A soft bubbling murmur escaped the courthouse. Inside, the people often looked to for strength huddled in apprehension. Though hushed, one could tell their voices were hurried and overlapped one was the first hearing of the day, and while it had long been anticipated, it was only yesterday afternoon that it was added to the docket. And, by consequence, many were only just learning of today's proceedings.

Outside the courthouse, torches dotted the stone walls every ten feet, giving just enough light for the occupants to see clearly. The light cast long shadows across the purple carpet which stretched the length of the hallway, always stopping before the doorway to each chamber. The shadows danced in unison with the darkness and flames, rising up, and flowing to and fro, before vanishing into their only comfort. The gold lace, which had once adorned the velvet walkway, had decayed, and beneath the torches the carpet was beaten to white. No doubt from the poor souls who were tasked with the upkeep of the bowels of the Ministry. Although they had not been used in several decades, the Ministry cared enough for the historical significance of these parts to keep them around. Long before any witch or wizard who is alive today, these now decrepit halls once stood for something greater than even the Ministry itself. Of course, that's not the case anymore, but the more tenured kind still like to lie to themselves that these halls mean something still.

As the murmur began to die down, the owner of the longest shadow raised his head in anticipation. Having been sitting for quite some time, the man, if one could still call him that, was anxious to get the proceedings over with. He had been assured this would be a matter of little consequence. However, even with the Dark Lord now gone, people still fear those who have lost their way.

With the sound of footsteps, the man took in a deep breath and rose to his feet as a short, balding man with square glasses approached him. Though they were only ten years different in age, the bald man looked ancient in comparison, fear will do that to you, and while there was little fear in these moments, there had been precious few moments to celebrate in the still recent past.

"Severus Snape?" The Balding Man said, clearing his throat and making sure to stand taller than he normally would

"Yes," Severus replied, "Mr. Edgecombe, I presume?"

"The same," Edgecombe replied, extending his hand, Severus welcomed the gesture, "I'll be representing you in the absence of Albus Dumbledore."

Severus lowered his brow, but was quickly reminded any intimidating appearances will only complicate the hearing, "everyone in there still thinks you are a Death Eater, Mr. Snape. And, maybe you are, frankly, I don't know myself. But, it is my job to defend you, so I suggest you remain quiet and as plain face as possible. Don't give them a reason to send you to Azkaban."

Severus became tense at the thought. Although the guards were natural allies of his former Master, even the most loyal of servants were afraid of them. Still, Severus attempted to show a placid mask and followed his companion into the courthouse.

Upon entering, Severus was greeted with a rush of warm air that nearly overtook him. The Wizengamot sat in a three tiered, stone semicircle. Before each of the members, all fifty-one of them, were candles which hovered at varying distances above them. Some, Severus noted, needed as many as three to see clearly. This created a wall of flames which Severus stared directly into, looking up at his Judgment. He managed to suppress a laugh at what their view must be like.

"Am I already burning?" Snape thought as maroon banners which hung on opposite sides of the room, and directly behind the members of the court, suddenly began to change to a bright blue

Sitting in the middle of the semicircle, in the second tier, was the Chief Warlock, Gregory Hawkworth. He was busying himself by shifting through several stacks of papers, occasionally pulling one or two out that seemed relevant to the case. With the soon to be deposed standing silently before the court, Hawkworth called everyone to attention.

"Mr. Severus Snape, you are here today based on an appeal filed on your behalf by Albus Dumbledore, a wizard in good standing. Have you read the filing?"

Severus glanced over to Edgecombe who nodded his head in approval.

"Yes, I have."

"And do you submit that everything in it is true?"

"I do." Severus replied, his lips barely opening

"Then you do not deny being a Death Eater? And if that is the case, all precedent states—-"

"Mr. Hawkworth, please," Edgecombe began, adjusting his glasses before retrieving a packet of papers as well, these with several of the defenses that had been prepared, "no one in this hallowed hall disputes my client's past actions and affiliations. However, it must be noted that he worked for the better part of one year undercover for the Order of the Phoenix, and was instrumental in the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Not only that, but my client also helped in foiling the attacks on St. Mungo's and multiple Muggle landmarks. If there were any doubt he was still loyal to You-Know-Who, I feel it has been squashed by these actions."

Severus gave the slightest nod to these remarks, and curled his lip in satisfaction. Risking his life for the past year was not a task he had become fond of, in his most vulnerable moments he regretted it, realizing that if he had stayed the course he was skilled enough to outwit any Auror that had not been killed. In his mind, there were only three people alive who could give him a worthy challenge. One was insane, and not much to worry about, another too occupied with his own self-loathing and the last not too far from home. It was the last he had to worry about the most, but he hadn't seen the threat in many years.

Severus and Hawkworth kept their gaze, even while one of the ranking witches spoke. She was a tall, slender woman who wore a purple cloak and had her hands folded on the table before her. Beneath her eyes were the signs of war, Severus wondered if he was responsible for any of it, directly that is. Of course he was to blame on some level, all of his lot was. There was no malice in her eyes though, just a blank, cataract-like stare. When she spoke, it was with a rasp, as if her vocal chords were scraping endlessly against sandpaper.

"What I feel we are most concerned with, is your client's current ambition. Teaching is not something that should be taken lightly, how can we trust he won't expose our children to the beliefs his kind hold dear?"

"Mam, I assure you. Every precaution is being taken with that. After speaking with the current Headmaster, it has been decided that my client will not be hired as the Defense Against the Darks Arts professor. If there was any chance of him passing along knowledge of the Dark Arts, it would most certainly be in this class, which he will not be allowed to teach. Moreover, his hiring must still go through a review with the Board of Governors. Perhaps more than anything, Albus Dumbledore is the Headmaster at Hogwarts, if there is anyone to keep an eye on a former, and I stress former Death Eater, it would be someone who was once Chief Warlock of this very council."

"If I may," a voice began from the back of the room, it belonged to a younger wizard, one who likely had been brought up in the horrors that had just taken place, as Severus turned his gaze to meet this new speaker, their eyes met and offered no favors to each other, "if I may, I believe the problem that this court faces is the slippery slope we're faced with. Mr. Edgecombe, I will grant that your client no longer serves He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but Mr. Snape was not just any ordinary Death Eater, was he?"

"I'm not sure what you mean by that." Mr. Edgecombe replied, choosing each syllable carefully as he now eyed the ranking member

There was a round of smiles with those who found Snape to be guilty, "what I mean is, your client was closer to You-Know-Who than others we have tried and convicted. Your client has carried out far more missions that the usual Death Eater would. Is that not true?"

To this Snape interjected, reaching his hand out to stop Edgecombe in his tracks. Council recoiled as Snape took a moment to gather his thoughts and proceeded with an honest description of his role alongside the Dark Lord.

"You will hear from most that they were the most faithful of his servants. I'm sure you are very familiar with Bellatrix Lestrange, she would set herself on fire for him. Though I don't believe I feel the same way anymore, I must confess that yes, I have carried out countless acts assigned to me. However, it was this insider knowledge that helped turn the tide of the War against the Dark Lord and his forces. I am not here to ask for forgiveness, only for a second chance."

"Do you think you've earned a second chance?" The witch from before asked, her voice rasping so much her vocal chords might have severed

Severus closed his eyes and felt his face twitch as he thought this over. The mere seconds it took him to decide dragged on endlessly, and when he opened his eyes once more the people above him had seemingly slipped back slightly into the shadows.

"I don't believe what I think is relevant today."

Hawkworth rubbed his hands together absentmindedly, stopping only to look over notes that had been prepared. Returning his gaze to the defense, Hawkworth replied, "does your client wish to say anything on his behalf?"

Severus took two steps forward and waited almost a full ten seconds before speaking. In this moment of silence, he looked into the eyes of all those who held his future in their hands, and wondered why he ever doubted they would vote to convict him.

"I have here," Snape began, reaching into his cloak and retrieving a small, clear, hourglass shaped bottle with a dark green liquid inside, "a fresh batch of Veritaserum. I offered to be given this when I was first made aware of my eventual trial but the Ministry refused. But, it is here now, if you have any doubts, I will not be able to lie."

Walking to the foot of the Wizengamot, Severus wordlessly cast the levitation spell on the bottle, so it glided and rested on the stack of papers Hawkworth tried to distract himself with.

There was a wave of unease in the courtroom, with many of the members wanting the Chief Warlock to agree to the terms. But after a moment of contemplation, Hawkworth merely smiled, "enough theatrics, Veritaserum is not an approved form of interrogation for humane reasons. Do not try to make the Ministry of Magic on par with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?"

It was then that Edgecombe spoke up and remarked that Dumbledore had provided a written statement that needed to be read. Clearing his throat, Edgecombe attempted to convey the message with the same gravity that Dumbledore had instilled upon him.

"Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord V-V...Lord Voldemort's downfall and turned spy for us, at great personal risk. He is now no more of a Death Eater than I."

Severus, wholy unconvinced that was all Dumbledore had written, looked over to make sure Edgecombe hadn't skipped over anything. To his dismay, all that remained was the familiar signature of the man he once, and in many ways, still fears. Hawkworth motioned for the paper to be given to him, and after examining it, he called for a vote.

"All those in favor of conviction?" Hawkworth said robotically, preparing to write down the number of hands as only a handful appeared

With a sigh, Hawkworth completed the ritual and asked for those who would allow Severus to walk free. And in unison, well over half the members raised their hands, causing a grin of satisfaction to appear on Snape's face.

"Cleared of all charges." Hawkworth mumbled

With the slamming of the gavel, the Prince walked free, giving the slightest of bows to his representative.