Life Begins Anew

A/N Sara honors her promise to him that was mentioned in the parchment

Chapter 85 Sara's Promise

Albus, Strongbow, the Gringotts goblins, and the portly wizard followed Madame Marchbank into her office as she called one of her assistants to follow as well. She quickly wrote out a letter sealed it and placed it into a charmed box.

"You will take this directly to the Minister. If he is in a meeting you will disrupt it. You will accompany him straight back to this office and will not allow him to be distracted. You are authorized to use whatever hexes or charms to make sure that you complete your duties."

Her assistant rushed to obey her command as he immediately left the office.

Marchbank addressed the remaining wizards. "You will stay here and not leave." She left her office quickly to bind the Wizengamot to Courtroom 10.

Strongbow looked to Albus. "Such theatrics Albus. What are you pulling?"

Albus looked to the goblins. "I assure you that I know anything about this Evan."

&&&&&&

Hermione gasped out as she saw her husband being led away. "Auror Wright, what was the sentence?" As she followed him down the hall.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Snape but I can't say anything. The prisoner is to be isolated and the sentencing is delayed. Now please go before you get into trouble."

She stopped and watched as they left her behind. Her parents had followed her and they both hugged her. "Kitten, I am sure everything will be well."

Harry and Ron rushed up panting as they held out a special addition to the Daily Prophet. "We came as soon as we read this."

Hermione took the paper from Harry and read that the sentencing had been delayed. The article was very vague and that was unusual for it.

***Severus, what is happening? *** She asked along her Bond.

***I'm not sure. They were about to sentence me to death and then a strange wizard walked into the court with goblins carrying boxes. He announced he was from Sara's estate and handed Madame Marchbank a parchment and evoked the State Secrets Act. Marchbank immediately delayed sentencing and ordered me isolated***

Harry looked to his friend in worry. "Hermione, it is pointless hanging around here. I am sure that Professor Snape will let you know when court will be back in session. Come back to Grimauld Place with us and bring your parents. I know that you have not had time to talk to them."

Mrs. Granger looked to her daughter. "Harry is right Kitten. It is pointless to wait here. I am sure your Headmaster will let us know what is going on."

Hermione nodded to them and they left the Ministry of Magic to go to a public apparition point.

&&&&&&

Minister Kingsley entered Madame Marchbank office looking angry as he spoke "Madame Marchbank, I hope that this is important as your assistant hexed my secretary when she refused him. Your note explained nothing."

She handed him the parchment that the portly wizard had given her and watched as he read it.

Kingsley put the parchment down as listened to Marchbank. "He invoked the State Secrets Act."

Kingsley addressed the wizard. "I can see why he did. Wizard, you need to explain to us why before I chuck you into Azkaban."

The portly wizard looked to him. "Minister, I do not think that would be a wise move for you. My name is Augustus and as I stated I am the representative of the estate of Sara Snape, who is also known as Lady Prince."

Marchbank narrowed her eyes. "And why should we trust you?"

"As I told you, Severus Snape and Lord Malfoy had tracking and listening charms placed on their body. There are parchments that contain all the conversations of these two wizards and properly witnessed." He handed Kingsley and Marchbank different parchments listing the seals the witnesses.

Kingsley looked to the wizard. "And why bring these up now?"

"Because of the contract between myself and Lady Prince. First her death had to be confirmed. And then I was instructed to wait for the sentencing phase of the trial and present these selected parchments."

"And how did you know when to enter the courtroom? Are you even a barrister?"

"I assure you that I am. I only cater to the most powerful and influential clients. That is why you have not heard of me. Most of my cases are sealed and I rarely go to court. I'm very good at what I do." He replied as he handed Madame Marchbank his credentials. "I have to admit that most of my clients are American."

He continued. "As to when I knew when to come to court I merely had to read the parchments being written during Severus Snape's trial as the tracking and listening spells are still active."

He saw the looks of disbelief from the room. "Call the accused and I will prove it."

"I will do more than that Augustus." Marchbank called her assistant.

The assistant walked in and looked nervously to the Minister as he had knocked out his secretary previously. "You will go to Auror Wright and have him bring Severus Snape to us. Then go to Bootstray's cell and have the Auror assigned escort him here."

Augustus continued as he watched the assistant leave. "There are many parchments left in my care detailing everything in their lives. I was told not to present any intimate moments between the Snape's and none of the possible crimes that my client may have committed. She told me that the Minister would understand her request. Her words were that she would be dead and it would not matter. I can only provide these parchments if the Minister and the Head Judge agree and not Obliviate me. Do you?"

Kingsley held out his hand to silence Marchbank as he replied. "We do agree."

"Well done Minister. I have read all of the parchments. You have a big problem on your hands."

The room was silent as they waited for the prisoners. Soon Severus arrived with Auror Wright.

Augustus held out the charmed quill. "This quill is attuned to the listening spell and I will prove it." He laid down a blank parchment and placed the quill upon it.

"Now ask him to state the names of the Wizengamot that was in Voldemort's service. It will match what I provided."

Marchbank looked Severus. "You know that you are destined to die. If you want to have a chance to live you will name all the members of the Wizengamot that worked for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Severus eyed the quill for a moment and began to speak out the names as he watched the quill write down his every word.

Bootstray entered followed by his guard as he watched the charmed quill finish writing. "This explains why I am here."

Augustus picked up the parchment and handed it to Madame Marchbank. "Do the names match Madame?"

"It does but this proves nothing. It could be a dicto-quill."

"Madame, only Bootstray can cancel the charm. He needs the bracelet removed and his wand given to him." Augustus stated.

Kingsley looked to Wright. "Get Bootstray's wand from the locker." As he removed the bracelet from Bootstray's arm.

They waited until Wright returned with the wand and handed it to the assassin.

"Bootstray, it seems you know more than you let on." Marchbank stated as she pointed her wand to Severus and spoke the incantations that would normally identify listening spells and found nothing. "Release the spell."

Bootstray pointed his wand and made complicated wand movements as he softly whispered the spell that would release the tracking and listening spell. "It is released." He stated.

Marchbank looked to the prisoner. "Say something."

"I do not understand why I am here." He replied.

The quill did not move at all.

Kingsley looked to Augustus. "You may dismiss your representatives."

Augustus motioned that the goblins should leave.

There was a moment of awkward silence. Augustus sighed. "I am not going to point everything out to you. Delivering these parchments releases me from the contract I made with Lady Prince." He walked to the door as Auror Wright blocked it.

Kingsley called out. "Allow Augustus to leave. He has discharged his duties."

Wright stepped aside and opened the door watching as the portly wizard left. "What now Minister? There are hundreds of parchments. It could take us months to go through them."

Kingsley looked to him. "Auror Wright, this is something that Aurors cannot be assigned to do as it involves secrets of the state." Kingsley held up his hand as the wizard started to protest. "I am offering you the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Should you accept the position you would be authorized to assist. You are an honest and straightforward wizard and that is what we need to gain back the confidence of our citizens."

Wright looked to the wizard in shock. He was not as tenured or ranked as others within his division. "I'll accept it and I am honored that you have faith in me."

Kingsley looked to Albus and Strongbow. "You are not needed. We will tell you when we are ready to sentence the accused."

Strongbow began to protest.

"Evan, leave now. I assure you that I will meet with you both before sentencing." Kingsley told him.

He watched as the wizards left.

Kingsley addressed Bootstray. "You are familiar with all of this and it would help the government to go after the rot inside it quickly. Will you help us?"

Bootstray looked to the Minister. He knew that he wanted to get the Wizarding world in some semblance of togetherness quickly. The few weeks in office showed on the tall wizards face. "You forget Minister that I am a prisoner. If you release me I will be more than happy to assist you."

"Madame, is there any reason for Bootstray to continue being held?"

"No Minister as I was about to pass judgment on the accused, he can be released." She replied.

Kingsley walked over to the boxes and noticed the names on them. He was surprised to see Sara's amongst them.

"Madame you will work with Bootstray and Wright to go through Lord Malfoy's parchments. I am sure there will be more evidence about the state of our government in those. Bootstray, you are free to go and will come back to this office at 7am and not expect to leave the Ministry until our review is complete."

Bootstray nodded his understanding and left the office.

"Wright, take Severus back to his cell. Find an Auror that you can trust and then come back after the prisoner is secured."

Soon the office was left with the Head Judge and the Minister.

After a few minutes of silence Marchbank spoke up. "Kingsley, who will review Snape's parchments? If the rot is far spread, it will not matter as they will damn the wizard anyway."

He sighed as he stood up. "I will review Lady Prince's parchments. I am afraid I am going to push the friendship that I have with a certain wizard to the limit, but he is the only one I trust completely."

"And what of the Wizengamot? They will have to be told something." She asked.

"Do you have the vote parchment of the verdict?"

She handed him the list and he compared the list to that of the traitors. All that was listed on Severus's parchment had voted guilty, and being the majority tilted the vote to the death sentence.

"They are sequestered to the courtroom. Tell them it is a matter of the State and they will understand. Take their wands and bound their magic and explain that it is necessary. The innocent will not complain, but if anyone refuses tell them that the only other place that meets the needs of the Ministry is Azkaban. I am sure that they will not refuse after that."

She nodded in understanding as she watched the Minister leave her office.

&&&&&&&&&

Bootstray went to Prince Manor and the wards allowed him in. Sassy greeted him upon his entrance.

"Sassy, can you go to the Heir of Prince no matter her location with a message? I need to meet with her as it is important as it regards Master Snape. Tell her I need to meet with her in one hour as I need to get cleaned up from my imprisonment."

"I's do as commanded as it is regards the Husband of Prince." She disappeared with a plop.

Bootstray went to his chamber and noticed the boxes of parchments in the room. He saw the note attatched to the first one and picked it up and read it.

Bootstray, these are the parchments that are not needed to redeem my brother. Do with them as you see fit. Remember to live life to live and find a good witch. Sara.

He had a good idea of what was contained in those parchments. One day soon he would read them again.

Entering the bath chamber, he stood in the shower enjoying the hot water and sobbing as he thought about his witch.

Sassy appeared and listened to the sobs of the fuzzy chinned Boot. The elf gathered up towels and entered the bath chambers.

"I's have the Heirs reply and I's brought youse towels. I leaves them here." Leaving the room.

Bootstray exited the shower and picked up the parchment and laid it on the bed stand as he began to dress. Sitting down on his bed he read Hermione's instructions to use Sassy to get to her.

He left his room and went to the Great Hall and found Sassy waiting for him. She looked to him as she held out her hand and grasped it as they both disappeared.

&&&&&&&&&&

Kingsley stood outside of the Burrow and composed himself. He knocked on the door and George answered.

"Kingsley, what a pleasant surprise." He told him as allowed him in and guided him to the living room.

Arthur stood up from his chair and shook his hand. "It's good to see you Kingsley. How have you been?"

"Very well Arthur." He replied.

"What brings you here?" Arthur asked.

"I need to talk to you in private if you don't mind." Kingsley replied.

Arthur looked to his friend and noticed the troubled look. "Of course. Let's go outside."

They left the Burrow and went some distance to ensure that they would not be heard. "Kingsley, you look troubled and I think you are here to ask of my help."

Kingsley sighed as he began to tell his friend of his request.

Arthur looked troubled. "Are you sure that I am the only one that can do this?"

"Yes Arthur. You are back in the Ministry and I am afraid of what Marchbank and Wright will find. You are held with high esteem in the Wizarding society considering your honesty. There is no one that I can trust as Albus is defending the wizard." He showed him the list of the traitors and the vote of the Wizengamot.

"You ask so much of me Kingsley." He softly replied.

"I know Arthur and I regret it. You stood for him despite what he did."

Arthur sighed. "You said 7 am tomorrow?"

Kingsley shook his friend's hand. "Thank you Arthur."

Kingsley turned on his heel and Apparated away.

&&&&&&&&

Bootstray arrived into Grimauld place as Hermione rushed up and hugged him.

"Hermione, I need to speak with you privately."

"No Bootstray. My friends and family are here and there is nothing to hide."

"Very well." As he explained about the State Secrets and the parchments.

Hermione looked worried as he told Hermione, Harry, Ron, and her parents about what happened after the attempted sentencing.

Noticing the worried look in her eyes he responded. "Hermione, I promise you that Severus will live after what will be revealed. I came here to give you peace of mind."

Harry shook the assassin's hand. "Thank you Bootstray for informing us."

Bootstray smiled for a moment. "It is the least I could do for the warriors that went into battle with me. I must go and rest. It is going to be a long week."

They watched as Bootstray left. "Be well Bootstray." Ron called out.

&&&&&&

Arthur arrived at the appointed time and went to a room and started to review the parchments of Severus Snape. Merlin, the beatings that he took from Voldemort. He read about the Bond and the redemption of Hermione's soul and soon he reached the parchment that he feared about the death of his wife. Reading that particular parchment confirmed the parchment from DEATH that his son had provided previously. He placed down his glasses and rubbed his nose for a moment. Severus Snape was a hero and compelled by the Unbreakable Vow by the Headmaster. And even after the Vow was released, he still continued and protected his daughter. He was touched by the words as Severus fought the Bond to Hermione and all of his actions leading to the rebellion at Hogwarts.

He wrote down his findings to parchment and left the room to present it to the Head Judge.

Arthur walked into the room. "Madame you must release Pius from Azkaban as the parchments prove that he was Imperio'd by Voldemort."

Marchbank called her assistant and wrote the order to release the wizard.

As Bootstray and Wright went through the parchments, they presented evidence of the witches and wizards that took the bribes from Voldemort and Marchbank made sure that it was reported in the Daily Prophet as the Ministry arrested and tried the guilty.

&&&&&&&

Merlin the rot was deep thought Marchbank as she met with Evan and Albus to address the sentenceing. She handed Strongbow the parchment that Arthur had written and watched his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

Strongbow laid the parchment down on her desk. "Prosecution finds no fault with the findings."

A/N We find the sentencing next and I promise one or two chapters will complete this story