The Chaos Begins

His lust for adventure drives Harry right into the rising tension between Dumbledore 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 3: Aftermath

Harry did not sleep well that night. Nightmares of what might happen in the near future were haunting him. They were not about Voldemort; his scar was completely normal. Instead he dreamt of Fudge and Dumbledore. In his dream, the minister accused Dumbledore of working for Voldemort and had him fired.

When Harry awoke, his back was wet from sweat and his hair was in even more disorder than usual. Than goodness, it had only been a dream...

Sleepily, he put his glasses on and yawned. Time to get dressed for breakfast. Slowly he remembered yesterday's events. What would Dumbledore say? He could not possibly announce Snape had been arrested. That was out of the question. On a sudden vacation perhaps? He would just have to wait.

Harry drew the curtains of his four-poster and grabbed for his robes.

"Good morning, Harry, Ron." Hermione said smiling towards her friends as she met them in their common room.

"Morning Herm," Ron replied. "Ready for breakfast? Then let's go."

Chatting about what they planned to do - it was Sunday after all - they went to the Great Hall. Of course, Hermione insisted on studying for Transfiguration, much to Harry's and Ron's annoyance. None of them dared to talk about what had happened the day before.

Not when there was a chance they might be overheard.

Just like Harry had thought, Dumbledore waited until everyone was at his or her table. As he rose to make his announcement, everyone fell silent.

The headmaster hesitated. Maybe he was not sure what to say, Harry thought.

"My dear students," he said finally. "Unfortunately, Professor Snape had to leave us yesterday all of a sudden. I am afraid he will not be back anytime soon."

The low buzz of many whispers could be heard all over the Great Hall. Out of a corner of his eye, Harry saw Fred and George grin and shake hands.

"However," Dumbledore continued and it became silent once more. "However that does not mean there will be no Potions classes. Therefor I ask the prefects to meet with Professor McGonagall and me after breakfast. Thank you and now, tuck in!" He gave his students a smile but Harry could see the slightest of frowns on the headmaster's face.

Except for Slytherin, every house seemed to be in a particularly good mood that day. Had Harry not known about the circumstances of Snape's absence, he would have been full of joy himself.

But the way Snape had reacted to Fudge's threats and how he had shielded Dumbledore forced Harry to feel some grudging respect for the man.

Even Ron had to admit it; although he was glad Snape would not be teaching Potions any more.

"I'd really like to know when we'll get a substitute," Ron said when he and Harry were lying on their beds alone after lunch.

"Don't tell me you're eager to STUDY, Ron?" Harry asked, grinning.

Ron made a face. "God, no! Ugh, the thought! Quite the contrary. You know, the longer there is no substitute, the longer we have no Potions classes. I thought it was obvious!" He said with hurt pride.

Harry grinned again and shook his head. He was just about to comment, when the door opened and Hermione entered. It obviously didn't bother her, that this was a boy's dormitory. But there was no mistaking the bright smile on her face.

"Agh! I'm blinded, that light!" Ron shielded his eyes with his hands, only leaving a few slits to look at Hermione, who rolled her eyes.

"Oh Ron, sometimes you are so childish!"

Ron looked as if it had been a compliment. For a moment Harry wondered if his friend had suddenly become a younger version of Fred and George combined.

Must have something to do with the Weasley-genes.

"And, what happened, Hermione," Harry asked finally. "You look like you've just won the lottery."

She waved her hand in impatiently. "Who cares about money when it comes to brains and responsibility!"

Ron gave Harry a puzzled look, who only shrugged.

"Well, you won't guess." Hermione continued. She sounded rather excited.

'It must have something to do with school, definitely,' thought Harry.

He began to become impatient. "Come on, Herm. Either tell us or leave it! You're driving me mad!"

"All right," she said and sat down next to Ron. "You know when Dumbledore told the prefects to meet him after breakfast?"

They nodded.

"Well, he wanted to discuss what to do with Potions. The term has already begun and there won't be a qualified teacher available soon, according to Dumbledore. So he wanted the prefects to pick students who are rather good at Potions to act as substitutes. They are to teach their housemates."

"Hmmm," said Ron. "Let me guess: They didn't ask you, did they?"

"They did!" Hermione said proudly. "But you'll hear soon enough. In fact I'm not even allowed to tell you, you know. Dumbledore will announce it at dinner."

Ron looked again at Harry and rolled his eyes.

Harry had to force him from starting to laugh.

"You have to excuse him, Hermione," he told her, still grinning. "Just before you entered he wondered when we'd get a substitute. You have just destroyed his hopes for Potions-free weeks."

Hermione seemed to consider this before some seconds passes before she answered. "Well, Ron, you know, I could always help you with potions. If your substitute isn't competent enough - I'm here for help."

Ron simply stared at her like she was mad and by now Harry couldn't restrain himself any more. He fell flat onto his bed, hid his face into a pillow and simply couldn't stop laughing.

"Harry!" he heard Hermione's voice. She sounded quite annoyed.

He turned towards her and tried to put on a more serious face. "Sorry, Herm. This was just too funny - you and Ron, well, when it comes to school and studying, you two have rather opposite opinions." He wiped a tear away.

"But I am really happy for you. No-one is suited better for the job than you. Honestly." And he meant it.

Ron smiled faintly at her. "Yeah, well, congratulations. You'll show them!" He gave her a friendly hug. Hermione blushed.

"Oh, ehm... Thanks Ron. I better go now. See you at dinner, right?"

"OK," Ron said. "Oh, Herm?" he added in a faked serious voice. "Do you... do you think I have to do the homework those student-teachers give us?"

She glared at him and slammed the door shut.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and started to laugh. But Harry had the feeling, Hermione was not really angry with them. She knew Ron's attitude towards studying and potions in particular for years.

Maybe she needed being teased every once a while.

Right before dinner, Dumbledore announced that until they found a substitute teacher for Snape, older students were to teach their younger housemates. You couldn't really call it "teaching" because they were forbidden to brew the more dangerous Potions. But still even theory was better than nothing. Especially for the fifth years who had to take their O.W.L.'s.

Hermione had been chosen to help the first and second years and she could hardly wait to begin. She annoyed Harry and Ron with how she prattled on and on about how was going to teach and what she was going to do until both of them threatened to accidentally let slip she kind of liked Draco Malfoy - which she did not.

She gave them an angry look but did not talk about her plans how to teach any further.

Thus, a week passed and as life at Hogwarts got back to normal Harry began to forget the fears, which had haunted him after Snape's arrest. Apparently, minister Fudge had kept his promise to keep his visit a secret.

Harry wondered if Dumbledore had told any of the other professors about it. Maybe McGonagall, since she was Deputy Headmistress. Then again, he wasn't so sure who of the staff knew Snape's past at all.

Once, Harry had had a discussion about it with Hermione.

"Well," she said. "I think all comes down to the question if he's still a spy. If Voldemort believes he is still serving him, that is. Of course it would prove fatal to reveal Snape's past to the staff if he were."

Harry nodded. "But what if Voldemort DOES know Snape has left him. I thought he did last year. You know, he was talking about a Death Eater who he believed had left him. I got the impression he was speaking of Snape."

He thought for a moment before continuing.

"But maybe the mission Dumbledore sent Snape on was to make Voldemort believe he was back in the fold."

Hermione made a face. "It could be, granted. But it seems rather like some kind of suicide to me. Besides, what about Karkaroff's trial? Didn't you tell us he'd told the jury Snape had been a Death Eater?"

Harry frowned. "Yes, he did. But, well, I don't know. Fudge didn't know and he's Minister of Magic. Maybe they put a memory charm on the jury afterwards? You don't think Snape would be teaching here if it was known he once had been a follower of Voldemort's? "Anyway, think of the information Fudge mentioned. Information that said Snape had been at scenes of crime. Crimes committed by Death Eaters. Surely it was false but maybe not entirely."

Hermione shook her head and sighed. "So there is a possibility Snape is once again Dumbledore's spy. But now that Fudge sent him to Azkaban that doesn't really help, does it?"

Harry had to admit she was right and changed the subject.

Snape's part in the whole scheme against Voldemort didn't leave him, though.

Later, when Harry was fast asleep he restlessly turned in his bed. He dreamt about the day of Fudge's visit and what might have happened afterwards.

Very slowly, the confusing dreams changed into something familiar.

A feeling Harry recognised only too well.

His dreams shifted to the Dark Lord like they had done so many times before.

Harry could barely see. Two figures were standing in a large room. It might have been a basement but Harry could not tell for sure. What he did recognise were the two red piercing eyes of the taller figure.

Voldemort only listened silently while his servant spoke.

"... seems to have worked as planned. That idiot Fudge believes he has done the wizarding world a great service by sending Snape to Azkaban. But what he doesn't see - the fool - is that he is working right into our hands. "Since the Triwizard Tournament our beloved Minister of Magic has been developing a certain resistance against Dumbledore. After his recent behaviour Hogwarts' headmaster is likely to cease counting on Fudge as well."

Although Harry couldn't see the Death Eater's face he knew who it was immediately.

Lucius Malfoy. Was he Voldemort's true Right Hand now?

The Dark Lord nodded, obviously pleased by Malfoy's words. "Excellent! May mistrust grow amongst our enemies while we concentrate on our next move. Everything happens as I have foreseen. Victory will be ours!"

He paused a second or two.

"I trusted Nott would be successful with his 'information' about Severus being recognised. Ah, this plan is so simple and yet so incredibly effective."

"How so, my Lord?" Malfoy asked carefully. "I don't want to sound disrespectful. Surely Fudge's growing mistrust of Dumbledore is crucial but wasn't it... forgive me, wasn't it unwise to 'remove' Snape from Hogwarts? The one of us who got closest to Dumbledore? You didn't even inform him about it. Surely he knows by now you provided the information that led to his arrest."

Although it was very dim, Harry could see the cruel smile playing around Voldemort's lips. "At first sight, Lucius. Only at first sight." He hissed dangerously.

The smile only got nastier.

"Our friend Severus needed a little reminder of who his real friends are. Although I'm convinced I made sure he regretted his decision not to answer when he was called the day Potter escaped."

At this Malfoy smiled cruelly as well, obviously remembering these events. "Yes, I am sure he did. You have been merciful, though, Master. Nonetheless the lesson you taught him was interesting to watch."

"That was my intention," Voldemort said. "But maybe you are right, it does seem I have been a bit too merciful with my not so faithful servant, haven't I? Now Severus has a lot time to think and I have no doubt he will make the right decision - there is only one after all."

He paused again and looked directly at Malfoy.

"He will be only too eager to get his revenge on Dumbledore when we move to Azkaban. Very soon too be exact."

With that he began to laugh, an evil and most frightening sound.

"Harry, Harry! Wake up! HARRY!" Voldemort's high-pitched voice suddenly changed into Ron's worried one. Harry sat up immediately.

"What?" He looked at Ron and only slowly understood that this nightmare was over, that he was back in real life.

Ron still shook him. "Harry, are you all right? One of those nightmares?"

Harry looked at Ron and noticed his other dormmates standing at Ron's side. All of them were looking scared.

He swallowed and closed his eyes for a few moments to collect his thoughts.

"Yes Ron, I'm Ok, don't worry. But I have to see Dumbledore."

"Now? It's only 3'o clock in the morning."

Harry shoved Ron's hands away and stood up. "This cannot wait. Hey, I'm fine, all right? You better go back to sleep. I'll tell you later."

He didn't wait for Ron's response but immediately left the dormitory and headed towards Dumbledore's office.

TBC...