Life Begins Anew

A/N Special Prosecutor Strongbow jumps right into it. What happens next?

Chapter 83 The Trial of Severus Snape Part II

"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?"

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"Are we forgetting the formality of trial procedures Prosecutor Strongbow? The accused is supposed to be read the charges against him. This is not an Inquisition from what I understand." Albus Dumbledore called out as he walked onto the floor with a scroll in hand.

"Prisoner Snape has no representation, so it goes from Trial to Inquisition. Not one barrister would volunteer to represent him. Forgive me Chief Warlock, but it is inappropriate for you to be here on the floor."

"But it is appropriate for me to be here Prosecutor Strongbow. I stepped down as Chief Warlock of the Wizenmagot two weeks ago and have been secured to defend Severus Snape."

Strongbow replied "Prisoner Snape has secured no council. Only family can secure council and none has."

"I request that the Special Prosecutor be refrained from calling my client prisoner as he is a man charged in a Trial and not an Inquisition as he now has council." Dumbledore requested of the court.

Newly appointed Chief Witch Griselda Marchbanks, called out of retirement spoke out. "The Special Prosecutor is correct Barrister Dumbledore. What proof do you have of being appointed?"

Albus handed his parchment to the balif. "Please review the parchment. It is the agreement between Mrs. Hermione Snape and myself to represent her husband."

Marchbanks reviewed the parchment and handed back to the baliaf so that the Special Prosecutor could review it.

Strongbow read it and handed it back to Albus. "All seems to be in order."

"Of course Prosecutor Strongbow. I request a recess of one day so that I can talk to my client. Can you read the charges against my client now?"

Strongbow took the change in stride. "Of course Barrister Dumbledore. The charges from the Ministry of Magic toward one Severus Tobias Snape is the following:"

The murder of Albus Dumbledore, a wizard

The murder of Molly Weasley, a witch

The murder of Alastor Moody, a wizard

The murders of all the muggle-born student's parents. Their names are as follows…..

Albus arose. "Defense acknowledges that the names are already known to this court as it has been well publicized in both muggle and wizarding newspapers. I state this so that the remaining charges can be read out in a timely manner."

Madame Marchbanks called out. "Allowed as this is a closed court as the two observers already know the names."

Strongbow glared at Albus a moment before he continued.

Known association to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, known wizard against the rightful ruling government

Abuse of his privileges as Headmaster of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to the students under his care and protection

Child abuse against the said students under his care as Headmaster of Hogwarts by torture

Assault using hexes against the staff and students of Hogwarts

Abuse of his position as a professor towards a female student, one Hermione Jane Granger involving sexual acts

Albus spoke out. "The first charge is incorrect as I am standing before you today obviously alive and unhurt."

"The first charge is amended to read The attempted murder of Albus Dumbledore" Strongbow replied without missing a beat and sat down as Marchbanks called out. "Severus Tobias Snape the charges against you have been read. How plead you wizard?"

Severus looked to his wife as he responded "Not Guilty." Deciding in that moment not to let his sister's gift of life to him to go to waste.

"Barrister Dumbledore I grant your request you will give Special Prosecutor Strongbow any evidence that falls into discovery and a list of your witnesses to the defense. The trial will begin at 9 am the day after tomorrow."

"Of course Madame Marchbanks." Albus replied as he walked toward his client as Strongbow whispered out. "Really Albus only charging a knut to completely ruin your high standing?"

"Yes Evan and I fear that I overcharged." He lightly replied as he went to his client and escorted him from the courtroom.

Albus opened up a door and motioned for Severus to enter first. "Would you like to have Hermione join us?"

"If you don't mind Albus." Severus replied as he sat down.

Albus motioned to the auror at the door and whispered the request. Soon Hermione was seated next to her husband as they began to listen to the plans.

After three hours of discussion the plans were set.

Albus stood up and looked to the couple. "Severus you will be staying in a holding cell adjacent to courtroom 10 until the trial is complete. An auror will escort you in twenty minutes. That should give you enough time to finish up any remaining defense plans with your wife." Nodding to Hermione as he left the room.

Hermione embraced her husband and looked into his dark eyes. "What made you change your mind Severus?"

"Hermione, you promised to share a road with me and you have always been by my side as you vowed to me. My sister's death made me remember your vow and I will not abandon you without a fight. I do have a reason to live life to live." Placing his hand on her round belly.

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Aurors Wright and Stoddard escorted the prisoner to his cell and entered behind him.

Severus stood waiting as he watched one of the aurors lock the door behind him as the other grabbed his arms and pulled them roughly behind him as he shouted out "Unhand me!"

Stoddard opened up a phial and sounds of a beating sounded out in the room. Wright pulled Severus down and whispered in his ear. "The recording that we made will last ten minutes. I will release you if you promise not to make a sound and listen to us."

Severus nodded angrily as he sat down on the cot as the two joined him.

Stoddard whispered. "Your life is in danger. Voldemort may be dead, but the corruption that he placed within the Ministry is still there. We took the galleons to beat you so that we can find out how far the rot has spread."

Wright whispered in the other. "There is a law still on the books but has not been requested in centuries. Prisoners can request that their food be tasted by the one that presents it. It prevented the prisoner being poisoned before they could be brought to trial. Remember that and request it."

"Why do you tell me this? Surely you must be of the same mind to see me take the Kiss."

"The Headmaster is your barrister and he was our leader in the Order. If he stands for you then there must be more to you than meets the eye. Besides I think you know more of Voldemort's organization and if you survive than you can help us clean up the filth that was left behind."

The sat and waited for the sounds of beating to fade away.

Wright shouted out "Reinavate! Hold him down Stoddard and give him the potion." He waited a moment and then continued. "Do not tell anyone of this you snake or we will make sure to come back and it will be much worse for you, you murderer."

Severus lay down on the cot and curled himself tightly and began to moan as he watched the two aurors look to him for a moment and left the cell. He heard the laughing and bragging outside of the cell. Soon it was silent as he continued to moan loudly. He heard the slide open a viewing port as a pair of eyes looked in for a few moments and then slammed shut. Soon the sharp clicks of a boot heel was heard and faded away.

Stretching out his body on the too short cot he fell asleep. After all, it had been a long day.

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A portly wizard sat in the Leaking Cauldron reading the Daily Prophet as he sipped his drink. The charges against one Severus Snape was listed. He sighed as he realized his client's request and placed the paper down. Her death had already been confirmed and that met one of the requirements of what was tasked to him. He listened in interest as the main discussion of the drunken witches and wizards was one Severus Snape.

"He deserves the Kiss. The man was always a bastard in class if you were not Slytherin." One slurred.

"And what of The Quibbler? It says that he is a hero. Harry Potter told them that." Another replied.

"That rag? It has always published outlandish things."

"You must be Slytherin if you defend him."

"So what if I am? You must be Gryffindor if you cannot see the plans within plans in the article." Staggering up from his seat as he pointed his wand to the offending wizard.

The portly wizard left the bar as all hell broke loose in the pub. The witch paid a high price for his services double what he requested to ensure his service. He now realized why as he cursed to himself.

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Strongbow and Dumbledore stood in front of Madame Banks desk to discuss the evidence and protocol for the trial.

"Madame, I ask that the court not allow any mention of the prisoner's status and background during the First War. He was absolved of all crimes and it has no bearing now as he willingly returned to Voldemort's service."

Albus stated. "Madame, it most certainly has bearing in my defense. It shows that he has been on the inside for years, passing information that saved lives. It justifies some of the charges that my client has been charged with."

She considered the request for a few minutes before giving her decision. "Evan is correct Albus. Your client was absolved before and it does not have bearing at this trial. You may present anything after his original trial if it has bearing. Is there anything else before we begin?"

Strongbow spoke up again. "Yes Madame. It is the matter of witnesses. There are a few that are on both list and I fear that there may be a conflict of interest. Also, the high number of witnesses on the defense side. It is a move that will extend this trial for months and is a delaying tactic for the defense."

Madame Banks looked at the glowing names on the parchment. "These wizards and witches have high standing in the Wizarding world and if the prosecution's case is strong enough then it does not matter that they are called for both defense and prosecution. I will allow it." She looked to Albus. "Even I am surprised at the amount considering your client's reputation."

Albus looked to Strongbow as he replied. "They are relevant Madame. This is a trial that if my client is found guilty, then he will have the Kiss. Surely he deserves the court's time as his life is at stake. As for my testimony, the Minister of Magic pulled my memories into a sealed pensive the day after the battle. It was witnessed by Harry Potter."

Madame Banks looked the wizards and replied. "Our world is recovering from horrific actions and many have died on both sides. I will not let it be said that justice is rushed in my court. But I warn you Albus the witnesses must have bearing."

"Thank you Madame Marchbanks. Defense has no issues with the prosecution."

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Everyone was settled in the courtroom as Madame Marchbanks called the court to order. "Prosecution will make the opening statement."

Stronbow pointed to Severus locked down in the chair. "I have eyewitness accounts of the murders that this wizard has performed. Heinous acts that you will learn of first hand. And the abuse of the students of Hogwarts and the rape of an innocent student while in the duties of professor in the school. I am sure that the defense will tell you that that it is all justified in the end. Murder is not justified. Murder is murder and I hope that you remember it. Please help me in giving justice to those that have died. Those that suffered from the position that he held. You have a right to the Wizarding world to give proper justice. In the testimony you will learn that the only outcome of this trial is giving the Kiss to this pathetic wizard. He deserves nothing else." Strongbow sat down and looked to Albus.

Albus stood up and addressed the court. "This wizard accused is justified. He has spied for many years saving numerous witches and wizards and even mugle-borns. You will find that he was placed in precarious situations and came through, assisting Harry Potter in bringing down Voldemort. He had to obey the command of a demented wizard or be killed. You will see my client in a new light and reliaze that he operated for the greater good. He should be praised as he was instrumental in bringing down Lord Voldemort. I will prove this and there is no way that you can fault my client." He sat back down.

"The prosecution calls Arthur Weasley." Strongbow called out.

And so the trial began. As Strongbow presented his case and witnesses the defense did not once call to cross examine.

Kingsley and numerous students were called out and gave testimony. After three days of testimony Strongbow rested his case.

Madame Marchbanks replied out as she struck her gavel. "Tomorrow we will hear from the defense."

Severus took the time to observe the Wizengamot during testimony. He saw the darted looks from one another. He recognized those under the Dark Lords control. He would have to be careful.

He found himself in his cell as his dinner was brought to him by Auror Stoddard and Wright. "Auror I require that you taste it in accordance to the law." Stoddard nodded to him as he tasted the meal sat before him as Wright watched.

"All seems well Prisoner Snape." He replied as he took a forkful of each entrée and swallowed it.

"And the drink please." Severus asked.

Auror Stoddard drank from the goblet and immediately fell down body convulsing in pain.

Wright cried out as he rushed to his friend and felt for a pulse as he called for help. Soon help arrived. He looked as he commanded "Get the cook now and bring him here!"

Severus watched as the aurors obeyed as Wright felt for a pulse and pushed phials of potion into his friend's body as it convulsed. It was of no use as Stoddard spat up blood and died.

Dumbledore, Strongbow, and Madame Marchbanks rushed in as soon as they heard of the poisoning as the ministry healer closed Stoddard's eyes. "He has been poisoned."

One auror arrived. "The cook is dead as well. We found him face down in a plate of food."

Madame Marchbanks looked to Albus. "The Ministry will pay for you to provide food to your client. It will not do for your client to be killed before his testimony. Auror Wright tell me what happened."

"Madame, we brought prisoner Snape his food and he asked for him to taste it. While an unusual request, it is in accordance to the law. The food was okay. As soon as Stoddard drank from the goblet he fell down and started to convulse. He is how you found him now."

Wright pulled himself away from the body of his best friend. "Madame, there is a conspiracy here. Obviously there are those that wish the prisoner to die. Let me be the only guard. I will protect the prisoner with my life."

Madame Marchbanks looked to the prisoner. "Do you trust auror Wright?"

"I do Madame."

Madame Marchbank sighed as she stood up. "The trial continues. This death has no delay."

Auror Wright looked to the witch. "Stoddard would appreciate that. He was an honest and forthcoming wizard. I hope that we will find out who was responsible." Picking up the body as he left with the healer trailing behind him.

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