The Trial of Severus Snape

"Council of Magical Law, convening this 15 June 1998 for the trial of Severus Snape," an old wizard with fuzzy white hair declared. "Interrogators: Elphias Doge, Special Advisor to the Wizengamot, Brunhilde Stokke, Member of the Wizengamot, Kingsley Shacklebolt, acting Minister of Magic and Head of the Aurors Department. Court Scribe: Hephaestus Smith. Witnesses: Minerva McGonnagal, Headmistress at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Harry James Potter, student at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Severus Snape," Kingsley Shacklebolt stated sternly, "you are accused of conspiring with the Death Eaters, spying for them, and of murdering Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. What have you got to say?"

He would, at least, tell them the truth: what else was there?

"As Albus Dumbledore once testified before this very council, I defected from the Death Eaters before the end of the First War, and acted as a spy for him when the Dark Lord returned to power," he said curtly.

"A likely tale, especially in view of the murder of Albus Dumbledore, the man who exonerated you and gave you a post in his school when no one else would have trusted you!" Brunhilde Stokke exclaimed. Angry murmurs rose from the court.

"He requested that I did it. He had acquired a ring that once belonged to Marvolo Gaunt, the Dark Lord's grandfather, and was affected by a deadly curse once he put it on. I was able to slow the process, but he would have died within a year, and he knew it. He also knew the Death Eaters planned to murder him, and he did not wish to be tortured and killed by the likes of Fenrir Greyback or Bellatrix Lestrange," Severus stated in a cool voice.

"You would have us believe that Albus Dumbledore, possibly the wisest and most brilliant wizard of his generation, was foolish enough to put on a cursed ring on a whim?" Doge asked coldly. "We are to believe he had gone senile, I presume."

Severus stared silently, his mouth a thin line. He had known all along it was no use.

"If the accused has no more to say, we will now interrogate the witnesses," Shacklebolt declared. "Professor McGonnagal, would you please give us a full account of what happened on 30 June 1997?"

The tall, stern-looking witch stood up, took a deep breath and placed her hands on the bench in front of her as if to steady herself.

"Professor Dumbledore informed us that he was going away for a few hours and instructed us to patrol the corridors – Remus Lupin, Bill Weasley and myself. At some point, we ran into a couple of students who informed us of some suspicious activity near the Room of Requirements. Instants later, we found a party of Death Eaters heading to the Astronomy Tower and started fighting them. I told Professor Flitwick to go and fetch Professor Snape… at some point, the Dark Mark was set above the school and everything got very chaotic. I remember Severus rushing past us and up to the Astronomy Tower. We kept fighting the Death Eaters… when everything was over, I heard some screams outside and we…" she sobbed, took off her glasses to wipe them, then put them back on her nose. "We saw the body of Professor Dumbledore at the bottom of the Tower. I ordered everyone to gather in the hospital wing. When I arrived there, Harry Potter told me that… that Professor Snape had killed Professor Dumbledore. I… I did not witness the event myself." Her voice was shaking.

"Thank you, Professor McGonnagal." Doge said.

"That is not all." She cleared her throat. "I have reasons to believe Severus Snape was loyal to Albus Dumbledore, exactly as he has told this court."

Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow. "Please explain."

"I have talked with Albus' portrait," she stated. "He told me about the cursed ring, and that he was aware of a plot to assassinate him, that young Draco Malfoy had been ordered to kill him… He asked Severus to do it instead once the time came. He did not want young Draco to become a murderer. Besides, Albus knew the curse that affected him would kill him eventually, as Severus explained."

"Professor McGonnagal," Doge exclaimed, "You do know that event though portraits are sentient, they cannot be considered reliable? Professor Snape used the Headmaster office for a year, he had plenty of opportunity to modify the portrait's enchantment to cover his tracks!"

"Nevertheless, I am convinced Severus is telling the truth," Minerva insisted.

"Very well, we will take your opinion into account," Shacklebolt replied, but his face seemed to belie his statement.

"Harry Potter, please come forward. You were the sole non-Death-Eater witness of the attack on Albus Dumbledore. Would you please tell the court how things went down?"

Harry reported, succinctly, the events of that fateful night, then quickly added, "Everything Professor Snape has told you is true, sir. He was on our side the whole time, and was only following Professor Dumbledore's instructions when he…" he stopped and lowered his gaze.

"Mister Potter, this time last year, you vehemently accused Professor Snape of murder. Today, you seek to convince us he was acting solely on Albus Dumbledore's request. I am sure you can understand if we feel a tad confused," Brunhilde Stokke piped in.

"I swear it is true," Potter said, looking up. "He defected from the Death Eaters when he realized Voldemort was coming after my parents and has been loyal to Professor Dumbledore ever since." He paused and threw a glance at Severus, who regarded him with a cold stare. "I have learnt that Professor Snape and my mother had been close friends, and he could not bear seeing her killed. This is the reason for his loyalty," he added, feebly.

At least he did not have the nerve to say more, Severus thought. He would not be humiliated further.

"You understand that this is all speculation, and not solid evidence, Mr Potter? Surely we cannot believe your tale simply on your say-so. Have you got anything else to corroborate your statement?" Shacklebolt asked.

Again Harry glanced at Severus, who glared threateningly.

"Nothing, sir," the young man sighed.

Just then a voice rose from the highest bench.

"It isnae lie! Severus is innocent, an' there's proof. Ask Potter aboot the memories!"

As one, the members of the court turned around. The red-haired healer was standing there, her knuckles white from gripping the bench in front of her.

"And who are you, pray?" Brunhilde Stokke demanded.

"Morag Duncan, independent healer, currently living an' practising in Hogsmeade," the young witch stated.

"Independent healer! The unreliable type who will not submit to formal exams!" Stokke jeered.

"I took the most sacred Vow of Asclepius in the presence of Chiron himself," Morag replied proudly. "I'll remind ye all that both Chiron an' the Vow are older than St Mungo's an' Hogwarts! But it isnae relevant to this trial. I ken Mr Potter is in possession of a flask containing the memories of Severus Snape."

She glanced down at Severus, whose eyes were as dark as storm clouds, his jaws clenched in fury.

Kingsley turned back to Harry.

"Mr Potter, is that true? Are you withholding evidence from this court?" he asked sternly.

Harry looked up hesitantly, then reached into his pocket and produced the flask. "What Morag Duncan says is true. I didn't want to use this without Professor Snape's consent – "

" – WHICH YOU DO NOT HAVE!" Severus thundered.

"The accused will remain silent!" Shacklebolt exclaimed firmly. "The court will examine all evidence available in order to ensure a fair verdict."

A court attendant was sent to fetch a Pensieve, and within a few minutes, Doge, Shacklebolt and Stokke dived into Severus' memories. When they lifted their faces again, they were grave and silent. Then, they huddled together and whispered agitatedly for several long minutes. Finally, Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke.

"It appears, from what we have just seen, that everything we heard today is true. Severus Snape was a spy for our side, and his help was unvaluable in defeating Lord Voldemort." Uneasy mumbling rose from the court at the name. "He was loyal to Dumbledore as he claimed… as well as to the memory of Lily Potter, whom he loved his whole life," he added. Shocked gasps followed, and a few witches dabbed their eyes.

"It also appears that Albus Dumbledore did request of Severus Snape to kill him once the time came. Such a request has, as far as I am aware, never been heard of in wizarding history. Nevertheless, it seems to me that since it was his own wish, there should be no reason to hold it against the accused." He paused.

"Those in favour of clearing Severus Snape of all charges, please raise your hand," Shacklebolt said, raising his own. Elphias Doge followed suit, as well as several court members.

"Those in favour of maintaining those charges and condemning Severus Snape to a prison sentence in Azkaban, please raise your hand."

Brunhilde Stokke's hand shot up in the air, but only a few others did the same.

"Severus Snape, you are cleared of all charges by this Council. You may walk free," Shacklebolt said. As he spoke, the chains fell off Severus' arms, and the Dementors glided away. Minerva and Hermione threw their arms around a very embarrassed Harry, and Morag ran down the steps to join them, as Aberforth allowed a smile to creep upon his lips.

But Severus turned around and walked out of the courtroom without a word.