"-Guilty," the judge said with finality, banging his heavy mallet on the wood.

The world stopped.

Severus' heart felt like it was coming out of his throat.

He would never see Harry again, never be able to hold him and rock him to sleep. Never be able to-

The doors slammed open, everyone's head swiveling to see who it was. Severus didn't turn he had no hope left.

"Wait! I am here to testify on Severus' behalf!" Minerva Mcgonagall stormed in, her dark eyes cold with fury. Severus' head snapped up staring at her in awe.

"Professor Mcgonagall! I was told you had fallen ill," the judge exclaimed. Whispers broke out amongst the stands of people.

"Ill? No, nothing like that. You see I was poisoned, but don't fret I'm here now" she said straightening her hat. Mcgonagall shot Umbridge a filthy look. She walked to the center of the room, in front of Severus' chair and began to speak. Severus smiled inwardly she was no Dumbledore but she would do .

…

"-am prepared to take veritaserum to prove it, if need be," Minerva finished.

"No, no that will not be necessary," All heads turned, Kingsley Shacklebolt strolled through the courtroom his deep blue robes sweeping behind him. Severus knew the universe was smiling down at him.

"I'll take my chair back, thank you," Kingsley said standing next to Fitz.

Fitz scrambled to get up. Umbridge was seething in the chair next to Kingsley, glaring at Severus as if he had summoned him. Severus smirked at her, looking forward to watching her get creamed.

Severus turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder the man from the back was next to him, his hood still covering his face.

"Good Luck," the man said in a gravelly voice before hurriedly making for the door.

Severus wracked his brain trying to think who the man's voice matched but he could come up with no one.

"Well, I heard Minerva's statement and I believe her, case closed. Severus is innocent," Kingsley banged down the mallet and got up, waving his wand over Severus' chair. The chains snaked away, he was a free man.

Severus stood on uncertain feet. One minute he had been on his way to Azkaban and now he was free to be with his son.

"Severus I am so sorry about all of this," Kingsley said holding out a hand. Severus eyed him for a moment and then shook it.

"Do not apologize, but I want those three in court," he snarled at them. Umbridge was still sitting in her chair afraid to move. The skeeters were behind Kingsley waiting for him.

"Court?" Kingsley asked scratching his chin, "hmmmmm, no,-"

"No? They falsely accused me of abuse, they took my son away and sent him merlin knows where I-,"

"What I was going to say," Kingsley interrupted, with a smile, "was, I don't need a trial they will all be escorted to Azkaban, today," Severus let a full smile don his face, this was justice.

Aurors dashed at the three, taking their wands and binding their hands.

"I don't deserve this! I was getting rid of one more Death Eater I should be a hero!" Skeeter yelled, his face wild. He was struggling to get the Aurors hands off him to no avail.

"Minister I could be a great help to you, you don't want me locked away…." Umbridge said, sidling up to Kingsley. She batted her dull brown eyes at him, smiling at him widely.

"I believe I speak on behalf of most of the wizarding world when I say, being taken to Azkaban is too good for you," He said, snatching his arm away from her.

Umbridge opened her mouth to say something when Minerva waved her wand and she fell silent her mouth moving furiously.

"Did you say something Dolores?" she asked, smirking at her. Severus wanted to talk with her and make sure she was okay but she could wait Harry could not. Shacklebolt handed him his wand, Severus caressed the wood lovingly. He smirked as he discreetly pointed his wand at Umbridge's rump, flicking it. She silently shrieked as the intense stinging hexes hit her repeatedly. He did the same for the Skeeters enjoying their shrieks and dancing around. They deserved so much worse. Shacklebolt pretended not to notice as Minerva held in a laugh.

"I need to find Harry," Severus said, beginning to walk to the exit.

"He's in Greystones Orphanage for Littles," Shacklebolt said, nodding at him, "go get your boy, Severus,"

"Thank you," he said sincerely, he turned walked through the doors.

"I'm coming, Harry,"

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