The Chaos Begins

His lust for adventure drives Harry right into the rising tension between Dumbeldore and Minister Fudge. Suddenly, he finds himself playing a key-role in a game of deceit and betrayal that will either strip the Light Side from their most important spy or will be the first step in defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named…

Chapter 2: Confrontation

Nothing happened.

Harry and Hermione were just staring at each other. Snape closed his eyes slightly and eyed Fudge with scorn but Harry got the impression the minister's announcement did not surprise the professor in the least.

He didn't seem to think of giving Fudge his wand, either. He just sat back silently, the ghost of one of his trademark sneers on his face.

"Cornelius, what is the meaning of this?"

Dumbledore stepped between Snape and Fudge.

"Do you know what you are doing?"

"Of course I do! Who do you think I am?" He was shaking with rage now.

"I am the Minister of Magic! But that is something some of you seem to have forgotten about. I decide for the better of the people.

If you are against me, you are against the people, which I have sworn to protect."

He needed to breath out.

"And you always did, Cornelius. But you cannot handle everything yourself."

Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder.

"There are times when you need to rely on others as well."

Fudge eyed him carefully.

"Oh, so you are saying I don't see that I need someone right now. But just because that 'someone' I rely on isn't you doesn't mean

I don't have anyone! There are quite a few very capable wizards and witches inside the ministry."

"That's good, Cornelius. But still, I don't understand your move. Why do you wish to arrest Severus?

It has been months since the Triwizards Tournament."

The minister snorted, his anger only seemed to grow.

"Maybe I needed time to think, Dumbledore. It doesn't happen everyday that someone you have trusted as long as you can remember

begins to act... strangely."

Dumbledore frowned slightly but Fudge continued before he was able to answer.

"You know I always counted on you, Dumbledore. But then I had to learn you hired a WEREWOLF of all creatures.

When I found out I was convinced it couldn't get any worse. But it did!"

He shot a glance full of disdain towards Snape.

"Can you even imagine how I felt when this - this teacher of yours revealed his loyalty to You-know-Who?"

Snape scowled at Fudge, who did not notice it. Harry wondered if Fudge was aware that the potions master still had his wand.

Probably not. He was too enraged. If Snape wanted to, he could blast the minister in a heartbeat.

Harry saw Snape's knuckles turn white as the professor grabbed hard at his chair.

He clearly had the same thoughts as Harry.

"Of course," Fudge went on, "I didn't want to believe you hired someone with such a despicable past, Dumbledore.

I always thought you were in your right mind when choosing your staff. I returned to the ministry and began to do some research.

I was just about to drop the whole matter because your prediction of the Dark Lord's return was so unbelievable when your horror

scenario became true.

"I think you can understand why I immediately began to look closer into the matter of your beloved potions master. It was by mere

coincidence that I came across some very interesting things. Do you want me to continue?" He asked menacingly.

Dumbledore sighed as if to explain a very obvious fact to a stubborn child.

"Cornelius, I know that Severus has once been one of Voldemort's supporters."

At this Fudge gave him a victorious grin but Dumbledore continued.

"He saw his error, though, and has been our spy against the Death Eaters ever since."

Again, the minister snorted.

"And you want me to believe THAT!? Ha, what proves do you have? Oh, I know of Karkaroff's trial. Believe me, I did a thorough research.

You vouched for him, all right! But that is not enough in my opinion. What made you believe he didn't lie to you?

Who checked his confession?

He was never tried in public. I would have known of that!"

Again, Fudge reminded Dumbledore of an angry child.

"After his surrender we held a private trial. We, that was Barty Crouch, Alastor Moody and myself-"

Fudge's mirthless laughter interrupted Dumbledore.

"Of course! I should have known. Barty Crouch, who is dead, unfortunately, and thus cannot confirm your statement, and Moody of all people.

Not very trustworthy, either. At least not after this last year here at Hogwarts. He's a little confused, you know, and who knows what your

potions master did to him while his crony Crouch Jr. was teaching here.

You have to excuse me but I don't quite take this as a 'proof' for Mr. Snape's innocence."

Harry saw Dumbledore close his eyes as if to control him. When he opened them again he was as calm as before but his voice

developed a certain edge.

"Cornelius, if you stopped being prejudiced for just a minute, you might be able to understand what I am talking about.

These are dangerous times. We MUST not begin a cold war amongst ourselves. We need everyone we can get and, you must realise

that a spy of Severus's calibre is simply invaluable! If you strip us of that source-"

Fudge took a menacing step towards Dumbledore.

"I don't want to start a war. To be honest, I try to prevent one. Trust me to understand a spy's value. I am perfectly aware of what details

your 'friend' Snape will provide his master with. A valuable spy indeed, for the enemy! You are a fool, Dumbledore, if you don't realise that."

Harry noticed that Dumbledore closed his eyes again as if he had to fight hard not to let anger get the better of him.

"Cornelius, I can assure you, Severus is truly on our side."

Fudge raised an eyebrow. He was suddenly very calculating.

"Is he now. On ours... or on yours?"

Dumbledore simply stared at this display of ignorance. "What are you implying?""

"Oh, come on!" Fudge continued, a mocking smile on his lips.

"You don't believe I haven't noticed how you've always tried to hold the reins.

And now at the dawn of chaos you want to secretly overpower me. Even if it means to rely on dark creatures and scum.

You are unfortunate, because I noticed!

"It wasn't easy, I always trusted you, like I said before. Maybe I would never have found out if it wasn't for my capable ministry workers.

One of them, a Mr. Nott, former student of yours, was able to reveal some interesting details about your potions master.

We have evidence that Snape was at the scene of the Death Eater's last crime - and not as a victim.

He was sloppy because someone recognised him."

Dumbledore exchanged glances with Snape who was shaking his head. The potions master's eyes burned with anger and

his lips were forming a thin line.

"That's a lie, Cornelius." Dumbledore continued, looking at Fudge again. "Your paranoia has got the better of you,

and your 'capable ministry workers' made a use of it. You have to wake up before it is too late. Be careful-"

Again, Fudge interrupted him, his eyes dangerously closed to slits.

"You better be careful, Dumbledore. You cannot save your potions master. I don't want to question your loyalty as well."

For a few seconds nobody spoke.

Hermione and Harry just stared at each other. If the headmaster provoked Fudge any further he might be arrested as well.

Dumbledore seemed ready to fulfil their worst fears. But before he was able to say anything, Snape stood up.

Dumbledore stopped dead and everyone stared at the potions master.

He reached into one of his pockets and Fudge made a face as if he expected Voldemort himself would appear out of it.

Snape gave him a pathetic smile and revealed his wand.

"Gentlemen," he said sarcastically to Fudge's companions who were still standing next to the door.

"I believe this is what you wanted." He threw the wand onto the desk.

He stepped behind Dumbledore and Fudge towards the two men.

When nobody said anything, Snape seemed to loose patience.

"What are you waiting for?" his voice was cold and full of bitterness.

"Arrest me. That's what you came here for, wasn't it?"

Hesitating, the wizards exchanges glances and looked at Fudge. The minister nodded and one of the men cast a spell that

tied Snape's hands at his back.

Fudge cast a satisfied glance over his prisoner and turned back to the headmaster.

"Well, it seems he's indeed on your side, Dumbledore."

He waved at his guards. "Take him away!"

The men grabbed Snape's upper arms and led him out of the room.

Dumbledore seemed unable to speak while Fudge simply stared at the door for a few seconds. Finally, he said,

"All right, I think my work here is done. If you would calm down, we could return to everyday life."

Now it was the headmaster who stared.

"Everyday life? You have just arrested one of my teachers, Cornelius! Not only because he once was a servant of Voldemort,

but also because he contradicted you about the return of Voldemort - and you're talking about 'everyday life'. Your so-called proves

will never stand a thorough examination. Your actions were arbitrary, and you know it!"

Dumbledore didn't seem to care about control any more.

"Maybe they were," Fudge admitted calmly. "But I am the one to make decisions here. And about your 'thorough examination':

I am sure many people, parents to be exact, wouldn't be too pleased if they knew you hired a former Death Eater - let alone someone

who has returned to You-Know-Who's fold. Trust me, I will find many who want to see your precious potions master in Azkaban right now.

You can try to set him free, Dumbledore, but I wouldn't advise it. I hope you will be a little more co-operative in the future.

I do not wish to doubt you again."

Dumbledore nodded. "Thank you for your discretion, Cornelius. But when you bring Severus to trial, I want to be his advocate."

Fudge raised an eyebrow with a strange smile. "You are too late. Your Mr. Snape will not be tried in public but I won't trial him

otherwise, either. He's already been sentenced. As long as his innocence isn't proven he'll stay in Azkaban.

I do appreciate how you stand up for your staff, though."

He sighed. "Well, now that that's over with I have to return to the ministry.

These are dark times and there's a lot of work to do. Good day, Dumbledore."

He nodded towards the headmaster and left.

Dumbledore stared at the door, shaking. Harry thought he looked extremely sad.

"Wasn't it 'innocent until proven otherwise', Cornelius? Dark times indeed!" the headmaster murmured.

Finally, he turned to the table, pocketed Snape's wand and left, obviously deep in thought.

Under their invisibility cloak, Harry and Hermione did not dare to move for several minutes. They were too shocked.

"I can't believe it." Hermione whispered finally. "did you-"

Harry shook his head to silence her.

"Let's get back to the Gyffindor tower first. We can talk then, Ok?"

Hermione seemed to think about it and nodded. Silently, she followed Harry out of the room and back to their tower.

The common room was no longer empty, a few students had already returned, so the two went straight to Harry's dormitory.

Fortunately, nobody was there.

Harry let himself fall onto his bed. "Oh boy, and I really thought Fudge wanted to apologise. I even liked him once!"

Hermione nodded, bitterly. "He didn't arrest Snape only because of his past with Voldemort but also to show Dumbledore his limits."

"That self-important fool! What do you think the headmaster will do now?"

Hermione sighed. "What CAN he do? I mean, somehow, Fudge's right! He's the minister, it's up to him to decide.

He has every justification to arrest Snape. He DID confess his former connection with the Dark Lord rather impressively last year.

It seems to make sense to put him away.

"Not enough, Fudge almost blackmailed Dumbledore. If the headmaster stands up for Snape in public and wants to set him free,

he will have to reveal Snape's past. That would be a major blow to Dumbledore's reputation. Imagine the shock when it becomes

known he hired a former Death Eater! Fudge wanted to provoke Dumbledore. Who knows what would have happened

if Snape hadn't surrendered..."

Harry grimaced. "Yeah! You know what, I never thought I'd say something like this, but I'd prefer the slimy git to such an

unpredictable minister of magic anytime!"

He paused.

"Ron was right! We should've joined him. I'd rather risk a bad mark in Transfiguration than have to think about a problem like this."

"You are only too right." Hermione admitted. "Besides-" she stopped and thought.

"That reminds me: We mustn't talk about this to anybody, not even Ron. Do you understand, Harry?

It's bad enough we know about Fudge's visit."

"But..." Harry didn't like it. Ron was their friend.

"Think of Fudge's rage, Harry!" Hermione reminded him.

Before he was able to reply anything the door opened and Ron burst into the room a large bag filled with sweets in one hand.

He wore an expression as if it were Christmas and Eastern together.

"You won't believe what I've just witnessed," he panted completely out of breath.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other with a frown but said nothing.

Ron only grinned.

"Snape's been sacked! I saw it with my own eyes!"

"What did you see?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"Well," Ron said. "I just returned from Hogsmeade and wanted to see if you were still at the Quidditch field. So I went there.

You weren't - obviously - and I was about to go to the castle when I noticed some people in the distance who clearly weren't students

or teachers. Curious as I was, I went to look. One of them was Fudge, the minister! And another was Ol' Snapey!

His hands were tied and two wizards let him away. I always knew he was a traitor!

Finally the minister took out something - must have been a portkey - and the four of them vanished."

He waited for a reaction. "Now, what do you say? It's just too good to be true! I feel like I could celebrate the whole day!"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a look.

"Well," said Hermione finally, "Not for long, Ron."

Ron stared confused at his friends. "What is that about? All we had ever wanted - well, at least one of the things we'd wanted - has just

become true and you seem... sad. Even worried. Is there something I didn't get?"

When Hermione began to tell him what they had witnessed this evening, Harry could see that he understood.

TBC...

EW! That took ages to write but I kind of like it. It was fun to write Fudge, he, he! Hopefully nobody was too much out of character.

Well, unless somebody comes up with a serious cause to stop this I'll work on the next chapter. (A simple 'This is bad.' doesn't count!)

;=)

CJ