18 Bureaucracy

When Severus woke, or what he thought was waking up, his head hurt so much that he had the impression that it would burst any minute. It became worse when he opened his eyes slightly, the light increasing his discomfort and creating nausea. He closed his eyes again, but it didn't help much. He groaned.

'Shhh. Severus,' somebody whispered and touched him at the shoulder. Remus. Always there when you needed him, the suffering werewolf thought. 'Just drink the potion and you'll feel better at once. I'll help you, come.'

Severus was too busy fighting against the urge to throw up and was also feeling very weak, therefore he wasn't able to react at once.

'It's the same potion you brewed for me back in Hogwarts, you know. Don't open your eyes, just drink. Come on, I'll help you up,' Remus urged and pulled him up into a sitting position.

Severus, who, under normal circumstances, would have never drunk anything of unknown origin, obeyed, kept his eyes closed shut and opened his mouth when Remus held a goblet to his lips. It didn't taste that bad, well, compared to the wolfsbane potion, everything else would be called delicious.

'Try to sleep again. That will help. That and the potion,' his social worker whispered, lowering Severus back on his mat and covering him with his blanket. 'Sleep.'

With the help of the potion which made him sleepy and caused the horrible headache to fade away, Severus had no problems to fall asleep again nearly immediately.

The next time Severus woke up, he felt definitely better. Still tired, considerably worn out and weak, but nothing compared to some time ago when he was still suffering from the full extent of the moon hangover.

It was very quiet in the dungeon, everybody seemed to have gone already. He sat up and looked around. He wasn't alone. Remus was sitting near the open door of the cell, leaning against the bars. He was already wearing his normal clothes, jeans and a grey cotton shirt. He was holding a clipboard on which he had obviously been making notes, but had stopped when Severus woke up.

His social worker was looking at him with a worried expression which caused Severus, who had been about to say something to him, hesitate. Was something wrong? He looked about himself. As far as he could see, everything was back in place, his bones seemed to have rearranged back, no tail left, he touched his face, his nose. Fortunately, everything was all right.

'Morning Remus. Is anything wrong?'

'Uhm, no. Morning, Severus.'

'Why are you looking so worried, then?' Severus stretched and noticed that he was quite hungry, actually.

Remus cleared his throat and scratched his unshaved chin. He looked embarrassed when he finally answered in a low voice.

'Well, this was your first moon, Severus, and I was the one who …'

'Don't, Remus! You know that I said I wouldn't blame you. And, what is more, …' he frowned, 'you should know better than to discuss this here. I wouldn't trust many of the people who are working in this building, and even if there's nobody to be seen, …' he smiled and shook his head.

'I know,' Remus sighed, 'but it will always haunt me, I can't help it, Severus.' He shrugged his shoulders and smiled weakly. 'So, how are you feeling then?'

'A bit tired. Thank you for giving me the potion, I wouldn't have been able to take it myself.'

Remus nodded, but didn't say anything, therefore Severus went on asking him the questions which were pressing him.

'Tell me, Remus, is it always like that? How are the others coping, I mean, … they are not fed the relief potion, are they? By the way, where is everybody?'

'They woke up earlier and went to breakfast in the canteen. There is a reduction on breakfast for werewolves the morning after the full moon. Don't worry Severus, you will get used to it after a few times.' When Severus gave him a questioning look, he added 'Meaning, you'll wake up earlier, take the potion yourself and recover more quickly. But now you should eat a bit. Siona has brought some breakfast. I've already had mine.'

During their conversation, they had talked over the distance from where Severus was sitting on his mat in the middle of the cell, and Remus' place near the door. Now, Severus got up. After the transformation, his nightshirt and his socks had reappeared, so he needn't worry about not being dressed properly. But he picked the blanket up. It wasn't feeling that warm down here any more, since he wasn't wearing neither fur nor his full clothing.

He walked over to Remus and sat down next to him, the blanket pulled around his shoulders closely. Remus placed a bowl which was filled to the brim with porridge and a steaming mug of tea in front of Severus. He began to eat in silence, but when he noticed that Remus had started srcibbling on his clipboard again, he looked up.

'What's that?' Severus pointed with his spoon towards the sheet Remus had filled with notes. As it was a kind of form with printed text, Remus had also made crosses and ticked some senteces off. The sheet that Severus could see read "Werewolf Report, form A 2" on the top.

'The report for your file.'

'Let me see.'

'It's confidential.'

Severus snorted. 'I beg your pardon, Remus,' he said with mock indignation, knowing that Remus couldn't really mean it, since he was writing right in front of the wolf the report was meant to be on. 'This is about my person, and I am not a criminal!' He stretched out his hand to take the clipboard and the other didn't object.

'Werewolf copes with the effects of his first transformation well, bad, not at all … Doesn't show distress … Acts sensible …….' Severus read aloud. 'Hey! How do you know all that? And here, all that what you have written while I was asleep, how could you possibly give a judgement on me? You haven't even asked me, have you?'

'Well, I asked you how you were feeling and I knew you are a sensible person, Severus. And it will definitely help to show you in a preferable light.' Remus grinned conspiratorially, now appearing as the old Remus Lupin again.

'I see.' Severus raised his brows. 'Do you now want to know what I think, how I am feeling about all this?'

'Yes, if you don't mind.' Remus became serious again and looked slightly uneasy.

'Well, then,' Severus took a deep breath. 'There is no denying that the transformation itself is horrible, unbearable,' … he shrugged his shoulders, 'whatever you want, you know best yourself. The rest was, well … interesting. I mean, I wouldn't mind being a wolf as an animagus. That wouldn't be too bad. With a bit of training, considering behaviour and movements …' Severus snorted, recalling the last night. 'And the howling, …' He made a demonstrative pause, looking into Remus' eyes who was listening expectantly to Severus' report. 'That was fascinating. I am not sure that this would be the proper word to describe what I felt, Remus, but I think I know now what you meant when you explained it to me the first time. I definitely enjoyed that.'

At this point, Remus beamed at him and Severus was glad that he had achieved to make his social worker and friend happy again.

'Really?'

'Yes. But I don't know what else could be of interest to you. Just ask.'

'Uhm. I think that should be enough for now. Anyway, the hearing and your registration will be in half an hour. You better get changed now. There are showers in the room behind the lockers.'

'Good. I'll go then. Oh, by the way, the porridge was delicious. Say thank you to Siona for me if you meet her, will you?'

'I'll certainly do that. She's nice, isn't she?' Remus asked with a dreamily expression on his face which Severus had never seen before on him.

'Of course. There are not many who like werewolves, and as she is one of those, she must be a nice person,' he confirmed, smiling at Remus who was still wearing that expression on his face and seemed to look right through Severus' person. That absent, he wasn't able to notice the other's smile.

'Right, I am off then. Will you wait for me? I am not sure that I will find the right room up there. … Remus?'

'Huh? Oh, yes, certainly. I am your social worker, I'll take you there.'

On the way up, they walked in silence for a while, but after some time, Severus couldn't help asking Remus about the hearing.

'What will it be like, the hearing, Remus? Who will be there and what are they going to ask?'

'In general, it is just a formality, Severus. But I don't know about the procedure in detail. I am not allowed to be present.'

'What? But you are a werewolf social worker! If not you, who else should be present at such a hearing?' Severus had stopped and looked at Remus unbelievingly.

'Uhm, well, it's… They say they want a neutral atmosphere and don't want the social worker to influence the werewolf,' Remus balled his fists and continued unnerved 'but the truth is, they don't trust the social workers who work with werewolves, especially if they are werewolves themselves, that's why!'

'Oh dear. I thought I'd have some support by your presence.' Severus sighed. 'I should have guessed. But if they don't trust a model werewolf like you, I think I don't really want to know how much trust the hearing committee has towards a werewolf with a past like mine. I bet there is a "not-ever-to-be-trusted" stamp in my personal file.'

'Of course, what did you think!' Remus said sarcastically and snorted. 'Come on, it's late, let's go and face them.' Remus clapped him on the shoulder and they walked on towards the elevator which brought them several floors upstairs.

When they had reached the right department, Remus slowed down a bit and Severus, who had never been here before, had a chance to take a closer look. At the beginnig of the corridor they had entered, several heavy oak doors with chains and strong locks could be seen.

'Cells for special cases,' Remus informed him when he saw Severus' questioning look. 'There we are.'

They had stopped at the end of the corridor where an official looking piece of parchment was pinned to a door, which read "Hearing and registration of Snape, Severus, werewolf, 11.55".

'We are just in time. Go in, and … good luck!' Remus said encouragingly.

Severus didn't hesitate, stepped towards the door and knocked briskly. When he heard a muffled "come in!" he gripped the handle and stepped in.

He didn't know exactly what he had expected, but he had thought that there would be a small group of Ministry officials, not more than five people, perhaps. But here he suddlenly found himself confronted with at least twenty or even more witches and wizards, sitting behind a large table which had the shape of a horseshoe.

'Good morning.' He bowed slightly and tried to hide his astonishment. To be polite and as unobtrusive as possible was the only means he could think about at the moment as being the proper behaviour for this occasion.

'Come closer,' a wizard with a long white beard demanded strictly, but not unfriendly.

Severus stepped into the middle of the assembly. He gave them a quick look round. Most of them were about Albus's age if he had been alive, but not all. Some were even younger than himself. From their features and build he thought that they could well be aurors and then he even recognized one of them as being one of the aurors who had been in the dungeon last night.

'Would you give us your name, please.'

'Severus Snape.'

'Right,' the elderly wizard went on. 'Let's verify some of your dates, then.' He sorted his papers and the others followed his example. They all had obviously a copy of his personal file in front of them, some had already started making notes, although Severus hadn't said more than his name yet.

The elderly wizard asked him a lot of things and Severus wondered what this was good for. He couldn't see a reason behind giving them all his personal data, like date of birth, names and profession of parents, when he left primary school, and so on …

He was sure that these dates were already in the papers they had in front of them. Harmless facts, really. To the contrary, they didn't show particular interest in the more delicate periods of his lifetime. Didn't want to know any particulars about his time as a death eater, for example, just when he had started working for the Order of the Phoenix, at what day he had started his job as a potions teacher at Hogwarts, just dates. Was there a strategy behind this? If so, it could only be to lull him into a false sense of security, because somehow he was sure that there were more serious questions to come.

Just in case somebody was trying to work legilimency on him, Severus occluded his mind, but not totally. He was not so stupid to close his mind down from any penetration, because that would be too obvious, should a good legilimens be present. And he couldn't just shut out pictures of the night of the full moon, when everything had happened, during the hearing. He chose another technique. He simply (only that it wasn't simple, as he hadn't had practice for some time) projected another image of the said night, in which two werewolves and himself were playing a role. The memories weren't coherent, though. How could they have been, he had been terrified. Terrified at first about Remus changing into the wolf's form and then of the other wolf, of course, back there in the wood. Severus hoped that this was convincing enough, should somebody choose to cast an eye on his thoughts.

What struck him again was, that nobody wanted to know in detail what had excatly happened at that night. Something he would have expected and had tried to be prepared for mentally.

And what were all the other people at the hearing there for? he wondered again, as only the wizard with the long white beard was asking questions. Were they silent watchers, only to observe him, to judge him from his reactions?

Then, suddenly, it seemed to be over. Severus saw the other members of the congregation shuffling and sorting their papers, as if they expected the session to be finishing soon.

'Right, a last question, Mr. Snape. You have received a copy of the "Code of Conduct for Werewolves"?'

'Yes, I have.'

'Good, I believe you are sensible enough to understand not only what is written in it, but the seriousness of your situation in general.'

'I do.'

'Fine. You may be wondering why I am asking, but it is part of the procedure before I can ask you to take your oath on the Code.' The wizard smiled, but Severus sensed some danger coming from him and the others, as if everybody was waiting for the final, important question.

'You see, the other werewolf you have talked to the healers at St. Mungo's about… this second wolf, if you would like to call Mr. Lupin the first. He didn't abide to the Code. He overstepped the line by not taking the wolfsbane, or, at least, not confining himself where he wouldn't have been any harm to others, didn't he not?'

'Sure,' Severus said without much emotion. So that was it. Now they were coming to the point where he had to prove their story and clear up any inconsistencies.

'You will understand that we will do everything to get hold of this werewolf to prevent any further accidents. Therefore we would appreciate it if you could give us a closer description of the said wolf, Mr. Snape.' He smiled, trying to look encouragingly.

'I understand fully, sir, but, you see, I was terrified at that moment. It came out from nowhere. I wasn't able to do magic at the time and even if, I wouldn't have been able. And it was quite dark.'

'You cannot remember a detail, something you have remembered in the meantime, in the last weeks? How did the wolf look like?'

'As I've said already, it was dark, despite of the full moon, I mean. We were in a wood. It look like any other wolf. Not that I know many. This was before I was so lucky to meet all the other wolves in the dungeons last night.' Severus couldn't help being a bit sarcastic, but managed tried to stay calm with all his might, trying not to picture the image of the cellar, where the two had been shut in, in his mind.

'And Mr. Lupin was there and helped you to scare the werewolf away? What a lucky coincidence, I say!' The white haired wizard raised his brows doubtfully.

'No. He alone attacked the other wolf. I wasn't able.' No, he thought, you are not going to make me betray … he better not thought his name, just in case.

'Are you sure? I mean, after werewolf bites and together with the state you were afterwards in that night, couldn't it be possible that you had double vision?'

'No. As I said, there were Mr. Lupin and the other wolf and they were fighting. How would you explain that with double vision? I fainted at that point, so I cannot tell you anything about what happened after the bite. When I woke, it was morning, the other wolf had gone and Mr. Lupin had transformed back.'

'Well, if you say so.' the wizard sighed. The others started making notes again. What about, Severus wondered. That he was too stubborn to tell the real story? Hopeless, unsafe, perhaps to be left amongst the wizarding community unguarded?

'Are you ready to take the oath now?'

'Yes.' Severus sighed inwardly. The wizard had taken a great load from his mind by asking him this question. The werewolf only hoped it didn't show too much.

That part was somewhat unspectacular. He repeated the sentence the wizard said to him, that he, Severus Snape, werewolf, would always live after the "Code of Conduct for Werewolves in Britain", and would always act as not to be any danger towards others… After that he signed the piece of paper on which the text of the oath was written down.

'97.'

'Excuse me?'

'97. Your werewolf registration number. Always mention it if you have business with the Werewolf Department, personally or written.' Severus could see that the wizard added the number to his personal file.

'Yes. I will. Thank you.'

Although glad that the procedure was over, he felt like a convict who had heard his sentence ("Werewolf for life, always under close observation, one step aside and you are done with"). The other wizards started whispering and packing their things, indicating that the session was over and Severus stood, not knowing what to do for a moment. In this situation, he thought it wise to wait until somebody told him what was expected from him. ("Always keep a low profile, Severus"). But there was still the matter with his wand … his magic. There was no way, he had to ask.

'Sir?'

'Oh, you may go now. The hearing is over.' The white bearded wizard, who hadn't told Severus his name, as the werewof became aware of only now, nodded friendly.

'It's about my magic. I think it came back lately. I would like to get my wand back, or at least, want to get rid of my squib registration.'

'Hm, well. That has nothing to do with you being a werewolf, hasn't it? Therefore it doesn't concern the Werewolf Department, rather the Minister of Magic himself. I suggest you apply to him directly. Although,' the older wizard added, frowning, 'it would be wise, to wait a bit with this appeal of yours. You see, the situation you are in at the the moment … '

'That I am a werewolf, you mean?' Severus cut him short impatiently.

'Yes. It would be good if the Ministry saw that you behave well, … you understand, live to the Code of Conduct … and so on … . If you bear that in mind and apply in a few months … '

'Months?' Severus nearly lost it. 'I've been without magic for over two years by now, by a stupid accident the Ministry was … well I'd better not get into detail here.' He took a deep breath to control himself. Some of the witches and wizards of the congregation who hadn't left the room yet, hesitated and were already looking at him.

'As I said. It's no business of my department.' His opposite shrugged his shoulders

'Then I better go and try to find someone who's concern it is,' Severus answered unnerved, turned and didn't wait if the other had anything left to say. He rushed out of the room, causing some members of the hearing committee to look irritated after him.

The whole registration business had been bad enough, and now this on top of everything. You are a fool, Severus, he told himself. Did you really believe that you would get your wand back that easily? By now he felt like a schoolboy who had just been told off by the headmaster. This was humiliating. He could hardly wait to tell Remus all about it.

Naturally, he had expected finding his social worker on the corridor waiting for him, but when he opened the door, there was nobody to be seen. Well, he wasn't his only case. The hearing had taken quite some time. Surely, Remus was as tired and worn out from the transformation as Severus was, and had business at the Ministry on top of that. Severus remembered about his plan to meet Siona to talk about Tim. That, indeed, was a matter more pressing than his. Because he, Severus Snape, was now a registered, sensible werewolf, who had sworn not to do anything stupid to endanger the health and lives of others. But he was disappointed.

He had no clue where to find Remus, and wasn't in the mood to go to his own office either, the only place which would come to his mind where he would feel safe and would have found some peace and quiet to think patiently. But the latter was something he was clearly lacking at the moment. He had enough. He hadn't done anything illegal, had he? He was already living after the Code for werewolves and wasn't planning to act otherwise.

When he reached one of the main staircases where you had the choice of several departments or down to the basement, he chose the direct corridor to the Minister's office. Severus was well aware that what he was going to do - talking about his problem to the Minister straight away without warning - was far from any official procedures, but he didn't care. The idea of writing an official appeal and wait, probably for weeks or even month, for a decision to get back his wand and his status as a proper wizard, was beyond him at the moment.

His ability to think clearly was not, though. While he was approaching the Minister's quarters he knew exactly what he was going to say. With purposeful strides, Severus walked on, turned a corner and came face two face with two tall, middle-aged aurors who were guarding the door which carried a bright brass plate with "Minister of Magic" on it. They both made a step towards him, wands pointed to his chest.

'And what is your business?'

'I would like to speak to the Minister,' Severus demanded in a clear neutral voice, successfully keeping any excitement and his frustration out.

'And your name?'

'Severus Snape.'

'Have you got an appointment?'

'Yes.'

The younger of the two checked on a list he had pulled out from his robes.

'I can't find your name here, are you sure it is today?'

'I am not on your list, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Minister. Thus, I guess that I will now have an appointment.'

His bold demeanour didn't impress the two aurors in the least. Severus knew that, but as he had no clue how to get through to the Minister he wanted to gain time to find a solution, or a date for an appointment at least. This time, luck was on his side. Just as the older of the two sneered and wanted to put him in his place, the door opened and out stepped Cornelius Fudge, the Minister himself.

Recognizing Severus he took a step back at once, looking as if being caught at doing something forbidden. Maybe the now seemingly intimidated head of the wizarding community had good reason to react like that, Severus thought. Perhaps it had happened at his orders that the wizard at the hearing had advised Severus to wait for a few months with his application. The werewolf was confirmed in his assumption when the Minister finally spoke to him.

'Mr. Snape! I didn't expect you … so soon after …. uhm... I hope you are well after this ordeal?'

'I am fine thanks. I think I will get used to it. But I would be definitely better if the matter about my magic would be settled,' Severus said pointedly.

He made a demonstrative pause and looked the Minister in the eyes. This did have the desired effect on the Fudge who seemed to shrink in the doorframe. Although he was quite safe with the two aurors between himself and Severus, and the latter would have never dared to use any magic on the Minister in this situation, not to speak of using wandless, in his case even somewhat untrained and uncontrolled magic, Fudge seemed to be terrified by the encounter. The pause also gave the aurors time to intervene.

'Sir, he said he had an appointment, is that right?'

'Well, no, I mean yes. We can have a word. All of us.'

The three followed Fudge back into his office. The latter did not take his seat in his armchair behind the impressive desk, but remained standing in front of it. One of the aurors had followed him and stayed near his superior, the other remained next to the door.

'So, I understand that you have come on behalf of your magical abilities, Mr. Snape?'

'Yes, sir. I have definite evidence that I have regained them.'

'That is very nice. Really, an improvement. Congratulations.'

'Yes, and now, I thought you could give permission to take me off the squib register and see to it that my wand will be given back to me,' Severus stated, his voice even and free from any excitement, as if that was an easy every day procedure, which it could be if the Minister was willing to follow Severus' suggestion.

But Fudge had other ideas. Quite suddenly he changed his demeanour. Taking a deep breath, he squinted his eyes and made a purposeful step towards the werewolf.

'So, that is what you have come for, eh? You think it's just as easy as that, don't you?'

Severus was irritated for a moment. Where did this sudden change come from? Right, he had been quite bold to intrude into the Minister's quarters, simply demanding his wand back, but didn't he have a right to do just that? He had just meant to speed the bureaucracy up a bit. From his point of view it was only a formality and the Minister was only holding up the game a bit, because he neither liked nor trusted Severus.

'Has it never crossed your mind that their might be some problems?'

'What problems? I can prove it here and now that I am able to do magic again, Minister.' He managed to stay calm and give the impression of a man who had his feelings, and any actions deriving from them, under perfect control. Oh yes, if need be, he was still able to stay calm if somebody tried to irritate him verbally.

'Problems concerning you person, Snape.' And now Fudge began to speak in a dangerously low voice, looking triumphantly upon Severus (rather up, as the former potions master was much taller). 'Your past, Snape, do I have to become more precise?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Your past, your connection to the Death Eaters, to begin with.'

'I was cleared from that. This was ages ago and I admitted that I was a member of Voldemort's lot before I quit and gave my life to the interests of the wizarding world by helping the Order of the Phoenix with spying. I don't say that I payed back for my faults, because such a thing will never be possible, but I did change the sides and that was aknowledged in court.'

'As far as I remember we only let you go because we needed a spy and didn't have another choice, and … well Albus had talked me into it. And, what is more, do you have any written account of your verdict of not being guilty? I think not.'

Severus thought he couldn't believe what his opposite was saying. 'There were witnesses!' he said indignantly, now hard pressed to keep his voice on a normal level.

'Even if, now you are a werewolf. You should have learned by now that your species is not much trusted by wizarding society and with good reason. You are dangerous. Always bear in mind that you are only tolerated!' Fudge had become agitated, his face beginning to glow in a shade of red.

'And what is more, in your case, the dubious circumstances under which you have been bitten …'

'Dubious!' Severus patience (if there was any such thing left in him at this point) was beginning to wear dangerously thin.

'Don't try to fool me, Snape, you do know who bit you, don't you?'

'No, I don't,' Severus retorted stubbornly. 'I have explained that in the hearing. It was dark and I did not recognize the wolf, as we don't carry name tags, do we?'

'Good idea though,' Fudge grinned maliciously, as if seeing it as a good joke and as if he wanted to test how far he could go before Severus would lose it.

The werewolf was speechless, or, he preferred not to answer for the moment. Oh, how he hated that man, how he would like to lay his hands around that man's neck … He gulped, took a few deep breaths and forced himself with all his might, not to shout.

'What,' he hissed, 'what have I done to you that you hate me so much? Why are you not able to give a man, who has suffered for over two years from being without magic, his wand back? What do you expect I am planning to do with it? All I wish for the rest of my life is to live in peace and quiet, brewing potions. Brewing potions to make a living of it, and to do some research. I am planning to do research on the wolfsbane potion, naturally, that would not only meet my personal interest, but also that of all werewolves, and on the far run, it would be good for everybody, wizards and Muggles. If I am successful, that is. I am sorry to say that, Minister, but I am very much interested in getting my wand back the official way, with your approval. But if that shouldn't be possible, I don't see the point why I shouldn't simply buy myself a new one, although I have taken a liking to my old wand, as every witch or wizard would.'

'Well, you won't. I have foreseen that problems would occur, concerning your person. I have seen to it, that from now on, there won't be any money on your account. Your rent will be paid and you can eat in the canteen. For any extras you will have to apply for at the cashier's. Wandmakers in Britain will be informed that you are not allowed to carry a wand and as every wand is registered … and, by the way, I don't have to remind you that, as a werewolf, you are not allowed to leave British territory. Any questions?'

Yes, Severus thought, what do I have to do to get that grin from your face? He was breathing heavily. That little scene had certainly made the Minister's day. Severus wondered if Fudge had rehearsed this beforehand.

Before he could explode, Severus turned on his heels, brushed the auror at the door aside and left the office with great strides. He didn't remember when he had been so angry and helpless before. Perhaps he had underestimated Fudge who of course knew that nobody was taking him seriously. And here he had found somebody he had never trusted, he could, based on wizarding law, keep on a short chain. Severus was sure that there must be examples in jurisdiction where it was stated that it was a basic right of every wizard to carry a wand, unless he had committed a real crime. He was also sure that he would find ways to get a wand and to leave Britain if he wished to, but he didn't want that. He wanted to live a wizard's life on a legal basis.

Driven by burning anger, he arrived the registry quickly. He flung the door open and caused the houseelves, who were looking at him with great unbelieving eyes, to jump. Surely, they had never seen him like that before.

When he rushed past the shelves, his robes got caught and he sent some files flying accidentally. That increased his anger only more, and when he pulled at his robes to get them free, another stack of files collapsed, which was the final trigger for losing control totally. In blind fury, Severus kicked at file stacks, grabbed armful of files and threw them across the room. There, these catapults caused a chain reaction by hitting other stacks and causing them to collapse in turn. All this happened in silence, if you didn't count the noise of flying files and fluttering papers and his own laboured breath. In the end, a shelf collapsed. The houseelves had taken cover long ago.

Severus had completely lost count of time during his rampage, when he suddenly got hit in his back so hard that he lost his balance and had no choice but to fell down on the floor heavily, face forward, completely winded. The person who had stopped his action so suddenly was kneeling on his back, holding his wrists firmly. Severus was fighting hard to get his breath back, which was nearly impossible due to the the heavy load on his back. He was becoming dizzy already, when the person finally spoke to him.

'Everything all right again, Severus?' Remus asked with a strained voice, and Severus felt a wave of relief wash over him and thought what the other pointed out next. 'You can call yourself lucky that your houseelves are that loyal to you. Honestly! If they hadn't called me but some of the aurors instead, you'd be in trouble now.'

Gaping for air and struggling against Remus grip, Severus wasn't able to answer. He hoped Remus wouldn't start a lecture on 'how to keep a low profile' but let him go soon. He groaned and coughed and tried to wind himself out under Remus, but the other werewolf seemed to wait for another sign of his opponent to show that he had sobered up and become sensible again.

'Please, sir, if you let him go, he could breathe and probably even talk to you? I think, he isn't really dangerous anymore, sir.' A voice, Severus identified as belonging to one of the house elves, piped up to the rescue.

'Yes, you're right, maybe I should do that.' Remus got off him and helped him up instantly.

'Thank you, Deryl,' Severus croaked.

The addressed elve magicked a glass of water and offered it to the coughing werewolf who took it gratefully.

'What on earth, Severus, what on earth did happen to get you to act like this? Did you meet the Minister himself, or what?' Remus shook his head in disapproval. 'I don't have to point out again what comes with your status as a werewolf, do I?'

'No. Sorry. It was the Minister.' Severus looked down ashamed. 'I hope I haven't got you into trouble now.' He massaged the bridge of his nose.

'No. I won't report on you or add anything to your file on that respect. But it's not about me, Severus. It's you who will have the problems in the end, if you don't learn to keep your temper in check in the future. What about the Minister, what did you do?'

'I didn't do anything. I swear. I did not shout at him, I did not hex him or screw his neck. Nothing of the kind. You better ask what our great Minister did not do.'

'He was at your hearing?'

'No, I went to him.'

When Severus hald told him the whole story, Remus smiled weakly.

'Well, you know how this place works, Severus. Just to go there, without an appointment … I would call that … a bit unconventional. Did you really think the Minister would come and give your wand back to you personally, on his knees, begging for pardon for what he has done to you, for over two years as a squib?'

'A gift wrapping would have been nice,' he sneered and then sighed, 'You know, Remus, hope dies last.'

'Well, now. Time to gather the old lot, I guess.' Remus stood up.

'What do you mean?'

'You have been a member of the Order of the Phoenix, Severus. As such, we all stand in for each other. The Order isn't dead. I'll think about something.'

'What?'

'You will see. But you'll have to stay here. Promise me, Severus, that you don't try anything yourself. Stay here and help the houseelves to tidy up. Drink tea, anything. Don't leave the registry before I'm back, ok?'

'Yes, I promise. But what strategy can there be, the members of the Order could possibly have to change the Minister's mind?'

'I can't tell you yet. I've only got a rough idea.' Remus turned and went to leave.

'Remus! Don't do anything stupid. Don't endanger your or the others' career, just because of me. Do you hear me?'

'Career!' Remus snorted and stopped short at the door. 'Let that be my problem, Severus. See you.' He went out of the door swiftly, leaving behind a puzzled Severus who couldn't think of anything the Order could do to give his live a positive turn again.

When Severus turned, he realized that all the registry's house elves were standing behind him in a half circle, looking very concerned.

'Don't worry, I will behave now.'

'Oh we are sure about that, sir, and we dearly hope that Mr. Remus will have success at the Minister's.' It was Deryl again, who was speaking for the whole group of his colleagues.

'Yes, thank you, and … ' he cleared his throat 'thank you again for your loyalty and for being so thoughtful to call Remus and not anybody else. I would like to do something for you, but I don't know what. If ever …'

'No no, sir. That is our job. You are our superior and we have to help you as good as we can, and … you have always been nice to us. We haven't got anything to ask for.'

'Let me help you to tidy up at least.'

'Oh no, sir. We have our own ways to do that. Thank you.'

Severus sighed. Of course, they would use their own house elve magic to settle that and didn't need him to stand in the way. To have nothing to do but to wait for Remus was unbearable.

'Come, have some tea, sir.' A house elve named Rooky was tugging at his robes holding a steaming cup in one hand. Severus didn't object to that invitation, but sat down at his desk and drank the cup of tea very slowly, only sipping. But he wasn't able to fill the whole time he had to wait for Remus with that occupation. The house elves had managed to tidy up the registry in only five minutes, so there wasn't even anything to watch. Nothing. He could only sit and brood over what Remus was possibly doing out there, at the Minister's.

Severus was already wondering what he would do shouldn't Remus come back at all. They hadn't spoken about that? He wasn't supposed to wait here for days, was he? What, if the Minister got so aggravated about Remus, that he would arrest him? Don't be a fool, Severus, such a thing will never happen, nobody will be sent to Azkaban because of annoying the Minister.

After time had stretched considerably, one of the longest hours Severus had experienced, the door flung open and in came a triumphantly smiling Remus Lupin, holding a long small box which was wrapped in brown paper in one hand, and some parchments in the other. With a mock bow he presented the box to Severus.

'May I happily present your property to you, Mr. Snape? Will you please check it and if you find everything in order, would you please sign this.'

Severus hand was shaking a bit when he stretched it out to take the cardbord box. There could only one object be found in there. The one Severus had been longing for for years. When he opened it, he found a wand made out of yew which was indeed his old one and when he took it out and looked it over it seemed to be in a good state. He waved it and accioed a file which came promptly. Remus smiled broadly and the elves clapped their hands. He went on for some time with more complicated spells, finally transforming his desk into a rowing boat which swam on real water and was driven forward by self moving oars. By now, the house elves were cheering. Severus could really say that he was happy. Very happy. With another flourish of his magical instrument and a little incantation he conjured cups filled with hot chocolate for every one of the elves.

'Thank you so much, Remus. To be honest, I didn't expect you to be successful so quickly. After what I have expecienced with the Minister. How did you achieve that? I will never be able to make it up.'

'You don't have to. That was for a friend. And as to how we persuaded the Minister to give your wand back, … Well let's say we told him that we had heard that one of our friends had been treated unjust by him and that we were all thinking about looking for new jobs and leave the Ministry.'

'We?'

'Well, Harry, Arthur, Neville, Argus … , you know, everybody I could get hold of quickly. And I said I would inform Minerva, you know that she is working freelance for the Ministry.'

'You all risked your jobs because of me?' Severus whispered. He couldn't believe that.

'I don't think that there was much of a risk. If you really confront Fudge with a matter like this, he becomes reasonable quickly. He can't afford to lose so many qualified wizard at one time.'

'How can you be so sure about it?'

'We weren't, Severus. We were just hoping that it would work. You know, somehow it was like in the old days. Most of us were in Griffyndor, and it somehow reminded me of school, when we all stood together against … well …' Remus cleared his throat.

'Slytherin?' Severus offered and smiled 'But this is not a game, Remus, I really don't know what to say.'

'Then don't.' Remus grinned in a way that Severus, although he was in total confusion concerning his emotions, thought that there was something hidden behind it. 'But sign this that I can bring it back to the Minister. And these 'he handed him the other parchments 'are documents to testify that your registration a squib has been deleted, and you are free to leave your job at the Ministry whenever you wish.'

Severus took them, signed the receipt for his wand and handed it back to Remus.

'All right then, I'll bring that to the Minister's office.'

He went to the door but stopped shortly before opening it.

'Oh, perhaps there is something you can do, Severus. This occasion really justifies a celebration, don't you think? Give a party, will you?'

'A … party?'

'Yes. It's when you invite people to your home, make nice food and everbody has a lot of fun by meeting friends and talking. The day after tomorrow would be good. It would also leave you enough time for preparations. Shall I tell everybody?'

Severus didn't answer, he only nodded. He was so touched by what the others had done for him that his emotions were threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't prevent one or two tears leaving his eyes. Speaking was out of the question, but he was so happy that he couldn't grudge Remus tricking him into giving a party. Although it was something Severus couldn't remember ever having done before.

'Awfully sorry, sir, I hope it is not too bold of me, but you asked if you could do anything for us, too and now the other elves have told me that they have indeed a wish.' Deryl said after Remus had left.

'Yes. Certainly. Go ahead.' Severus encouraged the elve with a hoarse voice.

Deryl came closer and whispered something in his ear.

'No problem. That will be easy,' he confirmed.

'Thank you so much, sir.'

Yes, that was it. Leave a little farewell present to the Minister and at the same time show some gratitude to the house elves who had always been so nice to him. He didn't need more than five minutes for the spells, and when he left the registry after gathering his few personal belongings, he was leaving behind a cheerful bunch of house elves, already celebrating their personal victory.