Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Prize	By : Kvarta Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Het - Male/Female Views: 3468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction. Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

Chapter List
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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
Time melted from that point on. Even after defeat of the Dark Lord, remnants of war still shook the wizarding world. Wizengamot started with trials, new Minister acting with much more fairness than many expected. Hogwarts was rebuild fast, and whispers spread through community that castle repaired almost on itself. Nevertheless, wizarding world fell somewhat back to the old ways, and employed Dementors back in to the service of Azkaban.

By the third month after the Battle at Hogwarts, trials for Inner Circle of Death Eaters started. Malfoy's managed to slip by to relative freedom as well as few other old families, but they lost much of the wealth and all the respect tied to family names.

After deliberation decision is made to hold the trial for Snape’ crimes in his absence. The man was, after all, still in deep comatose state with no indications when he will wake up, if ever. That particular trial caused uproar, dividing the wizarding community to pro and con groups sharply. After long line of people who accused him, few surprise whiteness on his side shocked the public opinion in another uproar. Minister alone was one of that whiteness, not praising openly him but stating his role in Order plainly without accusation. Harry Potter turned out to be Snape’ most devoted representative, praising his efforts and sacrifices; providing all necessary memories. Hermione provided her memories as well, including the one of his miraculous survival. Her testimony caused another fit of chatter, news reported that “celestial being of purity” saved Snape, making him look like a saint one day, and evil bigger than Dark Lord himself the other. However, most surprising of all witnesses by far was Andromeda Tonks, stating how his actions, even in time when Snape was Headmaster, made possible for her grandson to be born, making a potions sent in secrecy to both her daughter and her son in law. The testimony of Albus’ portrait supported with another witness, the most unexpected one.

Poppy Pomfrey testified, with no small personal risk of disclosing too much information and losing her mediwitch license, about many times she cured him from torture Snape suffered for not giving up vital information to Dark Lord. One of those moments was crucial to the trial’s outcome, and came as a surprise to both Wizengamot and Order members alike:
- Madam are you aware that you are about to disclose confidential information conveyed to you by your own patient? - asked one of Wizengamot members

- You call unconscious cries and screams in the middle of common hospital area, for everyone to hear confidential? – huffed Matron – If you deem that as confidential, then I am ready to lose my status as mediwitch. –

- In that case, please proceed. -

- I knew about Albus’ plan to force that boys hand in murdering him. Albus himself brought Severus to me, just a few days after the old goat made him promise to follow his will. The boy was just back from Death Eather meeting in a severely bad shape. – murmur spread through the present crowd – The list of things that was done to him is long as my arm, and left him in state of delirium for better part of the night. Among screams and cries, I heard him calling to Albus. Since Albus instructed me to take any message for him and write it down, I listened. He was arguing with Albus, begging Albus to release him from his vow. If anyone suffered or regretted Albus’ death, it was Severus. Listening to his pleas broke my heart. I will gladly provide memory of that night. –

- That won’t be necessary. Nevertheless, after he became Headmaster… -

- Phish-posh. – grumbled Matron – If it wasn’t for him we would have casualties daily, he kept those kids alive. When did any of you heard that Severus Snape to give detention served in library, with Madam Pince? Even Albus was stricter than that. He personally spent many hours in hospital wing, helping me to take care of kids in there. –

- None of the victims seen him there. – protested one member

- Do you honestly think that he could just waltz in and help without alerting Dark Lord of is actions? Do you believe that Potion Master is incapable of brewing a Polyjuice Potion to cover his actions? Did anyone see my newly appointed nurse in the night shift since war? We had good supply of potions in aftermath of the Battle thanks to him. He personally brewed for months to overstock my supplies. Well enough, I still have those potions in stock and plenty of them to go around. – murmur spread again – If that is all I have a patient to take care of. –

- Thank you to your testimony Madam Pomfrey. –

One day after Poppy Pomfrey’ testimony, Wizengamot sat in ruling. Once again, Snape’ name was cleared of all charges, he was declared a war hero with all the benefits and honors. Public opinion was in uproar again, and simmered down only after Harry’s statement to the press. Media milked the story for few days more but turned to other trials.
In all that time, away from prying eyes of public, new Minister - Kingsley, as well as DMLE and several other departments along with Wizengamot tackled with another problem.

Katya, the named “celestial being of purity”, was thorn in their eyes, painfully spreading to other, neither regions, as time passed by. After initial arrest, attempt to find the truth about her with means of Legilimency and Veritaserum, as well as some other means, failed. Girl never resisted or used her magic on others, but every attempt to hex her or cause her physical harm raised her barrier. Finally convinced that she is skilled Occulumens as well as highly skilled in wandless and wordless magic, they voted that time spent in Azkaban will break her resistance. That proved to be mistake of colossal magnitude.

The day they transferred her to notorious wizarding prison, Dementors became nervous. Few days later, Dementors where refusing to go near the part of the prison were Katya’ cell was. A week later, guards from Azkaban requested for Katya’ removal from prison all together. Without help of Dementors, it became difficult to control rapidly growing prison population.

Stumped with what to do, Minister decided, with the support of the Wizengamot, to transform one of the holding cells in to a room and place her there until they figure out what to do with her. All their research, both in muggle and wizarding world, all over the globe, was unsuccessful. Not knowing her name or having any other information about her, except woman’s look, made the task almost impossible. Katya didn’t gave them trouble, she obediently stayed in her room, not complaining, not asking for anything much, her only request was denied – she asked for pitcher of water and washbowl. Day after Severus was freed, Poppy came to visit her.

Walking in to a simple room with no windows, one rickety table, one chair and a small, uncomfortable looking bed, and single candle that emitted feeble light, Matron frowned. The girl looked feed and clean, not affected by her gloomy surroundings, but Poppy was displeased.

- Are they treating you well girlie? – she asked instead of greeting

- God day to you Madam. – Katya nodded politely – They are; thank you. –

- Are you up for some tea? –

- I’m afraid it is not allowed. –

- When is the last time you had some tea? – grumbled Poppy

- I usually get some with breakfast. –

- That won’t do. – huffed Matron – Wait for me girlie, I will be back soon. –

Poppy rushed from the room, straight to Ministers office, one look on Matron's face was enough to force short recess in the meeting she interrupted. The moment she was alone with Minister and sound ward was raised she scolded

- Kingsley Shacklebolt, is this how you plan to lead our wizarding community? –

- How can I help you Poppy? –

- Now, I know, that girl is your eyesore, but to place her in a room like that! –

- She is, for all we know, enemy. –

- Did she do anything to suggest that? – when Kingsley stayed quiet she continued – Mhm, as I thought so. That girl had enough brain to see Severus for what he is. That is more than all of you were capable off. Her only crime is that she won’t talk to you or your band of gorillas, or with that group of buffoons posing as ruling body. Good for her. –

- Poppy, we don’t know anything about her. –

- Exactly. Now, I’m not saying that you should release her, but to hold her in that room? No tea except for breakfast? Did you allow her to have some books at least? Anything? –

- Poppy she is prisoner, not on vacation. –

- Let me tell you something, you treat prisoners in Azkaban better than her. Now I expect by my next visit here, for girl get at least some comfort. If not, I will personally call your mother. –

- Poppy, … -

- Don’t you Poppy me, young man! How do you treat her? What are her requests from you? –

- We took all of her possessions; she had 3 galleons, few changes of clean cloths, which we give her every time she is allowed to bate, and 2 books in what appear to be Japanese. –

- Magical books? –

- No, they are novels. –

- Than why are those books dangerous in any way? – when he stayed silent for second time, she wrinkled her brows – What she requested of you so far? –

- A pitcher of water and washbowl. –

- What are her demands? –

- No demands, just that one request. -

- And you denied her of that? Why? -

- With her magic… -

- Don’t you think, with her magic, she could just walk out of that room if she wishes to? –
- You have a point. I will reconsider your request. -

- Mhm. Now, give order for some tea and biscuits for two of us. Thank you to your time Minister. – she huffed and walked away, leaving Kingsley to grin after her. Stern woman still could make him feel like he was a little kid with broken arm.

By the time, Poppy was in front of Katya’s door, one Auror was standing with tray of tea and biscuits and more additional candles. She took the tray and entered the room. Katya was lying on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

- You are back! – girl cried

- I told you I would. Now come here and have some refreshments. I had a little chat with our residing Minister. I believe you will find your stay here a bit more comfortable from now on. –

- Madam you should not put yourself in danger because of my comfort. –

- Nonsense, I know that young man well. It just took to remind him that I’ve seen his little bits before he knew what to do with them. – smiled Poppy – Come now, take some tee and ask what you want to know. –

Katya got up from the bed and took offered tea, savoring the fragrant flavor, so much different from bleak colored water she usually get. Nibbling on the biscuit closed her eyes, enjoying the taste.

- With your permission, may I require the news about…, the… - started than trailed off

- Oh, come now girl, you saved his life, sure you can say his name. He is unconscious but otherwise healthy as much as you can expect in his condition. I have a separate room for him at the school infirmary. Harry and Hermione are there almost all the time. -

- I am glad that kids like him enough. –

- A newly found liking if one could call it like that. Honestly, I think they are hiding from the press and he is just good excuse. I bring you news about his trial, – Poppy watched as Katya raised her eyes and stopped breathing -he is free, Wizengamot voted yesterday, and proclaimed him a war hero. –

- Once again, you appeased my worries. Thank you Madam. – Katya started to breathe again

- I am the one to thank you. Do I dare to hope that you will be here long enough to help him after he wakes up? –

- I will. But, will he… - she trailed off

- Oh, he will. If I know that mule he will, just give him time. His body needs a rest. After years living on tea and potions more than food, and almost no sleep, …be patient and let him sleep to his heart content. Poison’s purged from his system, all wounds healed. He is simply tired. – smiled Matron – Now about that spell of yours. –

- I will teach you, later. I’m not allowed to use my magic here. However, that spell helps with bite of that type of snake, not useful for much else, and I pray that you ever have to use it. –
- I hope that you are right. – seriously stated Matron switching to the tale from the trials. That was most pleasant afternoon Katya had since she arrived.

Next time she was escorted to bathing area, upon return to her room she grinned happily. Room stayed much the same, with addition of one drawer cabinet with her clothes and books, on top of it there was a pitcher of clear water and washbowl. Biggest addition was a window with large cushioned reading nook, with the view to park. Dragging the table near the window, she poured the water in to the washbowl, sat on the cushions in the nook and stayed there, gazed in to the water. Food was much better and she got tea couple of times through the day, a real fragrant tea. Most of the days Katya spent just gazing through the window or in to the water, her behavior cause Aurors and Minister to worry.

Few days later, Kingsley got report from one of younger and more curious Aurors, who engaged himself in brief conversation with Katya about her new and odd habit, that watching water keeps her calm. That news appeased Minister and Wizengamot. After much deliberation, they made the decision, they will wait for Severus to wake up and recuperate, then ask for his help. She was not immediate threat to the them at this point, and even if they didn’t want to let her go there was so many other things that needed their attention. Nothing much changed, and time continue to slip by.
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The Prize