Five minutes after the departure of Amelia, Minerva and Severus from Albus Dumbledore's office, said office was in shambles. The contents of Albus' desk had been shoved off on all sides. Every single portrait inhabitant had left their portraits, leaving behind the canvas and various other contents of the portrait behind. A few of the portraits were barely hanging from the nails they were hanging on, and some had even fallen to the floor below – all due to the spells Albus had carelessly shot from the Elder Wand, and ricocheted off walls and other solid objects. After a spell had nearly collided with him, Fawkes had flown to a safe location in the room, taking the Sorting Hat with him so it would avoid being hit.
Suffice it to say, Albus Dumbledore was seething mad. Damn that interfering Amelia Bones! Even as a teenager, she had a feisty attitude and was never afraid to speak her mind, much like Lily Evans. These skills, plus her fantastic NEWT scores had sent her down a one-way street toward an Apprenticeship with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, eventually leading to her position as Department Head. Albus knew long ago that he should never cross her. When she stepped into his office that afternoon, he knew he was in trouble. And she had brought his two most valuable staff members into the picture as well. Dumbledore had quickly planned to Obliviate her, Minerva and possibly Snape before things went downhill at an impressive rate of speed.
Amelia had come dangerously close – even toeing the line – to discovering some of Albus' hardest kept secrets over the past few years. Albus knew she had pinpointed him as the one who had attempted to murder Hermione Granger through use of the mountain troll. She had also expertly walked through what had happened during the rescue of the Philosopher's Stone and had correctly assumed that Albus had used it as a test for Harry, one he had passed spectacularly, so of course Albus had rewarded him for a job well done!
Then there was the whole Basilisk thing – Amelia had loudly berated Albus, Minerva, Severus and the rest of the staff with a single breath. And to make things worse, she was quite correct! Those things she had described would have happened had he contacted her about the Chamber of Secrets. Albus simply had not wanted to contact her. Why would he when there was a chance the Basilisk would kill the Granger Mudblood, and maybe a few like her along the way! It didn't work – nobody had been killed and things almost ended disastrously for him! A year later, he was still being punished for it.
Also Amelia's story about Harry and Hemione's journey from confronting Sirius Black to rescuing him was quite a thrilling retelling. It was exactly what he had wanted to hear from Ron Weasley. But someone had foolishly decided to play some jokes on the poor boy. Whoever was responsible was due for a lot of trouble... if Albus could ever figure out who did it!
What Albus was certain of was that everything Amelia told him, was in turn told to her by Harry and Hermione. How Granger knew that she had been Imperiused to go to that bathroom, he did not know. What else did she know? She was quite dangerous to his plans. Albus had heard, only that morning, that Harry and Hermione were dating. That would not work for Albus' plans. She needed to be disposed of. However... her death would upset Harry too much. Which might throw him off his eventual destiny. So she could live. For now. There were other ways of getting rid of her.
However, there were also problems with that. The brat, obviously guided by the Mudblood, had outsmarted Albus, gone back further in time than was instructed, giving him time to go to Diagon Alley, speak with a Gringotts Goblin, likely his Vault Keeper Ragnok, and return at a proper time to save Buckbeak and Sirius. This information made Harry capable of seeing Sirius become an innocent man. Emancipated or not, it was assumed Harry would live with Sirius. Sirius would send him in the completely wrong direction Albus needed.
Harry needed to be a willing sacrifice so the Horcrux would be removed from his scar upon his death. If Albus could get Harry to partake in the Horcrux hunt, then Albus would have enough time to put together his plans – defeat Voldemort himself, earning a whole new appreciation from the British wizarding society which would give him open reign in the Wizengamot, and allow him to pass all kinds of laws that brought wizarding society back to the way it once was, the way it should be. This would not likely happen without complete support from the wizards and witches of Britain. Defeating Voldemort would seal that support.
Then there was Severus. He had willingly given himself over to the DMLE, and would likely be willingly to spill his secrets by the end of the day. Including those secrets about Albus – the Prophecy, Severus' part in it, as well as his criminal behavior, which would implicate others as well – key spies and useful minions in his circle. Amelia would likely hunt them down if only to hinder him! How could Severus do this, after all Albus had done for him? This couldn't simply be about the lies. Yes, Albus had deliberately lied to Snape about protecting Lily and her husband – doing so would have destroyed his key plans from the start! They had to die for the Greater Good. Why couldn't Severus understand that?
On top of all that, Albus had other problems closer to home. Minerva would never trust him again. She would likely inform the rest of the staff what she had heard by the end of the day. He would no longer be welcomed at Hogwarts. He would not be able to maintain his control over the castle when the staff were united in mutiny.
But Albus couldn't leave! He needed to be at the castle for the Triwizard Tournament to make sure his plans went perfectly. Also, Amelia's warning was clear – step a foot off Hogwarts soil, and he would be hunted by Aurors, Hit Wizards and whatever else Amelia threw his way. She knew he had important meetings in the Ministry in the future, regarding the Triwizard Tournament. This was a classic bait-and-hook scenario. It wasn't as if he could have all his future meetings at Hogwarts!
What was he to do? Then a sudden spark of inspiration came to him. He walked over to the Floo, placed some powder into the roaring fire and stuck his head in. As soon as he said 'Minister of Magic Office', which was only accessible via Floo for conversations by those who had exclusive permission, he was suddenly blasted backward. As he groaned painfully due to the hard landing, his eyes widened at the implications. Amelia had apparently blocked Floo access off to the castle. She knew he would want to get word out to certain individuals.
Not good at all.
Albus returned to his desk and sat down. He reached for a lemon drop, then realized the bowl had been upended and the contents scattered all over the floor in his rage. He realized then, he needed to clean his office. It wouldn't do to have it be a mess when he brought Potter and Granger in for a conversation. But they probably wouldn't return to Hogwarts until later in the afternoon. Thanks to Minerva's permission they were likely enjoying a nice date in Hogsmeade.
The thought made Albus want to vomit.
(Half an hour later)
Severus Snape stared at his reflection in the mirrored wall of the Ministry lift. His wrists were currently bound with magic-blocking cuffs. He, Amelia, and Aurors Kingsley Shacklebolt and John Dawlish were currently in the lift as it made its way down to the ninth floor. The Ministry's jail cells were one floor below the bottom-most floor accessible by lifts. Nobody aside from prisoners, Aurors and DMLE workers were given access there.
For some reason, Amelia had chosen to escort Severus through the Ministry's Atrium. Naturally he was stared at like an animal in a zoo exhibit and a Daily Prophet cameraman had snapped a picture of him looking emotionless as usual. He would likely be front page news tomorrow. He wondered how Lucius Malfoy and the other free Death Eaters would react to that. Didn't really matter, he decided, since he was going to snitch on them all. Damned if he did, and also if he did not. The decision was easy.
He then wondered how his students – especially the Slytherins – would react. Most of the students would likely cheer once his resignation was announced. He knew he had been the most hated Professor in the school. It wasn't a secret. Even Binns had a few favorite students, mostly history buffs – and the damned ghost spoke in monotone, read from textbooks as lectures, and got everyone's names wrong. The ghost had called him Snake for most of his education... aside from those few months where the damnable Marauders convinced Binns his name was Snivellus. Both names caused lots of snickers when mentioned by the ghost.
"Shacklebolt, Dawlish," Amelia said, "I have reason to believe someone will either attempt to break Mr. Snape out of jail, or kill him, just so he won't give up names and information, as he has promised. I want four – yes, four – Aurors on guard at his cell at all times. I will be interrogating him before the day is over, but I have urgent business to do first. I need to go to Gringotts on DMLE business, then meet with Fudge."
"I will assign the Aurors personally," Shacklebolt said, "And will be a part of the guard as well."
"Excellent," Amelia said, "Dawlish, your job is also important. Remind me, are the Senior Auror Cadets in training today?"
"Yes," Dawlish said, "They are still here."
"After you take Mr. Snape to the jail cell," Amelia said, "Locate Nymphadora Tonks for me. I wish to speak with her after I meet with the Minister. Tell her to be outside my office in... an hour or so. I have a personal task for her that will take up the final year of her Auror Training."
"Will do, ma'am," Dawlish said. "So how did you actually catch Snape? We've been trying to nab him for years, but Dumbledore always seems to save his arse. All that 'I trust him' rubbish... the so-called Leader of the Light trusting a murderer, rapist and Death Eater in one package? Sounds fishy to me. You should hear what my daughter says about him. You're a right bastard, Snape. How you lasted longer than a month as a Professor is a mystery to me."
"Nose down, Dawlish," Amelia said, "If you really want to know, he gave himself up."
"Really?" Dawlish asked, "He does have a brain under that greasy mop. Still... I have my reasons to hate him. Madam, do you realize he is solely responsible for the lack of Newt-Qualified Aurors and Healers in the past decade? You have to pass his NEWT class with Outstanding to qualify in the Senior Auror Cadet squad your first year. Otherwise you're off to Brighton Academy. He rarely gives Outstanding grades, mostly to Slytherins and most of them ain't Auror material. Likely, we'll find them on the other end of our wand. We could have had a larger number of Aurors on our squad when we were taking down his lot after the end of the Great War. Quite the coincidence... his teaching lost us good men against those bastards because we didn't have the manpower or numbers. Watch the Aurors pour in, in the next few years since he is no longer a Professor."
"I do agree he has a lot to answer for, Dawlish," Amelia said, "It will be my job to find out what."
Dawlish snorted. "Good luck. Just remember who he once answered to. Remember how many of his fellow bastards – those who got away due to the damned Imperius defense – would return if their Master ever decided he just didn't want to be dead anymore. It would be the Great War all over again."
"Mr. Snape has promised to give names," Amelia said.
"You better," Dawlish said to Severus, "Or my boot will be the one to kick your ass through the Veil."
Severus didn't answer. He merely stared at his reflection. He knew Dawlish had a good point. He had screwed up so much in the past, especially as a Professor. But he had to keep the Death Eater parents happy, or risk discovering that he was a spy. That had been one of Dumbledore's instructions. What a fool he had been. The old man had been using him since the moment he asked for sanctuary.
To think it all started because he uttered that disgusting word to Lily at the end of their fifth year, ending their friendship and vaulting her into the arms of Potter. The summer after that incident, he walked into a Junior Death Eater meeting, and the rest is history as the saying goes...
He started to wonder if keeping his silence would be better. After all, silence would be a one way ticket to the Veil, and he would reunite with Lily in the next great adventure. Obtaining leniency would likely land him in Azkaban for a few years. Literal hell was better than hell on earth.
Then as the doors of the lift opened with a ding, and he was escorted out, he realized... Dawlish might kick his ass into the Veil, but Lily would kick it again, in the afterlife, for the way he treated her son.
Maybe death wasn't so welcoming at the moment. He needed to redeem himself in Lily's eyes before he made his journey into the next great adventure. The interrogation would be a good start.
(Forty-five minutes later)
Amelia Bones walked into the reception room outside the Minister of Magic's office and over to the Minister's secretary, whom was lounging in her chair reading a trashy romance novel. She was carrying a creme-colored folder she had recently obtained from Keeper Ragnok who was only too happy to assist her.
"Is Cornelius Fudge available?" she asked.
The secretary's eyes slowly raised from her book then she jumped slightly when she realized who was speaking. "I think he is leaving shortly to go home. Is your reason for being here urgent?"
"Extremely," Amelia said, "DMLE business."
The secretary stood quickly, then walked over to a door behind her desk. It opened, and the secretary ducked her head in. A moment later, she turned around.
"He'll see you," she said.
Amelia smiled, thanked the secretary, then headed into the Minister's office. Cornelius Fudge was relaxing in his comfortable leather-backed chair at his majestic-looking desk.
"Amelia!" Fudge said, "I did not expect to see you today. I thought you would be spending the day with young Susan in Hogsmeade!"
"I had a very interesting day today, Minister," Amelia said, "Severus Snape is in DMLE custody in the holding cells. He gave himself up willingly for past crimes."
Fudge raised his eyebrows. "Did he now? To do so willingly means he wants a deal. What does he want?"
"He will give up information about Death Eaters and other stuff he has not mentioned," Amelia said, "In return for leniency."
"I won't give him a pardon," Fudge said, "Five years in Azkaban if he gives you enough information, Veil of Death if he does not."
Amelia was not surprised by this. Though five years seemed so few. But it was fifty-fifty. Snape gets a good deal or he gets death.
Amelia cleared her throat. "There are two other things. Albus Dumbledore. I have uncovered -"
"No!" Fudge exclaimed, "I do not care if he was caught trying to resurrect You-Know-Who! You will leave him alone!"
"Sir?" Amelia asked, shocked.
"The Triwizard Tournament is coming to Hogwarts in October!" Fudge said, "Do you know what the tournament will do for British wizarding society? If you were to arrest Dumbledore, it would be all over the media, and the IWC would pull the Tournament from Hogwarts and place it at Beauxbatons or Durmstrang. I do not want bad publicity! You will leave Albus Dumbledore alone until the day after the third task!"
"But that is a year from now!" Amelia said.
"You will do it or I will sack you right this moment!" Fudge exclaimed, "I better not hear or read the phrases Dumbledore or criminal activity anywhere near each other for a whole year. Not from you, not from your secretary, not from your niece. And definitely not the media! Nobody!"
Amelia frowned. She knew she needed a calm Fudge to discuss the final, most important piece of news with. So she had no choice but to comply.
"Yes, Minister," she said.
"Excellent," Fudge said, "you said you had something else?"
"Recently Harry Potter opened his parents' Will," she said, "And there was one piece of information you need to see."
"Oh?" Fudge said, "Let me see it then!"
Amelia smiled, removed a piece of parchment from the folder she carried, and walked over to Fudge's desk. She laid the parchment in front of him, and he looked at it. His eyes widened as he looked at the line concerning Sirius Black and the Godfather Ritual.
"This – this says – Amelia?" Fudge stammered, "This can't be!"
"That is from the official copy of James and Lily Potter's Last Will and Testament, Cornelius," Amelia said, "I assume you know exactly what the Godfather Ritual ensures -"
"Yes," Fudge said, swallowing, "This means that – but –!"
"It means that Sirius Black could never have betrayed James and Lily Potter nor their son," Amelia said, "He would have been a corpse before he went to Azkaban. Cornelius, are you aware Sirius Black has never had a trial?"
Cornelius' hands shook. "Dear Merlin. Harry Potter. He tried to tell me and I didn't listen. Severus Snape, he..."
"He lied to you," Amelia said, "Which is why I met with him, which led to his arrest."
"What – what should we do?" Fudge asked.
"Call off the Dementors," Amelia said, "I have reason to believe Harry Potter can get in contact with Sirius. Harry can ask Sirius to turn himself in. Sir, you should know. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger asked to be witnesses at the trial."
"I will give Black a two week deadline," Fudge said, "His criminal trial will be held in two weeks from today in front of the whole Wizengamot. If he isn't there, he's to be arrested on sight and sent back to Azkaban, whether he is guilty or not. He is obviously guilty about something if he stays away."
"He'll be there," Amelia said.
"He better," Fudge said, "Let Mr. Potter and this Granger girl know they can be witnesses."
"Of course, sir," Amelia said.
"If that is all, you may go," Fudge said, "I need to talk to my press secretary and let them know that the Daily Prophet needs to tell the public that Black is no longer considered dangerous. It will prevent panic if he walks in to the Ministry to give himself up."
"Good idea," Amelia said.
"You're excused," Fudge said, "And Amelia... remember what I said about Dumbledore."
"Yes, sir," Amelia said.
She collected the documents then headed out of the office. While the meeting could have gone better when it came to Dumbledore, she counted her blessings. Sirius was getting a trial, just as she had vowed to herself.
Five minutes later, she walked into the DMLE and found a pink-haired woman sitting in a chair, near her office, reading Witch Weekly.
"Auror Senior Cadet Nymphadora Tonks?" Amelia asked.
The woman dropped the magazine and stood from her chair so fast she nearly tripped.
"Reporting for duty, Madam Bones," she said, standing at attention, "I don't like my name and usually go by Dora or Tonks... er... ma'am."
Amelia laughed. "Dora, then. You don't have to be formal. You've known me since you were – what – six? I babysat you with Sirius, James, Lily and Remus. And I remember you interrupting Sirius' best man speech at the Potters' wedding."
Dora's cheeks and hair turned red. "Sorry, Amy. Dawlish told me you had an important task for me and I don't want to mess it up."
"Good attitude, Cadet," Amelia said, "Yes, this is a very important task and may last until you graduate to the full Auror position. You are going to be Harry Potter's personal guard."
"Harry?" Dora asked, as she blushed again. "Haven't seen him since my final year at Hogwarts. And only at a distance. I was much too shy to personally meet him... and now that just sounds silly! Why am I guarding him? Is it because of Sirius? Cause we both know he would never hurt the kid."
Amelia smiled. "You'll be happy to know that I am quite sure Sirius is one-hundred percent innocent. He has a trial in two weeks. No, you'll be guarding him from – ahem – Albus Dumbledore."
Dora blinked. "What?
"What I am about to tell you is not to be repeated unless is said to you first," Amelia said, "I have reason to believe Dumbledore is trying to use Harry for his own personal means. And they are not entirely good means. Just watch the man when he is around Harry. Harry and his friends may be in danger from the man. Also, you'll be staying with Harry this summer. Er... haven't exactly cleared that up yet, but that is my hope. But you'll see Sirius for much of the summer once he gains his freedom. Also – and keep this quiet too – Harry has a girlfriend, Hermione Granger. And three Betrothed, including my niece."
"Blimey, he's got himself a little Harem," Dora said. "Hermione, eh? I always wondered if they'd get together. They make a cute couple."
"Aside from Hermione, who he'll likely be around a lot," Amelia said, "The other girls probably won't be around as often until September unless his plans change."
"Alright," Dora said.
"I want you to meet me in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade tomorrow at eight-o-clock," Amelia said, "Then we'll go up to Hogwarts. Pack at least a week's amount of clothes. When you return to England you can pack more if you need to. Any questions?"
"No, ma'am," Dora said.
"Excellent," Amelia said,. "You are excused. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Dora nodded and left the office. Amelia walked into her office and sat at her desk. Deciding she would make Snape sweat a little before she interrogated him, Amelia started writing down a list of questions on a pad of parchment. The first was something she hadn't thought of until the moment she wrote it down:
What were you and Albus discussing before I walked into his office this afternoon?
It felt like an odd question when looking at it, but she had a feeling the answer would be important...
Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione were cuddled up inside a Thestral-drawn carriage as they rode back to Hogwarts. Harry was reminiscing about his date in Hogsmeade with Hermione. After their discussion with Daphne and Tracy, they continued exploring the shops that they had missed out on before they had to meet with Amelia.
After they explored the shops, they had walked up to the Shrieking Shack with the intention of finding a place to cuddle and snog. But when they arrived, they found Daphne and Tracy doing exactly what they wanted to do. Harry couldn't be too surprised at what they had walked up on. Where better than near the Shrieking Shack for secret lovers to have a bit of privacy. Harry and Hermione had turned to leave when Daphne had called out to them. Neither she nor Tracy were upset that it was them who had found them, rather they were relieved no one else had. The two couples spent a half-hour or so talking about random topics and enjoying the company before they walked together back to the village. Then they had piled into separate carriages and returned to the castle.
When the carriage arrived, Harry and Hermione made their way inside the Entrance Hall.
And found Albus Dumbledore waiting for them.
"Greetings," he said, "Would you please accompany me to my office? I'd like to talk to the pair of you."
Harry glanced at Hermione and she shrugged and nodded. Harry decided 'what the hell' and agreed as well. An eerie silence surrounded the three of them until they stepped into Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore crossed the office and sat at his desk.
"Sir, why are we here?" Harry asked, "Is this about me spending the day in Hogsmeade? Because Professor McGonagall gave me permission."
"It is strange you felt you needed permission," Dumbledore said, "Given that you are an Emancipated Minor."
Harry found he was not surprised the old man knew. "So Madam Bones told you about our visit to Diagon Alley then?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore said, "You know – leaving the grounds without permission does usually qualify for suspension or expulsion."
"So does trespassing into a forbidden corridor," Hermione said, "You gave us 110 points for that if I remember correctly."
Dumbledore glared at Hermione, and she looked over his head.
"Legilimency on a student is illegal, Professor," Hermione said, "Maybe I should write to Madam Bones."
"I guess I should tell you," Harry said, "Hermione is a Vassal of House Potter. Attempt to attack her or threaten her, and deal with me. I would even go as far as challenging you to an official duel for satisfaction."
Albus blinked and looked down at his desk. "Threatening a Headmaster also qualifies for expulsion."
"So expel us," Harry said, then a thought entered his mind, "Oh, I get it. You'd expel Hermione, but not me so that she cannot influence me anymore, right? How you can consider she is a bad influence is beyond me."
"Unless you're thinking along the similar lines as a quarter of the student body," Hermione said, "that a Muggleborn should not date the Boy-Who-Lived."
"Not a very nice opinion for the Leader of the Light to have," Harry said, with a smirk.
Dumbledore merely smiled at Harry.
"If you're going to expel us, do it, old man," Harry said, "I guarantee we'll get a letter from Beauxbatons tomorrow. And if you just expel her and not me, I'll drop out and leave you to the backlash of the Boy-Who-Lived leaving Great Britain. Imagine what would happen when Voldemort returned and the Chosen One wasn't there to defeat him."
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. "Interesting choice of words, Harry."
"It is Lord Potter to you, old man," Harry said.
"Would you really leave the school your parents wanted you to go to?" Dumbledore asked. "Would you truly leave Great Britain to the horrors of a Dark Lord."
"You defeated one already, sir," Harry said, "You can do it again. As for my parents, sir. I wish I knew what they wanted for me. I don't though, so I make my own choices and hope they're proud of me."
"It seems we are at a standstill, Lord Potter," Dumbledore said, "What would you want if it meant you were to remain at Hogwarts instead of go to Beauxbatons next year?"
"Hermione and I get to move into the Lord's Quarters for the remainder of our stay at Hogwarts – starting tonight," Harry said, "And if we want a few others to move in with us because we feel they are at risk elsewhere, we have permission to do so. Also, you leave me, Hermione and my friends alone unless it concerns education."
Dumbledore stared at Harry for several moments. "You have a deal, Lord Potter. I'll need a list of your friends."
"When they agree to move into the Lord's Quarters," Harry sad, "I will tell you."
"Agreed," Dumbledore said, "Professor McGonagall will meet you in the Gryffindor Common Room half-an-hour after dinner. Gather your belongings and she will escort you to the Lord's Quarters."
"Alright," Harry said, "Is there anything else you want from us or can we leave?"
"The two of you can leave," Dumbledore said.
Harry and Hermione said farewell, then made their way back into the corridor.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, when they were far away from the office, "We never discussed going to Beauxbatons."
"I know that, he doesn't," Harry said, "It was reverse psychology. We got exactly what we wanted free of charge."
Hermione giggled then wrapped her arms around his neck.
"God I love you so much," she said, and kissed him deeply.
Nothing else was said for a few minutes. Neither cared they were standing in the middle of a corridor.
(Later that evening...)
Amelia stepped into Interrogation Room C and found Severus Snape sitting at a table with two chairs. Kingsley Shacklebolt and another Auror stood on either side of the room. Amelia sat down in the empty chair and stared at Severus for a moment' then she removed his wand from her pocket and set it on the table.
"I spoke with Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge earlier today," she said, "He is willing to grant leniency. Five years in Azkaban if you give enough useful information. If you do not... a one-way trip through the Veil of Death."
"Five years sounds fine with me," Severus said.
"Shacklebolt, remove the magic-block from his bindings," Amelia said, "Bailey, train your wand on him. Severus, you will be giving an Honor Vow that you will speak honestly."
"No Veritaserum?" Severus asked.
"Only if you don't cooperate," Amelia said, "Then I'll stuff it down your throat, force you to talk, then push you through the Veil myself."
Severus nodded once then picked up his wand. Kingsley removed the enchantment, then trained his wand on Severus.
"I, Severus Tobias Snape," Severus said, "vow on my Honor to speak honestly to all questions Amelia Susan Bones asks of me. If I lie, may my magic be stolen from my body, and be forced to live a Squib the rest of my days. So mote it be! Lumos!"
The tip of his wand shone brightly. Amelia snatched the wand back from him.
"We'll see at the end of the session if you're a Squib or not," Amelia said, then looked at the Aurors, "Reset the enchantments, then the two of you may leave."
Kingsley flourished his wand toward Snape and the bindings around the prisoner's wrists shone blue. Then the two Aurors walked out of the room. Amelia removed a pad of parchment, a Dicta Quill and ink from her robes, then tore off the section of questions and set the Quill on the empty note pad.
"It is seven-fifteen on the evening of the eighth of June," Amelia said, as the quill began to write by itself. "Interrogation Room C. Interrogator: Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Prisoner is Severus Tobias Snape. Prisoner has taken an Honor Vow to answer all questions honestly. Minister of Magic Fudge will grant leniency of five years in Azkaban if Prisoner gives quality information, and the Veil of Death if Prisoner does not. A Dicta Quill is being used to pen the transcript of the Interrogation."
Once the Quill stopped, Amelia looked at Severus who stared back at her.
"Earlier this afternoon, when I entered Albus Dumbledore's office," she said, "You and Albus Dumbledore were in the middle of a conversation. What were the pair of you talking about?"
"Albus had learned of the new romantic relationship between Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," Severus said, "And he disapproved of it."
"Why would their relationship be any of his business?" Amelia asked, "Of yours?"
"I hardly care what happens between the brats unless it affects me," Severus said, "Albus, however – he did not approve. He said it wasn't in his plans. You asked me why I was in that office. He wanted me to brew Amortentia – Love Potions. He never mentioned anything like this to me before. I am under the impression this new romance was entirely unexpected."
"Who were the Love Potions supposed to be for?" Amelia asked.
"Potter's would be keyed to Ginevra Weasley," Severus said, "Granger keyed to Ron Weasley."
"Were you going to accept the task of brewing the Potions?" Amelia asked.
"If I wanted to remain under Albus' protection I would have had to," Severus said, "Besides... if I didn't do it, he has another probable supplier."
"Who?" Amelia asked.
"Molly Weasley," Severus said, "She is one of his more trusted... confidants, I suppose is the right word. Actually Molly would probably be the best choice to brew the Potions. All Potter and Granger would have to do is accept an invitation to the Burrow, have a meal with a drink dosed with Amortentia – and Dumbledore gets what he wants."
"Do you believe Ronald or Ginny Weasley would have gone along with it?" Amelia asked.
"Ginny... possibly," Severus said, "Ron... absolutely. He is about as far under Dumbledore's thumb as I was."
"Explain," Amelia said.
"He is Dumbledore's spy when it comes to Potter," Severus said, "Other students call Potter, Granger and Weasley the Golden Trio. Weasley is merely playing a role as their friend and getting paid in Galleons and good grades to do it. As long as he gives Dumbledore's good information, that is. It was Dumbledore's instruction for Weasley to befriend Potter. The boy is a dunderhead, but a good actor."
Amelia made a mental note to begin investigations on Molly and Ron Weasley, then moved on with her next question.
"When did you become a Death Eater?" Amelia asked.
"In the summer of 1978 after finishing my education," Severus said, "Though I had been 'in the club', as they say, for two years prior after attending a Junior Death Eater Recruitment meeting with a few other teenagers of all ages.
"Describe the day you received the Dark Mark," Amelia said.
"The Dark Lord and a group of Death Eaters had just returned to our Headquarters after a successful attack on a Muggle shopping center," Severus said, "Back then that specific group had been the Senior Circle. They brought several female hostages back with them – girls, teens, women. Several would be temporary sex-slaves as rewards to the Senior Circle for a job well done. The rest... well, they were for the recruits who were earning the Mark that evening. The girl chosen for my ceremony was about fifteen or sixteen. Never got her name, but one of the Death Eaters called her Lily. She had red hair, so I don't know if the bastard was just playing with my emotions as a test of faith or something..."
Amelia listened as Severus described in detail the rape and following murder by Killing Curse of the teenage Muggle. Then he described the ritual when he received his mark.
"How long were you in Voldemort's service before you started working for Dumbledore as a spy?" Amelia asked.
"Two years maybe less," Severus said, "One cold January evening in 1980, I was having a drink in the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade and went up to the second floor to use the bathroom. On my way back, I heard the sound of a women apparently struggling or having a fit or something. When I came to the door of the room she was in, I heard her speak. It was Sybil Trelawney and she was making a Prophecy. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... That is all I heard before Aberforth Dumbledore yanked me from the door before throwing me out of the pub."
Amelia's eyes widened. "Do you know the rest of the Prophecy? Is there more?"
"There is more," Severus said, "Albus knows it. He was interviewing Trelawney for the Divination Post the night she made the Prophecy. He never told me the rest of the words."
"What did you do with the information?" Amelia asked.
"Made the worst mistake in my life," Severus said, "Told the Prophecy to the Dark Lord in hopes that I would be in his Senior Circle. That was, indeed, my reward. A few months later, Neville Longbottom was born, then Harry Potter. The Dark Lord decided Potter was the Child of the Prophecy. He wanted to kill Potter... he wanted to kill James and Lily. I went to Dumbledore begging him to save them... to protect them all. I became his spy that night. Halloween of 1981... the night Lily died... was the night I stopped being a Death Eater and started plotting the Dark Lord's death."
"So Voldemort isn't dead?" Amelia asked; it had been a running theory of hers for some time.
"The Dark Mark means allegiance," Severus said, "The Dark Lord expects allegiance. If the Dark Lord were to die, I expect the Dark Mark's enchantment would either make me a Squib or kill me outright. The Dark Lord would see it as his final punishment for failing to protect him. Albus thinks the Dark Lord is hiding. Albania, Bulgaria, Transylvania... could be anywhere. But he is alive... he is merely a leech at the moment."
Over the next hour, the interrogation continued. Severus named names of Death Eaters. Names of witches and wizards who were free due to the Imperius Defense, but were loyal to the Dark Lord. He named names who were key members of the Ministry of Magic. Wizengamot, Auror Department, DMLE, and so on and so forth.
Finally, Amelia had three final questions for him.
"Is Dumbledore responsible for Hermione Granger's attempted murder on Halloween of 1991?" Amelia asked.
"Yes," Severus said, "He used the Imperius Curse on her, sending her to that bathroom where she remained for several hours."
"What are Dumbledore's ultimate plans for Harry Potter?" Amelia asked.
"He expects Potter to die whilst fighting the Dark Lord," Severus said, "When the Dark Lord is weak after his battle with Potter, Dumbledore will kill him, taking the glory for himself."
"Do you believe Albus Dumbledore is a Dark Lord?" Amelia asked.
"Borderline," Severus said. "He walks the line between both Light and Dark. There is no Grey for him. The wizard who he defeated in the most famous battle of the age – the Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald? Albus knew him when they were in their youth. They were best friends and lovers. Take that however you will."
Amelia turned up her nose at that. She pointed her wand at the bindings then gave Snape back his wand. He lit it up with Lumos Charm revealing his honesty in all answers. She placed the enchantments on the bindings again.
"Quill, take note that Severus Snape has performed magic so he has kept his Vow," she said, "This concludes the Interrogation. I will recommend a five year stint in Azkaban. Thank you for your cooperation."
She stood, collected the items, and walked out of the room. She nodded to Kingsley and he stepped into the room. As she walked away, her mind was on the interrogation. She had several investigations to begin. Molly Weasley... possibly her youngest son and daughter. And all those Death Eaters, some of whom were bigwigs in the Ministry!
But the one investigation she wanted to do, she was being held back on. The thought made her shudder. Albus Dumbledore, a possible Dark Lord, had been given a Minister's pardon for a year!
Amelia shivered. It was going to be a hell of a year.