TITLE: With Darkness Comes Anew
AUTHOR: Alia
STATUS/PART: 2
EMAIL: PG-13 (and it's uphill from there)
PAIRING: Severus Snape / (Give it a while)
SPOILERS: not including OotP
WARNINGS: angst, language, character deaths (just two)
DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway or fashion own HP. It belongs to Rowlings and friends.
SUMMARY: Leaving the Wizarding World after a devastating betrayal, Severus starts a road in life that will eventually rock his world.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is a flashback. The story will from now on take place five years after Severus escaped.
With Darkness Comes Anew
Flashback: Three Years Before
The large group that had arranged themselves in the Headmaster's office sat calmly awaiting information from the nervous Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley. The Minister had just flooed in and was pacing the floor frantically, worrying both his wife and children with his behavior.
Dumbledore, Moody, and the other members of the order such as Lupin, Black, Shacklebolt and Tonks each sat in their chairs also becoming worried at Arthur's antics. The man never acted like this before, and if he had, never had he done it to such a degree.
Against the wall stood the Golden Trio of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley. The three former Hogwarts students watched the actions of the Order Members with curiosity. Something was most definitely wrong and so far the only person who knew it was the Minister of Magic.
Finally, after expending a good amount of his nervous energy, Arthur collapsed into a chair beside his wife. Molly immediately took his hand, offering comfort but Arthur just smiled weakly.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, Arthur, if you've quite finished, I think the rest of us would like to hear what has you so worked up."
The man looked at the Headmaster. "Albus, I really wonder if it would be the best for everyone to know. This is one thing none of us can change."
Molly squeezed his hand. "Dear, what is wrong?"
Arthur sighed. "Perhaps it would be better if I went about explaining things as they took place." He stood and held up his head but even as he did it, he continued looking like a defeated man. "Three death eaters were apprehended yesterday. It was a very good thing because it was Malfoy, his son, and Nott."
There were mummers of approval all around the room. Malfoy had been trying to reorganize the Death Eaters for years now but if he'd been captured that would either stop his plotting or at least place a hold on them.
Arthur nodded then continued. "We took turns interrogating them. It was young Malfoy who let it out first. We didn't understand him in the beginning."
"What did you ask him?" asked Moody with a gruff voice.
"We had a list of Death Eaters, either in Azkaban or still on the run that we would sometimes ask them about. Snape was on the list."
The name grabbed the attention of everyone in the room. Some eyes swerved to the members of the Weasley family while others fell onto the Boy-Who-Lived. Molly's breath hitched a few times before she could regain her composure. Her husband and sons remained silent as their thoughts fell to the deceased Virginia Weasley. Harry kept his eyes to the floor not wanting to meet anyone's eyes.
Remus cleared his throat. "Arthur, what did Draco Malfoy say to the aurors?" He squeezed Sirius's hand as the man watched his godson with worry.
Minister Weasley looked around and wondered how his words would be perceived. "One of the Aurors asked him for information on Snape. Malfoy remarked that he had nothing to do with the traitor and that he got what he deserved. We thought he was talking about Azkaban so he was asked what he meant. He was placed under Veribasum so he wasn't lying. Young Malfoy said that...that his father had punished the traitor."
Albus was suddenly worried. He didn't like the implication that Arthur was slowly feeding them. The man's nervous and unsettled demeanor unnerved him. Albus knew he wasn't going to like the outcome. "I think you had better continue, Arthur." His stern voice tried to hide his fear.
"Lucius Malfoy was interrogated immediately after. We wanted to see what his son had meant because we couldn't get anything else out of the boy. He didn't know what had happened exactly. Malfoy was given Veribasum and was questioned." Arthur's right hand began to shake.
The members of the Order watched the Minister of Magic and each of them felt something wrong. It was clawing at their stomachs and many took deep breaths to ease the sudden tightness in their chests.
Sirius spoke up. "Well, what did the bastard say? If anything Snape probably got what he deserved." Most of the people in the room, nodded and other gave sounds of agreement. They didn't expect Arthur's reaction.
The usually gentle yet determined eyes of Arthur Weasley darkened with anger. "Oh really. So he deserved what happened to him. Severus deserved to be betrayed by not only Malfoy but us as well!"
"Arthur!" cried Molly, shocked that the man would defend the man that murdered their daughter and almost killed their adopted son. Sirius and Moody jumped up and began cursing Snape. Only a few actually paid attention to what Arthur said. Albus and Harry were amongst them but Harry remained silent and kept his eyes to the floor.
The thoughts running through Harry's head made him dizzy but there was a dominant emotion. Hope, that he had been right for the last 2 years, that Severus had been an innocent man, that he hadn't been the one to attack and rape Ginny, that he hadn't been the one to murder the Weasley girl or try to kill him. /I knew it. I knew it/
Albus stood, power radiating from his form by anger...and not a small amount of fear. "Silence!" The room quieted down immediately and everyone took their seat including Arthur. Albus took a shaky breath. "What do you mean that we betrayed him? Arthur, Se-he killed your daughter. All of us saw the evidence at the trial."
Arthur shook his head. "Apparently, the case wasn't looked at too closely Albus. After we heard what Malfoy told us...Nott impersonated Snape. He used Polyjuice then...killed Ginny. Harry had just entered but didn't see the false Snape because he was knocked out immediately."
Ron was shaking with fury and confusion. "But it was there! They found him at the scene going for Harry! All the evidence was there! He raped and killed her! HE DID!"
Arthur looked at Hermione and the girl understood. "Ron, do you remember when we used that potion in second year. It gave you all of the physical aspects of the person you were impersonating. Since Nott impersonated Snape..." She broke off not able to go on. She didn't need to because Arthur summed it up.
"Nott was Snape that day. So all the physical evidence would point to him anyway." There was silence in the room for a long moment.
Tonks shook her head. "But Snape was at the scene of the crime. It was in the records. He wasn't here at Hogwarts either."
Arthur's eyes dropped. "All of us know that Severus had many enemies. In the Death Eaters and certainly the Ministry. We forget that Fudge personally saw over the investigation. And we know he hated Severus."
Hermione's eyes widened. "He fixed the trial. As if the physical evidence wasn't enough. Fudge and the aurors over the case didn't even investigate!" Arthur nodded.
"Dad..." The twins had remained silent up until this point. George spoke. "Snape was tested for potions or hexes on his person wasn't he?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, but what curses was never brought up during the trial. Including a severe concussion from a blunt object, Snape had been cursed with Unforgivables. The Cruciatus and the Imperious. Both curses were cast more than once, the Cruciatus especially." He turned to the Headmaster. "Don't you remember why Snape wouldn't answer you Albus when you went to see him at the Ministry. From what I've found, he hadn't received any treatments yet and was still recovering."
Dumbledore had his head in his hands. He remembered demanding answers from Severus as he stood before the man's cell. He hadn't wanted to believe that Severus could do something like this but everything, including the man's own silence, had said it all. But apparently all of it had been orchestrated against Severus.
Arthur continued. "They took Snape and planted him at the scene of the crime still suffering and in pain. When the aurors arrived to find Snape heading toward Harry...We believe that he may have been trying to help, but we entered before he could."
Albus sat up and stared at his hands. /Innocent.../ Merlin...he'd locked away an innocent man...someone who was like a son to him. "What have we done?"
Harry watched silently as everyone saw a horrible mistake. A man that had fought beside them and for them for over twenty years, before Harry himself was born, had been betrayed by the light.
Albus stood shakily. "Arthur, we must get him out of there."
The man nodded. "It's already being processed. We should be able to release Severus tomorrow."
Harry said nothing but wondered how they would react to the empty cell.
Three Years Ago - The next day
Albus, Arthur, Remus, Ron and Harry went to Azkaban the day. Two aurors met them at the entrance. Both were dark haired men but while one had brown eyes the other had more of a hazel color. The brown eyed one looked much closer to retirement than his young partner. "Follow us, sirs. We'll take you right to him."
As they journeyed further down, Ron asked, "Just how far down is Professor Snape?"
The two men looked at each other then the older one answered. "The last level, in the dungeons."
Arthur Weasley stopped in his tracks. "But that area has no light at all." Snape had been in utter darkness for the last two years!
The younger of the two cleared his throat. "Yes sir. But someone goes down to give him food every day."
Dumbledore didn't look pleased at all. "We should hurry to Severus." The guilt of what happened was eating at all of them. As they continued down more stairs, he glanced at Harry. The young man had been silent throughout the entire situation. The only time he'd spoken was to demand that he come with them to free Snape. Albus only hoped that he would be alright seeing Severus after the last two years.
All seven wizards had to light their wands in order to see, though it wasn't too much help. Remus shivered. "How much farther." The cells were growing smaller and he began to wonder if they were really going the right way.
Harry watched as they finally made their way to the cell of Severus Snape, Potions Master and former Hogwarts Professor. A tray of food lay over a foot away from the cell. Totally untouched.
Albus moved his wand closer and he could see cobwebs on the bars of the cell. "It looks completely undisturbed. Both the cell and the food."
The two aurors stepped back at the anger on the Headmaster's face. The older wizard took out a key and opened the cell. It was empty and looked totally unoccupied. As if it had been for a while.
Arthur stared in shock before turning to the aurors. "Where is he!"
Both men began to shake their heads furiously. "Sir, we have no idea. We would have known if someone had gone."
"Was Severus an animagus?" asked Remus. Perhaps Severus may have escaped the same way as Sirius.
Albus shook his head. "No. He knew how but he never did it. And he only knew the theory not the practice." He turned to the aurors. "How could you not notice that he was gone!"
The older auror responded. "Sir, we have men that guard each floor of Azkaban. They check each cell on each floor."
Harry spoke for the first time since Snape's innocence was discovered. "There are no other prisoners on this floor? Is Snape the only one?"
The younger auror muttered, "We were ordered by Fudge to place him here. I don't know if there are others, however."
Ron cursed. "That's not important. What is important is that we find Snape! He could be anywhere."
Remus sighed. "Either that or...Ron, Severus apparently had a lot of enemies."
Albus asked. "Do you think he's dead?"
Arthur stared at the cell. "It's a very good possibility." He looked at the two aurors. "I'll deal with the two of you later."
End Flashback
Albus sighed wearily as he sat in his office staring at nothing in particular. Today was the anniversary of Severus's imprisonment. It had been three years since he'd found out about Severus's innocence. For a year, the Order had tried to find out what had become the fate of the Potions Master, but they'd found nothing. Many thought that Snape was dead while others hoped that he had escaped.
After the truth was discovered, one of the Order members, who still remains unknown, sent information to the Daily Prophet and the story was heard all over the Wizarding World. People were astonished at Severus's story and it did include not only what happened to the wizard, but of his help with the Order as a spy for over twenty years. Many, after having learned the truth, especially with the supporting evidence from Malfoy and Fudge, now considered Severus one of the heroes of the war against Voldemort.
Unfortunately, Severus would likely never know.
Albus looked up as Julius Fryers entered his office. "I'm sorry, Albus. I can come back at a later time."
The older wizard shook his head. "No, my boy. Come in." Julius took a seat. "Lemon Drop? Tea?" Julius smiled politely but shook his head. "Well, then Julius, what would you like to talk about?"
The wizard that stood before Albus smiled. He was 35 years old, about 5' 9"with a wiry frame. He had wild dark brown hair and amber brown eyes. His skin had a nice rosy complection and it also made him look very friendly. He wore a simple green robe with white shirt and black trousers. Many would never guess the man was like Remus Lupin: a werewolf.
Julius had been bitten when he was fifteen after getting lost from his family home. The boy's parents had been supportive and many were able to hide the fact that Julian was a werewolf for years, especially since the boy had taken a private tutor. The Wolfsbane Potion had been helpful in stopping the boy's wolf from going wild. After Julian had received a Masters in Charms, he had applied to Hogwarts though without much hope of being hired.
Albus had accepted the boy since Filius had retired the year before and the last teacher was hopeless. As long as he continued taking the Wolfsbane, which was often made by apothecary owners, he could teach at Hogwarts.
"Albus, I need to leave for the upcoming weekend." The weekend was two days away.
Dumbledore blinked surprised at the request. "I do not see why you cannot. But why? The year will be over soon."
"A month but I'm afraid that this can't wait just yet. It is of a personal nature and must be done as soon as possible."
Albus nodded. It probably had to do with the man's transformations. "Very well. Will you be leaving Friday evening?"
Julius nodded. "My transformation is just days away. We wanted to do this as soon as possible."
"Can you tell me what it is you-," he was cut off by the shake of Julius's head. "What can you say?"
"A friend through a friend is going to help me. I can't say how just yet...but I'm hoping for the best."
Albus watched the young man for a moment longer than necessary causing him to squirm slightly. "I see." He could hear exactly what the boy was saying. "Good luck, Julius."
"Thank you, Albus."
Julius hurried back to his quarters and opened his fireplace. "Brea Moorman!" A face came from the fireplace. The curiosity disappeared when the woman as she caught sight of him.
"Hey, Caesar!" He laughed. "What are you calling me for at this time of day? I may not have been here."
"Tell Lex that I'll be arriving there Friday evening."
Brea nodded. "Good. He was wondering if you would be able to get away. He couldn't close the shop so suddenly. And he'd hate to leave Emma and the twins behind."
Julius understood that. "Will you be going out tonight? To help out at Ash's?"
Brea shook her head. "No." She sighed. "I've done my duty for the last few days. Lex did his a few days before. We're letting Terry go tonight. I'm helping Lex."
"Do you think that this will work Brea?" he whispered anxiously.
With a laugh, she said, "You are a friend to Lex, Julius. And Mary loved you dearly. Lex has done it. Have faith in him." Her head turned slightly. "Now I have to go. I'm going to be late for work. Take care, baby."
"Bye love," he said with a laugh. Closing the floo, he turned and headed for his class with Ravenclaw and Slytherin third years.
TBC
Alia: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Where the hell is she going with this? The answer is...I have no clue.
