Chapter 31

Disclaimer: I am not J. K. Rowling. That said, everything that does not belong to her belongs to me, except that which does not.

Author's Note: Much thanks to noybate for the beta of this chapter. As it has not been Britpicked, any language mistakes are my own.

Chapter Thirty-One

"There is nothing in the Wizengamot ruling that says I can not share my books and journals with Severus," Hermione protested to Kingsley as they sat in the Headmistress' office. "He's on probation, not parole. She couldn't even get that right."

"Now, Hermione..." Kingsley tried to placate the irate witch.

"Don't, Kingsley," she said, holding up her hand. "He's a Potions Master. How is he supposed to keep up with the newest developments if he can't read about them? I've been sharing my books and subscriptions with him for more than a year. Now someone decides to complain?"

"Hermione..." Minerva started to say something.

"Don't tell me that you agree with the Wizengamot?" Hermione cried. "He can't order books or journals, yet the hate mail still comes through? Where's the justice in that?"

"Professor Granger," Kingsley all but shouted in his deep voice, "will you at least listen to me?"

Hermione's tirade screeched to a stop. "I'm sorry, Kingsley." She took a deep breath and sat back in her chair.

"Yes, well..." Kingsley said. "I happen to agree with you that stopping Severus from ordering books and journals went far beyond what I agreed to five years ago, and I told them so when they ordered this investigation. As you said, Severus is a Potions Master and needs to be able to find out what's going on in his field.

"However, it is the allegations that Severus has been brewing the infirmary potions that I am here to investigate." He held up his hand as she started to speak. "Or at least supervise the investigation to make sure Severus isn't charged erroneously as some people seem to wish."

Poppy spoke up from her seat in the corner. "I have all the infirmary potions records for the last five years, Kingsley. Your people are more than welcome to peruse them, but they do not leave this school."

Minerva nodded. "I agree with Poppy. Those records are confidential and not for the titillation of the public by being published in the Daily Prophet. The school's Board of Governors will back me on this as we have already discussed that possibility."

"Agreed," Kingsley said. He turned to the Aurors who had accompanied him to the school for the investigation. "If any, and I do mean any, of the information we are about to receive is leaked to the media outlets...be it print or wireless...I will have the lot of you sacked. I don't care who the leak is. Do I make myself clear?"

The three wizards and one witch nodded.

"Good. Poppy, if you would lead the way, please?" Kingsley bowed the Mediwitch out of the office. She was followed by the Aurors. "I will let you know what the results of this investigation reveal," he said, turning to Minerva and Hermione. "Severus shouldn't be made to suffer because some imbecile in the Wizengamot thinks he needs a more severe punishment."

"Thank you, Kingsley," Minerva said.

"Yes, Kingsley, thank you," Hermione echoed as he bowed to each of them and left the office, following his people to the school's infirmary.

"Don't say it, Minerva," Hermione said as the door clicked shut. "I am well aware of my actions today. I almost made Severus a Cause."

"Indeed you did," Minerva replied with a smile. "But he is so deserving of being a Cause, as you put it. The poor man is lucky to have a friend like you."

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know if we're friends," she said. "Colleagues, yes. Friends...?" She shrugged.

* * *

Aurors Find No Violations at Hogwarts

by Rita Skeeter

Correspondent, Daily Prophet

Aurors descended on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry yesterday in response to allegations that Severus Snape had violated his parole with the aid of Hermione Granger, a Professor at the school. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, has since stated, "No violations of Severus Snape's probation have been found."

The Minister then proceeded to point out that Professor Granger was sharing her books and journals with Snape so that he might remain au courant in his field as he will be considered a free man at the end of this year. This is not a violation of the Wizengamot ruling as Snape is not receiving any books, magazines, or journals in his own name.

It was also pointed out that Snape is being denied equal process with regards to his mail. It has been alleged that the only mail he has received for the duration of his parole has been so-called hate mail. If he is receiving any other letters, the owls apparently are not delivering them to their intended recipient.

Minister Shacklebolt was also adamant in pointing out that Snape is on probation, not parole, as he has served no time in Azkaban for any crimes. It was the Wizengamot's judgement that, having survived the bite of Nagini, the familiar of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Snape had been punished enough.

This reporter also asked about the rumour that Snape was still brewing the Wolfsbane potion and selling it to the Ministry for distribution. Shacklebolt replied, "The Ministry did not pay for any Wolfsbane potion until Professor Granger started brewing it for us last year. Up until that time, I recently discovered, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures: Werewolf Division had been using Professor Snape's expertise to brew the potion, with all costs being borne by the professor and Hogwarts itself. The department then turned around and sold the potion to those who so desperately needed it. This is a direct violation of Ministry law, and the violators have been dealt with.

"Professor Snape received no monetary gain from his brewing of the Wolfsbane potion for the Ministry," the Minister continued. "However, Professor Granger has been reimbursed for her brewing of the Wolfsbane potion. Firstly at Journeyman rates and later at Master rates, as is only proper with any craftsman."

It has been alleged that Professor Granger blackmailed the Ministry for payment by stating that she would give the potions she brewed to St Mungo's to hand out, rather than the Ministry. This has been proven not to be true. Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is said to have pointed out that the school was using its budget for the potion and that it was only fair the Ministry reimburse the school for the ingredients and Professor Granger's time. The Minister denied any threats were made to send the potion to St Mungo's.

* * *

"Where does she get her information?" Hermione asked, balling her paper up in her fists. "I can understand Kingsley wanting to set the record straight, but what about the rest of it?"

Minerva looked grim. "I don't know, but I'm sure Kingsley will find out. There's still corruption in the Ministry even with all the housecleaning he and his people have done."

"Indeed," Severus said, as he set down the copy that had been passed to him by Flitwick. "I doubt Kingsley will ever get rid of all of the corruption. Even with Potter as a member of Magical Law Enforcement."

Ginny giggled from her place on the other side of Poppy. "Harry told me Auror Dawlish was furious when they got back to the Ministry because he couldn't find anything to charge the professor with. He thinks Dawlish may be part of the problem."

"The corruption is why Mike asked for the transfer to Hogsmeade after the War," Sheila interjected. "He felt he had to get away from the Ministry, and when this post was opened, he applied."

"Which was excellent for the school," Minerva agreed. "It put you here just when we needed someone to teach Muggle Studies."

"And lets me go home every night." Sheila giggled. "My kids love having Mummy there to tuck them in."

Severus snorted. "Better you than me," he said. "I have my hands full with all the Slytherins and their little peccadilloes."

* * *

Dear Molly,

Hermione

* * *

Breakfast once again brought a flurry of owls bearing mail to students and teachers. Hermione looked aghast at a bright red envelope that was dropped on top of the pile of journals she usually received.

"Uh-oh," she said, poking at the envelope with her wand. "It's from Molly."

"What's from Molly, dear?" Minerva asked, turning to face her. "Oh." She looked at the red envelope. In fact, everyone at the head table looked at the envelope with horror evident on their faces.

"What're you going to do, Hermione?" Ginny whispered. "It could go off any minute." She pushed back from the table so as to have a clear path to run, if necessary.

"Incendio." The envelope burst into flames as Severus tucked his wand away. "That should take care of it," he said as he picked up Hermione's latest issue of Ars Alchemica. "I don't know why everyone was panicking."

"Because it was from Molly," Hermione said meekly. "You know what she's like when she's crossed."

"Indeed."

* * *