Chapter 5 - Interrogation
Severus and Athena finally made it to the Ministry; she was still quite shaken up about Edward. "Do you think you will be okay?" She nodded solemnly. "Alright well don't look so pale alright. I'll go inform the Aurors about Edward. You best head to interrogation."
"Come with me please, I don't want to go alone." She grabbed Severus' hand and pleaded.
"Alright, let's go." She linked her arm with his, and followed him to where she was to be interrogated. They came upon the office where an older man sat he was quite scary looking. He had cruel yellowish eyes that pierced right through you, slightly balding hair, and a cruel sneer on his face.
"Severus Snape," he said slowly, "I didn't know you would be here."
"I'm here with Athena Smithton, she is to be interrogated about a letter she received."
The old man nodded. "I'll inform Mr. Baggins that you are here." The old man stood up and hobbled out of the room.
"I don't like him," said Athena quietly.
Severus shook his head. "What everyone know is evil since Edward? George is just an old man, he's quite mean looking, but that's only because he acquired that appearance form being an Auror."
"People don't look like that because of being an Auror!" stated Athena.
"Well, George here had some nasty Dark magic spells thrown at him. That's why he looks like that."
George hobbled back into the room, "Mr. Baggins is waiting for you Ms. Smithton."
"Can Severus come in with me?"
"No," replied George, "he may wait out here for you however."
She nodded. Severus then whispered into her ear, "You'll be all right. You didn't do anything wrong, just tell them the truth."
Athena headed into another office where another old man sat. He was quite tall, broad shoulders, dark gray eyes, and white hair. "Hello Ms. Smithton, I'm Mr. Anthony Baggins."
She approached him and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sir." She then sat down.
"Like wise. Now, you are here because you received a letter telling you not to go to Hogwarts and that many things will happen there. Am I correct?"
"Yes,"
"Good, now I see here from your files that you are from America, just outside of Pittsburgh? You also attended Churchill's Academy of Witchcraft for girls, you excelled in what we call Defense Against the Dark Arts and waited to come here and become an Auror."
"Yes,"
"Okay, now I'm going to give you a simple truth potion. This is to make sure that you don't lie about anything." He handed her a small cup filled with the potion. She swallowed the nasty-tasting liquid, holding her nose so it wouldn't taste so bad. "Okay, I'm going to ask you a few simple questions, all right? Good, now your name?"
"Athena Lynn Smithton."
"School you attended?"
"Churchill's Academy of Witchcraft for Girls."
"Age?"
"31."
"When did you receive the letter telling you about not going to Hogwarts and such?"
"Just before I left to go to Hogwarts."
"Do you have any idea who it maybe from?"
"No."
"Do you or did you have any connections with Death-Eaters or any person with connections to He-Who-Mustn't-Be-Named?"
"No."
Mr. Baggins nodded and finished writing his notes. "All right Athena, that's all I needed to know. Here now drink this, it will get rid of the effects of the truth potion." He handed her another small cup. She drank it; it tasted much better than the first. "You may go now."
"Thank-you Sir," she replied. She then left the office and saw Snape sitting they're waiting for her.
"That didn't take very long."
"There weren't many questions asked."
Severus nodded, "I see you're quite tired. We will head to the Leaky Cauldron and take in two rooms there." Athena and Severus then headed towards Diagon Alley.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Once arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, Severus walked up to the bartender. He was a stout looking man, with a large grin on his face. "Severus!" he exclaimed, "Didn't think you be stopping in."
"I need two rooms Marcus. One for me and one for Ms. Smithton."
"I'm sorry Severus but we only got one room left. It has two beds and all, but it's the only room left in the Inn. Every other one is filled due to students and their families getting prepared for school."
"We'll take it," replied Severus.
"Good, good! Room 572, up the stairs; make a left and then a sharp right. Then head straight and the hall curves a bit and makes a sharp left, your room should be just after the sharp left. Would you like Sam to show you the way and take your bags?"
"No thank you, I think we are both capable of finding our way." Marcus then tossed Severus the key to the room; Severus and Athena then headed on up.
Several minutes later Severus stood in front of a door saying, "Now was it a sharp right after the curve in the hall way or left? Why the hell must the damn wizarding world make everything such as confusing mess?"
"Severus it was a left," said Athena, "And if you don't keep your voice down I'm afraid you'll wake anyone who is resting!"
Severus took the sharp left and several minutes later found the door. "Finally, damn Inn. Can't even give you a damn map to show you the way around this rat trap!"
"Severus! Can't you be at least a little bit grateful that we at least got a room?"
"No, I think we shouldn't be sharing a room and all."
"I don't think it would be wise either but it was the only choice and the only place." He unlocked the door and let her pass into the room. It was quite small. The floor was dark shiny, there were two small four-poster beds with large blue comforters on top, a set of chester-drawers, a night stand with candles. "Not exactly glamorous," said Athena.
"Why don't you get some rest after today. I need to go into Diagon Alley and get some money out Gringotts."
"Please let me come with you!" she asked, "I've never been to Gringotts! Aren't there little goblins running around and all?"
"There are goblins, but they aren't running around! That's completely absurd!"
"You know what I mean! Please though, I really want to go! Plus maybe we can stop somewhere and get something to eat. I'll treat."
Severus really couldn't pass up the idea of a hot meal, he was quite famished from the day and plus she was paying.