Chapter III: Snape's Quest
A/N See?
'And now that we are all here,' said Professor Dumbledore, 'our first item on the agenda is Serverus Snape. As most of you know, Professor Snape was a Death Eater for some time,' he continued, 'and eventually turned spy for our side' Snape began to look rather tense, it seemed as though he didn't like his past mentioned in front of anyone.
'Well, get on with it,' muttered Snape, and with that, Dumbledore continued.
'I request that Professor Snape go on a mission to work undercover for the Order of Phoenix. He will be required to gather evidence, against Lucius Malfoy, and if at all possible, Cornelius Fudge.' With this, there was a huge uproar,
'Cornelius Fudge?' roared old Mundungus Fletcher, 'But he's the MINISTER FOR MAGIC!'
'I assure you, I do mean Fudge. I have had my eye on him since the last Triwizard Task, as he didn't seem to want to follow reasonable security measures after Voldemort rose,' Said Dumbledore.
The meeting continued well into the night. Harry had been granted permission to enter the Order, and eventually, Dumbledore asked him to come into the office. 'Can you remember who the third Death Eater was, Harry?' Asked Professor Dumbledore, 'It is integral that we find out.'
'Come to think of it, it sounded like Fudge, and I can remember Mrs Weasley saying "Arthur Knows what he is" after the Tournament,'
'Thank you, Harry, That is all I will ask today on that matter,' continued Dumbledore, but I should ask if you know anyone who you would like to take up the role of Potions Master?' Harry thought long and hard until out of nowhere, an answer popped into his head.
'Sirius. After all, if we put Fudge under investigation, then there shouldn't be much problem; after all, the Order seems to be better supported than the ministry at the moment,'
'That is true. I will ask him tomorrow. Now, I shall call Ron and Miss Granger, I am sure the three of you will feel safer if you stay at Hogwarts,'
Faced with the prospect of having Sirius as a teacher, spending the rest of the summer at Hogwarts, and Professor Snape gone for an entire year, Harry felt much lighter than he had a couple of hours ago.
***
'Please forgive me, Master. I have spied on Potter and Dumbledore for the past fifteen years. I am now ready to work for you solely,'
'Very well,' said a cold voice, 'but don't expect forgiveness from the great Lord Voldemort, it is the last time I will expect it.'
'Thank you, it is the least I could expect.' Said the other voice, the voice of Serverus Snape.
***
Dear Harry,
Thank you, for nominating me as the new potions master. You have done far too much for me over the past years.
A life of freedom, or at least one year, is the best thing I could have expected.
As for the birthday present that you didn't receive, you should be expecting it sometime this month.
All the best,
Sirius
As Harry finished reading the letter, the always-awed voice of Ron Weasley came through: 'Wow, Harry, did you really ask for Sirius as the new Potions master?'
'Yep,' said Harry, 'I now hope to get better marks in potions'
'And as for Neville,' rung in the voice of the top witch in the class, Hermione Granger, 'I think he will improve significantly, after all, herbology is the closest subject to potions,'
'Hang on, there's another one,' said Harry, as Hedwig hooted dignifiedly
Dear Harry, Ron and Hermione,
As all three of you are now in the Order of Phoenix, you will now be taking specialist lessons for the subjects of Transfiguration, Flying, Charms and Defence against the Dark Arts, starting today at 3 o'clock PM, with a Defence against the Dark Arts lesson with Professor Black and Professor Weasley.
Please meet in the boardroom at two o'clock for a briefing before your lesson.
Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore,
Leader of Phoenix
'Great, Our first lesson's with Sirius! This'll be our best year,' said Harry excitedly as the three of them counted down the time 'till two PM.