The Lily That Poisons The Snake

Chapter 16: The Trial

Disclaimer: You should know by now that I don't own this. I didn't magically turn into JK Rowling.

Severus stood in front of the mirror trying to tie his tie with trembling hands. It was the day of his trial, and he was so unbelievably nervous.

"Here, let me do it," Lucius said, stepping into the room and walking over to the dark-haired man.

"Thanks," he said softly as he blond put the tie around his own neck to tie it before handing it back, "Luc…what if today goes horribly? W-what if the judge doesn't believe me?"

"Sev, don't worry. We have solid evidence. My lawyer said we have nothing to worry about."

"But we don't know what Lily and Potter might try to pull."

"True, but my lawyer said he's prepared for anything they might do. Everything's going to be okay," Lucius said, putting a hand on his shoulder and leading him out of the room, "Now let's go. We do not want to be late."

When they arrived at the courthouse, Remus, Sirius and Severus's parents were already there. They did their best to reassure him, but it didn't help much. Severus was nearly shaking with nerves as he made his way into the courtroom and sat down. Lily and James Potter were already there talking quietly with their lawyer. The judge walked in, and he seemed to glare slightly as his eyes swept over Severus. He already thinks I'm guilty, Severus thought dejectedly. He didn't have much time to worry about that as the judge called the court to order.

"This is case number UKHL 0708-394, in the matter of Lily Snape nee Evans and Severus Tobias Snape-Dumbledore. Mr. Goyle, you may proceed," he said, gesturing to Lily and James's lawyer.

"Thank you, your honour. I'd like to call Severus Snape to the stand," Mr. Goyle said, standing. Severus tried his best not to look as terrified as he felt as he took the stand. "Mr. Snape, you and James Potter went to school together, did you not?"

"Yes."

"And you two never got along, correct?"

"Yes, but…"

"So it's safe to say that you were displeased when you found out that your wife had cheated on you with him, yes?"

"Yes, but…"

"Displeased enough to want to hurt her the way she hurt you?"

"No, I never wanted to hurt Lily."

"So you were perfectly okay with the fact that she not only cheated on you with a man you hate, but became pregnant with is child as well?"

"No, of course not."

"So you were upset, at least?"

"Yes."

"And betrayed?"

"Yes."

"Ladies and gentlemen, a man betrayed by his wife, cheated on with a man he hates and said wife gets pregnant by that man, and the baby becomes abused. Only one obvious conclusion can be drawn here."

"Objection, your honour," Mr. Weasley, Lucius's lawyer said, standing, "He has no proof or evidence. He just made an assumption based on a few facts."

"Mr. Goyle, do you have any proof of Mr. Snape's abuse?" the judge questioned though he didn't look as though he cared whether there was evidence or not.

"Just look at the poor woman," he said, gesturing to Lily Snape, sitting hunched over in her seat next to James Potter. Her fiery red hair hid most of her face from view, but when she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, a painful-looking bruise around her right eye was revealed, causing several people to gasp. Lily played her part perfectly, doing her best to look hurt and vulnerable.

Severus was sent back to his seat and Mr. Weasley stood. I really hope he knows what he's doing, Severus thought desperately.

"Your honour, I'd like to call Mrs. Lily Snape to the stand," he said. Lily move to take the stand, still playing the hurt victim. "Mrs. Snape, you went to school with both Mr. Snape and Mr. Potter, correct?"

"Yes."

"So you were aware that they had a very strong dislike of each other?"

"Yes."

"And despite this knowledge, you cheated on Mr. Snape with Mr. Potter?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It was a mistake," she said softly.

"And when you became pregnant with his child?"

"I don't believe in abortion," Lily said, "Also…I foolishly thought that raising the baby together would fix things between us. Things haven't been the same since we lost our first child. I know it was stupid of me, but I just wanted my husband back." Severus stared at Lily in utter shock. How can she just lie like that? he thought, And with my own words…

"Mrs. Snape, you and your husband have been separated ever since your son was taken to the hospital, correct?"

"…Yes."

"So, how is it that you have a very fresh-looking bruise?"

"It's not fresh. I've had it since that day, but I've kept it covered with make-up."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't want to walk around with a big bloody bruise on my face," Lily snapped, and Severus could see a bit of the angry red-head he knew shining through.

"Well, we have photographic evidence of bruises and injuries believed to be sustained by Severus Snape from you."

"What kind of real damage could I do to him?" she asked.

"This kind of damage," he said, holding up the photos taken by Sirius before handing them to the judge.

"How do we know that these injuries are real?" the judge asked as he went through the photos.

"How do we know Mrs. Snape's injury is real?" A damp cloth was brought out to wipe away her "bruise," but it wouldn't come off, proving that it was real. I wonder where she got that bruise. thought Severus.

Sirius and Remus were called to the stand by both lawyers and testified against Lily and told that Severus's bruises and injuries were very much real. Severus's lawyer did his best, but it was obvious that neither Lily's lawyer nor the judge believed a word. When the jury started to deliberate, Severus had to step out to calm himself down as he was very close to breaking down. He didn't feel any better when he returned, but he didn't have much time to dwell on hat as the jury had made their decision.
"We, the jury, find the defendant, Severus Snape-Dumbledore…guilty."

"Severus Snape you are sentenced to five years in prison and custody of one Harry Severus Snape is given to Lily Snape." Lily watched as Severus's obsidian eyes widened in terrified horror. She could see tears of anguish filling his eyes as two officers entered he courtroom. She looked around at his parents, his friends, and that mysterious blond man. They all looked devastated. And Severus…he looked defeated, terrified and absolutely destroyed. This all gave her a very strange feeling. A strange feeling that she hadn't felt in very long time. She suddenly became aware of all of the terrible things she had done to him as well as her son…no, his son…

"No!" she shouted, jumping up from her seat as Severus was being placed in handcuffs, "no, Severus is innocent! He's innocent!"

"Innocent?" the judge said incredulously, "This man beat you and your son."

"No, he didn't. I'm the one…I…Everything he said is true. I'm the guilty one. I've done nothing but hurt him physically and emotionally for years."

"You…"

"Yes."

"Mrs. Snape, you understand that if you drop the charges against Mr. Snape, then you will be arrested for your confession and your son will be handed over to him."

"I know, and that's what I deserve," Lily said.

"Your honour, Mrs. Snape doesn't mean that," Mr. Goyle said, "She obviously feels guilty about taking action against her abusive husband."

"I am not, and Severus is not abusive." Lily said. Severus, along with his parents, Lucius, Remus and Sirius all stared at her in shock. James Potter stared at her in anger.

"If Mr. Snape is not abusive, then how did you obtain that bruise on your face?" he judge demanded.

"James Potter," she said quietly.

"You stupid bitch! What the hell are you doing?!" James exclaimed angrily, "We had this thing won."

With Lily's confession and James's outburst, the officers un-cuffed Severus and moved towards the other two. Lily gave no resistance to being cuffed, but James ducked around the officer and lunched at Severus, his face contorted in hatred.

"This is all your fault, Snivellus!" he raged, his hands going around Severus's neck. Before the one of the officers could move to restrain the enraged man, Lucius shoved him away and scooped Severus, who was rubbing his bruised throat and gasping for breath, into his arms. James's shouts could be heard as he was dragged from the courtroom, but Lucius was focused on the dark-haired man in his arms.

"Are you alright, Sev?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine. Just a little bruised. That's nothing new," the dark-eyed man said softly. As he stood and was hugged by his parents and Sirius and Remus, he didn't notice the unhappy look that passed over the blond's face. He shouldn't' be used to being bruised and treated that way. He deserves so much better, the grey-eyed man thought fiercely.

AN: Hiiii! I know it's be a while since I've updated this story, but it was only because this chapter was so unbelievably difficult for me to right. Hopefully, I won't take as long to update next time. I've already started the next chapter. Prepare for some cuteness ^_^ And I hope you guys enjoyed Lily finally getting what she deserved. I know it wasn't a big thing, but she can't hurt Sev anymore. That's what matters, right? Also thanks to Kurama159 for an idea for this chapter. I needed all the help I could get on this one. TTFN!