It was a somber group who finally made their way down the attic stairs. They made an odd procession, beginning with the body of Cornelius Fudge, which floated between Snape and Ermot Herm. Behind them came Albus Dumbledore cradling the still form of Minerva McGonagall in his arms, Madam Bones by his side. After them trailed the rest of the Wizengamot members who had come to the house. They were all silent now, with shocked, pale faces.

They had thought the war was over, Severus Snape reflected sourly. That because Voldemort was finally dead, the world would automatically become peaceful and good. They should have known better: and if nothing else, this night would teach them to be less smug in future.

A good lesson it in, then; one Alastor Moody, Merlin keep his suspicious soul, would have definitely approved of. 'Unceasing vigilance' indeed. But - what price did the lesson cost them?

He looked over at Dumbledore as they came down the main staircase. His face was as calm as it had been before they entered the Black house, and he carried Minerva with no apparent strain. But there was a look in his eyes that Severus had never seen before, and he had known him many years, and under the worst of circumstances.

He looked away. Too high a price, he decided.

His reverie was shattered when the group came within earshot of the portrait of Madam Black.

"Murderers! Revolting, scum-sucking Mudbloods! How dare you raise your filthy hands against one so high above you? She was of the highest blood, and you, you Muggle-loving - "

Amelia Bones grimaced and drew out her wand. "I'm too tired for this," she announced. "Lingua sed torpet!"

"Urggh - ugh." The portrait's invective ended abruptly. Madam Black glared at Amelia, but was robbed of any further speech.

"You numbed her tongue? I don't think I've ever seen that done before," Snape commented idly.

"Evidence of a misspent youth, I'm afraid - I have three sisters, and I always did like to win arguments. It was an effective way of ensuring I would always get the last word."

"I wonder if it would work on some of my students."

Madam Bones shook her head, but said nothing further, directing her gaze instead back to the still silent Dumbledore as they reached the great doors.

All of them felt some measure of relief as they entered the cold, predawn streets of London. Dumbledore finally spoke. "I know there is still much to be sorted out - but I feel that tonight we have all been through enough. Please, all of you, go home."

"What will you do with Cornelius, Dumbledore?" Madam Bones asked.

"I shall take him to his house here in London - then I shall go to his family home in the west, and tell his family what has occurred," he answered gravely. "It is best if they know before tomorrow."

"And Professor McGonagall? Would you like me to take her to St. Mungo's?"

His grip unconsciously tightened. "No. Severus will take her back to Hogwarts."

"She should be in the hospital, Dumbledore."

"She will have all the care she needs at Hogwarts, Amelia."

"Poppy Pomfrey is a good school nurse, Dumbledore - but Professor McGonagall needs professional care. You don't know what the rebound from that curse has done to her," she pointed out. "The staff at St. Mungo's are better prepared to deal with the unknown."

"She will be cared for at Hogwarts." His voice was very definite.

Amelia Bones sighed in exasperation. "Then I'll take Cornelius' body to his house."

"And I'll tell his family." Everyone looked at Ermot in surprise. "I know them quite well," he explained. "Annoura was very kind to me when - when I needed help, and I'd like to try to return that kindness."

Dumbledore looked from one to the other. "Thank you both," he said finally, "but this is my responsibility."

"No, it isn't." Madam Bones was just as firm. "Cornelius was one of us - and so all of us have the same responsibility. And right now, I think you've got a greater responsibility, if you continue to insist upon caring for Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts."

"If I had come to this house as soon as I heard what was happening, none of this would have occurred." His eyes were very sad. "Cornelius might still be alive, and Minerva would not have been injured."

Madam Bones looked at him coolly. "Albus Dumbledore," she said. "I love you like a brother, but sometimes you can be too saintly for words. Everything that happens in the world is not your fault. And if you had come here earlier, you could now be dead - or Professor McGonagall could have been killed following you, which I'm damned sure she would have done - and Cornelius might have gotten away with the whole plan."

Reaching up, the short rotund woman patted the tall wizard on the cheek. "We're doing this my way, Albus, whether you want to beat yourself up about it or not. I'd personally prefer you didn't, but feel free if you think you must."

Turning around she took hold of the corpse's hand and with a whispered word she - and it - were gone. The rest of the Wizengamot members followed suit; only Ermot Herm lingered for a moment. He gently placed a hand on Dumbledore's arm. "It was Cornelius' own choice, Dumbledore," he said softly. "It's hard to understand why, but - he chose what he did."

He let Dumbledore go - and turned to the silent Snape. "You justified Dumbledore's faith in you tonight, Professor." And he vanished.

Snape looked at the spot where Ermot had been with a wry twist upon his lips. "How remarkable," he commented. "While I was risking my life spying on Voldemort, I was continually under suspicion - but now I've turned on one of their own, I've 'justified' the faith you've had in me. Perhaps I should have attacked one of them sooner, do you think, Headmaster? It might have solved a lot of problems."

A small twinkle might have been seen in Dumbledore's eyes - if it were ever there it was gone in an instant as he looked down again at the woman he carried. Her face was white, her eyes closed, and he was - he was obviously desperately worried for her. "It would be best to go home, Severus," he said. "Get what sleep you can before tomorrow."

"Aren't you coming?"

"In a moment. I will see you in the morning." It was a gentle but definite dismissal. "And, Severus?"

Snape turned back.

"You do not need to justify my faith in you. I would trust you with my life." Dumbledore smiled softly. "Tonight I was willing to trust you with someone whose life I hold much more important than my own. You proved yourself a true and good man many years ago."

What can you say when you have been given absolution? When you have despaired of earning trust, and found you have gained more than you hoped? Snape choked back a surprisingly large lump in his throat. "Thank you," he said simply. And apparated back to the main gate of Hogwarts.

As he walked up the drive, he thought about the events of this night, and discovered he gained a certain amount of vindictive pleasure at the fate of Wormtail. A permanent state of scurrying rat-hood seemed peculiarly appropriate to that creature. Doubtless Minerva McGonagall had felt the same way.

But what had casting the spell done to her?