Emeralds and Ashes Ch. 33

The Great Hall buzzed with the usual morning chaos. Students chattered over plates piled high with bacon, toast, and eggs, their voices blending into a lively hum. At the Gryffindor table, Harry sat with James, Sirius, the Prewett twins, and Frank. The group was tucked into a corner, their heads bent close together, their breakfast mostly finished.

"So, I’m telling you," Fabian said, leaning forward with a grin, "if you charm the broom to whistle every time you lean left, it’ll throw off the other team’s Beaters completely. Imagine them trying to aim with that noise in their ears!"

Harry snorted, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, and imagine McGonagall’s face when she finds out you’ve tampered with Quidditch gear again. You’ll be scrubbing cauldrons for a month."

"Worth it," Fabian shot back, winking. "What do you think, James? You’re the Quidditch genius here."

James managed a half-smile, but his eyes kept darting toward the Slytherin table. "Sounds like a laugh, but I’m not sure I’d want my broom shrieking at me mid-game. Too distracting."

"Speaking of distractions," Frank cut in, his tone lighter than it had been in days, "did you lot see Rosier trying to hex her porridge this morning? Swore it was staring at her."

“Or maybe a certain someone tried something,” Harry said suggestively, eyeing one half of the twins. They boy played innocent, munching on a piece of bacon.

Sirius stayed quiet, his fork pushing a bit of scrambled egg around his plate. He could feel what was coming, and judging by the way James kept glancing at the doors, he wasn’t the only one. The easy banter felt like a thin cover for the tension simmering underneath.

"You alright, James?" Harry asked, his voice low enough that the others didn’t catch it.

James met his eyes and gave a small nod. "Yeah. Just… thinking."

Harry didn’t push, just gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning back to the twins’ argument about whether charmed brooms were technically cheating.

Sirius leaned closer to Harry, dropping his voice. "You sure about this? Once it starts, there’s no going back."

Harry’s jaw tightened. "I’m sure. He made his choice, Sirius. Now he deals with it."

Before Sirius could reply, the heavy oak doors of the Great Hall swung open with a loud creak. The chatter in the room faltered as four figures in dark robes strode in, their boots clicking against the stone floor. Eyes widened as the students stared at the newcomers.

Harry exchanged a quick glance with James and Sirius. This was it.

"Bloody hell," whispered Gideon, "are those Aurors?"

Fabian leaned forward, eyes wide. "What are they doing here?"

The lead Auror, a tall woman with sharp features and a tight bun, scanned the hall. Her gaze landed on the Slytherin table, where Severus Snape sat alone, his head bent over a book.

The four Aurors marched directly toward the Slytherin table, their synchronized footsteps echoing in the increasingly silent hall. Students craned their necks to watch, conversations abandoned in favor of this unexpected drama.

At the Slytherin table, Severus Snape sat hunched over his breakfast, seemingly oblivious to the approaching Aurors. It wasn't until the shadow of the lead Auror fell across his plate that he looked up, confusion flashing across his sallow face. His dark eyes narrowed when he realized who they were.

"Severus Snape?" the woman said, her voice carrying across the hall.

Snape’s posture stiffened, but he didn’t stand. "Yes?"

"I am Senior Auror Halloway, and these are Aurors Cooper, Blackwood, and Terrence." She gestured to her colleagues. "We're here to place you under arrest for the attempted murder of James Potter, heir to the House of Potter."

A gasp rippled through the hall. Students turned to their neighbors, whispering frantically. At the Gryffindor table, Frank let out a low whistle.

"Merlin's beard," he breathed, turning to James with wide eyes. "What the hell happened?"

James didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.

Snape had gone deathly pale, his dark eyes widening in shock. "W-what? That's—that's absurd! I haven't—"

"Please stand," Auror Halloway instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We have a warrant for your arrest issued by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with the backing of the Wizengamot."

Snape remained frozen in his seat, looking around wildly as if searching for an escape route. "This is a mistake! I haven't done anything!"

"Stand up, Mr. Snape," Auror Cooper repeated, his hand moving to rest on his wand holster.

Snape’s lips pressed into a thin line as he forced himself to get back under control. He stood slowly, his hands gripping the edge of the table.

"That’s absurd," he said, his voice low but steady. "I’ve done nothing wrong."

Auror Holloway raised an eyebrow, unmoved. "You’ll have a chance to make your case. For now, you’re coming with us."

"I’m innocent!" Snape snapped, his voice rising. His eyes darted around the hall, landing on James, who was still seated at the Gryffindor table. James stared back, his expression blank, giving nothing away. Snape’s glare darkened, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. He knew exactly what was going on and who was behind this.

The other two Aurors stepped closer, one pulling out a pair of charmed cuffs. "Hands out, Snape," the second Auror, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, ordered.

Before they could move further, the doors at the end of the podium swung open. Dumbledore swept in, his robes billowing, with Slughorn puffing along behind him as he walked down from where he’d been sitting at the teachers’ table. The headmaster’s face was calm but serious, his blue eyes taking in the scene.

"Aurors," Dumbledore said, his voice cutting through the tension. "May I ask what brings you to Hogwarts this morning? I was not told that I should be expecting any of you."

Auror Halloway turned to face the Headmaster, pulling an official-looking parchment from her robes. "Headmaster Dumbledore, we have a warrant for the arrest of Severus Snape on charges of attempted murder using dark magic. We are not required to give you prior notice when executing a Wizengamot-authorized warrant."

Slughorn moved forward, his walrus-like mustache quivering with indignation. "Now see here! Mr. Snape is one of my best students. There must be some kind of terrible misunderstanding."

"I assure you, Professor, there is no misunderstanding," Auror Halloway replied crisply. "We have witness testimony and evidence of the attempted use of a dark curse with lethal intent."

Dumbledore's eyes lost some of their usual twinkle as he scanned the warrant. "Nevertheless, as Headmaster of this institution, I must insist on clarity before one of my students is removed from these grounds. Mr. Snape is a student under my care."

"Headmaster," Auror Blackwood stepped forward, his voice measured but firm, "with all due respect, Mr. Snape is legally an adult in our world. The warrant has been properly issued for the attempted murder of the sole heir of a pureblood family with a Wizengamot seat. This is not a matter open to negotiation. The Wizengamot has spoken. We’re doing our job."

The hall was alive with whispers now, students leaning over tables to catch every word. Some looked shocked, others excited, like they were watching a drama unfold. At the Gryffindor table, Harry exchanged a glance with James, who was gripping the bench tightly.

Snape's eyes darted across the Hall until they locked onto James. "Potter," he hissed, a look of utter hatred on his face. "This is your doing, isn't it?"

All eyes turned to the Gryffindor table where James sat, his expression carefully neutral.

Sirius nudged James’s shoulder, murmuring, "Time to step up, mate."

Harry gave James a small nod, his expression steady. "You’ve got this."

James took a deep breath and stood, drawing every eye in the hall. Sirius and Harry rose with him, flanking him as they walked toward the center of the scene. The whispers grew louder, a wave of curiosity washing over the students.

"Actually," James said, his voice carrying across the now-silent Hall as they approached, "it's your doing, Snape. Your curse, your choice, your consequences."

Dumbledore turned, surprise flickering across his face. "Mr. Potter? What’s this about?"

James stopped a few feet from Snape and the Aurors, his shoulders squared. "I pressed the charges, sir," he said, his voice clear and firm. "Because Snape tried to kill me."

The hall erupted into gasps and murmurs. Students turned to each other, their voices a chaotic buzz.

"Snape tried to kill Potter?" one Hufflepuff whispered.

"No way!" a Ravenclaw shot back.

“I knew they didn’t like each other, but I never expected he’d try to kill the bloke!” another Hufflepuff hissed.

At the Slytherin table, a few students glared at James, but others looked uneasy, their eyes on Snape.

Dumbledore’s expression grew grave. "Mr. Potter, that’s a serious accusation. Can you explain what happened?"

James nodded, his gaze steady. "Last night, in the corridor by the library, Snape and I crossed paths. There was something I wanted to talk about, and we argued, yeah, but then he pulled his wand and tried to curse me. I defended myself, and he used a curse—a dark one. Sectumsempra. It’s his own spell, sir. If I hadn’t dodged, I’d be dead, sliced open from throat to navel. The wall took the hit instead.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the Great Hall.

Snape's face contorted with fury. "He's lying! Potter attacked me first! I was defending myself!"

"That's not what happened," Sirius said coldly. “We all know you’re not some saint, Snivellus. Don’t think we’re fools.”

Slughorn looked between them all, clearly distressed. "Headmaster, surely there's a way to handle this internally? Mr. Snape is a brilliant potioneer with a promising future. Perhaps some form of school discipline—"

"School discipline?" Harry interjected for the first time, his voice cutting through the hall like a knife. "For attempted murder? Professor Slughorn, with all due respect, this goes far beyond breaking curfew or being caught in the Restricted Section."

“Mr. Potter, are you certain—" Dumbledore began.

"I saw what that curse did to the stone wall behind me, Professor," James cut in. "It left gouges three inches deep. If that had been my flesh..." He left the sentence hanging.

The murmurs grew louder, students craning to hear every detail. Slughorn clutched his chest, looking like he might faint.

"Severus, is this true?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Snape’s face twisted with anger. "He’s lying! Potter provoked me! He’s always provoking me!"

"Provoking you doesn’t mean you get to try to murder someone," Sirius cut in, his voice sharp. "You crossed a line, Snape."

Dumbledore raised a hand for silence, his eyes searching James’s face. "Mr. Potter, I understand emotions can run high, but to escalate this to the Wizengamot—"

"There’s no misunderstanding," Harry interrupted firmly. His voice was calm but carried an edge that made the hall quiet again. "Snape used a curse meant to kill. He invented it himself. How can you stand there and defend him, sir?"

Dumbledore’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t back down. "I am not defending Mr. Snape’s actions, Mr. Peverell, but I believe we must consider all possibilities. A moment of anger does not define a person."

"A moment of anger?" Harry’s voice rose, disbelief clear in his tone. "He tried to kill James. That’s not a mistake, sir. That’s a choice. And you’re acting like it’s something we can just talk out over tea."

The students were hanging on every word now, their whispers hushed but frantic. The Prewett twins exchanged a glance, both looking impressed by Harry’s nerve. Frank leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he watched the exchange.

Dumbledore sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Mr. Peverell, I have known Mr. Snape for years. He is troubled, yes, but I do not believe he intended true harm. If we act in haste—"

"Haste?" Harry cut him off again, his green eyes blazing. "James could be dead right now. How is that not enough for you to see what Snape is? You’re supposed to protect us, not make excuses for someone who’s dangerous."

Dumbledore's expression remained placid, but his eyes had hardened. "Mr. Peverell, I have always believed in second chances. In redemption. Even the darkest soul can find its way back to the light if given proper guidance."

"And I believe in consequences, Headmaster," Harry countered. "I believe that when someone tries to take a life, they forfeit their right to the benefit of the doubt. How can you defend him? How can you stand there and argue for leniency when he tried to kill another student in your school? What message does that send to everyone else here?"

The hall had fallen completely silent now, every student hanging on their every word.

"I am not defending the action, merely suggesting that punishment should be tempered with wisdom and compassion," Dumbledore replied. "Violence begets violence, hatred begets hatred. Where does the cycle end if not with forgiveness?"

"Forgiveness is earned, Professor," Harry said quietly. "And it comes after justice, not instead of it."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even the Aurors looked surprised, their eyes flicking between Harry and Dumbledore. Snape’s face was a mask of fury, his hands trembling at his sides.

"Headmaster," Auror Holloway finally said, her tone firm, "we have a job to do. The warrant is clear. If you have concerns, take them to the Wizengamot."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to respond, but a new voice cut through the tension.

"Wait."

Every head turned as Lily Evans stood from the Gryffindor table. Her red hair caught the morning light as she walked forward, her steps steady but her face set with determination.

Snape's expression transformed instantly. The hatred and fury melted away, replaced by hope. For a moment, he looked almost desperate, like he thought she might save him.

"Lily," he breathed, almost pleading, as if uttering her name alone could save him.

Lily didn’t even look at him as she approached, stopping beside her housemates, her gaze fixed on Dumbledore.

"I was there last night," she said, her voice carrying over the hall. "I saw everything."

Dumbledore’s eyebrows rose slightly, genuine surprise mingling with concern. "Miss Evans, you witnessed the incident?"

Lily nodded, her jaw tight. "I was coming back from the library. I heard them arguing, and then things escalated. Potter dealt with Snape’s spells, and then I saw Snape use that curse. Sectumsempra. He cast that curse without any provocation beyond wounded pride. And it wasn’t just a hex, sir. It was meant to kill. I saw what it did to the wall—gashes so deep they looked like claw marks. If Potter hadn’t moved, he’d be gone."

The hall exploded into whispers again, louder this time. Students were practically falling out of their seats, trying to catch every word.

Snape stared at her, his face draining of what little color it had left. "Lily, no, you don't understand—"

Now she turned to look at him, her expression as cold as the freezing lands of the north. "I understand perfectly. I saw what you did. I saw what that curse did to the wall. You weren't trying to disarm him or stun him or even hurt him. You were trying to kill him."

"But Potter—he always—" Snape stuttered.

"He hasn't hexed you in months," Lily cut him off. "And he's never tried to kill you, no matter how much you two despise each other."

Dumbledore looked between Lily and Snape, clearly troubled. Everyone in the school knew of their long friendship.

"Miss Evans, are you absolutely certain of what you saw?" Dumbledore asked gently. "Old friendships can make such testimonies difficult."

Lily's eyes flashed. "With all due respect, Professor, my friendship with Severus ended when he called me a Mudblood and tried to curse me in the library. What little remained died the moment I saw him try to cut another student open from throat to navel in a school corridor."

Dumbledore’s face grew even more troubled, his eyes flicking to Snape.

Snape’s hope had entirely shattered. His face contorted with betrayal, his eyes burning as he stared at Lily. "You’re siding with him?" he spat, his voice shaking with rage. "After everything, Lily? You’re turning on me for Potter?"

Lily finally looked at him, and her expression was pure loathing. Her green eyes were cold, her lips pressed into a hard line. "I’m not siding with anyone, Severus. I’m telling the truth. You tried to kill an innocent person. You created a spell to hurt people, to kill them, no matter if they’re guilty or innocent. That’s not the person I thought you were. That’s not someone I can defend."

Snape’s chest heaved, his hands clenching into fists. "You don’t understand," he snarled. "You never did. You’re just like them now, aren’t you? A traitor!"

Lily didn’t flinch, but her voice grew quieter, more cutting. "I defended you for years. Made excuses for you. Told myself you weren't like the others, that you were just misunderstood. But I finally see you clearly. You’re the one who betrayed everything we used to be. I don’t know who you are anymore, Severus, but I know I’m ashamed I ever called you my friend."

The words hit like a blow. Something dark and ugly twisted across Snape's features, hope giving way to a raw, consuming rage. His hand flew to his pocket, his wand appearing so quickly it seemed to materialize in his fingers. The Aurors tensed, their grips tightening on their own wands, but before anyone could react, Snape’s rage boiled over.

His wand snapping up toward Lily, a curse already forming on his lips.

"You ungrateful little Mud—" he screamed.

But before Snape could utter a single syllable of a curse, there was a blur of motion as Harry stepped forward, his own wand appearing as if from nowhere. With a sharp flick, he sent a wordless spell that hit Snape square in the chest. Snape’s wand flew from his hand, clattering across the stone floor, and he stumbled back, pinned against the Slytherin table by an invisible force. He wasn’t hurt, but he couldn’t move, his arms locked at his sides. Only his eyes were able to move, wide with shock and fury.

The entire hall froze in stunned silence. Every eye was on Harry, who stood with his wand still raised, his face a mask of disdain and barely contained anger. Snape struggled against the spell, his face red with fury, but he couldn’t break free.

"I wouldn't," Harry said softly, his voice carrying in the silent hall. His eyes burned with cold fire as he stared at the frozen Snape. "You've done enough damage. You already tried to harm one. What makes you think I’d let you do the same to the other?"

Dumbledore looked shaken, his eyes wide as he took in the scene. "Mr. Peverell, that was—"

"Necessary," Harry cut him off, his gaze never leaving Snape. "He’s a danger to everyone here. You can’t keep pretending he’s not."

James stepped forward, his voice steady but heavy. "He tried to curse Lily, sir. Right in front of you. How much more proof do you need?"

Sirius crossed his arms, his expression grim. "He’s not just a troubled kid anymore. He’s a threat. You saw it."

The Prewett twins and Frank had joined them now, and so had Marlene and Alice, all standing just behind Lily, Harry and James. Fabian’s usual grin was gone, replaced by a hard look. "He’s lucky Harry got to him first," he muttered.

Auror Halloway stepped forward, nodding approvingly at Harry before turning to her colleagues. "Release Mr. Snape from the spell and secure him properly. We've seen more than enough evidence of his character and intentions today."

Harry released his spell with a flick of his wand. The moment he was free, Snape lunged for his fallen wand, but Auror Cooper was faster, summoning it to his hand with a casual "Accio wand."

"Severus Snape," Auror Halloway intoned formally as Aurors Blackwood and Terrence took Snape by the arms, "you are under arrest for the attempted murder of James Potter, and the additional attempted assault on Lily Evans. You will be taken to the Ministry holding cells to await trial before the Wizengamot. You have the right to legal representation..."

Slughorn was wringing his hands, looking like he wanted to disappear. "Oh, Severus, how did it come to this?" he mumbled, but no one paid him much attention.

As the Auror continued to recite Snape’s rights, Harry turned to look at James and Lily, who stood side by side, their expressions a mix of shock, relief, and lingering tension.

"You okay?" Harry asked them both quietly.

Lily nodded, a slight tremble in her hands the only indication of her rattled nerves. "I... yes. Thank you for that."

James merely gave him a small nod. Lily hadn’t moved either, her eyes still on Snape. There was no pity in her expression, only a deep, unshakable disgust.

"You’re not worth saving," she said softly, her voice carrying just enough for him to hear. Snape’s face crumpled, rage and pain warring in his eyes, but he couldn’t respond.

The Aurors began to cuff Snape, his face a mask of hatred and betrayal as he was hauled to his feet amidst the stunned audience of students. His eyes locked with Harry's for a brief moment, and the pure loathing in them was almost tangible.

Harry met his gaze unflinchingly. "Take out the trash," he said to the Aurors, just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

The lead Auror nodded, a flicker of respect in her eyes. "You heard him. Let’s go."

The scarred Auror grabbed Snape’s other arm, and together, they hauled him toward the doors. Harry released the spell fully just as they moved, and Snape stumbled, nearly falling before the Aurors steadied him. He didn’t fight them, but his head turned, his eyes locking onto Lily one last time. The betrayal in his gaze was raw, and so was the hatred, but Lily didn’t look away. She held his stare until he was dragged out of sight.

The doors slammed shut behind them, and the hall exploded into noise. Students were talking over each other, some shouting, others whispering in shock. The Gryffindor table was a mix of whispers and stunned silence, while the Slytherins looked torn—some angry, others uneasy.

Dumbledore stood motionless, his face unreadable. He simply looked at Harry, then James, then Lily, as if seeing them for the first time.

"I hope you three understand the gravity of what has transpired here today," he said quietly. "A young man's life has been irrevocably altered."

"By his own choices," Harry pointed out. "By his own curse."

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "Perhaps. But I cannot help but wonder if we have failed him somehow."

"With all due respect, Professor," Lily said, her voice steady despite the lingering shock, "not everyone can be saved. And not everyone deserves to be."

The Headmaster looked at her sadly. "A harsh perspective from one so young, Miss Evans."

"A realistic one," she countered. "Some lessons can only be learned the hard way."

James lifted his head, squaring his shoulders as he gazed at Dumbledore. "Professor, I know you believe in second chances. But Snape had plenty of those. He chose this path. He chose to create that curse. He chose to use it. And now he has to live with those choices."

Dumbledore studied James for a long moment, something flashing in his eyes. "You've grown, Mr. Potter. I only hope it's in the right direction." With that cryptic statement, he turned and headed toward the exit, presumably to deal with the administrative fallout of having a student arrested.

As the hall gradually returned to its normal buzz, now fueled by the most exciting gossip of the year, Harry, James, and Lily found themselves standing in relative quiet. Sirius rejoined them, clapping James on the shoulder.

“You good?”

James let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "That… that was something."

Sirius sighed, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "You did the right thing, mate. We all did."

Harry turned to Lily, who still looked slightly shaken. "You didn't have to do that, you know. Stand up like that."

Lily met his gaze steadily. "Yes, I did. I couldn't let him get away with it. Not after what I saw." She glanced at James. "Not when I knew the truth."

James shifted awkwardly, clearly unsure how to behave around this new version of Lily Evans who was suddenly on his side. She was, right?

"Thanks, Evans. That... that couldn't have been easy."

"It wasn't," she admitted. "But it was necessary." She took a deep breath and added, "And I think, after all this, you might as well call me Lily."

A slow smile spread across James's face, genuine and warm for the first time since the previous night. "Alright... Lily. Thank you once again, for telling the truth, especially when it must’ve been so hard."

She met his eyes for a moment, something unreadable in her gaze. "The truth was all I had to give," she said softly, and with a faint smile, she turned around and walked away towards her friends who stood waiting for her.

Harry’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips before he finally turned to James and Sirius, his voice low. "It’s done."

"Yeah," James said, his voice steady now. "It’s done."

The hall was still buzzing, students recounting the scene to each other, some already embellishing the details. But for Harry, James, and Sirius, there was a strange sense of finality. They’d crossed a line, and there was no going back. But as they looked at each other, they knew one thing for sure: they’d face whatever came next together.

As the professors began herding students back to their seats, urging them to finish their breakfast, Harry caught Dumbledore’s eye one last time. The headmaster’s gaze was heavy and searching, but Harry didn’t look away. He’d said what needed to be said, and he’d done what needed to be done. He knew the old wizard did not like it, but it wasn’t as if he had disagreed with them, especially once Snape showed his true colors by trying to curse Lily in front of the entire school.

Across the hall, at the Slytherin table, Narcissa and Bellatrix exchanged satisfied glances. The plan had worked perfectly. Justice had been swift, and now a would-be murderer was on his way to face the consequences of his actions. As their eyes met Harry's, Bellatrix raised her goblet in a subtle toast. Harry nodded once in acknowledgment, his lips quirking a bit as she winked at him.

Justice, it seemed, had been served. For now, that was enough.

"Come on," Harry said, turning back to the group. "Let's get out of here before we become the main exhibit in this circus."

“Yeah,” James muttered. “Also, I don’t fancy seeing myself look at Dumbledore right now. Did you see his expression? I've never seen him look so... I don't know, disappointed maybe?”

"He'll get over it," Sirius said dismissively. "The old man can't save everyone, no matter how much he wants to."

"I don't think it's about saving Snape," Harry mused. "I think it's about what he believes education should be. A safe place for second chances."

"Some people don't deserve second chances," James said quietly. "Not when they've gone that far."

The three stood in silence for a moment while the Great Hall continued to buzz with excited chatter, their fellow students dissecting every moment of the dramatic scene they'd just witnessed.

"So," Sirius said finally, trying to lighten the mood, "what now? Classes as usual after watching a classmate get arrested for attempted murder?"

James let out a strained laugh. "Apparently. Though I doubt anyone's going to be focusing on Transfiguration today."

"One less thing to worry about, at least," Harry said. "One less threat in the castle."

"True," James nodded, his expression growing more serious. "But there are others. You know that, right? Snape wasn't the only one with... certain sympathies."

"We'll deal with them if we need to," Harry replied firmly. "One problem at a time."

James and Sirius exchanged a meaningful glance with each other and nodded, a silent communication passing between them.

One problem at a time indeed.