Chapter Three

Severus roared, "HOW DARE YOU SUSPECT ME OF SERVING THE DARK LORD." He stood up and started towards the High Inquisitor. All eyes were now on the Potions Master. His face contorted with fury and anger. All masks were dropped. "GIVING ME A TRIAL AND NOT GIVING YOURSELF ONE WOULD BE HIPPOCRITICAL OF THE MINISTRY! YOUR ROLE HERE AS THE STUPID HIGH INQUISITOR IS NOTHING BUT A HEAD FIGURE, NOTHING BUT THE EMPTY THREAT. YOU VIOLATED RULES AND TORMENTED A STUDENT! WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THAT I DID THINGS FOR THE DARK LORD!" Behind him, Dumbledore was trying to restrain him with words but they were all ignored. "WHY WOULD THEY NOT SUSPECT YOU OF SERVING THE DARK LORD! YOU HAVE THE CREDENTIALS!" he bellowed and despite the desperate attempts to stop him, Severus was now in front of Umbridge.

He withdrew his fist and landed a crunching punch at Umbridge, who stood stupefied and bewildered. She fell backwards and stumbled a few feet. His eyes burned with fury as he advanced towards her, yelling curses.

"Stupefy!" Dumbledore produced his wand and shot the spell at Severus. He landed a few feet from Umbridge, next to Harry. He groaned. Not as bad as the Cruciatus, but still hurts. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

Harry watched, in surprise, the announcement of the Ministry. Snape is sacked AND Dumbledore! He glanced at Snape, his face scrunched up in anger. Either his glasses were fooling him or Snape was shaking as he sat. His attention was adverted to Dumbledore, who looked calm as always but his eyes bore a hint of anger. "…That is all, return to your dinners." He would have turned back and discussed this with Hermione and Ron had Severus not shouted.

Harry's eyes shot up and saw him stalking towards Umbridge. Deja vu? He mused as he remembered Snape's similar countenance in his third year, after he had freed Sirius. His eyes refocused as Umbridge landed only a few feet away from him, after Snape's punch. His eyes were bewildered when Dumbledore shot the stun spell at Snape, who landed at his feet.

He didn't know what happened, but he unconsciously felt his hand on Snape's shoulder. "You okay?" he asked. He looked into Snape's bewildered and somewhat calmed eyes. To his surprise, Snape nodded and stood up, looking at Dumbledore straight in the eye.

"Control yourself, Severus," Dumbledore said, as he lifted Umbridge to her feet. "Thank you," she mumbled. Dumbledore smiled, "As the Headmaster states, let us all finish our dinners." He turned to Severus, "I want to see you in my office after dinner," he looked at Harry briefly, "You too."

What does Potter have to do with this? I can no longer teach him Occlumency and you can't either! Damn that wretched woman. Severus nodded.

After dinner, he and Harry followed Dumbledore to his office. No one spoke during the trip to his office until Harry clutched his scar. Dumbledore, being in front of them both, did not notice this. Severus, on the other hand, did. He looked at the boy and he was clenching his teeth, trying desperately not to make a noise. Stupid boy, tell the Headmaster!

"Headmaster," Severus said aloud to get Dumbledore's attention. He whirled about and saw Harry wincing. "Is it another vision?" his voice was void of worry.

Harry shook his head and raised his head, as if the pain had subsided, "I'm fine." Then why is your eye twitching, you little idiot? Dumbledore nodded and continued on. I forgot how good an actor you are, Albus.

They finally reached the door. "Broccoli and spinach," Dumbledore said and stepped into the threshold, followed by Harry and Severus. Harry sat across Dumbledore's desk and Severus stood, as there were no more chairs.

"As you know," Dumbledore began, without looking at Harry, "I am gone soon. I want both of you to follow me." Harry opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. "Albus, as sincere as that may be, I believe I can take care of myself."

Dumbledore looked skeptical, "I'm not saying that you have to follow me the whole way through. I planning to drop you both off somewhere before I, alone, depart."

"Where will I be going?" Harry blurted out.

"You will be following Severus. Wherever he goes, you go. I need to tend to some business."

Harry had a feeling that emerged from nowhere, to hurt Dumbledore. A voice from a world apart severed his thoughts to hurt his Headmaster.

"Why can't we just hand him over to Black?"

"Sirius cannot tend to him as freely as you can. He is restricted whereas you are not."

"You do realize that I have a trial tomorrow, correct?"

"The Ministry has no proof, you'll do fine-"

"The Ministry no longer needs proof to get a person into Azkaban, what if this nonsense going around and people accusing the great Harry Potter to be an insane little boy! Well, if you haven't noticed, the insane little boy asked for my welfare when I was stunned. That's proof enough, and they can bend facts," Severus retorted.

"Trust me, Severus."

"It's high time that I stopped doing that, believing you just because I trust you."

"Gentlemen, if I am not intruding anything…" Umbridge smiled at them under the arched doorway.

"We were leaving, Dolores," Dumbledore replied.

"I was just wondering where young Harry went, he still has detention, you see," she smiled again. Harry winced, but it wasn't unnoticed. Severus stood in front of the boy, "He is talking to the Headmaster right now. If you'll-"

"Excuse me, Severus," Umbridge took a step towards him, "He is no longer the Headmaster, and you shouldn't take that tone with me, Death Eater… Harry, now, if you'll please."

Harry looked at Dumbledore for help, "I am talking to Professor Dumbledore regarding my Quidditch position-"

"Then you will no longer be playing Quidditch," she spat.

"And Lily Evans, my mother," he continued to lie.

"Your mother is dead," Umbridge coldly snapped.

"So is your brain." Snape looked at Harry, incredulously. The boy's got talent. Wonder why he's not in Slytherin… Oh, right, his lack of sense.

"Excuse me? I'm sure that warrants another detention and 20 points from Gryffindor," Umbridge smiled, "Come." She motioned around Severus and grabbed Harry by his right hand. He winced. It still hurt him. He let himself be dragged by Umbridge, he knew no one can help him.

A unity can do you wonders…"Let him go," Severus said, "Or else."

"Or else what?" Umbridge chuckled, "The Ministry is at your tail, fool!" Severus smiled and produced his wand, "Obliviate!" A wail was heard and then the room silenced again. Severus turned to Harry and Dumbledore, "We must leave."

Dumbledore whistled and Fawkes flew over their heads. It shed a feather and once it fell, they were surrounded by flames and were gone.