I'll Allow It, But Watch Yourself Snape

BELONGS TO JKR

Severus had been in his cell for three days since his meeting with Dumbledore. By now Christmas break was nearly over, and the idea that he'd be stuck here while falling behind on his studies grated him to no end. Severus' jailor had been the same unpleasant man who awoke him from his rest after the rescue dragged him to the interrogation room. The man served no purpose other than to tell him when he had food and how his trial was going. The time imprisoned allowed Severus to contemplate his situation, particularly the dream with Lily in it.

On a logical level he knew that it was most likely a combination of his infatuation with a childhood crush, hypothermia, and overextension of his magical abilities. But on a emotional, primal level he couldn't shake the feeling it was something more. Visions rarely came to Wizards, and if they did it was to the insane or at the very least unstable type. A prospect that had little appeal to Severus.

In addition he was bothered by feeling of the unwanted haircut the Ministry had "gifted" him. Thaddeus had used a pair of rusty shears to hack of most of Severus' hair, leaving him just enough on top to comb over to the left or right. Something about cleaning him up do to his lack of sanitation.

"You're lucky that girl came." Came the unpleasant voice of the man, whose name he found out later was Thaddeus.

"What girl?" Severus asked suspiciously, though deep in his chest he hoped it was the one he dreamt about.

"The one you 'saved' boy-" The emphasis on saved illuminated the fact he believed it about as much as Severus believed the moon was made of blue cheese.

"Her and her family were brought in for questioning, she said that she must've fallen off, and her muggle friend did say some pasty looking boy jumped in after her"

Severus was surprised she remembered and even more surprised that he felt…..gratitude? toward the muggle for helping him, if indirectly.

"Why wasn't the muggle wasn't obliviated?"

"No reason to boy, as far as she's concerned all she saw was a freak pull a stick out of his pocket."

Severus felt no reason to respond to the obvious dig. When it became clear that the Thaddeus would get no response he continued on.

"As it looks now boy, the Chief is making some particularly persuasive arguments on your behalf, Merlin knows why." Thaddeus stopped, then added slyly "But those friends of yours don't help your case."

Severus felt his blood freeze and struggled to keep his voice from shaking.

"What are you talking about?" He asked in pathetically weak tone.

"Don't play dumb boy, your chums in Slytherin. They've got money and power to protect them from the Ministry, you though?" Thaddeus gave a harsh bark of laughter "You're nothing but a dirt poor half-blood from a dead family"

Severus' chest constricted with hatred for the man and wished for nothing else but to test out Sectumsempra on his smug face.

I'll show you one day, all show all you Ministry snobs what a dirt poor half-blood can do.

"Fuck you" The words were low and threatening, much to Severus' pleasure.

"Touched a nerve did I? You best hope that trial goes well or your nerves won't be the only thing getting touched in prison."

"Fuck you" Severus repeated

"Ha, don't get me wrong boy I don't hate you for your blood. I hate you cause you're a shady little shite, but that doesn't matter now does it? Lots of pureblood minors or graduates joining up with Voldemort's little cult, causin' all sorts of trouble. But their parents know who to bribe and who to blackmail so they'll never see the inside of Azkaban. You on the other hand? You're the poster boy example the Ministry wants to string up as an example to your house."

"I didn't do anything wrong you blood traitor bastard." Severus screamed, launching himself at the door and pounding at it.

Thaddeus laughed some more.

"Tsk, Tsk boy. Talk like that's not going to convince the Council."

Severus inwardly cursed himself for showing his hand to soon.

"Let's stop pretending for minute here boy. Let's admit who we really are, sound good? I promise I won't tell anyone what you said."

Severus didn't deign to respond. But Thaddeus obviously didn't care since he chattered on.

"Let's say Voldemort and his gaggle of fanatics win, where do you fit in, inside that 'New Order'? Do you honestly think for a minute that they'll accept you? Do they now?"

Severus wasn't a fool, he didn't believe for a second they respected him. Even Narcissa and Reg looked at him as more of a stray dog that deserved a pat on the head every once in awhile. Mulciber, Avery and Rosier just wanted to use him, same with Lucius.

But they don't matter, a Slytherin cares about power and they're just means to an end. Once I prove myself to the Dark Lord he'll reward me with the prestige I need to crush my enemies and those who disrespect me.

But Severus said none of that however, contenting himself to silently fume.

Thaddeus, as if by foresight alone, somehow knew he was getting to Severus, he could hear the smile in his voice as he prattled on.

"What about the pretty little mudblood?-" Severus tensed at the use of the word referring to Lily "Where does she fit in? Seems a waste to save some girls life just so she can get killed in a few years."

Severus hadn't considered that, or rather he forced himself not to. After Lily broke off their friendship he decided she didn't matter to him anymore, at least that's what he told himself up until recent events forced him to reconsider.

What would happen to her?

A pit in his stomach slowly began to grow at the thought of someone like Mulciber getting his hands on Lily. Maybe he could convince the Dark Lord to spare her but…he knew that was a fools hope. There was no way he could even begin to believe the Death Eaters would spare a Muggleborn let alone allow one into their ranks.

Maybe I could prove my worth to the organization, then use that as leverage….

But Severus heard what they did to muggle-lovers. Rosier had told him a few stories of what his Father had done to a cousin who slept with a half-blood…

Under the Cruciatus for a day straight….and he wasn't even Marked.

"…..pathetic." Finished Thaddeus, who apparently, had been talking for sometime while Severus zoned out.

Severus could care less, all he wanted was some peace to sort out his situation. But the more he thought about it the more he realized how impractical his situation was….the thought of a world without Lily was awful but the thought of a world where he remained as powerless as this was equally unappealing

He decided to clear his head and try to get some rest, which proved as elusive as his peace of mind.

Another three days had passed since talking to Thaddeus, who oddly enough decided to stop talking. Maybe he figured that he'd broken Severus, or maybe he was just bored. Whatever the case Severus awoke at what must've been early morning to a harsh rapping on his door followed by its rusty moan when it swung open.

Severus sat up sharply, rubbing sleepers out of his eyes to see Dumbledore standing before him with a shit eating grin plastered on to his face.

"Congratulations Severus you're a free man" He said without preamble.

Severus nearly felt his jaw fall to the floor.

"What?" He said brilliantly

"Today you're a free man, now we've got to get you ready, the train to Hogwarts is leaving soon so let's go over a few things"

"How-"

"From what the Council has decided, you have some new limits to be set upon you due to your recent activities."

"What limits?" Severus croaked in his morning dry voice.

Dumbledore proceeded to smile sadly at him while reading a list he pulled from within his robes.

"Severus Tobias Snape, on pain of wand breakage and/or imprisonment, and/or expulsion of Hogwarts you will not engage in the following acts.

1. Interaction with known pureblood supremacists other for learning purposes. Your teachers will be made aware to watch for such interactions outside of class.

2. Dueling of any kind with students whether provoked or non provoked.

3. Use of blood slurs against both pureblood or non pure students

4. Use of Dark Magic."

When Dumbledore finished Severus could barely believe what he was hearing.

"You promised me a fair hearing!" Severus blurted out in anger, though it came out petulantly.

"Fair is in the eye of the beholder Severus. I can't condone calling something fair unless all the facts required to make it so are presented."

"But, But-" Severus sputtered before being cut off.

"I'm sorry Severus but I have to return to the school, as do you the train station. I've taken the liberty of preparing you a fresh set of robes, your trunk, supplies, and owl await you at Hogwarts. After you change Thaddeus will return your wand here is the copy of the expectations the Council has given" Dumbledore handed him the list "In addition he will escort you to the Portkey that will give you transportation to Kings Cross"

The unfairness and finality of the situation left Severus momentarily stunned. Dumbledore, taking that as his out gave Severus a courteous bow before exiting the room with a swish of his robes.

Thaddeus opened the door shortly after, throwing his new robes on the floor.

"Hurry up boy you've got a train to catch."

Severus dressed slowly, acknowledging the fact that these Ministry robes were the best he'd ever been given in his entire career at Hogwarts. He tucked the rules inside a pocket before yelling.

"Done."

Thaddeus pulled the door open and looked him over.

"Well boy now you look less like the dirt you are and more like a fucking student. Come along"

Severus let himself be guided from his cell down the stairs to a locked room that Thaddeus had to open with his wand similarly to the other one.

The room was completely empty save for a table with a lock on it.

"Hold still boy and turn around."

Severus did as he was told.

Thaddeus handed him his wand slowly before stopping it above Severus' open palm.

"You don't deserve this boy but I'm not the judge am I? Don't let me see you again or I'll be sure to hunt you down and bringing you Azkaban myself" He dropped the wand into Severus' hand "Now get going."

Severus turned around slowly to grab the Portkey eventually feeling the falling sensation he'd read about.

Severus opened his eyes and surveyed the scene, he realized he was inside a phone booth in muggle London. He sighed, stepped out and made his way toward the station.

What have I gotten myself into?