Disclaimers… as always, please see Chapters 1 & 2 for my disclaimers.

Shout outs & appreciation to…

Mark Darcy… Your questions about the judicial system should be at least somewhat answered after this chapter.

Evenstar Elanor… I was hoping to elicit some sort of empathy for both Lucius and Malificus. I don't want anyone to forgive them necessarily, or like them because of all they've done, but I would like readers to connect with them, even if it is just a little.

Angoliel… Yea, I'm probably guilty as charged (no pun intended) for the punctuation errors, but I'm glad you liked this chapter so much!

Chapter 30: Verdict

The gnarled and hairy hands released Serena as they disappeared back into the ground, leaving a gutted and crumbled pile of floor tiles behind. She sagged to the floor, her head in her hands but was only alone for a moment. As soon as the hands released her Severus knew he was free from the spell and he rushed to Serena's side.

Supporting her, he pulled his wife into his arms and pushed some of her long hair out of her face. He used his arm to cradle her head and she smiled at him wanly. He looked at all the cuts, the gashes, the deep scratches. Some went nearly to the bone.

"Serena? Serena, you'll be fine. I'll take care of you now." His voice was little more than a whisper in her ear but that's all she really needed. She smiled again and pushed her head against his chest. A moment later they were surrounded by friends. Madam Pomfrey pushed her way past everyone and began to examine her.

"Is she going to be alright?" Severus' eyes were bright and the bored into Madame Pomfrey's. If she didn't know better, Hogwart's head nurse would have been afraid of Severus but she knew the intensity was concern for his wife, nothing more.

"She'll be fine. Look, Severus. Even now the marks are going away."

Pomfrey was right. The open wounds weren't really bleeding anymore and some of the small cuts were simply fading scars. The panther padded over and nuzzled Serena's head. She raised a hand slowly and rubbed the creature's cheek affectionately. The panther walked around them and rubbed up against Severus. He felt the vibration of a purr and couldn't help but smile.

"How did you send the Patronus to me in Azkaban?" he asked.

"What are you talking about?" asked Serena. "I didn't send anything. I couldn't have gotten a spell past the magical barricades."

"But a white panther came and kept me company. A silver panther, just like your Patronus."

"I may have answer," offered Dumbledore. "I think you saw simply the shadow of a silver panther… an astral projection. The only way Serena could help you was to project her feelings. I think they were so strong, that they took a shape to resemble her Patronus, because the Patronus reflects an inner image of her."

"Love conquers all, eh?" smiled Tonks.

Severus pressed his forehead against Serena's. "Yes, it does. I won't ever doubt it again." He kept his voice low; his words were for Serena and Serena only. "I love you, Serena. I love you."

In the press of the crowd and the milling in the general gallery, Jeremy Thorne stood up on his chair. "If I may… With all due respect to the court, I believe we are through here. The innocence of the accused has been proven beyond a doubt, not only by the spell but at the admission of his accuser. Everyone here heard Malificus Malfoy – may he rest in peace – say that he falsely accused Severus Snape of recruiting him to be a Death Eater. I must insist that my client be declared innocent of the charges and released immediately!"

"But his arm!" sputtered Umbridge. "The Mark! We can't just let…"

"He abandoned the Death Eaters years ago. His affiliation was a momentary lapse of judgment when he was a youth," said Jeremy smoothly. "And if I may remind you, Madame, that is NOT what he was on trial for."

Umbridge stared daggers at Thorne who simply smiled charmingly at her.

"Yes, yes," said Fudge. "We can hardly condemn a man for the sometimes misguided choices of youth. I know Madame Umbridge only had the best interests of the population at large in mind, and I'm sure she will apologize for the events that have transpired here."

"Of course," mumbled Umbridge with a complete lack of sincerity. "I do apologize."

"Whatever," muttered Severus, not even bothering to look at her.

"Now, if you could render your final decision?" prompted Jeremy.

"But of course," said Fudge. "All those judges in favor of finding the defendant, Severus Snape, innocent on all counts, raise your hand." Fudge's hand was the first to go up and it was quickly followed by all the others except Umbridge. Serena locked eyes with her for a moment and even in her weakened state managed a glare that made Umbridge swallow hard. The toady woman's hand went up timidly.

"A unanimous verdict," beamed Fudge as if he had orchestrated the whole thing himself. "Excellent. Mister, um, err, Professor Snape, you are free to go with the court's apology."

Snape wasn't listening; his head was bent low as he still whispered to his wife. She struggled in his arms a little until he finally acquiesced and let her sit up. Serena felt a little light-headed and woozy.

"Headmaster," she said. "What do we do now? It isn't a secret that… HE'S back…"

"You're going to do nothing," said Dumbledore. "Neither of you are..."

"But we can't just let…"

"Oh shut your wee gob, missy," gruffed Kerry, and Serena blinked at her in surprise. "Let the man finish what he has to say before you go arguing with him." She shook her head in exasperation. Admonished, Serena fell silent.

"We'll take care of keeping an eye on Harry," said Dumbledore. "Voldemort will want to consolidate his power and those loyal to him before he does anything. Neither of you have the strength to help right now anyway. Severus is too drained from Azkaban and although your scars are fading before our eyes Serena, you're going to need several days of rest before you're feeling up to anything. In fact, I think that the two of you ought to leave on your long delayed honeymoon and get as far away from here as you can for a while."

All in all, that didn't sound like a terribly bad idea to either Serena or Severus. He gently helped her to her feet and steadied her. Serena felt like she hadn't walked in days; her legs felt rubbery and hard to control. Severus put his hand on Serena's cheek and caressed it softly with his thumb. He glanced up quickly, looking at everyone around them. He hadn't wanted his reunion with Serena to be so public.

"Oh, bloody hell," he cursed. "What do I care what they think?" And with that, he dropped his head down and finally kissed his wife.

A little ways away, Oliver Wood's brow wrinkled as he watched them. He still didn't quite understand what Serena saw in the dour, often moody, potions professor. He probably never would.

"There, there, Wood," clucked McGonagall. "You'll be alright lad. Don't try to understand it, just accept it."

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