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Lost and Found	By : TheLibrarian Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3257 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all his friends (and enemies) are the brain-child of J.K.
Rowling. I�m just borrowing them. Exclusive ownership belongs to JKR, Arthur A.
Levine Books and Scholastic Inc. Jane Sinclair and all additional characters
belong to me. You belong to yourself.

A/N: I know, I know �
the last two chapters were a little dry� But as much as I tried, I just
couldn�t cut them. You all have been very patient with me, letting me indulge
my need for dramatic build-up. Limes, lemons, and sweet lemonade are coming up�
soon. I promise. Cross my heart! Let the fluff commence!

***

Every time I see you, oh, I try to hide away

But when we meet it seems I can't let go

Fading Like A
Flower (Every Time You Leave), Roxette

Chapter
Ten � Freedom�s Just Another Word

�Why so glum, Snape?� The guard escorting him from his cell
was unusually cheerful. �Most people
would be happy to be released from Azkaban. Yet you look like you�re walking to
your death��

Severus
remained silent. The jovial man walking beside him did nothing to soothe his
nerves. He scowled darkly as he pondered the circumstances that had led to his
release. The guard had been unable to give him any details when he arrived
fifteen minutes earlier to escort him to the warden. Severus gritted his teeth.
He had planned for every eventuality. He had disposed of Dumbledore�s memory of
their encounter, where the old Headmaster asked him to put him out of his
misery when the time came. He had modified his own thoughts, so there could be
no doubt whatsoever about his guilt. The evidence against him had been too
condemning. It had been irrefutable. It was impossible that he should be
acquitted. Ever. Something had gone wrong. He must
have overlooked something. But what?

He was still
contemplating where he might have slipped up, when they reached the prison
warden�s office. The guard ushered him inside and took his position by the
door. The warden, a middle-aged rotund man, hurried towards Severus, an
ingratiating smile gracing his puffy red face. He shook Severus� hand with
exaggerated heartiness.

�Snape, my
good man,� he greeted him. �What an extraordinary turn of events, don�t you
think?�

Severus
scowled down at the annoying man. �I wouldn�t know,� he drawled coldly.

The warden�s
eyes grew round. �B-but� don�t you know�?� He stared accusingly at the guard by
the door. �Didn�t you tell him he was being released?�

��course I
did,� the man answered defensively. �Told him exactly what you told me to tell
him.�

�But then� I
don�t understand. Snape, you are free to go.�

�Why?�
Severus� voice was deceptively soft.

�Why?� The
older man repeated, taken aback. Severus Snape was a tough nut to crack. All
his other inmates would have been overjoyed at leaving this godforsaken place.

�Yes, why?�

�Well, I, erm� I�m not privy to the details,� the warden finally
admitted. �All I know is that you were granted a full pardon by the Ministry of
Magic.�

He rummaged
through his cluttered desk until he found what he was looking for. He grabbed
hold of a piece of parchment, brandishing it triumphantly above his head.
Severus snatched the paper from him and scanned it quickly. When he was done,
he crumpled the letter in his fist, cursing under his breath. Damnation! He was
free.

***

Convicted
Murderer Acquitted!

The headline
of this morning�s Daily Prophet screamed at Jane as she unfolded the
newspaper. Severus, scowling darkly at the camera, was depicted just below it.
Jane choked on her toast, and Remus had to thump her several times on the back
until her windpipe cleared. Still gasping for air, she wiped the tears from her
eyes and thrust the newspaper at her friend.

�Remus,� she
cried, �have you seen this?!�

He quickly
scanned the article and handed the paper back to her. �So that�s what all the
whispering is about,� he mused, nodding towards the four house tables, where
students sat huddled together, deeply engrossed in hushed conversation.

Jane
followed his gaze and realized that several students had noticed her outburst
and were now throwing her furtive glances. She stared at the headline once
more, and when the implication hit her, she grew rather pale.

�This can�t
be right,� she whispered, leaning close to Remus. �We know he did it. He
confessed. The evidence against him was overwhelming. Why was he acquitted?�

Remus looked
at her, surprised. �You don�t want him to be free?�

Jane sighed.
Regardless of her feelings for Severus and his cruel behavior towards her, she
didn�t want him to suffer in Azkaban. �Of course, I want him to be free, Remus,
but I don�t understand it. It doesn�t make any sense. I�� She quickly got to
her feet. �I� need to read this� in private.�

He nodded
silently and watched her as she hurried out of the Great Hall, oblivious to the
curious stares she drew. After giving it some thought, he had to agree with
her. Something didn�t add up.

***

Jane stormed
into her quarters and threw the Daily Prophet onto the bed. She began to
pace back and forth, throwing occasional glances at the newspaper lying
innocently on the covers. More than anything did she long to read about
Severus, but she was afraid of what she might find. Jane gnawed on her lower
lip, as she always did when she had to make a difficult decision. When she
finally couldn�t stand it any longer, she gingerly sat on the edge of her bed
and reached for the newspaper. She unfolded the Daily Prophet with
trembling fingers and began to read the article.

In a
surprising turn of evens, the Ministry of Magic has acquitted the convicted
murderer, Severus Snape, former Potions master at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry. Loyal readers will recall that only a few short months ago, Snape
surrendered his person to the Ministry, after a warrant had been issued in his
name for the murder of Albus Dumbledore, former
Headmaster at Hogwarts.

Material
witness to the case was none other than The-Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter, who
was present when the foul deed was committed. However, new evidence has
surfaced recently, which has shaken the Ministry not little. A source from
inside the Ministry has confirmed that it has been proven beyond a reasonable
doubt that Snape, in fact, did not kill Albus
Dumbledore. Indeed, it was one Simon Rathbone, a
Death Eater and long-time loyal supporter of You-Know-Who, who committed the
murder and other most despicable crimes � many of which so vile in nature, we cannot
print them here out of consideration for our readers� sensibilities.

According
to our Ministry source, Rathbone has given a full
confession, during which it became apparent that he had impersonated Severus
Snape on more than one occasion during the last year by means of a Polyjuice Potion. The new evidence has been examined as to
its authenticity and found to be irrefutable. The Ministry has declined any
comment, as to how it plans to compensate Snape for his wrongful imprisonment.
Nor is it known at this point, whether Snape will seek retribution. All we know
at this time is that all wheels have been set into motion to hasten the release
of Severus Snape from Azkaban.

Jane lowered
the paper. Severus would be free! But would she see him again? Would he come
back here? To her? He had made it clear that she meant
nothing to him. And yet, deep in her heart, she did not believe him. But her
brain told her to protect herself, to forget him, to hate him for hurting her.
Jane sighed. Eventually, she would have to talk to him and find out the truth. She
would not make the first move, however. Jane was determined. When she had gone
to him on Christmas Eve, he had sent her away. And when she had visited him in
Azkaban, he had had mocked and insulted her before sending her away. No, she
would not go to him this time. Now it was his turn.

***

Breakfast
was being held in the Great Hall. The first warm sunshine of spring poured
through the windows and the students were chattering excitedly to each other.
Seated at the teachers� table, Jane and Remus were deep in conversation, comparing
soccer with Quidditch. Suddenly, the doors to the
Great Hall were thrown open, banging noisily off the walls, and Severus Snape
strode in, his black robes billowing behind him like a second shadow.

All
conversations stopped mid-sentence, and everybody stared at him with
unconcealed curiosity. Even the Headmistress looked rather disconcerted. Jane
watched in shock, as Severus walked briskly towards the Head table, a
determined expression on his face. Whatever she had wanted to say to Remus stuck
in her throat. He had come, she thought frantically. He had come. Conflicting
emotions surged through her, and her heart began to race. But he disappointed
her. He stopped short in front of the dais, never once looking at Jane.

�What the
hell,� he ground out without preamble, �has happened to my office?!�

The
Headmistress stood and pinned him with a stern glare. �Professor Snape,� she
addressed him primly, �if I call correctly, I asked you to meet me in my
office.�

Severus
didn�t bother with an answer, but merely kept staring at her in his usual aloof
manner.

�Very well,�
McGonagall finally snapped, �could we possibly discuss it in my office now?�

It sounded
more like an order than a question. Several students sniggered. Scowling
darkly, Severus whipped around and searched for the culprits among the crowd.

�Well?!� McGonagall�s left eye began to twitch
impatiently.

Severus
faced her, ready to speak, but then thought better of it. He snapped his mouth
shut, clenching his teeth with forced patience, and inclined his head in a curt
nod.

�Very well, then,� the Headmistress allowed graciously. �If you
will follow me��

Once they
had departed from the Great Hall, the noise level rose considerably as
everybody discussed this new development. Many students looked rather put out
at the prospect of having Potions with Snape again.

A hand fell
on Jane�s, and she jumped. She had been so absorbed in watching Severus that
she had blocked out everything else. His haggard appearance had broken down any
walls she had put up since her visit to Azkaban. His cheeks were even more hollow than she�d remembered, the rings under his eyes
were darker, and his robes hung more loosely on his tall frame.

She looked
down at the hand on hers. It was Remus�. She met his concerned gaze.

�Are you
alright,� he asked her gently.

He had
noticed the color drain from her flushed face and knew she was waging a war
with herself. Jane had told him about her visit to Azkaban. Severus had
insulted and rejected her, and Remus would have loved to punch some sense into
him, to punish him for hurting Jane.

�Of course I
am, Remus. Why wouldn�t I be?�

�Severus��
he began.

��has made
it very clear that he has no use for a silly infatuated woman. I agree
wholeheartedly.�

Remus did
not believe his ears. She quickly squeezed his fingers and nodded proudly. Her
chin came up a notch.

�My
affections were totally misplaced, Remus,� Jane rationalized, trying to
convince him as well as herself. �I was alone for such a long time� and working
so closely with Severus under such confined conditions� well, it skewed my
perception of him � you could say, it affected my judgment. I have no one to
blame but myself.�

Remus kept
watching his friend attentively, but he made no attempt to hide his skepticism.
Indeed, it was obvious that he didn�t believe one word she�d said. However, he
understood her need to save face, to maintain her dignity. He squeezed her hand
in return and nodded slowly.

�Just know,
I�ll be there for you should you need to talk.�

Jane smiled
at Remus, grateful to have him for a friend. �Thank you, Remus. I appreciate
that.�

A snigger
caught their attention. Several students were watching them and pointed openly
at their joined hands. Flushing, Jane quickly extracted
herself from his grasp.

***

McGonagall
pounded her hand onto the table for the third time that evening. She had no
idea how she�d lost control so quickly during the hastily assembled faculty
meeting.

�Attention! Please!�

Hogwarts�
teachers, however, were no better than its students. They kept discussing Snape�s sudden return and the events that had led to his
release in the first place.

�SILENCE!�

Everybody
swirled around to face the Headmistress, whose red face and angry scowl were a frightening
sight to behold.

�Thank you,�
McGonagall snapped ungraciously. �It�s about time! Now, if you give me a few
minutes of your time, I would like to say a few words regarding Professor
Snape.�

Somebody in
the background began to whisper and McGonagall lost it. �If I have to use a
Silencing Charm on all of you, I shall. Mark my words. Now, may I
have your attention, please?!�

She waited
for a moment until she was sure there would be no further interruptions. She
cleared her throat. �Well then. As you all know by now, Professor Snape has
been cleared of all charges. And during our meeting this morning, he has
expressed his explicit desire to return to Hogwarts as soon as possible.�

Jane paled
and stepped closer to Remus, who placed his hand on her shoulder in quiet
support.

�I have
consulted with Professor Nightshade,� McGonagall continued, nodding towards the
current Potions master, �and we believe we have come up with a solution that
will suit everybody. After Professor Nightshade�s, erm,
unfortunate experiences with the sixth and seventh years, he is more than happy
to relinquish all his N.E.W.T. classes to Professor Snape.�

Basil
Nightshade�s face had turned slightly purple at the mention of the humiliating
pranks he�d suffered at the hands of his students. Jane felt sorry for him. He
was a nice man and didn�t deserve the constant disrespect he had to endure.
Severus, she knew, would whip those kids into shape in no time.

�Furthermore,�
the Headmistress demanded Jane�s attention once more, �Professor Nightshade has
agreed to set up a second Potions laboratory in the West wing of the castle and
return the original Potions quarters to Professor Snape. I would like you all
to put your personal feelings aside and extend Professor Snape the welcome he
deserves, as well as all the professional courtesy you can muster. I also urge
you to caution your students not to indulge in idle and malicious gossip.
Please bear in mind that he is an innocent man, a victim of circumstances.�

Jane scoffed.
She simply couldn�t help it.

�Yes, Miss
Sinclair?� McGonagall looked sternly in her direction. �Do you have anything to
add?�

�No,
Headmistress,� Jane apologized quickly and faked a cough. �Sorry.�

�Very well,
then. That is all.�

***

�Remus, what
the hell is going on?�

They were
walking along one of Hogwarts� many corridors, discussing Severus� acquittal.

�I honestly
don�t know, Jane. Ever since Dumbledore�s death, things have been more muddled
than ever. I swear, half the time I don�t know what is going on.�

Jane
laughed. �Only half the time? I don�t know
what�s going on, at all.�

She suddenly
tripped over an uneven floor tile, and his arms shot out to prevent her from
falling.

�What a
touching picture,� a familiar voice drawled behind them.

�Severus!�
His name slipped over her lips, before she could stop herself.

He scowled
at her darkly as he took in her compromising position in Remus� arms. Jane�s
first instinct was to step away from Remus, but then decided otherwise. Coming
face-to-face with Severus so unexpectedly had turned her legs to rubber. If
Remus hadn�t been holding her, she would have fallen unceremoniously to the
ground.

Remus nodded
towards Severus, who determinedly ignored him, his eyes still fixed on Jane.

�I am
surprised at the company you keep, Miss Sinclair,� he commented disdainfully. �Professor
Lupin is generally not considered� suitable� in
polite society.�

Jane
bristled slightly, but Remus squeezed her shoulders gently, cautioning her to
remain calm. She took a deep breath, and her pride kicked in.

�I know all
I need to know about him. Thank you.�

�Jane,�
Remus tried to soothe her. �It doesn�t matter.�

�I wonder��
Severus slowly stroked his chin.

�If you�re
trying to warn me about Remus being a werewolf, I already know.�

This seemed
to take him by surprise. His eyes flashed briefly, before they veiled over once
again. He turned to his long-time nemesis with obvious distaste.

�Remus, I�m
surprised. You�ve always struck me as� well, weak. How on Earth do you manage
to keep two women? Or is Nymphadora out of the
picture? Did she get bored with you? Were you unable to satisfy her? You are,
after all, twice her age��

�You keep Nymphadora out of this, Snape,� Remus growled in a
dangerously low voice.

Jane
extracted herself from his embrace and stood beside him. �Get your mind out of
the gutter,� she told Severus firmly. �There is nothing going on between
Remus and me.�

�Oh, really?� Severus allowed himself a sardonic sneer. One
of his eyebrows shot up quizzically.

She wanted
to wipe the amused smirk off his face, but she knew that it would just drain
her. She couldn�t keep up with his nastiness, even if she tried.

�Believe
what you want,� Jane finally told him. �I owe you no explanation.� She turned
to the man next to her. �Can we go now?�

Remus threw
Severus one last dark stare, before he turned his attention to her and nodded
quickly. He offered Jane his arm, which she gladly took.

�Come on,
then,� he told her with forced heartiness. �Let�s get out of here.�

***

Severus stared
after them, as they made their way down the corridor. Lupin
had thrown an arm around Jane�s shoulders, and the two were walking so closely
together, it was simply indecent. His mouth twisted in disgust. He couldn�t
even begin to imagine what she saw in that wreck of a man. Jane
and Lupin. He huffed. Impossible!

And, yet,
hadn�t he pushed her away? Hadn�t he put an end to their association? Hadn�t he
wanted her to forget him and start a new life without him? Why, then, was he so
put out by her doing just that? Why had he attacked her at first sight? Severus
frowned. Well, he admitted, seeing her had been a
surprise. He hadn�t planned on facing her just, yet. Nor had he expected to
find her in Lupin�s arms when he finally did. It was Lupin, he finally decided. Yes. He could have accepted
seeing her with any man but Lupin. His
eyebrows knitted together in a dark scowl. He didn�t really like the idea of
Jane being with any man. Any man other than him, of
course. Severus growled. Damn woman! Would he ever be free of her?

===

Lost and
Found � 2005 by MMHG

===
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