A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 36 ~ The Presentation of Severus Snape

Snape disapparated back to his house, immediately striding into his bedroom, stripping down and jumping into the shower, turning on the cold water full blast and letting it stream over his head, one hand pressed against the wall as he leaned beneath the spray.

”What the hell did I just do?” he said to himself as the water flowed over him.

Damn. By acting so impulsively, he might just have ruined everything. But he hadn’t wanted to make the same mistake with Hermione that he had with Lily. He never let Lily know he wanted her. But to just . . . just kiss the witch? With no indication that was what he intended . . . without, without permission?

“Whoever said with age comes wisdom was a damned liar,” the wizard hissed, spinning and letting the water run over his back and buttocks.

What must the witch think of him? Dear gods, he hoped she didn’t quit. Despite the fact that he was interested in her, she was a damn good employee. How the hell was he going to fix this?

Well, the best thing to do for now was to lay low and concentrate on his speech for tomorrow. After he faced the public, maybe Hermione would be easier.

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Hermione was also in the shower, bathing her body absently as she thought about the Professor kissing her.

Kissing her. The Professor. The most reserved wizard she knew.

”This is the reason, Hermione,” he had said.

Dear gods. He must want . . . oh gods no. He couldn’t. Not Professor Snape.

Hermione turned under the spray, washing herself off, feeling confused but strangely excited.

Professor Snape was a brilliant, successful man. And a hero. He could hold an intelligent conversation. He could brew potions others only dreamed of. He was rich. Established.

And he had a cock as big as a hippogriff’s.

Merlin.

Hermione shuddered.

“What am I going to do?” she groaned to herself as she shut off the water and exited the shower, picking up a towel to dry herself off.

Well for now, she’d just do what she normally did when faced with a problem she didn’t know how to handle. Throw herself into something else totally until an answer came to her. At least the Professor would be preoccupied with tomorrow’s ceremony. After that was over, maybe they would talk.

She had no idea what she would say when that time came.

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Snape sat at his writing desk, quill in hand, working on a speech. Several crumpled pieces of parchment were on the floor. Everything he wrote just sounded wrong, contrived. The only part he wanted contrived was his praise of the Minister. He wanted to blast straight from the hip otherwise. He sat there a moment, then an idea came to him. It was a good idea, one that would help him quite a bit when addressing those who came to the ceremony. Most likely there wouldn’t be that many people there. It was a weekday after all, and people had to work. Bartleby could help him get what he needed.

The solicitor had offered to write the speech for the Potions master, but Snape refused. Knowing Bartleby, he’d work in an advert or two for Sparse Venues products. That wizard was always looking to the bottom line. Selling the Minister was bad enough. However, Bartleby would be useful in this instance. Snape quickly penned his instructions, summoned Eli and had him deliver the message to Bartleby’s office.

The solicitor scanned the message, his brow furrowed, then sighed and got his traveling cloak.

He had research to do.

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At precisely ten AM, the entire wizarding world and outlying areas was absolutely smothered in flyers issued by the Minister of Magic concerning a history making event that no one would want to miss. The flyer promised a shocking, surprising disclosure that would rock the foundation of the wizarding world itself, and promised if it didn’t . . . he would step down from office immediately.

This got everyone’s attention.

Poppy brought a flyer in to Minerva, who was having a spot of tea.

”Look at this, Minerva! A big event happening tomorrow. The Minister is going to make a history-making disclosure guaranteed to shock and surprise us, or he’ll step down from his position!” the former medi-witch said.

Minerva and Poppy lived together after retiring from Hogwarts. They were in pretty good shape for two old birds. Minerva took the flyer and adjusted her glasses, reading it for herself.

“Well now, I’m quite hard to impress, Poppy. I certainly want to be there for this. I wonder what he’s up to now?” she said to Poppy who was pouring herself a cup of tea.

”We’ll see tomorrow,” Poppy replied, blowing on her brew and taking a careful sip.

In his home, Kingsley Shacklebolt was reading a flyer, his brows raised. His wife walked up, drawn by his expression..

”What is that, Kingsley?” she asked her husband, who rubbed his bald head.

”From what I can see, the Minister’s public resignation,” he replied in his deep rich voice.

At the Burrow, Molly Weasley read her flyer curiously.

”What in the world is the Minister up to?” she wondered aloud. Arthur hadn’t said anything about a special ceremony. Hm, it was going to be in Shropshire Gardens. Well, she wasn’t going to miss a history making ceremony.

It would be something to tell her great-grandchildren.

All around the wizarding world, former Order members, Hogwarts students, political figures, everyday wizards and witches were fascinated with the mystery surrounding this sudden ceremony. Opponents of Utterton were equally enthralled. If the Minister stepped down, then they could move in. No one was going to miss this. No one.

At Hogwarts, Headmaster Wumblewort read the Official Ministry letter with mixed emotions. The Minister had written to tell him he expected the entire school to be present for his earth-shaking announcement, every single student and staff member.

“Oh good gods,” the wizard swore, then hurriedly wrote a memo to his staff.

Narcissa Malfoy brought a flyer into Lucius’ study. The wizard took it from her and read it, his gray eyes narrowing.

”I hope the fool does step down,” he hissed, “And we’re not going to miss it if he does”

At the Ministry itself, employees were going crazy trying to find out exactly what the Minister had planned. No one seemed to know.

Only one other person did besides the Minister, and that was Harry Potter. He was under strict orders not to reveal anything to anyone, not even his own people. They were just to provide heavy security and that’s all they needed to know.

At Shropshire Gardens, a huge stage was being erected, with a magical barricade surrounding it. A huge tarp was erected over it in case of bad weather, and powerful wards put in place. Only those with invitations would actually be able to access the stage itself. A large podium was placed in the center, an arrangement of never-fading flowers in front of it. A number of chairs were placed behind it to hold the dignitaries that would be in attendance.

The garden would be opened at eight o’clock to let the expected crowds in.

The Minister was expecting quite a turnout.

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By five that evening, Snape had the information he needed from Bartleby. He read it over, his face stoic and eyes glistening slightly. Yes. This was what he needed. This was what everyone who would be at the ceremony would need.

With this, he could make his point.

Once again, he began to work on his notes. He decided not to write an entire speech.

He had an idea of what he wanted to say, and it wouldn’t be wordy at all.

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Hogwarts was all a-buzz with excitement. Classes were to be cancelled tomorrow and the entire school going to wizarding London for a mysterious ceremony. For most students however, it was just an outing, an excuse to get out of class for a day. Rose would be going as well, though Madam Peabody wasn’t thrilled about it. Still, the witch was recovering nicely.

Rod was stretched out in his boxer on his huge four-poster bed, enjoying his private room. His housemates were doing a lot of sucking up. The wizard wasn’t really falling for it, but decided to make the best of the situation. He was a real Slytherin after all and this was his house. Having fellow students fawning all over him was to be desired overall. When in Rome . . .

He smiled up at the ceiling as he bit into a pepper imp. He had a lot of sweets, given to him by several witches. He blew out a tongue of flame Yes, life was good and at last he finally felt he was where he belonged.

It was a good feeling.

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Hermione retired early, determined not to worry over the Professor. She might consciously be able to push him out of her mind, but her subconscious mind was another story. All night she was haunted by that simple kiss, those dark eyes gazing into hers, the soft, cruel mouth connecting with her own. She tossed and turned the entire night.

The Professor on the other hand, slept like the dead. He had a big day ahead of him.

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Morning came quickly, and people turned out in droves at the Gardens. Most shops weren’t opened, the owners leaving them closed to attend the ceremony. There was no direct apparition into the area and the crowd was checked magically and ushered through the gates, getting as close to the stage as possible. Important visitors were taken to another less hectic entrance and led to the stage, where they took their seats, each having a name parchment on it so there would be no complication. They talked to each other in measured tones, wondering what madness Utterton was up to.

Hermione arrived early as well and met up with Molly and Ginny, the three witches getting as close to the stage as possible. Molly wasn’t in the best of moods. She had been unable to get any information out of Arthur, who swore he didn’t know what was going on.

The entire school of Hogwarts arrived, the staff working to keep all the students together in tight formation as they walked across the grounds. Even a few centaurs were on hand. Hagrid moved his bulk through the crowd, apologizing every three or four steps for jostling unfortunate wizards and witches in his path. He saw Harry and waved at him enthusiastically.

Aurors had taken up positions before the barricade, keeping the crowd back several meters as the seats on the stage filled up, every eye watchful. The gods forbid anything happened. There were thousands here.

At the Ministry, the Minister waited impatiently for Snape to show up, and he breathed a sigh of relief when the hooded wizard showed up escorted by Aurors.

”Are you ready to meet your public?” the Minister inquired brightly.

”If I weren’t, would it make a difference?” Snape replied snarkily.

“Not at all. Let us go. Reports say we have quite a turnout. Quite a turnout indeed,” Utterton said.

Together with the Aurors they disapparated to a small room built on to the stage.

”You stay here,” the Minister said to Snape who sat down in a small chair and took out his notes to study. The Minister left final instructions with the Aurors.

”Under no condition is ANYONE to enter this room. When I call for my guest, you escort him out,” he told one Auror, who nodded, knowing that if any error were made it would mean his job.

“Yes sir,” he said.

Snape could hear what was going on outside, especially near the podium. Most likely the room was magically wired so he could hear the Minister’s statements and use them in his own address. He could hear Utterton being questioned by his constituents.

”You’ll see in a few minutes,” the Minister replied importantly.

Finally ten o’clock rolled around and the Aurors quieted the crowd as the Minister of Magic was announced. He strode up to the podium.

”Welcome citizens of the Wizarding World and the voting public!” he cried jovially, “Welcome to a truly history making day. I know you are all wondering why I have invited you here and about the mystery surrounding this ceremony. Well, my friends, after years of painstaking research and expenditures of my own personal funds, I have finally succeeded in solving a mystery that has plagued the Wizarding World for more than two decades . . .”

The wizard then launched into a long diatribe regaling himself and his accomplishments until the crowd was grumbling.

”Oh get on with it!” Minerva yelled.

”Yeah, enough talk. What’s going on? I’m losing money here!” a shopkeeper cried out.

”I see you are all impatient. Very well. I am about to introduce someone very special to continue this ceremony. Please send him out!” the wizard cried.

There was silence, then a tall, hooded individual walked out onto the stage and to the podium, the smiling Minister moving aside to make room for him. Everyone eyed the figure, unable to see within the hood.

”Would you please reveal yourself, sir,” the Minister said, his voice dripping with anticipation. Behind them, the dignitaries craned their necks to see.

Slowly, two pale hands reached up and grasped the sides of the hood, hesitating.

This was it.

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For Interactive Streaming Music link to:
http://www.theburningpen.com/NB/lw2.m3u
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Slowly, Professor Severus Snape drew down the hood, gazing out on the crowd soberly, his face impassive.

“I give you one of the Wizarding World’s greatest heroes! Professor Severus Snape!” Utterton cried joyously.

A collective gasp went up from the crowd, then . . .wild unrestrained applause as they cheered for the dark wizard.

”Well I’ll be damned,” Lucius said, his mouth dropping open.

Minerva and Poppy screamed and hugged each other staring at the wizard.

Cheers and cries rose up from thousands upon thousands of people as Snape stared at them, unable to fathom just how deep their joy was. They began chanting his name, some people crying, as the applause thundered.

Hermione covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears as the multitude screamed their happiness and approval that Professor Severus Snape had indeed survived and was back among them.

The wizard was floored. He knew that there would be some reaction, but nothing like this. A sea of faces were smiling and chanting his name, embracing each other and shooting sparks up into the air in pure jubilation.

He hadn’t expected anything like this. The din was deafening. He was home. He was back. One of the men most responsible for the downfall of the darkest wizard in history. Harry stood there, watching Snape, his eyes filled with tears as the wizard stood before the masses, finally getting the recognition he deserved for all his sacrifice. He wiped his face with one hand.

Hermione had tears streaming down her face as Snape stared at the crowd, clearly at a loss at this reaction from so many people. He recognized former students and fellow staff members in the crowd, their faces celebratory as they jumped up and down, applauding. There wasn’t a dry eye among them.

Did they all feel so much for him? This was almost too much. Finally, after about five minutes Snape lifted his hands, asking them to stop and hear him.

The crowd calmed, breathless, waiting for him to speak.

The wizard’s mouth worked and at first nothing came out. But then he found his voice.

”Thank you,” he said, his tone a bit raw. Seeing their reaction had caused an emotional response in him. Never would he have believed so many people would be so happy to know he was alive. He turned to the Minister.

”Thank you, Minister, for convincing me it was time to return to the Wizarding World,” he said to the wizard, who smiled and nodded.

Again cheers went up, this time for Utterton, who beamed.

Yes, he was definitely in for a few more terms. Then cries of “Speech! Speech!” rose from the crowd, and Snape took out his notes, smoothing them on the surface of the podium as a smiling Utterton took a seat among the dignitaries, who slapped him on the back and congratulated him for pulling off such a coup.

“I only have a few words to say to all of you,” the Potions master began, “I only hope you accept them in the spirit they are given. Yes, I survived the Final Battle, saved by a Bezoar stone from death. And yes, I’ve lived in seclusion for all these years, my disappearance deemed a mystery and myself a hero. I spent many years working for the Greater Good and when it was over, I needed a new beginning, a new start. A pain-free existence. And I found that. But no man is an island and now I am back among you,” the wizard said.

Cries of “Welcome Back!” and “Hear! Hear!” greeted this statement.

”However, the designation of “Hero” is not one I treasure or even want. I have always been a private man, and hope that my privacy is respected. My greatest desire is to live peacefully and without disturbance, without being accosted and constantly harassed by those of you who feel I am more than any other man. I am not. I was simply one of many who fought against evil. There are others . . . many, many others who sacrificed even more than I did, and it is they who should be honored, who should be remembered, who should be given the highest esteem . . .”

Snape paused, then looked down at his notes.

”Alistar Moody. Bartimeus Crouch Sr. Amelia Bones. Regulus Black. Fred Weasley . . .”

Molly let out a sob as her son’s name was called out.

”Nymphadora Tonks. Cedric Diggory. Colin Creevy . . .”

The Professor read off name after name of those who had fallen over the years to Voldemort’s evil. There were easily over one hundred names listed, those well known and those hardly known at all.

“Rufus Scrimgeour. Broderick Brode. Remus Lupin . . .”

Harry started at this name, staring at the Professor.

”Bathilda Bagshot. Charity Burbage. Dobby the House Elf. Sirius Black . . .”

Hermione let out a sob as she looked at Harry, who once again had tears streaming down his face.

”Albus Dumbledore. Edgar Bones and his family. A ghost named Moaning Myrtle cut down in her youth by a basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets because of a young Tom Riddle . . .

Rod stared at the wizard, blinking.

Snape hesitated for a moment more then added, “James and Lily Potter.”

His Adam's apple worked furiously for a moment as he struggled to continue.

”If you would honor anyone, honor these brave souls who gave their lives for the Greater Good, not those of us who survived. Think of them when you think of heroes, for all of them are worthy to be remembered,” he said quietly, turning to look at Harry for a moment, then turning back to the crowd, ending his address with, “Thank you. Thank you all.”

The crowd was silent for several moments, then another cheer went up as the Minister walked up to Snape.

”Thank you for that moving speech, Professor,” he said to the wizard summarily, shaking Snape’s hand as flash bulbs popped and the Minister moved in as close as he could, posing for several photos before addressing the crowd.

”And thank you all for coming. Once again, let’s hear it for Severus Snape!”

The crowd went wild as the Minister moved Snape into the crowd of dignitaries all trying to shake his hand and pat him on the back.

It was going to be a long, long day.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.