Hello, Sorry everyone for the delay life kinda got in the way. I just wanted to say thanks for all the reviews they were wonderful! Please keep reviewing. I have a beta reader but haven't been able to catch up with my progress so forgive me for mistakes...Enjoy!
Weeks passed and Harry learned to cope with the memory gaps and flashes that happened whenever Professor Snape appeared. A feeling of ease filled him as he stared at the professor in Potions class, and Harry wondered if there wasn't a connection between him and his memory. The weather grew colder and the first signs of snow appeared in the courtyard one morning as Harry rushed to get to class, running down the hallway he came to an abrupt stop as he recognized Fudge storming in front of him heading his direction. Frozen in panic and fear Harry couldn't move his feet to hide as the minister came barreling towards him, a look of sheer fury on his face. The minister thankfully hadn't seen Harry and continued coming towards him trying to avoid the other students in his way as he headed towards the headmaster's office. Time seemed to stop as Fudge drew nearer and Harry could feel sweat forming in his hairline as he silently begged his feet to move, suddenly a hand touched his shoulder and he jumped badly ending up falling down on his butt in the middle of the room. Severus frowned in surprised at the quick reaction as Harry glared up at him as he tried to gain his feet but was shaking too hard.
Fudge suddenly appeared his face taking on an eerie quality as he glared down at Harry, "Are you alright son?" He asked reaching down to help Harry to his feet. Harry paled and tried to back away but knocked into Snape. "Minister, this is a surprise." Severus said smoothly, stepping in to take the focus off Potter for a brief moment.
"Yes, I am here to see Dumbledore…I have need of some information." Fudge explained to Severus, his sharp glances directed at Harry as he managed to gain his feet and step just behind the professor. The potion master frowned feeling an unease ripple through him at the sight of the minister unexpectedly but quickly dismissed it as prejudice. Keeping himself firmly between Harry and Fudge he managed to hold conversation direction away from Potter now holding himself behind the professor. If Severus was surprised he didn't show it as he made conversation with the minister keeping Harry away from Fudge.
"Yes, headmaster alerted me to your presents here. I am sure you know the way already." He said gesturing to Fudge to continue. Gripping Harry gently by the shoulders Severus managed to move Harry away from Fudge's glances aware how tense the boy was in his arms as they moved down the corridor only stopping when Fudge eventually turned the corner towards Dumbledore's office. "Are you alright?" Severus asked sharply, stopping to take a look at Potter's pale face.
Harry could feel the memories begin to bubble and rise to the surface just as a full image appeared in his mind blurred a hand shook his shoulder and he was forced back to reality. Professor Snape glared down at him as he spoke and shook his shoulder and realizing that he needed to respond Harry opened his mouth, "Sorry professor…I need to go to class." He muttered, pulling sharply away from the professor and fleeing before he could deduct points.
Severus headed up to the headmaster's office a little while later after Fudge left the premise knocking on the door before entering. Albus sat behind his desk looking wearily into the fire before turning to his visitor and smiling, "Severus my boy…come in." Motioning for the professor to take a seat, Albus waited until the professor was seated before talking. For a moment the room was silent and then Dumbledore talked, "He seems to not have any idea about the summer or pressuring Harry's uncle to commit child abuse. For now it's a waiting game, I'm sure he's on to us and knows that we are on to him but it's a matter of who will break first. We have no proof with Harry's memory gone and unfortunately he is too well placed without it."
"Could he be under a spell? Imperio perhaps?" Severus asked almost hopefully.
Albus smirked at the professor, "I ran a discreet sensing spell and as far as I can tell he isn't under a spell." Pausing a moment Albus continued, "They know that the guardianship is signed but they do not know by whom. The instant that they do that person's life will be over. It's apparent that Voldemort is behind this and so we will need to be extra cautious when it comes to Harry and you."
Severus frowned feeling perturbed that the headmaster considered him in need of protection, "I can of course take care of myself headmaster, however I agree with you on Potter though, he needs to be watched closely. He had an encounter with Fudge this morning, and I believe that his memory almost came back. We have to be careful of when to jolt it, if Potter does regain his memory it will be harder for us." Implying that they could when his memory was regained go after the minister.
Albus admired Severus always the strategist when it came to battle lines, "I believe that you are right…However, I believe it is time for dinner and we have no more idea what to expect. It is best that we remain cautious in everything, Severus." He said, giving Severus a knowing look before ending the conversation. Severus inclined his head a little, letting Albus know he was understood before bringing himself up to full height as he walked behind the headmaster out of his office. Taking the steps Severus sensed a threat behind him and turned abruptly, his wand out as his obsidian eyes searched the narrow stairwell. "Severus, are you alright?" Albus asked, fingering his wand in his cloak. He knew better than to not trust Severus's sharp senses when it came to danger.
For a moment the potion master could have sworn that something or someone was behind him but as he whipped around he could see nothing but the darkened staircase they had just come down. "I must be getting old; I thought that I had seen something." He muttered, still not willing to put his wand away until he got to the bottom of the staircase.
"Let us hope not Severus…I need your youth to help guard Harry against Voldemort." Dumbledore chuckled, patting Severus lightly on the back.
Severus smirked, "Even if I wasn't guardian you would need a dozen well trained solders to watch over Potter." He smirked, "I will retire to my quarters, goodnight headmaster." Albus watched Severus disappeared down the hall before shaking his head in thought. Nobody noticed a small white mouse tumble down the stairs after the two had gone, running quickly for the courtyard and then the Forbidden Forest. Once there he quickly changed shape into Fudge, his dark eyes twinkling as he rolled up his sleeve displaying the dark mark hidden. Quickly Fudge pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders with efficient movements before apparating into a room filled with death eaters. All conversation stopped as he moved forward towards Voldemort and bowed in front of the dark lord.
"My lord, it worked perfectly…Nobody suspected a thing." Fudge said clearly his head still bowed as he stood and took his place among the other death eaters.
TBC...