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 9: Dumbledore's Course Of Action

 

Harry and Hermione sat in the library for a while before Harry excused himself. He simply had to go for a walk.

He was depressed because there was nothing he could do. But above all he was angry. Angry at Voldemort

because of his relentless thirst for power, of himself because he had been so childish as to spy on Dumbledore

and Fudge, and...

 

He stopped dead.

 

There, not far away stood the very one who had so brilliantly composed the last intrigue.

 

Draco Malfoy.

 

Upon seeing him, Harry's anger got the better of him and he almost stormed towards the Slytherin, who was

leaning against a wall, for once not accompanied by his cronies.

 

"You!" Harry spat.

Malfoy just turned his head lazily to him.

"Yes, Potter? What about me?" He smirked.

"How... how dare you! Didn't have anything better to do than-" Harry bit his lip.

 

He had to be careful not to give away that he knew about Snape as well.

Fortunately, Malfoy didn't seem to have noticed.

 

"To do WHAT, Potter?" His faked smile only grew wider.

Harry bared his teeth. Carefully now!

"To tell everybody your... your SUSPICIONS! Don't deny it has been you! All over the school I heard people

repeating exactly what you had told me after History of Magic. Didn't satisfy you to tell only me, did it?"

 

He almost shouted now.

 

"No, you had to give hints to EVERYONE - not caring if it would get the school or Dumbledore into trouble!"

 

Malfoy snorted and leaned closer to Harry.

 

"Well, Potter. You will soon see that they weren't mere suspicions but the truth. And didn't our beloved

Headmaster always teach us to be honest with each other, hm? Then wouldn't I do him a favour by putting

it into perspective? You should appreciate it instead of breathing fire down on me."

 

Again that smirk that made Harry wish to strike down at the Slytherin.

Harry narrowed his eyes and tried not to shout again.

 

"The truth? You wouldn't recognize the truth if it hit you in the face, Malfoy. All you do is twist and form all possible

bits and pieces until they fit into some far-fetched half-truth that serves YOUR purposes, only.

Or - I wonder - your father and his FRIENDS’."

 

The smile on Malfoy's face vanished and he straightened himself as if to threaten Harry.

 

"Wait and see, Potter. Then we'll know just WHO had been the one telling far-fetched things.

Oh, and by the way, your pitiful remarks about my family are nothing more than envy on your part.

But so very understandably, Potter, considering your own "wealth", hm?"

 

With that he smirked once more and stepped past Harry, an air of over-confidence and, above all, arrogance around him.

 

Harry laid his head against the wall and tried to calm down. That had NOT been a very satisfying conversation.

But it had helped him to get rid of some of his anger. Although he wasn't sure this anger wouldn't return soon,

when the Headmaster was bound to make an announcement.

So Harry slowly went back to his common room, half aware of the many small groups of other students,

who were no longer caring to talk QUIETLY about Malfoy's rumours.

 

 

When he arrived at Gryffindor Tower, more than one of his housemates asked him what he thought about

certain gossip they had heard. Harry only shrugged and went straight to his dormitory.

Somehow, the conversation with Malfoy had tired him out.

Laying on his bed, he absent-mindedly flipped through one of his favourite Quidditch books,

silently counting the minutes until lunch.

 

Was it really only forenoon?

* * * * *

Harry must have fallen asleep because suddenly Ron was bent over him.

 

"Hello? Harry? Come on, sleepy-head. It is time for lunch."

 

Mumbling something inaudible, Harry got up.

"Really," Ron went on. "Falling asleep in the light of day. At least your hair is not too messed up.

At least not more than usual."

Harry had no time to answer because Ron shoved him out of the room.

 

 

When they emerged from the stairs they were greeted by Hermione who appeared to have waited for them.

"Finally." She said and bent closer to her friends.

"You know, I believe something is up. There is a certain tension among the staff."

 

When they entered the Great Hall Harry knew what Hermione had referred to. All the teachers were already there,

as were most of the students. And none of the staff were looking happy or even remotely good humoured.

Instead, they seemed to try very hard not to bear too grave expressions.

 

Thus, Harry was not surprised to see Professor Dumbledore rise from his seat. Quietly, the Headmaster gazed

around the Hall, which had by now fallen totally silent. Anticipation hung in the air.

 

"My dear students," Dumbledore said at last.

 

His voice sounded friendly as always but there was no mistaking the strain in it.

 

"As you know, I have been to London and returned only this very morning. But since then I have heard

more rumours and whispering than in the whole term before today. Considering that we are a small and

very close community, it is only natural that there are always events to talk about. Although this time it has

been mainly one event and only one person everyone seems to be interested in."

 

He fell silent and once again gazed from table to table. The Great Hall was almost painfully still.

After taking a deep breath, Dumbledore continued.

 

"I would have preferred not to have to tell you this, but because of the new situation I can no longer conceal the truth."

 

Harry frowned slightly. Did the Headmaster mean the truth as it had happened on that fateful Saturday?

He couldn't possibly tell the whole student body the events of that day, could he?

 

"I am sure," Dumbledore went on. "You all remember the morning I announced that Severus Snape had to leave

for an urgent business of his."

 

Harry frowned even more. Since when did Dumbledore speak of Snape and not use the title ‘Professor’?

 

"Basically, this is true." The Headmaster continued. "But only part of it. These are dark times and I am sure

you understand this means that there have to be taken certain measures which wouldn't have been necessary

if it weren't for our present situation.

"During Voldemort's first rise, Severus Snape was rumoured to be having more than a slight interest

in the Dark Arts - but there never was any true evidence. Despite all that, I had great confidence in him.

I would never have appointed him Potions Master if I hadn't trusted him."

 

Whispers could be heard all over the Hall.

 

"Still, the suspicions against him remained. Then, at the end of the last school year after the tragic outcome

of the Triwizard-Tournament, he conducted himself in such a way - which I cannot explain to you in detail - that...

that we were beginning to fear those old rumours were indeed true. It was then that the Minister of Magic

decided to keep a close eye on Severus Snape.

Unfortunately, he seems to have found enough proof. And I fear I might have completely misjudged him."

 

Again those whispers.

 

"I wish I could tell you otherwise. But as it turns out the rumours, which could been heard all day, are true.

Severus Snape has indeed been taken to Azkaban until further proof of his innocence can be found."

 

Now there was more than whispers - people were talking agitatedly, even the staff table was not silent.

Holding up his hands, Dumbledore signalled to the students to become quiet again. It took some moments before

he once more held everyone's attention.

 

"Because of these events I feel impelled temporarily suspending Severus Snape from his duties

as Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House.

Right now I cannot say when I will be able to lift the suspension. But I can tell you one thing:

As long as the former Professor Snape is rumoured to support the Dark Side I certainly will not let him teach here again."

 

He paused and breathed a few times. It was obvious that this had been really hard for him.

 

"I went to London partially because I wanted to look for a temporary substitute Potions Master.

Considering the latest events that proved to be quite difficult. But I was able to convince an old friend of mine

to step in at least for this term so I can hire a new teacher. Thus, Mr. Castor Leeton will start teaching next Monday

and I expect you to treat him with due respect.

Also, Professor Sinistra has agreed to become Slytherin’s new Head of House.

 

"I feel most of you need some time to think or talk about this. Of course I do not want the lessons to be disturbed

that way. So I decided to cancel today's classes.

I thank you for your attention and hope that this matter will not divide us."

 

With that he sat down again.

 

For a few seconds nobody spoke.

 

Harry and Ron exchanged looks of utter disbelief. They had expected something not too obviously

in favour of Snape,but this?

Carefully, Harry glanced at the Slytherin table. Almost everyone looked downright shocked - not unlike

all the other houses. But the difference was that they didn't seem outraged about their Head of House

being connected with Voldemort. Harry got the impression they rather believed Snape had been betrayed

by Dumbledore. As far as Harry knew, the Slytherins liked Snape as their Head of House very much.

(Well, not to wonder!)

 

He wanted to turn back to his friends when he noticed something. Or rather someone: Draco Malfoy.

The fifth-year didn't seem angry at all. On the contrary, he wore a very self-satisfied smile, looking extremely smug.

As if this had been exactly what he had wanted...

Harry frowned. What was it that Malfoy had told him some hours ago?

Something about truth and that his suspicions weren't far-fetched and that they would soon see who had been right...

His eyes widened and he looked back at Dumbledore. The Headmaster wore a grave expression, not touching

the food that had appeared on his plate. He seemed completely tired and disappointed.

 

Harry leaned close to Hermione.

 

"Well, at least now we know what Malfoy had been aiming at."

She nodded silently.

"But I wonder," Harry continued, making sure nobody else listened.

"Why didn't the Headmaster defend Snape in some way? You could almost say he sentenced him already.

Why didn't he help him?"

Hermione seemed to think about it for a while. Finally, she shook her head almost unnoticeably.

"But he did, Harry." She whispered. "I'll tell you after lunch."

And with that she returned her concentration to her meal and Harry was again left to his thoughts.

Now what was that all about?

* * * * *

"So, what did you mean," Harry asked Hermione later. "Dumbledore helped Snape in a way?"

 

They were sitting in the library once more, Harry and Ron were looking at their friend with great interest.

 

"Well," she began, sounding like a teacher. "It is quite simple. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

So, Dumbledore comes back from London and hears all those rumours – far too specific to be a coincidence.

He has to do something because the secret is no longer a secret. Thus, he has to explain things -"

 

Ron nodded and waved his hand disquietingly.

"Yes, we know that, Hermione. But why did the Headmaster say what he said? He didn’t quite shield Snape,

did he. Rather exposed him if you ask me."

 

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"We get there, Ron. But please, patience!" She glared at him.

"So you are saying Dumbledore abandoned Snape. Well, what did he do that makes you think so?"

 

Ron and Harry exchanged uncertain looks.

 

"He said Snape was with the Dark Side." Ron stated finally.

 

Hermione shook her head.

"He merely said Snape was rumoured to be with You-Know-Who. ‘Rumoured’ – not ‘known’.

The Headmaster didn’t even once mention that Snape had been a Death Eater. He spoke of ‘evidence’,

of ‘proof’ but not strong enough to send him to Azkaban straight away all these years. Only now that the situation

became tense the Ministry saw the need to arrest Snape. Quasi as some sort of precaution.

And this substitute teacher – Castor Leeton – is not only a friend of Dumbledore’s but also a respected member

of the Ministry of Magic."

 

Ron gave her a suspicious look.

"How do you want to know that? I mean, Dumbledore simply said he was a friend of his. Certainly you don't

expect the Headmaster to trust one of Fudge's associates, do you?"

 

Hermione sighed.

"First: I read about him, you know. He did write some really interesting essays about various themes.

He may not be as commonly known as other members of the ministry but from what I found out his opinion

carries a considerable weight. At least outside Fudge's circle. Thus, If he shows his trust in Dumbledore

and the school the parents surely will not start an uproar about this whole affair."

 

"Of course," Harry murmured. "Brilliant."

 

Ron nodded in agreement.

"To everyone it must be quite clear that Snape is indeed a dark wizard – one who had fooled the ministry

and Dumbledore as well – when in fact he is on Dumbledore’s side... Or so I hope." He added.

 

"Exactly," Hermione said, a triumphant smile on her face. "that way, no-one can blame the Headmaster.

Hogwarts is safe. At least that part of Malfoy’s dirty plan didn’t work out."

 

She paused and her expression became somewhat graver.

 

"But the other hit home, I am afraid. You remember what we have been talking about this morning, Harry?

How Snape would feel abandoned? Well, the whole Slytherin table was convinced Dumbledore had betrayed Snape.

And if I remember correctly, your opinion wasn’t very different. Dumbledore may have been able to prevent the school

from being harmed. But his announcement might well be the final straw for Snape alone in his cell in Azkaban.

Now his interrogators have the ‘proof’ that Dumbledore really stopped believing in him."

 

Harry nodded but silently congratulated the Headmaster a second time. An evil grin started to appear on his face.

Soon, Remus Lupin would visit Snape and assure him of the Headmaster’s trust.

 

Let Malfoy celebrate the outcome of his little intrigue – in a few days the tide would turn and then, Malfoy, and then!

 

TBC...