Chapter 5: Arrest

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Chapter 5: Arrest

Hermione woke the next morning feeling better than she had since the news of Anna’s death. Knowing Lucius Malfoy was a suspect did wonders for her disposition.

She sat up and noticed that all was quiet in their rooms. She wondered where Severus was: it wasn’t like him to be out this early. Hermione got up and decided to check his personal laboratory. After knocking, she opened the door to find the room empty.

A little worried, she quickly got dressed and headed to the Great Hall. Perhaps, Severus had woken early and chosen to get breakfast out of the way, she thought.

As she was ascending the stairs from the dungeons, she saw Minerva. The Headmistress looked as though sleep had been elusive.

“Hermione, I need you to come to my office. Now,” Minerva said in a rush.

“What’s happened? Is Severus alright?”

“Just follow me, please.”

Panic was trying to edge its way into her thoughts, but she shoved the feeling away as they hurried through the halls and to the gargoyle that lead to the Head’s suite. Sensing Minerva, the gargoyle moved aside.

Hermione followed Minerva’s fast pace; they didn’t wait for the stairs to carry them to the top.

The Headmistress glanced at Hermione before opening the door to her office. Hermione rushed through, and with relief, saw Severus sitting in a chair by the desk. The relief ebbed away when she noticed Severus’s bound hands. Dawlish was leaning against the fireplace looking smug.

“Ah, Mrs. Snape, I’m glad you could join us,” Dawlish said.

“Please satisfy my curiosity, and tell me: why is my husband bound?” Hermione asked with contempt.

“Because he and Mr. Argus Filch are under arrest for the murder of Anna Bloom.”

Hermione looked Dawlish straight in the eyes when she replied, “You, sir, are making a mistake. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Also, did you not have Lucius Malfoy in for questioning just yesterday?”

“Mister Malfoy is none of your concern, and we have it on good authority that your husband has not been entirely truthful.”

At this, Severus snorted from the chair. “Not been truthful? And how has Lucius convinced you of his innocence? Gold, perhaps? Possibly Imperius? Is he saying I cast it?”

“Severus! There is no need to provoke a fight,” Minerva said sternly.

“Let’s go, Snape. I am sure Azkaban has waited a long time to house you.”

Hermione marvelled at how poised and in control Severus looked. If their places had been reversed, she would have been a wreck.

“Filch, you too. Azkaban has plenty of space for people like you,” Dawlish said in a mocking tone.

Hermione realized that Mr. Filch had been standing by the door the whole time with his hands bound. He looked like he was going to be sick. Argus was shaking and he looked pale. He was the opposite of Severus’s composure.

As Severus was walking by, Hermione reached out and touched his arm. He stopped and looked down at her face. She stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. Before pulling away, Hermione whispered, “I have spoken to Ernie; he will help. Don’t lose faith, for I won’t fail you.”

With that, Hermione turned away and headed out the door.

Hermione used her anger to propel her through the halls toward her rooms. When she arrived, she went straight to her desk and wrote a quick note to Ernie Macmillan.

Ernie,

Hermione

She called for Morpheus and sent the letter. With that done, Hermione took a moment to collect her thoughts. She knew she had to stay in control, or she would be no help at all. She thought about how things had been going so well. Leave it to the Ministry to screw it all up.

Hermione knew that if Lucius hadn’t actually committed the murder that he had a hand in it. How to prove what she knew in her heart was a different matter.

Hermione was startled from her thoughts by Ernie’s head in the fire.

“Hermione, can I come through?”

“Yes, Ernie, please.”

A moment later, the fire flared green, and he stepped into the study.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak and unbidden tears began to fall. Ernie quickly moved to hold her so she wouldn’t collapse in her grief.

“Shh, it’ll be alright. We’ll help him. We will show them, I promise,” Ernie murmured into Hermione’s ear.

Breath hitching, Hermione said, “Those Ministry bastards took my husband. Severus was condemned from the start because of a terrible choice he made twenty-three years ago.”

“We’ll help him. With the two of us working together, you’ll have Severus back in no time.”

“I will not fail him. This is my promise. I will work tirelessly until he is home and the real murderer is locked away forever.” Hermione wiped the tears from her face and moved away from Ernie.

“First things first, I need to talk to Headmistress McGonagall. She was present for all of the questioning. The thing you can do right now that will be the most beneficial is wash up and get some rest. I will be back after I’ve spoken with Minerva.”

Hermione nodded in acquiescence and watched Ernie leave. She got up and looked around the room. Finding nothing that needed to be done at that moment, she walked to the bathroom to take Ernie's advice.

Author's Notes: Thank you to Potion Mistress and Zen Lady for the beta.

This story is based on events from Leo Frank's life. If you don't know anything about Leo Frank, I would suggest looking it up.

All reviews and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.