AN: Ok, penultimate chapter. Nearly done, guinea pigs; happy reading. Standard Disclaimer applies. We all know how this goes.

Chapter 16

The golden trio's newfound information about Professor Snape remained a secret between themselves and the deputy headmistress. The headmaster remained uninformed about Snape's family history and their celestial-ness, as did the other head of houses. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of time when rather randomly it seemed the minister of magic arrived at Hogwarts with an official looking scroll to remove the headmaster from the school. There was of course uproar from the houses even some of the Slytherin's seemed concerned about this event that could spell disaster to the school. Dumbledore was about to escape via Fawkes but was prevented by a magical outburst that burnt the scroll in the minister hands. Hermione looked at Severus, who's eyes were in the void again, she knew what it meant. So did Harry and Ron. Severus was in an Impartial mode, as it were, which of course was not good news for the minister, nor particularly the headmaster.

There was a low sounding whistle that seemed to work as a multiple summons for the devil, the greeter and the angel of death. None of whom appreciated being summoned but they knew as soon as they saw Severus that he was clearly pulling his power inwards as to not injury anyone, few could anger an Impartial, those who did; never lasted long.

Amendiel certainly was unsure of his purpose in this situation since he could feel the rage Severus was desperately trying to keep in, and while he was going a decent job of it, there were still flashes of it in his wings and eyes.

"I take it someone did something technically illegal?"

"Apparently the mortal minister, tried to abuse his power to get the headmaster unjustly removed. While the headmaster himself is probably who Severus is mad at. You know The Impartial reasoning." Lucifer answered, since he had once had Severus job before. Each of them had their wings on show, and for once Severus looked the most demonic or devilish it was hard to tell. The three of them stayed silent when Severus started to speak.

"Minister, is there a just reason for the headmaster's removal that you know of?"

"You implied that there is…"

"Do not speculate, Minister, answer the question I put to you. Yes or No?"

"Not that I know of." Cornelius swallowed. Severus' eyebrow rose in its usual fashion.

"No, then. Very well, why are you here then?"

"To remove Dumbledore…"

"Why, you have already agreed that there is no true cause for his removal."

"He's a threat."

"To whom, Minister. Certainly not the teachers nor the students?"

"To me." The Minister's tiny response was barely audible, but Severus' powers meant he could not be lied to by anyone.

"Why is he a threat to you, Minister. The headmaster has never coveted your position. He already knows that power is his weakness." Dumbledore was paling in his chair, as if he knew that Severus would be examining him next.

"They respect him. I know what they say, how they compare us."

"Yes, I too know of that. That does not explain how that allows you to abuse the position you hold Minister; this is not your first transgression. The headmaster has saved your hind before; is this how your treat your allies?"

"He is no ally to me, he wants the position, I know he does." Severus' eyes voided as they were widened.

"He really doesn't. I know these things it's part of my job to know. And you truly believe that he covets what you have, when he already has more."

"Already has…" This seemed to somewhat unhinge the already paranoid Minister. Even Umbridge was remaining still in case something went against her, she of course like so many overs were out for themselves, and it seemed like Severus knew this. The Minister seemed to forget everything about where he was and was running at the Headmaster, as much he the angels could tell that Severus desperately wanted to do nothing due to his anger at the old wizard he was the one who was supposed to judge. He appeared in front of Dumbledore with one of his wings outstretched in a defensive posture, a mortal knife impaled his white wing, and while it hurt Severus made no noise as he had always been taught from experience never to show weakness.

"That was rather stupid Minister." Severus moved his wing to in front of him so could pull the weapon free of it, as he did so the headmaster's magic was bubbling in anger at being nearly attacked. However, Dumbledore was more powerful than Fudge and with a flick of his wrist Fudge and unfortunately Severus, since he was technically still in the way, were being thrown the length of the hall. Fudge although heavier than Severus landed further away but the young potions master had felt the power and rage within the headmaster and knew that the majority had been directed at himself. Severus stood first and glared at Dumbledore. "Really sir, you always know how to piss me off don't you? I am for once trying to help, and I get thrown with him which is no easy feat since I have wings."

"You are not supposed to be a demon, Severus." Dumbledore, Severus could tell was certain that he was evil.

"I'm not actually a demon. It might surprise you headmaster, that plain old me is an angel; but so are they." Severus pointed to the winged figures who had been with him the entire time.

"Could I tempt you to introduce us, Severus." Lucifer glared at Dumbledore much as Severus had.

"Tempting is my department, Albus Dumbledore. Lucifer Morningstar, as you requested." Lucifer turned to Severus. "Grandson, your wing is not healing, might I attempt?"

"No grandfather, thank you but no. It will heal the old fashion way, nothing important was damaged. Merely a flesh wound." Lucifer nodded.

"As you wish." The devil's wings were as bright as the sun in the sky, and Dumbledore clearly knew the name meant the devil.

"And the others?" he was paling having an idea where this was going. Severus said nothing, he just nodded. They introduced themselves if they felt like it. Amendiel of course the politest when it came to the human unless they harmed one of their own, which Dumbledore already had.

"My name is of no importance to you mortal, your lack of comprehension of Severus wings is testament enough."

"Amendiel, be polite. The headmaster is important in this world." Severus tried to appease the angered angel.

"He harmed you. I am being polite enough for that I think." Lucifer nodded as if agreeing with his brother which was rare enough for Azrael to be stunned. Dumbledore just huffed, as if the conversation between themselves was unimportant when it could have enlightened the headmaster greatly.

"Holy hellfire, they agreed. They never agree; Severus do you have any idea what that means?"

"Not really no. I do know that you never say holy and hellfire in the same sentence however, so what is with the sudden turn of phrase."

"I only say when I'm stunned. Rare I know but still…" Severus and Azrael were conversing as if it were something important that really should not be interrupted. And Lucifer and Amendiel respected that certainly. But the headmaster was above himself, he was used to people including him in important conversations to be left out felt like a slight. Dumbledore was not without an ego, he tried not to show it, but everyone had an Achilles heel.

"Who is she, Severus?" It was Azrael's turn to glare at the headmaster, and when angel of death glared you could feel it. Dumbledore could not help the shudder that forced its way down his spine, and everyone noticed. McGonagall attempted to shuffle further away from the headmaster, as Azrael turned her full negative attention towards the older man, there was a flash of light and the book that Minerva and Hermione had seen in Severus' quarters appeared in her hands. Only then did Dumbledore force his brain to make the connections on his own, he gasped. Severus' lip curled as it usually did when he was trying not to smile although this time it genuinely looked sinister on his face rather than comforting as it had to Minerva. "Ah, so she's?"

"Indeed, glad to see your higher brain functions still work, headmaster." Severus was clearly done with the headmaster's hypocrisy.

"I never thought, the angel of death would be well…"

"What female? Everyone expects angels to be female, but the angel of death is supposed to be male?" Azrael had interrupted, and while she really should have been used to this level of masculine bullshit it continued to pester her.

"Something like that." Dumbledore swallowed since he was now being scrutinised by death herself, and he knew it.

"Headmaster, may I introduce Azrael, the angel of death. In case you had not worked that one out by now, it unfortunately means you have four rather irritated angels looking at you as if you're a piece of meat. Well done, sir; you've have angered the devil, the angel of death, the gatekeeper and the judge."

"But Severus…"

"DO NOT BUT SEVERUS, ME." Severus was had had enough of the headmaster just as much as Azrael had, although for very different reasons; he had made his decision on where the headmaster would be going, and it wasn't up. Amendiel really hadn't been needed for this one but the official procedures still needed to be followed. The light that had once had Severus vanish to protect the headmaster, had returned to envelope Snape, when it was done, he was adult again; however, there were some changes, he honestly seemed better kept that's it. His tone instantly made Dumbledore shut up, the power in his voice now it was back was undeniable. "You are not the judge here, Albus Dumbledore. This is my domain. I have the final say." Snape's wings were fully outstretched and completely healed, his white wing was glowing like the moon and his black one seemed to be absorbing the light from the white. He was balanced, he was justice and vengeance. He was hate and he was love in equal measure. He was the question and answer in the same instant.

"Severus…"

"No, Albus. You cannot change my mind on this. The book decides when and how you go, I decide the where. Azrael delivers your soul to me; I get the right to give it to either Lucifer or Amendiel only then do you know where you're going. However, just this once I think you already where you're going, don't you Albus?"

"This cannot be it. After all I have done for you?"

"Your version of for me, has never been for me. You have always been about the greater good, and I will say on occasions it had its merit, there comes a time when war needs to end. You have never let them forget the war, there has never been a peace merely a ceasefire in your eyes and you tell them all the times that you can. Under you children have never been able to be. I confess I dislike the annoy like things but how many times have I had to remind them just because you told me to, hmmm? How many times have you had to tell me that I needed to be crueller, to be harsher on them, to be as vindictive as possible? I'm me again, Albus, the only difference is I'm done hiding. I'm done being the bastard, I'm showing you and all of them that I am the one they need to fear but not for the reasons they think. I'll be there in the end, judging their lives but I have no impact on how they choose to live. I am not the devil on their left or the angel on their right. I am the judge; I am The Impartial." Once Severus was done with his albeit not little speech, there was nothing. The four angels and the headmaster just disappeared, to wherever they were, and the great hall erupted into minor chaos; not that it mattered at the time where the others were.