Chapter 20: Talks With Kingsley

Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Hphphp

Harry made his way to the Gryffindor tower and made his mirror call. "Kingsley Shacklebolt," he said, and waited for the man to come on the mirror. While he waited, he went over in his head what had transpired in the old man's office. He really hated that Snape was being a coward. He could end the whole war right now just by giving them the names and locations of the Death Eaters, but he was being a dick about it. He really hated that man sometimes and now had zero respect for him. Not that he had had much to begin with, but now, nope, none. He hoped the Aurors came and threw the book at him and that it hurt him badly.

"Potter?" Shacklebolt said when he came on the mirror. He looked surprised to hear from the Boy-Who-Lived. They had gone out of their way to make sure nothing touched the boy wonder. He had had nothing to do with today's events so having him call him was a shock.

"Yeah, I just wanted to let you know that Snape is here at the castle," Harry said, looking at the other man. He was calm and cool in his delivery. He didn't want to come off as menacing, or revengeful.

"Thanks for telling me. I'll make sure to send some Aurors to come and get him," Kingsley said, then wrote something down. He was alone in one of the interrogation rooms, since the mirrors were still a secret. He would have to tell Amelia about them soon, but not until after the war. He had signed an agreement about them when they had been handed out earlier that day. He would make sure the DMLE had them as soon as they hit the market. He was sure that Black and Potter would donate them. If not, he would buy them and do that. He had some savings for that. If they weren't too expensive, that is.

"I also wanted to let you know Dumbledore doesn't think that Voldemort is dead," the teen said, looking exasperated. He was tired of the old man already. He just knew Dumbledore wasn't going to let this drop.

"Really now?" the black man said, raising an eyebrow. That was news to him. The fact that the old man knew about the day's event, not that he thought that the Dark Lord was immortal. That was old news.

"Yeah, he had me in his office not too long ago trying to convince me that I had to do the killing blow," Harry said, frustration clear in his tone. "He's still spouting off on the prophecy," he said with disdain.

"How did he find out that we killed Voldemort?" the Auror asked, writing something else down. He too was frustrated. The last thing he wanted to deal with was the headmaster. He had already pulled everyone from guarding the thrice-damned prophecy and told the DoM that there were people wandering about their domain.

"Remus told him."

"That blasted werewolf."

"I keep telling you, he's Dumbledore's lapdog," Harry said with a chuckle. He was laughing because the adults, bar Sirius, never listened to him. And even in this, Sirius didn't listen to him either.

Kingsley shook his head and sighed. "I know, I know, I didn't trust him to come along on the raid, but Sirius insisted," he said as he continued to make notes on his pad. He needed to get these thoughts on to parchment before he forgot them.

He was trying to figure out where the Death Eaters might have gone. However, since he wasn't sure who was one, he was lacking information to make a logical conclusion. Still there were some thoughts he was trying to get down. He was pretty sure that Crabbe and Goyle were accomplices. They were tight with Malfoy. He was going to suggest to Bones they start there.

Harry just chuckled again. He was glad they were listening to him now. "Well, there it is," he said, then went back to the original topic. "Oh, I saw Snape in the headmaster's office. He was there when I left. I don't know if he's still there now. By the way, Sirius is on his way to the Ministry." He figured he'd give them a heads-up. Sirius was not something you wanted to be surprised by.

"Why is he coming here?" Shacklebolt wanted to know. Not that he didn't like Sirius, but he was hard to deal with sometimes.

"Probably to let you know that Snape is at Hogwarts," Harry said with a laugh.

"Oh, alright," Shacklebolt said with a chuckle. He thought it was funny that the two didn't coordinate. Potter probably did it as a prank. He'd get with Amelia as soon as he was done with the kid and have Snape brought here as soon as possible. They'd have to work fast and get him out from under the headmaster's influence. That was going to be tricky.

"Anyway, I just figured I'd let you know. I'm going to go and do my homework now," Harry said, ready to get off the mirror. He'd been too long away from the general public. They would think he was up to something. He was scrutinized too closely to remain hidden for too long.

"Alright, thanks for letting me know. We'll send somebody to get him right away," Kingsley said, getting up and tucking away his notes. He needed to get some work done anyway.

"Goodbye, Kingsley."

"Goodbye, Potter."

Hphphp

The Aurors showed up and arrested Snape right away and took him to the ministry. It had taken some doing to get him away from Dumbledore, but in the end, they had a warrant and there was nothing the old man could do.

Kingsley and Amelia were interrogating him in a room that held one table and four chairs. There was a two-way mirror on one wall and the other walls were grey and unadorned.

After they gave him his rights and did all the legal mumbo-jumbo. They started in on the questioning. "What have you done with Moody?" Kingsley asked, wanting to know the answer to that one straight off. It was top priority in his books.

Snape looked shocked at the question. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, looking genuinely confused. "We've done nothing with Moody." He was wracking his brain as to why that was even being asked. He could account for all the Death Eaters and none of them were unaccounted for. Even Yaxley had a valid alibi. He was with Snape the entire time they were on the run. Right up until the time he left that is.

Shacklebolt tapped his finger on the table in front of Severus and said, "He was not there where I left him when we came to collect you all from Malfoy Manor. The last place I saw him was watching you guys. Now what have you done with him?" He was demanding in his tone. He really wanted to know what happened to his friend.

"I'm telling you, we have done nothing with Mad-eye Moody," Snape said, leaning forward, like that would put emphasis on his words. "I'm on your side. I was a spy for Dumbledore. I would not hurt Moody even if he was kidnapped by the Death Eaters, which he was not." He pronounced each word slowly and clearly. He wanted there to be no misunderstanding. As far as he knew the man was fine. "I would have done everything in my power to see him released if he was captured."

"Well, shite," said Amelia. She had a feeling that Alastor was doing his own thing and hunting Death Eaters. She was very concerned for the man. He was not a young man anymore.

"Do you know what happened to Moody?" Kingsley tried a different question.

"No, I didn't even know any of you were there until we found out Nagini was dead," Severus said, canting his head to the side. Which was true. Hell, he had only guessed it was Black that landed the killing blow to the Dark Lord because he recognized his laugh. He had heard it often enough during their school years.

"Walk us through what happened after you found out Nagini was dead," Amelia said, wanting to hear it from his point of view.

Snape settled into his chair and crossed his legs, like he was getting ready to tell a long tale. "We thought we heard somebody flying above us, they were laughing, and we chased them through the manor. That's when we found the Dark Lord decapitated and we knew he was dead. We banded together and decided to leave the manor right away and go to a different place. We decided to leave our dead there since it would take too long to gather them, and we had no idea who was hunting us. For all we knew there was a contingent of Aurors waiting for us outside. So, we left. And that's all I'm going to tell you," he said, folding his arm with finality.

"We have ways of making you talk, Snape," Shacklebolt said with a great deal of anger. He didn't like Snape. He didn't like what he stood for, or how he acted. He always hid behind Dumbledore and projected a 'you can't touch me' vibe. He was doing that now.

"I'm not putting my life in jeopardy just to give you names of the Death Eaters," the Potions Master said, glaring at the bald man.

"I thought you were on our side," Kingsley snapped, slamming his fist on the table.

"I am on your side, but I value my life more than I value this stupid war," Snape said, waving his hand dismissively. Now that Voldemort was dead his place as a spy was over. His job was done, there was no need for him anymore. He couldn't count on the old man to save him. Dumbledore was dying and there would be no one to protect him. If the new crew did kill the Dark Lord for good, then he was disposable. On both sides.

"At least tell me where they're hiding out," Amelia said, quill poised to take notes. She could have used a dictaquill, but she liked to take her own notes in shorthand. That way no one could read them but herself and a few others.

"I will not."

"I can hold you for 48 hours," she warned.

"Then you will just have to hold me for 48 hours because I'm not giving up any information," the dour man said, like it was nothing to be in prison. He would be safe from the revenging Death Eaters and the Order members that would think he was on the other side.

"I can question you under Veritaserum since you're a half-blood," she threatened. She would do it too. This was just too important. She needed that information. She didn't want them to walk like they did in the last war. Though even if she got them here, there was a good chance they would bribe themselves out of prison. Fudge was even more of a push over than Bagnold. He'd take a bribe in a hot second. Still, being twice accused of being a terrorist would put a crimp on their reputation.

"I can answer those questions honestly without giving up information. I am a master Occlumens," Severus said, sneering at her with disdain. He couldn't believe she was threatening him.

"Well, shite," said Bones. She hated people like Snape. Still, she was going to question him anyway. They had ways around Occlumens too. It was tricky, but there were ways to get them to answer. The Department of Mysteries might have to be brought in, but they were always happy to help.

"We're not gonna get anything more out of him," said Kingsley with a great deal of disgust. "I say we just throw him in jail and throw away the key. He's a terrorist." He all but spat the last word. If the man wasn't going to help them, then he was working for the other side in his eyes.

"We'll give him the same trial we'll give every other Death Eater. But you know he's going to walk because he's Dumbledore's butt boy," she said, knowing that was probably the wrong thing to say, but she didn't care. She was tired of all the bad guys walking away from prison because of who they knew, or how much they spent.

Snape looked affronted at her accusations. He wasn't anyone's butt boy. That was worse than being called a bodyguard and a coward.

"Still, we'll do what we can to get him in Azkaban for a little while," said Shacklebolt. He smirked at Snape, who paled. "He can languish there for his 48 hours," he said with a shrug. "Or we could just arrest him right now," he suggested, thinking that was a better idea. "He's impeding our investigation. He's withholding vital information and was witnessed at the scene of the crime doing terrorist acts. I have five people that will state this as fact," he stated, sneering at the Potions Master.

Snape paled even more, but didn't say anything else. He knew anything he said would come back to haunt him.

"Alright, since you refuse to cooperate, I have no choice but to arrest you. Severus Snape, you're under arrest for terrorism. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you," Amelia said as she put the cuffs on Snape and hauled him away for processing. She wouldn't put him in Azkaban, but she would be holding him for as long as she could get away with, which, since she was arresting him, was 30 days.

"I want to talk to Dumbledore," Snape was saying as she dragged him away.

Hphphp

Kingsley went out into the hallway and saw that Sirius was standing there. He had watched the whole thing from the other side of the two-way mirrors. To say he was upset was an understatement, but he also knew it would happen this way. He had been shocked that Harry had already called the Aurors before he got there and then hit himself for not using the mirrors to do the same. Oh well, he'd remember that Kingsley had one if there was a next time.

"I could have told you he wasn't going to say anything," said Sirius as he came off the wall and started walking with Kingsley. They were headed to the cafeteria. It was late at night, and both could use a cup of tea and possibly a pastry. It wasn't far, just a few doors down.

"It's still disappointing to see that somebody who's on our side is so closed mouthed," said Kingsley. He had hoped Snape would give them something on Moody, but if he was to be believe he didn't know anything. Should he trust the man's word? He wasn't sure.

Sirius looked skeptical, like he didn't believe one word that came out of Snape's mouth. "You can't trust a spy. They're always out for themselves," he said, looking at the portraits on the wall. He knew some of them. They were Blacks, both famous and infamous. More the latter.

"That's not always true, but 95% of the time it is," Shacklebolt said with a sigh as they got to the cafeteria and went to the line and got some tea and a pastry. Kingsley got a cream filled one, while Sirius got a chocolate one.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Sirius asked as he followed Kingsley back to the bullpen. They would take their treat at the Auror's desk. They wanted to be there in case there was any news on Moody. They walked calmly and slowly as to not spill their tea.

Kingsley didn't answer him until they got to his desk, where they sat in the chairs. "We'll do some questioning with Veritaserum and do our best to get what we can out of him. And then we'll search the houses of the known Death Eaters from the last war. I've given a few names to Bones," he said, sipping his tea and sighing at the taste. It had been a long day and was turning out to be a long night. He really thought he'd get more out of Snape than that, but the man was an arsehole.

"I wish you luck," Sirius said, also sipping his tea, though he wasn't taking as much enjoyment out of it. "I'm worried about Harry and the baby Death Eaters. I'm sure there are some seventh years at Hogwarts that have taken the mark." He figured he'd voice this concern to the Aurors, and they might post someone at Hogwarts. Not that it would help overly much, but who knows, it might.

"I'm sure Harry can take care of himself. If you want, I can post an Auror there," the black man said, stifling a yawn. He took another sip of tea. He really needed to stay awake, or to go home. No, he was needed here for now.

"I'm sure Dumbledore won't let you do that," Sirius warned. He didn't care what the old man said, but he figured he'd warn the man that there would be a fight about it.

"Dumbledore really doesn't have a say in it if I feel there's a need," Shacklebolt stated, putting his tea down forcefully. It was a good thing it was half gone, or it would have sloshed over the rim.

"Don't you mean if Amelia feels there's a need?" Sirius said, cheekily.

"You're right, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll ask Amelia to post one there. I'm just so frustrated right now," the other man said, rubbing the top of his head tiredly. He really wanted to go home and rest, but there was so much to do, and he was too worried to sleep.

"Thanks, Kingsley."

"So, what are you going to do now, oh, Slayer of Dark Lords?" Kingsley asked, picking up his pastry and biting into it. He hummed at the sweetness of it, and he relished the taste. He hadn't eaten since breakfast.

Sirius scowled and sipped his tea. He put the cup down and said, "I was gonna stay at home and read a book, but then Dumbledore called Harry into his office. Now I think I'll go home and have words with the werewolf." The was a determined look on his face as well as betrayal.

"Don't go too harshly on him," Kingsley said, trying to calm the man down. "He's only doing what he's been trained to do." He could see things from Remus's perspective. Not that he agreed with it, just that he could see it.

Sirius nodded and conceded the point, but he was still angry. "Yeah, I suppose years of conditioning will do that to somebody," he said, taking a sip of his cooling tea. "Still, I told him, right before I went to bed, not to tell anybody about what had happened today, and he turned right around and told Dumbledore all about it." That's what angered him the most.

"I understand your frustration," Shacklebolt said, putting a hand on the other man's arm. He removed it almost immediately. He knew Sirius wasn't a tactile man. "I just hope you don't go too harshly on him." He really felt for the werewolf and pitied him the fight that was going to happen. There wasn't going to be a way out of it for Remus. He really screwed up this time. They all knew how important it was to keep Voldemort's death a secret from everyone but the DMLE.

"This is going to put a major dent in our friendship," Sirius said with all seriousness. It hurt him to say it, but it was true. "I can't trust him with anything. I can't trust him not to run to Dumbledore every time I tell him something he doesn't like. And I can't trust him with anything related to Harry." He knew that anyway. He hadn't told Remus anything about Harry since the boy had come back from the grey area. He knew that the werewolf would have told the old man straight away. That was the last thing they needed. The headmaster was obsessed enough.

"And after Dumbledore dies, will you be able to trust him after that?" Kingsley asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Now that's a good question. His conditioning will be broken then," Sirius said, contemplating the matter seriously. It was a logical question.

"It's something to think about."

"And judging from the looks of Dumbledore's hand, he's not going to be around very much longer," Sirius said with a grave look. He had noticed the hand and knew the Withering Curse was still killing the man. Now that Snape was incarcerated, there would be no one to brew the potion keeping him alive.

"Oh, do tell."

"That thing is black as the night is long. I give him less than half a year." That was his best guess. It might be sooner.

"That is very sad news."

"I guess that depends on your perspective," Sirius said, thoughtfully. He would not miss Albus too many names Dumbledore. He wasn't going to dance on the man's grave, but he wasn't going to mourn him either.

"I suppose it does."

"Anyway, I better get back to Grimmauld Place and talk to Remus," Sirius said, popping the last of his pastry in his mouth and washing it down with the last of his tea.

"I wish you the best of luck. Like I said, go easy on him," Kingsley said, not pleading but trying to be the voice of reason.

"I'll try and keep my temper, but I'm still very upset with him," Sirius said, standing and gathering up his outer robe.

"Why don't you sleep on it tonight and get with him tomorrow morning, after you've calmed down?" Shacklebolt said, standing as well and leading Sirius to the floo.

"That's actually a very good idea. I think I will try and read my book tonight and confront him at breakfast," the dogman said, thinking that would be a better idea then having a screaming fest in the middle of the night.

"That sounds like a better plan. You and your temper, you might just break things off and regret it in the days to come," the black man said, putting a hand on the other man's shoulder.

"Thanks, Kingsley, for being the voice of reason," Black said, nodding his head in thanks.

"You're welcome," Kingsley stated, holding the floo powder pot for Sirius to grab some.

"Now if only we knew where Moody was," said Sirius, not taking the powder just yet. But taking the pot so Kingsley didn't have to hold it for him.

"I think he's tracking down the Death Eaters." That was their best guess anyways.

"You might be right, and that means we'll probably hear from him any minute now," the dogman said, looking around the room like Alastor would pop up and say how stupid they were being for worrying about him.

"But why hasn't he called us on the mirrors?" Kingsley asked, pulling out his own mirror and calling Moody again. Getting the same results, which was nothing. He put the mirror away before anyone saw it.

"You know Moody, he's probably forgotten what they are, or how to use them. He's an old man, you know how they are with new things," said Sirius with a wave of his hand.

"You're probably right."

"We really didn't have much time to go over them, so give him a break. I expect an owl to show up any minute now if Moody doesn't show up himself." As if Magic herself spoke an owl came swooping into the office. It landed on the fireplace and held out its foot to Kingsley, who took the missive. "Well, what does it say?" Sirius asked, anxious to know if it was from Moody.

"It's from Moody and he knows where the Death Eaters are," Kingsley said, turning around and going to Bones's office. He was wide awake now. He hoped she was there, she really needed to see this note.

Sirius quickly put the floo powder down and followed behind, only to have the door slam in his face when he got there. He should have known better; he's a civilian. If he was needed, they would let him know. Oh well, he'd just go and sit over at the desk and wait.