A/N: Hey, just so ya know, I'm pretty sure this is my second-to-last chapter.
Disclaimer: You get it.
No one had ever seen McGonagall so upset. She always seemed stressed, and it was definitely affecting everyone. She was a lot more strict about everything, and by the end of the week, more than half the students in the school had a detention from her. She would look so much less polished than she always did, but not in a good way. Her bun would lay askew behind her head, and her glasses slipped down to her nose. Some days she would come from her office on the bridge of tears.
Once these type of things began to occur more and more often, Hermione brought up Snape and McGonagall's love affair once more.
You know something terrible must have happened to him, she said to them one night in the common room.
The two of them knew immediately that the he' Hermione was referring to was Snape.
Do you think she knows exactly what happened to him? Ron asked.
I wish we knew exactly what happened to him, Harry added. One day he just... didn't show up. It's been this way for almost two weeks.It is peculiar, Hermione agreed. Maybe the Slytherins would know. Maybe we should go hang around the library. I saw Malfoy and his gang head in there earlier.Good idea. I'm sure it'll be the hot topic of discussion, or at least, kind of.
So the three of them headed down to the library, and sure enough, there was Malfoy and a large group of Slytherins. They quietly took a seat at a table within hearing distance.
They didn't talk about anything worth hearing for a while. About fifteen minutes passed before they even heard the name Snape mentioned.
Hey, did anyone ever find out what happened to Professor Snape? asked a dark-haired boy.
You mean.... you don't know? asked Malfoy.
Well, I wouldn't expect him to know, Pansy put it. None of his relatives are death eaters. My uncle is, and he disappeared just like Professor Snape did. I guess all the death eaters are disappearing, but where are they going?I know, Malfoy said, and instinctively, everyone at the table leaned closer to listen. You know how Fudge finally believes Dumbledore about You-Know-Who's return?
Everyone nodded.
he went on. Fudge reckons that all the old death eaters are going to get back together now that You-Know-Who is back. So, my mother told me that all the death eaters that aren't already in Azkaban are going to have to be sent there until Fudge can safely be sure they're not with You-Know-Who anymore.But everyone knows Dumbledore trusts Snape. He can't still be in with the Dark Lord, a girl with long blonde hair said.
Well, Fudge is a git, and doesn't believe anyone until he has proof right in front of him, said Pansy.
Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at each other.
So he's on Azkaban? Ron asked, looking puzzled.
I suppose, Hermione said, looking worried. So, do you think... Do you think he'll really, you know, have to stay there? said Harry, his voice a little shaky. You heard them. If Fudge thinks they're ok, he'll let them out.And I'm sure Dumbledore will do something about it, Ron said. He'll be out soon, I'm sure. I wish he won't, but he will be out soon.Come on Ron, no one deserves Azkaban, Hermione said. Remember when Hagrid had to go. Remember the look on his face!
They both remembered, and knew that she was right. No one deserved Azkaban. At least, no one who was truly innocent deserved it.
Every day for a month, everyone at Hogwarts looked for Snape, hoping maybe he had slipped into the school unnoticed. But, that never was the case. For those who didn't know why he was gone, they asked his substitute (which was a plump witch named Professor Kindle) when he was coming back from his conference, or when he would be feeling better. Finally, word had gotten out to so many students that Dumbledore decided to just make a public announcement at dinner.
He told them that all the death eaters the ministry could catch, even the ones who had already proven that they had returned to the side, were sent to Azkaban. Even some former death eaters who now worked at the ministry were sent. But he assured everyone Snape would be out soon, and hopefully within the next two weeks. This was news to everyone, and it seemed to put a small smile on everyone's face.
But, when Hermione looked up at McGonagall, she saw she was beaming. Apparently, this was news to her too, and the look on her face just made Hermione feel more secure. She was so happy.
Right after dinner, Dumbledore pulled Minerva aside.
You look very cheerful, Minerva. At least, compared to the state you were in a bit ago.Well..... I guess I was just in a bad mood. Frustrating the Ministry needs to be so....Extreme about everything they do, he finished. I know. Politics... How irritating. But, you'll be happy, I'm sure, to know that I just got an owl from Fudge with Snape's release date.Oh! Thank goodness, please let it be soon! I mean, that's brilliant, when is it?The end of this week, he said, smiling. I'll send a house elf down to make your bed.
She stood speechless. He obviously knew, but she was glad he wasn't making a fuss. She assumed he wouldn't. It was the students she was concerned about. But suddenly, she found herself not caring if they knew or not. Maybe they should know. Just maybe.......