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Ashes of Armageddon	By : emilywaters Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 96542 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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
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The Reckoning

When Severus crossed the entrance of the Ministry of Magic building, the physical sensation took him by surprise. It lasted only a split-second, but was surprisingly sharp, for lack of better words, it was as if an invisible scalpel had ran across all of his old scars and injuries at once. It took Severus a full second to understand what had happened: the security wards of the Ministry of Magic building had automatically stripped off his Glamours, exposing the marks and scars on his hand and forehead to public view.

Severus did not slow down his pace, but next to him, Hermione and Harry halted briefly.

�I should have thought of that,� Hermione murmured. �The Ministry of Magic has been getting more and more paranoid lately. Now, nobody can enter any of their buildings wearing any sort of Glamour charm...supposedly for security reasons.�

�It doesn't matter,� Severus said absently. Next to him, Harry was eying him with open dread, as if fully expecting him to collapse on the floor under weight of dreadful memories. Resisting the urge to snap at Harry, Severus simply rested his hand on the young man's shoulder and whispered quietly,

�Harry, not now. Focus, please.�

Harry nodded in acquiescence, and a few minutes later, they walked in together into the courtroom. The hearing, apparently, was meant to be a private affair, closed to the general public of the wizarding world. Severus scanned the room, recognizing the members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, along with Amos Diggory, the new head of the Department.

At the center of the room, in the defendant's chair, Neville Longbottom was seated, flanked by a security guard on each side. Neville rose his head and smiled slightly to Severus, but then his face acquired a blank expression once again. Together, Hermione, Ron, Severus and Harry took their seats.

�Let's begin,� Diggory announced. �Mr. Longbottom, just so that you are clear, this is not a trial. This is a hearing to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to indict you on the charges of assault, kidnapping, and murder of a magical Creature. Do you understand?�

�Do I look daft to you?� Neville retorted bitterly.

Diggory shook his head disapprovingly. �Mr. Longbottom, this kind of attitude isn't going to be helpful at all.�

Neville shrugged with absolute indifference. Diggory stared down at his parchment, and frowned, as he read through it.

�Now, before we start discussing the events of last night, I have to ask you about something else,� Diggory said. �I have just received the results of your physical and mental examination.� He paused significantly and stared at Neville without blinking.

Neville stared back at him grimly.

�Mr. Longbottom, your blood tests indicate that you are immune to Veritaserum. Can you explain this to me?�

�I would think this sort of thing is pretty self-explanatory,� Neville said dryly. �Five and a half years ago, I acquired and consumed a counteragent.�

�Why would you do such a thing?� Diggory asked, but without accusation this time. .

�Because at that time, Ginny Weasley approached me and asked me for help. She was in a relationship with Harry Potter, who unbeknown to us, was under the influence of Tom Riddle's soul-fragment at that time. Ginny was scared. She wanted me to help her get away. I decided to make myself as resilient as possible in case I was arrested and questioned about her whereabouts.�

�I see,� Diggory said, as his expression softened slightly. �Is this when you started taking Occlumency lessons as well?�

�That's correct,� Neville confirmed.

�Who was your tutor?�

�My tutor was the Stefan Hristof, a Legilimency Master from Durmstrang,� Neville said with a slightly smug smile.

�I see,� Diggory mused. �The results of our scans indicate that your mastery of the skill is quite impressive.�

�It bloody well better be,� Neville muttered, �I spent half of my grandmother's inheritance on the lessons.�

�Hmmm,� Diggory murmured. �Your dedication to your friend is quite admirable, Mr. Longbottom. However, this raises an unsettling question in my mind: without any way to verify your answers through use of Veritaserum, or Legilimency, how can we be certain you are telling the truth?�

Neville stared at Diggory unblinking. �I guess you will just have to trust me.�

A murmur of whispers rose among the people in the room, but Neville gave no reaction. Severus winced slightly, unable to shake off the uncomfortable feeling as if he was reliving his own trial for the murder of Albus Dumbledore. He shook his head at the harsh irony of it: Neville Longbottom was being condemned by the very same skills that four and a half years ago, had condemned Severus himself to two months of hell at Godric's Hollow.

�Very well, let's move on,� Diggory said softly. �Mr. Longbottom, can you in your own words detail the events of last night?�

Neville nodded. �I was staying at Hermione and Ron's place overnight. Ron and I had an argument in the middle of the night. I left. I went for a walk, trying to clear my head. Then I decided to Apparate to Ginny's place, and spend the rest of the night there. When I entered the house, I saw that something was amiss. I found Ginny unconscious on the floor, and Kreacher, the house elf, was dead. I ran to look for the children, but Al's bedroom was empty. I opened the Floo, and firecalled the Auror Office emergency department. I gave them the location of the house. I was requested to maintain the Floo connection, not to touch anything, and not to cast any spells, until the Aurors arrived. I complied with the request. When the Aurors arrived, they took me into custody. That's all.�

Diggory looked at him dubiously. �What was the nature of your argument with Ron Weasley?�

�It's private,� Neville said defensively.

�How so?�

�It just is.�

�All right,� Diggory said, �what time did you leave your friend's place last night?�

�Not exactly sure,� Neville said. �About two in the morning, I think.�

�And then what did you do?�

�I went for a walk,� Neville said softly. �Wanted to clear my head.�

�Were you upset?�

�A little,� Neville said neutrally.

�How long did your walk last, Mr. Longbottom?�

�About an hour.�

�And then, at three in the morning, you headed to Ginny Weasley's place?� Diggory asked, a little incredulously.

�Yes.�

�Was she expecting you?�

�No.�

�You were going to drop by unexpected at three in the morning?� Diggory questioned, his incredulity growing by the moment.

Neville did not as much as flinch. �Yes, I was going to do that,� he confirmed.

Diggory stared at him grimly.

�Were you the only Secret Keeper Ginny Weasley named?�

�I was.�

�Did you reveal the location of her house to anyone last night?�

�Only to the Aurors when I placed the firecall, requesting emergency assistance.�

�Did you reveal the location of the house to anyone else in the last five years?�

�Never,� Neville said quietly.

�Why was Ginny Weasley's house under Fidelius Charm? Did she still believe Harry Potter to be a threat?�

�She likes having her home as safe as possible, that's all. Can you blame her?�

Diggory shook his head. �Mr. Longbottom, I am going to be very direct with you. Your lack of cooperation is not helping matters. How long have you and Ms. Weasley suspected that Albus Sirius Potter was infected with the remnants, or, so to speak, Dust, of Tom Riddle's soul-fragment?�

Severus felt Harry's hand clench around his. Next to him, Hermione issued a quiet gasp. So the Ministry already knew, Severus thought with concern, and could not help but wonder about the implications of this revelation. Did it mean that they were now running out of time in more ways than one, as they needed to find Albus Sirius before the Ministry of Magic did?

�Well, I don't know for sure that Al is infected with the soul-fragment Dust,� Neville said. �He's a good child, even if a bit skittish. He's not cruel or anything.�

�And how long have you known that he speaks Parseltongue?� Diggory asked.

Neville shrugged. �Dumbledore knew Parseltongue, too,� he said casually. �That doesn't mean anything.�

�Doesn't it?� Diggory challenged him sharply. �Then why is it that you agreed with Ron Weasley last night, that blood of Hugo Weasley and Severus Snape would be on your hands if something happened to them due to your silence in the matter?�

Neville gave no answer. He turned his head to stare at Ron grimly. Ron returned his gaze without blinking.

�Mr. Longbottom!� Diggory said. �How deeply were you affected by the events that took place at Godric's Hollow, during which you were working with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley to save the life of Severus Snape, and restore the wizarding world to order?�

�Huh?� Neville looked at him uncomprehendingly. �What?�

�You heard my question, Mr. Longbottom.�

�I heard it just fine, I just don't know what you are asking.�

�Do you have nightmares? Do you have hallucinations? Does your work performance suffer? Do you have problems managing anger?�

�No,� Neville said grimly.

�No,� Diggory repeated. �How do you explain your attack on Lee Jordan that took place three years ago?�

Neville stared at him speechlessly and gave no answer.

�Lee Jordan was one of the people who had fallen under the influence of the Dust four and a half years ago. You attacked him when you remembered that, did you not?�

�Yes,� Neville confirmed reluctantly.

�I see,� Diggory mused. �Would it be fair to say that you hate the Dust passionately?�

Neville bit his lip and stared at the man defiantly.

�Do you hate it,� Diggory continued, �enough to kill a five year old child who is under the influence of the Dust, before he has a chance to become violent and dangerous?�

�It's not like that!� Neville shouted. �I didn't kill anyone! I didn't see the children when I got to Ginny's place!�

�No?� Diggory asked.�Then who did you hire to do it?�

�Nobody! I would never even think of doing something like that!�

�Wouldn't you?� Diggory was staring at him appraisingly. �Did you, or did you not, say at one point, and I quote,� Diggory stared at the parchment in front of him,� if I could do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would have killed Harry Potter the day I saw the blood quill scar on Snape's hand?�

Neville's eyes opened wide and he stared at Ron and Hermione again. Hermione was shaking her head abjectly. Ron's face was an impassive mask.

�Mr. Longbottom!� Diggory's voice rose slightly. �Are those your words or not?�

�That's different!� Neville shouted. �Harry was violent and out of control! Al hasn't done anything wrong! He is just a child!�

�All right,� Diggory said. �Then tell me, do you recognize the following statement: Three years ago, in one of his less psycho moments, Harry said it would have been better if his mother had never tried to save him, and let him die. I argued with him then, but now, after all that happened since then, I'm inclined to agree ?�

Neville clenched his fists, but gave no answer.

�It seems to me,� Diggory mused, �that you believe it is better for someone to die as an infant, than grow up carrying Tom Riddle's soul-fragment, and risk becoming a danger to others.�

Something died in Neville's eyes, as he cast one final look at Ron and Hermione. Without saying anything at all, he buried his face in his hands.

�Neville!� Hermione cried out. �Tell them you didn't do it!�

�Ms Granger!� Diggory snapped at her. �Do not interrupt the proceedings. You presence here is a courtesy to...�

�Neville!� Hermione shouted. �Say something!�

�Ms Granger!� Diggory warned, �one more word from you, and I will have you removed!�

Hermione paid him no heed. �Please, Neville!�

Nevile lifted his head and stared at Hermione grimly. �Save it, Hermione. You and Ron obviously think I'm guilty, since you so graciously shared my private words with the Ministry of Magic. Just leave me alone, all right?�

�I believe you!� Hermione insisted. �Neville, I would never...�

�Enough!� Diggory's voice rose a few decibels. �Ms. Granger, will you leave on your own, or do I need to have you removed?�

Hermione leaped to her feet abruptly, and cast a disdainful glance at the courtroom. Two Aurors moved in her direction with their wands drawn, but before they could touch her, she turned around, and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

�This inquiry is now concluded,� Diggory announced. �Mr. Longbottom, I find that there is sufficient evidence to indict you on all the charges. Additionally, I am adding obstruction of justice to the charges currently pressed against you. I would also like to say that in order to avoid the harshest penalty permitted by the law, it would be in your best interest to cooperate with us fully, and make full confession. If the children are still alive, I urge you to speak now, and allow us to retrieve them, and return them to their families, and I promise you that your exemplary personal heroism during the war will be taken into account during sentencing.�

Neille smiled bitterly.

�Very well,� Diggory said tiredly. �This meeting is adjourned.�

Severus tried to make eye contact with Neville, but the young man did not look at anyone again, and simply allowed himself to be taken away.

When Ron, Harry and Severus exited the Ministry of Magic building, Hermione was waiting for them outside, pacing nervously in front of the doorway.

�He was indicted on all charges,� Harry told her without a preamble.

�Was he?� Hermione retorted bitterly. �That's just great. One of us is out of commission, and we are no closer to finding the children than we were earlier this morning. Harry, please tell me that you aren't buying into this insanity about Neville being guilty?�

�I honestly don't know what to think at this point,� Harry confessed.

�You don't know!� Ron shouted at Harry. �What's there to know? He was the only one who could have done it! What is it with you and always trying to look after the treacherous Secret Keepers? If you had just bloody let Lupin and Black kill Wormtail back in the Shrieking Shack...�

Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously, as she was studying Ron's face. �I see you've already made up your mind, Ron, haven't you? That's why you so graciously shared the details of our private conversations with your pals in the Ministry. Was this your payment to Percy to get us into this ridiculous circus of a hearing?�

Ron glowered at her angrily, and his right hand balled up into a fist.

�Percy didn't need any payment to help us,� Ron said with quiet fury in his voice. �Percy helped us and got us in, because he's family.�

�Oh, I see,� Hermione said icily. �Then explain to me, how the Ministry knew exactly what Neville had said at our kitchen table, when he was crying his heart out to us, because he had done things that neither you nor me had the courage nor intelligence to do!�

Ron shrugged indifferently. �How did they know? I don't know. If Neville blurted out something like that to us, he probably repeated those statements elsewhere as well.�

�Word for word, Ron?� Hermione demanded. �Come on! How dense do you think I am?�

�Why are you attacking me?� Ron demanded. �It's your fault that Hugo is missing! I told you it wasn't safe for him to be staying there, but no, you had to insist that it would do no harm to spend the night at Ginny's! You and your...�

�Stop that!� Hermione shouted back at him. �Al would likely still be missing, even if Hugo didn't stay there, but I suppose that doesn't matter, does it?�

�Of course it matters,� Ron countered bitterly, �others always matter to you more than your own family.�

She stared at him in disbelief.

�Ron,� she said softly. �I'm sorry. Let's go home... let's both calm down and try to think...�

�Home?� Ron stared at her. �No, Hermione. Enough is enough. I've had it with you.�

�What are you saying?� She was staring at him blankly.

�I'm saying that it's over. I'm not coming with you. I've got no energy or desire to coddle you or listen to you, now, or ever again. All I care about is finding my son. And once I find him, I intend to apply for full custody, because you are obviously not able to think about what's best of him, without thinking about everyone else first. Is this clear enough for you?�

With a loud cracking sound, Ron Apparated away, leaving Harry, Severus and Hermione to stand in stunned silence in the middle of the street.

TBC...

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Ashes of Armageddon