Chapter 15: severus snape

Harry made his way slowly through the Atrium at the Ministry the next day. Apparently news of his injury spread fast. He had witches and wizards he didn't recognize coming up to him and wishing him a speedy recovery. When he finally reached the lifts, he heard someone calling his name from behind him. He turned and saw a mass of bushy brown hair that was Hermione weaving between the other Ministry workers.

'Hey, Harry', she said breathlessly when she finally caught up with him. 'I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch after your meeting with Kingsley?', she asked.

'Sounds great, Hermione', he said just as the lift arrived. The two stepped to the side to allow the witches and wizards stepping off room to pass and strode onto the lift. Harry jabbed the button's for levels one and four and the lift doors banged shut.

'I'll see you in a bit', said Harry when the lift doors opened onto level one a moment later. Stepping out into the hall, he made his way to the Minister's office, knocking on the door.

'Come in', he heard Kingsley announce from inside. He opened the door and peered around the corner.

'I was wondering if I might have a word, Minister', said Harry.

'Harry. Come in, come in', said Kingsley. Harry walked into the office, closing the door behind him. 'Have a seat', he added, indicating the chair across from his desk.

'Thank you, sir', said Harry.

'So, what brings you by? I was under the impression that you were supposed to be resting. I heard you were back in St. Mungo's', said Kingsley.

'Yes, I was', said Harry. 'I was wondering if you had time to discuss something with me?'

'Yes, of course', said Kingsley. 'What is it?'

'I wanted to talk to you about clearing Snape's name, sir', said Harry. Shock registered across Kingsley's face.

'Snape?', he asked in disbelief. 'But, Harry. He murdered Dumbledore. He was a Death Eater, deceived us all.'

'Yes, I thought so too', said Harry. 'At least until the battle at Hogwarts back in May.'

'And what happened then to prove otherwise?', asked Kingsley.

'I saw Voldemort murder him. Before he died he gave me his memories. He was working on our side the whole time. Dumbledore planned his death with Snape almost a full year before he died', said Harry, leaning forward on his chair a little bit.

'He planned it?', asked Kingsley. 'Harry, why would Dumbledore do that?'

'He was dying anyway. From a cursed ring that belonged to Voldemort', said Harry. 'Sir, Snape saved my life, on more then one occasion.'

'Well, if what you're saying is true, we're going to need some proof', said Kingsley.

'Yes sir', said Harry. 'Snape's memories are still in the pensieve at Hogwarts. And you could always ask Dumbledore's portrait.'

Kingsley thought for a moment. 'I'll have to have a word with the school governors and the Wizenagmot', he said. 'They're probably going to want to have a trial.'

'A trial?', asked Harry.

'Yes. They're currently working on scheduling trials for the Death Eaters that were captured in Hogwarts. I actually wanted to talk to you about that while you're here', said Kingsley. 'If you're willing, I was wondering if you would testify at a few of them.'

'Which ones?', he asked apprehensively.

'I believe the first ones they're trying to schedule are for the Malfoy's and Umbridge', said Kingsley.

'All three of the Malfoy's?', he asked. 'Narcissa may have been married to a Death Eater but she was no Death Eater herself. And Draco, he may have been marked, but his heart was never in it.'

Kingsley gave him a skeptical look. 'Do you really think so?', he asked.

'I know so. And as much as I hate to admit it, I owe Narcissa my life', said Harry. Kingsley's eyebrow's shot up in question. 'Narcissa lied to Voldemort and therefore saved my life and gave me the opportunity to finish him once and for all. And as for Draco, well, he may not have saved my life, but he doesn't deserve Azkaban.'

Kingsley leaned back in his chair and examined Harry for a moment. 'This is why we need you Harry', he said finally. 'You have information that the rest of us know nothing about.'

'Yea, I guess I do', said Harry. 'So, you'll speak with them about Snape?'

'If you believe he is innocent, then yes, I'll speak with them', said Kingsley.

'Thank you sir', said Harry. 'One other thing though. Once his name is cleared, I'd like for him to have a portrait hung at Hogwarts. He was Headmaster.'

Kingsley took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 'Yes, I suppose you're right', he said. 'If what you've told me today is true, he deserves it.'

'Thank you', said Harry. 'I really do appreciate it.'

'It's nothing Harry', said Kingsley, standing up from behind his desk. 'I'll let you know when I speak with them. I'll want you to accompany us to Hogwarts.'

'Yes, sir', said Harry, also standing and reaching across the desk to shake Kingsley's hand.

Kingsley walked across the office and held the door open for Harry. 'Thanks again', said Harry before walking out the door and striding back down the hall to the lifts deep in thought. When the lift doors opened he practically ran straight into Valentine.

'Potter', said Valentine. 'What are you doing here? You're supposed to be off for another week.'

'Oh . . . I . . . I had a meeting with Kingsley this morning', said Harry as he stepped into the lift.

'It's good to see out and about', said Valentine. 'What level you headed to?', he asked.

'Fourth, sir. I'm meeting a friend for lunch', said Harry. When the lifts arrived at level two, Valentine stepped off the lifts. Before the doors closed, he turned to Harry and said, 'Take it easy, Potter. You'll want to be refreshed when you return.'

Harry nodded. 'Good day, sir.'

Once he arrived at level four, he stepped off the lifts and slowly made his way around the department. He wasn't sure where Hermione's desk was located as he had never been on this floor. At long last, he found her sitting in her office, intently reading over a stack of parchment. He knocked on the door to get her attention.

'Oh, Harry', she said, looking up. 'I was just going to come down and find you. I didn't think you knew where my office was.'

'I didn't. Wasn't too hard to find though', said Harry. 'You ready?'

'Sure', she said, jumping up from her chair and grabbing her bag. 'Leaky Cauldron all right with you?'

'Yea', said Harry.

When they were in the lifts, Hermione turned to Harry and asked, 'How did your meeting with Kingsley go?'

'I think it went well', he said. 'I'll tell you more about it when we get to the pub. I actually need your help with something.'

Hermione raised an eyebrow. 'Oh, and what would that be?', she asked as they stepped into the Atrium.

'Ginny's going to stay over at my flat before she leaves for Holyhead next week. I want everything to be perfect and I need a woman's opinion.'

'Sure', said Hermione. 'Does her Mum know she's going to be spending the night with you?', she asked.

'Er, no', said Harry. 'And I don't know if Ginny plans on telling her to be honest.'

Hermione gave him a significant look. 'I don't know if that's such a good idea, Harry', she said as she walked toward the fireplaces.

'I'm going to leave that decision up to Ginny', he said. Stopping her before she reached the fireplace he added, 'And I can't use the floo yet.'

'How did you get here this morning if you didn't floo?', she asked, taking his arm.

'The underground', he replied simply before she turned on the spot. Harry got one last fleeting view of the Atrium and a reporter snapping a picture.

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A/N: Review please!!! :)