Always - Chapter 4 - The Ministry of Magic Versus Severus Snape

-4-

Ministry of Magic versus Severus Snape

The first of June broke warm and sunny, with breezes drifting down from the highlands, making the weather quite pleasant. In the main courtyard, a collection of officials began arriving, much to the confusion of students and teachers alike. Among these wizards, most notably, was Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic.

McGonagall made her way out to the courtyard, ordering the students onto their classes while hastening towards the Minister. “Minister Shacklebolt, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Grave news, Minerva. We’ve heard rumours that Severus Snape is not dead as we thought, but very much alive and on the grounds of Hogwarts.”

“Wherever did you get such information?” McGonagall asked crisply.

“A few parents have heard of his presence here and notified the Ministry, of course, citing concerns about the safety of the school, even with the Dark Lord’s demise.”

“Then you have been misinformed, Minister Shacklebolt. Severus Snape is not here.”

“Headmistress, we stress that there have been numerous reports that Snape is here on the grounds, and even teaching classes once more.”

“Indeed, I am, Minister,” said Snape as he strode from beneath an arch, his black cloak billowing out behind him as he moved.

“Headmistress McGonagall, I’ll not have you jeopardising your position to protect me, appreciated as it is. I knew a formal inquiry would be forthcoming and I am here to answer any and all charges against me.”

The minister looked a little surprised as to Snape’s calm demeanor. “You’re aware of the seriousness of the charges against you?”

“Yes, of course. Things weren’t, however, as they appeared.”

More and more students began appearing in the courtyard, and many of the older students began to filter in around Snape, beginning to form a protective barrier between the ministry officials and their teacher. A sixth year student turned to a first year and whispered something in his ear, causing the boy to turn on his heels and sprint inside the building.

“Let’s go inside and talk this through, shall we?” said Arthur Weasley. “I daresay if we were to attempt anything at the moment, we might have a spot of a riot on our hands, judging from the looks of these students.”

Shacklebolt nodded. “Yes. Let’s get this done.”

Snape gazed around at the students who had surrounded him, nodding to them in respect of their support for him. He reached into his pocket and withdrew his wand, handing it to Shacklebolt. “I accept full responsibility for my actions, minister.”

“We’ll hear you out, Snape. Dumbledore trusted you and I fought beside you. I’ll have your side of the story.”

Snape, McGonagall and the ministry officials paraded through the school to the headmaster’s office. They settled in and gave Snape the chance to relate his tale.

“I met Lily Evans when we were eight years old. I loved her with all my heart. But in my youth, I wished to be desired and the Death Eaters seemed to be a good place for a man with my talents to find fame. I overheard Sybil Trelawney’s prophecy and went to tell the dark lord. But my information was incomplete. There were two boys born at the end of July – Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter. Voldemort decided it was Harry who would be his downfall and set in motion plans to kill the boy. I asked him to spare them he would not hear it. Fearing the worst, I went to the most powerful wizard, Dumbledore, and begged him to hide the Potters. He asked me what I would give him to do so. I told him anything. He wished me to become a spy for the Order of the Phoenix, and I willingly gave up the dark lord’s plans and movements, thinking the Potters would be spared.

“Dumbledore hid the Potters well, but Peter Pettigrew was made their secret keeper at the last moment and gave up their hiding place, and though I discovered the truth and went to warn them, I was too late. James and Lily Potter lie dead in their cottage, the boy scarred but unharmed, no sign of the dark lord anywhere. I was distraught and devastated, but Dumbledore insisted that Harry would be in danger because the dark lord would return. Sirius Black went on to pursue Pettigrew, but rather than admit what he’d done, Pettigrew cut off a finger and killed twelve muggles, changed into his animagus form and left Black to take the blame.

“When Harry was admitted to Hogwarts, he quickly became a target, though he and his friends thought it was me who was trying to harm him. Harry’s fourth year, we all know the dark lord had been reborn. I returned to Voldemort’s side and fed him some information about the Order to maintain his trust in me, and in return, I gave as much information about the movements of the death eaters as I could. Dumbledore had been hunting, after Harry destroyed Tom Riddle’s diary, the horcruxes into which Voldemort had split his soul. One horcrux, the ring of Marvolo Gaunt, had been cursed and though I managed to contain the curse to Dumbledore’s hand, it would eventually spread and kill him. It was arranged that when the time was right, I would kill Dumbledore so Harry could see it, then take over the school so I could give Harry time to find and destroy the rest of the horcruxes. I met the dark lord in the boat shed where he slashed my throat and had his snake bite me, then left me to die. Harry found me and, as I thought I would die there, I gave him my tears to show him the truth of my animosity towards him and my true role in all of this. Neville Longbottom found me on the brink of death and kept me alive until aid could be summoned. I’ve been here ever since.”

Some of the officials frowned. Snape could tell they didn’t believe such a convoluted tale. All of a sudden, there was a gasp of surprise. On the wall stood the portrait of Dumbledore who looked particularly surprised to see the entourage.

“Severus? I’d heard rumours but I didn’t dare to believe you’re alive. How?”

“Yes, thanks to the care of Neville Longbottom. I’ve been tended to by Harry and his friends.”

“All is well?”

Shacklebolt stepped forward. “Albus, did Snape murder you?”

“Murder?” the portrait cried in surprise. “Absolutely not! I was dying and I asked Severus to end my life on my terms, sparing an old man humiliation and agony. I already knew that Voldemort had ordered the Malfoy boy to kill me, so I asked Severus to do it instead, and he did, quickly and painlessly. He followed my commands to the letter, conferring with me after my death and still following my orders unquestioningly, even though it nearly cost him his own life as Voldemort thought Severus was the owner of the Elder wand. Apparently, Voldemort forgot the basic rule of dueling and wand loyalty.” The portrait Dumbledore turned to Snape, tears glittering in those ancient, wise eyes. “Forgive me, Severus. I never expected Voldemort to turn on you so viciously.”

“I am alive, Albus, and Harry has forgiven me. All is as it should be.”

“And is it true that Snape took over Hogwarts on your command?” Arthur Weasley asked.

“Yes. Yes. Harry needed time to find the horcruxes and destroy them. We didn’t know what they were, but Harry, being a horcrux himself, was able to discern the other ones. I had Severus hide the sword of Gryffindor behind my portrait and get it to Harry so he could us it to destroy them.” Dumbledore turned back to the ministry officials. “I trust you need no further proof that Severus is innocent of my murder? He did a terrible deed at my own request and saved a boy’s soul in the process.” Dumbledore’s portrait turned to face Snape. “I never did reveal the best of you, Severus, though I wish you would have let me. The services you have rendered to both the school and me go far above the call of what I asked of you. Far beyond, Severus.”

Snape was silent.

“I believe it is safe to completely drop all charges against Snape,” Shacklebolt said firmly. “Who better to judge his guilt or innocence than the one he’s allegedly murdered.”

Harry burst into the room unannounced as Shacklebolt was handing Snape back his wand. “Minister! Severus is innocent! You can’t take him to Azkaban! He’s my only family ... please!”

“Potter? What’s this?”

Harry put himself between Snape and the minister. “He didn’t kill Dumbledore because he was evil. He did so to help save me. Please don’t take him to Azkaban! He’s not a murderer!”

Dumbledore’s portrait cried out, “Oh Harry, you wonderful brave boy!”

Shacklebolt smiled broadly. “We’ve consulted with Dumbledore’s portrait and have concluded that there was no murder. Severus Snape has been cleared of all charges.”

Harry’s mouth worked silently for a moment, then he turned to his former nemesis, embracing him. Everyone’s mouths dropped as they watched the man and youth embrace. “I’m not going to Azkaban today, Harry,” Snape said softly. “But thank you for your confidence in me.”

“This is some change, Harry,” said Arthur Weasley. “Last I heard you’d still disliked your potions master thoroughly.”

Harry pulled away from Snape, nodding. “Professor Snape has been my protector these past seven years. He watched over me and kept me safe from harm. It was his burden to keep it all from you.”

“Did he now? Remarkable. Remarkable indeed. Lupin would be amazingly proud of you, Harry.” Arthur turned his attention back to Snape. “No wonder you kept all at arms’ length, Severus. You’ve been a very busy man.”

Snape pivoted to face Arthur, his hands in his frock coat pockets. “Arthur ... I’m terribly sorry to hear about your son. How are your family doing?”

Arthur’s smile faltered for a moment. “As best as we can. George isn’t quite the same without Fred. Molly’s heartbroken, but the boys and Ginny are keeping her going, and of course, Bill and Fleur are still newlyweds. Lots of families lost loved ones, but we’re free of Voldemort’s tyranny forever, thanks to those who fought. Cleaning house at the Ministry has been daunting, but we’re getting people in who aren’t blood purists.”

Snape nodded. “You have your work cut out for you, Arthur. I don’t envy you a bit. How’s George’s wound healing? I’m afraid it was my spell that took off his ear. I was aiming for a Death Eater behind him.”

“He’s recovered well, and using the infirmary to his advantage, though not as much as he would if Fred were there.” Arthur put a hand on Snape’s shoulder. “We all do our part, don’t we, Severus? Glad you made it through and more than happy to have those charges dropped. Bad business there.”

“Indeed. Give Molly and the family my condolences. And thank you for taking care of Harry when I could not.”

Arthur’s eyes widened a little. “You really did grow to care for him, didn’t you? In spite of it all?”

“He is, when he sets his mind to it, quite a remarkable young wizard, and he has his mother’s capability of great compassion. And I’m afraid any rumours of my incessant haranguing of Harry, Miss Granger and your boy, Ronald are quite true.”

Arthur Weasley’s eyes sparkled with a bit of mischievousness. “Well, if one doesn’t have at least a single professor to terrorize him, it’s not really schooling, now is it?”

Snape closed his eyes for a moment. “I was lucky enough to find at the very least, indifference, in all of my teachers ... save Dumbledore. He saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. I dare to say if I had not been so unpleasant a man, it would have been far too easy to befriend students. Now that Voldemort is gone, I don’t need to be that unpleasant man any longer, and I find students being much more eager to learn what I have to teach.

“It is a powerful feeling to be feared, but a much more powerful one to be wanted. I never understood that until I lie in that boatshed and Harry put aside all of his hatred of me and tried his best to staunch the bleeding from my wounds.”

“Harry saved me too. That snake of his – Voldemort, not Harry — something in the venom that prevented wounds from closing up. But yours did, didn’t they?” Arthur ploughed on, nodding. “If one has been given love, they learn how to return it. That was V-Voldemort’s failing. He had never been given love, and when Dumbledore offered it to him, he didn’t understand what it was. His utter lack of understanding love is what led to his downfall.” He offered his hand to Snape, and when Snape offered his own, Arthur pulled the black-clad man into a hug, then made his way to the fireplace where the others were standing, talking among themselves. They went by floo powder back to the Ministry and Snape was left with the teachers and Harry.

“Well, I am certainly glad that is settled, Severus,” McGonagall said crisply. “I think you should resume your post here.”

Snape shook his head. “I could not, Minerva. I am fit only for filling in until you find new professors for the posts. After all, Defence is a cursed position, is it not?”

Harry gasped. “That’s why Professor Dumbledore wouldn’t give the post to you! He didn’t want you to fall victim to the curse. You needed to be here for everything he’d planned to come together.”

McGonagall smiled softly. “No longer, Severus. Since Voldemort’s demise, his hexes and curses are gone.”

“I think substitution is the best I can give for now, Minerva. I hope you understand. I need to fully heal.”

“I won’t press you, Severus. You will always have a position here even if I have to create a new one. You saved too many students to not have you here.”

Snape nodded, but didn’t want to push his good fortune any further than necessary. He had friends and colleagues again, and a home among the Gryffindor students, though he realized he should really return to Slytherin. But he felt at home and was loathe to leave the warmth and comfort of the apartment. Snape turned his attention to the gathered teachers. “I owe you all a great debt of gratitude and my most sincerest apologies. I did not wish to end Dumbledore’s life, but I honor my commitments. And you, Minerva, most of all.”

McGonagall nodded. “None are needed, Severus. I couldn’t fathom why you only defended when I pressed the attack that drove you out of the castle, even though I know you to be an exceptionally skilled duelist. Hearing out the entire plan makes it perfectly clear that you were the only one of us capable of such subterfuge. Deflecting my spell to disable the Carrows was a brilliant bit of wand work.”

Snape nodded. “I didn’t want to do it anymore, but until Voldemort was defeated, Dumbledore insisted I had no choice.” He looked at the clock in the Headmaster’s office. “I need to attend to a personal matter before my next class begins. I want to be sure the students are completely prepared for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course, Severus. Thank you.”

Snape turned to Harry. “Would you accompany me, please, Potter?”

“Yes, sir,” Harry replied.

Snape led Harry through the hallways, down into the dungeon where the Potions class was. Harry had once dreaded this place, but since the Battle of Hogwarts, it held no discomfort for him. “I know I was unfairly harsh towards you, Potter, and I misjudged you severely.

“That is past now, and I don’t think of you as James’ son or Lily’s son ... but as Harry.”

Harry nodded. “It’s forgotten and forgiven, Professor Snape.”

Snape stood before Harry, his mouth working as if trying to form words, but his usual languid demeanor was absent. “It is no secret that Black and I shared a great animosity between us, even though we worked in the Order together.” He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking. “Be that as it may, I would never have wished him harm, and certainly not death at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. You see, for many years, I thought it was Black who had betrayed Lily and James, and I could not forgive him for the death of the one person who had shown me love and compassion. I hated him for it.

“But upon learning it was not he who had betrayed them, I forgave him, but had difficulty letting go of my anger.”

Harry nodded. “He was a foul git to you. He had no right ... and Remus ... he regretted not standing up to them for bullying you.”

“The hatreds were hard to let go, but you showed me the way, Harry, in your compassion towards me there in the boatshed. You showed me that my sacrifices weren’t for naught. And although you are a young man now ... I – ” Snape trailed off, turning away from Harry as if what he was about to say might horrify the boy.

“Severus ... say what you want to me. I won’t judge you. Not now. Especially not after all you’ve done for me.”

He turned back, his dark eyes misty. “I know you really haven’t a home to go to – the Dursleys were never a fit home for you – and I fear Grimmauld Place would hold too many haunting memories for you – I had thought that I might offer you a home, though I would fully understand should you choose to decline.”

Harry’s mouth dropped open for a moment. Snape took it as disgust and became stoic once more. “Of course, it’s a horrible idea –”

“It’s not that, Severus. It’s ....” Harry chuckled lightly to himself. “It’s just that, back in my fourth year, I thought that I had as much of a chance of winning the Triwizard Tournament as being adopted by you ... and now, that’s in essence, what you’re doing. It just struck me as funny.”

Snape smiled softly, the once alien gesture now feeling much more at home on his face. “You’re a good and brilliant man, Harry Potter.”

“I’d like that, but could I ask if you’d redecorate the place to reflect the selfless and long-suffering man I’ve come to know over the past month rather than the dour potions master?”

“I think that could be arranged,” Snape said softly. “But you don’t have to, Harry.”

Harry peered over the rim of his glasses. “I want to, Severus. Remember, you’re my family. Not by blood, but by something much deeper and more profound.”

Those dark eyes awakened at Harry’s simple words. “Yes. The love of an incredibly remarkable woman.”

Snape cleared his throat and then looked down at a cauldron standing on one of the tables. “I thought you might have time for a potions lesson.”

Harry nodded. “I do. Professor McGonagall said potions was an important class to have if I wanted to become an auror, and I do. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what you and I have experienced.”

So Harry and Snape worked for an hour on potions, Harry with a newfound appreciation for the wealth of knowledge Snape had of his subject, and Snape for Harry’s quick grasp on the subtleties of potions. “You retain a lot more knowledge when you’re not hating me.”

“I retain a lot more knowledge when you’re not terrifying me,” Harry said with a laugh.

To this, Snape laughed. Not a simple chuckle, but an honest laugh. It was deep and throaty, but pleasant. “Ah, I needed that, Potter. Too often I found myself with little reason to laugh.”

“I hope that we find reasons for you to laugh now.”

“I’ve offered to tutor Neville Longbottom as well. I gave you both an awful time, so if the time is convenient, perhaps you both could come together.”

Harry nodded. “I’ll catch up with him and see if he wants to work with me at the same time.”

Snape sighed softly. “I’ll have to make a trip to Diagon Alley in order to procure some ingredients that I’m running very short on.”

Harry reached up and plucked a hair from his head. “Here. Nobody will question if I go shopping in Diagon Alley.”

Snape looked on Harry as if the boy had gone mad. “Use polyjuice potion to turn into you?”

Harry gazed up at the older man, his almond-shaped green eyes regarding him serenely. “I trust you. Just pretend you have a sore throat from watching Quiddich. I’ve got a spare pair of glasses without corrective lenses up in my room from when we escaped the Dursleys last year and you can borrow some of my clothes. Do you have enough money to get what you need?”

Snape was still staring at Harry. He gazed down at the dark brown hair in his hand. “I haven’t spent most of the wages I’ve earned over these past years.”

“All right then. Have you ordered a new suit? I know yours was damaged when Voldemort attacked you.”

“I was able to patch them, but they’re not quite in the same shape as they had been before I was attacked.”

“Will you let me buy you a new suit, professor?”

Snape put his hand on Harry’s arm. “Harry, you’ve done far too much for me already. Your forgiveness and kindness to me is more than enough ... more than I deserve.”

Harry’s brow furrowed. “No, it’s not. You deserved to be wanted by people who didn’t see you as a means to an end. You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I never called you by your title or as sir, and I should have. I showed you contempt and disrespect and I’m embarrassed by it now.”

Snape’s brows furrowed, deepening the line between them. “Harry, I was given a task and a role to play when I begged Dumbledore to protect your family. I have played my role to the end as I needed to do. You weren’t supposed to like me.”

Harry was about to say more, but fat raindrops began to fall and Snape hastened him into the great hall. Once inside, Harry persisted. “Please let me do that for you, Professor Snape. I want to.”

Snape saw the look of determination on Harry’s face and knew it would be pointless to argue with him. “All right, but only one, do you hear? I’ll pick it up when I’m in London.”

“One more thing, sir?”

Snape didn’t say anything, but raised an eyebrow.

“Would you teach me the broomless flight?”

“No.”

Harry looked hurt and disappointed. “Why?”

“It’s dark magic, Harry ... the kind I do. I’d have – ” Snape trailed off, his breath catching in his throat.

“Sir?”

“I would have had Tonks or Lupin teach you ... members of the Order ... but they gave their lives to protect the plan and the school ... to protect you and give me time to complete my task.”

Harry nodded solemnly. “I understand, professor. It makes you uncomfortable and I’ll not mention it again.”

“Perhaps in time, Potter.”

“Very good, sir. Just let me know when you’re wanting to head off to Diagon Alley and I’ll get you those clothes and glasses.”

“Meet me in the potions classroom tomorrow morning at six. Bring the clothes and glasses with you. The O.W.L.s are in the afternoon, so I can be gone and back again before anyone is the wiser. Now, off with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Harry turned and trotted down the hall, Snape looked after him. “God bless you, Lily Potter,” he said softly before moving himself to his private potions store and making a list of the ingredients he needed to replenish before taking himself off to bed.

“Sir?”

Snape turned around to see white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes staring back at him. “Draco ... why are you here? I had thought you’d withdrawn from school after the battle in the astronomy tower.”

“I had to know ... you really were Dumbledore’s secret agent all this time?”

“Yes.”

He looked very small and young. “And you ... you k-killed Dumbledore because he asked you to?”

“Yes.”

Draco’s eyes met Snape’s black ones. “Why?”

“You are not evil, Draco. Your soul was not tainted, and murder leaves a mark upon your soul that can’t readily be undone. You grew up learning your family’s beliefs, but I do not think you fully believed them once you saw the Dark Lord up close. Your mother knew he was merely using you as punishment against your father’s failures – and do not think I am belittling Lucius. The Dark Lord expected you to fail and be killed. Dumbledore already knew you had been ordered to kill him and so he asked me to end his life with dignity. I did not want to do it, but he would have died a terrible death, so I ended his life – at his request – quickly and painlessly.

“That is why I wished you to let me help you. I didn’t want you to die, Draco.”

Draco began to weep. “Voldemort ... he nearly killed you, didn’t he?”

“Yes. He slashed my throat with a curse, then told his snake to kill me. If not for Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, I would be dead.”

“Show me ... please, Professor Snape ... show me.”

Snape unbuttoned his coat far enough to pull off his ascot and unbutton the starched white shirt. Draco paled as he saw the discolored scar and the round puncture marks. His knees failed him and he fell to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. “I wish P-Potter had k-killed me with that curse,” he wailed. “I was awful t-to him a-and he saved m-my life in th-the room of r-requirement ... and I-I accused y-you of just wanting to s-steal my g-glory!”

Snape dropped to his knees beside Draco. “You didn’t kill Dumbledore and I hear you gave Harry a wand when he was fighting against the Dark Lord. You have seen the truth of what the Dark Lord really was. It wasn’t about purity or righteousness or even lording over muggles and muggle born alike ... it was all about him being the most powerful and immortal. He didn’t care upon whom he trod, be it a school filled with children, an infant boy and his parents, or someone with whom he felt was a tremendous asset. Yes, I made an unbreakable vow with your mother to keep you safe, and I was willing to die for it, to be branded a traitor, to be despised and hated – to protect my students. You, Weasley, Granger, Potter – you were all my students, even if I treated some less than fair because they were in rival houses. But Draco, you were in a terrible position and you still didn’t stoop to murder. You were frightened for your life, and rightly so.

“But I believe inside you is a heart that is overwhelmingly good. You’ll come back for your last year, won’t you, Draco?”

Draco had wrapped his arms around Snape, the older man’s deep baritone voice soothing him. “I ... I didn’t think I’d be welcomed back because of ... of what I did ... but e-everyone’s been s-so nice ... I want to come back, Professor Snape ... I do. I w-want to forget this past year and start over.”

Snape gave Draco a rare show of affection by ruffling his hair. “Then tell Narcissa that you want to return. Let her know I am alive and will continue to watch over you and all the others, though I won’t be playing favorites any longer. I’ve resigned as head of house for Slytherin. Slughorn will be head of house until end of term, then he’s going back into retirement.”

Draco’s eyes were red and puffy as he looked up into Snape’s stoic visage. “People took you for granted ... I took you for granted. Nobody really knew you, but you really are the bravest man. My father ... for all his talk, he’s a coward. Just like me.”

“No, Draco. You’re not a coward. You were extremely brave given the circumstances in which you found yourself. I just wish you had confided in me, but that is neither here nor there. What is done is done. You aided Potter and stood by your classmates, leaving only for the love of your mother.”

“I hadn’t meant to find my way down here, but I’d heard you’d survived and I just had to talk to you. I told my parents I’d left some things here, but I really just wanted to see if you had lived.”

Snape took a breath, helping Draco to his feet, not clumsily, like he had when the boy was made to duel Harry in their second year, but cordially. “It is not blood which makes the man, Draco, but our choices. I made many terrible choices when I was your age, and my choices led to two innocent deaths. I have spent many long years hating myself for that. I couldn’t idly stand by and watch you make a similar mistake. Live for yourself, Draco. Follow your own heart and don’t let anyone pressure you into something you don’t want. If you fall in love with a muggle or muggle born, then marry her, be honest with her, cherish her, have a life that is built on truth and love.”

Draco held out his hand. “Those are the wisest words I’ve ever heard, sir.”

Snape took Draco’s hand, shaking it firmly. “I’m hoping you’ll come back and finish your schooling, Draco. Harry has become a good friend. I hope that won’t bother you.”

Draco shook his head, wiping his eyes with a handkerchief. “No, not at all. Potter and Granger saved my and Blaise’s lives when Goyle set the room of requirement on fire with Fiendfyre. I owe him a life-debt. He’s braver than I could ever be.”

“You stood up to your parents, armed Potter and defied the Dark Lord. My thoughts are you are both quite brave. Anyway, Malfoy, you should be off. Your parents shouldn’t have to worry for you. Hopefully I’ll see you come September.”

“Yes, sir. I hope so too. Good-bye, Professor Snape.”

Snape watched Draco head out of the dungeons, heading, presumably, to Malfoy Manor, while Snape himself locked his storeroom and headed up to the Gryffindor wing to his own comfortable bed.