Release Version B

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"The Wizengamot has reached a decision." Rufus Scrimgeour stood and surveyed the room. "The Wizengamot stands by the original decision of guilty as charged. Mr. Severus Snape will still receive the Dementor's Kiss."

"No!" Hermione exclaimed before she could catch herself. The ringing in her ears drowned out all other noise. Ernie was saying something, but he seemed miles away. All she could feel was utter nothingness.

"Severus Snape has exhausted his appeals; therefore, this courtroom needs to be vacated. The convicted will be transported back to Azkaban," Rufus Scrimgeour said as a dismissal.

"Hermione, let's go. We can still talk to Professor Snape if we hurry." Ernie was trying to guide her toward the door.

"I can't, Ernie. He and I were both so sure this would be the end of this mess. I can't see the hurt in his eyes. Please, don't make me face him now," Hermione pleaded.

"Hermione, think for a moment. Won't you feel even worse if you don't talk to him?"

She finally allowed herself to be led to the door. Severus was being put back in handcuffs by two Azkaban guards. His head was bowed so his lank hair hid his face.

"Severus..."

All he did was shake his head in reply.

Hermione didn't realize she could feel worse, but that reaction proved her wrong. She knew that if Ernie hadn't still been holding her arm she would have collapsed.

"Severus, please."

The guards started to move him down the corridor, but he resisted for half a second. She knew he was listening.

"I will do anything to get you out of there. I love you and have faith in your innocence." This last was said to his retreating back. The guards didn't care that they were taking her husband away.

The Ministry of Magic had finally relented after the appeal and granted Hermione two visits per week. It had been a week since Severus's last appeal and much had happened. The Daily Prophet was now running an almost daily smear campaign against the Ministry. Rita Skeeter was in charge of that.

Hermione was writing letters to both the new Minister of Magic, Gawain Robards, and Rufus Scrimgeour personally, with urgings to commute Severus's sentence.

Minerva McGonagall was cashing in on any favors people owed her to try and get the verdict overturned. Hogwarts really needed its Potions master back. Arthur Weasley was also pushing for the sentence to be commuted from a Dementor's Kiss to life in Azkaban. The Kiss was scheduled for three weeks from now.

With all the pressure to the Ministry, there was talk of the Minister stepping down. 'Good riddance,' thought Hermione; she only hoped it was true. Though, she shouldn't be too hasty. The Minister was the only person to have responded to any of her letters. He sent a reply last week stating that he was 'looking into the matter.' This was, by far, more acknowledgment than she'd received from anyone else.

Hermione decided she should stop reminiscing and get out of bed. Her next visit to Azkaban was scheduled for this afternoon.

The Daily Prophet had already arrived by the time Hermione finished her morning ablutions.

Surprise Move by Minister Robards

By Marcus Blithe

In a controversial move, the Minister of Magic stepped down late last night. Though, his final act as Minister is that makes this move so shocking. Minister Robards commuted Severus Snape's sentence from the Dementor's Kiss to life in Azkaban.

This last minute act has caused quite an uproar. The community at large has wanted Severus Snape to get his comeuppance since the murder of Albus Dumbledore.

Hermione dropped the paper and ran to the fireplace. Grabbing some Floo Powder, she called for Ernie. She could not keep still. Pacing to and from the door did not help release much of her excitement.

At long last, Ernie's head appeared in the fire. "Hermione what on earth has got into you?"

"This," she said as she knelt so Ernie could see the Daily Prophet.

"This is wonderful news! You were going to Azkaban this afternoon, right?"

"Yes. Oh, Ernie! Severus will be so relieved."

"I would say so. Listen, Hermione, Hannah is sick so I'm playing Mum. Please tell the Professor how happy I am about this."

"Sure thing. Give my wishes to Hannah."

Ernie smiled and his head spun out of view.

Hermione was too excited to simply sit in her chambers. It was a Saturday, so perhaps Minerva wasn't too busy, Hermione reasoned.

She made her way up to the stone gargoyle, which opened upon seeing her.

"Thank you," Hermione said as she passed.

The office door was open when she reached the top of the stairs. The Headmistress was sitting behind her desk staring at the Daily Prophet. She looked up once Hermione had entered the room.

"Hermione, you must be so relieved. I can't believe our efforts worked." Minerva sounded shocked.

"Yes, I am scheduled to visit him this afternoon. I'm taking the Prophet with me to show him the good news."

"I am sorry that you and Severus have to deal with this mess. If only Minister Robards had granted Severus a full pardon..."

"It's all right, Minerva. We're one step closer. Scrimgeour may yet overturn the Wizengamot's ruling."

"He might, dear. He just might."

The guard just wasn't walking fast enough. Hermione tried to give him that hint by walking in front of him, but he would not speed up.

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached Severus's cell. He looked to be sleeping. The guard banged the cell door with his hand and Severus snapped into a sitting position.

"Your wife is here," the guard said with as much disdain as possible.

"So I've noticed," Severus sneered.

"Thank you, sir," Hermione said politely. "If you wouldn't mind leaving us?"

The guard leered at her then turned away.

Hermione waited until he was gone before she pulled the Prophet from her robes.

"You'll want to read this." She pushed the paper at him.

He looked at her inquisitively, but took the paper anyway.

Hermione knew immediately when he got to the relevant information because his eyebrows shot up. Severus looked from her to the paper and back at her.

"Is this true?"

"Yes, there had been rumors of the Minister's resignation, but your commuted sentence is the biggest shock," she explained.

"For everyone, it seems."

"We're one step closer to your freedom. Perhaps we can get Rufus Scrimgeour to overturn the sentence completely."

"Perhaps, but don't count on it. Rufus has a reputation for being steadfast and stubborn."

"You're right. I just like the idea of you coming home."

"I know. I like that idea too."

"Soon, I promise, we'll get you out of here soon."

"I look forward to that moment."

*****

Hermione awoke during the night with a terrible sense of dread. She dismissed it as part of a nightmare and went back to sleep.

*****

"Hermione! Oh please, Hermione, wake up!"

Groggily, Hermione turned toward the sound of the panicked voice.

"Harry? Harry, what's wrong?"

Harry was shaking uncontrollably. He looked horrible. Dirt covered his trousers and his shirt had grass stains on it. Fully awake, Hermione got up and went to comfort him.

"You're not going to want to touch me," he said just above a whisper.

"Why ever not? Tell me what happened. Let's sit down, Harry. You don't look so good."

"Hermione, you have to come with me. Snape is at St. Mungo's; we have to go."

"What are you talking about? He was fine. I saw him earlier."

"I'll tell you once we get there. Please, Hermione, just come with me. It's not good."

The panic in his face spurred Hermione into action. She grabbed her wand off of the bedside table and with a flick, her nightclothes turned to presentable robes. As soon as she had reached for her wand, Harry had gone out to the fireplace. She followed him and together they Floo'd to St. Mungo's.

As soon as they reached the lobby of the hospital, Hermione was asking Harry questions. "First of all, how do you know he's here? Harry, please tell me, what is going on?"

Harry shook his head and walked to the information desk. He whispered something to the woman behind the desk and she responded in a low voice. Hermione struggled to hear what was said, but they were talking too softly.

With a quick glance at her, Harry started down the corridor behind the desk. Hermione had to run to catch up with him.

"We're going to the fourth floor. He's in the critical ward up there. I know he's here because I brought him. I'll tell you everything once I know he's not dead," Harry said in a low voice as they walked. They reached the lift at the end of the hall and Harry impatiently pressed the button.

Hermione was still in shock. What did Harry have to do with Severus's being here? Why would he have been near Severus in the first place? Hermione shook her head and watched Harry. He looked to be in bad shape. She noticed that he had yet to stop shaking. He seemed genuinely concerned about Severus's well being, which was at once a relief and a bad sign. His condition had to be really serious if Harry was this worried.

Finally, the lift arrived. Harry paced the length of the lift until it reached the fourth floor. As soon as the door opened, Harry practically leapt out. Hermione scurried to keep up. The critical ward was on the left side of the hall once you got off the elevators.

A Healer met them at the door. "If you are not family, I can't let you in the ward."

"I don't need in, I just need to know if Severus Snape is dead yet?"

"No, but he is not well. We thank you for your prompt action in bringing him in, Mr. Potter."

"No need. I should have done more." This last was said in barely a whisper.

Hermione wanted to see Severus, but she wanted to know what was going on first. "Harry, we're here and Severus is still alive. Can you please tell me what you have to do with this, and why he's here at all?"

Harry heaved a sigh and said, "Hermione, I am sorry. I had no idea it was going to be this."

Hermione simply looked at him, willing him to continue.

"Rufus Scrimgeour had approached me earlier today about helping move Snape. I didn't see why he would ask me, but I agreed. Scrimgeour mentioned something about me enjoying the event, but I didn't understand at the time. He, Dawlish and myself met at Azkaban this evening with a Portkey. They told me that we would be transporting Snape to a forest somewhere. Other people were to meet us there. So far, I hadn't had any reason to doubt them. They told me they were moving him to prepare him for the Kiss. We took the Portkey from Azkaban Island to this clearing. The first people I noticed were Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy; they were standing in the middle of the clearing like a king and queen at court. Both were wearing their best robes. Narcissa had her hand on Lucius's arm, like they were out for a stroll." Harry shuddered. "Anyway, as soon as we dropped the Portkey, Malfoy threw a curse at Snape. I don't know what it was, but Snape just went completely still. I looked around, and people were acting like this was a Quidditch match or something. This must have been a set-up from the Malfoys, but I didn't realize that at the time."

Harry looked around and conjured a pitcher of water. After taking a swig, he continued, "Soon, everyone was throwing curses. Nothing major, jelly legs, bat-bogey, harmless ones, really. I had joined in at this point."

Harry was resolutely not looking at Hermione.

"After a few minutes of this, Lucius Malfoy sent up red sparks. Everyone stopped throwing hexes and curses. A Finite later and all of the curse effects were gone. Lucius Malfoy now stepped forward and knelt next to Snape's head. 'You're innocent,' he said. 'For all your trouble, you're going to die. Just like Anna Bloom.' While he was talking, he had conjured a knife. He took the knife and laid it against Snape's cheek. People were actually laughing. I felt sick at this point. I didn't know this was going to happen. I couldn't stop it even if I'd tried. There must have been forty wizards and witches in that clearing."

Harry was shaking again. He looked like he would rather do anything than say any more.

"I will spare you the details, but Malfoy used that knife with precision. He cut off Snape's fingers first, then his hands, saying, 'We wouldn't want to get blood on your hands, now would we?' Here people started muttering about Draco. I really wanted to leave at this point, but I couldn't. Someone had to be able to tell you what happened."

He looked at her with pure guilt written all over his face. Hermione was completely in shock at this point. She could feel nothing.

Harry continued, "I tried not to watch because it was getting gruesome. Malfoy made some major cuts and would let him bleed, but would heal them before Snape could lose consciousness. Narcissa was being 'the good wife' and holding his cloak and gloves for him. She also provided what must have been a Blood-Replenishing Potion. Anyway, the knife thing must have gone on for at least fifteen minutes. Finally, Lucius seemed to tire of it, though he was not done. He transfigured the knife into a hot poker. Lucius now took to burning designs onto what was left of Snape's body. His chest and legs took the brunt of the burns. The smell of burning flesh was starting to make people sick. When Lucius tired of the he let everyone have a turn at doing more harmful curses and hexes. Someone used Sectumsempra. He was blinded by that curse. To end the group's 'fun time' he sent up red sparks again. This time, instead of taking his time, Lucius walked to him, whispered something, and stabbed him in the chest with the still hot poker. This was the only time Snape screamed. He had been silent through everything else."

Harry paused to take a drink.

"Seeing that Snape was left to die, people began to leave. I wanted to rush to him, but I didn't know what they would do to me. So I waited for everyone to leave and approached what I was sure was going to be Snape's body. To my amazement, he was still alive. He must have felt my presence because he tried to speak. I told him it was me, and that I had no idea this was what they had planned. He shook his head at me, so I shut up. He then said two words to me: Hermione and ring. That's the only reason I have this."

Harry held out his hand and in his palm was Severus's wedding band.

"I told him to hang in there and turned a rock into a Portkey that brought him here. As soon as the Healers had him, I went back to the clearing to gather up anything that had been left behind."

Judging by the grimace on his face, Hermione took this to mean any body parts that had been left.

"I took his wedding band because I had no idea if he was going to live. It was the least I could do after the part I played in this." Harry hung his head.

Hermione took the ring from Harry's hand and walked into the Critical Ward without a word.

Author's Notes: If you've stuck through until now, I thank you. This was never supposed to be a happy tale. This is the alternate ending. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Zen Lady and Sophi for their marvelous beta work.