Another Beginning

Chapter 17

No Closer To Finding Out Why

The people gathered were waiting rather impatiently for the ten minutes to finally come to an end. Hermione had murmured that it remembered her of the times her parents had sent her to the corner of the room for being naughty. Everyone had laughed at that - the thought of Hermione ever being naughty. She was or had been a girl who always followed the rules and treated everyone with respect even if they didn't deserve it. The name Severus Snape rang a few bells but no one would say anything - not now. Professor Snape was different from the Severus Snape they had gotten to know over the past god knows how many days. It seemed as if the death of Lord Voldemort had finally lifted a weight of him, and of course speaking to Lily had taken a lot more than just weights from him.

"Dumbledore is here" said Edward "He's curious, cautious wondering what's going on…but he doesn't suspect anything amiss. Madam Bones is actually really good…I wouldn't have thought she had been furious ten minutes ago" he finished his head cocked to the side as he listened some more.

"It doesn't matter if he's cautious he's going down" snarled Harry angrily.

"What I do not understand…is why he doesn't know we got out, I mean surely it's been in the papers?" sighed Severus agitated, he feared quite rightfully so that Dumbledore would make sure they were killed if he knew. He must have something up his sleeve, he was sure of it. Severus knew Dumbledore wasn't stupid, and was a Slytherin to the core. He had seen a side of Dumbledore that would shock most people, he wasn't all good and light as he pretended he was.

"That is bothering me too" sighed Harry sitting down looking quite sick if it was possible for a vampire to even get ill.

"You could have asked me, Dumbledore doesn't know about the break in…only a few people do. They are stopping it being released because they fear everyone panicking…especially Fudge he thinks he's got a chance to be Minister longer. He doesn't have any idea just how badly hated he is" Edward explained.

"Just like the last time" sneered Severus in disgust, he was truly surprised that Dumbledore didn't know. He knew about the last time, none of the Order member Auror's had been called when Azkaban wards had been breeched then. The repairs that probably needed done in Azkaban were extensive, needless to say the old fool was loosing his touch. He wondered silently if the Auror's investigating the break in realized who had lived in those cells all those years. No doubt their absence has been noted, he wondered if he would die before seeing himself freed. Part of Severus expected the Ministry to flood with Dementors before he could tell them what happened. He had never truly believed he would be able to leave a free man, and knew he would have to pay for the sins of the past.

With a mournful sigh Severus couldn't help but hope that Draco got a fair trial at least. He was young they would surely forgive him, he however, had taught their children and grandchildren they will have heard just how evil and demanding he was. It was seal his guilt in their books when it came to their precious offspring.

"Do not worry so much Severus" murmured a voice, Severus turned around to see who was talking to him, expecting it to be Edward but it was Harry. He knew the teen couldn't read thoughts so where was he getting the impression he was worried? Did the young man already know him well enough to read him? He hoped not. Not that he meant it in a bad way, he had been a spy for the majority of his life and to him people reading him was a very bad thing indeed.

"What makes you think I'm worried?" asked Severus, his voice wasn't as harsh and demanding as it had been through the years. However, his voice held a tone of disbelief and defiance.

"Severus don't be like that" sighed Harry sadly his green eyes dimming slightly. He had thought that they could get on now, however it seemed maybe they were always destined to snipe and snarl at one another. He was obviously nothing like his mother if Severus was aversed to him like that.

"I'm sorry Harry it will take some getting used to…how can you tell?" asked Severus, he had to swallow all sarcastic remarks that were on the tip of his tongue. He was a sarcastic man and by Merlin its how he was, the only one that actually didn't have to put up with his cutting remarks were his mother and Lily both who were dead. So he had no one to curb his sarcastic tendencies. For Lily's son however, long he had left in this world he would try.

"It's not your sarcasm that bothers me Severus, its how defensive you are all the time. I know its hard getting back to normal after looking out for number one all the time" said Harry honestly.

Severus snorted this time a genuine laugh just wavering under his thin pressed lips. "You look after number one? Harry you would have sacrificed yourself if you thought it would save anyone!"

"True, but you better thank Merlin I was like that, otherwise I could have ended up another Voldemort. We had similar childhoods, similar looks, same talents, same want to be something or someone else. Both love Hogwarts to the extreme and we were both fond of Dumbledore. I mean the Dursley's were terrible its not something I rejoice in. I can see why Voldemort wanted revenge…luckily for everyone else I seem to have a thing for saving people instead of killing people" said Harry pointing out the truth to Severus.

Draco's eyes had widened, as friendly as he and Harry had become they hadn't become THAT close. Of course it was no surprise to anyone else there, the Cullen's were a little shocked but were very good at hiding their true emotions like any vampire.

Severus shuddered at the very thought, and he knew Harry was telling the truth he could have very well ended up like Voldemort.

"We need to leave" said Edward standing up.

"What's happening?" asked Harry immediately.

"He's coming!" said Edward, his back stiffening and a growl slipped passed his throat. Obviously whatever Dumbledore was thinking wasn't good, sometimes Harry hated playing catch up with Edward Cullen and he had only known him a while.

"Madam Bones has stopped him, Fudge is going down the hall, they are all going towards Court room ten" said Edward.

"What was he thinking?" asked Severus his eyes meeting Edward's and it looked like an invisible conversation was going on. No doubt there was, both good at listening to people, and hearing them. He remembered thinking to Ron when they had been in first year that Snape could read their minds. It was odd that he had such keen senses even back then whether he knew it or not.

"He's suspecting something about Azkaban" thought Edward

"Not surprised" murmured Severus his black eyes flashing furiously, Harry was like a son to him even if he didn't like admitting it to even himself. He hadn't kept the boy alive all those years to let Dumbledore kill him.

"He's determined to find Harry prove he's dead or find him and kill him" said Edward, his back stiffening again an very unfamiliar feeling invading him. It was similar to the feelings he had when James had hurt Bella. Only so much deeper and hurtful, he had to talk to someone soon.

"Well Harry is the only threat to his power" said Severus dryly, it didn't surprise Severus not much did anymore. Although finding Lily had a portrait had been a shock to his system, Harry Potter it seemed loved pulling the rug from under his feet. Over the years he had been awed and furious with the escapade's he had so foolishly run off on.

"He can never catch a fucking break!" protested Edward Cullen compared to Harry's life Edward knew he had been very lucky indeed.

"You don't know the half of it" said Severus honestly. He doubted he knew it all either come to that, but he knew more than the Cullen's though. Probably not for long, he knew Harry loved irrevocably and unconditionally. The Cullen's would know everything as the years go by.

"What does the Potter money and vaults have to do with it?" frowned Edward obviously confused by something Dumbledore thought.

"Is that what he's after?" asked Severus intently.

"I think so…" Edward trailed off obviously unsure.

"Then we best be careful the Potter's are one of the oldest Pureblood families the money has been accumulating over thousands of years. Potter's have always been Auror's for as long as we know. The equivalent to your police officers, most have died rather young apart from Harry's grandparents they had James late in life, and died just after Harry was born. The money from that alone, he's probably the wealthiest Wizard there ever was. Added with the Black money it's no surprise Dumbledore wants it. It's not just money, there will be books, heirlooms and things beyond your wildest imagination" replied Severus sounding stressed.

"I see" said Edward utterly gobsmacked. He was rich himself but apparently no where near as rich as Harry.

Severus quickly but safely pulled himself from Edward Cullen's mind. He found himself standing right back where he started, breaking eye contact he started for the door. He smirked when he heard Harry grumbling about hating when they did that. He obviously knew something had happened, and was quite happy to remain ignorant about it.

Sorry I Had Planned On Making It Longer But Its 2 AM and I Am Tired! Also I Had Wanted To Get On With The Trial I Guess I'll Just Have To Wait Another Day To Update The Trial What Will Happen To Dumbledore? Will the Wizengamont Be Utterly In Dumbledores pocket? everyone kissed there and then? will harry and the others have to kill to get out of the room alive? will dumbledore have them all under his control? or will money be enough for the once proudly run ministery of magic? R&R plz