Severus sat silently, glowering at those who thought it would be a good idea to sit near him. He had originally intended to be as obscure as possible, but when one of the witches who wanted to sit near him had an extremely overpowering perfume that made his nose hairs burn he decided he'd rather sit alone and stand out than have to deal with that. He had to deal with horrid and questionable smells when around the Dark Lord, when dealing with botched potions from the dunderheads that were supposed to be students, and from students' (or Peeves's) pranks, usually in the form of dung bombs.

The room was filling up quickly and the Wizengamot finally seemed to be filing in and seating themselves. He tried to keep his glare at a minimum when looking at them as they were considered important people in their community. Half of them were as stupid and bigoted as they looked whereas the other half were actual respectable members of society. Amelia Bones was one of them, as was Augusta Longbottom. Lucius was his friend, so he knew he was biased in that matter, but even his prejudiced friend possessed some intellect. There were perhaps fifteen or so on the board that were only there because they inherited the seat. Some of them he grew up with, thankfully none he taught… yet.

Then he saw someone come close to his chosen seating area. He had managed to scare away everyone who might have thought to sit next to him, and even those in front of him. He turned to glower at these people as well before he smelled her. Working on her physical fitness, he knew what she smelled like… lavender and jasmine.

Petunia and her family sat in front of him, which he decided was better than next to him. There was a witch who passed him, followed by what could only be Miss Granger's parents and Potter. He inhaled her scent discreetly as she sat next to him.

"Good morning, sir," Hermione said to him, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Miss Granger," he nodded.

He was surprised at the respect she had shown him, more so by acknowledging him in public. No one else had done so that morning, admittedly due to his own actions, but he repaid the respect in kind. Potter ignored him and he would ignore Potter. Better than baiting and antagonizing each other.

They were not here for pleasantries… well… not with each other at least. They were here for the hopeful pleasantry of justice being dealt to one who most deserved it.

Hermione looked at her professor in the corner of her eyes. He had obviously been scowling and scaring away the other witches and wizards, so why had he allowed them to sit next to him? Had Harry's presence startled him? As far as the wizarding world was concerned Harry was a bit of a recluse, hiding away at home during the summer, to make a public appearance would seem startling for an active member, even one such as Professor Snape.

"I hope you don't mind us sitting near you. All the other seats are full and it would be crude to stand," she said lowly.

She didn't turn to look at him, but knew that he would be able to hear her. It had taken her less than a minute to realize the repercussions he might face being seated so close to her brother in public. She knew that some of the members of the Wizengamot were Death Eaters, and they had seen her professor. It would stand out to those members that one of their own was sitting so close to someone whose trial just pulled the proverbial rug from under them.

Severus didn't know what to say and merely nodded.

The murmurs amongst the Wizengamot started to settle as the doors burst open with cogency. The whole courtroom quieted down as four aurors dragged Pettigrew, heavily chained with what could only be special cuffs. They were on his hands and feet with a slight glow to alert that the wards were in the middle of working.

The potions master sneered at the cowardice of the rat. Even now, in front of more than fifty members of their society he was trying to escape. There was an auror on each side of the pathetic wizard, as well as one in front, and one behind. Once they reached the middle of the room, they shoved him into the chair of the accused. The chains slithered and bound the rat animagus to the appliance.

His whimpers were loud in the hushed silence of the body that surrounded him.

There was a low growl next to him, he felt it more than he heard it. Severus looked over and almost lost balance looking at an angry grim. It took him a moment to recover. He knew Black was going to be here. Why the mutt had to sit next to him was beyond him! However he did agree with the mutt's animosity when it came to the rat.

He should have known better, for all that he felt that Black was stupid, he knew how to use his brain when he wanted to.

"Peter Pettigrew, you have been brought here in front of the Council of Magical Law to answer to charges relating to the activities of Death Eaters, the death of twelves muggles, blatant use of magic in a muggle area, framing ex-auror Sirius Black for your crimes, who was an auror at the time, and being an unregistered animagus," Amelia said, "We have evidence against you, and we are about to reach a verdict. Do you have anything to add to your testimony before we pronounce judgement?"

"I-It wasn't my fault! H-he-who-must-not-be-named made me! I was a good and l-loyal friend. I only left Sirius behind because he was simply mad with grief. I was so scared that I had a burst of a-accidental magic, you see? Then I apparated away and I splinched my finger off!"

Amelia glared at the wizard over her monocle.

"An innocent man does not go into hiding for fourteen years, after his supposed assailant is sent to Azkaban. We have received on good word that your silver hand was a gift from You-Know-Who for your service," she said sharply, "As these are such serious claims and your story not withholding you will be forced to take three drops of vertiserum."

"Lucius, you believe me don't you? Black has always been mad," he whimpered, "Most of that family has been known to go mad."

"The Ancient and Most Noble House of Black is a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. To throw a reputable family name and drag it through the mud in a most shameful manner is reprehensible," Malfoy drawled.

Hurried whispers of agreement spread throughout the council.

"Marone, please administer three drops to the accused," she said steely.

Pettigrew started to whimper and grovel for the council to change their mind.

"I'm surprised the Minister isn't talking much like he did at Harry's hearing," Hermione said lowly to the dark man next to her.

Severus was glad for the low lighting to cover his initial surprise. His heartbeat increased slightly before he was able to calm himself down.

"He wasn't Minister when most of the charges took place. Amelia Bones was at least working in the Ministry at the time. As she's head of DMLE now he's more than happy to let her take charge of this trial. With so many people and press around it would behoove him to stay quiet lest he be seen as taking a side. With Potter it was more to do with the Headmaster rather than Potter himself," Severus explained softly.

Hermione nodded letting him know that she heard him. Her face flushed with a warmth at his voice. It was sensual as always, but he spoke so softly that she could feel it more than she could hear it. It sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.

"What is your name?" her voice boomed in the hushed quiet of the room.

"Peter Cain Pettigrew."

"When were you born?"

"April 4th, 1960"

"What is your animagus form?"

"A brown rat."

"How long have you been an animagus?"

"Since I was fourteen."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

"Yes, I always have been since the first war."

A mass of whispers broke out.

"Were you under influence through an unforgivable?"

"No."

"Did you frame Sirius Black for the murder of twelves muggles, yourself, and the subsequent deaths of James and Lily Potter?"

"Yes."

"How? How were you able to betray the Potters?" Augusta Longbottom asked firmly.

Silence reigned in the courtroom.

"I was their secret keeper. I convinced them to change it from Black since he was too obvious and too dangerous since he was an auror, and could die at any moment on the field. I convinced them to keep it a secret from Dumbledore to make it a more secure secret. No one would suspect me. I gave their location to the Dark Lord the same night."

"Is You-Know-Who back?" she asked.

"Yes. The resurrection ritual was successful," he said monotone.

Fudge sputtered in his seat.

"Did you play any part in this ritual?" Amelia asked.

"Yes. I performed the ritual with the Dark Lord's directions. I brewed the potion and gave my hand as part of the sacrifice."

"And your silver hand?"

"It was a gift for being loyal to him. For sacrificing my flesh, willingly given."

"We have heard enough," Amelia said, a sneer blossoming on her face.

"Peter Pettigrew you are guilty on all charges. A minimum of 5 years for being an unregistered animagus, in your case, 15. Black spent 12 years incarcerated before he escaped. A minimum of 30 years for his incarceration and another 10 for framing an auror. 5 years for almost exposing us to muggles. 20 years for the death of twelves muggles. 30 years for the subsequent deaths of the Potters. One lifetime sentence for being a Death Eater and another lifetime sentence for performing a dark ritual and successfully resurrecting You-Know-Who and by doing so putting the wizarding community's safety in jeopardy!"

"We will now put your sentence to a vote," she sneered.

"All those in favor of Peter Pettigrew serving out his sentence in Azkaban?"

A large number of hands rose swiftly. Severus noticed that a majority were either supporters or Death Eaters.

"Those in favor of Peter Pettigrew receiving the Dementor's kiss?" she hissed out the last part.

A large number of hands rose steadily, Amelia's included. There were two more hands for the kiss than a sentencing.

"Peter Pettigrew, you are hereby sentenced to receive the Dementor's kiss. Post haste," she growled out.

Sirius and Severus sneered at the same time at the rat. Receiving the kiss was something he deserved, but it still felt like he was getting off too easy.

A chill washed over the room as two dementors were released from a cage and sent to glide down to Pettigrew who was still chained to the chair.

His eyes started to gain some life back into them, only to quickly give way to fear. He was whimpering and had pissed himself as a dementor stroked his face in what parodied a loving manner. The other floated behind him, sucking the happiness away from him. They danced around him, each taking turns draining the happiness from him. Pettigrew cried and groaned loudly, reminding Harry and Hermione of the graveyard. Finally the first one who stroked his cheek brought its face in close to his, sucking his soul out of his body. A small bright grayish light floated from his mouth past his horrendous yellowed rat looking teeth. Everyone could see his soul laid bare before the dementor, including the Dursleys even though Vernon and Dudley couldn't see the dementors themselves.

Finally the dementor placed its mouth over Pettigrew's soul, pressed its mouth against his, and devoured his soul in the courtroom.

After they feasted the dementors drifted to the cage they were in before, temporarily satisfied and one fed.

There was a moment of silence, some in grim satisfaction, others in a small state of shock. They weren't sure what to do afterwards. Sirius turned around and jumped over the bench to sneak out of the courtroom to go to his own trial, satisfied at knowing first hand that Peter was properly dealt with.

He should have died instead of betraying them. Now he had been given a fate worse than death. It was only fitting.

"We are going to watch Sirius's trial next. Would you like to accompany us, sir?" Hermione asked quietly, standing up.

Severus looked up at the young witch, ignoring the rest of her party. Her hazel eyes saw nothing but him at that moment. He had originally planned to not attend and to stay clear. However… However Miss Granger had asked for his company. He should say no, but her jasmine and lavender infused scent…

"I would appreciate that, thank you Miss Granger," Severus said.

"It's Lady Granger, Severus," said a smooth voice behind him.

"Lucius, what a surprise. I thought you'd be heading to Black's trial next." Severus stated, the question unsaid.

The blond nodded, "Indeed. I won't be a moment longer. Please be sure to properly escort Lady Granger, Severus. The Duke is escorting the Duchess, and it would be unseemly for Lord Potter to escort his… sister. They are our esteemed guests. As you do not work in the Ministry I ask, as a friend, that you escort our esteemed guest as their lawyer guides them to the proper courtroom."

Severus nodded, "Of course old friend. How careless of me," he replied standing up.

With that the blond aristocrat took his leave.

"Mi- Lady Granger, I appreciate and accept your invitation. Would you please allow me to escort you to the next courtroom?"

The dark potions master extended his arm for her.

Hermione blushed, "Yes, sir. That would be most generous of you," she said as she gently took his arm.

"Professor Snape, thank you for escorting my daughter properly," her father said.

Severus looked up and saw the cool look that his blond friend wore often. It was a polite cool curiousness that belied their interest and approval. Severus felt his cheeks burn, although he was able to compose himself. He was in his thirties, what did he care about the approval of Miss Granger's father?