Life Begins Anew

A/N An innocent's death to protect the dark wizard. Why?

Chapter 84 The Trial of Severus Snape Part III

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

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Auror Wright entered Professor Snape's cell whispering a silencing charm as he sat down in a chair and looked to the wizard. "You must know something to have someone to go to such lengths. Only one in the Wizenmagot could get into the cook's kitchen. We limit access during trial to prevent things such as this. You must have noticed something during court to make your request."

Severus sighed. "Yes Auror Wright I did. And as for going free, did you not listen to the damning testimony after Strongbow's opening statement? I am headed for the Kiss no matter my defense."

Wright looked to him as he pulled out a blank parchment. "We warned you. Care to identify those that made you worry?"

Severus laughed out as Wright looked to him. "Yes I could and it will not make a difference as they will argue that I will say anything to save me from my expected outcome. You know that fact is true Auror. And they are more powerful than you. It is hopeless as once I am dead there is no one else to verify the facts."

He sat and observed the Auror. "How readily are you to pursue justice wizard? I mean true justice outside the courts if need be. Are you willing to operate outside of it?"

Wright looked to his ex-potions professor for a moment remembering Stoddard's sacrifice. "Do you remember me from school Professor Snape?"

"I do. Class of 83 and received an E in potions. You were Gryffindor and Auror Stoddard was Hufflepuff. You both were inseperatable in school."

Severus looked to the Auror for a moment seeing the pain upon the wizard's face. "If I take the Kiss, go to my wife and she will tell you the names if you vow that you will kill them when I am gone."

Wright looked to him as he continued. "I doubt that you have the fortitude to do it. My magic is bound wizard, but you can make a vow and it is binding. How far are you willing to go to avenge your friend's death?"

"All the way Professor." Wright whispered to him.

"Then find a way to get my wife here to witness the Vow. Only then will I impart my knowledge to my wife."

Wright pulled his timepiece out. "We have two hours before trial." He stood up and left the cell as Severus watched him leave.

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Hermione sat in the waiting room thinking about the vow that she witnessed. She knew what the outcome of her husband's trial would be cursing the information that he had sent to her along their bond.

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Albus stood up next to Severus as he called out his first witness. "Defense calls out the parents of Hermione Snape."

Strongbow looked to Albus in surprise. The prisoner was accused of killing them. He watched as the pair sat down in the chairs away from where Snape was chained.

Auror Wright stood in front of the couple and stated "Do you vow to answer all questions truthfully?"

They both replied yes and Wright pulled his wand out and a blue flash surrounded the muggles for a moment and disappeared.

Wright addressed the court. "Truthful words were spoken."

Albus walked up to address the witnesses. "Do you recognize the prisoner Mr. Granger?"

"Yes, he is Professor Snape."

"And can you tell the court Mrs. Granger how you met Professor Snape?"

Mrs. Granger body shook for a moment as she began to speak. "We met him in the living room of our house as a woman in dark robes and a strange mask was preparing to torture and kill us. Her words were that she was there on the Dark Lord's order to kill us because we gave birth to our daughter. The witch showed us a very sharp knife and told us she hoped we had our affairs in order. Just as she was about to begin…" Pointing a finger at Severus. "This brave man killed the witch and revealed himself and said that he was with the Order and that we should gather a few things and go with him."

"Is this the only time that you associated with my client Mr. Granger?"

"No. He brought us to Hogwarts after our death was announced. It was explained to us there that Severus was a double spy and risked his life to save us. We were then reunited with my daughter and placed into hiding as if it were revealed that we were alive then it would put his life in jeopardy."

"Has my client ever tried to harm or threaten you or your husband at anytime Mrs. Granger?"

"Not at all. He rescued us from a horrible death."

Albus looked to Madame Marchbanks. "I wish the charges of the murder of the Granger's be removed as they are whole and healthy and has stated that my client has never threatened them."

"So noted and removed Barrister Dumbledore."

"Your witness Prosecutor Strongbow."

Strongbow walked over to the couple. "I am pleased that you are here whole and healthy. Now, how do you feel that the prisoner is married to your daughter Mrs. Granger? That he had sex with your daughter, abusing his position as a professor over her?"

"It was explained that they were driven to it by a magical bond. I admit that I was concerned at the time, but Severus brought a book to us that explained things. They had no choice as if they did not complete the Bond then both would die. It was confirmed by Father O'Callahan. We approved and witnessed the marriage and proud to have him in our family."

Albus stood up. "I present the book as proof." Holding up an aged tome as Wright presented it to Madame Marchbanks.

The court watched as she quickly read some of the pages. "It will be allowed as it is pertinent to the charges against Prisoner Snape. Prosecutor Strongbow do you have any questions for the witnesses?"

"No Madame I do not."

Wright escorted the couple out of the hall as Albus called out. "I call Harry Potter to the stand."

Harry walked in and sat down.

"How do you know my client Mr. Potter?"

"He was my potions professor at Hogwarts and also a member of the Order of Phoenix."

"Was my client civil with you?"

Harry laughed. "Hardly. He was very abusive towards me from the moment I entered Hogwarts. My views changed after I stood for Hermione in marriage and the penseives left by the Headmaster and Professor Snape. He then arranged for a hiding place for us after we survived our trek. I personally met him at a hotel before we were moved to Sanctuary. He arranged our safekeeping with the priest that married him."

Albus spoke up. "The witness has provided his memories of the penseives and I wish for the court to review them now."

Strongbow protested. "How do we know that his memories have not been tampered with?"

Albus retorted. "If he was Imperio'd by any of Voldemort's minions, we would not be standing here today. The law allows viewing of memories."

Madame Marchbanks looked to Strongbow. "Defense is correct and I will allow it. Auror Wright, provide a sealed court penseive."

Wright hurried out of the courtroom and soon returned. Harry placed his memories into the special penseive and sat back as his memories were projected out to the court.

The court watched as Harry's memories played out.

Strongbow glowered as he stated. "I have no questions for the witness."

Harry left the courtroom and met with Hermione outside.

"Harry how did it go?" She asked with worry.

"Hard to say Hermione." As he hugged her. "I hope it all goes well for you. I did what I could."

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Three days of testimonies were heard from witches and wizards that were saved by Snape's duplicity. On the last day of testimony, Albus provided his sealed penseive about how he controlled Severus with his Unbreakable Vow. The court was silent as memories ended.

Severus watched the reaction of the Wizengamot. Some showed concern as several showed no emotion. He was fucked as he knew a majority had taken bribes from the Dark Lord. He was destined for the Kiss.

Soon it was time to find out the verdict.

Madame Marchbanks took the folded parchment from the Wizengamot and read it.

She pointed her wand at Severus and he found the chains release as Auror Wright pointed his wand to him as he stood up.

"Prisoner Severus Snape, you have been absolved of the murders of the muggle borns as you were not there. You are absolved of abuse of your position as you instituted punishment that was already active within the school although the bylaws had not been enforced in two hundred years. You are absolved of the sexual abuse of student Hermione Granger as the Bond drove your actions. However, you are found guilty of the murder of the witch Molly Weasley and ex-auror Mad-eye Moody which was described in graphic detail and you admitted to the crimes. In accordance to the recommendation of the Wizengamot, you are sentenced to die as determined by the Wizengamot." She personally did not agree as it was obvious that the dour wizard had acted to the benefit of the light. "Your sentence is…"

The doors banged open as a portly wizard entered the courtroom and announced. "I am the representative of the estate of Sara Snape and have been commanded to come here to present evidence. I envoke the State Secrets Act as my client had placed tracking and listening spells on the prisoner and Lord Malfoy."

He handed Madame Marchbanks one parchment and watched her reaction as she reviewed it. She looked to the Wizengamot as she replied. "There is new evidence and only I and the councils can review it in accordance to the acts stated. The sentencing is delayed for two days. Take the prisoner back to his cell." She banged her gavel as she motioned the portly wizard forward along with the representatives of Gringotts carrying stacks of parchments. Albus and Strongbow followed behind her.

AN Sara honors her promise.