Fugue State

Fugue State

*************

The final battle between the forces of Light and Voldemort took place the winter of Harry Potter's seventh year on the lei lines of Stonehenge as both sides attempted to tap into the magical forces that permeated throughout the grounds.

In the end, the Order and the Light ruled the day.

In the first minutes after the defeat of Voldemort all the combatants could do was stare at the whirlpool of light and magic that surrounded the corpse of Voldemort as Dumbledore and Harry shouted their final curses at the Dark Lord. His body and power dissipated in a swirl of magic and power few had ever seen. The battle paused as both Death Eaters and the Order's forces stared at Voldemort as his body disintegrated into ashes.

Five minutes after the death of Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew, once a friend of the Marauders and known to them as Wormtail, sobbed as he clutched the ashes of the once powerful lord to him, coating his body in the dregs of the Dark Lord. The remaining Death Eaters, demoralized by the death of the invulnerable and immortal Lord were stunned, captured or killed by the side of the Light. It fell to Sirius Black to capture Pettigrew, once his friend, now a pitiful sobbing fool with one arm. It seemed once Voldemort had died, so had his magical constructions. Pettigrew's arm, used as a tool, fell to the ground in the midst of the ashes. Pettigrew, who's sole contribution to the now famous Marauders' Map had been to procure the parchment, looked up to see his friend and cried. Black, who was by all accounts showing great control, placed Pettigrew in a body bind and turned once again to the battle.

Which was over.

Twenty-four hours after the death Voldemort, the Wizarding world celebrated. For a week. Muggles who looked to the skies over England saw colored lights, shooting stars and flocks of owls. Since the Aurora Borealis had never before been seen in England, many thought it was a sign of the Apocalypse. Stonehenge had become impassible as a localized storm and low fog kept everyone away. Even the Druids thought something was amiss. The flocks of owls that crisscrossed the country were discussed and examined on the evening news and by numerous Scientists trying to assure people that this was not a sign of impending doom. All throughout the Muggle world people chatted, prayed and watched for the Four Horsemen. Churches, Synagogues and Mosques were filled as everyone attempted to convince the deities that they were truly pious people.

After a month passed and the world did not end, everyone, Wizard and Muggle alike went about their business.

Forty-five days after the death of Voldemort, the Wizarding world watched as the first of the Death Eater trials began. Based on secret reports from the Order and years of intelligence about the structure of the Death Eaters, prisoners were sentenced accordingly. The reams of parchment on the activities of the Death Eaters went back years and were pronounced irrefutable by both the Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, and his son Percy. Percy, under who's administration Azkaban fell, for he had taken over after Barty Crouch had died, promised the world that the guilty would spend their lives ensconced in misery and despair. Even so, there were a number of Death Eaters, whose crimes were such that there was no other option but to sentence them to the Dementors' Kiss. The rest were entombed within Azkaban for the remainder of their lives. Those that were injured at the Battle were placed in a special ward in Azkaban until such time as they were fit for trial. The world was finally free of the darkness that had plagued it for more than twenty years. Sighs of relief were heard everywhere.

Two months after the death of Voldemort, the first of the books detailing the Final Battle began to flow into the bookstores. Flourishes and Blotts did swift business as people snatched up every account of the Battle and the War. Most popular were the photo-books of the Battle and its Aftermath and biographies of the Savior of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter. Harry's, who was studying for his Newts at the time, only comment on the deluge of books about him was that he wished he could receive royalties.

Four months after the death of Voldemort, Harry, Hermione and Ron all passed their Newts and left Hogwarts. Gryffindor had won the House Cup. Harry was drafted by the English National Quidditch Team and left to train. Ron was traveling in his gap year as he decided what to do with his life. Hermione entered into an Apprenticeship with Grethworn Juglenot, Master of Charms, to obtain a Masters.

Five months after the death of Voldemort, most of the books detailing the fall of He Who Was Now Dead, were placed in the Remainder Bin at the bookshops. The only thing that remained a top seller, and would for years to come, was the poster of the final moments of Voldemort. It showed both Harry and Dumbledore, standing in the smoke and remnants of curses, pointing their wands at the whirlpool of light that was once the Dark Lord. At their feet lay the bodies of numerous Death Eaters. The picture, taken by Colin Creevey, would later win him the Pictorious Prize and a job with the Daily Prophet. Everyone that bought the poster stared at the looks of determination in Harry's and Dumbledore's eyes as they watched for signs of life from the Dark Lord. The picture captured the moment when they turned to one another, moved away from the disintegrated pile of ashes that was now the Dark Lord, and faced any remaining Death Eaters.

Dismissed by all was the Death Eater that lay directly at the feet of Albus Dumbledore. Sprawled at the feet of the headmaster, his robes burnt, covered in blood and gore, the man appeared dead. Most watched as Dumbledore stepped over the body, and turned to the rest of the battle. They stared at the retreating figures of Harry and Dumbledore as they walked into the smoke of the Battle to strike down the remaining Death Eaters. The two heroes of the Wizarding world. No one ever noticed that the man at the foot of Dumbledore, twitched his fingers towards the heel of the headmaster as he passed over the Death Eater.

No one at all.

********

It's strange how a person's fate can be so arbitrarily decided. A turn of the wheel, a roll of the dice, or a task assigned to them. Some are born to their fate, nurtured and guided along by caring teachers and parents who instill a sense of values and beliefs into a person. Some are pushed into their roles of life by a father figure. Others are sent along their paths by neglect or need. And for some, no choice is ever given. Their future is never their own and they are always taught to work for the greater good. They are taught to never expect any recognition for their work, for while valued, must always be in secret. They are told that others need their help. That they will be rewarded once their task is done. They will be able to rest. They will be able to be themselves.

Even if, they've never known who they are, only what others have made them to be.

Many are lost to history, to secrets, to the cause. Some escape to the very enemy they are fighting. Most are never found.

And sometimes it's the little things that reveal everything that remained hidden for years. Secrets and plans that were never meant to be brought into the open. Doors that never should be opened, for to do so would be to undermine everything that one believed in. It could shatter a world. Rebuild a soul. Or destroy a man.

In the end, it was a child's homework.

********

It was a gathering of the Weasley clan. Since Arthur had been made Minister of Magic after Cornelius Fudge had been sent to St. Mungo's in the locked ward, the poor man had lost his mind after discovering that Voldemort had indeed been, alive, the Burrow had undergone a very nice remodeling. There were now five stories, a larger kitchen, an enormous dining room, and for the first time, a bedroom for each Weasley. As Bill and Charlie were wont to complain, it was nice that the parents had fixed the place up after they had left home. There was still no way that anything but magic could hold the house together as the fifth floor was perpendicular to the rest of the house and the fourth floor seemed suspended in space.

But for once, there was enough room for everyone. It was the Christmas holidays and the Burrow smelled of holly, pumpkinog and evergreen. The ceilings of the floors had been removed to make way for a Christmas tree that rivaled the one in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The one drawback was that in order to get to one's rooms, people had to step around the giant tree piercing through the house, but that was secondary to the festivities in the house.

The tree itself was a marvel unto itself. The branches were hung with tinsel, pine cones and ornaments. All had a mind of their own. The tinsel would change color to suit themselves. Mostly it tried to match the color of the Weasley sweaters that entered the room. It had tried with the new socks and gone into a sulk for a few days. The tinsel didn't appreciate multicolored hues with fuchsia in it. There were ornaments for all the Weasley children on the tree, with the exception of Fred and George. The first time those two had been hung on the tree, they had scared all the other decorations onto the fifth floor of the house as they danced around the tree and spat random pieces of tree and tinsel at anyone who walked by.

They were in a box by themselves.

It had been 363 days since Voldemort had died and no one seemed to be missing the conflict.

Harry, in particular had put the entire thing behind him. His days were filled with Quidditch and brooms and the ever growing groupies who followed him around to every match.

"I can't believe it either Ron."

"Can't believe what Harry?" Asked Hermione as she came into the living room carrying a large plate of cookies, chocolates and candies. A plate so groaning with sweets that her parents would have been sent into an automatic fit, tied her to the dentist chair and cleaned her teeth with a vengeance. She sat down on the floor facing the men, pulled a cushion to her back and stretched her legs out. Her toes were covered in Mrs. Weasley's new knitting project, socks. Very wooly.

"The Americans." Answered Harry as Ron began filling his mouth with sweets and nodding in agreement. "No one expected the Americans to get past round one of the World Cup and now they're in the quarterfinals. The match against Argentina? Amazing."

"Must be the women," mumbled Ron.

"Agreed" answered Harry. "Since the Americans replaced the entire team with women, they've won every game. And their Beaters? Quite frightening actually. I'm hoping that Portugal will knock them out in the Semis, if they get that far."

"I heard their Seeker is rather nice," commented Hermione as she went for a slice of Mulberry cake.

"Yes," Ron answered.

"Ron, I don't want to hear it. It was bad enough you telling us about that trip you took to Brazil to see that man who stuck things up your nose. I'm not hearing about some crush you have on an American. Really. Have some taste, they don't even speak correctly," exclaimed Ginny from her perch on the couch. She looked up from her History of Hogwarts text and glanced at the trio on the floor. Looking nothing like the heroes of the Wizarding world as they stuffed their faces with homemade treats.

"What are you working on Ginny?" asked Hermione. "It's Christmas, even I'm taking a break this year."

"It's Binns. He's assigned all of us to write about the final Battle so that he can incorporate into the curriculum next year."

"Why the students?" Hermione inquired, "most of you weren't involved with the Battle."

"He wants us to look at how the Battle affected the students and staff. How the House reacted, what the staff did, and what they're doing now. I'm just stuck."

"On what?" Harry offhandedly asked, paging through the latest issue of Quidditch Weekly which feature him on the cover catching the snitch against Scotland.

"Snape."

The three on the floor looked to Ginny in confusion. All wondered why anyone would be focusing on the most hated teacher ever to enter Hogwarts. Everyone had been glad when they had recovered from the celebrations to realize that Snape was nowhere to be found. Headmaster Dumbledore and Poppy had taught the remainder of the school year in Potions and the Headmaster had already hired a new teacher. Not even the Slytherins seemed to mind. They were too busy trying to get through the remaining months without seeing a member of their family in the Prophet sent to Azkaban. The other house had also been affected, but none as much as the Slytherins, and it would take the longest for them to recover.

"What about Snape," asked Hermione.

"Well, there's nothing on him in the History."

"The book's been out for ages Ginny, you must be looking at an older copy." replied Ron as he glanced over Harry's shoulder and ogled the American Seeker, who was stretched out across her broomstick grabbing for the snitch. "You know if that wasn't a Quidditch move, it would be illegal."

Hermione and Ginny shared a look, thus confirming that Ron had never opened the book other than to pat the cover once in awhile. "The book automatically updates itself Ron," answered Hermione. "That way all the teachers are included as well as the events of the year. If you buy a copy the updates happen automatically. That way nothing is left out."

"That's just it, Hermione," replied Ginny, "Snape's not in it. There's no record of anyone teaching Potions during the time he's been there, it just says Potions was under the supervision of Albus Dumbledore. That could be a typo, but then there's the other problem."

"What's the other problem?" asked Hermione.

"No one knows what happened to Snape before, during or after the Battle. It's as if he vanished off the face of the Earth."

"He didn't vanish Ginny," said the new voice from the doorway.

Ginny and Hermione looked up to see Percy at the doorway, presents floating beside him. Since taking over the position of Head from Crouch, Percy had transformed himself from a young, overworked administrator to a better dressed, oddly formal and very proper administrator. There really wasn't much difference, but he did have better robes.

"Where did he go Percy?" asked Hermione.

"Azkaban."

*******

Hermione joined the Weasleys and Harry for dinner in the dinning room. Which like the rest of the house had been enlarged to better accommodate the elevated status of the Weasleys. Sitting around the table with the large and boisterous bunch, her mind returned to the news that Snape resided in Azkaban. Unfortunately the chance to ask Percy about the matter did not arise during dinner. Instead the conversation centered around Ron's trip, Harry's Quidditch stories and Fred and George's growing business. After years of conflict and fear of Voldemort, it seemed every corner of the Wizarding world was in need of comic relief. Their crackers and dancing Christmas decorations had been best sellers this past season and with Arthur's new position, for the first time in years the Weasleys were financially comfortable.

The next day also provided little opportunity for any sort of exploration into the fate of Severus Snape. Snowball fights, impromptu Quidditch games and the opening of presents were the order of the day. Snape's fate was hardly in the forefront of her mind. If one were to be completely truthful, she hadn't really spared him a thought since dinner. The festivities in the house hardly leant themselves to talk about the war, especially the one teacher who had made her life miserable for seven years. Talk about the War had become tiresome. No one really wanted to hear about it anymore. The remaining trials of the Death Eaters hardly made the papers anymore. Usually the fate of the Death Eater was consigned to page six, behind the Quidditch news but before the classifieds. In a little box that most readers of the Daily Prophet were able to skip. Everyone was tired of the news, and the fate of a few stray Death Eaters hardly raised any interest. It wasn't until the third day of Hermione's visit that Percy was asked any questions about Snape's fate and even then, it was Ginny who broached the subject. Her homework was due at the resumption of the school term in five days time.

"Percy, could you tell me why Snape's in Azkaban?" asked Ginny on the afternoon of the third day. Percy was returning to the Ministry the next morning and Ginny needed the information from him. Hermione only heard the conversation because she was reading quietly in the corner. Ron and Harry had gone down to the local pub and she had declined to go. Ron and harry had made a halfhearted attempt to convince her, but they all realized that the days when they kept together all the time was over. Rationalizing that she would only hinder them in their quest to charm the local witches, she had stayed behind and was only listening with half an ear when Ginny had asked Percy for some information.

"Ginny, I really can't go into official Ministry business." replied Percy.

"I just need something." Ginny replied exasperated. If she couldn't get some information on Snape, the report would be incomplete and that wouldn't do. "The report has to talk about the staff of Hogwarts and Snape was the Potions Teacher. He's part of it. If I don't get some information on him, I'll fail."

Talk of scholastic failure was something that spurred Percy into giving his sister some of the basics. Next to him, Ginny was the only Weasley that had followed him in academic success. She was a prefect, top in her class in three subjects and after eight Owls, was expected to do very well in her Newts. So, in the interest of academic glory for another Weasley, especially his baby sister on whom he doted, Percy answered what he could.

"Snape's on trial for the usual. Being a Death Eater. The mark is on him. It is quite easy to make the case that someone is a Death Eater if they have the Dark Mark emblazoned on their arm. Snape does. He's a Death Eater. And there are other factors. He was garbed as a Death Eater in the Final Battle. It's a very easy to see that Snape must be punished."

"But I thought he worked for Professor Dumbledore?" interjected Hermione. "Harry said something before that Snape was providing information to the Order. Wasn't he working for us?"

"Ahh," Percy took in Hermione in the corner of the room, curled in an armchair, "He did provide some information, but there are some discrepancies in both his reports and actions. In addition, there are his actions prior to his joining the Order. He was exonerated once, but some new information has come to light."

"Like what?" asked Ginny, quill in hand. poised over her parchment.

"I can't tell you that, it's official Ministry business and is top secret," said Percy with more than a touch of pride. Since Barty Crouch's unfortunate fate, Percy had been in charge of Azkaban and the related trials. In the aftermath of the Battle, this had the added effect of giving Percy a name within the Wizarding world that was completely separate from the Weasleys. He was the man who put the Death Eaters away. He purged the world of the filth, he cleansed their world. Because of this, Percy was a much valued guest at the homes of the prominent people, the movers and the shakers. His power and respect in his circles rivaled his fathers. He was the keeper of the peace. It was a very serious task. One that Percy knew he was perfectly suited for. He loved the power that went with it.

"Well, why is his trial going on now?" Ginny tried a different track. She needed something for her report other than Snape was a Death Eater.

"Snape's been in the hospital ward until now. He was injured in the Battle and has been unresponsive until now. He began to respond to stimuli this past week, and the doctors have pronounced him fit for trial. Snape has to be able to understand the charges against him. If we weren't sure he could understand the charges against him, we couldn't hold a trial. That would be illegal. We had to wait until he woke up. Once we realized he was conscious and aware of his surroundings, the arrangements were made for his trial. It takes place in two days."

"Can I go?" asked Ginny eagerly. If she was able to go to an actual Death Eater trial, Binns was sure to give her a pass with distinction. She was willing to bet that all the other students wouldn't get to go to something like that.

"Ginny, the court is closed to the general public. In addition, I'm sure that Father and Mother wouldn't let you go to something like that alone. The information that would come out in trial is bound to be fairly graphic. You're my little sister, I couldn't expose you to that."

"What if I went with her Percy? I'd love to see how the Wizard judicial process differs from the Muggle one. My Mother was once a juror on a civil case and I got to watch a bit of the trial. I'd love to see how a Wizard trial works." Hermione interjected.

Percy looked at the two eager faces in front of him and capitulated. He could never refuse Ginny anything. "I'll check with Father, if he agrees, you might be able to come." Ginny gave an excited squeal and jumped up to hug Percy. "Now don't get too excited. You might not be able to be in there for the whole thing, some of the information is still top secret and is likely to remain so for years, but I'll see if you can at least see some of the trial. But I can't give you an answer yet. Father has to approve it."

"Oh you know he will Percy, I'll go and ask him myself." said Ginny on the way out of the room. "Say Percy, do you think Snape will get the Dementor's Kiss?" she asked a bit eagerly. Of the Death Eaters who had been sentenced to the Kiss, no information had been made public, only that their crimes were of such a heinous nature that there was no other option but to sentence them to death. Not that she wanted to witness the Dementors doing their work, but it would be really exciting to see someone sentenced to the Kiss. No one in her class could claim that, and she was sure it would bring her some notoriety.

"No, the Kiss isn't on the table for Snape, most likely he'll get a life sentence in Azkaban. He did do some good for the Order, as such we'll spare his life."

"And put him in misery for the rest of his life?" Hermione questioned. She still had a few nightmares about Sirius when she first saw him. Harry had made some offhand remarks that Sirius still suffered from nightmares as a result of his imprisonment. Sometimes Hermione felt that the Kiss was actually a more humane action. Rather like putting an animal down.

"Hermione," Percy explained, "the Kiss is too good for some people. Snape's actions were such that he deserves to spend the rest of his life thinking about his actions. Besides, the git probably never had a happy thought in his life, so he will suffer less than the other prisoners."

"I'll go and ask Dad!" Ginny happily stated and left to find her father. Percy soon followed, probably to assure Arthur that Ginny would not be traumatized by the trial. Hermione was left alone in the study wondering what Snape had done that would warrant a life sentence in Azkaban.

******

Two days later, one year and three days after the death of He Who Was Now Very Dead and Rotting, Hermione and Ginny met outside the Ministry of Magic in London. They entered the building together. Hermione took a step back as the grandeur and the scale of the entrance hall caught her notice. She was reminded of the first time she had walked into the Great Hall at Hogwarts, but smiled with a sense of irony. She had been so fixated on proving to all the non-muggle born witches and wizards that she had just as much right to be at Hogwarts as they, that the wonder of the Great Hall had been lost to her as she explained the magic to her classmates. Now there were no classmates to impress. She had proven herself as one of the more accomplished students ever to leave Hogwarts. Her masters program was one of the best. Hermione could congratulate herself on a bright future in the field of Charms. But that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate the splendor of the Ministry.

The stone walls seemed to rise above ten stories. Capped with gothic arches, the ceiling surpassed anything that Hermione had ever seen. The windows were set in magnificent stained glass that allowed a multitude of colors to shine throughout the hall. Hermione had never seen Wizard stained glass before and her attention was drawn to the windows as the colors shifted in irregular patterns, jumping from one window to another, bringing new light combinations to the hall. From the outside these windows had appeared black and opaque, yet the light on the inside spoke of centuries of craftsmanship and care. Hermione looked closer at the glass and realized that the windows themselves were made of Foe glass. The marbled floor beneath her feet absorbed the sound of her footsteps and those of others. The hall itself was filled with Ministry officials and others, each hurrying silently on to his or hers task. Ginny tugged on her arm impatiently and drew Hermione to the large desk at the center of the Hall. Here all visitors announced themselves and were escorted to their destinations. As the people gave their destinations, elves popped in and out, leading them on their way.

This too, was a consequence of the War. Voldemort had never been able to attack the Ministry itself for the spells protecting it were as old as the Wizarding world. He had contented himself with attacking Ministry personal directly, either through attacks on their homes or persons. In a few cases, Death Eaters had penetrated the Hall and attacked the people within it. As a result of this, floating in and around the Hall were thousands of sneakoscopes and sensory sensors, scanning each individual as they made their way through the Hall. Hermione felt one or two scopes brush her hair as they passed by her and shuttered as the thought passed through her head of all the times she had fibbed to her parents and snuck out after curfew at Hogwarts. Hoping that the sneakoscopes were able to distinguish between some minor infractions of the rules and plans to destroy the Ministry, she allowed Ginny to lead her to the main desk and they waited their turn the queue for a pass to the trial room. Her attention was again drawn to the movements in the Hall as everyone within it moved with a singular purpose to accomplish their chosen tasks. Finally, as she and Ginny reached the front of the desk, they were able to give the purpose of the visit.

"We're here to witness the trial to be held today." Ginny told the witch at the desk. There was a strange silence around them as several of the witches at the main desk looked to the two girls. In contrast to the earlier judgments, witnesses at the trials were no longer a common occurrence. Most trials were held with a minimum of people in attendance, in contrast to the first trials in which hundreds of people had witnessed the proceedings. Those trials had been a test for the Ministry, as the victims of the Death Eaters and the curious had been present. Most to assure themselves that the followers of Voldemort would be punished at last. The replacement of Minister Fudge with Arthur Weasley had calmed most people.

The revelations that some of the oldest Wizarding families, had in fact, been supporters of Voldemort shocked most observers. Never again would a person's position in society allow them to escape justice. The public had been assured by the swift and measured judgments of the tribunals, purging the Wizarding world of those that had followed the Dark Lord Who Was Now Very Dead. But now, months after the original trials, the adjudicators, advocates for the defense and a reporter for the Daily Prophet were the only ones who attended the trials now. The arrival of two young women, who seemed barely out of school, drew some attention.

"We have a note from my father, Arthur Weasley and my brother, Percy Weasley. I'm following the trial for an assignment at Hogwarts and they're allowing us to witness the trial." said Ginny, producing the note from her robes. The witch checked the official seal of the Minister of Magic that accompanied the note and sat up a little straighter.

"My apologies for not recognizing you sooner, Miss Weasley. Please wait for a moment while I summon an elf." The witch quickly summoned a most senior elf to escort the two young women, hoping to gain the notice of the Minster for her able handling of the young women. She wondered if Miss Weasley would speak favorably to her father for the professionalism in her handling of the situation. After all, it wasn't every day that the daughter of the Minster of Magic came into the Hall. She could be forgiven for her earlier skepticism of their purpose, wouldn't she? If not the witch envisioned a long career as a people greeter in the Hall, never allowed to enter the walls beyond the Hall. She wondered if she should escort the girls herself, before realizing that the doors would never let her pass. She was too junior to be admitted to the main rooms of the Ministry. The best she could do would be to summon the very best elf they had and hope the Minister would notice the care she had taken with his daughter and her friend. "Please enjoy your visit to the Ministry, Miss Weasley, if you need any further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. Anyone will be happy to help you." "Thanks," grinned Ginny. An elf popped into place beside the girls and bid them to follow him as he lead them through the Hall to the doors that separated the main hall from the Ministry itself. The doors opened before the girls and together with the elf they disappeared into the Ministry, and the trial of Severus Snape.

Hermione couldn't help herself as her eyes darted from side to side as she took in the main Ministry. Here was where the Wizarding world governed. She felt honored and, if she was completely honest with herself, a little intimidated. The Ministry looked like an amalgamation of many eras. The rooms and corridors twisted and turned, without the elf leading the way, Hermione knew she would be lost amid the corridors and pathways until she died.

"Have you ever been here before, Ginny?" she asked as the elf walked further into the bowels of the Ministry. This far inside the building, there were no windows, the light source unknown. Hermione was sure that there were very complicated charms lighting the halls. She resolved to ask Master Juglenot about the charms when she returned to her studies in a week. It was fascinating. Her attention was drawn back to Ginny as she replied to Hermione's earlier question.

"Not in the main halls of the Ministry. We were in Dad's office for his induction ceremony, but the way to his office is really different. Percy works somewhere here, but for the most part civilians aren't allowed here. Isn't it exciting? Most people never get a chance to see this. The other trials were held in that public hall where they gave the honors. Did you go to any of them?"

Hermione shook her head. By the time the first trials had come up she had been exhausted. The culmination of years of following after Harry, trying not to get killed and pass her Newts. She hadn't really needed to see the Death Eaters go to trial and judgment. She'd been there for the final Battle and had gone on vacation with her parents and then started her apprenticeship. She'd neither the time or inclination to follow the trials of Death Eaters.

The elf abruptly stopped outside a door that looked exactly like the hundreds of other doors they had already passed. There were no markings on the outside to indicate anything. He opened the door for the two girls, "Please Miss and Miss, this is the room. Gret will wait here for you to be done."

"Thank you Gret," replied Hermione as she and Ginny entered the room and the door shut behind them, sealing the room with a 'pop'. They were finally there. At the trial of Severus Snape. Hermione gave a slight shutter as she heard Ginny's barely concealed excited inhalation at the sight of the room.

The room was cavernous. The table where the judges sat at the opposite end of the room. In the center sat a chair with a tall back, presumably for Snape. The chair was surrounded by a small walled partition that came up to the seat of it. On either side of the chair were podiums, for the opposing advocates. A little off to the side was a series of Pensieves. Hermione realized with a start that the Wizarding world had little use for a stenographer. They could use Pensieves to record the proceedings. Along both sides, spanning the length of the room were two galleries for the observers. On either side of the door, next to the chair and behind each judge's chair were Aurors, silent and watchful. Passing through the door, Hermione heard more sneakoscopes and spells. She sensed them scan her and breathed a sigh of relief as she was allowed to enter the courtroom.

Ginny waved to the far corner of the gallery and Hermione realized that there was someone else in the room besides the Aurors, her and Ginny. Seated so he full view of the judges and the defendant's chair was Colin Creevey. Of course, she thought, the Prophet covers the trials. It makes sense that someone would be covering the trials. Ginny jogged through the room and sat down next to Colin, giving him a quick hug.

"Hi, I never thought I'd see you here. I've got a copy of your picture on my wall. Do you think I could get another with your autograph? It's so neat that someone I know took the picture. Everyone I know has this poster. But if you autographed it, mine would be really special." Ginny said in one, quick, excited breath.

Hermione followed at a more sedate pace. As she neared Colin and Ginny, she looked around the room again. There was no one else in the room. Just her, Ginny, Colin and quite a few Aurors. Hermione gave a slight shutter and sat down on the opposite side of Colin. The view was perfect. From here she could see the chair perfectly.

"What are you doing here Colin?" Hermione asked.

"I've been covering the trials for the Prophet. I'm trying to move up from just taking photographs and I've been assigned this. It's really boring and my articles don't get much notice, but hopefully I'll be assigned to features soon. Anything to get out of this backwater assignment." Colin replied.

Hermione frowned and then realized it had been months since she had even looked at any reports on the Death Eaters. If this hadn't been Snape, she would have been more than happy never to read about the trials again.

"Have you been to a lot of these Colin?" Ginny asked.

"About ten so far. Most of the trials have already taken place. These are just the leftovers. But I think it's my last one. My editor was talking about sending me to Egypt to cover the new tombs discovered there. I can't wait. And I'll be happy to send you an autographed copy tonight Ginny." Colin said with a smile to the younger girl. Ginny blushed and then gripped Colin's arms as a side door opened and the three Judges entered the room.

Hermione, Ginny and Colin all stood as the Judges came behind their chairs. Ginny couldn't help her excited gasp as she recognized both her father and brother as two of the judges. Arthur Weasley looked over to the two girls in the gallery and gave them a wink and grin before sitting in the center seat, flanked by Percy and the other Minister. The trio of onlookers sat and waited for Arthur to speak.

To Hermione's surprise, it was Percy who spoke first. "Pensieve placeious." He intoned. Hermione watched as Pensieves flew off the table beside the judges and positioned themselves behind all the individuals in the courtroom. Once they were in position, he nodded at his father. Arthur cleared his throat and spoke for the first time. Despite the size of the room, his voice filled it.

"If the Aurors would bring in the prisoner." Arthur began as he and the other judges sat back to wait for the arrival of Snape.

Ginny took out her quill and parchment and began to take notes as well. Colin gave her a quick grin and raised his camera.

"Say Ginny, after the trial, would you like to get a bite to eat at the Leaky Cauldron? I can show you some other pictures that I took of the Battle that never made the papers." Ginny blushed again, gave a quick nod and looked up as the Aurors led Snape up into the room.

Hermione looked again at the retaining wall around the chair that Snape would be seated in and saw that there was a pathway even further into the depths of the Ministry. Right, she thought, they would have to be kept in a really secure place and it probably wouldn't do to have accused Death Eaters roaming the halls, even if they were accompanied by Aurors.

Hermione gasped at the sight of her former teacher before she realized that the sound had permeated the entire room. Percy gave a quick glance her way and Hermione forced herself to stifle her reactions. Snape was manacled at the wrists, feet and waist. He walked with a little shuffle. Instead of the black robes she was accustomed to seeing him clad in, he wore a gray uniform. His long and frequently greasy hair had been shorn off, and his face skeletal. The most disturbing feature of this version of Snape was his eyes. Instead of the piercing looks and glares she was accustomed to, he stared blankly at the floor in front of him, never blinking, his expression unchanged from one of total blankness.

The Aurors led Snape to the chair. As he was seating in the chair, the chains and manacles moved around him, securing him to the chair by the chest, arms and legs. His blank expression never faltered. Hermione looked away from Snape to the blank spaces beside him, wondering where the lawyers were.

Frowning a bit, she heard Arthur begin. "Severus Snape, you have been charged with four counts of treason, conspiring with known Death Eaters, assisting Voldemort, bearing the Dark Mark, disobeying direct orders from the Order and twenty-five known uses of the Unforgivable Curses. I understand we have a plea in this matter?" Arthur said turning to his fellow judges.

"Yes, Minister." Percy replied. "Guilty to all charges." Hermione looked to Percy in astonishment. Snape hadn't uttered a word and there was no one representing him. Looking to Snape again, she realized he hadn't changed position since being placed in the chair. Although she wasn't sure that she could, he seemed to be tied up really tightly. Colin snapped a few pictures, Ginny was writing furiously on her parchment and Hermione turned her attention once more to Percy who was continuing. "There has been a request to allow for some clemency."

"Am I to understand that we have Pensieves against Snape?" asked the Minister to the other side of Arthur.

"Yes," replied Percy. "There have been admitted Pensieves by Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, and Minerva McGonagall. All of these detail the crimes of the prisoner. But Headmaster Dumbledore did issue a request that the defendant, Severus Snape be allowed to live."

Hermione started at the last statement. Percy had said that Snape wasn't facing the Dementor's Kiss. And frowned as she realized that Harry had known what was happening and said nothing to her.

"Very well, in accordance to the laws of the Ministry, I sentence Severus Snape to life imprisonment in Azkaban. If the Aurors would transfer the prisoner to Azkaban. I'd like to thank my fellow Ministers for their council in this matter. Court is dismissed." said Arthur as he and his fellow judges stood and exited the room.

Colin and Ginny stood, Hermione following automatically as looked over to Snape in the center of the room. He had been placed in a standing position and the manacles had been moved to his body once again. The entire proceeding had taken less than thirty minutes.

As the Aurors led him back down the stairs, Hermione hissed to both Ginny and Colin, "This was nothing but a Kangaroo Court."

Ginny and Colin looked to Hermione in puzzlement. In her anger, Hermione had forgotten the excellent acoustics of the room. Unnoticed by everyone except for a pensieve or two, Severus Snape's eyes flickered to where Hermione stood, before his face once more drew into the unblinking stare he had held during the trial. In the company of the Aurors, he shuffled down the stairs and to his fate.

*****

The room seemed darker than before after the departure of Snape and the judges. Hermione stared into the space that Snape had vacated until the voices of Colin and Ginny brought her back.

"That was so exciting! Did you know my Dad was going to be here? I didn't. He didn't say anything the other night when I asked him. And Percy too? He's so official looking. I guess we should stop teasing him now. He really does some important work."

Colin laughed at Ginny's comments, put his hand on her arm and began to lead her from the room. "Coming Hermione? I'll treat you and Ginny to dinner at the Leaky Cauldron."

Hermione shook her head again and followed the other two out the door, looking back into a room that was much more ominous than previously expected.

The door closed behind the trio with a click that belittled its weight. Gret was waiting for them as they came out. With a slight bow and quick gesture they began to follow him back to the Hall of the Ministry. Unlike Hermione's previous experiences, the trip back seemed twice as long as before. She had once joked to Ron and Harry that time seemed to move differently when you were returning from a trip into the unknown. The journey there always seemed to take a very long time because you weren't sure where you were going, the landmarks were strange and unfamiliar and you were finding your way. The trip back was always shorter, less stressful and an easier ride. The opposite was true in this case. Everything about the hallways she had walked only a short time before was unfamiliar. They seemed narrower, more ominous and not even remotely interesting. They were closing in on her. Hermione quickened her pace to try and get out sooner, but found herself restrained by the fact that she had no idea where she was going. Poor Gret was running in order to try and keep up. Colin and Ginny were lagging behind while they continued to chat and Hermione felt sure that if they separated, she would spend her life trying to escape these walls.

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, they reached the entrance hall again. Gret popped out with a bow and a grin. Ginny and Colin continued to make their way to the exit. Hermione followed them feeling rather light headed. The trio made their way through the streets of Diagon Alley, heading directly to the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione quickly excused herself as they found a table and headed to the toilet, where she was promptly and violently ill. She rested her head against the cool wall of the stall for a minute, rinsed out her mouth, splashed some water on her face. Once done, she gave herself a quick look in the mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes bloodshot and her hair a bit wet from when she splashed her face. Thankful for the low light in the pub, and not really feeling up to doing anything about it, she returned to Colin and Ginny.

Hermione stopped off at the bar and asked Tom for some water and joined the others at the table. She sat down and just listened to the two of them.

"Colin, do you miss Hogwarts at all?"

"Ginny, I'm doing what I want to do. Professor Dumbledore is going to let me sit for the NEWTS over the summer, or one at a time. I guess I'll get my certificate at some point, but really, this job with the Prophet is exactly what I want to do. It seemed silly to postpone it." Colin answered.

"Well, I do miss you a bit."

"What if I promise to write?"

"Alright," Ginny giggled.

Hermione had enough of the inane conversation that surrounded her. She took a drink of the pumpkin juice in front of her and interrupted the two. "Were we at the same thing today?"

"What do you mean, Hermione?" Ginny asked, puzzled at the anger Hermione seemed to be displaying.

"That trial was a farce."

"It was fantastic, I got so much material. I'm sure to get the top grade."

"Is that all you care about?"

"It's why we went isn't it?"

"It was horrible. They had decided already. Snape never had a chance."

"A chance at what?" Colin asked.

"At freedom."

"They would never give him that. With all those charges against him?" Ginny stated.

"And you aren't upset? He didn't have a lawyer. He never got the chance to speak in his own defense. He just sat there. The Ministry had already sentenced him. What sort of trial was that?" Hermione said.

"Hermione," said Colin as he tried to placate her, "there were admitted Pensieves They can't lie. Snape really couldn't say anything in the face of those. He's lucky they let him live."

"Harry didn't even say anything. We were with him for days. He heard us arranging to see the trial. And he never said he was giving evidence against Snape."

"In most of the trials, Harry has given some evidence. His link with Voldemort allowed him to see a great deal of the Death Eater activities. At least that's what he said when I interviewed him for my book." Colin said, proud of the fact that his book on the battle was one of the few that hadn't had a drop in sales. He was still getting fan mail for the book.

"Well, none of the evidence was presented." Hermione continued.

"It rarely is. Most of it is still classified. You can't have just anyone knowing all the details of the Order's activities." Colin replied. "Look, Harry's a hero, he and Dumbledore killed Voldemort. Besides, Harry can't keep interrupting his career to come and testify against the few remaining Death Eaters."

"He still should have said something. We have the right to know." Hermione stated.

"All we have to know is that Snape and the rest of those scum are never going to be set loose in proper society again." Colin said in return.

"Hermione, Snape was a Death Eater. He has the mark. I wonder if he had it while he taught?" Ginny wondered. "If I could get information on that, I'd beat everyone."

"The only way to get that information would be to ask Snape Ginny. And there's no way you'll be able to get to him." Colin replied.

Hermione listened to that last bit and stared into the gloom of the pub, an idea forming in her head.

****

The next day, Percy made his way up the walkway to Hogwarts as he had after every Death Eater trial. Following behind him was a large chest. The snow covering the grounds was white and pure. Against the gray winter sky, the turrets and buttresses of Hogwarts stood in stark relief.

Percy made his way up to the doors of Hogwarts and greeted Professor McGonagall at the door. She led him through the hallways, silent in the absence of the students, scheduled to return tomorrow from winter break. They made their way to the gargoyles guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office and made their way into the office.

Percy looked around the office, unchanged since he was a student. The office was filled with all sorts of objects and items that caught the eye. The visitor's eyes were constantly drawn to the objects that surrounded them. The effect was to remove one's attention from the man who sat at the desk, Albus Dumbledore: the man who had a hand in the destruction of two of the darkest wizards ever to walk the earth. The man sitting before Percy never displayed the power he held. Much the same as Harry Potter. Who would think that a Seeker on a Quidditch team was one of the most powerful wizards alive? Harry was much more interested in Quidditch, girls and having fun than capitalizing on his victory. Percy would never really understand Potter's lack of ambition. He intended to follow his father into the spot of Minister of Magic. To do so, he would need the support of the wizard before him. So Percy was here, instead of his assistant, as he had done one hundred times before. Because Professor Dumbledore had asked, and Dumbledore needed Percy's help in this. Help that Percy was sure would be appreciated in the future.

And in the long run, no one ever defied Albus Dumbledore.

Percy waited, standing in front of the Headmaster until he looked up and motioned Percy to a chair in front of him. Percy sat down, and set the trunk down at his side with a quick wave of his wand. He'd learnt from previous visits to wait until the Professor spoke.

He waited in silence until Dumbledore spoke. "Did you bring the Pensieves?"

Percy nodded and opened the trunk. Nestled within the trunk were the Pensieves from Severus Snape's trial. From the Aurors to the spectators, these Pensieves had recorded everything in the trial, from all the points of view.

Dumbledore summoned the trunk to his side and looked inside it. He glanced up at Percy and said, "there are two additional Pensieves in this trunk Percy, would you care to explain?"

Percy flinched and looked the Headmaster in the eyes. It would not do to show weakness in front of this man, and his father had given his permission. "My sister and Hermione were allowed to witness the trial."

"Indeed?" asked Dumbledore. "And why did this happen?"

"Ginny was given an assignment by Professor Binns to write about the Professors and Staff at Hogwarts and their roles in the Final Battle. She needed information on Snape to make the report complete. Hermione volunteered to accompany her as my father and I didn't think Ginny should attend alone. They watched the trial. At the end they left." Percy responded, growing uneasy at the look in the Headmaster's eyes.

"That was not my question Mr. Weasley. My question is, why was I not informed prior to the two young women attending this trial."

"I, we, didn't think it was necessary. It was just for a school report. The information won't go anywhere."

"That is your sister. And Miss Granger?"

"What do you mean, Sir?"

With that, Dumbledore refused to answer. He drew Hermione's pensieve out of the case and activated it. Percy fought from squirming as the minutes ticked by as the Headmaster was absorbed in the pensieve. After what seemed to Percy to be an interminable amount of time, the Headmaster looked up and adjusted his glasses.

"My apologies Percy. It seems we might have something to gain after all. When Miss Granger requests to visit Severus, I want you to allow it."

"In Azkaban? No one ever visits the prisoners." Percy objected.

"Find a way. If you don't mind, I would like to keep Miss Granger's pensieve for a while longer."

"No, Professor. Of course, for as long as you need." Percy answered. Making a small notation in his head to mark that pensieve number 2134 was in the hands of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Strictly for accounting purposes only. Of course.

"You may go now Mr. Weasley. Thank you."

Percy rose to leave and brought the trunk to him. The trunk elevated and following behind him, he made his way to the exit of the office. Percy turned to the Headmaster just before he exited and asked "Headmaster, if I can be so brave as to inquire, what makes you sure that Hermione will ask to visit Snape?"

"Because Percy, it is in her nature. We'll discuss the details after she makes her request. Good day Minister." With that, Percy left the office and the door shut behind him.

Dumbledore watched the pensieve again, repeating again the sight of Snape glancing towards Hermione. "So, Severus. We must find out what you see. And Miss Granger will help us along the way." Once again he replayed the scene. "And beware of what you reveal Severus, for we will be watching. As we have for your life.

With that, Albus Dumbledore shut the pensieve in a drawer in his desk, stood up from behind the desk and walked to the window to look out upon the snow covered grounds of Hogwarts.

*******

By the time Hermione made her leave of Colin and Ginny, the two had set a date to meet in at The Three Broomsticks during Ginny's next Hogsmeade weekend. Exiting the pub, she made her way onto the streets of Muggle London. After seven years at Hogwarts and now her studies with Master Juglenot, she felt like a visitor here.

After the events of the day, she wasn't sure that she was at home in the Wizarding world either. No one at the trial had acted as though anything was amiss. Perhaps it was she. She had been mocked for her crusade for the rights of the kitchen elves at Hogwarts. There were times when the values and sensibilities that her parents had instilled upon her seemed in direct contradiction to the realities of the Wizarding world. She was never sure if this was solely her problem. She had never had the chance to ask Seamus about his upbringing, and now it was too late. But he had been raised with a foot in both worlds, so his perspective although interesting, would still be with a focus towards the Wizarding way of life. She had never been close with the other muggle-born students, and even Harry, as result of his upbringing, had been so grateful to escape his Aunt and Uncle, he'd never questioned anything. Both Harry and Colin had embraced the Wizarding world and had never looked back. They were fully accepting of the things that went on. So what was her place? Was it even hers to question the trial.

Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall had both given testimony, as well as Harry. As close as she was to Harry, there were things that he had never shared with either Ron or her. Perhaps it wasn't her place to question the actions of others. She had ignored the trials of the other Death Eaters, and she had never been in direct contact with Professor Snape during the war, nor had she known what he was doing. His actions had only been privy to a few select people. Who was she to question their actions? One of the things she had taken away from Hogwarts was that she didn't know everything. In all honesty, since leaving school, she'd never felt so insecure and out of place.

Hermione walked down the darkening streets of London on the way to her residence at the College, as the street lamps came on and the shadows lengthened, her posture became straighter and she walked with a greater sense of purpose. She was who she had always been, Hermione Granger. She'd never let the opinions of others stop her before, why should she now? The past years might have tempered her actions, but never her mind, what had happened to Snape rankled her. His silence and demeanor frightened her, what had happened to him to change him so? Why was the man who had terrorized students for years expunged from every record and thrown into the bowels of Azkaban?

She reached her door and made her way up the floors to her flat, greeting Crookshanks and hanging up her cloak. Like herself, the flat as an amalgamation of the Wizard and Muggle world. Amidst the pictures of her family and friends, were the Wizarding pictures moving in and out of frame, waving and smiling at her as they passed. In her bookshelves were her favorite books from childhood to her texts from Hogwarts. She made herself a cup of tea and settled down on the couch with her cat at her side. Picking up the Charms work she had ignored over the holidays she was deep into the chapter on lasting Charms for Defensive Purposes when a thought struck her. Putting her text down, she drew out her wand, gave it a wave, and with a quick "Accio Hogwarts: A History," the tome flew into her hand.

Perhaps the question wasn't whether Snape was guilty, he obviously had the Dark Mark, but rather why nothing existed or was written about him in the History, unlike every other Hogwarts teacher that had served before him or since. The question was, Hermione thought long into the night as she read, not what Snape had done to deserve Azkaban, but who Snape was. Maybe it was there she'd find some answers.

And some peace.

Two weeks later Hermione was willing to admit defeat. First Master Juglenot had been very disappointed at her lack of progress over the holiday break. Hermione felt the break had been deserved. She had spent the last seven years of her life studying on every free moment. Every other second had been filled with fighting Voldemort, ferreting out plots at the school and doing battle with the forces of evil. She had needed the break. After one particularly bad session, she had broken down. To her surprise Juglenot had laughed. Since then the tutoring sessions had been of a lighter nature and Hermione was thankful. For once she could go to sleep at a reasonable hour. The History hadn't revealed anything of note about Snape. Somehow Hermione had hoped that Ginny had been in error, but she hadn't. Snape was nowhere to be found. She had written to both Ginny and Harry for some information. Ginny to ask if she could see Ginny's paper after it was done. Hermione hoped that even if Ginny hadn't found anything new, perhaps Binns, in his comments had revealed something.

Harry was proving more difficult to get in touch with. Her first letter had been returned by an owl carrying a letter. A form letter that thanked her for writing to Harry Potter, offering her a membership in the 'Harry Potter Fan Club', one year subscription for only one Galleon, and a Harry Potter playing card that swooped up and down, forever catching the snitch. The second letter had contained a missive thanking her for her continued interest in Harry Potter and a note signed personally by Harry himself. In increasing frustration, she'd sent notes and floo'ed both Molly Weasley and Sirius for help, only to be told that the Quidditch team was in retreat preparing for the next World Cup round. They'd promised to help her in contacting Harry, but she'd only have to wait.

So she had. She was going out tonight with the other students in the Masters program. Tomorrow she planned to go to the main Library in Hogsmeade, meet up with Ginny and see if there were any reasons about the strange removal of Severus Snape and his life. Perhaps Ginny might also have some answers, sometimes things were obvious to Wizard born people than to her. There were still times that the obvious to them took her by surprise.

*****

The Dementors were making their nightly rounds among the denizens of Azkaban. From the hospital wing to the lower cells they traveled along the corridors of the prison for their daily feeding. Moving down deeper into the prison, they left in their wake trembling, screaming and sobbing prisoners. It was a rare occasion that they failed to make a person weep. The only one in recent memory, that had not reacted to the Dementors was this one, in the lowest point of the island. So far down, that the cells were beneath the surface of the water of the island. The effect of these cells was an odd sense of disorientation unique to this potion of Azkaban. The air was artificial, the sounds muffled and the time seemed stagnant. It was here the prisoners knew the full scope of their incarceration. They were entombed within bubbles of air, existing only on the whims of a society that had condemned them. They were the forgotten ones. They remained in their cells, allowed nothing. Their hair was kept shorn, lest they use it to hang themselves. For this reason as well, they were not allowed any coverings. Four hundred and twenty-three years ago a prisoner in these cells had used his robes to hang himself. Since then, these prisoners were allowed nothing. Their cells were as bare as their bodies. They were removed once a week by the Dementors to allow for the cells to be cleaned of the waste the prisoners produced, as well as allowing for the upkeep of their hair and bodies. Due to the nature of the cells, these prisoners needed to be hosed down weekly, for if the chore was not done, the stench overpowered even the Dementors. They were removed in sequence, never seeing anyone else except their keepers. At all times the Dementors feasted upon these ones, as they were more readily available to them than all the others. The prisoner in the last cell, puzzled the Dementors. They were unable to feed upon him. He sat unmoving, as he had lain upon the bed in hospital, never reacting. The Dementors tried again and again to draw this one out, yet they had never succeeded.

It was with resignation that the Dementor approached this last remaining cell. This one had never released anything. It approached the door and swept into the cell, swooping down upon the lank, dirty object on the floor. As it neared, a low keening noise was heard. As the Dementor neared, the sound became a wail, which rose to a scream, a howl from a voice not heard in a year. The throat and vocal cords tearing themselves with the force and the sudden use. The Dementor released cries of ecstasy which drew others. Soon the cell was crowded with Dementors as the man howled and writhed beneath them. He was soon coated in bile, blood, urine and feces as his body voided itself and the Dementors flew in and out of his cell, calling to one another as the last man was drained. After an interminable number of minutes had passed the man passed out in a pool of his own fluids. The Dementors left the cell, fully fed at last.

*******

End Part One