Severus was almost surprised when Lady Justice asked him to speak up his mind. It was his chance to speak in court! He cast a look at Satan. The Lord of All Evil emitted a sound of boredom, but the judge ignored it. 'You may proceed,' she told Severus.
The Incarnation of Death drew a deep breath. He had thought about this so many times. Then he started, 'At first, Your Honor, I must confess I was confused. And I still ask myself if a sin was really committed here. You see, the author was deceived and had no inkling she was incurring in a mortal sin. Satan admitted it was a deception. Where is the free will when she didn't know it was a sin?'
'But she knew something might be wrong,' recalled the judge. 'She admitted asking him if it was wrong.'
'And the answer she received was a lie. How could she make an informed decision? How does that count for actual free will?'
The judge answered, 'It is the opinion of this court that the plaintiff knew enough. Do you have any other question?'
Severus realized that Lady Justice had probably made her decision already, and it was not favorable to Hermione's cause. So he quickly said, 'Bear with me for a moment, please, Your Honor, as I plead the alleged sin as completely immaterial.'
Mute shock spread amongst the high table, although no one said a word. Justitia just said, 'Explain.'
Severus tried to keep up his motivation as he explained, 'I called this sin immaterial because it would never have happened outside that exact set of circumstances. And those circumstances were absolutely fake.'
'Go on,' asked the judge.
'For instance, I believe we all agree that Satan here would never, of his own mind, commit an act of altruistic nature. It is not in his nature. He has not a cell of good in his body!' Severus turned to him and added, unrepentantly, 'No offense.'
The entity of evil shrugged, equally unrepentantly, 'None taken.'
'And,' Severus proceeded, 'we must also consider Clotho would have equally never committed such sin outside those precise circumstances created by the accused.'
The Lady Justice frowned, 'How can you proclaim that? The plaintiff herself admitted she would break rules if asked by her boyfriend, and that is you.'
Severus nodded and reminded, 'But she also said she would not do it for anyone else. Isn't that so?'
The judged shrugged, saying, 'Yes, that is correct, but I must say I don't see your point.'
Severus said, 'Don't forget, Your Honor, that I could never be able to ask her to break the sacred rule of life or to conspurcate the sacred Source of Life.'
'Why do you insist on saying you could never do that?' said Justitia. 'I begin to wonder if you feel yourself to be so pure and holy as to not ever being able to commit that sin!'
Humbly, Severus confessed, 'Not in the least, Your Honor. As a matter of fact, I suspect it is precisely because I am neither that I am not allowed in the Void.'
The judge was getting impatient. 'Yes, I can see you are not pure and holy, but what is your point, Thanatos? You are not making a whole lot of sense here.'
Satan had turned a shade paler, realizing what Severus said. His lips were tightly shut.
Severus saw Metatron, the representative of Heaven, gently lean towards the judge and whisper a brief word. Lady Justice rose an eyebrow and said, as she realized, 'Oh. OH. I see now. Thank you, Your Highness.'
Severus asked, 'Do you realize, Your Honor, that if she would only commit this sin over my insistence, and since I cannot go into the Void because it is impossible for me to do so, how could this sin ever be committed? It would be impossible – unless, those artificial circumstances were created. But since those circumstances are not either natural or spontaneous, this sin would have never occurred in a natural environment.'
She nodded slowly, in silence, thinking deeply. There was a bit of expectation in the room. The demons accompanying Satan were breathless. Satan was still a paler shade of red, getting pinkish by the second.
'That was a brilliant point, Thanatos,' conceded Lady Justice. 'Very well phrased, and flawlessly logical. I commend you.'
Severus nodded with a small smile, his heart bearing some hope. Could he have changed the judge's mind?
The Lady Justice was smiling as she said, 'It made me miss my days in the bench. And it was a good feeling. But even that brilliant argument cannot erase the fact that a sin was committed, a real sin, and a material sin, if you wish. Also, a real soul was tainted. So I already have my ruling. The plaintiff's petition is denied and her soul damned to hell.'
If there ever was a cold shower in his soul, Severus felt that one like the most chilling in both his lives. Hermione let out a faint sound of despair, and he held her. At the opposite side of the table, Satan received loud congratulations from his demonic friends, complete with sexual slurs.
Severus felt his skin crawl. He could feel Hermione trembling in his arms. He could see, in his mind's eye, the misery and suffering Satan would create upon her. Eternally.
That was something he could not stand.
Before the judge could bang her gavel and pass the sentence, Severus stood up and pleaded, 'Your Honor. Please, may I make a request?'
She frowned, 'Thanatos, before this hearing began, all parties agreed not to appeal against my sentencing. If you are about to ask that…'
Severus guaranteed,'This is not an appeal, milady. Your sentence is set and I do not wish to question it. But I respectfully request a transfer of your sentence, if possible.'
'A transfer?'
'I would like to serve Clotho's sentence in her place.'
Severus could tell this move was unexpected. Lady Justice raised an eyebrow, admired. The envoys from Heaven and Hell, who had been practically motionless during the entire hearing, stirred in their seats. Hermione shouted, 'No!'
'Is that correct?' the judge asked Severus. 'You want to serve her sentence?'
He nodded, 'That is correct, milady.'
Severely, she reminded him, 'You would damn your soul irrevocably. Right now you still have a chance of redemption for eternity. If you do this, you won't have that anymore. And let me remind you there can be no appeal upon this sentence.'
'I am quite aware of that, milady,' he calmly said.
'Severus, please!' Hermione was exasperated.
Severus noticed that Satan was strangely quiet, this time. Last time Severus suggested a similar arrangement, the Master of All Evil refused his plea. Hermione called his attention again.
'Please, Severus,' she said, tears in her eyes. 'Don't do this. You would be lost forever! I can't let you do this!'
He took her hands in his and said, 'And I can't let you be damned for eternity. Please, this is not the time to be noble.'
The tears fell down her cheeks as she said, in a whimper, 'How am I supposed to let you do this?'
Severus turned to the judge, instead. 'Is this possible, Your Honor? Does she have to agree?'
'Actually,' said the Incarnation of Justice, 'the one who has to agree over this new arrangement is Satan.' She directed the question to the Incarnation of Evil. 'Do you agree, Sir?'
Severus felt a ton of bricks falling on him. Satan had already rejected the offer once; surely he would do that again. Hermione was doomed!
The sly creature answered with another question, directly at Severus, 'If I agree, will you take the matter to court again? Will you try to win back your soul from me?'
'No,' reassured Severus. 'I will not appeal this decision. All I ask from you, Satan, is that you cease all harassment towards Clotho. Leave her alone from now on.'
'What?!' Satan was not satisfied. 'I will not give a get-outta-hell free card for anyone! If she sins, she is mine!'
Severus said, 'You misunderstood me. I did not ask for immunity. Just for you to stop actively corrupting her soul. If she commits a crime or mortal sin, then she will be damned, like anyone else.'
Satan nodded, and Severus was still amazed that he looked so cool about it. Had he something up his sly sleeve? He could not be trusted!
Lady Justice asked the devil, 'I am still waiting for your answer. Do you accept the proposed exchange?'
The Prince of Darkness sighed, as if bored, before answering, 'Yes, yes, all right: I do accept it. But on one condition.'
'Which is?'
'I get to take him to hell now. This one is a sly creature, and I am afraid he might try to slither himself out of his promise, despite all his reassurances. Either I take him now or the deal is off.'
Hermione stood up, tears streaking down her face. 'Please, give us some time! Let us at least say goodbye!'
Satan turned to her and smugly shrugged, 'What is stopping you right now, scrumptious? Go ahead, say your farewells.'
Severus held her in his arms and said, 'Shh, it is all right. Everything will be fine.'
She sobbed, 'Oh, Severus!... I love you so much!'
'And I love you as well,' he said calmly. 'Maybe going now is for the best. Imagine how we would feel if we had a sort of deadline. We would spend all days counting the time together, getting anxious as the date grew nearer and nearer. Now you can rebuild your life and find yourself someone less damaged to share your days.'
'Don't say those things about yourself,' she chided. 'You are such a noble man. It's not fair! I feel so guilty for letting you do this.'
He kissed her hands, savoring their last moments together. 'Don't be. I am so grateful I can do this for you. The thought that you will be safe and away from that creature will comfort me for all eternity, my love.'
'I will treasure your memory throughout all times,' promised Hermione, still in tears. 'Believe me.'
Satan became unpleasant as he asked, impatiently, 'Hey, you little lovebirds! Is this going to take long? Some of us have realms to rule, minions to command, and such.'
Gaia, her eyes suspiciously red, chastised, 'Have a heart, Satan! They will never see each other again. For all eternity!'
'It was their choice, love,' Satan shrugged. 'I have an office to hold and I am just trying to keep up with my busy schedule.'
Hermione turned to the judge, 'If it is agreeable, Your Honor, my sister aspect Lachesis volunteers to retrieve the accoutrements and assist the next Incarnation of Death.'
Justitia turned to Severus, 'You are still in office, Thanatos. Do you agree?'
He nodded. 'It could not be in better hands.'
'In that case,' said the judge, 'I am sorry to say, but your time is up. So, now, in compliance of the official agreement just reached between the parties, the Incarnation of Evil can now reap the promised soul, as formerly stipulated in my sentencing. If you please, Thanatos, now you may proceed.'
Severus tried to step away from Hermione, but she resisted in letting her go. So Chronos gently held her back and she feebly called, 'Severus...! Please… No!...'
Severus saw Gaia stepping up to hold her. Then the Incarnation of Nature nodded, reassuring him that her beloved was assisted. Then Severus took off the cloak and the accoutrements. There was almost physical pain when he parted with the long scythe, his favorite. He solemnly told the judge, 'I will need only Death's personal scythe, Your Honor.'
Lady Justice nodded, and Severus noticed she had difficulty to say anything at that moment. He held the small, delicate scythe and elegantly made two neat and precise cuts on each wrist. Blood poured out in an unnatural gurgling fashion. Hermione let out a faint wail as he fell to the chair, sobbing quietly.
In taking his own life, Severus committed one of the most damnable of all sins: suicide. He had done it before, when he took the office of Death. If he had hoped for redemption before, the second suicide would irrevocably seal his fate.
Satan didn't hide his satisfaction as he asked the companions at his side, 'Beelzebub, Asmodeus, get off your butts and help me drag this poor sod to hell.'
Severus was still conscious enough to protest, 'I can walk!'
'I know,' said Satan ironically. 'But what is the fun in that? Come on, boys! His soul has a very special taste to me. Ah, Severus, I told you time and again that you were mine, didn't it? You didn't believe me, and now here we are! And they say I was the one who fell to Hell by the sin of arrogance, vanity and pride! Who is your daddy now, my boy? Ah, ah ah! Oh, we are going to have so much fun! Come on, guys, let's get this show on the road!'
Satan's excellent mood was a stark contrast to the general sadness around. Hermione was devastated, as well as Gaia and Justitia. Mars looked concerned and Chronos was upset. The only creatures who seemed unperturbed were the princes of Heaven Metatron and of Hell, Belial, although the last one couldn't hide a glint of satisfaction in his malevolent eyes.
The two demons held Severus by each arm and hoisted him up, ignoring the pool of blood he was creating. Hermione was trying her hardest not to whimper, but it was clear that she was failing miserably.
The thing was that she was not the only one failing there. The two lower demons, Beelzebub and Asmodeus, tried their best, but that was clearly not enough. They were making a huge effort, but they simply couldn't move Severus.
Satan became angry and impatient. 'Will you just get on with it? What the hell is wrong with you two?'
The tallest one was clearly embarrassed. 'I am trying, boss. This sucker is heavier than he looks.'
But it seemed all their efforts were useless in trying to drag Severus away. The Incarnation of Death had already lost consciousness from the loss of blood. Irritated, Satan shoved Beelzebub aside and seethed, 'You guys are useless! I have to do everything myself around here! Get away!'
Satan tried to drag Severus's unconscious body away, but, much to his surprise, he also couldn't move an inch. Frustrated, the Incarnation of Evil shouted, 'What in the name of the devil is this about? What kind of shenanigans are you pulling up now, Justice?'
Before Justitia could answer to his accusations, the envoy from Heaven gently offered, 'Perhaps this soul is no longer fit for your realm, O Most Foul One.'
Satan went ballistic. 'What?! No, no, no! You can't do that. We have just struck a deal! That is cheating! Besides, he committed suicide! There is no greater mortal sin!'
Unaffected by the antics, Metatron recalled, 'There is no greater proof of love than laying down your own life for a loved one.'
Hermione frowned, unable to understand what was happening. Gaia was cautious to react, but Chronos's face all but lit up in a smile.
On the other hand, Satan was beyond pissed. He was possessed, actually. And he said jokingly, 'Oh, sure! The sacrificial lover, the martyr. Is that what you guys are playing at? I thought the Almighty played clean! What a dirty trick!'
Metatron gently reminded, 'There is no cheating here. The tally of souls is not one of the Holy Father's attributions. It is done in Purgatory, as you very well know. Due to giving his own soul in sacrifice to save the woman he loved, Thanatos's soul is totally redeemed and fit for Heaven. So now you must give up your claim on it. His soul now belongs to the Almighty.'
In a discreet flick of the hand, the powerful Archangel fixed the cuts on Severus's wrists and cleaned the blood. Satan was not done yelling at everybody, 'This is a ruse! I was clearly cheated! Your Honor, please! This is not fair!'
Lady Justice raised an eyebrow and decreed, 'Actually, it is quite fair. I can't see a single shred of deception in anything that transpired here now.'
'It was a trick!' said Satan, in a shrill voice, redder than ever and angry as a five-year-old without his lollypop. 'He killed himself! Suicide is a mortal sin! It is the top of major sin and one of my best achievements! Nothing can beat that!'
Metatron explained, 'But contrary to selfish souls, Thanatos did not commit suicide to escape his suffering and wrongs deeds or in a selfish fit of anger towards God. That's the reason souls get damned for suicide. Thanatos, however, sacrificed his life for the sake of another person. In agreeing to sacrifice himself, Thanatos purified his soul shinier than he could have imagined.'
Satan huffed, beyond himself. Before he could prolong the discussion, Lady Justice banged her gavel and said, 'So this is settled. I therefore declare this claim solved and this session adjourned. Court dismissed!'