“You’re going to accept the trial?” Brother John’s question wasn’t truly that, but he wanted to hear the answer one more time.

Severus looked him straight in the eye. “Yes, I am. Albus insists that I will be fine. Minerva trusts him as do I.”

The Abbot shook his head, his eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t trust the people over there. They want you. They’re out for your blood, Severus! You could be hurt before you even make it to the courtroom.”

“The Minister suggested that I floo directly into the Auror Department or his office.” Severus refrained from mentioning that Kingsley was more partial to his office.

“Not enough for me. That Auror would have hurt you that day.” His grey habit brushed against his feet as he paced his office. “Sanctuary – it protects you.” He stopped to look at the younger man. “You have twelve more days under it. Surely there has to be a way to take that protection with you.”

“Father McKinney is planning on travelling with me. Maybe that will afford some protection?” Severus leant against the wall, his eyes tracking the Abbot’s path around the office, while anticipation hummed just below the surface. Danger was a well-known friend, one he didn’t fear seeing again. Not when the results could mean freedom to choose his own danger. It’s just Patrick. Keeping an eye on him…

“He is?” John stopped, contemplating the cross in the corner of his room. “Yes, Father McKinney, of course, and Brother Ignatius – they will both have to be witnesses about what occurred here the evening you arrived. We just need one more. Who else could come with you?”

The barest brush of fear tensed Severus’ back. He didn’t need more people to watch.

“I think Brother Clarence,” John continued. “He has taken a shine to you. God will be present if two or more gather in his name…and if they take along the Blessed Sacrament…well, where God is, the ground is sacred.” The small smile curving Severus’ lips let Brother John know that he understood where this was going. “I’ll let the brothers and Father McKinney know what to expect. You shall be leaving tomorrow?”

“Shacklebolt is supposed to let me know tonight which floo to enter.”

Brother John waved towards his personal floo. “Use it to call him.”

§§§§§

Severus watched as the two monks and one priest stepped through the Abbot’s floo before going through himself. Brushing the remnants of soot from his black robes, he stopped in the middle of the triangle his three escorts formed. Kingsley waited, trying to mask his curiosity.

“Kingsley,” he greeted the Minister, suppressing a smile as the two monks started at him using the man’s first name. “This is Father McKinney,” he gestured to his right, “this is Brother Ignatius,” he gestured to his left, “and this is Brother Clarence,” he gestured behind him.

Kingsley nodded to each of them before addressing Severus. “”Your wand, please.” He held out his hand for it.” You know they’ll confiscate it if you have it on you.”

Severus handed his wand to Patrick, who tucked it somewhere in his habit. “Anything else? Any potions?”

“Not today.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” Kingsley stopped with his hand on the door handle, and turned sharply, catching Severus and the monks stopping quickly. “Do you have the parchment I sent you, just in case?”

Severus waved his hand towards Patrick. “Father McKinney is carrying it.”

Surprise covered Kingsley’s face, followed by an assessing look, one attempting to determine just who Patrick was.

The fact that Patrick was smothering a laugh brought a smile to Severus’ face. “Shall we?”

Kingsley shook his head and led the way to the courtroom. They stopped just outside when the Aurors demanded Severus’ wand.

“I’m not carrying my wand.” Severus tensed and prepared to dodge as fury lined their faces and their hands clenched their wands. He was glad as Ignatius and Patrick moved closer – it would be easier to get them out of the line of fire.

Kingsley gestured to the Aurors to open the door, his frown causing them to back down. He followed Severus and his escort in, and then strode across the room to take his position up in the risers. Severus moved to the section of the floor near the chair with chains hanging off of it.

The Auror stationed near it frowned at Patrick and the other two, but glowered at Severus. “In the chair.”

Kingsley called out from the stands. “Snape doesn’t need to sit there. He shall remain standing throughout the trial. Father McKinney, I believe you are to address us?”

All eyes focused on Patrick as he stepped forward, his hands clasped under his scapular and his face serious. “Severus Snape, Potions Master, stands before you today under the protection of Sanctuary granted to him when he called upon Our Lord for his aid. Any action towards him that can cause harm, any words intended to injure will be reflected back upon those who initiated them. True evidence, though it may cause harm to him, is an exception since Severus has agreed to this trial.”

He stepped back into his place in the triangle around Severus as one of the Wizengamot stood. “Sanctuary is not accepted for scum…” His mouth snapped shut and the word scum visibly hovered in the air before him.

Owen Marsh, the Chief Warlock, spoke in the resulting silence. “Sanctuary is obviously working. We shall start the trial.” He gave a significant look to Percy Weasley who was acting as scribe, before turning his attention to Severus. “Severus Snape, you are called here today accused of the conspiring in and murdering Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and Chief Warlock, as well as for being a Death Eater.”

As the last word was spoken, a glow suffused the air around the podium before him, and then settled on the book of law sitting in the middle of it. Marsh backed away as the book opened, pages flipped, and the glow settled on a passage. An unknown voice sounded throughout the room.

“The Chief Warlock, in times of need or uncertainty, can create an Order whose members are bound to uphold its charter through any means possible. These members, when brought before the Wizengamot for deeds performed for the Order, cannot be charged or convicted of the offence.”

Severus stared at the book, shock coursing through him. He quickly glanced at Kingsley and then shifted his attention to others he knew were members of the Order. They were quickly hiding their surprise as well. The glow lifted off the book only to flow across the room and settle on another book, this one nondescript and untitled until the glow touched it. Floating until it hovered before the entire Wizengamot, the image of a phoenix in flight blossomed across the leather and about it, burning in glowing gold letters the words, ‘The Order of the Phoenix’.

The assembled wizards gasped, their purple robes rustling as they attempted to see the book closer. Behind him, Severus heard the rustle of cloth and another book being opened. Tearing his eyes away from the glowing book, he glanced back. Brother Clarence had opened his breviary and was beginning his midday prayers. The normalcy of this calmed the unsettled feeling crawling up Severus’ spine. He saw the other two members of his escort hide smiles at Brother Clarence’s actions. Ignatius met Patrick’s eyes and then pulled out his own breviary. Patrick and Severus returned their attention to the glowing book.

“Dumbledore really did have his own army.”

“Fudge was right.”

“That Order really existed?”

Severus ignored the words coming from the benches, focusing on the now open book. The glow touched the first page, and Albus’ voice was heard.

“Today, on the fifth day of April in the year of nineteen hundred and seventy, The Order of the Phoenix was created by Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore to defend our nation against the insidious terror wrought by those who oppose the freedom and rights of all Wizards and Witches of the realm, be they pure-blood, half-blood, or muggleborn.”

There were more words on the page, but the glow didn’t touch them; instead, the page flipped showing the next one to be partially filled with names.

“Members of the Order of the Phoenix shall only be revealed upon their death or trial for deeds committed to uphold the mandates of the Order. If the member is revealed through trial, the deeds of which they are accused of that were committed to uphold the mandates will be listed under their name.”

There was a pause before the light skipped to the last name on the list.

“Severus Snape – conspired with Albus Dumbledore for the death of Albus Dumbledore, Attempted homicide of Albus Dumbledore”

There was a pause as most of the Wizengamot stared at the book before one shot to their feet. “Attempted? Snape killed him! Potter reported it as so.”

A shadow moved from a dark section of the wall and approached the Chief Warlock. “I am Unspeakable Smith. I have evidence that Severus Snape did not kill Albus Dumbledore. There was a break in the chain of causation. Yes, there is no doubt that the spell Snape used would have caused the death of Albus Dumbledore, but he died before it hit him from a poison ingested earlier that evening. The poison broke the chain. Snape’s attack still cannot be charged against him as he attacked Dumbledore during a battle fought during a rebellion; therefore, the school was not under the Queen’s peace.”

The entire room paused as the words sank in. Finally, someone spoke up. “But he can be charged for activities that occurred outside of battles, like attacking people in their homes, brewing illegal potions, torturing school children.”

Marsh looked at all the people there. “Do we have any evidence that Severus Snape brewed illegal potions? That he participated in the raids on homes?” The room was silent, even the book. “We cannot convict without evidence.”

“He had to brew potions that You-Know-Who and his followers used!”

Albus’ voice sounded through the room as the book glowed again. “Multitude of potions were brewed for Voldemort and administered.”

A low growl sounded from the bench. “He cannot get out of the fact he tortured school children in his care.”

The room waited for the book to speak, but nothing was said.

The broad-faced man leant against the divider wall. “We have you on that one, Snape.”

“Your evidence?” asked Unspeakable Smith.

“Children were put into chains! They had the Torture Curse cast on them!” His hand were flung into the air as he spoke, emphasizing his words.

“But were those done by Snape?”

“He was the Headmaster, so he is responsible for the actions of those he hired.” The wizard waited, obviously gloating.

As the Unspeakable paused, Patrick nudged and frowned at Severus. Marsh focused on him. “You have something to say?”

“Severus has to tell you, I can’t.” Patrick’s demanding look rested on Severus.

Severus refrained from glaring at Patrick as he did what the priest wanted. “I didn’t hire the Carrows, and they were the ones responsible for torturing the students. Like Dolores Umbridge, they were placed in the school by the Ministry, and just like Dumbledore, I couldn’t stop their actions. I did my best to mitigate their behaviour, but unlike Dumbledore, I couldn’t afford to leave the school as I was also shielding the professors from Voldemort’s scrutiny.”

The woman sitting next to the broad-faced man spoke up. “You make it sound like Umbridge was torturing the students as well.”

Severus forced himself not to fold his arms across his chest. He kept his posture relaxed, just as he would before Voldemort. “What else do you call forcing students to use a blood quill to write lines? She also used Veritaserum on students without parental consent. Just as the Carrows used students against students, she did as well. There was nothing we could do, as she was placed in the school by the Ministry. There was nothing we could do about the Carrows, as they were placed in the school by the Ministry. The professors did their best not to let the students be disciplined by those two, and I made sure to overlook them breaking that rule.”

“She did what?” Marsh growled out before shaking his head. “This trial isn’t about that. So you could not control their actions, and you didn’t personally torture students.”

“He was cruel, caustic, and abrasive!”

The Unspeakable spoke up again, “Which is not a crime.”

“Treason! He was part of the group that was attempting to overthrow our government.”

“Spy.” The word hung in the air just like the book that spoke it.

“So, we have no crime to accuse Severus Snape of committing.” Marsh ignited the case parchment. “Severus Snape, you are free, and the Wizengamot thanks you for your service to the British Wizarding World.”

The book closed, its cover once again nondescript, and settled back onto its shelf.

A smattering of applause sounded through the room, and the Aurors opened the door. The press rushed out first. Severus looked at his escorts and couldn’t help smile as Clarence and Ignatius put their breviaries away. Walking out, still within the triangle, the reporters crowded in on them, blocking their path. Moving in a way to keep them from getting close to Brother Clarence, Severus glared at them.

“Professor Snape, what are you going to doing now that you are freed?”

“Are you surprised at the verdict?”

“How do you think the people are going to react?”

“Where are you going now?”

Severus almost went for them, but a small monk pushed his way in between. Clarence tapped his wand to his throat and said, “Sonorus.”

The brother then shot a quizzical look at the people clustered around them, one Severus was positive was manufactured. “What’s with all these questions? What’s it matter if he’s surprised? Shouldn’t he be surprised? Everyone else was. Why should he care about how people are going to react? God granted people free will – they’re going to react as they are, it doesn’t matter if you care or not. And just how’s he supposed to have plans now that he’s free? He was just informed about it. Now, as to where’s he going?” He stepped forward causing the reporter to fall back a step. “With us. Now, move out of our way – I have to get back to the kitchen and make dinner, Brother Ignatius needs to rescue his Infirmary from Brother Stephens, Father here has to get back to his parish, and Severus has potions he needs to brew.”

The stunned group actually let them pass, and Kingsley struggled through to catch up with them.

When they entered the office, the Minister smiled. “That went better than I thought. Keep the parchment I sent, just in case someone decides to ignore today’s ruling.” Black eyes searched Severus’ face. “I don’t suppose I could come visit periodically?”

“The British Minster of Magic visiting a small Wizarding village in Ireland?” Severus raised an eyebrow showing what he thought of that idea.

Kingsley sighed and offered his hand. “Then come visit us – I would truly like to get to know you better.”

Severus accepted his hand, shaking it as he answered, “If we can arrange it.”

Kingsley waved them towards the floo. “Travel safely.”

§§§§§

Severus had been sitting on his doorstep watching the people pass by for the last ten minutes, and another quick glance down the street showed no Potter. Biting back a sigh, he heaved himself up to his feet, ignoring the tired ache in his back and feet. Last night had been a long night of brewing and all he wanted was his bed. Forcing himself to move into the gardens instead of the house, he halfheartedly collected potion ingredients as he waited.

The last year had been interesting and fairly restful. His apothecary was doing well enough to support him and allow him to donate time and potions to the Abbey whenever Ignatius asked. His summer patrons had become year-round ones and the Elder Oaks School had asked him to brew for their Infirmary. Poppy sent him requests periodically for more complicated potions, ones she used to ask St Mungo’s for, now that he had time to brew them. One of those had kept him up last night, and Poppy should have received it by now.

Running a tired hand over his face, he glared down the street. He would give Potter ten more minutes and then he was locking the door and sleeping.

Squaring his shoulders, he moved to the garden patch closest to the street, and sent a quick glare at the O’Mallery boy who was tossing rocks. The kid took off, reminding him of the students at Hogwarts scattering before the same look. A smirk crossed his face. Minerva had tried to convince him to come back since Horace wanted to return to his retirement, but he refused. He had gone back to help rebuild the school – it was his responsibility when the damage happened – but he was ready to leave that life behind. Kingsley stopped by regularly, and on one of the visits told him and Minerva about the Order of the Phoenix book. It seemed as if the book also kept records of deeds done that were worthy of receiving recognition. They didn’t show up until the person’s name was revealed, but once that happened, a page in the book was devoted to their deeds. The Minister asked if he wanted to be considered for an Order of Merlin First Class based on what his section said. He refused when he learned that his deeds would then become public knowledge. There were several things he didn’t want known.

With one last look down the street, he spotted Potter hurrying towards his house. Standing straight, he glared at the boy. A small curl of pride wrapped his heart as he watched the other villagers wave at the Saviour of the Wizarding World, but nothing else. Potter had shown up two weeks after his trial – he had sent directions to Minerva with permission to pass them on to the boy. Potter had returned the memories and started a stilted conversation about Lily. Severus invited him back to see pictures of her and the boy’s grandparents. On the way out, the villagers started fawning over Potter. Scowling, he had sent Potter on his way and then discussed things with them. These days, Potter felt comfortable walking through the streets, for now people treated him like a normal person.

“Snape!” Potter stopped and stared at him, taking in the pale, drawn face and rigid shoulders. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Fine, Potter,” he growled out lightly, “just tired. Let’s get this lesson over with.”

It had been a surprise three months ago when the boy asked him for instruction. That day Potter had been discussing Auror training and complained about something the trainer said that went against what he remembered from his sixth year potions book. Severus had cleared up the two different, but valid, interpretations. At that moment Potter asked for lessons, not from Professor Snape, but from the Half-blood Prince. Severus was still amazed that he had agreed.

Gesturing towards the house, he carried his harvest in. “Try not to blow up my lab today, or I will not be responsible for my actions.”

Potter flashed a smile his way. “Yes, sir.”

Shutting the door behind them, Severus knew he would have to catch a nap when Potter left. Minerva and Filius were coming for tea later, and then he was due at Patrick’s for dinner.

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