Bitterly Unrequited
Chapter 17 - Not Guilty
A/N: You know, I was 100 sure that this story was dead, and I wasn't going to attempt to finish it...but then, last night, I was struck with inspiration, and so here I am.Crazy, I know. First of all...there are MAJOR bits of stuff beign rewritten on this story right now, especially CHAPTER 14,the rape scene, just because I reread it and I really didn't like the way I wrote it. So please, if you plan on continuing this story, do yourself a favor and reread chapter 14, otherwise the ending won't make as much sense. Also, review! Seriously, I will write like crazy if I think anyone's reading it. Thanks, and enojy this long-overdue chapter.
He shuddered, pulling his robes around his thin frame tighter in an attempt to keep out the surrounding cold. He began coughing violently as a single Dementor passed slowly by the cell, his lungs feeling as thought they were completely frozen as snapshots of his life and echoing voices filled his mind, forcing him to relive his worst memories. He faced the wall, his frail, skeletal body shivering.
"They can't keep us here that much longer," came a voice from the opposite side of the cell. Lucius Malfoy, too, had seen better days – his pale skin was nearly grey from bad health and the filth of the prison, and his once-blonde hair was pure white. "They have to give us a trial...they can't just leave us to rot here without legitimate proof."
Severus looked at him wearily. "They'll find proof easily enough, Malfoy. If we do get a trial, we'll be convicted in a heartbeat anyway."
Lucius shook his head, a maniacal gleam in his eyes. "Speak for yourself, Snape," he said with a small sneer, "but the Ministry's only interested in one thing...gold. And I've got gold to spare. They won't find any evidence on me, once we reach an agreement."
Snape simply observed him stoically. Lucius continued, his expression almost panicked. "The Dark Lord was a great leader," he said softly, "and if there was any hope in his livelihood, I would search for him to the ends of the earth. But he's dead, and it won't do anyone any good for me to rot away in Azkaban. But...he's dead, Snape," he whispered, as though he couldn't quite grasp the thought. "Who would have imagined that one so strong could be destroyed by such a small creature..."
"Lily's child," Severus murmured to himself. "Little Harry Potter." He spat out the last name with utmost contempt.
"Oh, come off it," Lucius said scornfully, glaring at Snape with an unpredictable look of hate. "Don't start babbling about your dead love when you're awake, too. The Mudblood bitch rejected you, for God's sake. Accept it."
Snape sat still, feeling the anger well up inside him, until he quickly lashed out, pinning Lucius to the wall of the cell, his thin fingers latched around the other man's neck. "Never speak of Lily like that again," he growled threateningly.
Malfoy continued to scoff. "It's pathetic," he said with a struggle. "I damn well can't sleep at night because you're always moaning in your sleep about Lily, Lily, oh god, Lily, what have I done?" Lucius pushed Snape away from him and adjusted his robe, sighing softly. "How're you going to get out of here, Snape?" he asked quietly. "You have no family, no connections, no money..."
"You are, as ever, the epitome of tact," Severus sneered. "Thank you so much for rubbing it in."
He did, however, begin to contemplate the question. Dumbledore had told him that he was safe, that he would take care of it, but he had been in Azkaban for three weeks now without a word from the headmaster. They had taken him away from his safe place at Hogwarts and thrown him in the prison to wait for his trial, but when would that be? And what good would it do, anyway? All evidence was against him...and even if it wasn't...well, Lily was still gone.
Less than a week later, however, Severus stood before the Wizengamot, surveying each witch and wizard slowly as the courtroom buzzed with talking. Sitting in the very center of panel of Dumbledore, looking as serene and calm as ever, if a little more solemn than usual.
The court was soon called to order, and an elderly wizard who was sitting beside Dumbledore began to speak. "The Wizengamot will now hear Case Number 569, Severus Snape. Mr. Snape is hereby accused of being in close association with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, serving him as a sworn Death Eater, and being at least partially responsible for the death of the MicKinnons, the Prewetts, Benjy Fenwick, and Tobias Snape, among others. Mr. Snape, you have heard the charges against you. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?"
Severus took a breath, preparing himself to resign to a lifetime in Azkaban instead of begging shameless to no avail, as many of his former companions had done. He opened his mouth to confess until a lighter voice range out, "Severus Snape is not guilty of the crimes of which he has been accused."
Every eye in the courtroom was focused solely on Dumbledore, who was still very calm. The wizard who had read out the charges was looking at him in confusion. "Albus, what do you mean?"
"Allow me to explain," Dumbledore answered courteously. "Severus did indeed swear an oath of loyalty to Voldemort," he ignored the collective shudder, "when he was fifteen years old, and he is responsible for the murder of Tobias Snape. However, ever since his sixth year at Hogwarts, Severus has helped the Order a great deal, feeding us inside information from Voldemort himself." Snape was staring at Dumbledore, who was blatantly lying on his behalf. Surely the headmaster knew that he had never given the Order a single bit of true, helpful information when he was "spying" on the Dark Lord...but Dumbledore continued on. "He did not have a part in the murder of the Order members you mentioned, although he could not prevent them for fear of blowing his most useful cover." The headmaster turned to look at his colleagues directly, almost pleading with them. "Severus is twenty-one years old," he said softly, "and his life has not been a pleasant one. Please do not punish him for crimes he did not commit."
The members of the Wizengamot spoke together for a few moments before a young witch turned to Dumbledore. "You vouch for him, then?"
"Wholeheartedly," Albus replied immediately. "I trust Severus Snape."
"Then," said the wizard who had read out the charges, "the Wizengamot declares Severus Snape cleared of all charges."
"Ah, very good," said Dumbledore pleasantly, standing up. "Now, if you could be so kind as to release Mr. Snape...thank you. Severus, if I could have a word?"
People began filing out of the courtroom, taking this to mean that the trial was over. Snape approached Dumbledore warily, still somewhat shocked.
"Now, if you would join me in my office for a few moments, I wish to discuss your future."
Snape followed him to the fireplace and used the Floo network to arrive in the office, where the headmaster was already sitting behind his desk, waiting for him."
"If you would care a have a seat," the older man said, creating a comfortable armchair with a flick of his wand and motioning for Severus to sit there.
"You lied to them," he said softly.
"Yes, I'm afraid I rather did."
"Why?"
"Because your life was at stake, Severus," Dumbledore said, his pale blue eyes shining brightly. "I believe everything you told me last month, that you really did stay with Voldemort in hopes of saving Lily, not just because you were afraid to leave. I also happen to believe that you're a good man, Severus."
Snape snorted derisively. "Oh, I'm very good, I'm sure."
"You've made terrible choices, admittedly, but underneath it, I have faith in you, and I feel that you have some large part to play in our ongoing battle against evil."
"But Professor, the Dark Lord is dead," he said, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean, ongoing?"
"Voldemort has vanished, yes – but I fear he is not gone for good. And even so, my dear boy, the fight against evil is in no way over. With the victory over any such great dark wizard, it seems that another just as terrible appears." Dumbledore sighed, a shadow of weariness passing over his face. "But all matters of good and evil aside, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma. Professor Slughorn, it seems, has had enough of teaching, and I am short a Potions teacher." He was looking at Severus intently. "You are still very young...only three years out of school yourself! But if you agree, you have a home and a post here at Hogwarts. Please consider it...you are far too gifted not to share your talents with others."
Snape sat silently for a moment. "Is it not also true, sir, that you also have a Defense Against the Dark Arts post available?"
Dumbledore's face grew visibly darker. "It is true."
"Please, Professor...I could teach the students things they would never begin to imagine...I'm more experience in this field, as you well know, than any other applicant you could find..."
"No, Severus. It is too close to you right now. Perhaps someday you will teach Defense...but not this year."
He nodded, slightly bitter. "Yes, Professor."
"Will you accept the Potions post?"
He nodded again. "Gladly."