A Faithful Servant (S. Snape)

Chapter Four: The Verdict

Ava sat in the cell for a week's time, only eating here and there where she would see fit, or having small meals left for her. Her mind was constantly thinking, attempting to sift through what she wanted to do. She was sure she still had time to turn the other's in - in fact, she was sure that if she wanted to, at the trial she could. However, did she want to?

Her mixed thoughts left her constantly biting her lower lip, to the point where it was almost constantly bleeding, or torn. Her mind was always thinking, and now she hardly noticed when the Dementors flew by; the only time she really knew they were there was when her thoughts would suddenly darken, and a change in the atmosphere would make her shiver violently.

By the time two guards came to pick her up for her trial, she wasn't any closer to her decision than she had been before. They escorted her out of her cell, magically binding her arms behind her back, but holding her securely to ensure full protection. Passing by other Death Eaters cells, she did the best of her ability to ignore them, but she couldn't help but shudder when Bellatrix uttered words she did not want to hear.

"Join us," she hissed, cackling. "Freedom isn't better than the company of us."

Ignoring her, and not even making eye contact, Ava continued on, a glint of hardened determination touching her eyes. It's not that she wanted to leave the Death Eaters - she didn't - she truly believed that Voldemort's way was the right way. Though, her selfishness thought otherwise. She wanted protection. She wanted the freedom.

It was the Order, that she didn't want to deal with.

Two Dementors followed Ava and the guards out, staying with them, even as they Apparated. Instantly she felt the cold of the prison cease, and felt the sudden warmth of a new building. Blinking, she stared around the room she was in, finding herself outside of two solid doors.

She knew she was in front of the room for which she'd have her trial, and staring at the intimidating doors before her, she swallowed, hard. The Dementors hovered obediently behind them, and the guards were suddenly walking forward, forcing her to walk up to the doors.

They opened it, and at once she was met with the eyes of about fifty people, all of them looking contemptuous and also satisfied. Keeping her impassive expression, she allowed the guards to bring her in, placing her into a chair right in front of the entire Wizengamot, and instantly the chair locked her into place.

The two Dementors stood sentinel beside her, one on either side of her, simply hovering in their spot. Several more were stationed near the entrances, as if somehow she could escape, get past the roomful of wizards, and make it to the doors.

She noticed, with a slight bit more ease, that both Dumbledore and Snape were also sitting before her, though Snape was off to the side. Dumbledore didn't give her an angered look, or satisfied smirk, he simply sat there, smiling softly. Snape looked bored, and reserved, not at all seeming interested.

"All rise," Cornelius Fudge stated, voice bold. The people stood unanimously, before all sitting back down comfortably. "Ava Parker, you are here today to stand before the Wizengamot, and face an equal and fair trial," she noticed the disapproval in his tone, but ignored it, holding her head a little higher at his words. "It is under Wizarding Law in section B-17 of the Wizarding Decree that Magical Mis-Conduct in the presence of a Muggle, the killing of any human being, and the torturing of any human being deserves sentences in Azkaban. Added up, you receive life in Azkaban."

The Wizengamot looked at her condescendingly, before Albus Dumbledore stood.

"As Chairman of the Wizengamot, I believe I have some say in how this goes," Dumbledore stated, receiving attention from everyone. "Ms. Parker has in fact done these things, but under what control? Ms. Parker?"