Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
—————————————————————
There was a cacophonous shuffling around the courtroom as everyone took their final places and fell silent, anxiously waiting for the proceedings to begin.
James sat with his attorneys and his parents at the plaintiff's table.
Across the room, on the defendant's side, Lily sat next to Severus, who closely watched the scene with a scowl.
Once the motion had mostly died down, the judge banged his gavel against the dark wood of his desk and called out loudly, "The court will hear from Mr. Potter's primary attorney, Mr. Williamson, first. Mr. Williamson, if you please......" The judge nodded at one of the well-dressed men sitting with James.
That particular well-dressed man stood from his seat and flashed a handsome smile as he walked into the center of the large courtroom.
"Thank you, your honor." Mr. Williamson replied with a gracious nod to the judge, "My name is Adam Williamson and I come before the court today to defend Mr. James Potter against the damages that have been caused to him by Mrs. Lily Potter. Besides these matters, my client is seeking full custody of their unborn child."
Whisperings echoed throughout the court and Lily shifted nervously in her seat until Severus threw her a reassuring glance.
"Silence!" The judge called as he banged his gavel again.
Once quiet settled over the court, the judge nodded back at James's attorney, "Mr. Williamson, you may proceed."
"Thank you, your honor." Mr. Williamson repeated as he pulled on the expensive, blue tie that hung down the middle of his chest, "I'd first like to call Mr. James Potter to the witness stand!" Mr. Williamson confidently announced as he looked over at James.
Severus narrowed his black eyes in suspicion.
He wasn't that familiar with magical law, but he didn't think witnesses had to be involved in simple, civil proceedings.
James rose from his seat and wordlessly walked over to sit in the witness chair at the judge's side.
A court clerk scurried over and swore James in, verified his identity, then scurried away just as Mr. Williamson began to speak while his shiny, polished shoes clicked over the stone floor of the courtroom.
"Mr. Potter?" Mr. Williamson asked, "Can you give the court an account of the abuses you've endured at the hands of the defendant?"
"Oh...." James said dramatically as he placed a hand up to his temple, "I suppose I'll try......."
Severus fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Lily Evans....Mrs. Potter....chased after me constantly when we were younger. I told her over and over again that I wasn't interested, but she just refused to leave me alone." James explained with a shrug.
Lily frowned and narrowed her eyes at James's outright lie.
Severus grit his teeth.
"So, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter pursued you even after you'd told her that her advances weren't welcome?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Yes, sir." James nodded with a sigh, "Relentlessly......I've often found favor with the fairer sex, but Lily wouldn't take no for an answer."
Severus usually had enviable self-restraint, but he was so appalled by what he was hearing that he blurted out before he could stop himself, "That's a lie!"
"Silence, Mr. Snape!" The judge retorted with another bang of his gavel.
Once Severus closed his mouth, the judge turned back to James and nodded, "Continue, Mr. Potter."
"Anyway, Lily wouldn't stop until she had me." James added.
Severus remained quiet but the scowl on his face was menacing to behold.
"And before your marriage, did she know that you came from one of the wealthiest wizarding families in Britain, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Oh, of course she did." James nodded, "You know how a gentleman can be.....persuaded....against his better judgement......This past autumn she came to me in a gorgeous dress and these beautiful heels and we had a few butterbeers........ She purposely chose not to use contraception that night. I asked her, but she said that she had taken a potion and there was no need."
Severus heard Lily suck in a seething breath as Mr. Williamson went on, "Butterbeers, Mr. Potter? Did Mrs. Potter willingly intoxicate you?"
"I can't remember much from the evening, it's all blurry now." James said despairingly as he pressed his fingers to his brow.
"Can you tell us anything about what happened after that, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Williamson questioned.
James sighed, "Well........When Lily told me she was with child, her parents threatened me and my family if I didn't marry her, so I complied with their request.....I tried to be a supportive husband, you know, and look after our baby. It's just so very difficult because she's never home."
Severus nearly bit through his tongue as he listened to the ridiculous rubbish that spilled from James's lips.
"Never home? Where does Mrs. Potter go?" Mr. Williamson asked James.
"I have no idea." James shrugged again, "She refuses to tell me. Although.....I do know for sure that she's been spending quite a lot of time with Severus Snape for the past few weeks."
"Severus Snape, the representative from Hogwarts that's present today?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Yes," James snapped as he glared over at Severus.
Severus held his enemy's gaze just as hatefully as James added, "Severus Snape, the representative from Hogwarts. Severus Snape, Lily's best friend. He's been in love with her since we were children!.......I suppose that's irrelevant, though. I don't care what Mrs. Potter does, I only want to keep my child! You have to help me, Mr. Williamson! I can't bear this anymore!" James finished with a theatrical cry.
Lily's mouth fell open.
Severus was grimacing so severely it looked painful.
Shocked gasps and loud whispers rang out in the courtroom as the judge banged his gavel and shouted, "Silence! SILENCE!"
Once the courtroom again quieted down, the judge nodded over at James and Mr. Williamson as he spoke, "Proceed."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Mr. Williamson said to James, "No further questions."
Mr. Williamson nodded at James, who stood up and walked back to his seat after his attorney nodded at him.
Severus prepared to make his plea for Lily but his black eyes widened in surprise as Mr. Williamson turned to look at Lily and called out, "I would now like to call Mrs. Lily Evans Potter to the witness stand!"
Lily looked over at Severus in shock and the frown on her face made him wish he could embrace her and tell her everything would be alright.
She rose from her seat and anxiously walked over to sit in the witness chair.
The same court clerk scurried over, swore Lily in, verified her identity, and scurried away just as Mr. Williamson's black shoes clicked across the stone floor again.
"Mrs. Lily Evans Potter, my client is generously prepared to give you visitation rights if you agree to relinquish your rights to your child?" Mr. Williamson offered.
"I'm not giving James full custody!" Lily replied, "Lies! That was all lies! I never chased after James Potter! I didn't try to seduce him either! And anyone who knows us is aware that I can't drink butterbeer and James abhors the taste! This is all laughable!"
Whispers rang out in the courtroom, but the judge banged his gavel once more and shouted, "Silence!"
Mr. Williamson didn't wait for the judge to give him permission to proceed.
"Do you also deny, Mrs. Potter, that you didn't know about Mr. Potter's great wealth?" Mr. Williamson asked.
Severus frowned as he watched tears of rage well in Lily's eyes.
"Allow me to remind you that you are currently under oath, Mrs. Potter, mistruths will not be tolerated." Mr. Williamson smirked as Lily swallowed her tears.
"That didn't stop James......" Lily murmured and Mr. Williamson leaned in as he asked, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Potter, what was that?"
"I said," Lily replied after she cleared her throat, "Yes, I did know about James's wealth. However, I would like to remind the court that I haven't asked for any money from my husband outside of his portion of our child's expenses."
"And how else do you plan to pay for those expenses besides Mr. Potter's money, Mrs. Potter?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"I......beg your pardon?" Lily replied as she narrowed her green eyes.
"Is it true, Mrs. Potter, that you are currently unemployed?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Well, yes......" Lily stammered as she laid a hand over the swell of her belly, "No one will hire me now! I'm moving back in with my parents and after the birth, I'll be working full time."
"So you're also homeless, Mrs. Potter?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"No!" Lily cried, as Severus clenched his jaw in disbelief at how lop-sided the court case seemed to be. Lily went on, "James and I haven't sold our house yet, I still have a home.....and I'm always welcome with my parents, so-"
"Are you referring to the property that you and Mr. Potter acquired shortly after your marriage?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Yes, I am." Lily replied with a scowl.
"You're referring to the property that was purchased with James Potter's parents' money, then?" Mr. Williamson asked.
".......Yes." Lily nodded hesitantly.
"Mrs. Potter, since the house was purchased with the Potters' funds, once the dwelling is sold, the proceeds will be returned to the Potter family. So then, allow me to clarify my question for you, Mrs. Potter....." Mr. Williamson said in a very condescending tone, "You currently don't have a home which you own or rent?"
"...........No." Lily replied honestly as her eyes watered again.
"I see." Mr. Williamson replied dryly.
Severus daydreamed about cursing the lawyer as he went on, "The court has examined your health records, Mrs. Potter. I noticed you were late to one of your regular checkup appointments three months ago by fifteen minutes. Are you so unconcerned about your child's health that you neglected to arrive on time?"
"I was ill and in bed!" Lily retorted, "If the court has truly reviewed my health records, Mr. Williamson, then the court should have seen my repeated complaints of nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. I'm afraid the early days of my pregnancy were less than pleasant."
Severus frowned at Lily in sympathy as his anger boiled.
Had James not even cared enough to look after his ill wife?
If Lily had been married to Severus and he had seen her sick, he would have-
"And is it true, Mrs. Potter, that your and Mr. Potter's child is a boy, scheduled to be born on August fifteenth?" Mr. Williamson asked.
"Yes, that's what the midwife has told us." Lily replied.
"Well, Mrs. Potter," Mr. Williamson said with a callous smile, "My client sincerely hopes that you won't be late for that. However, by then, he should have full custody, so he'll escort you to the hospital himself."
As Lily bravely stared back into Mr. Williamson's cold, unfeeling gaze, she pursed her lips in determination.
Lily would rather die in unassisted childbirth than have James next to her on the fifteenth of August.
"No more questions, your honor." Mr. Williamson smiled brightly up at the judge while Lily tried to wipe the tears from her eyes before they fell.
She wouldn't give James the satisfaction of watching her weep openly.
"Thank you, Mr. Williamson." The judge nodded as James's attorney walked over and sat down.
Lily followed after him and resumed her seat beside Severus.
The judge turned his head towards Severus then and asked, "Does the defendant's representative have anything to say in rebuttal, Mr. Snape?"
Severus rose from his chair and clutched the parchments in his hand as he replied in his low voice, "The defendant's representative has much to say in rebuttal, your honor."
"Very well, Mr. Snape." The judge nodded at Severus as he gestured to the empty courtroom floor.
Severus walked over to the middle of the space in front of the judge with his black robes flowing elegantly around his legs.
As Severus stood and faced the court, the judge looked at him and nodded, "Mr. Snape, you may proceed."
—————————————————————
The courtroom was silent as Severus walked over and presented the sealed documents from Hogwarts to the judge.
"May I ask what these are, Mr. Snape?" The judge blinked as he opened the envelopes and scowled down at the pages each one contained.
"Those are the sealed disciplinary records of Lily Evans, as she was known in her school days, and also, the disciplinary records of James Potter." Severus spoke, letting his dark eyes flicker over to his nemesis.
The shock was evident on James's face as his eyes widened then narrowed at the audacity his old enemy displayed.
"The court has only requested Mrs. Potter's school records, Mr. Snape." The judge replied to Severus.
"With all due respect, your honor, I was told by Hogwarts' headmaster that Mrs. Potter's attorney, who unfortunately isn't with us today, had previously requested that Mr. Potter's behavioral reports be taken into consideration as well....for an accurate representation of character in this case." While Severus spoke, his gaze moved over to Lily and his heart stirred when he saw her beaming at him from where she sat.
Lily's attorney hadn't sent a request for James's records and she wasn't sure how Severus had convinced Dumbledore to allow it, but she was infinitely grateful that Severus had been sly enough to do so.
The judge kept examining the records as he told Severus dismissively, "Very well, Mr. Snape, you may continue."
Severus looked around the courtroom at all of the people gathered there.
He had already grown accustomed to teaching.
Severus wasn't nervous about speaking in front of such a large group, but he was nervous about what to say.
He didn't have James's ample supply of money, nor did Lily.
Severus's argument against James would need to rely on factual statements and those statements were clearly backed by the records from Hogwarts that the judge held in his hands.
There was no point in calling James to the witness stand, he would only spew more falsehoods.
Lily had already declared James a liar.
Severus continued her battle to reveal the truth.
"James Potter proved himself capable of murder at sixteen. When he orchestrated an attack on a classmate that could have resulted in their untimely dismemberment and or permanent maiming." Severus announced to the court, earning another round of shocked gasps and loud whisperings.
"Silence!" The judge called, looking up from the papers to bang his gavel. Once he achieved the quiet he sought, he nodded over at Severus as he stated again, "Proceed, Mr. Snape."
"There is a documented list of various disciplinary actions against James Potter from age eleven to seventeen, such a brief time ago.......Wealth is not necessarily an indicator of one's convictions. James Potter was known to hex first years in his last term at Hogwarts, children when he was legally a fully grown adult. He's never held employment of any kind and currently owns no property without the help of his family. Do you honestly believe that James Potter is a qualified father, your honor?" Severus asked shrewdly.
Lily smiled widely in her seat as James brooded and whispered to his attorneys.
The crowd in the Ministry courtroom stayed mostly quiet.
The judge was too busy examining the parchments to make another call for absolute silence over the small amount of noise so Severus continued, "If you'll notice, your honor, Mrs. Potter's records are pristine. Her marks in classes are also much higher."
"I do see that, yes........" The judge murmured absently as Severus glanced over at him.
"It would be no difficulty at all to find many who can vouch for Mrs. Potter's kindness and work ethic. On the other hand, there are sure to be few outside of Mr. Potter's circle of close friends who could sit in this room and proclaim his decency, I assure you." Severus continued.
The crowd could take it no longer and the loud whisperings erupted again, but the judge's patience seemed to have drained.
"Silence!" The judge called as he banged his gavel and stood from his seat, "Silence! Court is adjourned for the day! Remediation will be in one month! Mr. Williamson, Mr. Snape, the court will examine your cases in the meantime and a decision will be reached. Good day!"
Before anyone could bother the judge with additional questions, the older man rose from his desk, clutching the parchments Severus had presented to him, and disappeared from the courtroom.
Severus immediately rushed towards Lily but James leapt from his chair and cut him off a short distance away from the defendant's table.
Standing practically nose to nose, Severus and James stared each other down.
"Think you're clever, eh, Snivelly?" James sneered.
"Anyone but a fool could see through that ridiculous string of lies you told on the witness stand, Potter." Severus snapped.
"I was only letting the court know the facts, Snivelly." James replied with a smirk.
"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter." Severus replied as his black eyes left James's face for a moment and flickered over his much shorter frame, "No one's safe these days........Many people seem to simply....disappear......in the middle of the night.....Entire families, sometimes......Especially those who anger the Dark Lord in any way.....any way at all, really."
"Are you threatening me, Snivelly?" James laughed.
"No, Potter." Severus replied as his black stare bore into James's pupils, "I'm only letting you know the facts."
Severus roughly pushed past James, purposefully knocking him to the side with a shove of his shoulder.
While James and his parents watched with scowls on their faces, Severus helped Lily to her feet and quickly escorted her back to the castle to rescue her from all of the injustices she had had to endure.
———————————————————
Lily was quiet for a long time after they returned to Severus's chambers.
Severus settled her on the sofa and waited for her tears to come, but they never did.
Lily leaned against Severus and he sat behind her in silence.
She turned to cuddle into him and Severus was brave enough to lay a hand over the one that she placed on his chest.
Lily stayed quiet while he gently stroked the back of her hand with his pale, nimble fingers.
As time passed, he grew brazen enough to lift his other hand and place it around her shoulders comfortingly.
Lily shifted at first and Severus was frightened that she was going to push him away, but his heart leapt when he realized that she was actually leaning into his touch.
When Severus heard Lily's stomach growl as lunchtime approached, he ordered an entire plate full of those cinnamon biscuits she loved so well from Hogwarts' house elves.
To Severus's relief, when he presented Lily with her sweet treat, she began to eat the sugared morsels hungrily.
————————————————————
Over the next two days, Lily continued to often be quiet, but she still enjoyed chatting with Severus.
Sitting and talking to each other were favorite activities for them both.
"You don't have to worry." Severus reassured his love as he let her lay against him on the sofa one evening, "I won't let Potter win. I promise you, Lily."
"Thanks, Sev." Lily replied, "It's still quite upsetting."
"I can imagine." Severus answered as he tried not to stare at the view of Lily's cleavage he could see from sitting behind her, ".........I didn't realize the child wasn't due until the middle of August."
"That's what the midwife keeps telling me." Lily shrugged.
Severus paused to imagine why Dumbledore had included Lily's child as one that the prophecy may refer to?
Born as the seventh month dies........
The middle of August did not quite qualify for the prophecy's time frame.
Lily finished her plate of cinnamon biscuits and turned to look up at Severus as she asked, "Hey?............Sev?"
"Yes?" Severus asked as he gazed back at her, captivated by the pleasant glow across Lily's cheeks.
"What James said in court....was that.......was that true?" Lily asked.
Her face lit up in a beautiful smile full of hope.
Was it true?
Did Severus feel the same way about her that she felt about him?
Did he see her as more than a friend?
Severus felt his chest tighten as he looked into Lily's green eyes while James's only accurate accusation echoed back to him.
He's been in love with her since we were children!
"I should think there was little truth to any of Potter's statements." Severus said, easily deflecting the question until he had more information about what exactly Lily was asking, "Which of his claims are you referring to?"
Lily felt her heart start to race as she explained, "Um.....when he mentioned you've-"
She stopped suddenly when Severus bristled.
"What is it?" Lily asked as he sat up suddenly and moved away from her, "What's the matter, Sev?!"
It was too familiar of a feeling to ignore.
Severus pushed his sleeve up and saw the dark mark on his forearm glow and writhe.
His jaw tensed as he looked up at Lily with his black hair hanging in his face as he remorsefully announced, "He's calling me...."
"Go." Lily nodded eagerly, "Go on, then! Don't get in trouble."
Severus stood with a sigh.
Lily mistook the sound as an indication that he was irritated with her, but Severus was vexed with Voldemort, not his beloved flower.
Of all the times that his dark master would summon him!
"I'll be back as soon as I can." Severus hastily said to Lily, "Do you need anything before I go? I can-"
"Sev, I'm fine! Go on! Go!" Lily replied as she shooed him away.
With a frown of utter self-loathing, Severus quickly left his rooms, ran out of the castle, down the hill to Hogsmeade, and apparated straight to Voldemort's side.
—————————————————————
It was only the bonded magic that guided Severus to his new location, that pressing need Voldemort had ingrained into his Death Eaters to come whenever he called.
Severus never really knew where he would end up when he answered Voldemort's request until he arrived at his destination.
That day, he was surprised to find himself standing in the middle of the Malfoy dining room, with all of Voldemort's closest allies seated at the gothic, ebony table.
"Ah, Severus, you're here at last!" Voldemort said with a humorless smile as everyone at the table turned to look.
Severus noticed Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, Dolohov, Macnair, Yaxley.......
"I apologize for my tardiness, my lord. Leaving from Hogwarts castle takes a moment longer than if I were elsewhere." Severus replied obediently.
The situation made Severus profoundly nervous.
Severus was Voldemort's closest confidant, and he was unaware of any scheduled large gatherings of Death Eaters.
Severus wondered, with concealed panic, what exactly was going on?
"You don't have to apologize, Severus." Voldemort replied in his eerily tranquil tone, "I'm well aware of the restrictions that the old fool, Dumbledore, insists on using. I merely invited you here tonight to express my great disappointment."
"Your.....disappointment......my lord?" Severus asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
That was it.
It was over.
Severus kept his facial expression calm but mortal dread rose within him.
Had Voldemort discovered his true loyalty?
Was he about to be murdered?
What would happen to Lily?
.........And her baby?
"Do you consider yourself a part of our family, Severus?" Voldemort asked.
"Of course......my lord." Severus quietly replied.
Severus's heart clenched in his chest.
"Then may I ask why we have not been invited to join yours?" Voldemort inquired.
For a second, the tension Severus felt was overpowered by confusion as he asked, "............My lord?"
"Narcissa told me the good news, Severus! Congratulations! Another two to our ranks!" Voldemort exclaimed with a gleeful smile, too arrogant to assume anything besides complete and utter devotion from his most faithful servant.
Applause sounded from around the table.
Severus's black eyes fell accusingly on Narcissa Malfoy as she grinned and explained, "I saw you shopping the other day........"
His stomach dropped into his shoes as he realized that he'd been seen, buying clothing and.......intimate wears.....for an expectant mother.
There was no other logical explanation besides the fact that he had-
"I'm thrilled that you've managed to sire a child, Severus!" Voldemort went on, "It only concerns me that I haven't met the woman you've chosen to bear your offspring. Surely she isn't.......of a less than desirable blood status?"
"No, my lord." Severus replied, "Of course not."
"Then may I ask why you haven't brought her to me? Your master?" Voldemort asked.
Severus thought of a reasonable excuse at a remarkable speed, "She's foreign, my lord. She doesn't speak much English. I didn't see the need to trouble you over such a small matter."
"A foreign pure-blooded witch?!" Voldemort exclaimed, "Now that sounds exactly like the kind of forward thinking I like to see. By the time your child is old enough, Severus, he or she may usher in new alliances for us with other nations. A small matter? I should hardly think so, we're all family here!"
Dark chuckles resounded across the table and an eerie tension settled over the room as Severus's low voice poured out over his comrades' noise like liquid silk, "Forgive me, my lord. I'll bring such issues to your attention in the future."
A tense pause settled over the room.
The Dark Lord broke the silence.
"You have one hour, Severus." Voldemort commanded very matter-of-factly.
Severus narrowed his eyes at his superior in confusion as he pressed, ".......May I ask for what, master?"
"One hour to bring the witch to me. I know mated women often lie about listlessly. Surely you can rouse her and have her here by then?" Voldemort nodded with a threatening smile, "Don't you agree......Severus?"
"Surely, yes.......of course, my lord." Severus replied.
"We'll be waiting on you!" Voldemort called as Severus raised his wand and apparated away.
The last thing that Severus heard in the Malfoy dining room was unpleasant, empty, dark laughter as his fellow Death Eaters followed the cue of Voldemort's joyless smile.
When Severus landed on the hillside next to Hogsmeade, he lifted himself with a spell and entered broomless flight so he could race towards Dumbledore's office as quickly as possible.
One hour to find a pregnant lover whom he could present to Voldemort was not a very long time.