Chapter 5

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Chapter Five

"Kingsley," Minerva said in a formal voice, greeting the Minister and Harry as they walked through the door. Hermione and Draco crowded in behind them while Lucius and Narcissa looked on from the hallway.

"Severus," Kingsley said in his deep voice. "You're looking rather good for a dead man."

Severus sneered. "I take it this isn't a social call."

"In a way, it is," Harry said.

"Yet it isn't," Kingsley continued. "I am here to offer you a conditional pardon from the Wizengamot."

"Conditional!" Hermione interrupted. "They should be on their knees thanking…"

"Miss Granger," Kingsley said, raising his hand. "Please hear me out before you berate the witness." He smiled apologetically at Severus. "The members of the Wizengamot feel that although you were a double agent and actually worked for the Light in accordance with Harry's testimony, the killing of Albus Dumbledore was a mitigating factor in their decision.

"If you accept the pardon, the conditions entail you returning to Hogwarts as a Professor at half your salary from the last year you actually were a teacher…"

"Half?" Minerva exclaimed. "Kingsley, he can't live on half-pay."

"They feel that since his room and board are considered part of his pay package, he can get by. If I might continue?"

Severus waved him on.

"You are to remain at Hogwarts for a total of five years. Your pay will increase ten percent per year until you have reached one hundred percent of your former salary. If you desire to travel to potions conventions and the sort, you will have to get special dispensation from the Wizengamot…"

"And they'd probably reject it from what I saw," Harry interjected.

"Ahem. Yes… well… the animosity was rather…" Kingsley hesitated. "You have to understand the way they're thinking right now. Trying to deal with the corruption of Ministry employees; having Harry there almost every day trying to talk to people; being told that the most hated teacher at Hogwarts is in reality a war hero."

Severus raised his eyebrow and Harry squirmed. "It wasn't just me, Professor,” he said. "The Weasleys helped… and so did Neville."

"They know I'm alive?" Severus groaned. "I was told you had sworn a Wand Oath."

"No, sir, they don't,” Harry answered. "I just told them I thought somebody should clear your name so that you wouldn't be remembered as the greasy bat of the dungeons and the man who killed Albus Dumbledore."

"Mr Potter, I did kill the Headmaster."

"Yes, sir. I was there."

"Of course… that wretched cloak of yours…" Severus mused. "Where were you?"

"Standing behind Dumbledore. He stunned me so I would be quiet," Harry said. "I told the Wizengamot that if you were guilty of killing Dumbledore, then so was I. After all, he made me keep feeding him the poison from the cave of the Inferi so we could retrieve the locket." He shook his head sorrowfully. "Kreacher told me that's how Regulus Black died as well."

Kingsley cleared his throat. "If I might continue? You would not be allowed to make potions for the infirmary at the school or to sell for yourself during the entire five years. Nor would you be able to order any books or subscribe to any journals or papers, although you would be free to receive letters. After the five years, you would, of course, be allowed to resume your own life."

"When does this imprisonment start and just who would be my warden?" Severus asked testily. "I assume that if I agree to this travesty, an announcement is already made up for the Daily Prophet."

"You would be expected to return to Hogwarts on the New Year, and Minerva, if she is willing, would have to guarantee your behaviour,” Kingsley explained. "And no, there is no announcement. I am the only person Harry told of your survival, and that was only this morning when the Wizengamot gave you the conditional pardon." He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Just how they expected you to accept when you were thought to be dead, I'll never know."

"The idiots probably thought they were showing benevolence towards a generally disliked wizard who gave his life in order to bring down a madman,” Minerva snapped. "Since he wasn't there to protest, they don't lose face and can point out that they could just as easily have denied him everything if he does show up and protest."

"I must concur, Minerva,” said Kingsley. "My apologies, Severus. Harry and I both argued that you deserved a full pardon as well as an Order of Merlin, First Class, even awarded posthumously. The fools wouldn't even consider it."

"If this is the only way I could live my own life, then I suppose I must accept it,” Severus sighed. "I guess you will have to suffer Horace Slughorn for a few more years, Minerva. I can teach Defence Against the Dark Arts…"

"Nonsense!" Minerva chuffed at him. "This agreement only says you can't make potions for Poppy or to sell. It says nothing about not teaching. Does it, Kingsley?" She looked at him for confirmation.

Kingsley grinned, his teeth glaringly white against his dark skin. "No, Minerva, there is nothing in the wording of the agreement about Severus not being allowed to teach Potions." Then he laughed. "I truly believe that the entire Wizengamot thinks Severus Snape is dead, even though a body was never found."

“I’m right here, you know,” Severus muttered in irritation.

"That settles it then." Minerva clapped her hands together. "You'll come back and teach Potions; I'll let Horace retire again and guarantee your good behaviour. Look on the bright side, Severus. According to this agreement, you can't go anywhere but Hogwarts, so I could take that to mean you wouldn’t be allowed to supervise Hogsmeade weekends."

Severus smirked. "So you're saying it's a win-win situation for me? During the summer break, am I to stay in Scotland or would I be allowed to return to Spinner's End?"

"I think by the time school ends, the Wizengamot will have gotten over its shock and perhaps we can renegotiate where you spend the summer months." Kingsley rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "I am certainly looking forward to bringing this news to them if only to see their reactions."

Harry laughed. "Can I be there to see it?"

"I expect you to be right there by my side when I make the announcement." Kingsley smiled broadly.

"If that is the case, I can do nothing less than accept your terms," Severus said with a sneer. "If we are finished…"

"Not quite," Lucius broke in. He carried a bottle of champagne and Narcissa followed, levitating eight flutes. "We have to toast to your miraculous resurrection." He skilfully popped the cork from the bottle without spilling a drop of the wine. While Narcissa passed out the crystal flutes, he filled each one to the brim.

Once everyone had a glass of champagne, Lucius raised his and said, "To Severus. The friend I thought I had lost forever. May he live long and healthily."

"Live Long and Healthily!" the witches and wizards chorused as they raised their glasses to Severus and then drank deeply.

"Thank you," Severus said with a smirk. "I will endeavour to stay healthy and avoid joining any other madmen who might try to take over the world." With that, he raised his glass to the others in the room and drained it.

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