Once in the guest quarters Severus left to get the antidote. Charlotte was beside herself with worry and sat on the bed rubbing Phillips's hand. Kingsley kept scowling down at them and Hermione pulled him aside. "Now you listen to me Kingsley Shaklebolt and make up your mind to accept it. These two are going to be free to do what they like with their lives. I don't want any issues with you or the ministry. I didn't plan Voldemort's downfall so that injustice or cruelty could prevail. You leave them alone and anyone else I so choose. That's my price for the freedom of the wizarding world, got it?"

She was so adorable trying to intimidate him, all 5'5" of her next to his 6'2". Still, if he didn't want his balls hexed off, he'd better agree. "You won't get any trouble out of me, but Hermione you're not doing them any favors. With that mark on his arm there is nowhere to hide. He will be found out eventually and then it will be worse for him as a fugitive. If what she said is true, it would be better if he faced trial and was exonerated."

Hermione trusted Kingsley, but with the raging need for revenge that was about to descend on the wizarding world, she knew his chances of acquittal were slim. She didn't know why she needed to champion this couple. Maybe it was because their story was so similar to her and Severus. She only knew that she would protect them as best she could. "I'm not going to budge on this Kings. He's to go free, and you're going to give me your word that you will not pursue them."

The coldness in her eyes was matched only by her determination. Kingsley knew the boy was harmless and bowed his head in acknowledgement. "As you wish."

Hermione smiled and took his hand. "Thank you Kings." She turned to the woman on the bed. She wanted to know more about her if she was going to stand in the way of the ministry. "Charlotte where are your parents? Why didn't they come to pick you up this morning?"

Charlotte's hand was on Phillip's face as if she was trying to wake him. She gazed at Hermione with a strange, far away look. "My parents are dead. Killed in a raid last fall. My mother was a muggle and father died trying to defend her. That was when I met Phillip."

Hermione was horrified at Charlotte's story. "He killed your parents?"

Charlotte returned Hermione's hideous expression. "NO! No, it wasn't like that at all. He saved me from the others. It was just after dark, and our village had been attacked. They started burning homes and randomly killing people. We were trying to escape but were captured. I was being held by another Death Eater when I saw them murdered. I screamed and tried to run to them, but I couldn't. The next thing I know the bastard had me on the ground tearing my clothes off, when Phillip kicked him in the ribs. The man howled and drew his wand, but Phillip was quicker with his hex. He picked me up from the ground as if to have me for himself. The others in the group all laughed and let him have me, joking about 'his first blood lust'. He took me behind the house and told me he wouldn't hurt me and to scream as loud as I could. Phillip was quite clever. He took a piece of cloth he found and began to tear it, clapping his hands to make it sound as if he was striking me. Yelling obscenities and carrying on with me screaming as loud as I could. Then, he did something I'll never forget. He took a knife and cut his own arm open. He smeared the blood on me and then told me to play dead. Phillip went back out to them with the bloody dagger in his hand. One of them came back to look at me. 'He did it!' the man said. They all cheered and congratulated him and said more foul things, then they finally left. When he saw me in the great hall to be given away, he pushed for the right place in the line. Voldemort was bored with it all by then and didn't care who got who. It was a good thing the others didn't remember me. I've been hiding in his rooms ever since. He was wonderful. Sweet and kind and we sat and talked and…well, you probably know the rest."

Hermione nodded and hugged Charlotte. "It's going to be okay Charlotte."

At that moment Severus came in with the antidote. He held the vial to Phillip's lips and rubbed his throat to swallow. After about three minutes Phillip began to move a bit. After five, he opened his eyes to Charlotte bending over him. "It's going to be alright Phillip, they are going to set you free. We can be together." Charlotte laid her head on his chest and waited for him to recover.

Severus sneered a bit and said something about sentimental Hufflepuffs. The irony being lost to him as he took Hermione's hand. They all milled about waiting for Phillip to emerge from his imposed slumber. When he seemed more himself and was able to have a conversation with Charlotte, Kingsley'd had enough. "We have work to do if we're done with sleeping beauty here."

Hermione sighed and agreed. "Charlotte?" The pretty girl looked to Hermione. "We're going back down to the great hall. You may both stay here as long as you like. If you need anything just summon an elf." The girl was deliriously happy and thanked them all for their support.

Kingsley talked all the way back to the hall. Hermione suspected it was to cover up the effect Charlotte's, thank you, hug and kiss had on him. The big man really was a softie at heart. When they arrived one of the Aurors came up and told Kingsley that Azkaban was in full repair, and they could start transporting the Death Eaters. Kingsley would take no chances. There would be two escorts for every stunned Death Eater. They had a little under a day and a half before they woke up, so that should be plenty of time to apparate them all. Kingsley dispatched the aurors in the room and left word at Grimmauld Place that anyone who could help was needed. There were many ministry workers and their families who had taken refuge there and would be happy to join in the fun. Poppy had left last night to go to the ministry and help the wounded there.

Shacklebolt took Severus aside. "Well Snape? Do you want to help us, or do you have an agenda of your own?" He leered at Hermione just a hint and Severus caught his meaning. Kingsley was never very good at being subtle.

"Shacklebolt has anyone ever told you that you have all the subtlety of an exploding cauldron. Hermione may look like a pillar of strength, but she's not well. When the horrible reality of what she's been through in the last year finally comes to her, she will need support. I know she wants to see what's left of the castle and maybe begin reconstruction plans. Personally, I think it a hopeless effort." His vision went idly to the darkened house containers and the jeweled points in them. The scoreboard dark with soot and ash, important a lifetime ago. It made him sad that the institution he had served for nearly twenty years should end in such a way. As Headmaster he felt Hogwarts pain. It was a living entity kept alive and vibrant by the presence of so many young witches and wizards. Now that so much evil had been done here, it was dying, bit by bit, every day. There was a strum of hope running in the rafters today. Only time would tell if the hope was justified.

"I understand Snape. Take good care of her. I'll see you later."

Severus nodded as Kingsley joined a group of men heading to the dungeons. He wanted to help, but Hermione was his priority. He returned to Hermione and took her hand to lead her to the courtyard. She passed the large outer doors and stood outside for the first time in weeks. Hermione stopped to look at the sky. Cloudy with a few breaks of sun that seemed to pop out like a surprise. She breathed in the fresh air of late spring, the cool wind in her face, and smiled. There was nothing to say. They both knew what the other was thinking. Severus pulled on her hand, and they began to walk around the building and grounds.