Innocence | Severus Snape x Reader

25 - Hearing

"Hagrid, are you ready?" I said through the door. As a witness and the assistant teacher, I was required to join Hagrid at the hearing over Buckbeak. I was absolutely livid with the Malfoy boy knowing this was his fault. 

"Yeah." He walked out of his Hut wearing a furry jacket and a large yellow tie with orange polka dots. I could tell he tried to put himself together. 

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We sat in the courtroom. On one side of the room, across from me, was Lucius Malfoy. Hagrid was in the middle of the room, sat in a chair he didn't quite fit in. 

The members all took turns talking about why we were there and whatnot. Describing the charges that had been put on Hagrid concerning Buckbeak. 

"Buckbeak is a good Hippogriff! I always clean his feathers! He wouldn't hurt a soul without being provoked." Hagrid defended. I couldn't help but feel impatient with his improper antics. 

"Mr Hagrid, we do not care about the creature's feathers." The judge said. "Ms L/N?" The Judge called. 

"Present," I said. 

"You were a witness to the event in question and you are also partly responsible for the creature, yes?" 

"That is correct however, I have no ownership of the Buckbeak. I simply help take care of him." I told the judge, feeling Lucius Malfoy's eyes prying at me. 

"And how do you recall the event?" 

"Draco Malfoy approached the hippogriff in a hostile way, and the hippogriff responded as reported, though the boy's arm was never broken," I stated in a clear and calm manner. "I have three additional statements I would like to make." 

"Proceed." 

"My first statement is that I have ridden and interacted with the hippogriff multiple times and have never been attacked. Secondly, Harry Potter has also ridden and interacted with Buckbeak and he suffered no threats or injuries from the creature. And lastly, when I was attacked by a dementor that YOU put on our school grounds and I was unable to produce the Patronus Charm, Buckbeak saved my life by swarming off the dementor and making sure I was conscious. The creature is intelligent and is well aware how to differentiate a threat between a non-threat. Draco Malfoy was acting as a threat to the creature, it had every right to defend itself-" 

"How dare you insult my son like that." Lucius spoke up. I looked at him, this time it was me staring bullets at him. "Your honour, that creature is a deadly and dangerous creature that would kill you on sight. My son said so himself." Lucius said, and the judge seemed to believe him. "How are we to believe some underdressed, half-breed hobo, and a child." 

"I am not a child!" I said sternly to him, which caused the judge to slam his hammer down. 

"Right, has the jury come to a conclusion?" The judge asked. 

"We have your honour." A man said. "Mr Malfoy shall be the one to decide the punishment for Rubeus Hagrid and his bird." 

"Hippogriff." I corrected under my breath. 

"I believe that this hippogriff," Lucius said making eye contact with me. "Be executed." 

"Then it is decided, Buckbeak the Hippogriff will be executed. The date will be announced soon. Court dismissed." The jury dispersed and I stepped down, going over to Hagrid who began crying. I felt a tap on my shoulder. As Hagrid walked away I turned to see Lucius Malfoy, who was quite a bit taller than me. 

"How brave you must be, girl, to challenge me in my own workplace." 

"You're a dirty cheat. But I suppose that's okay as long as you get your way." I gave him a snarky smile and narrowed my eyes.

"Now you listen here..." 

"I'm afraid I must return to Hogwarts now. I have to still go teach your child. Would be a shame if he failed his classes." I nodded and then walked away without a second thought.

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I paced around the potions classroom waiting for Severus to come back. When the door opened I looked at him before pacing again. 

"Y/N, please calm down." He caught me as I turned around, and held me in place. 

"That foul, loathsome... evil little cockroach got Buckbeak killed! Buckbeak is going to die because of him!"  I complained, this was the first time he's ever seen me react to something like this. 

"Calm down." He said softly. I sighed and looked up to him. 

"Lucius is... I hate him." I said as I put my head on Severus' chest and he encased me in one of his hugs. 

"It will be alright, Y/N. Why don't we go read and you can get a good nights rest." I tore away from him and nodded. 

We went into his chambers and I sat on the bed. I blushed briefly, thinking more thoughts that would have Severus teasing me again. So I quickly brushed them off. 

He came over to me with a book and a cup of tea, made just how I like it. I moved over in the bed and he sat down next to me, handing me the cup. I took a sip from it before getting cosy. As we had many nights before, I leaned my head on Severus' shoulder and he began to read. I drifted off to sleep listening to his sultry voice. 

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When I awoke, I was in an unfamiliar position. I looked around me noticing my head was on something soft and warm, but unlike a pillow. There was something wrapped around my waist too. I looked around and realised my head was on Severus' chest. he had his normal pyjamas on but this time we were... cuddling. It was new to me but it felt nice. I closed my eyes relishing how it felt. 

There was a bit of grumbling from beneath m and I looked up to see Severus looking down at me. 

"Well, good morning." I smiled at him and sat up slightly. 

"How'd we end up like this?" I asked, sitting up more. 

"You were having a nightmare, I tried waking you up but that didn't work so I resorted to this. It calmed you right down."