Life Begins Anew

Chapter 82 The Trial of Severus Snape Part I

"Let us enjoy the few remaining moments we have together before I take the Kiss." He softly told her as he pulled her to him and enjoyed her presence.

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"Hermione." He whispered as he breathed in her scent. "Cast a silencing charm for us."

The Aurors had taken her wand, but she did not need it as she held her hand out and thought out "Muffliato"

Severus stood before his witch watching as she stood up as well and looked to him.

"I sense your need Severus." Hermione told him.

"It has been so long since I loved you Hermione." He murmured as he unbuttoned her robes and removed her top and bra. "You are beautiful wife." He growled out.

Hermione unbuttoned his pajama top and removed it, tracing her fingers along his scar free chest eliciting a moan. "Severus I have missed you as well."

He pulled down her skirt and underwear and stood admiring her naked form. "You make me weak wife. Never have I wanted any witch as badly as I want you now." Leaning down to kiss her as he his hands roamed over her round belly.

Hermione smiled to him as she pulled down his pajama bottom and underwear, feeling his desire press against her. She grasped his cock as she moaned out. "I have missed you as well husband."

Severus pulled her to his bed and laid her on her side as he slid in behind her. "Take what you need of me Hermione." Pushing his cock into her.

"Oh Severus this is…." Hermione gasped out.

"Heaven." Whispering the word into her ear as he reached forward to caress her clit with his long finger.

"Yes Severus." She moaned out at the touch and gasped out as he thrusted into her.

The Bond flared at the joining as he continued to push into her slowly, enjoying the feel of her sheathed to him. He began to move, enjoying her whimpers as he continued.

"Hermione you take me with you. Come with me wife!" He demanded as he felt her clamp tightly against him, deep in the throes of her orgasm.

He rode her passion, releasing into her as he felt the thrum of joy from their Bond.

He thrusted into her a few more times, enjoying the feel of his wife. He pulled her to him as he whispered into her ear. "Being with you one last time makes it worth my sister's gift to me. You are so exquisite Hermione. It makes taking the Dementor's kiss worth my survival for it."

Hermione nestled into his arms. "Remember that Sara promised that you would be exonerated."

"Hmmm…" Watching as Hermione sighed and fell asleep. The rest would do her good.

He gently pulled himself away from her and dressed into his pajamas and walked up to the window and looked out, watching as Mr. Filch spread magical grass seeds on the torn up ground as Hagrid used his pink umbrella to pour water over them and grass appeared, filling in the bare spots. If only fixing things was that easy.

Severus heard movement beside him and noticed that Bootstray and Draco had joined him.

"Draco, I am surprised that you are here."

Draco held up his wrist, revealing the same bronze bracelet as his Godfather. "I have been arrested as a known Deatheater and they figure this is the safest place for me until I go to trial."

Severus looked at the bracelet. "You have no Mark and cannot be directly connected to any crime. You should be exonerated after the Headmaster testifies. You are a Malfoy after all."

He smirked. "That's what my barrister is telling me. We plan on blaming everything on my father, as it is convenient that he is no longer with us. It is very cut and dry. The Ministry knows this and has pushed my trial forward. It is tomorrow."

Bootstray held out his arm, revealing a bronze bracelet as well. "The Ministry arrested me as an accomplice to you as I knew they would. It seems that you can't get rid of me Professor as we are going to trial together." Bootstray chuckled.

Severus glared at the assassin. "Being associated to me is not a good thing you know Bootstray."

"Oh it will be Professor Snape I assure you." Bootstray replied in a knowing voice. "You better wake up your wife as the Aurors will be coming in as it will soon be the end of your spousal privileges." Handing him his time piece. "Keep it as I am sure you will need to keep track of time more than I." Winking at him as he left to go back to his bed.

Severus walked back and gently woke up his wife. "Hermione, you must get dressed now and lift the silencing spell. Your visitation time will be ending soon."

Hermione woke up and kissed her husband. "All will be well Severus. Just wait and see." She told him as she held up a hand and cleaned herself using wandless magic before putting her clothes back on.

She pushed back the privacy curtain and noticed that Bootstray was talking to Draco.

When Auror Robertson walked in to end the visit he noticed that the prisoners were eating sandwiches and broth with Mrs. Snape.

"Mrs. Snape your visitation time has ended. It is time for you to go." He politely told her.

The prisoners watched her go as Severus sent through his bond ***The school is closed. Where will you go? ***

***To Harry and Ron of course. I have to plan your defense since you are unwilling to defend yourself***

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Draco used the Malfoy influence (What was left of it. His mother still had influence though, especially after her testimony that she was trapped supporting the Dark Lord.) and a few galleons to gain permission from the Ministry to visit his Godfather.

Severus looked up as he heard the door open and watched as Draco approached him holding a bottle of firewhiskey and three glasses. "So it seems you are a free man Draco. Congratulations."

Draco poured three large helpings and motioned Bootstray over and handed him a glass.

"To your freedom Draco." Bootstray told the young wizard as he raised his glass to him.

Severus muttered the same as he drank the golden liquid straight down.

"I came here to warn you of who the prosecutor for the Ministry is. The Ministry has pulled Evan Strongbow from retirement. Surely you remember him? He prosecuted after the first war of Voldemort. Godfather, he is scary and my case was easy. He tried his best and my barrister certainly earned his galleons today. Having the Golden Trio as witnesses helped immensely as the Wizenmagot dismissed the case for lack of evidence."

Special Prosecutor Strongbow. He certainly remembered him. Out of all of the trials that the wizard prosecuted in the aftermath of Voldemorts disappearance, only Severus had managed to walk away a free man based solely on Dumbledore's ardent defense of him. He remembered Strongbow's parting words to him. "I'll abide my time Severus Snape. The next time you will not be so lucky and you will take the Kiss that you deserve." He knew that he came out of retirement just to prosecute him, the only loss that the prosecutor ever had in fifty years of service to the Ministry. He was certainly fucked.

"Severus, my barrister is willing to defend you and I'll pay for it."

"No Draco, but thank you for the offer. One day when you are older you will understand my decision. One must stand and accept the consequences. Not a Slytherin view I know, but I am tired of the double-life I led and Unbreakable Vows. It ends now one way or the other."

Draco looked at him for a moment not understanding the words as he took his leave from his Godfather.

Severus turned to Bootstray. "Distance yourself as far away from me as you can. Special Prosecutor Strongbow is relentless. That is my advice to you."

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Three days later and the trial began as Severus sat bound and shackled next to Bootstray in Courtroom Ten of the Ministry. This courtroom was saved only for the most heinous of criminals. The court was closed to the public as it was feared secrets of the Ministry were involved. The court allowed the editors from the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler to attend for fair sense of justice to the Wizarding world.

Special Prosecutor Strongbow addressed the Wizenmagot. "I wish to pursue the charges against the wizard known as Bootstray first. His charge is aiding and abetting a criminal known to work for He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named."

Bootstray called out. "I'm afraid I do not know anyone by that name."

Strongbow hissed out. "Silence! You will respond when spoken to directly. Now wizard what is your true given name?"

Bootstray looked across the courtroom as he calmly replied. "I am Bootstray LeStrange. I am not the biological son though and illegitimate. I was left with a childless witch and wizard at birth to raise as their own. My name was stricken from the family records. The knowledge was revealed to me when I became of age."

"Very well wizard. Now tell me how you were found with the criminal Severus Snape after the battle."

"My Mistress Sara Snape commanded of me to be there to protect her along with Slightly as we were bound to obey her. We were there because of a debt to her and not her brother to protect her as she gathered dark bits of the Dark Lord's soul. She had the means to assist Harry Potter with a potion. I have never taken a Dark Mark or ever been associated with Voldemort." He lifted up his left arm as the members of the Wizengamot shuddered at the Dark Lord's name and took in his unblemished arm. "My friend died and I survived while fighting Lucius Malfoy and Belletrix LeStrange. I do not understand why I am even here."

The head of the Wizengamot called up the Special Prosecutor and a heated discussion was heard.

"Bootstray LeStrange, the charges against you are dismissed for now." The head of the Wizenmagot intoned.

"The trial of Severus Tobias Snape will begin in three days time. You will stay under arrest until that trial is over and you are found free of any other charges."

Bootstray and Severus were led from the courtroom.

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The Infirmary was quiet as the two wizards slept. The remaining patients had been discharged to their families as they were well enough to heal at home.

Hades appeared and perched onto the chair between the two sleeping wizards and began to squawk out.

Both woke up as one and looked to the bird. "Sara is waiting for you at the gates. Go now. The Aurors guarding you are asleep."

They both jumped up and made their way out of the castle to the gates. One thankful to have his love return and the other thankful at redemption.

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Albus felt DEATH had arrived on his grounds as the castle directed him to the gates. He rushed to the gates recognizing Hades as he faded away. Drawing closer, he saw that Bootstray was howling out in grief as he held the broken and battered body of Sara Snape in his arms as the dour potions master was on his knees fighting his emotions.

"Are you well Severus?" He asked as he placed a hand upon the grieving wizard's shoulder.

"No Headmaster I am not." He muttered out as he fought his emotions.

"Severus, take Bootstray and Sara to Madame Pomphrey. I'll be along shortly."

Albus watched as Severus whispered to Bootstray and led him to the castle as he carried Sara's body, racked sobs echoing across the grounds.

He spoke out. "Thank you for bringing her to those that loved her most Lord DEATH." Turning quickly and making his way to the castle.

DEATH watched as the Headmaster walked away. Sara was at the Veil now paying whatever penance that it demanded of her. DEATH would miss the witch. "Do not say a word Hades. She was bonded to me after all." DEATH admonished his familiar as they faded away.

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Madame Pomphrey awoke and rushed into the Infirmary seeing Bootstray holding an unmoving form. She recognized Sara Snape. "Place her on the bed Bootstray so I can attend to her." She gently asked as she guided him to a bed.

She gently grabbed up Sara's wrist and felt no pulse, looking to the scarred face of the witch in shock. Merlin the scars were old. She gently closed the unstaring eyes as the two wizards watched her.

"She is gone." Poppy softly told them as she noticed the state of the body. Broken bones forced through the skin and a nasty stomach wound, intestines spilling out.

"Did Sara die quickly Madame?" Bootstray asked

"Based on her wounds Bootstray she probably suffered a bit. It is hard to say." She carefully replied. There was no doubt that the witch's death was not quick.

Poppy looked up as she noticed Albus and Kingsley approach the bed looking to the battered and broken body of Sara Snape.

Kingsley had awoken every member of the Wizengamot and Strongbow and delayed the trial for the week. There was much backlash as he stood adamant to his cause. After all, the Master Assassin had lived up to her words of helping Mr. Potter do away with Voldemort.

Albus looked to Severus. "Your trial is delayed a week. You may take her to her quarters and prepare her body as that is what is demanded of you as next of kin. She can be buried here as she was a Mistress of Hogwarts until her death unless you want her buried somewhere else."

Severus looked to the unmoving form of his sister, images of his father beating her to no end coming to the forefront of his mind. He could not bury her in the plot next to their father. He picked up his sister's lifeless form and looked to Albus. "That will be acceptable Headmaster. If I may?"

Kingsley motioned for the guards to follow Severus and Boostray to his sister's quarters.

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Severus held his witch as they stood looking at the grave of his sister. Albus, Kingsley, Harry, Ron, Draco,Neville, Luna, and Pansy had attended as well.

Bootstray looked into the open coffin. "Sara, I have always loved you. There will never be another witch for me. I have your wand in my hand and I cannot break it." He placed it into her robe. "Wait for me at the Veil. I'll catch up to you eventually Master."

He stepped aside as he watched Severus and Hermione approach. Severus placed the battered kitten into the pocket of her death robe. "Sara, I hope this finds you well in the Veil. I thank you for the memories as hard as they were. I am sorry that I did not trust you at the end. I am unworthy of the gift you have given me."

They watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground, the rest of the guest throwing handfuls of dirt into the grave before they left.

Soon Bootstray was left alone in grief with a lone Auror guarding over him as he continued to cry openly over the grave of Sara Snape.

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Four days later found Severus bound once again in Courtroom Ten.

"I grieve for the loss of your sister Prisoner Snape." Special Prosecutor Strongbow stated with no remorse. "Shall we address the rape and murder of Molly Weasley?"

A/N The Trial Continues