Proceedings (4)

September 1994

Ministry of Magic

Harry hearing all this had an expressionless face while standing on the edge of the visitor's gallery.

Amelia had a slight smile on her face. Snape had his chin lifted high in the air as if he had accomplished something great in his life.

This time Amelia did not wait for Dumbledore to bang his gavel and ask for argument.

She stood up and walked close, "Although all what Mr. Snape talked about has nothing do with the merit of the case, but no doubt, he had been successful in planting the seed of doubts in everybody's mind."

She continued, "I am not acutely aware of all these incidents what Mr. Snape talked about as I had not prepared for things totally unrelated to the case. So, I can only hope for Mr. Potter to come forward and explain his situation."

Dumbledore was about to object when Amelia continued, "But I would like to bring another perspective in the views of the esteemed members of the council."

"What Mr. Snape talked about is the behaviour and character of Mr. Potter. Now, every coin has two sides and so has this case. Even if I put in the best and most generous of words, I would still have to say that Mr. Snape is the most hated professor at Hogwarts in the past few decades."

"His behaviour with the students is very well known and I believe that many of the esteemed members of the council must be aware of this. Calling out names to students, insulting them at every moment, calling them incompetent and creating an oppressive atmosphere is a normal thing in Mr. Snape's class."

Amelia was going all guns blazing or maybe all wands firing spells, "But this is not all what that needs to be mentioned. All of his behaviour could have been acceptable as a shortcoming in his management of temper if not for his duality. While Mr. Snape deducts points from non-Slytherin students for breathing loudly and walking with a sound in the corridors, he rewards the Slytherin students for being properly dressed or because they appear good in colours of house Slytherin."

With every passing remark, those houses and people who were supporters of Dumbledore had a frown on their faces. They mostly had their children or grandchild in non-Slytherin house. Though they were aware of Snape's behaviour they had not thought much before agreeing to support Dumbledore in this case but now, Amelia's argument had brough all those feelings back on the centre stage. On the other hand, Dumbledore could see through the changing expressions of his supporters and could only curse Amelia and then Snape in his mind.

Snape had also lost all his arrogant smirk and he had a realization that he had a made grave error. He cursed himself for not listening to Dumbledore.

Madam Bones continued, "This duality from Mr. Snape shows that what he does not a shortcoming of his anger issue but an agenda driven behaviour."

"Also, Mr. Snape as a professor is highly incompetent. Thanks to his incompetency we had a drastic decrease in students getting good grades in OWLs of Potions and taking potions in NEWTs. Thanks to this, we have a massive shortage of potioneers and aurors as NEWTs in potions is compulsory to be an auror."

"Of those very rare few students who take NEWTs in potions, 90% are from Slytherin house which clearly proves his in his method of teaching."

"While Mr. Snape put down a lot of allegations against Mr. Potter regarding his shortcomings in his character, Mr. Snape himself is worse than that."

She continued, "While we are discussing this, I must take us few years in the past. We cannot forget the actions of Mr. Snape in the past. We must remember Mr. Snape's association with the Volde…."

Dumbledore interrupted exactly at this moment, "Amelia, I believe we need not go on topics of the past. The matter was solved at that time and so the past must remain buried as it was."

Amelia chuckled, "It is Madam Bones for you chief warlock. Please maintain the dignity of the office you are holding."

She continued calmly, "And also, it was you buried the matter. And even if don't speak the world will definitely talk about a former death eater firing a bone breaking curse at the saviour of the wizarding world."

Dumbledore went red in anger on the mention of the matter. Although everyone present here was aware of the matter, he did not wish it to be talked about again.

Also, the main reason was he did not want Harry to find out Snape's identity as a former death eater.

He asked in annoyance, "Is there anything more you want to add on Amelia?"

Amelia shook her head, "I believe this is more than enough. Although I believe we can call Mr. potter to answer the accusation Mr. Snape made against Mr. Potter."

Dumbledore instantly shook his head in denial, "I believe that is not required. We have already wasted a lot of time on things which have nothing to do with this particular case. No more wastage of time is required."

He banged the gavel, "I adjourn this council for 15 minutes. When the council resumes 15 minutes later, we would vote on if Severus Snape is guilty of trying to kill Harry Potter with the intention of ending his family line."

He added, "And if guilty, the council will decide the punishment for Severus Snape."

"Adjourn," announced Dumbledore in a booming voice.

With this announcement all the members of the council stood up from their seats and left to discuss the matter among themselves.

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