On the twenty fourth of October they apparated to Hogsmeade in the late morning, intending to have lunch with Ginny and Luna. Rachel had decided against wearing her disguise cloak for this since it would be very obvious to other Hogwarts students who was with her friends and Rachel wanted to keep the fact that she went out in disguise a secret for as long as possible.
Apparently the staff had decided to hold Hogsmeade weekend the Saturday before Halloween rather than on Halloween itself - everyone remembered that the Dark Lord liked to hold revels on Halloween night and no one was sure what the remaining Death Eaters would do. It was better not to give the Death Eaters the opportunity to attack students.
There were students everywhere down the main road through Hogsmeade and Rachel was feeling tense. She had really never wanted to come back to Hogsmeade, as silly as that was, but she did want to see her friends. She had apparated with her anti-apparition necklace in her pocket and was now holding it with her left hand while they walked. It was useful that it worked on skin contact and didn't have to be activated otherwise.
"It's a little weird now that we're not students, isn't it?" Millie asked as they walked toward The Three Broomsticks.
"It is a bit. Leaving Hogwarts is a big change," Theo said as he looked around.
"I don't quite feel grown up yet, but I do feel more adult than I did when we were seventh years," Hermione said. "Susan and I are the youngest people in the Healers Training Program, but for the most part they don't treat us any differently."
Rachel was still uncomfortably aware that she was the youngest person on her Quidditch team, the youngest person in the Wizengamot, and the youngest person in the aurors. But generally people didn't treat her like a child, which she thought was about as much as she could ask for. People were generally much more aware of the fact that she'd killed the Dark Lord than that she was still fairly young.
They reached The Three Broomsticks and took a quick look around, but Ginny and Luna hadn't arrived yet.
"Rachel? Is that you?"
Rachel turned and then smiled. "Viola. How are you?"
"Pretty good. How are you? I saw the newspaper. Is your arm better?" Viola asked.
"My arm is fine, the Healer fixed it right up," Rachel said. It had only taken two days of being coated in Bruise Paste for the aching, discoloration, and swelling to go away.
"What are you supposed to do if other Seekers do that?" Viola asked.
"Well, you don't have to worry about it at Hogwarts. No one will do that there because they know they'll get in trouble. I'm currently working with Glynnis on evasion. She says it's better for me to miss the Snitch than to teach the other Seekers that they can take me out of play. How are things at school?" she asked. "When do you play?"
"First game is next Saturday against Ravenclaw. Martin was named captain. Penelope took the open Chaser spot. Heather is our reserve Beater and we've got a new reserve Beater and Chaser for this year. I think I'm ready for the game."
"I know you are. You're a better Seeker than Shoma, no worries there," Rachel said.
"My dad says he's working with you. Is that weird?" Viola asked.
Rachel shrugged. "I don't think it's weird. He's very helpful. He's given me a lot of good advice for handling the Wizengamot and he's helping me with a big project. You're still attending the DA?"
"Yes, it's good. Watch this." Viola pulled out her wand. "Expecto patronum!" Her mist coalesced into a silvery hawk. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful. Congratulations," Rachel said, a little surprised by Viola's Patronus form. She'd always seen Viola as someone who was very enthusiastic and carefree and she'd assumed her form would be something more relaxed.
"Well done, Viola," Theo said.
"Yes, congratulations. I assume the rest of the DA is still working on it?" Hermione asked.
"We are. Ginny and Luna went over the theory for the newcomers last week. I've gotta go. It was good to see you," Viola said.
"Good to see you too," Rachel said, glad that her Quidditch team seemed to be in good shape.
"Sounds like they have the DA well in hand," Hermione said.
"Seems that way. Ginny said they had about ten new students in the DA this year, so it's good they're going over theory so early," Neville said.
"It's an important spell. Didn't Gemma say she's teaching it in her classroom this year as well?" Millie asked.
"I think that was the plan," Rachel said. She reminded herself to write to Gemma and see how she was doing.
"Hey," Ginny called, waving at them as she and Luna entered The Three Broomsticks.
"Hi," Millie called back.
"I'll ask Madam Rosmerta if we can go back to the private dining room," Hermione said. They had reserved it in advance so they would have somewhere private to talk as a group.
"How are you?" Neville asked.
"Eh," Ginny said with a shrug.
"We've been busy," Luna said diplomatically. "But we miss all of you."
"We miss you too," Millie said.
"We have the room," Hermione called, motioning them over.
They went back to the private dining room and settled in, each of them perusing the familiar menu for a moment and making their selections. Rachel chose fish and chips since it had been a while since she'd had it and it was something that she found she actually wanted to eat. It was nice to be able to want to eat things again, even if it wasn't every day. Some days she ate because she knew she needed to in order to not get sick, but occasionally she found herself enjoying the taste of something or finding herself actually feeling hungry.
"We saw the newspaper, were you badly hurt?" Luna asked Rachel once they were all settled.
"Broken arm and some bruises, nothing serious. We're working on preventing it from happening again," Rachel said. "The League is not quite like Hogwarts Quidditch, it's a little more intense."
Ginny nodded. "That's a little nerve wracking. I'm going to have the coaches come out to see me play against Slytherin. Your team is still the one to beat."
"You'll do great," Rachel said, knowing that even though Viola was a good Seeker, Ginny definitely had the edge on her.
"How is the rest of the school and the DA?" Hermione asked.
"DA is good. Things are mostly back to normal in the school, it's just…" Ginny trailed off.
"It's hard to see people we know should be there and they're not. Many of the muggleborns who left didn't come back. Some of the purebloods who left didn't come back either," Luna said.
Ginny nodded. "Hufflepuff has a new Seeker to replace Felix. We have a new Quidditch referee. There's a new Ancient Runes professor. My dorm is still fairly quiet. No one knows what to say about Melanie. No one knows if Dennis chose not to come back or if his parents didn't let him come back. I sent him a letter, but didn't get a response."
"I think at this point we're just focused on getting through the rest of the year and taking our NEWTs so we can come join you. Only eight months left," Luna said.
Rachel felt guilty about leaving them at Hogwarts, even though she knew there wasn't anything she could do about it.
Madam Rosmerta entered with their food and before long everyone had a plate and a butterbeer in front of them.
"I know it's hard," Hermione said. "But you can get through this. And you're well prepared for your NEWTs and your future careers."
"If anything, you're overprepared," Draco said. "Overall, things are much easier once you leave Hogwarts."
"Some things are still difficult, but it's not quite the same intensity as Hogwarts either," Hermione agreed.
"How are things out there?" Ginny asked.
Rachel listened as her friends described their masteries and what they were doing. She knew her work with the aurors was important, but she was also looking forward to starting her own mastery. While she was still working on an independent study of sleeping potions, she knew she still had a lot of work ahead of her and that it would help to have Emlyn's guidance.
"Who would have thought the Wizengamot would be worse than school?" Ginny asked, looking mildly amused as Neville finished describing their latest meeting.
"It's not quite as exciting as my father made out," Draco agreed. "Actually, it's not exciting at all. It's just people talking a lot."
"Speaking of the Wizengamot," Rachel said, deciding the time to do this was now. "Alfred Selwyn's trial will be on Friday. I'm planning to speak at it, and so is Draco, I believe."
"I am," Draco said, his expression immediately becoming somber.
"The press will be there, so if there's anything you want to know before reading it in the newspaper, you can ask," Rachel offered.
The room was quiet for a moment and Rachel watched nervously as her friends glanced at each other.
"Is there anything that you want us to know?" Neville asked.
Rachel held back a sigh. "I'm planning on giving a brief overview of the abduction, telling them what I saw, and the very basics of what happened." She hesitated and then forced herself to go on. "Mostly I will talk about Selwyn and others using the Cruciatus Curse on me and I will mention that another Death Eater used the Flaming Whip curse on me."
"My father," Theo said. "My father was the one who tortured her with the Flaming Whip curse. I take it you aren't planning to identify him at the trial?"
"No, I'm just going to say that it was a Death Eater who is already dead. The victim's advocate said that the Wizengamot won't give me questions, they'll just let me speak," Rachel said.
"I'm going to tell them what I saw at the dinner, or rather, who I saw. And then the basic events of the night and that my father is the one who cast the Disemboweling curse on me when I went to rescue Rachel. Mostly we're focusing on Selwyn's actions," Draco said, his head bowed.
"What about Selwyn saying he was under the Imperius Curse?" Hermione asked, sounding uncertain.
"I'm going to say that someone with the last name Selwyn was in the graveyard the night the Dark Lord was resurrected and he came of his own volition," Rachel said. "And Madam Bones is going to talk about the fact that Selwyn should have immediately come to the MLE once the Dark Lord died, and that he knew the appropriate procedure."
"And I will say that I have seen Alfred Selwyn in conversation with my father, both before and after the return of the Dark Lord," Draco said. "I didn't know he was a Death Eater at the time, but I'm sure my father knew."
The room was quiet again. "Are you both alright?" Luna asked. "This sounds like a very hard thing to do."
Rachel looked at Draco and found him looking back. "I think it will be hard, but I also think it's necessary," she finally said.
Draco nodded slightly. "It is necessary. He's a danger to both of us. I'm not certain how much this will cause the other Selwyns to act against us. But Alfred Selwyn would have come for us eventually. He knew we could both identify him from that night."
"I hate to ask, but what happens if they don't vote him guilty?" Hermione asked.
"Then he resumes his seat on the Wizengamot and we have a much bigger problem on our hands," Draco said.
Millie reached over and took Rachel's hand and Rachel realized she was trembling, even more so than her tremors usually accounted for.
"I don't know what we'll do after that. Hopefully Madam Bones will have some ideas," Rachel said, squeezing Millie's hand and getting a squeeze back.
"I think for now it makes sense to focus on being prepared for the trial. Let's worry about what happens after the trial once the trial is over," Theo said.
"I think that's all we can really do. Is there anything we can do to help?" Neville asked.
Rachel shook her head. "I think it's just getting through this moment and then we'll deal with the next."
"Well, we're here for you. Even though we're stuck here, we're still here for you. Will someone write to us after the trial and let us know what happened?" Ginny asked.
"We will," Neville promised.
Rachel nodded. She'd rather people learn about that from her than the newspaper.
"How has your week been?" Torey asked once they were both settled.
"In terms of things that have been happening, fine. In terms of my nerves, not so great," Rachel said. It was the day before Selywn's trial and the last few days her anxiety had been tearing her apart.
Torey nodded. "If you had to make a list of what was worrying you, what would you put at the top?"
Rachel sighed. "Selwyn being found not guilty should be my biggest concern. He's potentially a threat to me and to Draco if he's let loose."
"Should be?" Torey asked. "Does that mean there's something else that is worrying you more than that?"
She laid her hands flat against her thighs so that she would stop clenching them in fists. "The newspaper. And I know. I can't control what they say about me. It just feels like I'm revealing some pretty personal things to the world and I don't trust them not to…I'm not even sure what they're going to do with it. Rita Skeeter will find some way to make it worse, I know she will."
"You've talked to the people in your life, so they know what to expect?" Torey checked.
"The people who really matter to me, yes. But…" Rachel sighed again. "I want people to respect me, and I don't feel that having them know this sort of thing about me helps. I want people to treat me like a person. It's sort of one thing with Quidditch. When I'm doing Quidditch it's kind of alright because they do that to all of the Quidditch players. Other people on my team get asked for their autographs too."
"Can we talk about respect a little more?"
Rachel was never sure what to do with a question like that. "I suppose."
"I know you want people to treat you like a person and to see more of you than just the Girl-Who-Lived," Torey began.
"Or just the person who killed the Dark Lord. I don't want to be famous for killing someone. I feel like…I feel bad for Professor Dumbledore."
"Why?"
"Because his whole thing was stopping Grindelwald. He wasn't even Headmaster of Hogwarts at the time. And suddenly he's stopped this huge threat and people expect all of this stuff from him. He's seen as having all the answers and he doesn't. And he is powerful. And I don't want people to know that I am powerful. Apparently I'm more powerful than I thought I was." Rachel still wasn't sure what to do with that. She didn't do much when she was practicing wandless magic with her friends now because she didn't want them to realize that it was fairly easy for her. "I don't want people to react to me the way that they react to Professor Dumbledore."
"You've known for a long time that you are fairly powerful, haven't you?" Torey asked. "I haven't seen you do much magic, but from the skills and accomplishments you've told me about, I have always assumed you were quite powerful."
Rachel tried to stop herself from fidgeting and then held out her hand. "Accio pen." Torey's pen flew from Torey's notebook and into Rachel's outstretched hand. "I learned that in six weeks. All of my friends are still back on wandless unlocking charms."
Torey paused for a moment and seemed to consider Rachel.
"I've always done well in class. Most spells come fairly easily to me. But that's true for about half of my friends. But I've done some things that they haven't done." Rachel stood and handed Torey's pen back to her. "Severus says I can probably learn elemental magic, if I wanted to, which I don't."
"If wandless magic comes that easily to you, then the next step in the progression of powerful magic is generally considered elemental magic. Is there a reason you don't want to learn it?" Torey asked.
Rachel sat back down as she sorted through her thoughts. Needing a teacher was just an excuse. If she wanted a teacher she could find one. Not having a use for elemental magic was another excuse. Not having a use for a spell had never stopped her from learning them before. "I don't want that kind of power. I don't want to be like the Dark Lord. Or even like Professor Dumbledore. People don't like people like that. They don't even respect them. They fear them."
Torey looked at Rachel for a long time. "Are you afraid of Professor Dumbledore?"
"Not fear," she said, looking down as she tried to sort out what she felt. "The Dark Lord used to say that Professor Dumbledore was keeping me from becoming powerful. That he had directed the course of my life and was keeping me confined. Millie's parents believe something similar; they think Professor Dumbledore left me with my relatives specifically so that he could use me to defeat the Dark Lord."
"What do you believe?"
"I believe that he made some mistakes. Regarding me. And regarding the war. And it's not fair for me to expect him to be perfect. But I don't want to be in a position where my mistakes can affect people like that. I don't want to be Chief Warlock. I don't want to lead people. I don't want people to expect me to fix things. I don't want to be seen as Professor Dumbledore's protege, or to lead his faction in the Wizengamot when he dies. If he dies." Severus had told her that Professor Dumbledore had used the Elixir of Life to stay alive through the end of the war. As far as Rachel knew, there was nothing stopping him from using it as long as he wanted.
"There is nothing saying that you have to do those things. You are an adult, you get to make decisions about what you do with your life, even if other people disagree with those decisions. You don't even have to stay on the Wizengamot. You have the option of resigning your seat," Torey pointed out. "And not all powerful witches and wizards choose to involve themselves in politics. There's a famous witch in the US, Lousia Perez, and she spends her days with a cadre of spell crafters and artifactors pushing what it is possible to do with magic. She is a known elemental witch. I'm certain there are others who also keep their abilities more to themselves."
Rachel found her interest piqued. While she did intend to continue only dabbling with spell crafting, she liked the idea of a group of people who gathered together to do that sort of research. "I want to stay on the Wizengamot. Not because I like it. But because there are things I need to do. And I guess this leads back to what we were talking about earlier. I need the Wizengamot to respect me if I'm going to accomplish anything there. They can't see me as a child, or as a pawn of Professor Dumbledore or the Minister, or as someone who is weak. I…I'm not sure what they're going to think about what I'm going to say tomorrow. I don't know how that affects how they see me when most of them have only met me in passing."
"Do you think having been tortured makes you weak?" Torey asked.
She tipped her head back against the sofa. She knew the answer was no, but she feared it anyway. "I still dream about it. Not that I'm going to say that to the Wizengamot, but I do."
"Have the dreams changed in the past few months while you've been dealing with this more regularly and meeting with the victim's advocate?"
"No. Not really. If anything, they've been worse. Not as bad as they were when I first started dreaming again, but I still can't go to sleep after them." She was planning to take her modified Dreamless Sleep potion tonight so that she could actually sleep before the trial.
"Has anything changed about how you feel about the experience?" Torey asked.
"It's easier to talk about than it used to be. I still don't like doing it, but I feel like I know how to talk about it now. I…I just don't want people to look at me and see that, the same way I don't want people to look at me and think about that article about my childhood. I'm not that person."
"It's true that you are far more than your experiences of traumas, both those things are also part of you. They are part of a greater whole and it doesn't help you to deny those experiences." Torey paused and looked at Rachel, her mouth going flat for a moment. "I don't think that anyone sees only those things when they look at you. It's true that these people don't know you, not yet, but that can change. And as they come to know you, they will have a more nuanced understanding of you."
Rachel sat quietly and tried to quell the storm within. "I'm never going to be normal," she finally said, which was a thought that had been sitting with her ever since she'd talked about power with Severus. She'd wanted to put the prophecy and the war behind her, but it didn't seem like that was possible. She didn't want anything else to single her out, but her power was an essential part of her, even more so than her connection had been.
"In many ways you are not average. You've had some extraordinary circumstances in your life. In other ways, you are perfectly normal," Torey assured her. "I believe you will find a place for yourself in the Wizengamot if you want it. But it will take time. I also believe that people are going to see you stand up tomorrow and show strength to do something that is right and they will remember that more than they will remember the specifics of how you were hurt."
"I hope that's true," Rachel said. Tomorrow's repercussions could be long lasting, but she wouldn't know anything until the trial was over.
Rachel sat in her private office, her head bowed. She was still dressed in her Wizengamot robes from the morning's trial and she hadn't gone to lunch in the dining room. She didn't think she could eat anything anyway.
Selwyn's trial started in less than thirty minutes and she felt like she could barely think. Her mind was consumed with the idea of standing in front of the Wizengamot and talking about what had happened, with Selwyn sitting right there. All those people watching her. All those people picturing that and then judging if she was telling the truth.
She'd been having recurring nightmares about not being able to speak. Not in the courtroom, but in a variety of circumstances. The Death Eaters attacking and she can't call for help. Umbridge asking her questions about the article and she can't say anything while the entire class watches. Her uncle beating her for not answering his questions. Every night she woke up in a sweat, her heart racing and her throat aching. She'd taken her modified Dreamless Sleep potion last night and had thankfully slept peacefully until six in the morning.
There was a part of her that was tempted just to take the potion every night, but she knew she did not actually want to deal with an addiction to sleeping potions. That would end her career in potions before it even began. And after her mishap with mind magic, she was more than a little wary about accidentally making things worse for herself by gaining temporary relief.
A knock on her door drew her from her thoughts and she went to answer it, fully ready to send whoever it was away. Instead she found Draco standing in front of her office door looking spooked. She stood back and opened the door all the way so that Draco could come in and then shut it behind him.
They stood quietly for a long moment as they looked at each other. Even with their Wizengamot robes she thought they didn't look that much different from when they'd been Hogwarts students. It was hard to believe they'd been on the Wizengamot for three months already.
"Ready for this?" Draco finally asked.
"I'm not sure there's a ready for this. I think it's just getting through it so that it's over with," she said. She definitely did not feel ready. "I keep telling myself that I killed the Dark Lord, so I should be able to do this too."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a way to bully yourself into doing just about anything."
She shrugged, but he was probably right. Besides, this didn't feel anything like killing the Dark Lord. When she'd done that, she'd felt full of purpose and like she absolutely knew what she was doing. And no one had been watching her. Here she just felt scared.
"Young Mr. Malfoy is correct," Monty said. "Please be kind to yourself."
Draco glanced at Monty and then nodded. "See? Your grandfather agrees with me."
"Either way, I still have to do this. Are you ready?"
"Ready as I'm going to be. It will be over in a few hours, then we don't have to see the Wizengamot again until Tuesday."
Rachel had to go see the Minister tonight and she strongly suspected there would be other Wizengamot members there. She could only hope that the conversation stayed away from the trial.
"What do you want to do?" he asked after another moment.
"Go home and hide," Rachel said.
"Rachel, you are not required to speak at the trial. It's never a requirement for the victim to speak," Monty said.
"Madam Bones thinks it will help sway the Wizengamot. I'd rather speak today and see if we can convict Selwyn, then not speak and never know if it might have helped," Rachel said, which was basically her only reason for doing this. She couldn't stand the idea that Selywn might go free because she was too cowardly to speak in front of the Wizengamot.
Draco nodded. "We need to do everything we can to make sure he can't come after us. He's too dangerous. There are other Death Eaters who are significant threats to us, but Selwyn is the one we can do something about right now."
Rachel looked at him. "Who else do you think will be a threat specifically to us?"
"My aunt Bellatrix, for one. She was seriously unhinged and I think she probably wants to kill both of us. The Rowles are also fanatical enough to be threats to us. Rookwood is a threat to everyone - if I had to guess based on the situation with the wards, I'd say he's still active in Britain. It wouldn't surprise me if Barty Crouch Junior held a grudge against you."
Monty shook his head as he looked down at them. "Are you certain it's wise for the pair of you to be with the aurors?"
"I'd say if anything we're more protected with the aurors," Draco said.
Rachel nodded. "We've got a whole team with us and there's nothing we can do that will increase the likelihood of them coming after us. They already want to kill us, we can't make that situation worse."
Monty sighed. "As I found with James, children will do what they have their minds set to do. I was proud of James, Effie and I both were, but we spent many late nights worrying about him while he was with the Order. It turns out we were right to worry. I hope your father does not have the same experience."
She hung her head. She didn't want to make Severus worry, but she really felt she was doing the right thing. And, if after a few encounters with the Death Eaters, if she found she couldn't manage it, she would stop.
"Let me tell you both something. What you are doing today shows strength of character. The people who will help you on your journeys will respect that. Try to ignore the rest of them," Monty said.
"I don't want them to see me as a Death Eater. I don't want them to see me as my father," Draco said, raising his chin. Despite his firm expression, she could see worry around his eyes.
"That will take time, but this is the first step on that path," Monty said. "You will have the opportunity to show who you are. I can assure you, I have never heard of a Malfoy joining the aurors, there's quite a statement right there."
A knock on the door startled both of them and Rachel found Sirius and Neville waiting for them. "It's time?" she asked, checking her watch.
"It's time, we should go take our seats. Are you alright?" Sirius asked, his expression unusually somber.
"I will be," she said, hoping that was true.
"How about you, Draco?" Sirius asked.
Draco nodded once. "Let's just get this over with."
"Good luck, my dear. I'll be here when you get back. Keep your head high," Monty advised.
"Thanks," Rachel said, smoothing her robes before she left her office.
They took the stairs in silence. Rachel wondered if they were as consumed with their thoughts as she was. In the courtroom, they filed in and took an empty section of seats, Rachel tucked between Sirius and Draco, with Neville to Draco's other side. She scanned the visitor's section and found Severus at the front. She watched him for a long moment until he spotted her. He met her eyes from across the room and nodded. She nodded back.
The visitor's section was full today. Rachel also recognized Rita Skeeter in the group and there were a fair number of people in MLE robes as well. Rachel often had thoughts about doing something about Rita Skeeter, but she wasn't sure at all what she could practically do. Getting her fired seemed like the obvious choice, but Rachel didn't want to be the type of person who used her power to do things like that. It didn't stop her from thinking about it.
Before long the entire Wizengamot had gathered and Madam Bones stood. "Let us have order. Bring in Alfred Eugene Selwyn."
Rachel watched closely as Selwyn was brought into the room. He seemed entirely composed, even as the chains on the chair wrapped around him. She wondered what his plan today was. Was he playing victim? Repentant man who had been forced to do terrible things? Falsely accused Wizengamot member?
"Criminal Hearing on the thirtieth of October 1998 under offenses committed under the Unforgivable Curses Act and the Death Eater Activities Act by Alfred Eugene Selwyn, resident of Selwyn Manor, Oxfordshire. Presiding over this hearing is Madam Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Court scribe is Stella Brewerson. As required in trials on offenses committed under the Unforgivable Curses Act, the full Wizengamot is in attendance," Stella said from where she was standing.
"Thank you, Ms. Brewerson," Madam Bones said. "We will begin with a statement from Head Auror Robards, who made the arrest."
Gawain Robards descended the stairs and stood in front of the Wizengamot, his head high. "Prior to Alfred Eugene Selwyn's arrest in August, Madam Bones, Unspeakable Lloyd, and myself witnessed the memory of Wizengamot Member Rachel Leah Snow of events that took place on the twenty third of June in 1996. Unspeakable Lloyd will testify that the memory we witnessed has a ninety nine percent probability of being untampered with and that it presented events as they happened. In this memory we identified Alfred Selwyn at a gathering of Death Eaters and witnessed him using the Cruciatus Curse. Alfred Selwyn was then taken into custody at his home in Oxfordshire. Alfred Selwyn did not resist arrest."
Head Auror Robards paused and moved slightly so that he was speaking closer to Selwyn. "The following day Alfred Selwyn was interrogated under the influence of Veritaserum by myself and Auror Shacklebolt. As you will hear, during his testimony, Alfred Selwyn admits to being an active Death Eater, both in this war and in the last. He admits to using the Cruciatus Curse on five separate occasions. He admits to two counts of rape. He admits to meeting with other Death Eaters and with You-Know-Who on multiple occasions and taking part in their plots as a member of the Wizengamot. Alfred Selwyn also claimed to be under the Imperius Curse during all of these events."
Rachel took a slow glance around the courtroom. Everyone was listening very intently, but she couldn't tell from their expressions what they were thinking.
Head Auror Robards paused again, his gaze roaming the Wizengamot. "As Head Auror, I find this claim to be specious. Alfred Selwyn has been a member of the Wizengamot for the past thirty years and is well acquainted with the procedure that should be followed upon being released from the Imperius Curse. At no time has Alfred Selwyn claimed to anyone to have been under the Imperius Curse until his interrogation. A masked male Death Eater by the name of Selwyn was also seen at You-Know-Who's return to his body on June twenty fourth, 1995. Given that Selywn has confessed to attending Death Eater meetings during both wars, and does bear the Dark Mark, it stands to reason that Alfred Sewlyn was at that meeting and not under the influence of the Imperius Curse at the time. It is the opinion of the MLE that Alfred Selwyn has had a memory charm placed on him so that he will claim under the influence of Veritaserum to have been under the Imperius Curse. Alfred Selwyn has declined examination by an Unspeakable to prove that this is not a false memory."
"Thank you Head Auror Robards. At this time we will hear testimony from Unspeakable Esme Lloyd," Madam Bones said.
Rachel listened while Unspeakable Lloyd described her process of examining both of Rachel's memories. She noted that Unspeakable Lloyd conveniently left out that she'd examined Rachel's memory of the Dark Lord's return well before the Ministry had believed the Dark Lord was back. There was a small part of Rachel that wanted the Wizengamot and the Ministry to know that it was because of them that the Dark Lord had so much time to gather Death Eaters and influence the Ministry. She felt that the war wouldn't have escalated as quickly as it had if the Dark Lord hadn't been given a free year to prepare while the Ministry was doing nothing.
Unspeakable Lloyd was dismissed and Stella stood and began reading the transcript of the interrogation. Next would be Rachel's turn to speak. Then Draco's. Then Selwyn would have his turn.
The interrogation transcript was about what she'd been expecting after listening to trials from the past two months. Alfred Selwyn had taken part of three circles during which they had tortured people. Both of the other two people who had been subject to those circles were dead.
Rachel once again felt that haunting feeling that she should be dead. It came upon her sometimes. She was supposed to have died that Halloween night seventeen years ago. She was supposed to have died that summer night in the graveyard. She was supposed to have died two years ago in the ballroom of Malfoy Manor. She had actually died just a little over four months ago.
She wasn't sure what it meant. She suspected that if she was religious, she would say that God had kept her alive for a purpose. That what she was supposed to do was not yet fulfilled. And, in a sense, with the prophecy, that had been true. Her purpose had been to kill the Dark Lord. Everything had been pushing her in that direction, even while she'd been the size of fist inside her mother's womb. Now the Dark Lord was dead. Where did that leave her? What was her grand purpose now?
She'd gone through her sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts with the comforting knowledge that she knew what her future held. Now she had absolutely no idea and the things that she was doing somehow didn't seem like enough.
"Thank you, Miss Brewerson," Madam Bones said, signaling the end of the reading of the transcript. "We will now hear testimony from Wizengamot Member Rachel Snow as to the events that took place on the twenty third of June in 1996."
That was her then. Sirius patted Rachel's knee and she stood and carefully made her way down to the bottom of the courtroom. She walked to the opposite side of the chamber from where the Dementor was guarding the exit. She swore she could feel a chill even from where she was. Turning, she looked up at the gathered Wizengamot and felt flooded with fear that she couldn't speak at all.
She opened her mouth and took a slow breath. "On the twenty second of June in 1996 I was abducted from Hogsmeade village by Gregory Goyle." She paused and steadied herself. She knew there were charms in this section of the courtroom which would allow everyone to hear who was speaking, otherwise she'd be worried that she wasn't audible. "He took me to an unknown location, where I was stunned by Marxius Goyle. When I next woke I was in a prison cell in the cellar of Malfoy Manor. I was left there alone until late the next day. Lucius Malfoy brought me to his ballroom, where there was a gathering of around fifty Death Eaters and the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord instructed his Death Eaters to torture me, and one by one they used the Cruciatus Curse on me."
She continued to look up at the Wizengamot, but she wasn't sure what effect her speech was having. Most everyone looked impassive. Madam Bones nodded to her and Rachel prepared herself to continue. "The Death Eaters were not in masks and cloaks on this occasion. They did not expect me to live to speak about who may have been there that night. Alfred Selwyn was among the first people to torture me. I did not know his name at the time, but upon seeing him at the first Wizengamot meeting in August, I recognized him. I immediately went to Madam Bones to tell her what I knew."
"That night I was subjected to over thirty bouts of the Cruciatus Curse as well as being whipped with the Flaming Whip curse. I was rescued by Wizengamot Member Draco Malfoy, who was assisting Professor Dumbledore, Master Severus Snape, Wizengamot Member Sirius Black, and numerous people in the MLE. I would not have survived without all of their help. I was in recovery for over a year and it took me two full months to be able to walk again. I have persistent hand tremors from Cruciatus exposure that will last the rest of my life." Rachel paused again, gathering herself for the last of it. "I am aware that Alfred Selwyn has claimed that he was being held under the Imperius Curse during the events of this night. I do not believe that is true. On June twenty fourth in 1995 I was present at the Dark Lord's resurrection. The Dark Lord summoned his Death Eaters to him using the Dark Mark, which is a brand on the inside of a Death Eater's left wrist. About thirty Death Eaters answered his call, wearing their masks and cloaks. The Dark Lord addressed them by name. He called one of them Selwyn. Given that Alfred Selwyn bears the Dark Mark, it stands to reason that he was there that night. That he answered the Dark Lord's call and pledged faithfulness to him without the influence of the Imperius Curse. Thank you."
Rachel forced herself not to flee and instead looked at Alfred Selwyn. He was gazing back at her and Rachel was certain she saw hate burning in his eyes.
"Thank you Wizengamot Member Snow. We will now hear a statement from Wizengamot Member Draco Malfoy who was also present on the night in question," Madam Bones said.
Feeling her entire body shaking in a way that it hadn't in years, Rachel made it back to her seat.
"Well done," Sirius whispered as she sat next to him.
Neville reached over and squeezed Rachel's hand, giving her a small smile. Rachel squeezed back and was thankful that people had been waiting here for her. She sought out Severus' gaze and found him watching her. He nodded again and she nodded back. She had done it.
Draco arrived in the center of the courtroom, also standing as far away from the Dementor as possible while still being on the courtroom floor. "I will also speak to the events of the twenty second and twenty third of June in 1996. I was made aware that Rachel was missing mid-morning on the twenty second. By that afternoon I received a missive from my father instructing me to leave Hogwarts in secret on the twenty third of June at seven o'clock in the evening. I realized that my father, Lucius Malfoy, intended for me to take the Dark Mark that night and that I would join the Death Eaters. I also realized that he had Rachel. I went to Master Severus Snape and Professor Dumbledore for assistance and a plan was made to rescue Rachel, a plan which included me returning to Malfoy Manor with a portkey and a means of communication. I went of my own volition, both desiring to rescue Rachel and to avoid joining the Death Eaters at my father's direction."
Rachel was impressed at how smoothly Draco spoke. He seemed to be simply telling a story, not relating events that had affected him profoundly.
"That evening a large dinner party took place. All of the attendees were Death Eaters, including my parents, Wardell Parkinson and his wife Ambrosia, Alecto Carrow and his sister Amycus, Bartemius Crouch Junior, Bellatrix and her husband Rudolphus Lestrange and his brother Rastaban. Augustus Rookwood, Matthew Pike, Thorfinn Rowle, Marxius Goyle, Francis Crabbe, Abraham Jugson, and Alfred Selwyn were all in attendance along with about thirty others. I sat near my father at the dinner and listened to him discuss Wizengamot business with Alfred Selwyn and Thorfinn Rowle. The Dark Lord was also in attendance and spoke with them as well as with numerous others. After the dinner we moved into the ballroom and the Death Eaters formed a circle. My father left and returned with Rachel. The Dark Lord instructed the Death Eaters to torture Rachel, and they did. I witnessed Alfred Selwyn use the Cruciatus Curse on Rachel Snow."
Draco hesitated and Rachel was certain she saw uncertainty cross his face for a brief moment before he resumed. "By this point I had signaled to the waiting MLE that I could reach Rachel and was waiting for the wards to drop so I could use a portkey to rescue both of us. I was forced to use the Cruciatus Curse on Rachel so that I was not exposed prematurely. When the wards finally fell, I rushed to Rachel and helped her hold the portkey. I was attacked by my father as I said the activation phrase and was nearly killed by the Disemboweling Curse. We were taken to the Hogwarts hospital wing where we both received life saving care. I do not believe Alfred Selwyn was under the Imperius Curse. I have seen him with my father many times in private, both before the Dark Lord's return and after. Alfred Selwyn is a Death Eater who has used an Unforgivable Curse of his own volition," he finished firmly.
"Thank you Wizengamot Member Malfoy. You may be seated," Madam Bones said, standing.
Draco hurried back to them and sat down in between Rachel and Neville. He was panting slightly and looked flushed.
Rachel took his hand and squeezed it. "You did good." It seemed that she and Draco had somehow agreed without speaking about it that some of the events that night would just stay between them.
"Good work," Sirius whispered over her.
Neville was patting Draco's knee.
Draco managed to nod.
"Alfred Eugene Selwyn, do you have anything to say in your own defense?" Madam Bones asked, her voice ringing in the enclosed space.
"Only that I have been falsely accused. I have been under the Imperius Curse since the night of the Dark Lord's return. Understandably, I was severely shaken by these events and spent several months in recovery. I had not yet returned to myself well enough to come to the MLE to explain what had happened," Alfred Selwyn said, his voice steady.
"Then why will you not allow an Unspeakable to examine your memories of being under the Imperius Curse?" Madam Bones asked.
"I have spent the last three years with my mind being violated. I am not willing to submit myself to such violation again," he answered.
"Is there anything else you would like to say to the court before we vote?"
"That I am an innocent man. I do not dispute Miss Snow or Mr. Malfoy's recounting of events. They have very obviously endured an extreme trauma, for which I have played an unwitting role. However, I was not in control of my body nor my mind during these events. I had no way to ask for help or to let anyone know that I was suffering. The Wizengamot knows me by my thirty five years of service. I am no Death Eater. I ask this court for mercy and an end to the suffering, for all of us," Alfred Selwyn said, tilting his head to look up at them.
Unfortunately, Rachel thought that sounded pretty convincing. If she didn't know better, she might be willing to waver on the possibility of sending an innocent man to Azkaban.
"The Wizengamot will vote," Madam Bones said. "To find Alfred Eugene Selwyn guilty of Death Eater Activities and of violating the Unforgivable Curses Act in five counts, raise your hands. To find him innocent, leave your hands unraised."
Rachel raised her hand, alongside Sirius, Draco, and Neville. She glanced around the room, counting and seeing who was voting with her. Minister Scrimgeour had his hand raised, as did Professor Dumbledore, Madam Bones, and Ethan Davies. Most of their factions had their hands raised as well. Unsurprisingly, Turner, Macnair, Yaxley, and the rest of their group had their hands down. She counted quickly, but she still wasn't certain when Stella handed Madam Bones her tally and everyone put their hands down.
Madam Bones stood. "Alfred Eugene Selwyn is hereby found guilty by forty one votes. He is sentenced to Azkaban for life. This court is dismissed."
Rachel exhaled, feeling herself shaking.
"Thank Merlin," Neville murmured.
She looked at Draco and he nodded. "We did it," he said, sounding as stunned as she felt.
"We did," she said, listening as people began conversing around her. "We actually did it."
Severus felt his shoulders relax as the verdict was read and watched Rachel and Draco both look equally shocked. He suspected it may take a few days for them to begin to feel relief. It was a great deal of responsibility off of him. If it had been necessary, he would have taken care of Selwyn to prevent him from reaching Rachel and Draco, but he had not relished the prospect. This was better.
He stood. Rachel had told him that she could meet with him after the trial and that she would send her clerk to let him in and guide him to her office. If he left now, he could probably meet her there as she arrived. He was certain this had not been easy on her.
"Severus Snape. How do you feel about what your daughter just told the court?"
Severus turned, hyperaware of the number of aurors who were nearby and definitely paying attention to this. He looked Rita Skeeter up and down - she was dressed as flamboyantly as possible while still being in robes, with an acid green quill hovering over her notebook. Drawing himself to his full height, and knowing that Skeeter knew full well that he had once been an active Death Eater, he spoke. "I will tell you once and only once. Leave my daughter alone."
Skeeter's eyes widened ever so slightly as she stared at him.
He walked away, knowing that his threat would be most effective if he didn't have to elaborate. As he'd learned from eighteen years of teaching, the punishments that people could imagine were far more frightening than anything he could come up with.
A short time later he arrived at the Wizengamot chambers on level two. "My name is Severus Snape. I am here to see Wizengamot Member Snow at her invitation. I was instructed to speak with her clerk, Booker Richmond," he told one of the MLE guards.
"One moment," the guard told him, and stepped inside the chambers. He returned a few moments later with a tall man with dark skin and a piercing gaze.
"Master Snape?" he asked.
"Yes," Severus said, bowing slightly. "My daughter indicated she'd like to see me after the trial."
"Of course, we're expecting you. Please come in and I'll take you to her office," Booker said.
Severus followed him inside, noting the many doorways and the currently uncrowded curving hall.
"I take it a verdict was reached, Master Snape?" Booker asked.
"Yes, guilty, by forty one votes. Please, call me Severus," he said.
Booker nodded and Severus was certain that he saw relief in the man's eyes. "If you wish. You may call me Booker, if you'd like."
"Thank you," Severus said. "I believe your daughter was one of my former students. Viola, if I'm not mistaken."
Booker smiled and his whole face seemed to change as he relaxed. "Yes, Viola is my daughter. I'm afraid she is not quite as attentive to her studies as her mother and I would prefer. She rather idolizes your daughter for her skills on the Quidditch pitch."
"Viola is above average with her studies and I know Rachel is very fond of her," he said.
"When Viola first wrote home to me about Rachel, I expected it to be about her meeting the famed Girl-Who-Lived. Instead it was three paragraphs about the Quidditch game Rachel had played in," Booker said with a small laugh.
Severus couldn't help the feeling of the corners of his mouth rising. Knowing Viola, he could picture exactly that. "Merlin save us from Quidditch obsessed children."
"Indeed," Booker said, though he was still smiling. They reached Rachel's office and Booker let them in. "I'm afraid I need to stay with you. We're not allowed to leave anyone unintended in the Wizengamot members' offices."
"That's fine," Severus said, taking a quick look around. The office was impersonal, but he supposed that was to be expected. There was a large portrait on the wall, and though Severus had never met the man himself, he knew who it was. "Wizengamot Member Snow," he said, bowing his head ever so slightly.
"Monty, please. Just Monty. You must be Rachel's father. She speaks of you often," Monty said as he adjusted his glasses to look at Severus.
Severus was surprised that Rachel's grandfather could consider anyone but James as Rachel's father. "I'm glad to hear that," he said, though he was curious about what Rachel said about him.
"You mean a great deal to Rachel, she values your opinion highly," Monty continued. "I've been grateful to begin to get to know her. I had died before Lily was pregnant, so I did not have the opportunity to know much of Rachel until now."
"I'm certain she is grateful to have your advice," he said, fully meaning it. He knew Rachel treasured whatever connections to her family that she could get.
"I take it the trial is over?" Monty asked.
"Selwyn was found guilty by forty one votes," Severus said, watching as Monty's shoulders sagged with relief.
"Good," Monty said quietly. "I know these trials are weighing heavily on Rachel, but I would much prefer that Rachel was safe from them. I can't think of anywhere safer to keep them than Azkaban."
"You and I are of a like mind on that," Severus said.
"I'm afraid I must agree, regardless of how Rachel feels about Azkaban," Booker said. "It is better that the Death Eaters are contained."
The door opened and Rachel, Draco, Neville, and Black entered, all still in their Wizengamot robes.
"Severus," Rachel said, immediately moving to embrace him.
He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his chest. "You did well. I'm very proud of you," he told her.
She exhaled against him. "I can barely believe it. Forty one votes. After he spoke I was almost sure people would think that he was under the Imperius Curse."
Black shook his head. "He made a mistake. Anyone who was innocent would choose having their mind examined by an Unspeakable over going to Azkaban. He didn't want his mind examined because the memory of being under the Imperius Curse was false, and anyone with an ounce of sense knew that."
"I'm just glad it's over with and we don't have to worry about him anymore," Draco said, sitting down next to Neville.
Rachel released Severus and moved to sit down. "Now we just have to worry about whoever put the memory charm on him."
"You spoke well," Severus told Draco, uncertain if he needed to hear it, but wanting to offer it anyway.
Draco nodded. "Telling everyone I've used the Cruciatus Curse wasn't exactly my idea of a good time, but the victim's advocate was worried that Selwyn would reveal it if I didn't."
"Better to be upfront, especially since you've already been cleared by the MLE," Black said. "That way it sounds pre-planned and like you have nothing to hide."
"He is correct, this was the best course of action," Severus agreed, even though he hated agreeing with Black on general principle.
"At least the trials are almost over. Another week and a half and we'll be done with them until they catch more Death Eaters," Neville said.
Rachel nodded. "I'll be really glad when they're done."
"Me too," Draco said.
A knock on the door made almost everyone startle and Booker made his way over and answered it. "Madam Bones," he said, bowing slightly while making sure his voice was loud enough to be heard by Rachel.
Rachel stood again and moved over. "She can come in."
Severus found himself approving of Booker. If Booker was willing to block the door against Amelia and wait until Rachel invited her in, then he would guard Rachel against anyone.
Amelia Bones entered and nodded to everyone. "I wanted to say well done to both of you. You both spoke clearly and concisely and I believe it was based on your testimony that Selwyn was voted guilty. I also wanted to give you a clear warning to expect the Selwyn family to consider all of you enemies."
"Do we have any ideas who could have put the memory charm on Alfred Selwyn?" Draco asked. "Clearly they're a Death Eater sympathizer if not an outright Death Eater."
"At this time our most plausible candidate is Augustus Rookwood. He would be well skilled in those spells after his time as an Unspeakable. As far as we are aware, no one in the Sewlyn family has the skills to modify memories on such a level," Amelia explained.
Severus nodded. That made sense to him, though he felt they shouldn't count the possibility of it being someone else out. "Any leads on Rookwood?" he asked.
"None at this time. Wherever the known Death Eaters are hiding, we have not yet found any indications of a safe house. We think it's likely they're using the Fidelius charm, as none of the Death Eaters we've caught recently have been able to give a location under Veritaserum," Amelia said. "We're hoping he will remain active and that we can catch him on a raid."
That was a tall order. The only reason Rookwood had been caught in the last war was because he hadn't known his identity was compromised until too late. Severus rather doubted that Rookwood was out performing attacks with the rank and file Death Eaters.
"Keep your guard up and good work today," Amelia said, nodding to them before leaving.
"What will happen to the Selwyn seat?" Rachel asked once the door was shut again.
"Another member of the Selwyn family will occupy it. Their family is quite large and I'm certain they are meeting currently to decide who it will be," Booker said. "You should remain wary of them. Given that your desk in the chambers is next to them, discreetly check your desk for any spells before you sit down."
Yes, Severus definitely approved of Booker.
"Are we done for the day?" Draco asked.
"We are," Black said. "I know Remus would like to see the three of you."
"I have dinner with the Minister tonight, and I'm taking tomorrow off, but I could come by for lunch on Sunday," Rachel offered.
"Works for me," Neville said. "Just us three or do you want everyone?"
"Bring everyone. The more the merrier," Black said.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Severus checked with Rachel.
"You will. I'll come by in the morning," she promised.
Severus nodded. "You are prepared for dinner tonight?"
"As prepared as I'm going to get. I don't really know what to expect."
"Lots of people talking politics. It will be boring. Just don't make any commitments and listen to find out what people want," Draco said.
"That more or less is what I would expect," Severus said.
Rachel sighed. "This is going to keep happening isn't it?"
"Afraid so, kid," Black said. "Like it or not you are now a major political figure in the government."
Severus empathized with Rachel's look of dismay. He personally preferred to avoid politics and people's attention as much as possible. "You will get through it. It will get better with time," he assured her.
"You'll do fine, just remember which fork to use," Monty said, winking at Rachel.
Rachel groaned and rolled her eyes, but seemed in slightly brighter spirits than he'd seen her recently. He could only hope the end of the trials would be a burden off her shoulders.
Rachel frowned at herself in the bathroom mirror. She was in a light blue gown with puffy full length sleeves. When she'd gone to buy gowns she'd made it clear that she didn't want her bare arms and legs showing, even though now everyone knew exactly how she'd got those scars. She'd left her hair down, but had used Daphne's charm to define her long spiraling curls. She hadn't bothered with make-up, she'd never learned to put it on properly herself, nor did she actually own any make-up.
Going to this dinner was absolutely the last thing she wanted to do tonight, but she couldn't exactly send the Minister a Patronus saying she felt like she needed to huddle inside her bedroom under the covers until she had her mind back in order. She'd already seen the Evening Prophet and the coverage of the trial hadn't exactly been kind to any of them.
She decided her appearance was as good as it was going to get and went back to her bedroom, where her black slippers were waiting. She had bought two gowns and had decided on black slippers rather than matching ones for each gown. She felt slightly ridiculous. The weird thing was she felt far more comfortable training with the aurors and flying on the Quidditch pitch than she did sitting down to a fancy dinner.
"Don't wait up," Rachel told Feverfew, not getting close because she didn't want cat hair on her gown.
Feverfew meowed and jumped up to Rachel's desk to look out at the back garden.
Rachel checked to make sure her wand was safely in her pocket. She was wearing the necklace that Neville had bought her for her birthday many years ago, the charm bracelet she'd received for Christmas from her friends, the silver bracelet Severus had given her, and her message bracelet, just in case. She had decided against her portkey and phoenix pendant for the evening.
Downstairs in the sitting room she found most of her friends gathered.
"Are you sure this is what I should be wearing to a dinner?" she asked, feeling like it was a bit much.
"It's the Minister's Mansion. Everyone will be dressed like this," Draco said.
"You look lovely," Hermione said.
"You do. Your hair is so long now," Millie said. "I don't realize how long it is until you wear it down."
"Thanks." She felt she wasn't aware of her hair unless she was washing and untangling it or until she tried to do something with it. "What the hell am I supposed to say to these people?"
"Just let them pick the topic of conversation, smile at them, nod every so often, and say things like 'oh really' and 'I didn't know that' and 'how interesting'. You'll manage," Draco said.
Hermione snorted. "Seriously?"
Draco shrugged. "Basic etiquette for dealing with a room full of the Wizengamot when they aren't confined to speaking one at a time. Right, Neville?"
"Essentially," Neville agreed, though he looked embarrassed. "Most of them just want to hear themselves talk. You're just there to let them talk."
Rachel thought that was weirdly what she'd more or less been doing with the Dark Lord in her conversations with him, which was a little unnerving. She was hoping this would go far better.
"Just don't make any promises that you'll vote for something. If someone tries to get you to agree to vote for something, say that you'd like to learn more about it before coming to a decision and that you need to discuss it with your clerk. They'll accept that as an answer," Draco said.
Millie shook her head. "I feel thoroughly disillusioned about how our government works."
"You didn't feel disillusioned before when they were letting the Death Eaters massacre people?" Draco asked. "I mean, eventually they managed to pull their heads out of their asses, but not soon enough."
Rachel shrugged. She had her own qualms with the Ministry and how they'd responded to the war, but it was far too late now.
"I suppose I had just hoped that the new Wizengamot would be better. But it just sounds like backroom deals and people supporting each other because they know each other," Millie said.
"I think that's any government though," Hermione said. "I don't know how much you know about the muggle government in Britain, but there are lots of problems there and have been basically forever. It would be nice to fix it, but I don't know anything that can do that in a practical way. People are people."
"This is a better Wizengamot than the last one, even if it's just because we don't have any active Death Eaters on it," Draco said.
"That we know of," Neville said.
Draco nodded in agreement, his mouth going flat. "That we know of. You said Madam Bones is going to be at this dinner?"
"That's what the Minister said."
"Stick with her and Theo then. Both of them will defend you if the situation goes wrong. And, honestly, the Minister's Mansion is above where the Death Eaters have the means to attack right now," he said. "Still, it's Halloween tomorrow. Be on your guard."
"I will." Rachel was pretty much always on her guard unless she was at home. And even then she spooked at small noises and drew her wand before going to investigate. It was almost always a cat knocking something over.
"Alright, are we ready for this?" Theo asked as he arrived. He was wearing dark green - nearly black - robes that looked to be made of silk.
"I suppose we are," Rachel said. The invitation had merely told her to apparate the Minister's Mansion in Oxfordshire and that they would be greeted by House Elves.
"Good luck," Hermione said.
"Thanks, we might need it," Theo said, brushing his dark hair away from his eyes.
"Come back and tell us how ridiculously fancy it was," Millie said.
"We will," Rachel said. At the very least, whatever happened they could come back and laugh over it with their friends tonight. She took Theo's hand. "Ready?"
"Ready," he said.
They arrived outside a wrought iron gate, but also in a thick forest. Rachel drew her wand and looked around, her eyes seeing a hundred places people could hide.
"The bell pull, I think," Theo said, also looking around with his wand out.
"Makes sense," she said, still feeling uneasy.
Theo pulled on the bell pull and a moment later a House Elf in a tidy drape appeared in front of the gate.
"Your invitation, Miss and sir?" the House Elf asked.
Rachel pulled it from the pocket of her gown, glad that the invitation had instructed her to bring it with her because otherwise she would have left it at home.
"Wizengamot Member Snow," the House Elf said, bowing in her direction. "Who is accompanying you?"
"This is my close friend Theodore Nott," Rachel said.
The House Elf seemed to assess Theo for a moment before bowing his head. "Please follow. You is expected."
The gate opened and they followed him through a wooded area before the land opened up to reveal a large building. There were white stone columns along the front, with large windows in between. It was at least three stories tall and was lit from the outside. After her training with the aurors, Rachel thought that it looked like a nightmare to defend. She supposed they relied more on wards than on a physical defense of the building.
The House Elf led them through a large entryway, the tiles on the floor making a picture of the seal of the Ministry of Magic. It wasn't quite as impressive as Malfoy Manor, but it was close. Knowing Draco's parents even just a little bit, she suspected that Draco's ancestors had specifically made their manor more fancy than the Minister's Mansion on purpose.
After following a short hallway they arrived in an opulent dining room that today was set up for eight people. Rachel was relieved that it wasn't a larger event.
The Minister made his way over to them. "Rachel, thank you so much for coming. Please, introduce me to your companion."
"Thank you," Rachel said, because it seemed polite even if she didn't know what exactly she was thanking him for. "This is my close friend Theodore Nott. We attended Hogwarts together and have been friends and in the same study group together since our first year."
She was certain she saw surprise cross the Minister's features ever so briefly before he smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Nott. Any friend of Rachel's is a friend of mine," he said, bowing slightly.
Theo bowed as well, a deeper bow than the Minister's. "Thank you, Minister. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
"Just Rufus here, please."
"Theo, then."
The Minister nodded. "Let me introduce you around. We'll be sitting down in a few minutes. Ah, here's Amelia."
"Rachel," Madam Bones said, curtsying. "It's good to see you again, and perhaps under less urgent circumstances."
Rachel was relieved to see that the women were wearing gowns like hers, though Rachel's was far more plain that most of them. Even Madam Bones' gown sparkled slightly under the lights. It was also strange to see Madam Bones with her hair down and curled. "It's good to see you too. May I introduce my friend, Theodore Nott?"
There was the same mild look of surprise before Madam Bones smiled. "Of course, it's a pleasure to meet you, Theodore."
"Same to you, madam. Just Theo, please," he said, bowing. "May I ask after Susan?"
"Susan is doing well. She's very busy with her studies at the Healer Training Program. I believe Miss Hermione Granger is a friend of both of yours as well?" Madam Bones asked.
"She is, she speaks of Susan often," Theo said.
"Wonderful, I'm glad all of you are staying in touch. Some of your closest allies can be your year mates from Hogwarts. I'll let Rufus finish introducing you around," Madam Bones said.
"Thank you, Amelia," the Minister said, moving to another couple.
This woman had her black hair done up in a spiral bun and a deep green gown. "Wizengamot Member Snow, such a pleasure to meet you," she said, curtsying.
"Just Rachel, please," she said, making her own attempt at a curtsy while Theo bowed.
"This is Madam Angela Edgecome. She took the position of Head of the Department of Magical Transportation in July," the Minister said. "And her husband, Master Edward Edgecome. He is a member of the Spell Crafting Guild."
The man gave a short bow. "An honor, Rachel." He was wearing dress robes similar to Theo's, though in a very dark red.
"You as well, sir. This is my close friend Theodore Nott," she said.
"Do you know Marietta?" Theo asked.
"Marietta is our daughter," Madam Edgecome said. "I believe she was a year ahead of you at Hogwarts."
Rachel nodded. "We met her a few times through Cho, who was in her study group. How is Marietta?"
"She's doing well. She's working on a Transfiguration mastery at the moment," Master Edgecome said.
"Just like Theo, I believe," the Minister said.
"Yes, sir," Theo said, though he glanced at Rachel.
Rachel shook her head ever so slightly. She'd never said anything about Theo to the Minister.
"Who is your Master or Mistress?" Master Edgecome asked.
"Master Jorgensen, sir," Theo said.
"Very good, very good. Mitchell is a good man and a better teacher," Master Edgecome said with a nod.
"Ah, I see Unspeakable Patrick Sumner. He's the head of the department as well. If you'll excuse us," the Minister said.
"Of course, Rufus," Madam Edgecome said.
Minister Scrimgeour led them over to a man in dark grey robes. He had a shaved head and a tattoo around his left ear. "Patrick, may I have a moment?"
The Unspeakable turned and looked at them. "Wizengamot Member Rachel Snow and Mister Theodore Nott, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, sir," Rachel said, curtsying when Theo bowed.
"I don't suppose either of you have any interest in joining the Unspeakables after your masteries?" Unspeakable Sumner asked.
"I'm not certain what my career path will be. For now I'm with the aurors, the Wizengamot, and the Holyhead Harpies," Rachel said. She could see eventually joining the Unspeakables, just to take part in their research, but she felt that day was far off and she wasn't committed at all.
"I am also uncertain as to what I will be doing after my mastery, but feel I can't make any commitments at this time," Theo said.
Unspeakable Sumner nodded slightly. "Given the things I've heard, I believe either of you would make interesting candidates to be Unspeakables. We're also interested in your friend Miss Granger."
"I think Hermione has her heart set on being a Curse Specialist, but if you'd like, we can let her know your interest," Rachel offered.
"Please do, though Britain needs its own Curse Specialist. It's been too long," Unspeakable Sumner said.
"That it has. From what I've been told, if anyone has the abilities and commitment to pursue the role, it would be Miss Granger," the Minister said.
Rachel glanced at Theo again and found him looking back. Just how much did the Ministry know about her friends?
A man entered the room, his long brown hair slightly tousled and he came to the Minister's side. "Dinner's ready, Rufus."
"Excellent. Let me introduce you as well. Rachel, Theo, this is my husband, Andre. He's a chef and he cooked the meal tonight. He is the head chef at Romano's Restaurant in Diagon Alley."
Rachel blinked in surprise. "I wasn't aware you were married."
Andre smiled. "I do my best to stay out of the political limelight. I prefer to succeed on my own merits, as does Rufus."
"We try to keep our home life and our work lives as separate as possible," the Minister said. "If you want to know a secret, I will tell you."
"What's that?" Rachel asked, feeling she should ask since the Minister was smiling.
"Andre and I don't live here at the Minister's Mansion. Too ostentatious for us. We kept our family home."
Rachel nodded as she glanced around the room. "It is very formal."
"I can understand wanting your home life to be more relaxed," Theo agreed.
"Precisely. Now, let's take our seats while the meal is still hot," Andre said.
Rachel wound up sitting between Theo and Madam Bones, which was fine with her. The food was rich Italian cuisine and Rachel had never tasted anything like it before. The alfredo sauce was somehow both creamy and sweet and the noodles were delicious. She mostly listened, though she spoke when she was spoken to, and she was relieved that no one was bringing up the Death Eater trials or the Death Eaters or the war at all.
People told anecdotes about things happening in their departments. Andre told a very funny story about a woman at his restaurant who could not decide what to eat and finally said that she did not like Italian food at all. And, overall, the atmosphere was relaxed, like these people were friends who wanted to have dinner instead of being high up in the government. Rachel wasn't exactly sure what the purpose of her being here was, but no one seemed to ask anything of her or have nefarious plots.
They had wine after dessert, which Rachel pretended to sip after taking a first sip and finding the flavor far too strong for her. Afterwards everyone bid each other goodnight and everyone made a point to tell Rachel how glad they were to meet her and Theo and that they hoped they saw her again.
It was past ten when Rachel and Theo finally apparated into the hallway at home. The light was on in the sitting room, so they peered in to find everyone still awake.
"How was it?" Hermione asked.
Rachel looked at Theo and he shrugged. "Pretty good for the most part. They didn't talk Wizengamot business at all, which was a relief. The only members of the Wizengamot who were there were me, Madam Bones, and the Minister."
"They seem to know an awful lot about us though," Theo said, taking a seat in one of the armchairs.
Rachel sat down next to Millie and eyed Midnight and Feverfew. "Don't climb on me right now, I don't want cat hair on my gown." Feverfew sat obediently though Midnight still looked like she wanted to climb into Rachel's lap.
"What did they say?" Millie asked.
"Well, everyone seemed surprised to see me, which was interesting. Did you notice that?" Theo asked.
"I did. I'm not sure what that means," Rachel admitted.
"Could just be your family?" Draco suggested. "Surprised to see a child of a known Death Eater with the Girl-Who-Lived."
"Maybe," Theo said. "The Unspeakables are apparently interested in both of us, and you, Hermione, though they approve of you becoming a Curse Specialist. They knew enough about you to suggest that you have the dedication and abilities to become a Curse Specialist."
"And the Minister knew that Theo was doing a Transfiguration Mastery, and I definitely didn't tell him that," Rachel said. "It was a little weird."
"Maybe they're keeping an eye on you. Our study group was pretty well known at Hogwarts, I wouldn't be surprised if they know who you associate with," Neville said.
"I suppose that would make sense. Rachel is a little bit of a political wild card. The Minister, among others, probably wants to know what Rachel is going to do with the sway she has over the Wizengamot and the public," Hermione said.
"I don't feel like I have sway over the Wizengamot," Rachel said.
"You do, or Selwyn wouldn't have been found guilty," Draco said, Neville nodding.
"I just don't know what they expect to get from knowing about my friends," Rachel said.
"A fair amount. It probably concerns them a little that you're friends with Theo and Draco," Millie suggested. "They probably didn't think you were close enough with Theo to bring him to a dinner like this, that says a lot."
"It does?" Rachel asked.
"They probably think you are dating him," Draco said.
Rachel looked at Theo and Theo shrugged. "They probably think we are dating or that I'm courting you."
"Even though I introduced you as a close friend?"
He nodded. "They would think that about pretty much anyone you invited to this, no matter how you introduced them. It will say something if we don't find this reported on in the Daily Prophet tomorrow. Given the Minister's husband was there, I think this was a gathering of people that the Minister trusts. If one of them leaks something to the Prophet, well, it suggests he has a leak. That might have even been what this dinner was about, to see how far he could trust people, including you."
Rachel shook her head. All this political maneuvering stuff was beyond her, nor did she want to take part in it. "Well, I'm not planning to tell anyone that the Minister has a husband."
Hermione frowned. "Is it because he's gay? Is that why it's a secret?"
Draco shook his head. "Scrimgeour has other family members to pass down his line, so that's not a concern. No one really cares that much for the most part."
"The Minister told us he just prefers to keep his family life private, which, given how much the Daily Prophet has invaded Rachel's private life, I completely understand," Theo said.
"I can understand that too. I bet Andre would have people coming up to him all the time wanting to influence the Minister if people knew," Rachel said.
"That's probably true," Neville said. "Wizengamot members have good wards for more than keeping out the Death Eaters. I imagine it's even worse for the Minister."
"Did you have an alright time even with all the politics?" Millie asked.
"Surprisingly it wasn't terrible," Rachel said. "Everyone was fairly kind to us."
"They were, it was surprisingly low key for a dinner with the Minister," Theo said.
"That's a relief then," Hermione said.
It was a relief. "I think I'm ready for bed. It's been a long day."
"That it has," Theo agreed.
Rachel bid goodnight to everyone and left the sitting room with Feverfew at her heels and decided she was going to try to sleep in tomorrow morning.
Rachel woke at six on Halloween morning, which she supposed shouldn't have surprised her.
Feverfew looked at her and meowed.
"Yes, I'm awake. Do you want behind your ears scratched?" she asked, since that was usually what Feverfew wanted first thing in the morning.
Feverfew lowered her head and Rachel took a few minutes to scratch behind her ears and around her chin and her neck. Feverfew sat back, which was her signal that she'd had enough.
Rachel sat up and sighed. She hadn't dreamed about that night at Malfoy Manor, which was a surprise. She had expected to have nightmares about it after speaking in front of the Wizengamot yesterday. Instead, she'd dreamed about her manifestation screaming and writhing in her mind, trying to shake off the control of the Dark Lord. She wondered what had happened in her mental architecture when the Dark Lord had spoken to her in her mind. She hadn't given it any thought at the time, but her manifestation had been keeping him out. What if he'd done something to her manifestation?
The next step was going into her mind and checking on her manifestation, but Rachel didn't feel up to that right now. She knew avoiding her manifestation was not the solution. She knew she actually needed to work to fix that situation so her manifestation was not trapped in that cupboard. She knew all of these things, but now that she was not trying to keep the Dark Lord out of her mind, she felt very little desire to go back into her mental architecture or to face her manifestation at all.
Why was doing the adult mature thing always so hard?
What Rachel wanted to do was withdraw from the public eye entirely and spend time learning and writing and creating potions. And, the terrible thing was, she knew she could actually do that. With the Dark Lord no longer in the picture, she could run away from all of her problems. Unfortunately, she also recognized that wouldn't actually make her feel better. She could spend all of her time curled up in the cellar making potions and it wouldn't fix her anxiety or her nightmares. It wouldn't cause her to feel in more control. It wouldn't lessen her worries about the newspaper or the Death Eaters.
Hiding didn't actually help and she was deeply frustrated by that. She'd had enough experience with her anxiety now to know that doing what it wanted her to do didn't actually make the situation better and sometimes made it worse. If she'd listened to her anxiety, Selwyn wouldn't have been convicted. If she'd listened to her anxiety, she wouldn't be on the Harpies reserve team. If she listened to her anxiety and all of her doubts about what people were going to say, she wouldn't be trying to fix Azkaban. That didn't mean it still wasn't a fight not to listen to her anxiety.
She turned on her lamp, retrieved her journal from her bedside table drawer, and her quill, and settled in to write. It felt different writing to her parents now that she knew they could actually see these letters. Before it had been more about what she'd imagined she'd might say to them. Now it was actual communication.
'Dear mom and dad,
Writing this, I realize that I probably should write to you on your birthdays, rather than the day that you died. I'm sure it's not a pleasant anniversary for you either.
I'm sorry I haven't written more lately. I've been a little preoccupied with the Wizengamot. Dad, be glad you never took your seat. Honestly, it's kind of boring, except for the trials, which are just awful. Thankfully we'll be done with the trials soon.
I hate sending people to Azkaban, and honestly I think our legal system is a little messed up. No, a lot messed up. What sort of just system allows the person who arrested the criminal and the victim of the crime to act as a judge/jury? Seeing all of this now, and knowing everyone (okay, not everyone, but the majority of the people on the Wizengamot) has the best intentions, it's very easy to see how the Wizengamot in the last war imprisoned Sirius while letting so many Death Eaters go free. The opportunities for corruption are horrific. Deciding to convict someone shouldn't happen along political lines, regardless of what those people stand for.'
Rachel sighed. She had absolutely no idea what to do about that. How did anyone go about changing how their judicial system worked when the judicial system also passed laws for their country? Now that she thought about it, that was messed up too. It was a small miracle that their government was as functional as it was.
'You probably don't want to hear me whine about the Wizengamot. Politics is boring. I have a cat named Feverfew, who you've probably seen by now. She's very direct, which is nice, because I never have to worry about doing something she doesn't like, because she tells me straight away. Thankfully she seems to be getting along with Midnight and Crookshanks.
We have two House Elves, Kreacher and Dobby, and unfortunately they do not seem to get along too well. I was hoping that Kreacher seeing how happy Dobby was being free would help him see that it was okay to be free, but that didn't work out at all. Not sure what to do about the House Elf situation overall, but we've managed to broker a peace between Kreacher and Dobby so at the very least they aren't upsetting each other. Can you see my pictures? I hope so. I have a picture of Dobby in the children's clothes that we bought him, it's very cute. It's too bad House Elves usually don't like wearing clothes, because it's kind of fun to help get him outfits.
Given everything, I'm going to guess you probably had roughly the same response Severus and Sirius did regarding us joining the aurors. Try not to worry about it too much. I like my team and I already trust Tonks, Draco, and Ron to have my back and I'm getting to know everyone else as well. I think I'm doing something that is important. The sooner the Death Eater threat is over with, the better for everyone.
I got to meet Granddad Monty's portrait. He's hanging in my office at the Wizengamot and often gives me advice. He seems like a really nice person, even if we don't agree on everything. It's been nice to get to know him.
I miss you both and I love you.
I'll try to write again soon. Christmas, at the latest.
Love, your daughter Rachel'
She read over her letter and decided it would do for now. There were other things that she'd wanted to say, but they'd left her thoughts. She could write them again later.
She put away her journal and quill and got out of bed. She made it with a charm and then retrieved some casual clothes since she wasn't planning on being anywhere in public today. In the bathroom she took a quick shower, untangled her hair and then plaited it, and took a quick peek in the mirror. In a weird way, she felt like she was getting to know herself all over again. Her reflection no longer seemed strange to her, though she could remember when it was, but it wasn't fully familiar either.
Back in her room she put on her shoes and wrote a note saying that she'd be visiting Severus and she wasn't sure what time she'd be back.
She went downstairs, Feverfew at her side, and stopped in the kitchen. The Daily Prophet hadn't come yet. She set her note on the table and stopped by the owl perch to find both Gladys and Ulysses awake. "Good morning," she told them. She scratched Gladys' neck for her, but left Ulysses alone as he wasn't overly fond of being touched. He did like to eat scrambled eggs though.
"Miss? Does Miss Rachel want breakfast?" Dobby asked as he appeared in the kitchen. Today he was wearing trousers intended for a toddler, a bright green shirt, and Hogwarts robes that they'd shrank for him.
"No, not today, thank you. I'm going to go visit my father," she said.
"Miss is very early for visiting," Dobby said.
Rachel glanced at the time. Not quite seven was a bit early for visiting, but she didn't think Severus would mind. "It's okay. I won't wake him and he's probably up by now anyway."
"Miss will come back?" Dobby asked, looking worried.
"I'll be back, I live here. It's the anniversary of my parents' deaths, so I like to spend time with Severus because he cared about them too," she explained.
"Miss is sad," he said, watching her intensely with his large eyes.
Rachel considered that for a moment. "I am, a little bit. My life would be very different if they'd lived, but I'm also very attached to the life that I have now. I…I don't think I'd trade for that life. That would essentially be killing who I am. I'm different than I would be if they'd raised me, but I think I know some important things that I wouldn't if I was that other girl."
Dobby nodded. "Miss is very powerful. And Miss is kind. Miss shouldn't trade those things for anything."
She thought she would be willing to trade being powerful for having some peace in her life. Or at least some privacy. But not kindness. Kindness was important. "I'll be back later. I've left a note so everyone knows where I am. If they ask you, just let them know I went to see Severus."
"Yes, Miss."
Rachel went out into the hall and then apparated into the sitting room of Fallow Farm. Even though she didn't live here anymore, this still felt like home. She peered into the kitchen and found Severus with a cup of tea and a tawny owl on the owl perch. She tapped her fingers on the door frame so that Severus would look up without her startling him.
"Good morning, you're early," he said.
"Woke early, decided to come here instead of sitting around." She wandered over to the perch. "Who is this?"
"That is Apollo. I needed an owl to keep up correspondence with the people I'm brewing for and the Guild and became tired of going to the post office," Severus said, standing to pour her a cup of tea.
Rachel smiled. "I'm sure he'll be a good owl for you." She went back to the table and sat down, accepting the cup of tea from Severus and then adding milk and sugar. "I wrote to my parents this morning. It's a little different knowing they can see it."
"Did they say that they could?"
"They did, I asked them. I know it's only one-way communication, but it's better than nothing."
"It is. I might have to try it. I'm not quite certain what I'd say to them," Severus said, looking thoughtful.
"Anything you like. I don't think they'll mind. Maybe I should tell Sirius and Remus too, that way they can write letters. What do you think?" she asked.
"Perhaps give them the information, if you feel comfortable doing that," he said. "It's entirely up to you."
Rachel stirred her tea and looked down at it. "Do you think it's wrong that I haven't told people about the afterlife?"
"No. I think that was a very personal experience and it makes sense to keep it to yourself."
"But, don't you think that people would want to know that their loved ones are watching them and waiting for them? I think I would want to know."
Severus looked at her for a long moment. "Do you think you would have believed that if someone told you so?"
She pressed her lips together. "I mean, it's sort of what I already anticipated, so I think I would have been alright with it. If I believed something else already, maybe not. I feel I do have a bit of an advantage over most people in that regard since I actually did die."
"Perhaps. And perhaps it would bring comfort to some people, but I do not think you want to be known for speaking of what is beyond the grave. That has the potential to turn out very poorly for you," he warned. "Has anyone tried to question you about it? An Unspeakable?"
"No, no one. Which is nice. I'm glad they're not, actually. I guess I just want to help people if I can, but if this isn't going to help, then maybe it's better not to talk about it. I did meet an Unspeakable yesterday. He asked me and Theo if we were interested in joining the Unspeakables after our masteries, and he was interested in Hermione as well," Rachel said.
"That's not a surprise. I'm actually more surprised that the Unspeakables have not pursued you yet. I imagine they have a great number of questions for you, and I urge you to be circumspect when that time comes. Perhaps they wish to make more gentle forays now to see if you'll come to them of your own accord."
"What about Theo and Hermione?" she asked.
"The Unspeakables are always interested in the top performers at Hogwarts, especially those who go on to do masteries in certain areas. They will wait a while to begin recruiting efforts, but the day will come. I would prefer you were an Unspeakable rather than an Auror, but there are also significant drawbacks to becoming an Unspeakable, the primary of which is that you are limited in what research and inventions that you are allowed to share," he explained.
Rachel shrugged. "I don't anticipate being an auror for more than a year. I'm done when the Death Eaters are done. Then I'll do my Mastery. After that, who knows."
"That time is still several years away, it makes sense to leave your options open for now. How was dinner with the Minister? I presume you met this Unspeakable there."
"The Head Unspeakable, actually. I also met the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation, who is actually Marietta's mom. We also met her husband, who is with the Spell Crafting Guild. Madam Bones was there. Then me and Theo. And the Minister and his husband. Did you know he has a husband?"
Severus nodded. "I vaguely recall that. For the most part Scrimgeour tries to keep his private life to himself, which is entirely understandable."
"It is. I wish I could do that. I'm actually a little worried about what's going to be in today's Daily Prophet," she said, checking her watch. The newspaper should be arriving soon.
"The summation of the trial was unfortunate. I'm sorry they painted you and Draco in such a light. I imagine we'll see a rehash this morning."
Rachel took a sip of tea now that it was cooler and put down her cup. "Actually I'm worried about what it's going to say about me and Theo. They say that since I brought Theo with me yesterday to the Minister's dinner that people will think we're dating."
"If you bring Theo with you to social events, then people will expect that you are dating him. If you do not wish to date Theo, you may wish to take that into consideration," he said, arching his eyebrows.
She frowned. She didn't know what the answer was there. She trusted Theo to keep her safe at these events, but maybe it wasn't fair to him.
"Speak of the devil," Severus said as a screech owl arrived with the newspaper. He paid the owl, unrolled the newspaper and set it on the table.
Rachel leaned over to see. There was another rehash of Selwyn's trial, but nothing else concerning her. That was a relief and it was also interesting. There was also nothing about the Minister's dinner last night at all. Maybe it was intended to have been an entirely private event. "Good enough for me."
Severus nodded. "Would you like breakfast? I have eggs."
"Yes, please," she said. "Do you want me to cook?"
"No, no need," he said, waving her back to the table.
Rachel settled in and began skimming the paper, deciding that she was just going to have a quiet morning with Severus.
