Life Begins Anew

Chapter 88 Release And Life

Severus found himself once again chained to the chair in Courtroom Ten. He watched as Madame Marchbank took her seat and called the court to order. "Are prosecution and defense prepared for sentencing?"

Both wizards voiced their agreement and sat down and waited.

Wright walked up and released the prisoner and stood beside him. "Rise Severus Tobias Snape for your sentence."

Severus stood up and waited.

The editors of the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler were amazed that the man showed any emotion. After all it was known that he was sentenced to die before the trial was interrupted.

Marchbank looked to the Wizengamot. "Before we proceed, I must see a show of hands of those who voted for the death sentence.

She watched hands rise as she compared the parchment of names of the traitors. "Very well. Those who voted aye need to go with Auror Wright now."

The witches and wizards looked confused for a moment and then followed the wizard to an outer chamber where they we bound and told to wait.

Severus Tobias Snape, do you have any words before I sentence you?" Looking to the wizard.

"No Madame."

"Severus Tobias Snape the sentence of death has been rescinded due to new evidence. However that does not free you of the guilty verdict that this court has placed on you. For the services that you have provided your sentence is amended to ten years community service and probation. You will serve your community service to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry teaching in the capacity of a Potions Master. You will retain the rights associated to your position and title as well as it benefits the Wizarding community." Banging her gavel indicating that court has ended.

Severus looked to the judge in shock. He had to continue teaching?

Albus walked up and shook his hand. "Congratulations my boy. I must admit that I am pleased that you will be remaining at Hogwarts for a time."

Severus glared at him. On the slim chance that he was freed, he was going to take Hermione and live out a peaceful life far away from his past and raise his daughter.

Hermione rushed up and hugged him, noticing the displeasure on his face. "Severus it's not that bad. Besides I will be with you to sooth you at the end the day of teaching the dunderheads."

Severus looked to his witch and realized as long as she was with him he could tolerate anything.

Kingsley approached him along with Marchbank. "May I have I word? Hermione may attend as well."

Severus nodded as Kingsley guided him to a door behind the head judge position and motioned them in.

He handed the previously isolated wizard copies of the Daily Prophet and watched as he read the list of arrests.

"Did we get everyone Severus?" The Minister asked.

"Voldemort never revealed everything to just one person. I am sure that you have not rounded up all of the guilty." He replied.

"Damnation!" The tall black wizard cursed.

"You do have an option Minister with the State Secrets act. How many Ministry employees are there?"

"About seven hundred."

"Then put the entire Ministry in a lockdown as it is the Ministry's right with that act and have the Aurors administer veritesserum after they are questioned themselves and proved innocent. That should solve your dilemma." He motioned Hermione to join him so they could leave.

"Severus, I only have enough of that for maybe 75 doses at a given time."

He looked to Kingsley. "I suppose you want me to brew considering you do not trust anyone else to do it?"

"Yes Severus. I know your true loyalty. Will you do it? It is for the greater good."

His inner Slytherin kicked in and Hermione felt his thoughts along the Bond. She waited to see how everything would pan out.

He looked to the Minister. "How I hate those words Minister as Albus told me that constantly. Brewing Veritesrrum in large batches is outside the normal duties of a Professor of Potions at Hogwarts. I have been bound to the school for ten years, and will have to raise my daughter in that place, and then a year later she goes to Hogwarts. If you knock five years off my sentence then I will agree."

He chuckled inwardly as Marchbank and the Minister huddled together in discussion.

"I will knock off three years if you agree and there are no negative reports against you."

"Unacceptable. The terms of my probation states that I must teach. No mention of performance standards was mentioned in my sentencing." Severus lightly replied.

Marchbank looked to him in anger. Merlin the Wizard should be satisfied that he was free. "I will offer four years and no more Severus Snape as I remind you that you were close in taking the Kiss."

Severus looked to the witch. "I require that in writing and would be glad to brew for you. It will take me thirty days to brew the required amount. A benefit to you for those hiding will have a false sense of security. That should meet your requirements and fish out any remaining supporters."

Marchbank wrote out the agreement as Kingsley witnessed it and placed the Ministry seal upon it and handed the agreement to him.

They watched as Severus handed it to Hermione as she tucked it into her robes as her husband was still in prisoner attire.

"Send the ingredients to the school and I will brew it."

They watched as Severus led Hermione out the door.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Two Years Later………

Severus watched his daughter cruised around his quarters chuckling as an irritated Crookshanks ran from the little girl as she squeaked out "Crooks! Crooks!" As she tried to catch the half Kneazle cat.

Life had become suprisingly pleasant despite the fact that he was two years into his six year probation. Now that he was able to properly teach he found that it was more satisfying, though he would fall back into his previous teaching style if the students were acting like dunderheads. And the Ministry found an additional one hundred supporters of Voldemort completely ending the reign of Voldemort. Yes life was good for him now and it was all thanks to his sister. She kept her promise of making sure he would live.

He felt Hermione's presence and looked to her. "If Crookshanks had a thumb, our dear Sara would be in a lot of pain."

Charms Professor Snape looked to her husband fondly. "Well thank Merlin that he doesn't." She chuckled as she sat down in his lap and watched as the cat frantically tried to get away.

He rubbed her back absently. "Tonight is Sanheim and Bootstray asked me over to his quarters for a drink.

Hermione thought about Bootstray. He disappeared after Severus's sentencing and had shown up for the start of term Feast and was introduced as the new Defense professor. He quickly accepted the friendship that her husband had offered up and soon they were spending time together watching the Quidditch matches on the school grounds.

"Who am I to deny a Wizard's Night Out?" She teased as she brushed her lips to his chin as she stood up to rescue Crookshanks from the little girl who was now rubbing the cat's fur the wrong way. "I remind you what happened last year. Albus was not amused with you two as he had to cancel the Defense class and then teach your Potions class. I believe you two had patrol for two weeks in a row."

Severus watched as his wife scoop up her cat, yellow eyes from the animal showing his appreciation as she put him out the door of their quarters. "Yes wife and I remember that you punished me as well. That was rather unfair of you."

Hermione placed her hands on her hips as and shot her husband a dark look. "Well, you were not the one to wake up in bed with two passed out wizards in her bed reeking of booze. I had to do something."

"Calm down Lioness. That was so Syltherin of you. Imagine our surprise to find ourselves naked next to you. Taking off your clothes and slipping in and then waking us up and sweetly asking if the two of us enjoyed ourselves and if we were up for another round. Bootstray was mortified. Then not telling the truth until the end of the day."

Hermione smirked remembering that Bootstray was not seen about the school until the mandatory dinner he could not avoid. And as least tenured his seat was next to her husband. "Well, it was not nice of you to keep shooting Bootstray glares and twirling your wand while you ate your meal. I had to tell you both as I was worried for Bootstray's safety."

Hermione spoke out. "Sassy"

Sassy appeared and bowed. "I serves the Heir of Prince."

"Sassy, how many times do I need to tell you don't need to do that every time I call you?"

Little Sara noticed the elf and ran to her giggling. "Sass,Sass,Sass!"

"Sassy, the Master and I need to attend to school activities tonight. Can you take Sara to the Manor and watch after her until tomorrow evening?"

Sassy picked up the little girl. "I's proud to serve the House of Prince." And disappeared with a plop.

"Well Severus it seems we have some free time before I attend the Halloween feast." Walking toward their bed chambers. All of a sudden she found herself pressed against a wall and her husband pressing against her back, his lips lightly kissing the back of her neck as she shuddered in pleasure.

He quickly picked her up and held her tightly as his eyes looked into hers. "Wife, I believe I know of a few activities we can occupy ourselves with." As he carried her into the bed chambers and wandlessly closed the door behind him.

&&&&&&&

Minerva looked to Albus. "Are you sure it is wise letting Bootstray and Severus off for the night? Surely you remember last year."

Albus sighed. "You know what today means for Bootstray. Today is Sara's birthday. Severus is the only one he can talk to about her. He will not open to me as he still remembers how harshly I treated her. No, this is a release for him and it is the least I can do."

Minerva looked seeing the pain in his eyes. "What about their classes Albus? How are we going to cover them?"

"I will be teaching Potions and Harry agreed to attend the Feast and cover Bootstray's classes as well."

Albus placed her hand onto his arm. "It is time to make our way to the Great Hall." They walked the halls in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

&&&&&&&&

Hermione sat down next to Harry and hugged him. "Long time no see Harry."

Harry returned the hug. "Well, you've been busy having a baby and then going through an accelerated Charms program so you could replace Flitwick after he fell in the Final Battle."

They were silent for a moment as they remembered the short wizard.

"So, how have you been? I heard that you, Ron and Draco completed Auror training."

"Yes, and the Ministry has been keeping us busy. And speaking of Ron and Draco, they should be here after dinner as they both wanted to visit with you as Albus arranged for us to have the following day off as I agreed to sub for Bootstray's class."

She watched as the Headmaster walked up to the podium as the Great Hall grew quiet. "I hope that you enjoy the special Feast and the dance that accompanies it. The first years and prefects have done a wonderful job getting the hall into the spirit of things. And now a moment of silence for a former Professor and Headmistress of Hogwarts. Let us remember Sara Snape as today was her birthday. While only here a short time, she made a lasting impact and helped Mr. Potter in defeating Voldemort. I am sure most here remember her unique teaching style."

The hall fell into silence as Albus looked over the hall. He did this for Bootstray's benefit as the news would get back to him.

After the required silence Albus spoke again. "I would like to introduce Professor Potter who is here to teach Defense tomorrow as Professor Bootstray is away."

Harry stood up and waved as a cheer sounded through the hall.

"I also wish to announce that Professor Snape is away as well and I will be covering his classes tomorrow."

An even louder cheer sounded through the halls as the First and Second years looked in confusion. While not the most pleasant teacher, he was not that bad.

"Now eat up and enjoy tonight's festivities. Tomorrow is a half day."

&&&&&&

Severus arrived at Bootstray's chambers and knocked on the door. Bootstray answered and shook his hand while motioning him to enter. He looked about the main room and noticed a cot pushed to the side of the room. This was the first time he had been to the wizard's quarter as last year he had invited Bootstray to his.

Bootstray took the bottles from him and placed them on a table. "Hermione did not protest considering last year?" He asked.

***Severus Defense and Potions classes are covered. I warn you it will be worse if I wake up to you two again.***

"She did mention last year and implied that both of us winding up in her bed again would not be wise. I have been informed that our classes are covered."

Bootstray chuckled. "Hermione has nothing to worry about as we are in my chambers this year." Pouring out a generous helping of drink and handing one to his friend. "To Sara. Never was there a finer witch in all the land." Emptying his glass.

Severus acknowledged the salute and drank his down as well. Looking around he saw two boxes of parchments and saw his name on one of them.

Bootstray followed his eyes. "Parchments that Sara commanded to be withheld from your trial. I want to give them to you as it would be awkward for them to be read by anyone else but yourself and Hermione." Motioning the wizard to sit as he handed him the box. He pulled the other one to him and picked up a parchment.

Severus refilled their glasses and picked up the top parchment and began to read. A bottle of Firewhiskey down and he looked up to Bootstray and watched as he read the parchments, silent tears streaming from his eyes.

Bootstray felt watched and he looked into the obsidian eyes of his friend. "Fancy me, an assassin that have killed many people with no emotion and only one woman brings me to such a state." Wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his robes.

"Yes certain witches make an impression." Severus replied as he remembered his words to Draco about Hermione when they were training in muggle London. "You have nothing to be ashamed of as you both loved one another. I would be the same if I were in your place."

Both fell into silence lost to their thoughts as they continued to sip their drink.

A knock sounded out and brought them out of their musings. Bootstray answered the door and was surprised to see Albus standing at the door with a bottle of liquor. He motioned him in and waited for the Headmaster to speak.

"I am saddened for Sara's death as well Bootstray. I only wanted to give you this and to tell you how sorry I am that I could not trust Sara. I realized that she was truthful the whole time at the Final Battle. I hope you will forgive me someday." Placing the bottle at the table. "I also brought this." Pulling a picture out of his robes and enlarging it. You can bring it up to my office when you are able to."

"I forgive you Albus. After all you had a lot going on and I imagine having her placed her at Lord Malfoy's request would cause mistrust. Have a drink with us Albus." Bootstray invited.

"I'm afraid I can't as I have Potion classes to teach tomorrow. I wish you both well." As he shook Bootstray's offered hand and left the room.

Severus called out from his chair. "You are more generous than I Bootstray. I am still coming to terms with some of the things that Albus withheld from me. I know he would never have told me anything if it wasn't for Sara."

"You have twenty years of your reasons Severus. I am sure it is not easy thing to let go." Examining the portrait of The Missing Headmistress.

Severus rose and joined Bootstray and looked to the portrait as well. "What do you think happened to her Bootstray? We buried her body."

Bootstray placed his hand on the empty painting. "She should be here."

Severus looked to the wizard. "Perhaps she is serving some kind of penance before being allowed to enter the veil. I wonder what happened to her after she left us."

They continued drinking as he listened to Bootstray reminisce about his times with his sister. "Tell me how you met my sister."

"That my friend is a tale for another time. I cannot talk about it at this time."

The sat in silence and continued to drink each pondering their own thoughts of Sara's demise.

AN Next we find out about Sara and then an epilogue to the story. Thanks for sticking by this story. I know it has been a long road.