A Dark Scenario

Chapter 18 ~ The Calvary

"I demand my staff member be released immediately!" Minerva screeched at the uncomfortable Aurors in the Ministry lobby. "Clearly you can see he was accompanying Hogwarts students to Hogsmeade when he was attacked and acted only in self-defense! Of all the bumbling, stupid, idiotic—"

Hermione stood next to Minerva, a black scowl on her face.

"He saved my life!" she added. "If he hadn't pushed me down, I would have been hit by the Killing curse! You let him go!"

Flashbulbs popped all around the witches as Prophet photographers took full advantage of the photo opportunity. The Aurors were all much taller than the witches, and that made their cowering almost comical.

"Please, calm down Headmistress—Miss Granger," one Auror said placatingly. "Professor Snape is going to be released shortly. It's all been sorted out and the accomplice has been captured. He confessed they initially attacked Snape and he acted in his own defense."

"He shouldn't have been arrested in the first place!" Hermione yelled at him, still incensed.

"We had to investigate the situation—" the Auror responded lamely.

"You didn't have to lead him away like a criminal, taking his wand and tying his hands behind his back!"

"He just killed someone—"

"Bollocks!"

Snape walked up the corridor, listening as Hermione lit into the Auror. He stopped. Both Minerva and Hermione didn't see him and kept right on going.

"I demand to see the Minister!" Minerva huffed. "I want to personally tell him what I think of Aurors that would arrest and bind a teacher on an outing with students for protecting himself! I want a public apology for this kind of treatment!"

Both of Snape's eyebrows rose.

"The Minister is currently attending an important meeting with the Wizardgamot," the Auror said.

"I'll wait!"

"He won't be back for two days."

"I'll still wait!"

Snape billowed up. The photographers went crazy. There were so many flashes it looked like a small indoor lightning storm. Snape ignored them.

"That won't be necessary, Headmistress," the wizard said softly as Hermione looked up at him, still scowling.

"Somebody has to answer for this, Severus," the Charms mistress said.

Snape looked down at her.

"Someone has. The wizard I killed," he replied before turning and exiting the Ministry.

Both Hermione and Minerva looked after him, then Minerva turned back to the Auror.

"You haven't heard the end of this," she told him before turning and following Snape.

"You certainly haven't," Hermione added, turning to follow Minerva.

The Auror watched them go, then sighed and looked at his silent and slightly glassy-eyed companions.

"I hate weekend duty," he said tiredly. "I could've been at the Quidditch match."

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Snape, Hermione and Minerva appeared with three sharp thunder cracks in front of Hogwarts. Professors Trelawney and Vector had rounded up the students and returned the complaining crowd to the school early.

"Why couldn't Snape get locked up on a regular school day?" a witch grumbled.

"He probably did it on purpose just to ruin our outing. He's such a git," another added.

Snape opened the gate and let the witches walk through before closing and warding it back. He began to walk across the grounds, Minerva and Hermione next to him. Everyone was quiet.

Finally, Minerva spoke.

"I'm very sorry, Severus," she said softly.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," he replied, looking straight ahead.

"Yes I do. I've been horrible toward you, not seeing the bigger picture. I was acting just as ignorantly as everyone else. For that, I owe you an apology."

"You owe me nothing."

"I do," Hermione said quietly. "You saved my life—again."

Snape didn't say anything to this, but lengthened his stride, leaving Minerva and Hermione behind. He entered the castle.

"He's so—so aggravating," Hermione hissed. "He can't stand to be thanked for anything. Why is he such a miserable human being?"

Minerva sighed and her eyes were wet.

"He's been steeped in misery for years, Hermione. It's like his soul has been marinated in pain and misery. We're all so ungrateful—"

"Not me. I'm very grateful to him, but he won't let me show it even in the smallest way. I wish—"

Hermione's voice trailed off, and Minerva turned toward her sharply, stopping on the castle stairs.

"You wish what?"

Hermione blinked at her rapidly.

"Nothing," she muttered, walking up the stairs, opening the door and entering the castle.

Minerva watched her enter, a thoughtful look on her face, and then she followed.

She had to report this incident to the Board of Governors immediately.

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Two days later, Minerva summoned Snape to her office during lunch.

"Severus, you can't be sacked for the incident that happened in Hogsmeade," Minerva said to the dark wizard seated before her. "However, the Board has taken away your duties as far as accompanying students to Hogsmeade goes. They believe they could be put in—in danger. I'm very sorry."

Snape's mouth lifted slightly in one corner, and Minerva scowled.

"You don't look sorry about this at all," she snapped at him.

Both of Snape's eyebrows rose.

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to say it. It's clearly written on your face."

Snape ran a hand over his face.

"Strange, I don't feel any different."

"Oh, just get out of here," Minerva hissed.

Snape did smirk as he stood up. He turned and started toward the door, then hesitated. He turned back to face Minerva, who was still frowning at him.

"What now?" she asked him.

"I just wanted to say thank you for coming to my aid at the Ministry," he said softly.

Minerva blinked at him rapidly.

"I'd have done it for any staff member who was treated unfairly," she blustered. "Now, go back to your classes, Severus."

Snape gave her a little bow and exited the office.

She sighed.

"I believe you've finally come around, Minerva," Albus' portrait said.

"Oh, shut up," she hissed.

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A/N: Just a little more today. Have a bit of a toothache. :( Thanks for reading.