Breaking the Chains

Trials

Hermione picked up the paper lying in front of her and unfolded it. The headline glaring up at her seemed to confirm her memories of the day before, surreal as they were. She read on to give her an outside perspective on the events that had occurred, as her own perspective was skewed beyond repair.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AT THE MINISTRY [the article began]

Yesterday the Ministry of Magic held the long awaited trial of those involved in the demise of the most feared dark wizard of the century, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-Even-Though-He's-Dead. In contrast to the lengthy trials following the first downfall, this one contained only four witnesses, who gave short testimonies.

The trial itself was not to ascertain whether those involved were Death-Eaters (although the trials of suspected Death-Eaters will begin soon) but rather to determine how Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, failed to live up to his name, and was killed.

The whole affair has been shrouded in secrecy for three weeks now, since the day of the spring equinox, when the fateful events occurred, and as the trial uncovered, even before that.

In a break from tradition, three witnesses - Dumbledore, Snape and Granger - were given Veritaserum (although in a low dose) before testifying. The potion was administered voluntarily to all three, by an independent official, Mr J Ferguson, who some of you readers may remember as the protégé of Arthur Weasley in the Misuse of Magical Artefacts Department. His input into the Muggle Protection Act which Mr Weasley introduced was described as invaluable, though shortly afterwards Mr Ferguson decided to move into private consultancy. As a result of this introduction all reporters were restricted to using dictaquills that note verbatim the evidence given, and the whole situation took on the air of a Muggle press conference.

Dumbledore opened the proceedings giving evidence as to the actual method used to defeat Voldemort in technical detail, citing 'empathic transmissions and manipulation of chi, carried out by Professor Snape and Miss Granger' as the main means by which the dramatic feat was accomplished. Beyond that though, what he had to say was of little real interest, though academic community will surely find the work new and innovative to a spectacular degree. What emerged was that Snape and Granger (a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, as odd partnerships go) are a formidable force to deal with.

A senior Auror gave testimony as to the circumstances in which Voldemort's body were found, asserting that in his professional opinion the details provided more than explained both the events he had witnessed and the situation in which the corpse had been found. The inquest into the cause of the other deaths of which evidence was found at the scene (the bodies of Lucius Malfoy and Peter Pettigrew were also discovered) will take place at a later date.

The revelations involving the relationship between the two were much more fascinating, although Dumbledore maintained that he knew nothing of it.

Professor Snape, 38, former Death-Eater and teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the past twenty years, known to all his students for acerbic teaching style, was next to give evidence. When asked if to the he agreed for what was a highly dangerous procedure to be carried out on Harry Potter to gain revenge, either for himself or another, he replied with a simple 'no'. The prosecutor continued as to whether anyone else that had been involved had those motives, again to be met with a 'no'.

When pressed, Snape elaborated that he had agreed for a course of action to be taken that could possibly cause the death of Potter because he judged him to be completely under the control of Voldemort, and therefore a danger to others and himself. He stated that he had seen an opportunity to remove the menace that Voldemort had posed to society, and contested that his actions should be viewed in the context of what was for the greater good. He refused to speculate as to Miss Granger's motives, although he said he had never had cause to suspect they were anything but honourable.

Throughout the proceedings he maintained his composure, even when asked whether and for how long he had had a relationship with Granger. Hermione Granger, 18, has recently graduated - only two days previously - from Hogwarts School, and has for the past seven years been a pupil of Severus Snape. Dumbledore stated that her graduation has been brought forward 'for medical reasons'. We are left to assume that he was referring to the pregnancy that was so obvious as she took the stand.

Both Dumbledore and Snape pointed out that since these results have been published (all top grades, of course) Granger is now a qualified witch and entitled to live her life as an adult witch in society, with all the rights that that affords. However whilst Dumbledore maintained that he had no knowledge of any improper relationship between student and teacher, Snape confirmed that there had been a relationship. In terms of length, he declared it had been 'nearly all of the academic year'; when asked whether the relationship had become inappropriate (for this read sexual) he replied that it had, and that he bore the responsibility for that.

Such revelations having been made meant that they were the main focus of the questioning in Granger's testimony. The accusations from Draco Malfoy that the father of Granger's unborn child was Harry Potter, and a result of rape, were among the last to deal with.

It was a visibly nervous and pale looking Granger that entered the witness box to give her evidence. Though the emotion was obviously taking its toll, she answered all questions clearly, and impassionedly. For the magic community that was not present, there is no way to do justice to what was said, but to quote the words used. Which is what this journalist suspects is the purpose of the dictaquills being obligatory.

Prosecutor: When you made your plan to defeat Voldemort, were you aware that it could result in Potter's death?

Granger: I suppose I was.

P: Yes or no, Miss Granger.

G: Yes.

P: Did this worry you?

G: Not really.

P: How so?

G: I knew that what we were doing was more important, so I didn't let myself think about it.

P: And that was it? You didn't want him dead?

G: No. I did not want him dead. He was my friend.

P: Was he your friend?

G: Yes. Of course.

[ a pause as the prosecutor consults his notes.]

P: And how long has your relationship with Severus Snape been going on?

G: Long enough.

P: Could you be more specific?

G: Since October.

P: And the relationship has been an intimate one.

G: Yes.

P: Statements have been given to say that Harry Potter raped you in October of last year. Do you still deny that this occurred?

G: They are false statements. Lies.

P: Are you sure?

G: I think I'd know.

P: So the child's father is not Harry Potter?

G: No.

P: Who is the father of your child?

[Here Granger paused, obviously fighting the effects of the Veritaserum, and losing.]

G: Severus is.

Shocking as the revelations were, the politically minded amongst you will have discerned the seriousness for the revelations to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Over the past three years he has repeatedly reassured us that the situation is in hand and that measures have been taken to limit his return. But this trial has brought to light the degree of control that Voldemort had been allowed to achieve.

That Voldemort should ever be in a position to infiltrate Hogwarts should provide a major indictment against the ability of Fudge to run the country, or look to the nation's safety. Now the extent to which we have been lied to has become apparent, our faith in the Ministry and the leadership must be seriously diminished. For those of us that heard the whole evidence, that we are only freed from what could have easily been a serious defeat for the forces of good by the independent actions of a teacher and student is highly worrying. What is even more worrying is that after the event attempts are being made to blame them for the consequences - regrettable but necessary - when they should be praised for bravery.

On a final note, Dumbledore announced that Severus Snape would no longer be working at Hogwarts as of the end of the week, a decision he had not taken lightly but nonetheless had to make.

All that is left is to wish the two individuals well in their future lives and send them on with our gratitude.

Hermione looked up from the paper to find Severus watching her. She smiled slightly, and said,

"Well, the Daily Prophet's given us a good write up, and Fudge a bit of stick."

Severus leant over to kiss her lightly on the lips. "That was the idea."

He smirked, looking definitely self-satisfied. "I said you'd have to trust me, and it'd all work out."

"I still can't work out how you fixed the Veritaserum. Or how you got it past Ferguson."

"Well there was no love lost between the Ministry and Ferguson - he was pushed out as Fudge felt he threatened his position. He was only too willing to help him screw him over. And as to the Veritaserum - I am Potions Master after all. It was easy to concoct a placebo with suitable physiological effects, but giving no compunction to tell the truth."

"Well, I'm glad you mentioned that fact before we began, or I'd have said a few things that wouldn't have looked good for us."

"Whatever you said I'd have still lost my job."

"True."

"Ah, well, to new begins. We should toast that. Where's the alcohol?"

Severus pointed at the small cabinet near the fire, and then added, "Isn't it a bit early to be drinking?"

"Probably. But then, I'm an immoral degenerate, a vengeful harpy, and a coldly calculating killer, so a glass of brandy before lunch can't make much worse."

He frowned, "You shouldn't joke about that."

Her back was still turned, shielding the glasses and her hands from view. She was taking her sweet time pouring that brandy.

"Whoever said I was joking?" she replied innocently, crossed the floor, and handed him his brandy.

Holding her glass up, she though a moment, then piped up in mock solemnity, "Here's to encasing the past in one of those cardboard boxes you are so fond of and packing it away. Except for all the good bits."

"I'll drink to that." They chinked glasses, and both drained all the liquid in then.

After a moment Severus swayed slightly, and then looked up at Hermione, realisation dawning in his eyes. "You weren't joking." It was a statement, not a question, so Hermione merely took her seat opposite him. "What did you give me?"

Instead of answering, she withdrew a vial from her pocket, and set it on the table between them. Next to it she placed a velvet covered ring box. Severus's eyes widened in recognition.

Hermione pointed at the vial. "I gave you the poison from your desk, though in a cut down dose. This is the antidote. There's more than enough. You need to take it within six hours of now, so take a note of the time. And these are your rings. I found them, and borrowed them, I'm sorry, but I did have a kind of marriage proposal, and I needed to know. Anyway, we're a close colour match.

"And I've finally figured out. I do want to marry you, or at least be publicly engaged to you, I don't know if I'm ready to marry anyone yet. That might seem a strange thing to say after I just gave you poison, but I have to know. You asked me once if you had to prove yourself, well yes, now you do. You've given me so much, more than you had any need to, but everything that you promised you would, and this was our deal. I can't go back on my word, but this way you are free to decide to release me from it, or not.

"For the first time in a long time, the choice you make is entirely your own, and that's what I want to give you. You deserve that. And so do I. I have to know if I'm investing my life in a man who would secretly prefer to be dead. If that's what you want . . . well, I love you, enough to let you go if that's what you need to find happiness."

She leant forward to kiss him gently on the forehead, and then drew back to look in his eyes.

"I do love you, you know. I've packed, and I'm going to America. I have a few interviews there, though I don't know if I want to move there. I'll be in Washington if you decide to follow. Or you can go anywhere you please; it really is up to you. I can't say I'll wait forever, but if you don't come, I'll wait for as long as it takes me to grieve. I only just got my life back; I can't give it up so soon."

She took hold of his hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. "Okay, I'll go now. I'm sorry if it all seems too clinical, but I spent ages planning how to explain. Was it any good?"

Severus just nodded, then opened his mouth uncertainly.

"It's okay, you don't have too speak. Just remember I love you, and I would love nothing more than to raise this child by your side. Goodbye."

He let go of her hand, and with only one backwards glance, she left the dungeons for the last time.