Chapter Nine: In Which Traps Are Sprung
"You see, Minister?" said Snape. "Confunded, both of them. . . . Black's done a very good job on them. . . .
"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Harry roared.
"I know it sounds self-deprecating, but for all you know we might have been! If we are being controlled by some dark spell, we wouldn't know, would we?" said Hermione logically.
Harry glared at her.
"The young witch is right, Harry. You should listen to her, and rest. Rest will go a long way in helping you recover . . ." said Fudge kindly.
"Here's where I disagree with you, Minister," said Hermione, shocking everyone. "If we really are under some spell that can control our minds without us even knowing, then such a spell should be removed immediately! I think this qualifies as a medical emergency!"
Fudge realised his mistake too late, she had led him right into a trap. He now had no choice but to agree, because it would look really bad if he didn't.
He had to try to save the post-war relaxation period though. His career as a politician wouldn't last one day if word got out that there had been wrongful imprisonment using emergency wartime protocols, and he hadn't done anything about it!
"There is no need for that. I'm sure the Hogwarts hospital wing is quite capable —"
"We are suspected of being cursed by You-Know-Who's right hand man! This is no time for politics, Minister Fudge! Madam Pomfrey should perform a diagnostic on us, which will reveal the truth once and for all!"
Madam Pomfrey proceeded to do just that. The results were quite clear — they were under no sort of control, magical or otherwise.
Fudge blustered, "This is preposterous! You all have conspired to kick me out of office! Lies! All lies!"
The Minister was Stunned by an irritated Severus Snape. The Potions Master did not like blustering, apparently.
Snape looked at them, looking almost . . . apologetic? Then, as if each word might cost him his retirement fund, he said, "It seems I was . . . you weren't . . . I can't . . ."
Obviously, Snape wasn't good at apologies.
"It's fine, Professor. We get it," said Harry.
Snape sneered at them. "You weren't wrong one time, Potter. Your swollen head does not need an ego boost," he said nastily.
The hospital wing burst into laughter. Even Snape curled his lips into something resembling a grimace.
AN: You know what they say, once a Snape, always a Snape. Also, if Fudge truly believes Harry and Hermione are Confunded, then he shouldn't have any problems with verification of the fact!