"Harry let me start by apologizing for treating you the way that I did." Hermione began. " I had to do it to keep up my charade with the Weasley's." She wrung her hands and began pacing back and forth. " Dumbledore became suspicious of the Weasley's several months before the incident at the ministry. He asked me to continue to watch them for as long as possible. To figure out what they were up to at all costs. When Ronald decided to hate you I had to pretend I did too because I was so close to figuring it out." Hermione began to chew her lip nervously.
"And did you figure out what they were up to?" Harry asked curiously.
Hermione nodded her head enthusiastically and quickly began to tell Harry what she had seen and heard
After Harry had heard the Gryffindor girl out Harry shook his head. "No bloody way. We have got to tell someone about this."
"No one from our side is going to believe us Harry. Dumbledore was the only one who knew of my assignment." Harry shook her head.
"Then we will tell someone who isn't on our side." Harry grabbed her arm and led her into the hall. There was still about fifteen minutes till class and Harry practically drug Hermione all the way to the dungeons knocking on Snape's door. The potions master opened the door with a look that said the person knocking better be dead or dying.
The look changed however when he saw Harry standing there still gripping Hermione's arm.
"Sorry to interrupt you before classes sir, but Hermione has some information to share with you."
Snape eyed them suspiciously for a moment before allowing them in. Harry pushed Hermione in ahead of him and they both sat down.
"I really am sorry Professor but this is huge information and we didn't know who else to go to. You might actually listen." Harry repeated before motioning for Hermione to speak.
"Professor Dumbledore gave me a mission a few months ago to get as close to Ron as I could because he was suspicious of the Weasley's. That involved me pretending to hate Harry when Ron had his fall out with him." Hermione looked at Harry apologetically again.
"This is very heartwarming Ms. Granger but please tell me there is more." Snape sighed.
"Yes, Percy has been working his way up the ranks at the ministry trying to get as close to the minister as possible. When the war is over he is planning to assassinate the Minister and then if Harry refuses the position. It is Ron's duty to kill him too. They plan to use the peoples fear to raise the family name to higher ranks and place Percy in the seat of power. As far as I know the twins and Mr. Weasley are not involved. They informed Bill of the plan and he told Charlie. They have both denounced the family name and have moved to France to absolve all ties with the family." Hermione finished her tale and waited for Snape to laugh at them both and send them on their way.
'What do you mean if Harry refuses the seat of power?" Snape questioned.
"They expect Ginny to use a powerful love potion and marry him into the family. After which they want to use the imperious on him and make him minister." Hermione let out a shaky breath.
"They've overlooked two key points." Harry scoffed. "One of those points being that I am not affected by the Imperious, the second being that I'm gay."
Snape did his best to not appeared shocked by this news but couldn't wait to tell Cole all the same.
"This is indeed important information. But why did you come to me?" Snape asked is obsidian eyes sparkling like a beetle in the sun.
"You are the only person I felt I could trust sir." Harry replied.
"Very well. I will see what I can do. There are not many who will believe this tale. Classes will be starting soon I suggest you two get going." Snape calmly went back to his paperwork but his mind was reeling.
That night when Harry showed up for their arranged meeting Snape had devised a little bit of a plan. It thrilled him to know that he had gained Harry's trust so easily but he could tell by the way the teen looked at him that there was still some doubts in his mind. He needed to erase those if his plan were to work.
'Harry, you remember where the room you stayed in is located correct?' Snape asked when the boy entered.
"Yes sir." Harry replied curiously.
"I have had the elves move your belonging there as well as Ms. Granger's. Mr. Longbottom may join you as well if you wish. The room will adjust itself to accommodate." Snape looked at him closely trying to gauge his reaction without invading his mind. That would do nothing to help gain any trust with the rash Gryffindor.
"Thank you sir, but may I ask why?" Harry asked.
"To keep you safe and out of harms way as much as possible. Thought trouble has a habit of finding you it seems. I do have one condition however." Snape almost smiled. This would be the part that Harry didn't like.
"What is that sir?"
"Draco will be staying in the room with you as well. Call him a bodyguard if you will. I want him with you whenever possible." Snape named the condition.
"You want Dra.. I mean Malfoy to follow me like a puppy?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"He will protect you. No one will mess with you in the company of a Slytherin not to mention my godson." Snape smirked. It was the closest thing Harry had ever seen to a smile.
"Okay sure. Why not. But how does he feel about this?" Harry sighed in defeat.
"He is absolutely delighted to be of service to you." Snape shrugged. It had actually scared him a little at how excited Draco had been to tail the golden boy.
"Now that scares me," Harry grimaced. "Hermione won't be as accepting of it as I am though."
"I think you will both learn that there is often more than meets the eye." Snape winked pulling out an assortment of potions bottles. "Now onto business. This is the strongest nutrient potion available. You will take one in the morning and one before bed." Snape handed over a purple potion that had the consistency of a jello shooter. "This one is to repair the damage to your nervous system. You'll take one of these at lunch everyday." He handed over a blue liquid. "And this one should take care of everything else." Snape handed him a green potion that had smoke sifting out around the cork. "Take that one in the morning as well. To start go ahead and take one of each you'll begin your normal regiment in the morning."
Harry eyed each vial skeptically before uncorking the one that looked like jello and tasted like cinnamon. The next purple one smelled like freshly mowed grass and tasted like vomit. And the last one which concerned Harry the most burned like firewhiskey going down his throat.
"Thanks I think." Harry coughed giving the vials back to the potions master.
"No problem." Snape smirked. "Now if I'm not mistaken you will find Granger in the library and Longbottom in the greenhouses. Why don't you go inform them of your housing change?"
"Does McGonagall know?" Harry asked suddenly thinking of the headmistress.
"Minerva has made me deputy headmaster and trust my decision." Snape replied going back to grading papers he waved Harry off.
Harry knew there was something Snape wasn't telling him but chose not to question and exited the office. He hadn't made it far up the hallway when someone else fell in step beside of him.
"Hello Malfoy." Harry sighed.
"Come now Harry we are dorm mates now don't you think first names are in order?" Draco smiled.
"You hate me. Why are you doing this?" Harry asked.
"I don't hate you. I wanted to be your friend. I believe I told you you didn't want to be associating with riff raff like the Weasley's." Draco jumped ahead of Harry walking down the hall backwards to look at him.
"Is that what this is about? You getting to tell me you told me so?" Harry asked feeling himself getting angry.
"No, this is me trying to get what I wanted from the beginning." Draco stopped almost causing Harry to run into him.
"And what is that?" Harry questioned gritting his teeth in annoyance.
"Your friendship." Draco smiled a blindingly white smile at him and held out his hand. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
With a begrudging smile Harry took his hand and shook it. "Potter, Harry Potter."
What had he gotten himself into?