To Thine Own Self Be True

Summary: A Sequel to What Said Is Said. Severus Snape has finished his community service to the Wizarding World but is the WW finished with him? That is the question. AU

A/N: There will be a lot of Shakespearean and movie references. If Severus Snape seems a little out of character, this is why this is labeled AU. Garion will be making guest appearances as well goblins.

The opening of this chapter is from the ending of "What's Said Is Said."

Disclaimer: We don't own the rights to Harry Potter and The Labyrinth, we just play in their worlds. They belong to the writers and producers. Please don't sue. We will try our best to get credit where credit is due to the various songs and quotes used in this story.

Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.

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Prologue: What's Said Is Said

The trial of Severus Snape really was very anti-climatic in that the potions master didn't offer that much of a defense. With the goblins handling his case, many on the wizengamot felt they'd rather be doing something else than dealing with the ruthless little buggers. It just wasn't wise to anger the ones who held your gold in trust!

The defense, after a brief opening statement, pointed out three very key points. One: Snape was not wearing the dark mark, which everyone knew was impossible to remove. Two: Albus Dumbledore had vouched for the man and kept him under virtual house arrest for years at Hogwarts. Surely, in that time period, the trials and tribulations of teaching and dealing with hormonal teenagers should count as time served? Severus Snape had further redeemed himself when Albus forced him to become a spy for the light in a time of darkness and war, in itself a far more dangerous fate than prison.

Third: Snape it would seem had won the respect of the goblins-to the point where they gave him the rarely bestowed title of 'Goblin Friend.' Few wizards had ever earned that title.

While no one was sure how he had earned said title, they all knew that as a 'Goblin Friend' Severus was considered to be an honorary Goblin and as such a citizen of their world. He'd actually earned it when he'd been taken as a Bardic Apprentice, but that fact was as yet unknown. His vows as a bard were to serve magic. Thus the goblins, as magical beings, were duty bound to help this fledgling bard in anyway possible.

"We, the Wizengamot," intoned a solemn Madam Bones as she read off the final decision, "find that Master Severus Tobias Snape, Potions Master, guilty as charged for being a follower of the Dark Lord known as Lord Voldemort.

However, due to mitigating circumstances, as proven by admitted testimony, we agree that Master Snape has served in the First War against said Dark Lord by being a spy for the Light. Therefore, when he willingly re-entered the service of said Dark Lord to spy once again, we find his actions both brave and commendable. However, he did in fact commit crimes in his service as a spy, for which he will be held accountable. It is therefore our judgment that he is guilty of said crimes. For this reason we, the Wizengamot, choose not to return him to the custody of Albus Dumbledore, as was done previously.

Master Snape's teaching record speaks for itself. He is not an accredited teacher, nor does he have the patience or desire to teach children. It is therefore our opinion that Severus Snape has no business teaching children the fine and delicate art of brewing."

Albus stood to protest. He wanted Severus back at Hogwarts! It would be impossible to find another Potions Master willing to teach for the pittance he paid Severus. He needed the man's skills!

Madam Bones held up her hand to forestall the aged wizard. "It is the unanimous vote of the Wizengamot that Master Severus Snape is to spend five to ten years as a potions' brewer for St. Mungos, where he will repay the community for his crimes and poor service in teaching. If by chance, Master Snape invents any break-through potions during this time, they will be patented to him with shares of the profits going to St. Mungos. He will report to the Head of the Potions Research Department, and the goblins, for quarterly reviews on his conduct, potion records and any problems that may arise during this time period.

He can be paroled after five years for good conduct. If he fails to meet the standards set for his conduct, then he has to serve the full ten years. This is the judgment of the Wizengamot." Her last words were followed by the bang of her gavel, putting 'finished' to this session of the Wizengamot.

Albus Dumbledore covered his face with his hands, defeat in every line of his weary body. (What Said Is Said, ch. 45)

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Chapter 1: My Fame Is Shrewdly Gored

Time has either a way of escaping, of racing past you, or it drags very slowly—at times almost seeming to stand still.

Severus Snape walked into his dark and empty flat, not far from St. Mungo's where he served as a Potions Master. His watch said it was 10 p.m. Two hours and he was once more a free Wizard.

He had been dealing with the decision of those fools on the Wizengamot for five long hard years. Thankfully, and much to the surprise of the Wizarding World, the goblins had been there for him.

The Wizengamot had watched over his incarceration as if he was simply a valuable asset that wasn't in their complete control. They thought of him as chattel, a possession to be used.

The goblins, on the other hand, made sure he had a viable working environment suitable for someone of his skill level.

They saw to it he had the best potions ingredients and equipment to work with. After all, he was working for St Mungo's, the British Wizarding World's premier hospital. No one there would let him forget that it was an honor and a privilege to work there.

He'd had the hardest time keeping assistants and apprentices. Normally he worked alone, but there he was required to have assistants. In this his Hogwarts reputation had done more harm than good.

He knew he was a difficult man to work with but he refused to lower his standards or work ethics. Severus Snape refused to accept anything less than perfection from himself, or those who assisted him.

Brewing potions was a dangerous business. One wrong step and you could be a spot on the ceiling, if the ensuing explosion even left a ceiling! So, that was why he had a hard time keeping assistants.

He was able to teach three apprentices in the past five years. Two won their masteries. But it had been rough going for the third, who may be able to leave the Spell Damage Ward some time next year.

Then there was Albus-bloody-too-many-titles-Dumbledore. The old wizard could not get it through his head that Severus Snape was NOT interested in returning to Hogwarts. However, the old fool kept trying to petition the Wizengamot to extend his sentence and the goblins gleefully kept blocking it.

Severus walked into his darkened flat and on to his bedroom. Two hours were left of the first five years of community service.

There had been a push, again by Dumbledore and the Administrator of St. Mungos to extend it to ten. However their attempts failed as Severus had fulfilled the requirement of exemplary service.

Any complaints or bad behavior had been dealt with through the goblins, who'd found that most of the complaints were false. The sabotaging of potions, or ingredients, was done by people who wanted to 'get even with the filthy Death Eater' and were found to be no fault of the Potions Master.

Tomorrow he had a date with destiny. He was to appear in front of the Wizengamot. According to the Goblins, they had no choice but to let him go. Madam Bones would see to that.

However, he wasn't going to be there. With the help of the goblins he would be on his way to his new life. A poly-juiced doppelganger would appear in his place-and Madam Bones was in on it.

Severus remembered that little conversation.

"Let's get this straight, a double will be appearing in front of the Wizengamot?" she asked, sternly. "You do know that is against the law?"

Account Manager Steellock pulled out a sheaf of parchments. "These are the threats that we know of against Potions Master Snape. Not to mention the demands that we turn him over to various institutions so that he could finish out his 'slavery' with them. And as you can see from the reports Severus Snape has fulfilled the terms of his sentence. What is stopping the Wizengamot from not honoring their own conditions?"

What indeed?

Severus remembered watching with detached interest as the formidable woman leafed through the brief. When she set aside the last bit of parchment, she looked up at them. "I am convinced. And I believe you are right. Certain parties on the Wizengamot will try to extend Mr. Snape's sentence but the law is on his side. What do you want me to do?"

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At midnight, the tiny flat, once belonging to Severus Snape, stood empty. All of the furniture was placed in storage the day before. The goblins were very thorough in their packing. All the personal items belonging to him had been boxed up and sent to his rooms in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City.

At midnight, a young man with wildly styled dark hair and bright green eyes stepped out of the shadows and said, "This was a day long coming, my Apprentice. The Wizarding World will have seen the last of Severus Snape. Ready my Padawan?" Garion intoned in sepulchral voice.

Severus Snape rolled his eyes and smirked as he bowed slightly to his insane Bardic Master, the former Harry Potter, now Garion Williams. "Yes, my Master," he said, keeping with the Star Wars theme, although he refused to do any heavy breathing, much to the teen's amusement.

He knew it did no good snarking at the young man before him. He wasn't quite sure what would come out of Garion's mouth if he did, even though it went with the scene he was mimicing.

"Then we are off!" Garion proclaimed theatrically as he stepped into the shadows. Severus sighed heavily and followed.

0o0o0o0o0o0

The next morning the Wizengamot convened. The first order of business was to review the application of parole for Severus Snape.

Many felt the man had gotten off too easy, but they couldn't fault his work at St. Mungos. He was the premiere Potions Master in Europe, after all. His skills during the past five years had saved many lives, but was it enough to allow him to go free?

Albus Dumbledore wanted his potions master back at Hogwarts! Severus may not have been the best teacher of the craft, but the man held the record for the fewest deaths and injures in a potions classroom in the past century. Plus, even though Severus was a highly skilled master, Albus wouldn't have to pay him guild prices for his services.

Severus Snape strolled forcefully into the chamber. His robes billowed as they did when he taught at Hogwarts. Albus had to give the wizard credit, he really knew how to make an entrance.

Another reason the old headmaster wanted Severus back was because Albus was convinced that he knew where Harry Potter had disappeared to. To Albus' way of thinking, Harry needed to take up the mantle of a scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. With Albus, of course, being his most trusted mentor and adviser.

'Severus Snape' entered with his goblin barrister. Albus couldn't understand why the goblins have taken such an interest in his potions master. They had their own. Why would the Goblin Nation care what happened to a dark wizard?

Madam Bones called for order.

"We are here as ordered," Steellock said. "Potions Master Snape has done his five years of community service. He remained true to his calling and the demands put upon him by you wizards. He is entitled, by your laws, and the terms you set down to be set free. We have submitted quarterly reports. We have dealt with every incident involving Master Snape and found he was the victim of hatred and bigotry in ALL cases."

"I have read the reports and there have been some concerns voiced," Madam Bones stated.

"WE have seen those concerns and they are not in the best interest of my client. These concerns are very telling as it seems they wish only to exploit my client and extend his slavery!" The goblin sneered.

Voices raised in outcry at the term 'slavery' drowned out any further words by Steellock.

Madam Bones pounded her gavel sharply, calling for order. "I quite agree, Acount Manager," she acknowledged once order was restored. "I find that Severus Snape has fulfilled the requirements for early release and I find. . . "

Albus stood and started to say something as did several others but Madam Bones continued: ". . . him free to go." The sharp sound of her gavel put paid to any further arguments.

'Severus Snape' bowed to Madam Bones and promptly left the chamber before the poly-juice wore off.

Chaos reigned as the goblin barrister watched gleefully.

0o0o0o0o0

Severus stepped out of the shadows and took a deep breath of freedom. He was finally free to be his own man.

He strode across the parking lot of a quaint summer stock theatre in upstate New York.

Approaching the adjacent little bed and breakfast attached to the theatre, he entered and checked in.

The Gringott Goblins had really come through for him. The moment he stepped onto American soil, he had a new passport and identity. He was now, Seth Prince, his mother's maiden name, and with the amount of people with the last name of 'Prince' in the United States; anyone looking for him would have a hard time of it.

He was given a small set of rooms in the back that was reserved for those students that came to perform and learn. It had a small kitchenette, simple bed and bath as well as room for a small table and chairs. He was told he had to clean up after himself, but a maid would come in once a week to pick up his laundry.

He wasn't going to be here long enough to worry about how cramped the room was.

Severus sat down in front of the small telly in the corner and turned it on. A note by the remote told him to click on the 'g' channel. He did and realized that this was not a normal telly. Somehow, the goblins had snuck a camera into the chamber and were recording the chaos that reigned at 'his' hearing.

He watched in amusement as pandemonium reigned in the Wizengamot Chambers.

Madam Bones tried to get order back, but it was like herding cats! Everyone wanted to be heard and everyone wanted to know what was going on.

Finally, she managed to restore order. Severus noted the look on Albus' face. It was just as he predicted. The old wizard did not like to be thwarted.

The goblin barrister stood in the middle of the floor of the chamber and waited patiently for order.

Finally, Albus Dumbledore managed to get his question heard. "Where has Severus Snape gone?"

"We provided Severus Snape with a port-key to activate the moment he stepped out of the court room. We have been talking with Madam Bones for the past week. Even she could see that our client was in the right," the goblin informed them with a sneer.

Madam Bones took up the tale, "They convinced me and I must say, they were right. By Merlin! Severus Snape has served his time, both from the first war and now served his five years for the second. Leave the man alone!"

"Then you agreed ahead of time to let him go?" Albus asked, in a very disappointed tone.

"I signed his papers yesterday. He was free to go at midnight," she informed him. "I saw no reason to tie up further Wizengamot time to argue over someone that clearly demonstrated he was reformed."

"You had no right! It wasn't your call!" shouted someone.

"You are wrong," interjected the goblin. "It was her call. As judge of the Wizengamot for this hearing, she has the authority to sign release forms for prisoners and detainees without having to present the paperwork, or force the convicted prisoner to step once again into these chambers. You all wanted a piece of Severus Snape for your own selfish needs. Has anyone stopped to ask that wizard what he wanted?"

"Severus Snape completed his community service to my satisfaction. I saw no reason to not sign his release, timed for midnight last night," Madam Bones said. "I was convinced that we could deal with this matter like adults, but you have proven me wrong. The goblins have it right. You want to have your cake and eat it to."

Severus clicked off the telly and stretched. It went the way they thought it would.

The past five years had been hard. He'd had to swallow all of his anger and keep his head down. Even one outburst could have seen him serving his whole sentence.

Thankfully he could sneak into the Labyrinth from time to time. Whenever the stress got too bad he retreated Underground, and let the Gringotts Goblins deal with the problems in his stead.

Garion would also pop in from time to time to check on him. These usually turned into Garion teaching him a bit more on how to use his Bardic skills. As he grew more proficient in this new style of magic, he was able to use it in the potion lab on his recalcitrant helpers.

It saved a lot of headaches, and not a few lives.

He now had a day to himself, to enjoy, to laze around, and he was going to make the most of it.

Severus decided he'd rather go to the big house after an hour of unaccustomed inactivity made him restless. He really should pay his respect to the Lady of the Manor, as well as his Liege. A Bard is ever courteous to royalty, no matter who they were, or how he felt about them.

'And being I owe so much to the Goblin King for my salvation,' he thought as he made sure he was presentable before leaving his rooms.

Behind the Theatre and the B & B, was a well kept stone path that led to a stone and wood manor house. Huge oak and pine trees stood as silent sentinels around the house.

Severus walked up to the front door and was ready to knock when it opened and he was unceremoniously dragged into the front foyer.

"Sev! You made it!" Garion Williams, formerly Harry Potter, shouted before calling up into the high vaulted front room. "Hey! Everyone! Sev's here!"

"Garion, this is not the theatre, you don't have to shout!" a beautiful dark-eyed and dark haired lady stepped into the foyer. "Severus, welcome home."

Sarah Williams, wife of the Goblin King, and noted author of children's books, smiled as she welcomed the dour man into her home. "How was the trip? Garion said he took you through the Goblin lands before coming back last night."

When he had first been introduced to this regal woman he had been certain there would never be anyone who could equal Lily's classic English beauty. He had been wrong. Sarah Williams was a fiery woman with a heart as great as Lily's, and was as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. She always welcomed Severus with open arms.

"Yes, I spent a few days in the Underground. I needed some potions ingredients that can only be found there," he started to explain, but was interrupted by Garion who finished.

"And he wanted to raid Father's library again for some ancient reference he came across at St. Mungos." The rambunctious teen ended with a cheesy grin.

Severus glared at the brash, unapologetic youth. This Garion was so different from Harry Potter and his father, James, that he couldn't remember why he'd hated the youth. For one thing Garion was very hyperactive, couldn't sit still if his life depended on it. When he had been hit with the killing curse, it caused him to be super sensitive to magic. The more magic around him, the twitchier he got.

"Well, you're here now," Sarah said as she ushered him into the family area of the house. "You're all settled in? You know, we have room, you could stay here…"

Severus shook his head. "Not after last time, Sarah. I refuse to be awakened at all hours. You aptly named those sons of yours 'Hooligans.' I am far safer at the B & B."

At that moment, a tall blonde man dressed in suede leather and blue jeans sauntered into the room. Severus, as well as Garion, stood and bowed.

"Welcome Severus to my home Aboveground. I trust I don't have to guard my library here as well?" The Goblin King greeted the potions master with a raised eyebrow.

0o0o0o0o0

So here is the long awaited sequel to "What's Said, Is Said." We hope you enjoy it. It may or may not be a Hermione/Severus pairing. We're not sure yet. So please don't quote us on that.

Until next time. -GF and The Frau