Ashes of Victory Ch 11

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Author's Notes: Well, it took a month, but here it is! The next to last chapter. Thanks so much for all the reviews. There will be a sequel. It will be a few weeks before I post it. I plan on writing all of it out before I start posting it. Also, yes, the last chapter is written. I wrote both them by hand at work, so I will type Ch 12 later after I have done some mundane things.

Severus was once again sitting in the stone chair with the chains around him to keep him there. Albus stood next to him. Mad-Eye Moody was standing with Cornelius Fudge a few feet away, whispering. In the witness stand sat two junior Aurors – Kingsley and Robinton, and Professor Minerva McGonagall. A Record-All quill was posed over a sheet of parchment on the desk. Fudge and Moody turned and approached Severus.

"We are present to re-question Severus Snape, known and self-confessed Deatheater," Minster Fudge began, "in light of information given to this court by Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I am Minister Cornelius Fudge. Vertisium will be administered by Senior Auror Moody. Wittnesses will me Auror Kingsley, Auror Robinto and Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Questioning will be conducted by myself, Auror Moody and Headmaster Dumbledore." Fudge turned and went to the desk. He looked down at the parchment the quill had been writing on. Satisfied, he nodded to Dumbledore, who also scanned the parchment.

"I, Albus Dumbledore, verify this quill is accurately recording." Albus went back to stand next to Severus.

"Auror Moody, administer the Vertisium," Fudge ordered.

Moody stepped forward. Before Albus could stop him, Moody dumped the whole vial into Severus' mouth.

"Mad-Eye!" Albus roared. "Three drops! Not the whole vial! You could have just condemned Severus to madness!"

"Dumbledore," Fudge said. "I ordered it. We need to be certain, and I am confident that Snape can overcome a mere three drops."

Severus was now sweating profusely. His muscles were spasming at intervals. His face was twisted in a mask of pain.

"Severus." Albus knelt in front of him. Severus opened his eyes to look at him.

"Albus," he whispered. "Just let them ask their questions."

Dumbledore stood, and moved behind Severus. He placed his hands on Severus' shoulders.

Moody's voice rang out. "State your full name."

"Severus Salizar Snape."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"What is your date of birth?"

"May 7, 1965."

"How long have you been a Deatheater?" Moody asked, suddenly sounding eager. Albus felt Severus tense. He began to gently massage the tense muscles under his hands.

"Ten years."

"You became a Deatheater at nine years of age?" This time, Fudge asked the question. The disbelief was easily heard in his voice.

"Yes." Severus' voice was void of emotion. His entire body was shaking.

"You are lying!" Fudge yelled angrily.

"I am not," Severus whispered. His face was bleach white.

"What use would You-Know-Who have for a nine-year-old child?" Fudge demanded.

Severus' shaking got more pronounced. Suddenly he leaned over the side of the chair and vomited.

Albus waved his wand as Severus straightened, cleaning the mess. He moved around in front of Severus so Albus could see his eyes.

"Look at me, Severus," he said in a soothing voice. Severus raised his eyes from the floor and looked up at Albus.

"Answer the question," Fudge said angrily from behind Dumbledore.

"Cornelius!" The Headmaster turned to glare at Minister Fudge.

"Gentlemen." Kingsley spoke up from the witness stand. "I think it will be benifical to have all of us write down our questions, and have Headmaster Albus Dumbledore ask them. If the Minister, Headmaster and Auror Moody will sit down at the table, then questions can be written down and passed to the Headmaster."

"Agreed," Moody and Dumbledore said. Fudge nodded agreement.

Kingsley smiled as they moved away from Severus. As he suspected, the trembling eased.

"Severus, please tell us how you became a Deatheater," Dumbledore said. Moody leaned over and whispered in Dumbledore's ear. Dumbledore grimaced, but nodded his head. "In detail," he added.