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Dark Coil	By : gotsnape Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 4418 -:- 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.

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Black robes shivering along the floor, Severus Snape slid restlessly from one end of the room to the next.

Slowly.

Over and over.

Back and to, coiling ever tighter into himself.

"Severus, please!" Lupin growled from the sofa. Like Snape, Remus had donned familiar wizard's robes however, the werewolf was content to perch on the sofa rather than waste valuable energy in pointless repetitive roving. "You are making me tired simply by watching. Have mercy and sit down!" This last was a command, Remus' voice low and rolling.

Snape continued his stalking, but flashed an eye at the seated wizard. "You threaten me, hound?" The potions master's voice similarly low and chill.

Inspector Reginald Doyle eyed the two wizards warily. He had felt the hostile electric atmosphere in the room grow with each ticking of the clock. Felt if from the moment the petite mediwitch had arrived from Hogwarts over two hours ago and sealed herself in the bedroom with Miss McGonagall.

Since her arrival, the chamber had opened only twice. Once when Madam Pomfrey requested Miss Granger's assistance and a second time to reveal the ill-tempered healer who bitingly informed Professor Snape that should he hammer on the portal once more, he would find himself hexed into oblivion.

Since then, Reggie had observed the slender wizard's demeanor spiral downward from genuine concern, through barely concealed fear before settling on slow-burning anger. Having been through several close calls with his own Patience, Doyle easily recogniz man man on the edge. The last thing Snape needed was the snapping and snarling coming from the equally stressed Lupin. Hoping to avert dangerous wand waving, Reggie spoke in the slow, reassuring manner he reserved for the most dangerou cri criminals.

"That's no shrinking violet you have there, lad. You saw for yourself a bit of her injuries. She has been to hell and back, but back she came. If half of what she told my Patience is true," Here he raised a placating hand as Snape whirled on him, eyes blazing. "Then she has more steel than you are giving her credit for at the moment."

Snape froze; his gaze fixed on the investigator.

"She came back to help you, son. She's not finished her job. That woman is going to be very hard to get rid of, if you ask me. So, save your worries for other things."

Black fires burned seconds more before cooling. They were not entirely extinguished, but no longer flamed out of control. Nodding curtly, Snape fell into a nearby chair, hearing Remus' grateful sigh.

"Oh shut up, Lupin." Snarled the pale wizard, his eyelids drooping.

The men remained silent, waiting, as men have ever waited while their women were tended.

Severus pinched hard at the narrow bridge of his nose. Olivia had looked akin to one dragged through hell. What had she endured during the long passage of the night? Opening his eyes, Snape met Doyle's steady ga

"What do you know of her time below the surface?" He inquired of the stocky inspector, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Tell me what she shared with you." The dark man's tone carried the hard edge of resolve, but Reggie detected the underlying sediment of distress, as if the potions instructor dreaded hearing Olivia's story.

Reaching into his coat pocket, Doyle extracted a silver flask. "I know it is a bit early in the day, but I think this calls for a drink." Pulling the stopper, he offered the container to Snape, one brow raised, inquiring.

With barely concealed impatience, Snape accepted the flask and tipped it to his lips. The whisky seared a path over his tongue and streaked down his gullet before spreading fire along his extremities. Eyes watering, Snape returned the flask to Doyle's hand. "Good stuff." He choked.

Passing the silver container to Lupin, who eyed it cautiously, Doyle chuckled. "You can't expect me to afford good liquor on a copper's pay. Still, it does the job." He resisted the urge to pound on Lupin's shoulder as the werewolf gulped for air.

Taking a long pull and swallowing with difficulty, the Muggle inspector placed the flask on the side table. Leaning forward, Reggie rested his elbows on his knees. "You realize, of course, that much of the tale if hers to reveal, but I will share what I know."

As he spoke, Reggie's eyes never left the still wizard seated before him. Others witnessing the scene might think the potions master indifferent to the words falling from the inspector's lips but Reggie had spent years studying the human animal under pressure and so was able to detect the slight grimace, the tiniest flicker of pain, the flash of rage swiftly concealed. Snape was a master at hiding his emotion, but Reggie was a master of observation. However composed and cool he appeared on the outside, Reggie knew that on the inside the dark wizard suffered.

Snape and Lupin listened without interrupting. Doyle's words were chilling.

The ward at the bridge.

The guide.

The seemingly endless trek through the storm drains of London.

The alter.

The victims.

Snape's anguish increased.

Voldemort's appearing.

Suffering Cruciatus.

Fleeing Dementors and the nightmare journey to daylight.

Snas gus gut twisted as he took it all in.

Finally, the inspector's words wound down and the men sat in silence, each one locked in their own thoughts.

The snick of the lock shattered the quiet.

Unfolding his long frame, Severus rose from the chair and turned, carefully schooling his features.

Olivia entered the room slowly, painfully, her face gray with exhaustion, the other women following behind. Madam Pomfery and Miss Granger had employed copious amounts of hot water and scrubbing charms to clean the evidence of last night's journey from her body and hair. Healing spells and potions had worked wonders on her battered frame but could not wipe away all evidence of Olivia's ordeal. True relief would come only with time and rest. Light bandages covered her hands and both knees. The jagged bite on her shoulder had proved tricky. Discomfort steadily leaked through the potions Poppy had poured down her throat.

Despite Madam's admonitions HermHermione's worried frown, Olivia had insisted in being garbed in her barrister's robes of deep royal blue and silver. Olivia reminded the two witches there was still had a task to complete before she would allow herself the luxury of total collapse.

So Hermione had brushed the clean, shining hair into a sleek knot at the back of Olivia's head, the severe style emphasizing the pallor of her cheeks and the deep bruising around her eyes. Muttering under her breath, Madam had applied cosmetics to hide the worst of the damage to the injured woman's face.

"Gently with her now." Madam Pomfrey spoke, her tone indicating her displeasure. "She is being held together with Pepper-Up Potions and wire at the moment."

Moving around the chair, Severus approached Olivia. Features carefully sculpted into impassive lines, Snape's eyes roved over her form, coolly checking for damage. Upon reaching her face he noted the brief flash of anxiety that raced over her features, the uncertainty in the look she sent back to him. It was quickly gone, replaced with a stoicism that appeared to match his own. Reaching towards her, Snape lifted one bandaged hand and placed it gently on his forearm. Atingting his touch, Olivia allowed him to lead her to the center of the room.

With a wave of her bandaged hand, Olivia motioned the occupants of the room closer.

"Remus," she rasped over the rawness in her throat. "The portkey, please."

Olivia met and held the eyes of each member of her team. Though leaning on Snape's velvet arm, she appeared resolved, confident.

"Ok, everyone listen up. This is how it's going to play out."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Snape was still furious. His face remained perfectly composed, his frame comfortably seated. Even the long thin fingers were deceptively still. Internally, a violent hurricane of emotion hurled its self against the levees of his self-control.

Clouds of uncertainty had gathered as he stood listening to Olivia's plan of action. She held his trust, but Snape's faith was fragile at best. He wanted to believe this bruised, beloved woman would save his skin. He was, however, not used to being the dependent one and the sensation unnerved him.

Gale force winds began to rise as the group, now six strong, arrived in the sequestered chamber. Three burly Aurors, wands drawn and aimed menacingly, had moved in on Snape in an attempt to separate him from the others. His arms were seized by two of the guards while the third pressed a wand tip roughly against the imprisoned wizard's throat. Growling low, Remus pulled his wand even as Hermione attempted to shoulder her way between Snape and his aggressors. Inspector Doyle coolly placed his bulky frame between the captive wizard and the wand bearing Auror. Madam Pomfrey contented herself with whacking one of Snape's captors firmly with her bag.

Eyes flashing green fire, a bruised witch advanced upon the Aurors. "What in the name of Merlin do you think you are doing?" Olivia demanded, vocal cords protesting.

"We were told to take control of this wizard the moment he arrived." Advised the Auror, stepping back slightly from the imposing Muggle officer but keeping Snape firmly pinned with the tip of his wand.

"Do you, by any chance have a warrant?" Olivia challanged.

"No. Our orders came from the Minister of Magic�"

"Who has no legal jurisdiction in this matter." Olivia interrupted. "My client has yet to be charged with a crime. I will not allow Professor Snape to be abused to satisfy the petty grudges of the Minister of Magic. Now gentlemen, either produce a warrant for the arrest of Professor Snape or step out of my way! You have 'til the count of one."

Both Aurors moved hurriedly from Snape's side, but the third remained, his countenance one of doubt until a glance over Olivia's shor rer replaced the look with one of relief.

"Minister, we were doing as you instructed, sir�" he began, only to be rudely cut off as Fudge waved the trio away. The Aurors moved to the side but remained in the room. Snape found himself still encircled by his eager bodyguards and shifted uncomfortably.

"Miss McGonagall, ever the feisty one, I see." The minister's thin smile died before reaching his eyes, the cold blue orbs darting nervously from one member of the tightly bunched group to the next, lingering slightly longer on Professor Snape's stern visage. "I felt it best, you understand, considering the nature of the crime�"

"� with which my client has not been charged." Olivia broke in smoothly.

"�that we present a solid front to the populace who is deeply worried about the many killings and disappearances�."

"�and would be even more disturbed to hear that the Ministry wasted valuable time attempting to prosecute an innocent man while letting the true monster run free. Yes, yes I can see your concern."

Fudge continued, though he seemed to be losing steam. " I am demonstrating to our Muggle brethren just how serious we are taking this situation and that we fully intend to�"

"allow them to believe that Professor Snape is the guilty party in the eyes of the Ministry?" Olivia snapped.

Minister Fudge drew back from the acid in her tone.

Olivia continued, "Minister Fudge, I have been informed on numerous occasions that we could expect no assistance from the Ministry in this matter. I have been informed by, not only your office sir, but by the ProsecutAttoAttorney's as well that this matter has been tossed into the lap of the Muggle authorities to handle according to their statutes. I can't help but wonder at the sudden interest you are taking at this late date." Olivia's voice was professionally neutral, but there was a bite behind the carefully chosen words.

Fudge stiffened, his cold eyes narrowing as he took in her bruised face and bandaged hands. He addressed Olivia in a condescending manner, "Miss McGonagall, I will overlook your words at this time, considering your ah�experiences of last night. You are clearly overwrought." Seeing the young woman bridle at this, Fudge carried on. "Perhaps in light of your injuries you are forgetting the fact that the events surrounding the deaths and disappearances are magical in nature and THAT my dear, IS the jurisdiction of the Ministry."

The group surrounding Snape shifted nervously.

Olivia smiled.

From a deep pocket of her blue robes she pulled a long roll of parchment. "I was hoping you would bring that up." Releasing the scroll so that its full length cascaded to the floor, Olivia began to scan the page, her eyes squinting. Snape alone noticed the quirk of a smile pulling along her lips.

With a snort of disgust, Olivia began to rummage through her pockets, leaving Fudge to fume over the delay. Finally locating her reading glasses, she tucked the ear-pieces into place and continued with her reading.

"Ah, here it is." Olivia chirped, her voice still raw. Glancing up at Fudge, she inquired innocently, "You are familiar with this document, are you not?"

"Yes, yes!" Fudge huffed. "Get on with it!"

"According to the 1,230th Amendment to the Wizard Constitution dated 1577, witches and/or wizards under suspicion of the use of magic in the commission of crimes, violations of contract agreements, civil suits, property disputes, yadda-yadda-yadda, involving Muggles or Muggle interests or properties shall be remanded over to the authorities in the jurisdiction in which said alleged acts are to have taken place; shall be tried under the statutes of said jurisdiction first by the existing Muggle courts and�" Olivia paused, glancing at the reddening face of the Minister. "This is the part I really like." She then continued. "� if, if said witches and/or wizards are found guilty under the Muggle law of the land of said acts involving the use of magic in the commission of crimes, violations of contract agreements, blah, blah, blah, then upon sentencing under Muggle law, shall the condemned witch and/or wizard be bound over to Wizard authorities to face charges of mis-use of magic, on and on and on and on, but I think you get the idea?" Olivia peered over the rim of her glasses, her expression calm but her eyes sparkling in triumph.

If Snape had been in any other setting he would have applauded her performance. The professor could feel Inspector Doyle's body shaking slightly as the man chuckled.

Minister Fudge stood clenching and unclenching his fists. The crimson had faded from his face leaving it white in anger. Between clenched teeth he growled, "You don't know who you are dealing with, girl! Even if Snape is innocent of these crimes, he is guilty of hundreds of others. He deserves what ever punishment he receives." Visibly calming himself, Fudge twitched at the folds of his robes, realigning the pleats, before speaking again. "Miss McGonagal, you seem determined to make up for you earlier actions concerning Professor Snape. You failed him then. With any luck, you will do so again." Nodding curtly and beckoning to the stunned Aurors, the minister quitted the room.

Signing, Olivia rolled the parchment and returned it to her pocket, sparing a glance at the knot of people still standing protectively close to Professor Snape. "You can all relax. I don't think Fudge will be trying that one again."

Lupin broke into a grin. "Olivia, that was magnificent! The way you just pulled that information out of the blue�" He stopped, confused by the expression of hurt in his friend's green eyes. "What? Olivia, are you alright?"

"No, I am not alright!" Olivia snapped, harsher than she intended. The past few days had ground her down under a weight of worry and guilt until she felt as fine as sand, poured out and scattered. "Do you think I made all that up?" She asked tiredly. "I have been working my tail off getting ready for this day. Going over court records, researching constitutional amendments from dozens of countries having legal histories of this type. I have sed ped pictures of victim remains and read police reports until I wanted to scream out from the horror of it all. I have more scrolls and parchment scraps in my robes than I can count. I had t rea ready for anything that could be thrown at us today. No, I didn't 'pull it out of the blue', Remus. I built this defense one brick at a time." Olivia pressed the bandaged heels of her hands to her eyes.

"Remus�everyone, I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I am starting to loose it. Forgive me� for being weak."

Strong fingers gently circled her wrists and Olivia did not resist as her hands were pulled away from her face, knowing who she would see when her eyes opened.

She was not to be disappointed.

Professor Snape maintained eye contact as he brought the backs of Olivia's hands to his lips. Brushing a kiss over the linen coverings, he murmured, "You are the strongest person I have ever known."

Anger and humiliation churned and rolled, a vast maelstrom of emotions beating upon the walls of calm and privacy the potions master had labored on for years. He was aware of Olivia's decision, and hated it passionately. Hated what she planned for herself, hated the possible outcome, hated himself for having promised to remain silent through it all and hated the Muggles and wizards who gathered in witness.

At the long table before them sat a grim collection of wizard and Muggle officials each one staring at the black-haired wizard and his councilor with equal combinations of curiosity and distaste. A large roll of parchment and quill rested on a pedestal located in the center of the room. Snape forced down rising bile as two smirking wizard barristers approached the group and took seats for themselves at the far end oe tae table. The professor remembered them well. Jannes and Jambres had been the prosecutors for the Ministry during Snape's original trial those many years ago and they now met Snape's glacial stare with maliciously identical grins before turning their attention to the others seated nearby.

Minister Fudge, along with his Auror escort had taken seats in the rear of the chamber. Feeling the cold hatred the minister bore for him drilling into the back of his neck, Snape forced himself to display only calm detachment.

Miss Granger, Lupin and Madam Ponfrey placed themselves across the aisle from the minister. They were joined by Inspector Doyle, who winked broadly at the scowling Aurors.

A uniformed bailiff moved to slide open a set of pocket doors and the room was suddenly filled with the hushed sound of sliding robes as the assembly rose as one body.

A portly, middle-aged witch wearing serviceable brown robes entered the room and quickly found a spot. She carried a simple wooden box which she placed on the table before turning her attention to the still open doorway.

The last to enter the room was an aged wizard dressed in flowing legal robes of deepest blue, the cowl pulled over his thinning hair. A well-dressed Muggle gentleman, his blond hair fading to gray escorted him. Behind the pair came a thin Muggle male whose pale features were stretched into a habitual frown. Leaning slightly in Snape's direction, Olivia whispered, " His Honor, Artimis Fumington and the Chief Prosecutor for the Muggle government, Daniel Hodge. The slender one with the sour face is Jefery Allen, assistant to the Prosecutor." Snape nodded, fixing his attention on the task ahead.

The elderly wizard and the Chief Prosecutor took seats at the center of the table, leaving Mr. Allen to cast about irritably for a chair. As the officials sat, the otheesumesumed their places.

A thick silence hung in the room and then�

The quill sprang to life and hovered expectantly over the newly unrolled parchment.

"As you are all aware, we are called here today to review the evidence for and against Professor Severus Snape on the grounds of murder, the use of dark magic in the commission of murder, attempting to conceal a crime," the elderly judge went on, his voice strong but humble. "and suspicion of murder in relation to several other cases." He paused, holding Snape's gaze before transferring it over to Olivia. "Miss McGonagall."

Olivia stood.

"It has been brought to my attention and that of Chief Prosecutor Hodge that you have recently come upon evidence which could possible negate the necessity of this hearing." The old man folded his hands, looking upon Olivia benignly. The quill that had been racing madly over the parchment paused briefly, quivering.
"I have, your Honor." Olivia's answered calmly.

A scraping of chair legs on stone pulled Olivia's attention to Jambres who stood and addressed the judge. "Your Honor, if I may, why has this 'evidence' not been made known to the prosecutor's office? Why has it been with held until this moment?" He resumed his seat as the other members of the panel took up the question in low whispers.

The quill danced over the page, the scritch-scratch of its passing grating on Snape's nerves.

The judge nodded to Olivia, "Miss McGonagall?"

"Your Honor, this evidence has not been with held for any reason other than it came to light only last night. With your permission your Honor, I have prepared a deposition detailing the nature of the evidence and how it came into my possession." Receiving a nod of agreement, the bailiff approached Snape's table and gathered up a mound of scrolls that he quickly distributed. An angry buzz started from the rear of the chamber.

The pale wizard forced his face to remain calm as he imagined Fudge's angst.
Olivia took her seat as the wizards and Muggles read over the documents. The moments ticked by. Snape observed their faces register disbelief and then naked horror at what their eyes were seeing.

There were gasps of shock, some of outrage and suddenly the once sedate gathering broke out in loud and anxious debate. In the center of the storm, the blue robed judge calmly read his own copy of Olivia's report, occasionally turning to Prosecutor Hodge in solemn conversation.

The enchanted quill struggled to keep pace.

Minister Fudge hissed at his group of Aurors but they could only shrug their shoulders in response to his angry inquiri
S
Snape and council observed Jannes and Jambres toss their depositions on the table in scorn before erupting to their feet, calling out loudly to be heard over the noise.
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!

His face ashen, the elderly judge rapped his wand upon the tabletop, white sparks spilling from the tip. The debate rolled on unimpeded until the rapping wand released an explosive CRACK! accompanied by a brilliant scarlet flash.

The room fell silent.

The Honorable Artimis Fumington cleared his throat. "Please, be seated. I agree that this information is shocking and nigh on to unbelievable, however we must adhere to rules of order. We will have no more of these emotional outbursts gentlemen."

The gathering returned to order, only the pair, Jannes and Jambres remaining on their feet. "Your Honor, please!" Jannes called out, a disbelieving whine to his voice. "Is this assembly truly expected to believe that this" he flicked one hand in a dismissive manner in Olivia's direction, "witch faced down and eluded the �you-know-who? We have all heard the rumors over the past three years about the 'risen Dark Lord' but there has been no evidence to validate this claim. Now this young woman comes before us and claims to have seen HIM and simply walked away?! Pursued by Dementors, no less! This is unbelievable! Fiction!" He gulped air to carry on but was waved down by Judge Fumington, who spoke gently to Olivia.

"Miss McGonagall, are you prepared to defend yourself and your deposition before this gathering?"

Olivia was standing once more. "I am, your Honor. It is my firm belief that the facts I present will not only result in clearing the name of Professor Snape, but also that of Sirius Black."

A gasp went up from the assembly. The buzzing from the rear of the room increased in intensity. Sev Sna Snape remained stoic, even as his heart rebelled against the prospect of Sirius Black cleared of wrongdoing, once more free to come and go as he pleased. He noticed that even Prosecutor Hodge regarded Olivia with a jaundiced eye.

Tapping the assembly once more to order, Judge Fumington returned to his questioning of the curious young woman standing bravely before him. He had noticed the bandaged hands, the carefully concealed bruises, the pall of fatigue that hung over her. That Miss McGonagall had been through a nasty ordeal was obvious, but this�.?

The quill was still, waiting. The judged licked his wrinkled lips and the feathered pen began to move.

"Miss McGonagall, this assembly is very much aware of your stellar reputation in the courts of the world. What you are proposmy dmy dear, could seriously damage your excellent standing in the legal communities. Think carefully before making this decision." He paused and after glancing to the Muggle Prosecutor and receiving a small nod of agreement, continued." I would be remiss in not informing you that both Chief Prosecutor Hodge and I are of one mind, in that after much review of the facts surrounding the capture of Professor Snape, the evidence linking him to the actual murder is tenuous. Other than his presence at the scene, which is highly suspicious, but hardly evidence for a charge of murder, we have no legal grounds to bind him over for trial."

Snape felt his heart leap at the judge's words. He wanted to bound to his feet, grasp Olivia before she became fixed on her path and flee with her to Hogwarts. The others could catch up later. He would go free! There was no need to carry on this dangerous game. Olivia's calm voice stopped him.

"I am aware of the fragile thread of evidence binding Professor Snape. Unless he is fully cleared of any possible wrong doing, he will be forced to live under a cloud of suspicion in the eyes of the entire world, not only for this death but the other deaths as well. You propose to release him on the grounds that you have no hard evidence to hold him. What I propose will set Professor Snape free with no stain of doubt to mar his name. I intend to not only clear Professor Snape good name, but to identify the true killer. The true murderer has a name, I will tell you. He has a face, I will show you."

Snape gripped the arms of his chair, his eyes clinging to the waxen faced woman standing by his side. Olivia licked her lips. Drawing a steadying breath, she continued.

"I submit myself for examination using the Visium Memoria scroll. You will see what I have seen and hear what I have heard. After that, you must make your decision."

Inclining her head in the judge's direction, Olivia calmly took her seat, her green eyes fixed on the scarred table top.

Severus Snape checked the reactions of the men before him. Several had their mouths hanging in shock, others eyes sparked angrily. His Honor, Artimis Fumington, rubbed wrinkled h ove over his equally seamed face. Chief Inspector Hodge looked questioningly at Olivia before turning to glance at Snape, capturing the awareness of the professor. The two men studied one other for a moment before each nodded in acknowledgement and turned their eyes away.
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Dark Coil