorsekruker in...let's see." He looked down at his papers. "Nineteen seventy one?"

"I never want to see that... that evil man ever again." The pen started to write.

"Why were you under his order and not directly governed by..." the questioner paused for a moment so did the pen. "Voldemort," he whispered. The pen resumed it's scratchy writing. Minister Grot's voice caught slightly as if the name was still difficult to say aloud even after so many years had passed after the Dark Lord's destruction.

"You are misinformed Minister, I was not governed. I was enslaved."

"How so?"

Severus swallowed and un-realising it reached out his hand to Taya who took it.

"I spent nearly two years under Voldemort gradually working my way up to his inner circle. I thought that I may have soon be granted the position of high order third. Lorsekruker was Voldemort's second." He swallowed down nausea and felt a head ache slowly squeeze his head. It felt as if his scull was retracting against the soft tissue inside, pulverising it into pulp. Vivid gruesome images of this twisted Severus' concentration. He abruptly shook his head, black shaggy hair swirled around him for a moment then settled down, framing his face.

"Instead he appointed me to Lorsekruker."

"As what exactly?"

"Is this entirely necessary Minister?" Interjected Dumbledore getting to his feet. "There doesn't appear to be a valid reason to these questions."

"We must start from the beginning Headmaster Dumbledore. I respect Professor Snape's feelings on the aforementioned matter, but we must know the exact story."

"This is blatant nosiness," said an enraged potions master. He dramatically shot up from his chair and headed toward the door.

"Respect sir," said the man. "But you do want this man to come to justice?"

"Justice?" Severus snapped. "What justice? This twisted perversion of questions. What about my injustice. I refuse to answer any more questions."

"With all due respect sir," the man bowed slightly.

"You sicken me, fool." He stopped.

"I clearly understand your apprehension, but we must discuss this. I only have the power to grant a recess, but if you perhaps wish to commence with this tomorrow-"

"Be damned with these questions." Dumbledore looked over at the still scribing feather with interest. It was recording every word said.

"We need your side of the story. Only you can put Lorsekruker away forever. You yourself only just said that you wished never to see or hear from him again. Perhaps the wisperpad?" He pulled out a heavy green book from a drawer in his desk and opened it. "Anything you think will be recorded here."

"Fool. It doesn't make any difference. I'm not permitting my entire thoughts to be recorded in your stupid book." You would probably arrest me for my murderous thoughts..

"Okay," said the sandy haired man cautiously and put the book back into the drawer.

"I don't give a damn what you do with him. Just let me be." He headed back towards the door and found it was locked. A groan of defeat shook him, and took him by surprise. "Why is this door locked?" Grot stood up.

"Security reasons."

"Open it then. I no longer want to be cooped up in here."

"Sir, please calm down." Dumbledore stood up and guided the overly fervent man back to his seat. Taya immediately took both of his hands.

"Love, the man is right. Calm down."

"Your lady is in fact right, too." Grot sat and hitched up his britches a fraction. "Understand dear sir. I mean you no personal disrespect. We do not judge-"

"As you already said." Severus bolted upright again, seemingly unable to stay seated for more than a few minutes.

"Severus?" Whispered Taya. "Darling, tell him what he wants to know. Then it'll be done with. You don't want to come back tomorrow."

"Indeed." said Dumbledore nodding. "Sit now." Severus allowed himself to be pulled back down onto his chair by the headmaster. "Now, close your mind to those feelings and answer best you can." He gently touched his younger professor's shoulder in a fatherly way, squeezing tight painfully knotted muscles.

"What?" Severus spat.

"You commented on that you were his slave."

"I was his toy. I brewed potions by day," The man nodded. "By night..." Severus swallowed.

"And how long did this abuse go on for?"

"As I already pointed out sir, nearly two years. What has that got to do with it?" He spat angrily.

"We need to know exactly. While during this time did you ever consider leaving?"

"Of cause I did."

"Why didn't you?"

"I was unable. I was physically too weak. They kept me prisoner."

"Very well," replied the man. "As a prisoner or... slave what exact duties were you obliged to do other than potions brewing?"

He stiffened. He knew very well that the question would be asked sooner or later, and it cast terror over his entire being.

"What...what do you mean?" He stammered feebly.

"It's okay." he heard Taya reassure him beside him. Despite her gentle words her tender touch the fear was penetrating to the very core.

"What did you do other than your day time duties? At night. Forgive me for my bluntness but you said you had to do something at night."

"S....sex."

"You had sex. Is that all?"

"No. I mean..." Tears formed in his eyes. Severus clenched his jaw and forced his mouth to obey his brain. "No. It wasn't ...it...it wasn't..." he turned to face Taya and from the tender look in her eyes he longed to fall into her arms and sob, but he had to hold on. He had to get this over with. Above all he had to be strong. "It wasn't love making." He said to Taya.

"Have you had any homosexual relationships prier to your rapes, Professor?"

"No." Severus turned around dramatically and scowled at the questioner.

"Is this necessary sir?" Questioned Dumbledore disdainfully.

"I apologise again. It is. Please continue answering the questions, Professor. Have you had any heterosexual relationships prior?"

"IT'S NON OF YOUR BLOODY BUSINESS," he burst.

"Were you a virgin prior to your assaults?" Severus' lip curled slightly from the sudden on set of rage. He was ready to kill at any moment.

"May we have a few moments please," said Dumbledore.

"Yes of cause."

"Severus." Dumbledore clutched his shoulder and led him to the corner of the room.

"Was that your first sexual experience?"

"Why must I tell you?"

"Because if it is, to touch an untouched pure wizard in such a way is tantamount to the most grievous of crimes.

"Isn't rape already the most grievous?" He replied sadly, but with a hint of sarcasm.

"The purity of a virgin to be taken in such a brutal way can not be punished by imprisonment alone. You know our beliefs Severus. I do not know what you believe, but the primary belief, however ancient says that a person attacked while still physically pure can issue whatever punishment they see fit."

"Never heard of it," spat Severus. "I don't care what happens. I told you before."

"Tell Minster Grot. Despite your personal pride, justice must be set, your broken soul will rest then." Severus swallowed. "Okay?"

"Yes."

"Good good, son," he patted him on the arm.

"Continue with ridiculous sham of an interrogation," muttered the younger professor bitterly.

"Then will you answer the question Professor Snape?"

"Yes. Prior to the attacks I was still...pure."

"The year being nineteen seventy one again. That made you twenty did it not?"

"Yes."

"What year did you join the Death Eaters?"

"Nineteen seventy."

"Very well. Can you tell me, on estimation how many times you were raped the time you spent with the Death Eaters?

"How should I know? He quipped.

"Roughly?"

"Nearly every night. Work it out yourself, damn you."

"Do you have any physical indications of your abuse?" At that Taya shot up off her seat.

"Sir, Severus will not disclose any further information." She turned to find a hunched figure beside her trembling. "Severus?" He appeared to be weeping, but when he looked up she gasped in horror. He ripped open the fastenings of his robes revealing the pale scared skin of his chest and stomach. Dumbledore was suddenly on his feet again.

"Severus, this really isn't necessary. " He ignored him.

"What else do you want from me. Do you wish to see the bite marks and scars on my-"

"Stop it." Taya said firmly. Abruptly she pulled the fabric back over his chest. "Come here." Abruptly she pulled him into a firm embrace.

For the first time he didn't care who was in the room with them, be it a complete stranger or Professor Dumbledore standing, slightly shocked and muttering to himself.

"That will be all," said the man who plucked up the still scribing feather. He drew out his wand and muttered a spell to which the door swung open.

"Sirs, and Madam. I understand how grave and painful this has been, I however must request Professor Snape's permission to use his information in Lorsekruker's conviction. As you know, since you are, I mean were a virgin, you have the right to order punishment."

"It is an abomination. I don't give a damn. I want to go." He stood up drawing his cloak around him.

"I need your permission sir," offered the man again.

"Use it... bloody hell how you want. I don't give a damn anymore. I told you." He turned to storm off out of the room, caring less what he looked like, his still partially open shirt flapping, reveling an exposed strip of belly and the salty tears drying on his cheeks.

"I need you to sign." Severus grabbed the quill and scribbled something that may have been his name onto the piece of parchment in front of him.

"Thank you," said the man. "Take care."

"Go to hell."

Before Taya or Dumbledore could stop him, Severus had already gone and had stepped through the port key.

Sometime back at the castle, sobbing bitterly in her arms, Severus Snape rocked himself into a black oblivion.