Only a House

Sorry it was so long between updates. I was in ComputerCrashedPurgatory but I've got a new one now and updates will be more regular. This story is a bit grim and concise in the beginning, but intentionally so. The good stuff comes a bit later, so please, bear with me.


Read, and please review.



This Solicitude For Things


Wandering. He was wandering. Whether through his own mind or through the shadows of death, he didn't know. He hadn't thought it would be like this. All this blackness, all this quiet. He had thought he would see Lily, perhaps his mother, but it was Lily he was searching for in his wanderings. Searching for and not finding. Only her eyes. He was sure he'd seen them once or twice. He'd tried to follow them, to wander to them, but they always seemed to dissolve back into the blackness.

After awhile, he didn't know how long, he began to hear noises. Faint at first, and he had tried to wander towards them as well, but they too dissolved away. Little by little however, they seemed to be getting louder, and he thought he was finally coming to the place where he would find Lily. He was convinced of it when he began to see occaisional glimpses of light, which gradually turned into longer flashes. Several times in those flashes he saw her eyes, and it was this which drove him and made him more determined to reach his goal.

Eyes opening. His eyes, and as he blinked, he realised he was not dead. As his eyes slowly began to focus, he saw that he was in what appeared to be a hospital room. St. Mungo's then. There was a noise, and then a face appeared in his line of vision.

"Remain as you are," a young woman, presumably a Trainee Healer, told him, "I'll get the Healer."

Having no choice in the matter, he did as told, closing his eyes again. A few moments later a voice said his name, and he opened his eyes to see Healer Smethwyk, as the badge on his robes stated, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was peering over Smethwyk's shoulder.

"Can you hear me?" Smethwyk asked him, and he nodded that he could.

"Alright then. Very good," the man continued, "we very nearly lost you, you know. You've been on a steady diet of Blood Replenishing Potion since your arrival, along with Anti-Venom potions, Wound cleaning potions, various Invigoration draughts and Strengthening solutions, and plenty of Healing spells. Your wounds were quite difficult to heal, which I'm sure you know, as apparently you tried to cast a healing spell on yourself?"

He nodded, and Smethwyk continued, "We'll continue with treatment then, the Blood Replenishing Potion and other healing and strengthening potions and solutions. You'll find it difficult to talk at first, we've had to heal your vocal chords, and you're still bandaged up, but you will survive." He turned and nodded at Shacklebolt, then left the room.

Kingsley moved closer into his line of vision, a thoughtful frown on his face, and said, "Glad to see you back with us, Severus. I...erm....I'm sorry to have to do this, but I must inform you, you're under arrest for the murder of Albus Dumbledore, as well as suspected Death Eater activities, and your wand has been confiscated by myself and will be held until you're either convicted or cleared of all charges."

Severus sighed and closed his eyes momentarily. Really, this was no less than he'd expected.


"Now," Kingsley continued, "I know, of course, that you were a spy for the Order and on the Side of Light, but until you're convicted or cleared, I'm obliged to keep you under arrest by order of the Minister of Magic."

Severus nodded his head in acknowledgment that he understood. He really wasn't concerned at the moment with his own situation, however. He needed to know what had happened to the boy.

"P-Potter..." he managed to rasp. His throat felt dry as a desert and coated with as much sand.

Kingsley nodded and said, "He's fine, Severus. Obviously, he succeeded. I was there, I saw what happened." He reached over and grasped Severus' left arm, pulling the sleeve of the hospital shirt up. "Your Dark Mark is gone. You're free. At least of Voldemort."

Severus could only stare in amazement at the faint scar that was all that remained of his years of enslavement to a madman. The notion that he was, finally, truly free would take a long time to sink in, he knew. At this moment, it was still unbelievable even though he was staring at the proof right now.

"Potter," he finally rasped again, "....he's.....alright?"

"Yes, he's fine. He's with me now, with the Auror's Office," Kingsley said, "I invited him to join, even though he's still young. I made sure he talked with a trained Psychology Healer first, and he assured me he's mentally stable and fit for the job. He's still a Trainee, of course, but he's more advanced than the regular Trainees, so his training course has been modified a bit. As for the rest of him....don't worry. His soul is intact."

Severus' eyes widened in surprise at that, and he said, "How.....how do....you know...about that?"

"I'm a Dark Wizard catcher, Severus," Kingsley said, "I know what a horcrux is. I know what has to be done to make one. I know what murder does to a person's soul, and I know what a Dark Wizard can do with that. Harry vanquished Voldemort, but he didn't murder him. Harry gave him a choice, and as he had always done, Voldemort made the wrong choice. He cast the Killing Curse at Harry, and it rebounded back and killed him instead. In the end, good always triumphs over evil."

Severus made no reply to that, simply sighing in relief.

"Harry was quite shocked to hear you were alive, Severus," Kingsley said, "he thought you had died."

"So...did I," Severus rasped, "..thought......I was...dying."

Kingsley appeared to be studying him for a few moments, then said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this as well, Severus. As soon as you're well enough, you'll attend a hearing and be formally charged with Death Eater activities and the murder of Dumbledore. These are just formalities. You'll be charged and a trial set, but there is plenty of evidence and people to testify that you were on our side. I'm sure that once it's presented, you'll be cleared of all and set free. Until then, as I've said, you're under arrest, and will remain here under guard until the hearing."

Severus nodded again, not really caring. The Ministry could do with him as they wished. The boy was alright, and that was all that mattered. He'd fulfilled his promise to Dumbledore, his duty to the boy and Lily, and his life debt to the boy's father. Surely this took care of that as well. He'd never expected to live beyond Voldemort's defeat, and so all he wished for now was to be left alone.

A movement at the door caught his eye, and he saw the boy, Potter, slip silently into the room. He remained standing silently at the wall nearest the door, and Severus could just see him within his line of vision. The wide green eyes regarded him, but the boy said nothing.

"Ah, Harry," Kingsley said, "everything arranged?"

The boy nodded silently and continued to look at Severus, saying nothing, his face set and betraying nothing.

"Very well," Kingsley said, and turned back to Severus, "The Auror office, myself actually, will escort you to the trial. Healer Smethwyk tells me you'll be healed enough within the week, and I will accompany you to the hearing. I'll inform you when the hearing will take place. Until then, rest and get well."

"Thank you," Severus rasped tiredly and looked at the boy whose eyes he could still feel on him.

"Harry?" Kingsley said, turning to the boy, "anything you'd like to say?"

The boy shook his head, remaining silent, and Kingsley nodded his. "Very well. We'll let you rest then, Severus," he said, and they left.


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After four days of Trainee Healers and MediWitches poking and prodding and shoving potions at Severus day and night, he very nearly sobbed in relief when Kingsley appeared and told him that he'd be returning the next morning to escort Severus to the Ministry for his hearing. Again Potter stood silently near the door, his face set, saying nothing, while Shacklebolt prattled on about the hearing. Severus barely heard him, however, he was too busy wondering what the silent and grim faced boy was thinking. It was so unlike the Harry Potter Severus knew that it was a bit unnerving. By now the Potter Severus was familiar with wouldn't have been able to help himself bursting forth with how much he hated him, how much he would deserve what he got from the Ministry, and how much he would like to see him locked away into Azkaban until he did actually die.


And Severus wouldn't blame him for that, couldn't. He was aware he'd been perfectly horrible to the boy from the moment they'd set eyes on one another, and he didn't expect the boy to understand it had been a defense mechanism as well as preservation tactics on both their behalves. Severus was still quite surprised that the boy had been deemed psychologically fit to join the Auror Office at all. He would have thought that all the boy had been through, the enormous burden placed on him at such a young age, the constant threat of death at the hands of evil incarnate, not helped by Severus' own behaviour towards him, would have sent the boy gibbering into a corner somewhere.


Frowning, Severus sighed in annoyance. If the boy would just say something, he could rest assured, even though he did not want to admit to himself that he cared what the boy thought. His duty was fulfilled, the boy had survived and was an adult now. Severus need not look after him anymore, need not worry about him. He should be worrying about his own fate now, but this he found he could not bring himself to do. For the first time in his life, he failed to have a plan, even when it came to himself. He simply did not care. He was tired. What did he care if Potter hated him? Potter had always hated him, why should he not go on hating him? He had, after all, killed the boy's mentor and the only real father figure he'd ever had.


But......he didn't hate Potter, and had wanted the boy to know that. Still, he had made his peace offering, the memories he'd given him when he thought he was dying. Obviously they hadn't made a difference, judging by the boy's continued silence. So why should he care? Severus scowled at himself, annoyed that he could not force his mind to let this go, and was so intent on his own thoughts, he missed the regretful look that flashed in those silent green eyes near the door.


Severus made himself turn his attention back to Shacklebolt, who was telling him that he'd seen to it that Severus would be provided with the proper clothing to attend his hearing and would be returning for him at 9:30 the following morning. He nodded his acknowledgement, and they left him to his brooding.


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To the surprise of no one, that awful woman, Rita Skeeter headed the crush of reporters that surrounded the floo they arrived at the Ministry through. The Aurors surrounded Severus and kept the jackals at bay, but they couldn't prevent them from shouting out all sorts of questions that Severus patently ignored. They also couldn't prevent the blinding flashes of photos being taken, although Kingsley Shacklebolt did his best to block Severus from view, which Severus was grateful for. They followed them, shouting questions, trying to be heard over one another like so many noisy vultures, all the way to the courtrooms. They had to make themselves satisfied with milling about the corridor there, as they were not allowed inside.

Kingsley led Severus into a small room anteroom and told him they would wait there until his case was called. Severus had noticed the absence of Potter and wanted to ask where he was, but wouldn't allow himself. He was still struggling not to admit to himself he cared about what the boy thought, but yet was surprised not to see him. He would have thought the boy would want to be there every step of the way to ensure Severus got the full wrath of the Ministry.

Severus sat calmly waiting for his turn before the Wizengamot, but Shacklebolt couldn't seem to sit down. He kept pacing back and forth and muttering, "Only a formality, Severus, no need to worry. No need to worry," seeming not to realise Severus wasn't worried at all. He had decided to simply answer any questions asked and let the cards fall where they may.

Everntually he was called, and entered the high ceilinged room to stand before the High Chair that contained the temporary Minister of Magic. Severus could see the Wizengamot had turned out in full force, all seated to the sides and behind the Minister. He stood silent as the formal charges were read out, and he was informed that the Wizengamot had decided the evidence against him warranted two separate trials, one for Death Eater activities and one for murder. He was asked if he had anything to say for himself at this time, to which he replied he did not. There was a small gasp off to Severus' left, and he turned towards it, surprised to see the boy sitting higher up in the stands, an angry scowl in his face. Before Severus could begin to think about that, his attention was drawn back to the Minister.

"Very well," the Minister said grimly, "You will be informed of the dates of trial. In the meantime, you, Severus Snape, are remanded to Azkaban prison where you will be incarcerated until you again appear before the Wizengamot to answer to the charges..."

Severus could see out of the corner of his eye that this brought the boy to his feet, apparently finally provoking a reaction from him, but before Potter could voice it, Kingsley Shacklebolt cleared his throat.

"Minister," he began in his deep voice, "may I remind the Wizengamot that the prisoner has undergone a horrific injury at the hands of Voldemort which has required a long and extensive recovery. I have his medical records here with me, as well as a recommendation from Healer Smethwyk of St. Mungo's Hospital. Healer Smethwyk has treated the prisoner from the time of his admittance, and states that although he is well enough to attend this hearing, he is in a much weakened state and in need of several healing potions and care for his wounds. He is not well enough to survive incarceration in Azkaban just yet and it is the wish of Healer Smethwyk that he return to St. Mungo's. The Auror Office guarantees he will remain under guard and in isolation in his room, with admittance by only the offical medical staff as necessary to continue treatment."

Shacklebolt stepped forward and handed the Minister the small stack of scrolls he carried, stepping back beside Severus after doing so, throwing a stern look over his head at Potter as he did.

The Minister perused the scrolls in front of him for several minutes, and deliberated with his fellow Wizengamot members for several more before banging his gavel.


"Very well. Severus Snape, you will return to St. Mungo's Hospital where you will remain under guard and in isolation until you return here to stand trial before the Wizengamot."


Severus nodded his acknowledgement, and withheld any comment until Kingsley had escorted him back into the anteroom.


"Why did you do that?" he asked curiously, "you must realise that despite being a spy for the Order, I did indeed kill Dumbledore. I cannot imagine that any of the Death Eaters you've managed to capture so far have hesitated to inform you of this. There were plenty of witnesses. What do you care whether or not I rot in Azkaban or die of boredom in a hospital room?"

"Let's just say that I know more than you think I do, Severus," Kingsley said.


At this, Severus turned to the big man who had always been more than kind to him.


"Kingsley," he said, "do not jeopardise your own career in an attempt to save me. I have done what I had to do, and do not regret it. I killed Dumbledore, there is no question of that, and I will accept whatever the Wizengamot deems as punishment, be it a lifetime in Azkaban, or the Dementor's Kiss. I do, however, thank you for the kindness you have always shown me."


"And you are welcome to it, Severus," Kingsley replied, "but let's let me worry about my career, shall we? You worry about your trial." And with that he opened the door to the flock of waiting reporters, who began screeching like gulls, preventing Severus from protesting further.


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