The Ministry of Magic

Thank you to everyone who has been following this story and to everyone who voted for me. I really appreciate it. This means far more to me than you know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 10 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ministry of Magic

~H~

The next morning after breakfast, the owls started arriving again, swooping in and dropping letters in front of Hermione and Ginny. Harry unraveled the Daily Prophet and let out an angry explosive sound as he tossed the paper to Ginny. "According to Rita, you and I are having a baby."

"No!" Ginny said, laughing. "Are you pregnant?"

"Not that I know of," he replied, laughing, as Hermione stacked up her letters.

Hermione reached for the paper. "If you want, Ginny, we could brew a different contraceptive potion. Severus gave me a book that has a fairly potent one in it. Not implying anything, but I think I'd rather use it than your Mum's."

"But hers didn't work all the time," Ginny added, laughing. "I know. Mum said that it works fine, but that she didn't take it properly because she didn't really care if she had another baby. I think she was still trying for – well – me! But if you have one suggested by Severus, I'd be willing to take it."

"So you girls will be busy today," Harry said, giving Ginny a wink. "Well, I'm off to the Ministry. Come by around eleven. I'll meet you in the Atrium and get you in to talk to Kingsley."

Ginny stood up and kissed Harry. "We'll see you at eleven, then," she said. "Have a good day."

"Don't drink any more potions," he chided her with mock sternness. "I'm going to Grimmauld Place after training. If you'd like, come by and we'll have dinner there. With Ron all upset, Hermione, it might be good if we consider moving into my house for a while."

"Tired of sleeping with me already?" Ginny teased.

"Tired of the fighting," he said and kissed her cheek again. Hermione dropped her head slightly at Harry's remark. "Hermione?" he asked.

"Yes, sure, good idea," she replied, waving him off.

Harry came around and sat down next to her. "Hermione, it's not the first time you and Ron have been through a difficult time, but you always manage to patch things up. We've been friends for a long time – and through some really difficult spots. I know you'll both work this out."

"I'm Bonded to Severus Snape," Hermione said, exasperated. "This isn't about him snogging Lavender – or me seeing Viktor Krum – or Ron running out on us. I Bonded to Severus while he and I were talking – considering getting married! Heck, I really thought the spell would simply confirm that Ron was the one for me, and instead, it proved that he's not! Well, not my soul mate at least."

Harry placed his hand on her shoulder, obviously at a loss. "Look, this is weird for me too! My best friends are fighting – again – and are constantly storming away from each other... Ron gets put out if I follow you to try and console you, and if I follow him, he rants on about Snape as if he's the devil and demands that I choose – him or you. And that fiasco at George's party – he really thinks you love him and are just sticking to Snape for whatever reason and doesn't understand why you won't get the annulment and marry him anyway. I don't get it – but this time I'm staying out of it. Personally, it's a bit weird to think of you with Snape – actually I try to not think of you with him... you know!"

"It's weird, I..." Hermione looked down at her hands. "It's weird thinking about Severus that way. But, Harry, it's just that I can't do it – end it – unless he's found guilty. If he's found innocent or pardoned – that's another matter. It's like kicking someone when they're down. That's a rotten thing to do to someone – anyone."

"Yeah, I know. More than that, I know you – and I get it. But I'm still going to move back home. You're welcome to stay with me if you want. I'd actually like having you there," he said with a grin. "Besides, I was hoping you'd help me get the master bedroom cleaned up and ready."

"Isn't that Kreacher's job?" Ginny teased him.

"It's Slytherin green, black and has all this tarnished silver with snakes and what looks like seaweed carved into the wardrobe and bedposts. I was hoping Hermione would know how to Transfigure it into something more – nice." Ginny grimaced and he just laughed at her.

"I'll be glad to see what I can do," Hermione said, "but I'll let Ginny decide on the color scheme."

Harry smiled. "Sure, anything but pink or roses!"

"How about daises or sunflowers?" Ginny suggested, watching Harry grimace. "Or better yet, Horntails and Snitches, and we can keep the green! Oh, or Gryffindor red and gold!"

"We could do a nautical theme with sea shells and sail boats! Or mimic the Forbidden Forest," Hermione added as Ginny giggled and Harry hurried away. She waited until he disappeared in the Floo before turning back to Hermione. "So give, how was the visit?"

"He was fairly angry at me at first," she said, opening up her first letter. "Asked me why I was there and wanted to know why I didn't get an annulment."

"No! I'm sorry," Ginny said, sitting down across the table from her.

Hermione picked up a letter, toying with the corner. "I just don't understand this. I mean I was happy with Ron, well, most of the time. And then I find out I'm Bonded with Severus Snape – and he can barely tolerate – Ginny he doesn't like me! It's not working out."

"You have to give it some time," Ginny stated, looking at her with a worried expression. "I mean you two haven't spent any time together – except you know – shagging."

"He doesn't even want to talk to me. I tried to get him to talk to me last time, and he was so hateful, surly and sarcastic," she said, trying to keep her emotions out of her voice. "I tried to get him to realize he's jeopardizing his chance at freedom by sulking in prison and refusing to talk to anyone, but all we did was end up fighting. Well, I called him a coward and accused him of being a martyr."

"You didn't!" Ginny said, covering her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. "You talked back to Severus, and he didn't give you a detention?"

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed. "He's been so resentful, and he's been taking it out on me. I just don't know how much more of it I can take."

"But did you, er, you know?" she asked.

Hermione threw up her hands, but she knew she was blushing all the same. "Oh, yes, he was still interested in that."

"And?" Ginny prompted. "Want help with these?"

"Sure," Hermione said, passing her an envelope and opening the next one. "It was – nice. He seemed to – it was like he was in the dreams. Augh! A disgruntled housewitch telling me I made a mistake not getting the annulment." She tossed the letter aside, selecting another. "What if she's right? Maybe I should. Great! Another hate mail – thinks I'm a Death Eater."

"Nutter. This one thinks Severus Imperiused you. You and Ron were never that great, you know," Ginny said, balling up the offending letter. "All you ever did was fight and then make up. You were mad at him practically half the time at school last year, and don't forget how he treated you at the Yule Ball. I just never really got you and my brother. Lavender – yes, they fit, but you're way smarter than he is, more cultured, and you don't talk with your mouth full. Truth, I never saw you as working out." She tossed another letter aside. "This one is more advice on your annulment. Something about your sun sign in Mars..."

"But I love Ron. Last year in Potions when I smelled the Amortentia, I smelled Parchment, fresh cut grass, and soft, earthy woods, smoky berry and a patchouli sweetness. The same scent I smelled on Ron that day," Hermione admitted, opening an envelope with the Ministry's seal.

"I never knew Ron to smell like smoke or earthy – smelly yes, but..." Ginny suddenly started to grin. "Do you mean like woody-earthy, kind of outdoorsy with a wisp of smoke like from a fire on a cold night?"

"Yes, exactly." Hermione said, nodding. "Shite. I have to go to the Auror's office today. I'm to be questioned regarding Severus."

"What time?" Ginny asked, ripping open another envelope.

"Eleven," Hermione said, showing her the letter.

"Well, you'll have a busy day. Maggie Whitmire has sent you an owl declaring that you haven't signed your forms. She is requesting that you come by the office if you plan on remaining Bonded, or if you intend on requesting an annulment, you have to pick up the request form for the proper signatures. You aren't, are you?"

Hermione shook her head as she took the letter. "Oh, this is rich! If I don't get Severus to sign her forms, we are going to have a hearing regarding ensnarement and coercion charges. They think Severus did something to make me take a plight troth." She folded up the letter. "Great, lets add that to his list of charges!"

"Won't he sign it?" Ginny asked.

"He said he wouldn't go to the Ministry and wand verify the forms because they would arrest him," Hermione explained.

"Well, that's not a problem now, is it?" Ginny stated, smiling. "Just ask to see him in jail again and see if he will sign the form."

Hermione looked at her bemused. "Ask for another conjugal visit? I only get one a month. I don't think I could wait a month."

"He's that good?" Ginny asked, laughing.

Hermione blushed again, but ignored the question. "I don't think she will wait a month, judging by this. She expected this signed within a week of our Bonding. I have to have this resolved by the end of the week," Hermione said, setting the letter aside. They continued opening the letters. Hermione had received three warnings, two more accusing her of being a Death Eater and four claiming she was daft for marrying a known murderer. Hermione crumpled up the letters and walked over to throw them into the Floo, then followed Ginny up to her room. She showed Ginny the potion directions, and she flicked her wand, igniting a flame under the cauldron, and poured in two cups of rainwater, then measured out the Ashwinder dust and salamander blood, pouring them into the water.

"Any more thoughts regarding school?" Hermione asked, adding the palmetto and wormseed Ginny had prepared.

"I'm going. Mum and Dad won't let me marry Harry unless I finish school. So I'm going," Ginny said as Hermione handed her the licorice root to cut up after she measured out the ground flaxseed.

"I am going to return as well,'" Hermione said, stirring the potion, adding the fennel oil, then started preparing the willow bark.

"If you do, we will both be seventh years. We may actually end up dorm mates!" Ginny started cutting up the wild yams. "What about Severus?"

Hermione added in diced soybeans and crushed red clover. "He has to understand that I would want to finish school. If not, I'll have to talk him into letting me."

Ginny added the sprouts and started crushing the mung beans. "There is always weekends in Hogsmeade!"

Hermione started laughing as she squeezed the two Plimpy glands into the cauldron. "Oh, yes, the once-a-month conjugal visit in the Hogs Head."

"That's if we can get him out of Azkaban," Ginny replied, adding in the black cohosh. "Do you ever worry that Minister Shacklebolt won't succeed?"

"I try to not think about that," Hermione said and sighed heavily. "Ginny, he deserves a life, one without masters, megalomaniacs and Dark Lords. I don't really know at this point if he and I can work things out, but I can't just kick him when he's down – that would be cruel. I'm going to wait until the hearing and decide. Mostly, I just want him free to choose what he wants to do. Is that crazy?"

"As crazy as a dragon rider!" Ginny said, laughing. "Oh, wait, you've already done that!"

~MoM~

Ginny sent her Patronus to Harry, telling them that they would be in the Atrium of the Ministry five minutes to eleven. Both girls dressed in their best robes and Flooed to the Ministry. Harry was waiting and guided them through the wand check, then up to the waiting room outside Kingsley Shacklebolt's office. Both Neville and Luna joined them only moments later. Hermione showed Harry the letter from Maggie Whitmire. "We'll get this straightened out as well," Harry said, giving her a one-armed hug. "But my question is this: do you want an annulment or not?"

"I want to be able to wait and see what happens with Severus first," she replied. "I don't think it's fair deciding this while he's locked up. Maybe I can have an extension or something."

"He'll want to keep you," Luna said. "I do hope that the Flutterwortz in Azkaban don't bite him. They could render him impotent."

Both Harry and Hermione shook their heads at her statement, and Neville laughed, kissing Luna on the cheek. "She's so concerned for Snape's welfare lately."

The door to the Minister's office opened, and they were ushered inside. Kingsley stood from his chair and immediately added five chairs, indicating that everyone sit down. A tall barrel-chested wizard sitting next to a striking, older, blond wizard quickly introduced himself as Holden Goldstein from the Magical Law Enforcement office and lead investigator of Severus' case then introduced the blonde wizard as Mr. Oswald Grunthyme, a member of the Wizengamot and lead chair of Severus' case. A tiny witch with a beehive hairstyle, decorated liberally with several feathers, sat primly on the other side of Kingsley's desk, poised at the ready with a ready-flow quill and a pad of parchment on her knee.

"So we are here to discuss the case of Master Severus Snape," Kingsley stated, and the witch's quill scribbled his every word.

"Minister, before we begin, there is a small matter to address," Harry said.

"Kingsley," he stated with a kind smile. "These meetings will be informal." Harry took Hermione's letter and passed it over to Kingsley, who read it and nodded.

"Kingsley," Hermione said, feeling a little intimidated, "I also have a summons to be in the Auror's office at eleven today, and I can't very well be in two places at once."

"Not a problem, Lerman and Darthmyer are due to arrive anytime now," Kingsley reassured her. "However, this does need taking care of. I for one want to know what you intend to do, young lady. Are you going to stay Bonded to Severus Snape?"

Hermione sighed. "I keep asking myself the same question and keep changing my mind. I don't know. Truth is, it's still a bit of a shock, and truthfully, I can't believe it real, finding myself Bonded to him, of all wizards. I want to see him freed first before I have to make that decision. But, I just can't ask for an annulment while he's in prison awaiting his trial; it doesn't feel right."

"So, I'll grant the extension for the request. Maybelline, please see that Maggie Whitmire receives notification." Maybelline nodded as she scribbled with her quill as Kingsley turned to address Holden Goldstein and Mr. Grunthyme. "All right you have heard what evidence Harry Potter has provided regarding Severus Snape's activities and several members of the Order of the Phoenix, a recognized group of witches and wizards who were fighting against Tom 'Lord Voldemort' Riddle during Dark War I and Dark War II. We are here now with Hermione Granger-Snape, Mrs. Ginevra Potter, Mrs Luna Longbottom and Mr. Neville Longbottom to hear what they testify to as Severus Snape's actions. Let's begin with Neville Longbottom."

Neville looked up alarmed. "I don't know what I can say. I never really knew Professor Snape except at school."

"That's all right, Neville. May I call you Neville?" Kingsley asked, smiling. "This is an informal inquiry to determine if there will be an actual hearing. Harry has made some discoveries that pertain to you, and I simply want to hear your opinion." Neville nodded as Kingsley began asking questions about Neville's involvement with Dumbledore's Army in his fifth and seventh years.

Neville answered each question, explaining what he knew about his detentions his seventh year, the times Snape treated him with potions after he'd been tortured by Almycus Carrow and the food sent to the room of requirement. Neville was shown a stack of detention cards, obviously taken from Hogwarts, on which several of his detention punishments had been crossed off and reassigned as having been served with Hagrid. Hermione was amazed at how many cards there were. Finally Neville was asked to give any other account of actions which he knew Severus to be party to.

"There was fighting in Hogsmeade one weekend. I had slipped out to the Hog's Head to talk to, er, I don't want to get anyone in trouble."

"It's okay, son," Oswald Grunthyme said. "If it will help the case, please, tell us."

"Okay. Fred and George Weasley, they were running an underground radio program, and they wanted me on it. Only, I was seen by a Death Eater and brought to Professor Snape. I think he Imperiused me, because I was saying things that weren't true, and even after I was given a liquid, which I was told was Veritaserum, I still wasn't saying the truth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carrow kept asking me things, and I was lying. Then Professor Snape said he was going to take me to Filch, but he took me to the Room of Requirement instead and told me to be more diligent. It was weird."

Maybelline's quill stopped suddenly and Kingsley smiled. "You can of course provide this memory for a Pensieve?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Neville said. "There was another time, fighting in the castle. I thought that I was going to be hit by a curse from Mr. Lestrange. I fired a spell to protect myself, but I know I missed him. He ducked you see, and I think I hit a door. Only Mr. Lestrange fell, hit by a yellow jet of light. I only had a minute to look, I was still fighting, but I thought I saw Professor Snape pointing his wand at him. I did see a Shield Charm wrap around Professor Sprout, which I know Professor Snape cast, but then he disappeared. But I know he did it."

"I'll expect that memory as well, son," Oswald Grunthyme said.

Ginny was questioned next, then Luna. Both girls were shown their detention cards from the Hogwarts files, and like Neville, there were loads of them. It seemed that Alecto Carrow particularly had singled out Ginny. Many of the cards had the assigned punishments crossed out and reassigned by Headmaster Snape, giving them detentions with Hagrid 'pulling weeds and sweeping walkways.' Luna was questioned about why Snape had stunned Professor Flitwick her fifth year at the first Battle on Hogwarts. "He wanted to keep us out of the fight and away from danger," she said.

"Are you sure about that?" Holden Goldstein asked.

"Fairly. I mean he thought of us as kids and under his protection," Luna replied. "It made sense. Besides, I asked him about it when I was called to his office after, um, defacing a wall. I'll be happy to give you the memory if you like, but I'd want it back. I rather like that one."

There was a knock, and Mr. Lerman and Mr. Darthmyer were ushered into the room. "So, you did show up," Mr. Lerman said rather snippily. "I sent an Auror to your residence to retrieve you."

"Sit down, Ralph," Kingsley said. "I also asked Hermione here, but I didn't send you an aeroplane because I was expecting you at eleven as well. You'll be given a copy of the minutes as soon as Maybelline types them up." He turned to Luna with a wave of his hand in her direction. "Please, continue. Now were you witness to any of Severus Snape's activities during the battle?"

Luna shook her head. "No, but the night Dumbledore was killed, I saw Professor Snape pulling Draco away. He cast several spells to clear his path, a few hitting the Death Eaters we were still fighting, but I can't be sure. They could have simply been near misses, but I don't really think his aim is that terrible if he meant to hit us. You may have that one too, but I'd like it back. I was fighting next to Neville you see, and he was doing so well..." Luna said, turning to smile at Neville before looking at Kingsley again. "Oh, and I can say for a fact that he brewed potions for Neville's recovery. I was doing lines in the Potions classroom for detention. Professor Snape and Professor Slughorn were talking about potions Professor Snape was brewing. I believe one was an antidote, which required a particular venom, Acromantula, if I remember correctly. I remember him saying that they had bitten two students, and Professor Snape wanted a large quantity of the venom. The professors argued and Professor Slughorn relented, giving Professor Snape a wine bottle of it. After I finished my lines, I went to see Neville in the Hospital wing. I was getting water for him when Professor Snape came in and gave Neville and Seamus their potions. Neville and Seamus recovered and were fine the next day. I'm certain Professor Snape cured them. But I also remember Professor Snape telling Madam Pomfrey to keep the Acromantula Antivenin Potion in a cool place. He was greatly worried about the fact that there were so many Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest."

"We have testimony from Madam Pomfrey that Professor Snape did in fact provide potions for her during all his years at Hogwarts, even when Headmaster," Oswald Grunthyme stated.

Luna was questioned further, and she tried to confirm what she knew. Finally, Kingsley turned to Hermione. "I've kept you for last because you may have more to shed on Severus' activities than anyone," he said.

"I don't know what I can say that Harry hasn't mentioned," Hermione said, sitting up and mentally bracing herself. "I know that Severus Snape has always tried to help protect Harry. First year, he tried to save Harry's life when Professor Quirrell tried to kill Harry during a Quidditch game. I know that our second year he brewed the potion for revive the students from the Basilisk. Our third year, he tried to save Harry, Ron and me from a werewolf and suspected murder. He healed Ron's leg that night, and he tried to find Harry when he ran off after Sirius Black. I know our fourth year he was constantly watching Harry during the Triwizard Tournament and was one of the first wizards at his side when Harry returned with Cedric's body. I know that he assisted Madam Pomfrey after the Battle in the Department of Mysteries to help Neville, Ginny, Ron and myself. I know that he was the first to assist Katie Bell when she was cursed with a necklace and was trying to save Dumbledore from whatever curse destroyed his hand and was killing him. I know he gave Harry the Sword of Gryffindor when we were in the Forest of Dean, and that he accidently cut off George's ear trying to save Remus Lupin. I know he's not perfect, but I do know which side he was on. He was on our side, Harry's and Dumbledore's, all along."

"She's only saying this because of a spell!" Mr. Lerman stated.

"No, I'm not!" Hermione said, outraged.

The questions began to fly. Accusations were flung. Hermione did her best to answer the questions, frequently supported by her friends and occasionally by Kingsley himself. Every memory she had about Severus was questioned and dissected. The same was done to Luna, Ginny and Neville. Several times she felt Harry squeeze her hand. Finally, Kingsley called for quiet. "All right. We will break for lunch and meet back here. Hermione, you will stay; Harry, Ginny, Luna and Neville, you might stay as well. I want a full hour, gentlemen. Oswald, you will have someone from your staff brought here to write down and wand verify their individual statements. I will have the memories collected and will need half a dozen bottles. Until then."

As the four wizards filed out of the office, Kingsley asked his secretary to send an aeroplane to Maggie Whitmire to have her join them in his office and to have lunch brought in for six. When he returned to his desk, he looked at Hermione, laced his fingers together and placed his hands under his chin. "Well, young lady, other than the obvious, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing all right, considering," she replied, finally feeing at ease. "So how is the investigation going?"

"Well, as you can see, it's involved. My primary witnesses for the murder charge of killing Dumbledore are a portrait, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy and a few secondhand memories. Thankfully, under these circumstances, Oswald is accepting both Harry's and Draco Malfoy's Pensieve memories and the word of Dumbledore's portrait as admissible," Kingsley said. "I've already spoken with most of the surviving Order members, and I've spoken at great length with Minerva and the other professors. I'll have to speak to Hagrid again and see if he can corroborate Ginny, Neville and Luna's claims regarding the detentions for the record and then locate the other students of this Dumbledore's Army. If I can, and they will cooperate, that will help. I'll call the Order members together for a meeting and bring Holden, Oswald and José Aladama from the Magical Law Enforcement office. But truthfully, things look good."

"If we have enough supportive evidence of his involvement for the Order and his efforts to thwart Riddle, he has a good chance this won't go to trial at all," Harry said. "He was cleared of all charges during Dark War I as a spy for Dumbledore, so all we have to prove is that he took up the same role during Dark War II. It's the murder of Dumbledore that will be difficult."

This was good news. A knock interrupted them and Kingsley's secretary came in carrying a tray. She was followed by a woman that looked all too much like Rita Skeeter, only with grey hair, faintly tinted with blue, and wearing horn-rimmed rhinestone-encrusted glasses on a silver chain. She even had rhinestones on the buttons of her cardigan. "Ah, yes, Ms. Whitmire, please come in," Kingsley said. The woman looked at Harry and Hermione, and her eyes widened in surprise. She sat primly in a chair, never taking her eyes off Harry, or more likely, his scar. "I don't know if you recognize Harry Potter and Hermione Granger-Snape? This is Ginny Potter, Luna and Neville Longbottom."

"Y-yes, I-I do," she stammered. "I-it's an honor."

"I understand that Hermione and Severus Snape have yet to confirm their Bonding by signing the appropriate forms. I'll be granting the extension for the request of annulment and putting a hold on the due date for confirmation, due to unusual circumstances," Kingsley stated, and Ms. Whitmire looked at him, stunned.

"But I've given them several days to comply," she stammered, confused.

"And he has been detained in Azkaban," Kingsley stated. "So unless you'd like to go see him in Azkaban, I suggest you allow the extension."

"Certainly, Minister. Whatever you think best," Ms. Whitmire replied, obviously terrified of the idea of being sent to see Severus in Azkaban herself. She took a deep breath and turned to Hermione. "Do you know if you'll be affirming the Bonding or will you be requesting an annulment, dear?" she asked, trying to sound motherly and failing.

"I'm not deciding at this point," Hermione stated. She knew this woman was the gossipy type just by looking at her, in spite of what Harry had mentioned. "I don't know what Severus and I want at this point, and I think it should be a mutual decision." She hoped that was enough to fend off the woman's curiosity.

Kingsley interrupted before Ms. Whitmire could respond. "Was there anything else, Ms. Whitmire?"

"No, Minister," she answered, rising, knowing that she was being dismissed.

As soon as she left, Kingsley passed out the sandwiches and butterbeers, tossing one to each of them. Hermione missed her butterbeer, which was saved from crashing on the floor by Harry. "I have another matter to discuss with you kids, sorry, old habit, young people. Apparently, the Malfoys are claiming all of you as witnesses for them at their hearings," he said, levitating them all napkins.

"They are what?" Hermione asked, gobsmacked.

"After what they did to Luna?" Neville said, incensed.

"What exactly do they think we can tell the Wizengamot?" Harry asked at the same time then apologized to Neville.

Ginny turned to Harry. "Didn't you say that Narcissa lied for you in the forest?"

Luna patted Neville's hand. "It's all right, I wasn't really hurt too badly. It's Hermione who got most of it."

"They abducted you and held you prisoner," Neville said angrily.

"I thought that they were at home?" Hermione asked, confused. "If Severus is in Azkaban for his crimes, why are the Malfoys at home?"

"They are under house arrest and have monitors they have to wear. Their wands are being held until after the investigation. But truthfully, besides destruction of the Hall of Prophecies in the Department of Mysteries, and the fact that Lucius was a Death Eater, we don't have very much on him and nothing on Narcissa. And Draco Malfoy has almost no charges against him except arranging the break in to Hogwarts and using the Cruciatus on fellow students, although he bears the scar from his Dark Mark."

"He Crucioed me!" Neville spat, expelling a bit of chewed sandwich.

"We also know that they took Severus before the Final Battle and apparently saved his life," Harry stated. "He was staying at the manor, right under our nose."

Kingsley smiled. "I know. Lucius had Severus' room under the Fidelius Charm. We knew he was at Malfoy manor but were unable to find the room he was in. We searched several times. No one could find the room in the manor or see Severus unless he showed them the room himself. Quite clever actually."

"But he told me where he was staying," Hermione said, confused, "and I told Ginny."

Harry looked at her, confused as well. "Yes, and no. Didn't you say that he took you there?" Kingsley asked. "That's one of the loop holes of the charm; Severus could take you to the room, but you'd not be able to find it on your own. And yes, you could say he was at the manor, but every time we inquired, Lucius simply said 'he isn't here,' and that we were 'free to look around.' We had quite a time of getting the truth from the Malfoys because of the charm and their lack of cooperation. Narcissa was most assiduous about protecting Severus."

"So let me get this straight," Luna said, setting her butterbeer down on the desk. "The Malfoys are all under investigation for being confirmed Death Eaters, but are given the privilege of house arrest as long as they don't have their wands, but Severus, who is actually innocent, is in Azkaban?"

"Yes," Kingsley stated.

"That's hardly fair," Luna said angrily.

"No, it isn't," Kingsley stated. "So help me fix this wrong."

~ T B C ~>

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