Author's Note: I realized that I forgot a disclaimer in my first two chapters. This will probably divulge from canon events and disregard information provided in the subsequent books.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I'm certainly not making money off of this.
Chapter 3:
Two hours later, Snape surveyed the classroom of second year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws attempting to brew a simple Burn Balm. Students watched him with a wary eye as he strode about the room, snidely remarking upon mistakes as he went. However, Severus' mind remained focused on his conversation with his fellow Head of House earlier that morning. After all, overseeing such talentless students required only a fraction of his concentration. The obligatory Slytherin-Gryffindor rivalry aside, Minerva McGonagall was one of the few people Severus could tolerate and, not that he would ever admit it to, respect. It was widely acknowledged by the student population that the two Heads of Houses were the strictest teachers in the school. Professor Snape perhaps won the award for the most frightening professor, but Professor McGonagall certainly commanded obedience from the entire school including the staff. Even the Headmaster rarely dared to cross her.
With good reason, thought the Potions Master. In her capacity as Deputy Headmistress, Minerva oversaw the day-to-day operations of the school. He remembered the first piece of advice given to him by Flitwick upon becoming a professor. Don't get on Minerva's bad side, Severus. She controls the finances, the supplies, and the scheduling, not to mention that Albus listens to her without question. It was the only piece of advice he had taken as the effect of having her as a professor had not entirely worn off at that point. Over the years, they had bickered constantly over Quidditch and his teaching methods, but McGonagall had treated him without prejudice.
"Can you not read, Mr. Stanwood? I believe that I clearly wrote the two abga leaves are required, not three thyme leaves," Snape swooped down on the unfortunate Hufflepuff. The boy jumped as Severus snatched the leaves from the hand hovering above the cauldron. "If you had been so thickheaded as to add these leaves, Mr. Stanwood, you would have found yourself in need of a new arm. Might I suggest reading the instructions unless your purpose is to blow yourself up? In that case, feel free to remove a dunderhead such as yourself from my class on a permanent basis." Ignoring the boy's stammering reply, Snape continued to his desk, pondering how best to carry out the plan he and Minerva had outlined that morning
"We need to force the issue into public view. Potter's interview with the Quibbler was a decent start, but nowhere near enough to dismantle Cornelius' power base. Most of the Wizarding world would rather let the Minister lead them around by the nose than admit to the possibility of You-Know-Who's return. Whatever we do here must be communicated to the outside world." Minerva paused, turning over strategies in her mind.
"Agreed. We can hardly rely on the likes of the Weasley twins and Potter to run that woman and Fudge out of office," Severus concurred. "Her next target will be you, Minerva. Your close ties to the Headmaster and your authority within the school threaten her position."
"I know, Severus. We might be able to use that against her."
"How do you intend to do that?"
"Albus has always been known for being eccentric and frankly a bit distant from the ordinary Wizarding population. That made it much easier for Cornelius to discredit him. The public would rather believe that Albus' mind has finally started to fail him, than accept You-Know-Who's return. As for Potter, few people outside of the school have actually met him. A teenager is not the most likely person to be believed in any case." Minerva refilled her cup, continuing, "On the other hand, my reputation is built upon almost forty years of teaching. If I didn't teach an individual himself, I've taught his children, his nieces and nephews, or the children of his close friends. I have never involved myself in politics nor have I been publicly recognized as a hero. The Ministry will have an uphill battle to sway public sentiment against me."
"Your association with the Headmaster-" Severus began.
"Will not be a problem. Gryffindors are known for their loyalty. It would seem uncharacteristic if I were to suddenly abandon that friendship." Minerva slipped into her chair and tapped the lowest right-hand drawer with her wand. It sprung open, revealing a series of files. Extracting a folder, Minerva handed it to Severus who had taken the chair opposite her. Snape thumbed through the contents quickly, mildly impressed with the scope. It contained information on both Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge, starting from their school reports and ending with details regarding the association with Lucius Malfoy and the Educational Decrees.
"How did you obtain this information?"
"As soon as Dumbledore informed me of Dolores' appointment to the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, I retrieved the school records from storage. Alastor, Kingsley, and a few others helped gather the rest. Dolores attended school before I arrived, but Dumbledore taught her. Apparently, she lacks skill in virtually every area of instruction. She barely managed to graduate. Her Tranfiguration, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts scores are appalling." Minerva's voice dripped with scorn. Hermione Granger performed more complicated spells in her first year than the Toad could execute in her seventh. "Cornelius was an average student, no particular strengths or weaknesses. Dumbledore told me that he never believed Cornelius capable of this."
"Apparently, the Minister's office has inflated his ego beyond reason. I fail to understand why the Wizarding public allowed the appointment of an incompetent like him to the position."
"The whole debacle over his son forced Crouch out of the running and Dumbledore would not consider accepting the post. Cornelius appeared harmless and comforting to the public after the war. Moreover, it was understood that Dumbledore and the more experienced members of the Ministry would be available to advise Cornelius as needed." Minerva thought back to days in which Fudge would send the Headmaster daily requests for assistance. More than once, she had encouraged Albus to use the letters for kindling and inform the Minister that he would have to simply muddle through on his own. Albus, far more tolerant than his Deputy, always responded politely with suggestions and support. And now Cornelius, you have invented a conspiracy with Albus as its architect to overthrown you. Blasted fool. Albus never desired to be Minister. He would never willingly leave Hogwarts and he has no need of a Ministry position to boost his power. Not that he ever wished for power.
Severus' voice brought Minerva's focus back on the conversation. "How do you propose we use her inevitable attempt to remove you from Hogwarts against both of them?"
"We force her to take me to trial." Silence greeted her. Minerva silently rejoiced at surprising the normally unflappable Slytherin. Very few things started Severus Snape.
"Perhaps I misheard you. You want to bring this to trial. A trail in which the outcome will have already been decided beforehand." Severus spoke slowly as one might to a child. She could not seriously be suggesting that they allow Umbridge and Fudge to throw her in Azkaban, to formally charge her with treason, and to drag her name through the mud in court. Regardless of any concern he might feel towards Minerva, the idea of Hogwarts coping without the expertise of its Deputy Headmistress promised chaos. The school would grind to a halt, not to mention the danger posed by leaving the school sans a Head.
"Severus, treason is difficult to prove. Umbridge and Fudge would have to present solid evidence. Other than my association with Dumbledore, they have none. In the process of a trial, evidence against the current administration could be presented as well. I'm not entirely without other allies. I believe that I can guarantee that the trial will be conducted with unrestricted press coverage and in accordance with the law. In regards to the wards, the Headmaster's suite has refused Umbridge entrance. Dumbledore will be able to stay there to maintain the wards." Minerva's piercing gaze caught Severus'. "Do you have a better idea?"
"Dumbledore will never approve." Dumbledore would never permit his closest friend to risk herself. But could he stop her?
"Contrary to popular belief, Severus, I do not live and breathe at Albus' direction. I am quite capable of acting on my own." Minerva's voice took on a scolding tone. He nodded his head in acceptance. As long as I don't have to be the messenger of this particular piece of information. Severus recalled a rare situation a few years ago during which the governing pair of Hogwarts had been at odds. The temperature had dropped ten degrees whenever they were in the same room. The actual arguments occurred behind closed doors, but the tension could be felt by every member of the staff. He did not look forward to a repeat of that situation. Minerva McGonagall remained the only person who seemed to be able to completely forget Dumbledore's status and power and to treat the Headmaster as a mere human being. Her practicality and attention to detail balanced the Headmaster's unconventional style and tendency to focus on the larger picture. Undeniably, the Headmaster valued her input and friendship highly which meant he was very likely to balk at the idea of using Minerva as the sacrificial lamb to bring down Fudge's administration. Not that Minerva McGonagall could ever be considered a lamb. The woman survived forty years as Dumbledore's second-in-command.
"I suppose that I can't persuade you to change your mind? I shudder to think of the state Hogwarts will devolve to in your absence. I would hate to run out of Potions supplies because your replacement forgot to order them."
"Your concern for my welfare is touching Severus. But, unless you can come up with a better alternative?" No reply was forthcoming. "Then I suggest we wait until an opportunity presents itself. The Defense Against the Dark Arts post may be limited to a year's term, but I'm afraid we cannot be assured that some sort of accident will befall Dolores now that she has made herself Headmistress. She might voluntarily give up the post to another Ministry lackey. We may have to be patient. In the meantime, I see no reason why we should not permit the students to demonstrate the difficulties inherent in running a school like Hogwarts."
"In other words, allow the Weasley twins and their compatriots free rein to make a mockery of our dear Headmistress' first term," interpreted Snape. "Provided that they do not disrupt competent professors' classes and refrain from serious bodily harm, a demonstration, as you say, might be exactly what Umbridge needs to prove herself."
"Precisely, Severus." Trial by fire, Dolores, trial by fire. Until now, you have been protected by Albus' presence and the other staff members who refused to help you damage his reputation further by allowing the school to deteriorate while under his authority. That protection disappeared when you forced him to flee. I have no objection to letting the students make your life miserable. If I can manage to do so discreetly, I'll even help them. Including the Weasley twins and Peeves. Under normal circumstances, Minerva would never have considered condoning the pranks and disturbances, but for Umbridge, she was more than willing to make an exception. Satisfied in Severus' tacit agreement to participate in her plan, Minerva turned the conversation to other topics. When the bell chimed for the first class, Minerva rose, indicating that she would leave first. Severus waited a few seconds before following her. As it stood, Umbridge thought that the relationship between the Gryffindor and Slytherin Heads of House was at best indifferent and at worst hostile. Severus knew that Umbridge considered him an ally, or at least, not an enemy due to their shared distaste for Potter. It suited their purposes to let her believe that Professor Snape would not cooperate with Professor McGonagall.
The bell clanged, signaling the end of the period. Snape returned his attention to his class long enough to assign a foot of parchment about the use of Burn Balm. After the last student scuttled out the door, Snape began the process of refilling the ingredient bottles in preparation of his next class. As he replenished the store of abga leaves, he entertained himself with imaging Umbridge's downfall. Humiliation and anguish, he decided, would definitely be the order of the day. He would thoroughly enjoy watching Minerva destroy Umbridge and Fudge. When it comes to protecting her cubs, I would not get between Minerva and her objective.