The Headmaster

Chapter 15 The Headmaster

The small room, which was to hear the testimony, was overflowing into the hallways. Severus wasn’t present and remained in the hospital ward at Azkaban. Minerva held onto Remus’ arm as she stood on her tip toes looking for Harry.

“Minerva, if he gave you his oath he’ll show up, now calm down.”

“I can’t calm down and I would appreciate it if you weren’t so damn calm,” Minerva snipped.

“I should have given you a calming potion before we left,” Hermione stated.

“A shot of scotch, wouldn’t have hurt,” added Draco.

“I had both.” Minerva, once again stood on her toes trying to look over the heads of the crowd.

“Shush, the hearing is about to start,” Hermione bossed.

Five stern looking judges that were overseeing the hearing, entered from a side door in the back of the room. The room immediately quieted down and those who could took their seats.

“We have come here today to review the case of one Severus Snape. It has come to our attention through newspaper articles and petitions that a great many of you believe that the court has failed this man. The five of us are here to listen to your request. Understand we have reviewed the case on its merits and find no fault in the sentencing. You must prove to us there is extenuating circumstances in this case, if you wish to see Mr. Snape released early from Azkaban.”

A distinguished looking man rose from his seat.

“Sirs, I am Raymond Hartwing, representing Severus Snape at these proceedings. I have given you the witness list and as you can see it’s rather extensive.”

“Were you planning to call ‘all’ of these witnesses?” the youngest judge asked from the end of the table. He held up at least five full pages of names.

“If you deem it necessary, I will. Most are character witnesses. Their statements are in the folder in front of you. They are all in attendance and are willing to speak if you wish to ask them any questions.”

“We have looked at their statements and have accepted them as evidence. Any, who are on this list and wish to leave, may do so now.” There wasn’t a movement among the crowd. The judge had hoped that with his announcement that the crowd would have thinned out. He found he was wrong.

Minerva was the first to testify for her friend followed by those closest to the Potions Master. Hartwing watched the judges closely and knew that they were not moved by the witnesses. In fact, they looked uninterested. Hartwing started to fidget in his chair as he started to look to the door, watching and waiting, impatiently for Harry Potter. He was assured by Mr. Malfoy that the boy wonder would appear and would testify on the behalf of Snape.

During the lunch break Minerva tried repeatedly to get a hold of Harry, to no avail. Draco called a couple of detectives to try to hunt the illusive Potter down. It was Friday, so Remus thought that he had an emergency at school and was running late but once he flooed called the Hogwarts, he was told that Headmaster Potter had taken the day off and had no idea where he was.

It was late afternoon and Hartwing was calling his last witness to the stand, Healer Montague. The judges had gone from indifference to bored, which was not a good sign.

“Healer Montague, just how did Severus Snape end up in the Hospital wing of Azkaban?”

“About a week ago, one of the guards hurt Mr. Snape, almost killing him.”

“How was he hurt?” the judge in charge of the proceedings asked.

“I rather not say. Patient and client privilege, you know…”

“I understand your dilemma Healer Montague but unless this court hears the details of his injuries we must consider that you, as a compassionate man, may tend to exaggerate.”

“If this was a closed hearing, I would feel more comfortable about what exactly was done to him but since it is not, I cannot in good conscious, give you any details.”

“If you are incapable of giving us a medical report, then we must dismiss everything that you have testified to.”

Hartwing was quick on his feet. “Healer Montague please, for Snape’s sake, tell us what happened to him.”

“He was dragged from the hole that they were keeping him in…”

“The hole?” Hartwing asked

“It’s a hole in the ground that they throw the most disruptive prisoners, usually for a day or two. It seems that Severus had been down there for over three months. He had lost nearly five stones while in there.”

“Please, continue.”

“The guard that dragged him from the hole… sexually assaulted him.”

There was a unified gasp before total silence took over the room. Minerva’s nails dug into Remus’ forearm so hard that blood soaked through the cloth of his shirt. Remus didn’t even flinch from the pain. Instead he patted Minerva’s hand reassuringly.

“Let me understand exactly what you are saying. Professor Snape, war hero, Potions Master, spy, inventor of wolfsbane was raped?”

“Yes.” Alvin gave a long drawn out sigh. He knew he betrayed a trust, one that he was sure Severus would never forgive him for, but if it saved him one day from the clutches of Azkaban, it was worth it.

The five judges put there heads together and talked among themselves. Hartwing wasn’t pleased. They weren’t even leaving the room to deliberate. He was so sure that even without the testimony of Harry Potter that Snape would be released on his own recognizant. How could he be so wrong? Snape had enemies in high places that did not want to see him released from Prison.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate that you have taken the time to come to court and offer your testimony. After all is said and done, we have heard nothing that has changed our mind. Severus Snape shall remain in Azkaban for….”

“Excuse me. I believe I have something to add.” The room turned and saw the savior-of-the-wizard-world standing in the doorway.

“Headmaster, there is no reason for you to testify. It has already been decided that Severus Snape should serve the remainder of his sentence.”

Harry hated Snape but he hated having words put in his mouth even more. “Where did you get the impression that I want Snape to be left in Azkaban?” he asked as he walked to the front of the room.

“Sir, your dislike for your ex-Professor is renowned. It is no secret that you wanted him to spend the rest of his life in prison. Am I to take it that you have, at this time, changed your mind?”

Harry’s whole body wanted to scream no, that he would rather face Voldemort again than to set Snape free but he couldn’t. Not after the wizard oaths.

“Yes, gentlemen, I have changed my mind. After a great deal of soul searching and speaking to two of my ‘friends’ I have come to the conclusion that Severus Snape should be released from Azkaban immediately.”

“Would you care to elaborate?”

“No, I don’t believe I do. I want him to be released by the end of the day. Thank you.” Harry turned on his heal and left, with the soul thought of looking for the nearest pub.

The main judge cleared his throat. “I think, with the testimony of Headmaster Potter, that we have been convinced that Severus Snape, Death Eater…”

“Ex-Death Eater,” Hermione corrected.

“Yes… That Severus Snape should be released from Azkaban by sunset of this day.”

The roar of the crowd was deafening. Draco hugged Luna, Hermione jumped into her fiancés arms and Minerva sat in her seat, crying silently.

Alvin leaned into the small group and said as loudly as he could, “Let’s find a room where we can talk. I have some explaining to do.”

They followed him out of the courtroom. Dodging the general public and well wishers, the small group worked their way down the hall to a small conference room.

The room already had a silencing charm but Remus thought it would be wise to add another one. You never knew who, or what, might be listening.

“There for a few minutes, I didn’t think we would get my godfather out of prison.” Draco sat wearily into a chair. Luna stepped behind him and started to work the knots out on his neck.

“If it wasn’t for Harry, I am afraid he still would be. Severus, it seems, has made some people with power very angry.”

“There is no middle ground when it comes to Severus, you either love of hate him,” Minerva added as she dabbed her eyes dry.

“The reason I asked you all in here is that I would like to do the surgery to defuse his legs next Tuesday. That would give him a few days to relax and gain a bit more strength.”

“So soon?” Luna asked.

“The damage to his legs becomes worse with every passing day. If it was any other curse, I would wait until he was stronger but we can’t. He may never walk again if we wait much longer, as it is he will more than likely have to walk with a cane in both hands.”

“For how long?” Draco asked.

“For the rest of his life,” was his reply.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Severus was in a strange mood, anxious about the outcome of the hearing but also scared. He had been taking care of himself since he was but a child. He learned early that he could not rely on anyone, especially those closest to you.

For the foreseeable future he would have to rely on the kindness of others, which galled him. And worse was that Harry Potter was to ‘take care’ of him. He couldn’t deny that there was nothing more in the world than to see the little shite but he wanted Potter to want to be near him, not be forced to.

How would he react when Potter touched him? Would he embarrass himself by getting an erection? He remembered many a night the two did nothing but talk, ending up with him taking a long cold shower. It’s been three years. Maybe the boy ‘really’ didn’t like him and it wasn’t the curse after all.

He really didn’t like himself this way… needy. Maybe he won’t be pardoned and he could stay in the hospital ward until he served his sentence. He would be safe here. There wouldn’t be a Potter messing up his life, if he stayed.

A year ago he would have paced the grounds of Hogwarts until he either became exhausted or he figured out his problem. He cursed his useless legs. He was nothing but a cripple in both body and spirit. He decided that he wouldn’t leave. He would remain in the safety of his hospital room.

He turned his head to see what all the noise was. He saw Draco pushing a magically floating wheelchair into the room followed by all of his closest friends.

“You can just turn around and leave with that contraption. I don’t plan on leaving.” Severus folded his arms across his chest.

“Severus, what are you talking about?” Minerva stepped to his side and took his hand into hers.

“I plan on serving the rest of my sentence here in this bed. Now go.”

Remus took a step forward, thinking Severus didn’t understand the situation. “You’re a free to leave with us.”

“Of course I’ve been freed, why else would Draco be pushing a floating chair into my room?” he replied curtly.

“I understand you have been through a lot…” Minerva tried to reason with him.

“Oh for crying out loud, Severus Snape, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get you arse into the chair,” Draco ordered.

“I’m not feeling sorry for myself…”

Before he could finish Draco walked over threw the sheets off his body and lifted him into the floating chair. “Do not try to give me that malarkey. You’re scared and nervous about seeing Potty. I personally don’t think he’s good enough for you but he isn’t the issue. You are getting out of this hell hole. We’re leaving and there will be no arguing.”

Draco covered Severus’ legs with a warm blanket. “Now you can begin the rest of your life. Choose wisely Professor. You have no one to blame but yourself this time.” Draco pushed the chair out of the room and out of Azkaban.


A/N A little refection on my part. Yesterday I received my first flame. Not one but three form the same person. I know I’m not a great writer but I do enjoy writing. I do have a point…instead of dwelling on all the positive feedback I have received I was crushed by one person who hated my characters, my plot, my writing, my grammar…I almost decided to stop doing something that I truly enjoy. Then I remembered all of the great, positive reviews I have received. There are those who think I’m an okay writer. Thank you. And those who can’t stand my writing don’t read it. If you have some constructive criticism please let me know. I want to improve my writing. I feel better now that I have vented. There should be another chapter tomorrow…thanks for reading. Love, LadyJayVee