A Chance at Life

AN: I have Eileen behave the way she does because I figured that no matter how safe she might feel at present, a part of her will still be fearful of the man that had beaten her up for almost 10 years before being able to escape.

A Chance at Life

Chapter 10: Back at the Ministry (Part 1)

February 4

“Oh Merlin I am so nervous. How did Tobias get a court date…and so soon? If he managed to do this, what else is he capable of?” Eileen fretted while patting down Severus’ outfit for the fourth time in as many minutes. Severus rolled his eyes at his mother’s fussing and looked to Harry with an irritated look on his face.

They were at their front door in semi-formal robes. Eileen was beautiful wearing dark blue robes and a complementing white fur-lined full-length coat. Severus was dressed in a mirror image of Harry in black robes and winter cloak. They looked like a wealthy pureblood family, though Harry will indubitably attract a lot of attention with his looks alone.

“I don’t know Eileen, but whatever it is he won’t be able to regain visitation rights. I am sure the only reason he was even able to appeal was because the memories you submitted did not show Severus’ abuse clearly enough….and I wouldn’t be surprised if not all of your recorded memories are even available anymore. Unfortunately money is still the ruling power at the Ministry rather than law or order.”

Harry moved closer to steady her hands, before Severus really lost his temper, and tried to reassure her once more. She had been a wreck ever since they had gotten Ministry summons for the Family Court two days ago. Somehow Tobias had gotten enough money to appeal for visitations right with his only heir, Severus.

In truth Harry was not overly worried about the appeal, a decision could not be reached without interviewing Severus and Harry had no doubt that Severus was up to the task. What really worried Harry was exactly from where and how Tobias had acquired the monetary means to bribe a Ministry official.

Other points in their favor was that no one, including Tobias, could bribe everyone involved in the Family Law Office and if necessary Harry had the means to prolong the matter with bribes of his own until Severus reached adulthood. But he did not put it past Tobias to involve his son in his dirty dealing and he wanted to know what Tobias was dabbling in, in case he had stupidly involved his family in some sordid deal.

Tobias had better not endangered Severus or Eileen in anyway or he just might meet with an unfortunate accident in the near future.

HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry and Eileen stepped out of the lift with Severus between them, each of them holding one of his hands. They were all silent, looking calmly composed and unbothered, as they headed for Court Room 5.

As Severus took in the people assembled outside waiting to be allowed in he felt Harry stiffen slightly. Though to others he probably didn’t look any different, Severus felt Harry’s stiffness and saw the slight narrowing of his eyes. He was looking at the man they had ran into at that Chinese restaurant about a month ago, the older Harry look-alike. Though now because of Harry’s new scar they didn’t look all that similar anymore.

Then he realized Tobias was staring at them in shock. Severus sneered at him coldly. He had probably still expected him to look like a half-starved ragamuffin. In the short time he had lived with Harry he’d already grown an inch and gained a healthy weight. The more he saw Tobias’ expression however, the more he wondered if Tobias even knew Harry was his legal step-father.

The courtroom doors opened a few moments later.

The room wasn’t all that grand. Like most of the Ministry, this room was made of dark stone, brightly lit torches all around the room illuminating it. There were raised benches in the front, upon which already sat three middle aged wizards, and a lower set of benches opposite, closer to the door. Both were angled slightly to face the single chair in between, close to the sidewall of the room.

“Everyone please take a seat, we will be starting momentarily,” the youngest of the three wizards said with a flash of impossibly straight teeth. Severus rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything as Harry remained standing.

“As far as I was informed only family and relevant Ministry officials were to be here today. Last I was aware, Mr. Potter was neither.” Harry stated coolly; the other wizard’s smile dimmed for a moment and Severus smirked, Harry public persona was always satisfying to watch.

“Ahh…you must have missed the owl we sent you this morning. Mr. Potter…” He nodded towards the older of the two Potters. “…has filed a complaint as the Potter Patriarch, placing you under suspicion of Identify Theft. Since you were already going to at the Family Court today it was deemed practical to address the complaint after Mr. Snape’s appeal was concluded.”

Severus heard Harry’s teeth grind against each other as he clenched his jaw and asked, “Harry what is he talking about?”

Harry gracefully flicked his wrist to eject his wand from his holster and into his grasp and silently erected a powerful privacy ward around the three of them.

Severus noted that many of the others in the room were startled and even a little awestruck. He didn’t blame them, Harry’s magic was impossible to ignore when he was angry. Indeed, for all of his blank expression it was clear to Severus and his mother that Harry was displeased with this new turn of events.

“Potter has taken the opportunity to use the Ministry in his favor. He was probably unable to find anything about me and figured he would learn more through an official Ministry inquiry if he accused me of Identity Theft, as the head of the Potter family it is his right…include a few bribes to get me here as soon as possible and this is what we end up with.”

As soon as he finished speaking Harry locked gazes with Tobias who had coincidentally stood up just as Harry had turned his head in his direction. The longer their gazes remained connected the more Harry stiffened up, but Severus started to get worried when he realized Harry was starting to tremble. “Harry…”

Harry turned his gaze back to Severus with such fire burning in his eyes that Severus found himself unable to breathe for a moment. “Harry you’re trembling.”

Harry looked at him for a moment, his anger fading, but somehow Severus had the feeling he was almost …in pain. Harry placed a hand on his shoulder and knelt on one knee in front of him, looking at him with unfathomable emotions swirling in his eyes.

“Don’t worry about me, let’s just get this over with once and for all.” Harry whispered into his ear as he hugged him tightly. Severus was starting to feel worried about what was wrong with him. Harry had never hugged him in public before, not that he minded, in fact he liked it, but he didn’t like that Harry was hurting and he could do nothing to help. So he hugged him back just as strongly and kissed his scared forehead before pulling back again.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, thank you Sev.” He answered with a minute smile and ran a gentle hand through Severus’ loose hair before standing up again to lower the privacy ward.

Severus realized that everyone was looking at them now and Tobias looked like he wanted to strangle him, his face an angry red and glaring at Harry with heated intensity.

“Well…if we could get started…” The smiley-man said after clearing his throat; everyone quieted as he began talking in a steady voice.. “Parental appeal of the fourth of February, Mr. Tobias Snape requesting visitation rights for his son and only heir, Severus Snape Prince- nee Severus Tobias Snape…currently under the guardianship of Eileen Prince. Presiding today is Officer Benjamin Bones, Head of the Office of Family Law & Procedure; I am the Attending, Officer Dominic Brown; and today’s Court Scribe is Robert Diggory.”

Benjamin Bones was a tall man with a friendly face and long chestnut hair tied at the back of the neck with a black ribbon. Brown was the ‘smiley’ one with the fake looking teeth, and Diggory was a short slim man with solemn features.

“Mr. Tobias Snape you are here today to appeal for visitation rights after your wife was given sole custody due to spousal abuse, is this correct?” Officer Bones began the proceedings.

“Yes officer.”

“Officer Marcellina Goldman, are you willing to take the interrogation seat and understand the duties thereby implied?”

Severus didn’t know what those duties were but he recognized the stern woman who walked to the chair at the side of the room.

“Please describe the proceedings that took place the 12th of January pertaining to Severus Snape’s current situation.”

“It was a very clear cut case. Ms. Prince presented us with clear memories of physical abuse and Mr. Snape’s failings as a husband, which included the failure to property care, clothe, or nourish his wife and child. He was clearly unwilling to supply his family with the basic necessities, using most of the money he earned on alcohol. Not that he worked much, he has spent the vast majority of the past 8 years claiming Family Assistance from the Ministry. As you know, in clear cases of abuse and neglect divorce is an automatic course of action meant to safeguard the aggrieved spouse and any children. Even if Ms. Prince had not already requested it, divorce was an inevitable outcome and had the family ended up destitute it would have fallen under Ministry protection …Of course things were greatly simplified by Mr. Potter, who married her-”

“WHAT!” Tobias was on his feet in a flash. He even managed to fire a curse at Harry before someone stunned him.

Severus sniggered; it looked like everyone was more amazed by the fact that Harry had calmly leaned his head to the side and had let the curse pass him by, than by Tobias’ actions…idiots.

“Mr. Snape, contain yourself or we will have to postpone this appeal until you are capable of self-control.” Officer Bones told Tobias after canceling the stunner. Tobias glared at him but didn’t say anything back.

“Why wasn’t I told about this when I filed the appeal? And how could she marry him so quickly when the required blood tests take at least two days to be processed?!

Harry scoffed derisively before answering. “The blood tests are only required of purebloods to ensure your inbreeding will not be a problem should you reproduce-”

“Mr. Potter! Kindly keep such comments to yourself…Now, your ex-wife’s affairs are no longer your concern Mr. Snape, there is no legal reason why we would be required to inform you of such a fact when you don’t even have visitation rights with your son. Other than having young Mr. Snape as your heir, you have no legal connection with her, thus her privacy is protected.”

Officer Bones explained in an exasperated tone.

“Thank you Officer Goldman, is there anything else you would like to add?”

“No, I think I was allowed to say everything relevant to the situation.”

“Thank you and please remain in the courtroom until this case adjourned.” Goldman agreed and walked back to her seat. Tobias was called next.

“Please keep in mind that while at the interrogation seat you are demonstrating your compliance to speak the truth and nothing but the truth as you know it…Mr. Snape I have here in my records that you tried to apply for joint-custody of your son, not just visitation rights?”

“Correct, I want my son back but I was told parents with established records of spousal abuse cannot hold any kind of custody of their children.” He replied stiffly while glaring at Eileen. Harry quickly took her hand in support and glared back at him coldly.

“Considering the abusive history with your wife, why should you be given visitation rights and why would we allow for the possible endangerment of a minor while in your presence?” Officer Bones asked in a moderate tone.

“I admit that I struck Eileen a few things during our marriage but I never physically hurt my son. He’s mine too and I deserve to be his father. Potter…that kid barely out of school robes…cannot possible be a good influence on him. My son has no need for a step-father, he has me.”

“Thank you Mr. Snape you may return to your seat. Mr. Harry Potter if you would…” Officer Bones continued once it became clear Tobias didn’t have anything else so say in his favor and called Harry to the interrogation seat.

“You are 19 years old correct?...Do you truly believe yourself up to the task of taking care of a family? Are you financially stable enough to even provide for them?”

Severus really got bored with all these pointless questions, of course Harry could take care of them; so in order to push away boredom he started practicing his Occlumency. It was very calming and kind of fun to try to clear your mind, the weirdest thoughts could pop up when you least expected it, so that’s how he entertained himself…until he was rudely interrupted.

His mother was poking him on the side and gesturing to the front subtly.

“Mr. Severus Snape, will you please take the interrogation seat?” The tone in which it was said told him that it was not the first time the question had been posed. Severus rose smoothly and did as requested by Officer Bones.

“Would you prefer I call you Mr. Snape or Severus?”

“Actually I prefer Mr. Prince.” Severus heard his mother groan and saw her close her eyes while shaking her head. Bones just smiled indulgently and began questioning him.

“Mr. Prince, please answer as truthfully as possible. Everyone here cares for your welfare and your feelings about this matter will be taken in consideration when I make my final decision. Do you understand this?”

“Clearly.” Severus answered somewhat arrogantly, feeling slightly insulted.

Bones’ lips switched for a second and then he continued. “Please tell us how your life was with Tobias Snape…”

“Tobias hates me-” Severus began rather unpredictably.

“You call your father by his first name?” Brown interrupted, leaning forward in his seat.

“Yes, I always have, though never to his face before. I knew better than to provoke another beating.”

Officer Bones frowned. “Are you saying you were beaten as well? What were the reasons?”

“Like I was saying before I was interrupted: Tobias hates me. In his view, I share my mother’s unfortunate passion for potions and learning. To him, potion making is not a subject worthy of ‘real’ men and learning is a waste of time if it does not have anything to do with curses or hexes. My years with him consisted of being bullied and being constantly reminded of what a disappointment I was as a son. Still, most beating came from when he found me studying potions or reading my mother’s books.”

He stopped and looked towards Harry, who gave him another small smile before leaning down to listen to something Eileen was whispering to him.

“Mr. Prince, I must say I am quite surprised by your mature attitude. The children I have known in similar circumstance all demonstrated feelings of shame while speaking of their abuse…”

“Why should I be ashamed? I am telling you this because I have to, I’m not about to shout it from the rafters. Besides, my family already knows and they love me. I could care less what anyone else thinks.”

Officer Bones’ eyebrows almost disappeared into his hair line at such an answer from an eight-year-old boy. “Exactly who do you consider your family?”

“Harry, mother, and Noodle…Kura… not yet, but I think I will once she has spent a little more time with us.”

“Who is Kura?”

“She’s Noodle’s mother and our family healer.”

“I thought Noodle was a family pet, or perhaps even a house elf?” Brown interrupted once again. Really, Severus was getting annoyed with his stupid questions.

“He 'is' our house elf.” He snapped.

Silence.

“Are you saying your healer is a house elf – are they even able to perform healing magic?”

“Of course, she even already healed me once.”

Thankfully, Officer Bones spoke up before Brown could open his mouth again. “How and why were you hurt in the first place?”

“I was foolish enough to sneak into the forest near our house–”

“Which Forest is this?” Brown interrupted again, ruffling parchment about on his bench and Severus finally lost his temper.

“Stop interrupting me with stupid questions you–”

“Severus!” Eileen called out sounding scandalized though he still heard a few muffled chuckles around the room.

“Quiet please! – Mr. Prince, answer the question and continue if you will.”

Severus huffed but did as he was told. “The Forbidden Forest. We live in Hogsmead…and to cut a long story short I got a little hurt, Harry came and rescued me, and Kura healed me.”

“See! You see! That Potter brat has already endangered my son’s life! I demand–!”

“You are in no position to demand anything you sorry excuse–” Harry cut Tobias off with an icy tone, his gaze promising untold pain should he finish that statement.

“Silence! That is enough from the both of you - if it happens again you will be restrained for the remainder of this session!”

A few more minutes of angst later, they were ready to continue once again.

“Moving on – Am I correct in assuming you do not consider your father a member of your family?”

“That’s right.”

“Very well then, can you tell us how you came to consider your stepfather, Harry Potter, family?”

“I don’t see him as my stepfather, he’s just Harry. And he became part of my family …” Severus stopped, not really sure what to say. He had never really thought about the ‘how’ of it before now. “…by being perfect.”

Everyone looked gobsmacked.

“I’m serious! He is!” Severus said emphatically and even Harry was laughing this time, Severus could see his shoulders shaking though he wasn’t laughing out loud.

He crossed his arms and frowned; he was being perfectly honest and couldn’t see what was so funny about what he’d said.

“Would you care to elaborate on that?”

“Why, so you can laugh at me again?” Severus snarled, refusing to look at anyone.

“Please accept our apologies; it's just we...or at least I have never heard an answer like that before in my life. Truly.”

Severus looked at Bones in suspicion, judging if he will bother to answer or not. “All right. But I don’t understand your question, what is there to elaborate on?”

“Well let me put it this way: What makes Harry perfect in your eyes? Does he always give you sweets, buy you things, what?”

“Of course not! He gives me candy sometimes but not all the time, it’s not healthy. And he only buys me books if I’m not grounded…Harry’s perfect because he understands me, he answers my questions, teaches me...He’s perfect because he protects me and sings to me to sleep if I wake from a nightmare and he takes care of all of us. He makes sure we all eat well, checks if we’re sick, feeling sad, or lonely, checks to see whether we’re cold or hot...whatever. He’s always there, always gentle…always caring…and he makes the most 'delicious' chocolate mousse pie, not even an elf can make a better one.” This time he smiled right along with everyone else if for different reasons, Harry only cooked for them, these fools had no idea what they were missing.

Soon after Bones and Brown left to ‘deliberate’ and everyone else was left to sit around and wait. Well mostly. Harry kept himself busy by keeping a watchful eye on Tobias, while Eileen tried to keep Severus entertained, and Tobias just glared at everyone else.

It didn’t take long to come to a decision however; it was a done deal as soon as Tobias refused to take Veritaserum to back up his claims of no child abuse.

Still, Severus 'really' enjoyed seeing him get taken away in a full body bind, wriggling like a worm on a hook, by the two Aurors that had to been called into the courtroom...It was the stuff of fantasies really.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
AN: A million thanks for everyone that reviewed. Sorry I have to split another chapter in two, but I figured too much court stuff will probably bore you guys. But how do you guys like this one though, any suggestions about anything I can fix before I finish the second part?

Next time, the Potter face-off!

Please review or rate the fic if you can! -Lina ^_^