Severus Snape: The Becoming

Trial

"Please state your name, age, and birthday for the court please" spoke the Chief Warlock to him in front of a full jury of witches and wizards

He took a deep breath, his chest aching with the exertion it took to move from his hospital bed to the ministry. Three weeks of rest hadn't done much for him by way of healing.

He delicately tried to clear his throat

"Severus Tobias Snape. Thirty nine. January the ninth, nineteen sixty"

The Chief peered over his glasses, asking incredulously

"You, Master Severus are here today for the crimes of treason against the government and the murder of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. It is your statement that you were acting as a spy for Dumbledore and his murder was agreed upon beforehand. Is this true?"

This trial already was decided. Why try to fight? The looks of derision being tossed his way told him all he needed to know. In his heart he knew he was a murderer. Otherwise his soul wouldn't have shattered, leaving him gasping and wishing for death for three days.

"It was decided beforehand. Albus asked me to handle his passing he was going to die a painful death because of a curse he encountered while hunting Horcruxes to defeat the dark lord" he forced out, his normal voice choppy

"Dumbledore saved you from punishment before the first war, correct? He spoke to your moral character?" the Chief questioned with an arched brow, spectacles dangerously close to falling off his angular nose

"Yes. He gave me a second chance when no one else would" he replied with what he hoped was gratitude

"And you repay that by murdering him in front of two students?" the Chief asked with barely disguised venom in his age lined face

"It was an act of mercy. Albus was about to be tortured by Fenrir Greyback and Bellatrix Lestrange. He knew that. He made me agree to this death months prior. I didn't want to do it. Even acts of mercy are not distinguished as such in ones soul" Severus divulged, his hope for life waning

A ripple spread throughout the room as the head Warlock pondered

"So you feel guilt? A guilty conscience doesn't speak of innocence. You know what you've done was wrong. So how can we as a jury find you not guilty?"

"I feel guilty because my friend is dead and unable to see victory. I do not feel guilty that I helped him escape prolonged pain and suffering" Severus mustered, chin up, hairs on his neck raised in anger

"I do not think we need to deliberate on this" the elder Warlock cut off the whispering in the room as the door to his left swung open with a crash

"Excuse me! I was asked to be a part of the witnesses for this defendant. Instead I was not even notified the trial had started? Chief Warlock Bridges just exactly what are you doing conducting this spectacle without any of the dozen witnesses who demanded to be heard?" rang out an angry female voice, the darkness hiding her appearance until she stood in between Severus and the jury

It was the head director of the unspeakables. The woman who he had saved. Now instead of crouching bloodied and bruised, she stood tall and defiant, cheeks blushed peach against her darkened hair.

"Head Director Lundgren, we were not aware of this wish" the Chief spoke smoothly, belying his anger at her sudden interruption

"That's a lie. I have placed a formal request that you be removed from this jury on the grounds of prejudice against the defendant. We cannot start a new government with old views" she crossed her arms in front of her chest, shoulders squared