Investigation and Internment

~o0o~

Day 23

It took two days of persuasion to get Snape to relent into letting Hermione help him and to talk about whom in the Order may have known about his activities during the war. Not surprisingly, he always reported his information to Dumbledore, occasionally in the presence of other Order members. However, after Dumbledore's death, Snape used to use a dark horned owl or a very clever barn owl to send notes to either Shacklebolt or Moody, up until Moody's death. Then the owls were sent to Kingsley, Arthur Weasley or Hestia Jones and occasionally to Tonks or Lupin. The problem was he'd been concerned about sending messages to Arthur Weasley or Hestia Jones, so he disguised his writing in case one of their kids ever saw the notes, and when sending messages to Tonks, so she would take his notes and warnings seriously. He'd frequently contacted Lupin as well. However, Hestia, Lupin and Tonks were dead. Snape always disguised his handwriting from the other Order members or the Auror department, certain that they wouldn't believe him if they knew he'd sent the warnings.

"But what spell did you use to conceal your messages?" she asked again over dinner, still trying to persuade him.

He looked up at her, exasperated. "Miss Granger, I used a Curiosity Spell to force the receiver to open and read the message, and a Camouflage Charm that tricks the reader from recognizing the writing. I used to use them frequently on notes in school. Both are Dark Arts spells."

"But if I knew the spells, I could..."

"I – am – not – teaching – you – Dark – Magic," he snapped each word irritably. "Now drop it."

So that was final.

This made her list very short, considering four of the members who'd have been able to vouch for him were dead. Not very helpful when trying to build a defense. So far she was able to learn that aside from Dumbledore, Snape didn't trust too many other people, and since the portrait wouldn't be able to testify on his behalf, Hermione was worried, although she tried very hard to hide the fact from Snape. Nevertheless, she was sure that he knew. Hermione was certain that only Kingsley and possibly Mr. Weasley would have kept the notes, and she sent the information to Harry, including the mention of Moody, Lupin, Tonks and Ms. Jones, hoping that he'd be able to track down some evidence of Snape's support of the Order. There was also a list of people that Snape had been able to save, indirectly, by sending anonymous messages to the Aurors he knew, although it was doubtful that any of these people would know that it was Snape's warning that had saved their lives.

~o0o~

Day 24

An owl arrived several hours before lunch as Hermione was hanging up the laundry in the atrium. She inadvertently set her timers for her potions down next to a monkey's paw creeper to hang up Snape's sheets when an owl started pecking on the glass window. She fought the plant to release her timers and walked to the back door to let the owl in. Hermione concentrated on one thought as she approached the door: I want to see the magical plants... I want to see the magical plants, as she pulled the door open. The owl swooped in and flew down the hallway obviously looking for Snape.

She waited several seconds for the owl to return, letting the door close behind the bird, and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. She nearly slipped on the parchment he'd tossed on the floor. Bending down, she retrieved the letter. "Here, I think you dropped this," she said, handing the parchment to him.

"I don't want it," he snapped curtly.

"All right," she said, setting the letter on the dish cupboard. She saw the St. Mungo's logo of a crossed wand and leg bone on the top of the parchment. "What's this about? We sent your forms in already?"

He watched her, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. "They have the audacity to demand that I go have a health and wellness physical examination," he sneered, indicating the letter. It only emphasized the fact that something in the letters had angered him.

Hermione nodded and shrugged. At least he's not angry with me... Hermione flicked her wand, Summoning the forms, watching as they all rose off the floor. She caught them easily. "These are the forms we signed and verified with our wands. Why are they being sent back? What is this about? I don't understand?" she asked and then raised her eyebrow when he simply glared back at her.

"They returned the forms," he said, trying to amend his tone toward her. "Read it," he said, stretching the two words with a disdainful drawl as he pointed toward the letter beside her.

Hermione picked up the letter.

Dear Master Severus Snape,

I am writing you in acknowledgement of the receipt of the required forms to reestablish your living status. However, I regret to point out that it is necessary for you to come deliver these forms in person for a health and wellness examination in order that a qualified Healer may sign off on your living status. Please contact the appointment desk to schedule your appointment at the next earliest convenience....

She lowered her hands, looking at Snape. "All right, so we go."

"No," he snapped. "I don't feel like going."

Hermione raised an eyebrow and smiled. "And if you don't have a choice?"

"I'm not going." He rolled his eyes to stare straight ahead.

Hermione leaned against the cupboard, appraising his outburst. "Okay, so if you won't go there, do you know any Healer that would come here? How about asking that friend of yours? You said that Master Kirkwell's wife might make a house call to verify that you're alive."

"She's not exactly a Healer," he stated.

Hermione cocked her head, not comprehending his remark.

Snape turned to her, his expression hard and controlled. "Henrietta's not a Healer, per se. She was the senior medi-witch for the Kenmare Kestrels."

She nodded again, understanding why he hadn't owled her. "What about Kirkwell or Healer Grunmaker..."

He moved his head very slightly to indicate no. "A Master of Potions won't qualify and Harold will be too busy. I won't impose."

There has to be someone he knows... all those years as a Death Eater, from what Harry told me about Riddle, Snape must have been hurt sometime... "Do you know any Healer well?" she asked, trying to draw him out.

"Only Poppy," he admitted, "but she doesn't leave Hogwarts unless there isn't anyone living or staying on the school grounds."

"Didn't you ever go to St. Mungo's for treatment?" she asked. "Who tended to you when you were wounded or hurt?"

"Wizard medicine isn't like Muggle medicine, Miss Granger. You don't have a family Healer unless you can afford one."

"But your mum must have taken you to see someone if you were sick or seriously hurt. Right?" she asked, thinking about Dr. Andrews, her pediatrician.

"No, not since I was a child," he said. He took a deep breath to continue before she could ask him about the rest of his life. "My father usually insisted I go to a doctor. Mum only took me to St. Mungo's a few times for my childhood potions or when she didn't think my dad would find out. Poppy was the school nurse when I was a student. Before I started teaching, Lucius owled his family Healer on my behalf – once – but usually I just tended to myself."

Hermione shook her head, deep in thought. "All those years... You make it sound so... sad – lonely. Like you couldn't or didn't turn to anyone for help. Was there really no one you turned to?"

"Don't pity me, Miss Granger. I'm usually very self-reliant," he stated, his expression hard at what he perceived to be pity in her eyes. "Usually I kept my own supply of potions and cured myself. If my wounds were severe, Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, would cry for me or Poppy would tend to me. That was all I needed."

Hermione collected the papers and placed them neatly on the shelf in the hutch, considering what he'd just told her. It makes sense; except for Madam Pomfrey I don't know any other Healers either. I wonder how much a Healer house call is? She stood up and walked into the kitchen to prepare lunch. "Sandwiches and soup okay?"

"Sure," he said unenthusiastically.

When she sat down to eat, Hermione looked up at Snape and pointed her spoon at him.

"No, I am not going to St. Mungo's," he snapped.

"Actually I was wondering if... never mind," she said, scooping up more soup.

"Ask," he said, modulating his tone.

"I was wondering... well, I haven't seen my friends for days, and I'd like to talk to Harry and Ron – find out first-hand where they are in your investigation." She bit her lip nervously.

"You're welcome to leave anytime you wish," he stated coolly.

"You are able to get around well enough with the walker. The wound is closed, and you are getting your strength back." She set her spoon down and looked up at him hopefully. "The only problem is... Will you allow me to return?"

"I'd think you'd want to run away by now," he said surlily.

Hermione smiled. "Actually, no. We still have a tutorial arrangement I fully intend to hold you to, and my last two potions won't be done for another five days." She picked up her sandwich. "No problem, I'll just send Arimus with another letter..."

"Spinner's End."

She looked up at him, gobsmacked, certain she'd misunderstood him, in total disbelief that he'd told her what she thought he'd did.

"Close your mouth, Miss Granger," he snapped at her. "Yes, my address is thirty-nine, Spinner's End. You can Apparate from the trees near the corner of the street. When you return, turn left onto Spinner's End and walk to the end of the street. The door will only appear if you want to see 'the Prince house.' I'll fix the wards to identify your wand's signature."

"Thank you, sir." She couldn't believe it. He trusts me.

"How long will you be gone?" he asked, curious.

Hermione smiled. "Today, maybe tomorrow at the latest; just long enough to get Harry and Ron to tell me what's going on." She wanted to run and pack. "Oh, will you be all right if I'm gone overnight?"

"I don't need my wound tended to anymore, and yes, I can fend for myself for merely two whole days, Miss Granger," he said sarcastically.

"My potions will have two introductions tomorrow morning, one late morning, the other again in the afternoon." He tipped his head slightly, still not able to really nod his head without pain. She finished her soup quickly. "You know, you may call me Hermione."

"No," he said, furrowing his brow. "Not yet."

Well it's one victory. He's allowed me to know how to come and go from his home. "Okay, I'll set the last of the roast to simmer in water with some vegetables. That way dinner will be ready for you when you want to eat. It will be enough for two meals for you. And there is the ham."

His expression softened into an unreadable mask. "I'll be just fine."

*

"Hermione!"

No sooner did George open the door and pull her inside than she found herself immediately surrounded by tall, red-haired men, two of whom were trying to squeeze the air from her lungs. "Hermione!" Ron and George exclaimed, not exactly in unison.

"It's Hermione!"

"Mum, Mum, it's Hermione!" Ginny squealed from somewhere deeper in the house.

"Let the girl breathe," Mr. Weasley admonished from the general direction of the stairs.

"Hermione's here?" she heard Harry ask.

"Let go of her," Ginny admonished, squeezing her way in between her brothers and father. "Oh! It's really you!" she exclaimed, adding her arms around Hermione's middle.

"Ouch! Ron, that's my foot!" she heard George scold Ron on her other side.

"Back away and let the girl in!" Mrs. Weasley yelled. "And close the door! You were not raised in a barn."

Slowly the group began to disentangle and back off, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, Harry, and Mr. Weasley all staring at her as if they'd not seen her for years. "So, he let you go?" Ginny asked, still standing close to Hermione's side.

"I wasn't a prisoner, Ginny. But I couldn't just leave him. I had no idea where he lived, and I knew that if I left him, he'd die."

"Hermione, was he decent to you?" Mr. Weasley asked, deeply concerned. "He didn't take any... um... advantage of you?"

Hermione smiled. "Well, he's Professor Snape – what do you think?" she teased.

Mr. Weasley squinted his eyes, regarding her comment critically, obviously taking her remark too seriously.

Hermione held up her hands in supplication. "He was fine. Really. He never laid a hand on me or tried in any way to hurt me or curse me."

"And he's at home, wandless... alone?" he asked, still unconvinced.

"Mr. Weasley, he still uses the walker to move around the house. He can only do simple spells, and it hurts him to move his head too quickly. I have his assurance that he will stay in his home, and I'm to receive an owl or his Patronus if he has need of me."

"So he's still recovering?" Ginny asked. Her voice had a hint of concern.

Hermione looked at her and nodded. "The fangs of the snake tore into his throat and very near the vertebra of his neck. That's what's taking so long. Nearly tore his artery and pierced his neck right next to the bones. I think there was some nerve damage, but that is healing. He had me make all kinds of potions for him... as well as many potions for St. Mungo's."

Harry walked around the table and sat down. Hermione sat in the chair opposite him while Ginny and Ron took both chairs on either side of her. "I was certain he was dead. I was stunned when Ginny said you were at his house, healing him." Harry looked at her as if annoyed. Mr. Weasley sat down in his chair while Fred and George sat on either side of Harry. It was as if they were all ready to sit down to dinner. Only Bill stayed standing. "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep it a secret?"

Hermione let out a sharp breath. "And how would you have reacted, Harry? Taken Buckbeak or a school Thestral to try and find me? Sent every Auror you know to try to find the house and what? Bring me back?"

Harry looked away and Ron looked at his hands.

"That's exactly what they did when I told them," Ginny admitted, giving Hermione a knowing smile. "And I did try to break it to them gently!"

"They went nuts when we finally heard," Fred said, pointing first at Ron, then Harry.

"Did not," Harry and Ron exclaimed.

"Tried every way we knew how to find you," George said, unintentionally cutting off Mr. Weasley.

"But you are okay, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Hermione raised her hands as she shrugged, looking at the motherly woman. "I'm fine. I've made some incredible potions under his tutelage, had hundreds of books to read on all sorts of subjects, been learning loads of nonverbal spells, and I've been studying for my N.E.W.T.s..."

"Figures," George said, laughing as Ron asked, "He's been teaching you?"

"Well, sure. I still intend on taking N.E.W.T.s, Ron, and he is a Hogwarts professor..." Ron and George both shook their heads while Ginny and Harry started laughing.

"Hermione," Harry said, trying to stop laughing long enough to speak. "Only you would take advantage the time you're spending healing a professor to get private lessons! But couldn't you have chosen someone more... amiable?"

Hermione chose to ignore the question. "Mrs. Weasley, would it be too presumptuous of me to ask if I could stay the night? I haven't anywhere else at the moment to go..."

"Of course, my dear," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling. "You're always welcome here. Go on up and get freshened up before dinner. You can stay in Ginny's room. Do you need anything? Clothes? Anything need cleaning? You have your toiletries?" she rattled off as Hermione nodded, shook her head, then nodded again. "Fine. Boys, I expect you to leave her alone until she's had a proper bath. Ginny, you and George pull out a cot and get some bed covers. Bill, if you'd owl Kingsley and let him know Hermione is here and well. I'll start supper."

As soon as Hermione finished her bath, she went to Ginny's room to change. All the clothes she'd laid out on Ginny's bed were missing. Hermione looked up stunned, turned around, and was about to run downstairs and hex Fred and George when the door opened.

"Mum found your clothes and has them in the wash," Ginny said, coming in the door, laughing at Hermione's expression. "I'm to give you these for you to wear in the meantime. You left them here last summer."

She lowered her wand and sat on the bed. "Thanks, Ginny. For a moment, I thought it was Fred and George. I was going to give them both a piece of my mind."

"And some antlers by the look in your eyes." Ginny sat down and averted her eyes as Hermione dressed. "How have you been? Have – was he... Are you okay? I was really worried when you were suddenly gone and more so when you explained to me where you were."

"Yeah, Ginny, it's all right." Hermione pulled a few things out of her beaded bag.

Ginny stood up and pulled Hermione's trunk out from under her bed. "I kept this for you."

Hermione looked at her trunk and smiled. "Do you remember when you and I tried to make our trunks have extra compartments?" Ginny nodded. "Well, I found a book on how it's done." Both girls laughed. "Gin, look, I really don't have a lot of time. I promised that I'd be back tomorrow night. I want to talk to you, Harry and Ron... but privately... and I..."

"Aren't ready to face my parents' questions? They're both on the Dark Years War Trials Committee as are Bill, Fred, George, Harry, Ron and myself. My mum didn't want to be on the Criminal Investigation Committee because she felt she wouldn't be able to be impartial, but she was talked into it."

"Because of your brothers?" Hermione asked, trying to be sensitive to her friend. She had no idea how or if her friend was coping with Percy's death.

Ginny simply nodded, looking down at her hands. "It's... hard on Mum."

"Gin, are Harry and Ron downstairs or are they in Ron's room?"

"Downstairs," she replied, and Hermione let out an exasperated sigh. "I've got an idea," Ginny said, jumping up to her feet and heading for the door. "Come with me." She went quickly and quietly up to Ron's room and eased open the door. Pig let out a screech as soon as he saw her. Ginny quickly opened the owl's cage and sat down on Harry's bed.

Hermione shrugged and sat down too.

"I think Harry has a letter to send," Ginny said casually to the owl. Pig swooped in circles, missed the slanted ceiling, overshot his curve and flew out into the hall. Ginny immediately closed the door. "Pig will go down and get them."

Moments later Ron and Harry came back to the room, both still trying to catch Pig. "Ginny! What'd you do that for?"

"To talk to you of course," Ginny said, giggling.

Harry sat down next to Ginny and wrapped an arm around her pulling her close. "All right, you got me."

"Harry. Ron... I wanted to talk to you about the investigation for Professor Snape," Hermione said, hoping they would talk openly about it.

"Sure, Hermione," Ron answered. "You are after all his Protective Custody Services Monitor."

Harry straightened up and looked at Hermione intently. "Hermione, you are part of his investigation. Only we've not really been able to meet like we're supposed to. So if you'll answer some questions I've got, we'll tell you what we've got, and we'll go from there."

Hermione sighed in relief. "Okay, ask away."

Both Harry and Ron slid down on the floor to get their files from their brief-cases. "Ever since your owl, Hermione, I've been digging in the files at the office. Kingsley gave me everything he could find from the papers he kept from his old desk. The man is notoriously neat and efficient." Harry pulled out a folder and opened it up. "I've got everything here that I saw in Snape's writing."

"He told me that he disguised his writing after Dumbledore's death because he didn't think anyone would take him seriously. He said he sent some messages to Moody, up until Moody was killed. I don't think he disguised his handwriting on those but he might have. He wrote to your dad, Ron, and to Hestia Jones, but they were disguised too..." Hermione said, trying to remember everything.

"Okay, so I have to go digging in Moody's case files. That could take months!" Ron exclaimed.

"What if I help you," Ginny offered. "I know Snape's handwriting."

"That's a great idea, Gin! With the four of us, we can search through the files quicker." Harry reached into his briefcase and pulled out a form. "Ginny," Harry said, quickly filling out a directive form. "I'm going to give you this. Go to the office and tell Carol that I need all of Moody's files from Dark War I to his retirement. Then come back." He handed Ginny the form, but pulled it back before she grasped it. "Oh, and wait, and all anonymous notes and messages the office received, warning us about Death Eater attacks during Dark War II. There're several large boxes of those. If Snape didn't sign his name, used any spells or an unidentifiable signature, or even just initials, it will be in those boxes." He handed Ginny the form. "Assure Carol I'll return everything on Monday."

"That doesn't give us much time with them," Ginny said, worried.

"His arraignment is on Tuesday," Harry stated. "The way these arraignments are handled, if I can show enough proof to validate Snape's involvement for the Order, and that he was Dumbledore's man, there won't be a trial and he'll be free."

"Ginny." Hermione looked up as she rose to her feet. "Take my beaded purse. It's empty. Everything will fit inside." Ginny nodded as she ran from the room.

"If he sent messages to Lupin and Tonks, Andromeda Tonks may have some..." Ron said, taking down some notes and rising to his feet as well. "I can go there tonight and see."

"And I'll talk to Mr. Weasley," Harry stated. "Hopefully we'll get lucky."

"Harry, Ron, I have a question and I don't want you to be offended or anything..."

"Sure, Hermione," Ron said. "What?"

"I know that you've been accepted into the Auror training program, but this is a big case.... Isn't it? And..." She didn't want to sound like she wasn't grateful that her friends were helping Snape's case, but he's right. It's odd. "How'd you get it?"

"I told Shacklebolt about Snape's memories," Harry said. "I took him to see them, and he figured that Ron and I, we could do this. We're getting credit for handling the case. So he spoke to the training instructors."

Ron nodded. "He said that we work well together and all. Plus, since Snape gave those memories to Harry, it was kind of like he'd asked him, too. Besides, the Aurors are really busy now, chasing down all the Death Eaters who escaped. The department is stretched really thin."

"Yeah, that makes sense. In a way I'm glad it's you two. Harry, with your permission, I'd like to go to Grimmauld Place and search your library for information," Hermione asked. "Maybe I can find something..."

"Sure, Hermione, but take someone with you," Harry said, rising and offering her a hand up." I don't want you there alone. There are too many Death Eaters still at large who'd love to hurt or kill you."

"Harry, what are his chances?" Hermione asked as they walked down the stairs.

"Hermione, I don't have much." Harry paused. "I have contacted Healer Grunmaker and Potions Master Kirkwell, and they are both willing to come and testify in regards to his assistance as an Interim Potions Brewer and to vouch that Snape was sending antidotes and curative potions for Riddle's and the Death Eaters' victims. That will help. Also, Poppy and Hagrid said they'd come." He looked at her curiously. "You like him?"

"Admire him. Yes."

*

Bill set down another volume on a growing pile of books. "Hermione, I don't see anything that will help. Most of these are years old," he said, stretching. "Mum will be right pissed if we miss dinner."

"Yeah, I'm not finding anything here," she said, closing a thick book.

Kreacher poked his head in the doorway for the hundredth time. "Is Miss and Master done with my Master's books?"

"Yes, we are," Hermione said, stacking books to start putting them away.

"No, no, no... Miss! Kreacher put books away," the elf said, running into the room.

"I don't want to make extra work for you..." She paused as Kreacher's face contorted into a scowl. "You've done so much for us already, what with the tea, sandwiches and biscuits. But if you don't mind, I'd appreciate if you'd pack up some of your delicious biscuits so that I can take them to Harry."

Kreacher's wrinkled face stretched into a big grin. "Yes, Miss, I have biscuits for Master, I go gets them."

"Well, it's not a total loss, those biscuits are really good!" Bill exclaimed, swishing his wand, making his pile of books return to their rightful place.

"Oh, you're going to need to teach me that one," she said, smiling as Kreacher ran back into the library with a basket full to the rim with his biscuits, still hot from the oven.

*

Hermione and Bill returned to find Ginny, Fred and George all shifting through piles of files and logs, journals and random sheets of parchment at the kitchen table. "About time you got back," Fred said cheekily. "Mum's had dinner ready for an hour."

"Is she mad?" Hermione asked.

George shook his head. "Nah, she figures this is important."

"Dad calmed her down," Fred added.

"You can eat if you're hungry," Ginny said, switching files.

"Kreacher made us sandwiches and biscuits," Bill said with a grin. "We brought back loads of biscuits."

"Cool. We've been digging through this stuff for hours," George stated.

Hermione looked at Ginny with a big smile, then over to the twins. "You're willing to help too?"

Ginny shifted a thick file aside. "I had to bribe them," she said as she placed a sheet of parchment on a pile in the center of the table. "Find anything?"

"Nothing useful." She sat down next to George. "Where do I begin?"

Fred set a thick file in front of her. "Anything in Snape's writing goes on this stack," he said, pointing to a very small pile of sheets.

"Anything that gives a warning goes in my pile, and I have to check it against the journals and logs," George added.

"Have her help you with that," Ginny piped in. "Bill, could you maybe help me sort these out?"

"Gin, I don't know his handwriting all that well," Bill said, taking a seat. "It's been a long time since I had him as a professor."

"Okay, Bill, how about if you check these against the journals," Fred stated.

George took the pile of files from Hermione and passed them to Bill. "Just check which of these warnings of Death Eater activities proved out," George stated.

Fred pointed to stack between him and George. "Ones that do are in this pile."

"Ones that aren't are put back in the folders," George added.

"Oh, one more thing... Snape said that he often used a Curiosity Charm and a Camouflage Charm on his messages, apparently Dark Arts ones..." Hermione stated as she reached for a file. "But he wouldn't tell me which ones."

"Good thing I'm a curse-breaker then, isn't it?" Bill asked as he started checking the dates on a short note. "Hand me any that seem cursed – I'll check those."

"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked, grinning.

"With Dad, digging through his papers," Ginny said.

"Yeah," Fred said, "haven't seen him for hours either."

"Might have gotten lost in the shed," George stated.

"We'll send in a search party tomorrow," Fred added with a wicked grin.

George mimicked Fred's grin. "Or send Mum."

~o0o~

Day 25

The next morning, Hermione awoke to the familiar smells she always associated with her summers at the Burrow. Warm cinnamon, fresh bread, sausages, bacon and... flowers...? Someone snuck in with flowers last night! Probably Harry, and placed them on Ginny's bedside table. She wouldn't have taken Harry for being a romantic. Ginny wasn't in the room, so she quickly dressed and ran downstairs.

"Ron hasn't been home," Ginny stated as Hermione entered the kitchen. "I think he stayed at Mrs. Tonk's." She and Bill were already at work. "Did you find anything?" she asked as Harry entered the room.

"Loads, many that Mr. Weasley said turned out to be very good tips, and many warnings that he'd had several Order members follow up on. Your dad kept notes on which were good and which weren't, so if any more came in the same handwriting, he knew to act on them right away. I have all the ones that turned out to be genuine, but not all of them are in Snape's writing." He stretched and strode to the kitchen to get a cup of breakfast tea.

"Harry, bring me a cup, will you," Bill asked. "Snape used spells to disguise his handwriting. I've pretty much got them figured out now. Let me have them and I'll check."

Harry nodded, handing Bill a mug of strong tea. "So where are we at?"

"Four piles. These are not his and need to be refiled. These are in his handwriting. Most have a Curiosity Spell and a Camouflage Charm on them that Bill was able to break through and we now know were written by Snape," Ginny explained. "This pile we don't know yet, that one – Bill said have other curses on them and don't touch. He's working on them."

"I'll get all the ones I got from your dad," Harry said. "I'll start checking them against the Auror records."

Fred and George walked into the kitchen, stretching. "So are we still at it?"

"Gin, you, Ron and Harry will be spending many weekends at the shop!" Fred said with a mischievous grin.

Both Hermione and Harry turned to Ginny with very curious expressions. "What? I told you I bribed them," she said, trying to sound innocent.

"Yeah. You'll be testing out new products," George said, summoning the teapot and two mugs.

"And giving your endorsement," Fred added. "Having you three in the shop will be great for business." He sat down at the table, looking over the piles of files. "Where's Mum?"

"Mum and Dad went to Hestia Jones' place," Ginny said, obviously glad the subject had changed. "Since Dad knows what you're looking for, Harry, he figured he'd give you a hand. He may find stuff to help others as well. Hestia was trying to save Muggle-borns and Undesirables' homes by creating very complicated paper trails to cover bogus sales. Apparently, Agatha Levin, Hestia's best friend, convinced your aunt to help, Harry. Said what Voldemort was doing was very much like what Hiltar did to the Jews, and she decided to help."

"Hitler," Harry corrected her. "Aunt Petunia helped?"

"From what I heard this morning, your aunt has a real talent for real estate." Bill got up to exchange a pile of folders and files from the boxes stacked up along the sofa.

"Your uncle was thrilled and annoyed. Strange man. A woman can work and maintain a house... especially if you've only got one kid," Ginny added, shifting files.

"Fred, I thought Harry had two cousins?" George asked.

"Nah, George, he's just the size of two," Fred replied.

George held his hand up to his missing ear. "'Ear, 'ear... I can't quite 'ear you?"

*

"Good afternoon, Weasleys," Mr. Weasley said when he and Mrs. Weasley came home just before lunch.

"Afternoon, Dad," everyone automatically answered. Hermione looked at Harry, grinning.

"Goodness, that was a chore," Mr. Weasley said, sitting down. "How's the case going?"

Suddenly Ron appeared from the Floo, looking exhausted. "Merlin, babies are hard work!" He walked over and gave Mrs. Weasley a firm hug and a big kiss on the cheek.

"What's that for?" she asked as she cleaned him up with her wand.

"I've never really appreciated how much you've done, Mum." Ron dropped his briefcase on the edge of the table. "Oh, here're a few pictures of me and Teddy Tonks."

"Did you find anything?" Harry asked, making room for him to sit.

"Yes. Everything Lupin had was kept in a trunk and two traveling cases. Of course, they're wizard cases and hold a lot more than they look, but it was neat and extremely well organized. Found what he had easily," Ron explained as he sat down and started to scratch at some dried milk drool on his robes. Giving up, he looked over at Harry. "Tonks – well... her desk looked like her – klutzy, disorganized and scattered. It took me hours to figure out how she organized things. Mrs. Tonks tried to help as much as she could, between taking care of Teddy and crying. But it's all neat and organized now." He pulled his briefcase onto his lap and started to withdraw files. "You know Tonks was actually an amazing Auror and witch."

"I brought every warning of Death Eater information or activity either Tonks or Lupin received, although half aren't in Snape's writing." Ginny scowled, as Ron plopped several folders on a pile she'd been working on. "So what have we got so far?" Ron asked, oblivious to Ginny's annoyed smirk.

*

"Mr. Weasley, do you have a moment?" Hermione asked.

He and Mrs. Weasley had been organizing Hestia's files over by the sofa. He wanted to keep them separate so as to be able to return the ones that didn't apply to Harry's and Ron's case.

"Of course, dear. Do you want me to give you a moment?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Hermione, sure, sit down," he said at the same time, moving a file of papers off of a chair.

"No, Mrs. Weasley, you may be able to answer this as well." Hermione looked up at them, not sure what Snape would consider personal or not. "What do you know about verifying someone's living status?"

"Some," Mr. Weasley said, his brow wrinkling in concentration. "Why?"

"Apparently Snape was declared dead. St. Mungo's sent Snape a bunch of forms. He signed them, and I signed as witness, and we both wand verified our signatures. However, the forms were returned, and apparently Snape has to go to St. Mungo's for a health and wellness physical, only he can't leave the house." Hermione looked up, watching both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's faces become gravely serious. "That's why I went to Grimmauld Place to see if there was a way around this... What?"

"Hermione, which forms were sent to him," Mr. Weasley asked.

His tone made Hermione uncomfortable. "Acknowledgement of Life Form, a Death Reversal Form, a long form titled Accidental Death, Dismemberment and Disappearance Form, and his death certificate, if I'm remembering correctly."

"Did they require a Healer to sign as witness of his signature on the death certificate?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I think it said we needed to have a qualified Healer confirm his living status."

"Did he have to sign on the line, 'confirm the error of reported life termination,' or something like that?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yes, something sort of like that," she replied. "Not exactly – but really close." Hermione looked down at her hands. "He won't go. I don't know if it's his pride or because of the walker, or what? He won't go. He was going to have Mrs. Kirkwell come and verify his living status, but she's a medi-witch not a Healer." She looked up, first at Mr. Weasley then at Mrs. Weasley. "Healer Grunmaker's letter was most specific that it had to be a Healer."

"Harold Grunmaker?" Mrs. Weasley asked, surprised.

Hermione simply nodded.

"Hermione, he's fairly high up at St. Mungo's. He doesn't usually handle proof of life." Mrs. Weasley sounded astonished.

"Apparently they're friends – or are at least friendly," Hermione stated. "His post script said that Maggie sent her regards."

"Well, there is your answer dear," Mrs. Weasley said, smiling. "He can write to Margaretta Grunmaker. She is a Healer, retired, but qualified nonetheless. And if she's adding her regards to her husband's official notification, it's possible they're both on friendly terms with Severus."

"Hermione, I cannot stress to you enough the seriousness of this matter. Severus must be officially recognized as living, healthy and well. Otherwise, all my sons' efforts – yours, and Harry's too – will be in vain. The Ministry takes death notifications very seriously. If Severus isn't declared to be alive before his arraignment, he will be written off as a dead criminal and carted off to Azkaban, as an impostor or Inferi."

Hermione returned his gaze with incredulity. "This is such nonsense. How can I be appointed as his Protective Custody Services Monitor if they consider him to be dead? Why does everything the Ministry does seem so... backward?"

"It's not as bad as all that, Hermione, although it may seem some times," Mr. Weasley stated understandingly. "Especially now since there is such short notice, and this case for Severus is moving along so quickly."

"Maybe you're right," she said, her shoulders sagging a little as she looked up at him. "It just seems like it's a bureaucratic mess sometimes."

"I know, dear," Mrs. Weasley said. "Go and draft Margaretta Grunmaker a note and ask her what she suggests. See if she can help you out. Then go get Portia, Errol is much too old for this flight."

"Thank you. It's not what I wanted to hear... but thanks for being honest with me." Hermione walked over to the table and placed her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Got a minute?"

"Yeah," Harry said, standing. "What's up?"

"There is a matter of Snape's living status, Harry." She held up her hand when he was about to respond. "I didn't know how serious it was. I have to go and get Snape verified as alive, and I can't do that from here."

"Yeah, sure. Hermione, that's really important – I had the forms sent through St. Mungo's days ago." He turned, looking at the table.

"Harry, I'm sorry... I sent in the forms, but they were returned, and I have to find a Healer to do a house call – one that Snape will let in his house!" She turned to look at everyone working at the kitchen table. "And there's so much to be done..."

"Hermione, it's okay," he said, touching her arm to get her attention. "We've got things covered here. Go take care of that. I'll owl you if anything comes up. I wish I could contact you more directly, but I doubt Snape would ever tell me where his house is."

Hermione hugged Harry briefly and turned to go send the letter. "Thanks. I'll let you know by Galleon as soon as he's officially declared alive. Oh, and tell Ginny that she can use the beaded bag to take all of the files back to the Ministry and to hold onto it for me." She ran up the stairs and quickly threw everything into her school trunk. She drafted two notes. Her first note was to Kingsley, asking if he'd get the order to have Snape transferred to the Ministry under Auror transport rescinded. She was sure that she could get him there without incident. The second was a carefully drafted request to Mrs. Margaretta Grunmaker, explaining Snape's situation and his inability to go to St. Mungo's before his Arraignment date and asking if there was some way she could help.

She was just signing her name when Ron wrapped his arms around her, making her smudge the 'er' of her name. "Ron, please, not now! Oh, bloody dragons!"

"What?" he asked as if insulted. "You hugged Harry?"

"Briefly!" she said, sealing the letter. "I would've come down and said a proper good bye."

"Hermione, I've missed you," he said, reaching out to try to pull her into a hug.

"Not now, Ron," she snapped a bit too sharply. "Look, let me get these off..."

"I thought we were going to start seeing each other?" he said petulantly.

She summoned Portia over to her with her hand. "Will you take these for me?" The owl hooted and extended her leg. "You're an incredible owl, thank you." She tied the letter to Portia's leg. "Ron, please, it's not what you think."

"Explain then," he said waspishly.

Hermione released Portia out the window and turned to face Ron. "Ron, I love you, really I do. But, please understand, this whole thing... it's become personal. It'll be over soon and we'll get together, soon. I promise." She tried to lean over to kiss him on the cheek but he pulled away. "Fine, but I have to go." She levitated her trunk and followed it down the stairs.

*

Hermione Apparated next to few straggly trees between a fence and a mass of bushes, looking down a cobbled street lined on either side by dilapidated brick houses, many with dull dirty windows, and many more having been boarded up. Facing down the street, she saw a single tall chimney from a factory of some kind. She cast a buoyancy charm on her trunk and proceeded to walk down the street, counting along with the few numbers that were still readable on the houses.

She could see that almost all the houses were a 'two-up-and-two-down' style, which was a common design for Victorian workers' housing. The neighboring houses were at some odds with what she knew of Snape's house, since his seemed to be a 'two-up-and-three-down' and were two rooms across, assuming that his house was most likely magically enhanced. Somewhat like Grimmauld Place. At the end of the street, she saw numbers thirty-seven and across the street thirty-eight. The house on the end didn't look quite right. Hermione smiled. "I want to see the Prince house," she mumbled softly and a very worn wooden door appeared. She touched her wand to the latch and the door swung open.

Snape was asleep on his bed when she walked through the dining room boudoir into the kitchen to put away all of the food Mrs. Weasley had prepared for them.

"Did you have a good time?" his bored voice broke the silence.

She smiled again. "Yes. Mrs. Weasley was quite touched by your compliment. She insisted I bring you some of her onion soup and a new loaf of bread. I have enough of her cooking to last us days!"

"And?" he asked, sitting up. "How is my investigation going? Are Potter and Weasley taking it seriously or do I need to hire an advocate?"

Hermione turned around and walked over to his bedside. "I've never seen Harry doing more parchment work. In fact, Harry and Ron are both taking this case very seriously, and they have the entire Weasley household chipping in."

He snorted in derision.

"No, really. Even Ginny, Fred, George and Bill." She reached out to touch his arm, intending on checking his dressing, and he pulled away from her. "Don't be like that. Harry and Ron told me that after seeing the memories you gave Harry, they both believe you. Harry wants to set things right." His dark eyes scrutinized her face as if reading to see if she were lying to him. "Would it make you feel better to hear this from Harry? I could send him an owl and he'd come right over."

"No, I don't want him here," he said, still watching her intently. "No, Miss Granger, I believe you."

Hermione sighed with relief. "Thank you. Now please, let me see your neck."

~o0o~

Day 26

The letter arrived by owl just as Hermione was sipping on her morning tea in the sitting room. A beautiful snow-white owl swooped in through the open window, landed delicately on the armrest of the chair next to Hermione, and extended out her leg.

"Oh, thank you," she said. The owl clicked her beak and waited. "I'll take it right in, are you hungry?" she asked, holding out her arm. The owl landed gently, perched in perfect balance. "Well, you have impeccable manners." Her statement seemed to please the beautiful owl.

"You have a letter." She handed him the envelope.

He opened it and glared at her. "How could you?" he snarled as she passed by his bed.

"What?" she said, retrieving a few pieces of roast for the snowy owl.

"You had no business contacting her," he snapped back.

The owl flew over to Arimus' perch, and he scooted over to make room for her.

"Look, it was necessary," she snapped at him. Snape cocked an eyebrow. "If you're not declared alive, you will be charged as a dead war criminal and locked away, only you'll be registered as an Inferi. Is that what you want?" She walked over to him and glared back at him. "I didn't do all of this to have you declared an Inferi!"

"I don't want her here," he said, crossing his arms defiantly.

"You didn't want me here either. What is it? Why? Are you embarrassed?" His eyes narrowed dangerously at her questions. "You are! Aren't you?!"

"No," he snarled angrily.

"Yes, that's it..." Hermione looked around, but her mind was picturing the street and town he lived in. "All your friends and associates have money. You – but not all of the Dark Lord's followers had wealth."

"No, Miss Granger, not all of the Death Eaters had money, only a few. I don't like having people in my home." He turned to open the walker. "You had no right inviting her here. I don't want her here."

"Look, either you pick up a quill and give her the address and directions or I'm leaving," she demanded. "I won't stay and try to help a defeatist who's given up on himself. That's not the Severus Snape I know, and I don't want to know this one!" She turned to leave and Snape grabbed her arm in a vise like grasp.

"Do not speak to me in that tone, Miss Granger," he snarled.

"The Severus Snape I knew deserved respect. I even respected the arrogant, self-centered misanthrope and the tyrant Potions master. They deserved my respect – but not a defeatist Inferi or someone who would cower away in his home."

"You had no right to do this," he said angrily.

"You're apparently wrong in that assumption. As your Protective Custody Services Monitor, I have every right, and as your friend – a very reasonable concern for you." She turned and rolled her arm so that his hand slid down her arm, and they ended up with her actually holding his hand. "Why won't you let her come and verify your status?"

He tugged his arm and dislodged her grip, but Hermione only stepped closer and placed her hand on his arm. "Why?" she asked. "I thought she was a friend of yours, or at least friendly toward you. She's actually quite happy to do this for you."

"You read my letter?" he asked, gripping her shoulders and turning her to face him squarely. "You do not invite people to my house, Miss Granger."

His movements made her foot slip, and she placed both of her hands on his waist to catch her balance. "No, only you can. Remember the Fidelius Charm?" she looked up at him, imploringly. "I owled her and told her you were unable to come to St. Mungo's before your arraignment. That's all I said – nothing too personal. I said you'd been hurt and were recovering, but unable to get around well," she tried to explain, hoping he'd understand why she did what she did. "Okay, maybe that's getting a bit personal, but she owled me back even before I'd left the Burrow – so she must have responded to my letter the moment she'd received it."

His grip on her shoulders eased off, although he didn't remove his hands. "This should have been my decision, Miss Granger, not yours. I don't like that you did this, but I can't change anything about it. She says she's waiting for my owl."

Hermione looked up at him. The lines on his face had softened and the dark eyes regarded her with intelligent thought. This was Severus Snape with his guard down, no sneer and no smirks. The man without his mask and as she looked at him, he almost looked handsome to her. "Why won't you let people see the real you? What are you afraid of – rejection? You are a remarkable man. Why can't you see that?"

"Not many see me that way," he said, coolly the mask slipping into place, then fading again.

She smiled, removing her hands, sliding one along his arm. "Because you don't let them."

*

Hours later an elegantly dressed witch arrived with a large dragon skin satchel. Margaretta Grunmaker greeted Hermione warmly and followed her into the potions lab where Snape was working on one of his potions. She approached Snape, delighted to see him up and working, and greeted him like an old friend. They spoke briefly before she urged him to sit, showing great concern that he shouldn't stand unnecessarily on her account.

Mrs. Grunmaker took a moment to review his forms as she waited for Snape to finish his work long enough to let her examine him for his physical. She conversed easily with Hermione while they waited, speaking softly about Hermione's plans for the future.

As soon as Snape could set his potions aside, he approached the desk, leaning heavily on the walker. "Where would you like to do this, Margaretta," he asked politely.

"I would prefer a bed, if that's all right. I noticed that there is one set up in the kitchen," she stated with a gracious smile. "Will that be comfortable for you, Severus?"

"That would be fine. After you," he said simply, holding his hand out.

In Hermione's opinion, the physical was rather quick. Mrs. Grunmaker made a few notes and signed the forms while Hermione made tea. Afterwards they sat at the table and had a nice visit. Mrs. Grunmaker obviously respected Snape quite a bit, based on her inquiry regarding his trial and offered to appear on his behalf. "My husband and I are quite grateful for what you did for Kevin. And the potions, poisons and antidotes you sent to St. Mungo's, warning us that they might be used against unsuspecting people... Severus, you saved so many lives."

"I simply did what I could, Margaretta," he replied, sipping on his tea, his expression cool and calm.

"Oh, Severus, don't be so modest," she said, laughing. "Take credit where it's due. To many you were a lifesaver. My Kevin wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you and that antidote you sent us. Seriously, I was completely crushed when I read you'd died and never been more thrilled than when Mr. Potter requested your death certificate be reversed. Harold has your file on his desk. He wanted to handle it personally."

Hermione was surprised.

"Thank you for doing this," Snape said as he walked her to the door when it was time for Mrs. Grunmaker to go. "Tell Harold thank you as well and give my best to Kevin. He's a good kid, one of the best to come through my classes."

"I'll do that, although didn't Miss Granger tell you?" she asked. "We've been requested to appear at your trial. You'll see Harold tomorrow."

Author's note:

I have a great deal of gratitude for Ladyinthecloak and Machshefa for beta reading this for me. You ladies are great and I really appreciated you doing this. Thank you.

I am making a variation to canon in regards to Kingsley Shacklebolt for these purposes: He obviously has some seniority in the Auror Department. He also apparently held some status with Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour because they both had Kingsley handle special assignments: Fudge brought him along as security when he and Umbridge tried to expel Harry from school and to apprehend Dumbledore, and Scrimgeour assigned him to protect the Muggle Prime Minister. I do not know if Kingsley was in the original Order of the Phoenix, but I'm taking a literary license and claiming that he was on the grounds that he knew James and Lily Potter and doesn't seem like the kind of wizard who wouldn't have joined if he'd heard about the group. Plus, it was crucial that he was in the Order of the Phoenix both times if my next chapter was to work out right...

I have tried to explain this in my story but allow me to clarify:

1. It's post war – the Death Eaters are still loose and causing havoc. There were heavy casualities on the 'good' side and the Aurors would have been there – some may have died, such as Tonks had.

2. Harry asked to stand for Snape – to prove Snape was on the right side. Ron offered to assist – obviously.

3. Kingsley approved. He's Minister of Magic. Letting Jr. Aurors present their reportings at the arraignment frees up the other Aurors and other Law staff that have been stretched thin.

4. Harry and Ron will be judged not only by the court, but also by their Auror Training wizard. They are presenting the facts of their investigation and witnesses. It expedites things.

5. When Harry faced the court in OoTP, he didn't even have an advocate or an attorney – so I wasn't aware that the wizarding world had barristers. Snape doesn't have to defend himself – as Harry did in OoTP, chapter 8 'The Hearing.' IF Dumbledore hadn't shown up with Ms. Figg, Harry would have been standing there all by himself.