A Dark Scenario

Chapter 2 ~ Trial

"It has been determined by this council that Severus Snape is cleared in the death of Albus Dumbledore," sitting Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt said in his deep, bass voice.

This pronouncement was followed by a few murmurs, and several reporters quickly exited the chambers. Severus Snape stood in an oval cage before the twelve member panel, solemn and silent. If he were relieved by this pronouncement, he didn't show it.

Behind him sat a number of audience members and witnesses. Hermione Granger sat next to Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, both of whom were scowling. They were in the witness area. Hermione looked down at the floor and shook slightly.

Snape had gotten away with murder. Well, it wasn't over yet. There was still the matter of—her.

"However, there is still one more serious charge against Severus Snape," Kingsley said with a frown. "The rape, kidnapping and subsequent false imprisonment of Hermione Granger."

Hermione's foot began to tap and Ron patted her hand, his blue eyes hard as he looked at the back of Snape.

"You don't have to speak, Hermione. I saw everything. He'll pay for what he did to you," he whispered to her.

"Next witness, Ronald Weasley."

Ron stood up and sidled out of the row, then walked past Snape's cage, giving the wizard a look of hatred before taking the stand.

Kingsley looked at him soberly.

"According to the deposition, Mr. Weasley, you witnessed Mr. Snape's attack on Miss Granger?"

"Yes," Ron hissed, still staring at Snape, who met his eyes evenly. "I watched him rape her in front of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He asked if he could keep her as his plaything, the bloody pervert. And Voldemort told him yes, and she was thrown to the floor in front of him and forced to her knees. Then, with everyone watching, Snape got down on his knees behind her, opened his robes and pulled out his—you know—then lifted her robes, pulled down her jeans and knickers, and raped her. Everyone was cheering and egging him on. It was horrible. He didn't even hesitate, he just did it. Then he kept her with him, using her any way he liked."

More murmurs rose and Kingsley looked at Snape.

"Is what Mr. Weasley saying true, Mr. Snape?" Kingsley asked him.

"I had sex with Miss Granger, yes," Snape replied tonelessly. "And yes, she stayed with me."

"Sex! That wasn't having sex! Sex is consensual! You raped her! In front of everyone! In front of me and you knew she was my girlfriend, you animal!" Ron snarled at him. "Then you kept her for a plaything, made her your slave!"

Snape didn't respond.

"Have you nothing else to say, Mr. Snape?" Kingsley asked him.

Snape shook his head slightly.

Kingsley conferred with the other council members for about a minute, then rested his brown eyes on Snape.

"Given the testimony provided by Ronald Weasley, who was an eye-witness to the attack, and your own admittance, Mr. Snape, this council sentences you to serve seventy-five—"

"STOP!"

Startled, Kingsley didn't finish pronouncing the sentence. Hermione had stood up, her brown eyes filled with tears.

"He didn't rape me! He saved me! He did what he had to do to do that, just like he did with Dumbledore! The only way to save my life was to do what he did, and he asked me beforehand. I agreed to it. It was the only way I could live. The alternative was multiple rapes and a painful death. He didn't mistreat me and he protected me while I was with him!"

"She's brainwashed! Being his slave twisted her mind," Ron cried. "She's been programmed to say that. She'd never agree to that, not the Hermione I know. She would have rather died than let him touch her!"

Snape remained silent. He didn't even turn to look at Hermione. He continued to look at Kingsley, who looked back at him somberly. He knew the kind of man the wizard was. What Hermione claimed was completely possible. If he killed Albus at the old wizard's directive, knowing he would seem like a murderer, then he would certainly have engaged Miss Granger in order to save her life, despite being labeled a rapist. He looked thoughtful.

"Hermione, if this was true, why didn't you tell anyone?" Ron demanded.

"No one would listen. You all treated me like I was some kind of injured animal, too shocked and abused to say anything. I tried to tell you, but everyone wanted Severus in Azkaban if not actually executed. No one was willing to listen. All you all said was, we'll get him. We'll make him pay. Well, he's paid enough! He's not my rapist! He's my savior and I'll always be grateful to him! The council needs to let him go!"

Ron's mouth shut with a snap as he looked at Hermione as if he'd never seen her before. She agreed to Snape shagging her in front of everyone? How could she have done that? Ron felt so betrayed he just couldn't see the bigger picture, that Hermione was facing a worse fate when she agreed. It was a life and death situation, and she chose life.

Kingsley looked at Snape.

"Mr. Snape, is Miss Granger's claim true? Was the act and subsequent living arrangements consensual?"

"Yes, they were."

Kingsley once again conferred with the other council members as Ron stared at Hermione, who was watching the group of wizards intently.

Kingsley cleared his throat.

"In light of this new testimony, the council finds Severus Snape cleared of all charges," he announced. Cries rose all around the chambers as more reporters took off to spread the news.

Severus Tobias Snape was a free man.

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A/N: I was looking this over this morning and just had a thought about what might have happened afterwards when Snape was brought to "Justice." I didn't do the "rape" scene because I didn't think it necessary to go into detail or glorify it. This was just something that popped into my head. I don't know if it will be continued. It does seem to have the initial makings of an interesting story. We'll see. For now, consider it completed. Thanks for reading.