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CH 11 The Dance We Do

Rylis opened the creaky door the next morning and looked directly at Snape, who had yet to untangle his aching body from Harry’s. He missed his bed. “Severus Adonis Snape you have hereby been summoned by the High Inquisitor Amelia Bones for questioning. Please follow me.” Their guard yawned after the obviously practiced speech and braced himself against the doorframe.

Severus stood lazily and squeezed a jittery Harry’s hand. “He’ll not go alone!” Harry barked, jumping to his feet.

“Ay he will Mr. Potter. You see that’s the thing about prison, no free will.” Rylis grunted, spitting used chewing tobacco onto the dirt floor.

Harry made to further protest. “Enough Harry.” Snape warned. “I’m perfectly capable of answering their questions without your assistance.” The potions master’s posture made it clear that this was a matter of pride. His hard features were unyielding to Harry’s request.

“No, you don’t know what they’ll…” Harry was working himself in to a frenzy.

“Harry James.” An unexpected voice ordered from Harry’s left. “Your bonded has spoken. Let it be.” Sirius spoke on Snape’s behalf for the first time in their turbulent history. His dirt covered hand strongly held Harry in place.

“Be safe.” Harry whimpered out of frustration.

“I’ll be back love.” Snape whispered to Harry alone. His eyes met with Sirius’s for a moment. Sirius received the message; while Severus was gone Harry was his responsibility. Black nodded in agreement. Harry reluctantly ceased his opposition and took a step back, assuring his bonded that he was accepting the situation.

Snape straightened his back. “Let’s get on with it.” He jeered to the guard in front of him. His robes billowed with their usual assuredness as he swooped out of the cell. The door let out a pained screeched as it closed.

“If they hurt him I’ll bring all of this crashing down on their shoulders.” Harry vowed looking to the headmaster.

“I promise you Harry, Severus will be returned to us unharmed.” The old man smiled as neared the boy. “You forget your partner has seen a long life, most of which he’s survived. You’ve no reason to worry.” He patted Harry’s back.

“Yeah mate he’ll be fine.” Ron pulled his knees up to his chest on his bed. “Dumbledore do you suppose we’ll all have to go alone?”

“Surely they can’t make us. I mean we’re barely of age we haven’t even graduated! In the muggle world I’m still a child..” Hermione searched for comfort from the elder wizard. He took note that her nails were chewed down to the beds. She nervously ran her hands through unruly hair.

Dumbledore seated himself on Hermione’s bed and wrapped her in a fatherly embrace. “You’re hardly children Ms. Granger. I’m quite sure you would bare the load of an interrogation splendidly but since you are in school the responsibility of your safety still falls to me. I’ll be escorting you when it’s time for you to go in for questioning.” He smoothed the young girls curls and squeezed the redheaded boy’s knee. “You’ll both be fine.” Dumbledore hated what this was going to do to his charges. Even if they were the strongest he’d seen the trials ahead would indeed be trying.

“How are you Severus? Your accommodations?” The friendly looking woman straightened her pressed robes before seating herself across the table from Snape. He glanced down at his grim covered clothes. He mused that no power on this earth could remove the filth and wrinkles. They would have to be burned.

“Less that hospitable.” He countered dryly; lounging as far back as his chair would allow him.

Amelia grinned sadly as she shuffled through rolls of parchment. “I do beg your forgiveness. You must understand that this is for the good of our world. I must act in it’s best interest.”

“Absolutely.” Severus drawled, unsympathetic to her cause.

“The guards are leaving you too it then? They’ve been instructed that you lot are being detained, not arrested.

“How heart-warmingly considerate of you.” Snape’s eyes widened in mock appreciation.

Amelia took in the uneasy air. “Right, lets get to the questioning shall we? Are you opposed to taking vertiserum?”

“Not in the least.” Snape didn’t break eye contact as he picked up the bottle from the middle of the table and placed a large drop of the bitter liquid on the tip of his tongue. He placed the bottle back in it’s resting spot with a loud thud. “Fire away minister.” He sneered, leaning in closely to the not-so-easily-unsettled woman.

“State your full and legal name for the record?” The minister’s quill and parchment worked on it’s own accord.

“Severus Adonis Snape.”

“And what is your trade?”

“Potions Master First Class, tenured professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”

Snape cracked his neck and eased back into a comfortable slouch.

“What was the date of your death?” Amelia wasn’t missing a beat.

“The twenty-first of November, 1997.”

“And the date of your resurrection?”

“The twenty-second of November, 1997.”

“Why do you think it was that you were resurrected?” Amelia had begun to pace the small stone room, in which they were enclosed. Musty water crept in through the cracks from the crashing waves outside of the fortress.

“The Congregate deemed it necessary that I continue in the fight against the Dark Lord.” Severus’s face shown no emotion as he endured the line of questioning.

“But he was at one time, your Lord, correct?” Amelia attempted to trip him up.

“Yes. I followed Voldemort until early August 1980.” Snape wouldn’t allow it.

“What was the catalyst to your changing your mind?” Her voice tried to lull Snape into making a mistake. They were both competing in an intricate dance and neither was backing down. Amelia carefully seated herself once more.

Severus ran a leery hand through his raven hued hair. “The deaths of Lily and James potter and the attempted murder of their newborn son Harry.” He mentally shook himself at the memory, allowing no trace of the remorse to enter his features.

“What was your age at the time?”

“Twenty.” Snape drew in a silently deep breath.

“And you were in the same year of schooling with James and Lily?”

“That is correct.”

“And at that time you appealed to Dumbledore to come to your aid?’ This blasted woman knew all of these inane details. Snape casually wished he could hex the smug look off of her face.

“Yes and it was from then on that I was utilized as a spy for the Order, seeing as how your lot didn’t feel it pertinent enough to warrant some attention.” Snape grinned inwardly. At least it was the truth.

Amelia visibly shuddered. She need’nt be reminded that the previous administrations had taken the threat of Voldemort all to lightly. She’s still corner him. “Do you deny that you committed sometimes heinous crimes while in the company of the Deatheaters?”

Snape was quick to follow. “I would have been found out rather quickly as a spy if I hadn’t. Don’t you agree?”

Amelia held up a piece of parchment that unrolled to nearly a meter. “I have here a list of unforgivables that have been cast by your wand. Would you like me to read them aloud?” She cocked her head to the side.

Severus leaned forward quickly, a sarcastic smirk placed firmly on his lips. “No. After all I cast them. I’m well aware of the number and nature of those curses.” He allowed his eyes to haze over in a quick regret before returning to the game.

“Professor Snape in the last twenty two years you have cast 273 Cruciotus Curses, 184 Imperious Curses, and 21 Avada Kadarva curses. The most recent of those being Dumbledore. I couldn’t even begin to read off the sheer number of extremely questionable spells and curses that have been issued by your hand. Since you can’t be killed I could have to locked up here forever, no questions asked. With these numbers…well to even hope for a trial would be laughable.” Amelia’s face had turned a murky shade of disgust.

Snape simply nodded. The slightest hint of a grin still played at the corners of his pursed lips. She was bluffing.

“But if it’s true what you say about the Elders then it is not my decision to make. If your story proves truthful, then they have already absolved you of your crimes…or I guess it would have been Harry that pardoned you right? By taking on the burden of an eternal bond?”

“Do you wish to speak with them directly? I know the way and I would most love to be your escort.” Snape threatened half-heartedly.

“I’m sure you would Mr. Snape.” She answered quickly. “Tell me again how it was that you were killed and what happened once you were dead.”

“Voldemort issued the killing curse. He believed it would help him secure the elder wand.”

“So in essence you failed as a spy?” It was Amelia’s turn to grin.

“Death does usually indicate some type of failure. Very astute Minister.” Snape crossed his arms defiantly over his chest. “When I arrived in the Congregate I was informed of the dispute over my eternal soul. They proceeded to detail their plan to save it from falling into the possession of The Others. If I were bonded to The Old One’s greatest warrior there would be know way that the dark side could claim ownership. Much to my dismay that warrior was none other then Harry Potter.”

“What was your reaction to this?” Amelia feigned genuine interest, her head resting casually in her hands.

“I attempted to decline their offer. I feared an eternity with our young Mr. Potter would prove dreadfully dismal.” Snape shook his head to emphasize his point. Yet, he fought the urge to smile at the memory. “I had hoped he’d decline as well but unfortunately he is the epitome of all things Gryffindor and decided it best to once again bear everyone’s load. We were bonded instantly and told we would receive thirty days to better acquaint ourselves.” Severus stood and cracked his back, then began to pace his side of the room.

“That must have been terrible, spending so much time with the object of your disdain. As I understand it you have never been very fond of Harry Potter.” Amelia was goading him and she was smirking. The woman was feisty. Severus could respect that.

“Antagonizing as it appears, I found myself warming up to that loathsome brat.” The potion masters voice was almost whimsical as he returned to his chair.

“Am I to understand that you actually think you harbor feelings for him?” Amelia was obviously skeptical.”

“Most regrettably.” Snape nodded. The thought of it was causing her unease which brought Severus delight.

“Your twenty years his senior.” She reminded. “It’s against Hogwarts policy for a Professor to engage in a relationship with a student.” She tapped her finger harshly on the table.

“Unless said couple has their relationship sealed with a marriage or a soul bond.” The dark man contradicted, glaring menacingly at the minister.

Amelia sorted through more papers and began to chew on the end of her spectacles. “The spell was Iugum Animus?” Snape nodded.

“So the Congregate saw fit to bind you and Potter eternally?” She questioned, looking Severus straight in the eye.

“Who am I to question the fates?” He shrugged dismissively.

“When exactly were you informed the Dumbledore and Sirius Black would be returning with you?” Amelia quickly glanced over at the self-acting scroll then back to the potions master.

“Two weeks after my arrival.”

“Why didn’t they send all of you?”

“Bit of an overkill don’t you think?” Severus clucked his tongue disapprovingly. “12 mystically inclined wizards to bring down one?”

“Five of those wizards have barely stepped foot out of childhood.” The minister contended.

“Those five have come across him and lived to tell about it. That claim can be made by very few elder wizards.” Snape leaned close to her once more. “Have you even laid eyes on Voldemort? All of them have. They’ve fought against him, knowing it would likely be the last challenge they would ever undertake.” Severus’s eyes burned, his hands trembled with rage under the table. How dare she suggest that they didn’t have the necessary means to fight the Dark Lord.

“Wouldn’t more power prove to be of great use?” She new she was pushing the man in front of her and she was enjoying it.

“The Potter’s have been dead for sixteen years. They’d no little of the eccentricities that allow Voldemort the ability to be so difficult to defeat. They’d be of little to know use in the field. Besides the elders would do well not to make it common practice to so flippantly reverse death.” Severus finished, his face returning to a scowl.

“Quite the sentiment for someone who’s reaping the benefits of said reversal.” It was Amelia who leaned into Snape’s space. “They did after all, bring you back from the dead.”

“As I’m sure you can tell my happiness from the decision is simply overwhelming.” Severus muttered ironically.

“You stated early that you stayed in a replica of the Potter cottage. Do you wish to stand by all of those details? Any parts of your story you wish to change?” Snape didn’t dignify her inquiry with a response. “Very well. That’s all I’ll be needing form you at this time.” Amelia moved around the room to unlock the door. “Rylis you may take him back to his cell and bring me Harry Potter would you?” She said this louder than necessary. Snape jumped from his seat quickly and closed the distance between himself and the minister. Rylis shoved him back just as swiftly.

“If you do anything…” Snape struggled against the large guard and the slimy wall to no avail.

“You are in no position to make idle threats professor. I suggest you return quietly to your cell and thank you, most graciously for your time.” Snape wasn’t allowed a reprisal. Rylis grabbed his arm roughly and led him back to his dank cell.

Severus took advantage of his passing moment with Harry. He placed his hands on either side of the young man’s face. “Answer their questions truthfully Harry. Do not antagonize her. That’s an order.”

Harry brought his confidant hands up to rest atop his lover’s. “I wouldn’t…”

“You would.” Snape gave Potter a sincere smile.

“Don’t worry. I get to take Sirius with me because he’s still my guardian in the muggle world.” Harry gestured to his godfather, who had already walked over to the door.

“Never mind that erases my worries.” Snape snipped sardonically, quietly thanking the fates that Harry would not have to go it alone.

Harry pecked his bonded quickly before joining Black. “I’ll be back.” He promised.

“The would be in your best interest.” The older man cautioned. Snape grimaced, as the large door was slammed shut. It was then Dumbledore approached him.

“What direction is the inquiry headed in?” He asked softly so as not to disturb the group from their game of tic-tac-toe that they were playing in pairs on the dirt floor.

Snape sighed. “I know all of our stories will match, yet I fear that it wont be enough for her. I wouldn’t wager on us being released in the near future.

Dumbledore grinned almost painfully. “I may have an idea.”

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