Memories of a death eater (Severus x OC)

1. The murderer

This story was written before the publication of Deathly Hallows, thus it doesn't follow some canon events. This is a translation of the original fanfic writen by me called "Memorias de un mortífago". Please, forgive any spelling and grammar mistakes.

***

Albus Dumbledore walked quickly through the sinister corridors of the magical prison of Azkaban, heading to the waiting room. The Minister of Magic was waiting for him, with the Daily Prophet in one hand, and a smile of circumstance on his face.

"I'm afraid this doesn't look good, Albus," said the Minister.

"It surprised me too," Dumbledore agreed, regretfully. "I have to say that I would never have expected something like this."

"Unlike the rest of the magical community," the Minister added acidly. They were both referring to the news that was making the headlines in the Daily Prophet, and in most newspapers around the world. Severus Snape, former professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, alleged former death eater and alleged right-hand man of Dumbledore in his fight against the Dark Lord, had been found guilty of the murder of five people.

The newspaper article could not be clearer.

"The reasons why this man, two years after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, has murdered these innocents are unknown.

"The victims are Mary-Anne Collins, a muggle teacher, Laura Letter, a young squib, her muggle husband, Johnattan Letter and their two children, four years old Sophie, and two years old Kevin.

"It is very possible that Snape will be sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss, due to the general revulsion that this bloody massacre has caused. Such a reaction has not been seen since the torture of Frank Longbottom and his wife..."

"I assure you that I would have never expected something like that from him," Dumbledore insisted. "Two years later... and it's not even known what relationship they had with him."

"Is that why you are going to be his defense lawyer?"

"I want to know why he did it, that's all."

"Why would he? Because he is a madman and a dirty death eater, that's why!" the Minister spat.

"A death eater who fought alongside us during the war," Dumbledore reminded him, his voice grave.

"Because he knew that the dark side had no chance!"

"I trust Severus."

"Really? Well, I hope you have better luck in the interrogation than the Aurors who visited him this morning."

Dumbledore did not want to respond to the Minister's bitter words, partly because he himself could not resolve his own doubts on the matter. Why had he done it? Why right now? It didn't make any sense. Had it been some kind of trap? Had someone betrayed him, like Wormtail had done with Sirius Black?

But no, Dumbledore told himself, as he left his wand in the hands of the guards guarding the entrance door to the cells of the most dangerous prisoners, there were more than a hundred witnesses. Half of King's Cross had seen it, damn it! And they all agreed on the same thing: the man with the hook nose, the one dressed in black, had started shooting at that poor family, and then he had also killed the woman who was alone.

Dumbledore kept thinking about the matter as he walked alone down the corridor. Snape had dismembered the bodies. The little boy had lost half his torso. But that wasn't like him! It didn't make any sense!

Two dementors guarded the door to Snape's cell and stood aside for Dumbledore to pass. The wizard looked at them with contempt, but he maintained his composure magnificently and entered the dark and gloomy cell.