Trust In Me
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Thank you very much to everyone who has reviewed this story or added it to your alerts or favourites! You guys make my day :) Here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 5
Harry walked out of the Potions classroom in a daze, replaying his conversation with Snape over in his mind. Normally, Harry would be full of dread at the thought of a week's worth of detentions with his Potions professor; now, however, faced with this or detention with the toad, Harry felt quite relieved. Previous detentions with Snape have always involved something awful and disgusting, like disembowelling horned toads or pickling rat's brains, but Harry had a feeling that these detentions will be different. At the very least, he won't be forced to cut open his own hand. What was it Snape had said? You may bring your own quill. He had felt so shocked when Snape had said that. Fancy Snape making a joke, he had thought in astonishment. So muddled were his thoughts, he nearly walked straight past Ron and Hermione, who were waiting for him in the Entrance Hall.
"What did the greasy git want Harry?" Ron asked, rousing Harry from his thoughts. Hermione shot him a reproaching look before looking curiously at Harry.
"He gave me a week's detention, starting tonight." Harry responded, leading the way towards the Great Hall. Dinner would be starting soon, and his detention, he thought.
"But Harry, don't you have detention with her tonight?" Hermione asked, barely disguising her disgust at Umbridge. Harry had finally told her what was happening in his detentions with Umbridge the previous night, and Hermione was still furious. Ron already knew, having seen his hand on his way back from playing Quidditch, and so was able to help him calm Hermione down.
"I did, Snape's going to talk to her." He replied casually, ignoring the looks of shock and surprise on Ron and Hermione's face as they sat at the Gryffindor table.
"Snape's going to talk to her." Ron repeated, certain he had heard wrong.
"Yeah, Snape's going to talk to her. Like I said." Harry confirmed, turning his attention to the food that had just appeared on the table. It was only when he took his first mouthful of food that he realised Ron was staring at him; he hadn't even put food on his plate yet.
"For Merlin's sake Ronald, stop staring!" She snapped with a pointed look at Harry, who was looking embarrassedly down at his food.
"Sorry." Ron muttered, averting his gaze. He seemed to realise there was food in front of him and reached forward to pile it on his plate. Harry shot Hermione a grateful look and she smiled reassuringly at him.
"So Harry, have you done Binns' essay yet? I finished it last night; its 3 feet long, I know Binns wanted it to be a foot long but I found this most fascinating book in the Library and..."
As Harry and his friends were enjoying their dinner, Severus Snape entered the Great Hall and made his way towards the staff table. He took a seat in between Minerva McGonagall and Umbridge, neither of whom were talking to each other.
"Good evening Severus." Umbridge simpered. He smirked for a moment when he heard Minerva mutter 'Stupid woman' under her breath before adopting his usual emotionless mask.
"Evening Dolores. I trust you are well?" He asked, not caring either way. Minerva looked at him suspiciously; knowing full well that Severus likes engaging in idle chit chat as much as he enjoys teaching the students.
"Oh, I am very well, thank you for asking Severus! I just received the most amusing letter from Cornelius and..." Severus tuned out the rest of the one sided conversation, smirking at the glare Minerva was shooting him for getting Umbridge started on the wonderful Cornelius. Any other time he would have agreed with her, but not tonight. He turned his attention back to Umbridge as her story came to an end and she asked, "And what about you Severus? Are you well?"
"I'm afraid not Dolores. I've just had Potions with the fifth years." Severus responded, sighing to himself. He saw Umbridge look briefly at the Gryffindor table where Potter was sat with his friends, Minerva following her gaze before frowning to herself.
"I see. Continue." Umbridge said, before being interrupted by Minerva. "What's Harry done now?"
"Mr Potter, once again, failed to produce an adequate OWL standard potion. His efforts are a constant health hazard to my other students and he is continuously rude to myself and students from my house. I have assigned him a week's worth of detention in the hope that he will finally learn some manners and intelligence, although I won't hold my breath." Severus informed the two women. He avoided looking at Minerva and ignored Umbridge's smirk, instead focusing his attention on the twinkle that had appeared in Albus' eye. Manipulative old fool, he thought.
"Well done Severus, I've known for weeks that boy was trouble, it's like I've been telling Minerva..."
"Yes, I agree with you Dolores," He interrupted, not wishing to talk to Umbridge any longer than necessary. "The boy informed me he has detention with you for the rest of the week, but I was hoping his detention with me could begin immediately, I have a barrel fall of leeches that need sorting ready for my third years tomorrow."
Umbridge hesitated, looking calculatingly at Severus for a moment, "Very well Severus. It's time that boy was taught a lesson and he doesn't seem to be learning from me." Severus maintained his expressionless mask but inside he was smirking; that had been almost too easy. Further up the table, Albus did not even attempt to hide his smile, causing Minerva to look suspiciously between him and Severus.
"Severus, a word please." Minerva said evenly, barely controlling her temper. She rose from the table and headed for the side chamber behind the staff table. Severus nodded his head and followed her. Once they were inside, Severus cast a silencing charm on the door.
"Severus Sna–" Minerva started to yell.
"Stop yelling Minerva, you don't know all the facts." Severus interrupted, blanching slightly at the venomous look Minerva shot him.
"What facts?" She asked, folding her arms across her chest.
"A few nights ago, I was patrolling the castle when I discovered Mr Potter making his way back to Gryffindor tower. It was hours after dark and he was covered in blood." Severus informed her, deciding it was best if there was another member of staff who knew about the situation. Albus had been extremely unhelpful, but Severus knew he could count on Minerva to look out for Potter; this reaction alone showed that she was fiercely protective of her Gryffindors.
"Blood?" Minerva repeated, going pale.
"Yes, blood. Upon closer inspection, I could see he had the words 'I must not tell lies' carved in to his hand," He paused here, swallowing slightly at the memory. "Despite my best efforts, I was unable to heal the cut and all Potter was willing to tell me was he had just had detention with our High Inquisitor. She made him do lines."
Minerva said nothing for a moment, before exploding. "How dare she! Lines?! I'll give her lines!" She yelled before unfolding her arms and reaching for her wand. Acting quickly, Severus reached out for her arm.
"Minerva this is exactly the reaction we must avoid! Think who she is reporting to, this is exactly why Albus didn't–"
"Albus knew?" She asked, stopping dead. Severus gulped.
"Yes."
"Excuse me Severus." Minerva said, sliding her arm out of his grasp.
"Minerva, remember what I –"
"I know, Severus, I can't do anything to... her." She spat. "Albus on the other hand..."
Knowing how much he was grateful he wasn't Albus Dumbledore right now, Severus followed Minerva out of the chamber, noting that Umbridge had left while their exchange had took place. Probably for the best, he thought to himself. No longer hungry, Severus made his way down from the staff table, where Minerva was furiously asking Albus for a word, "in private." Shaking his head slightly, Severus walked past the Gryffindor table. Harry had finished eating and looked up at Severus as he walked past. He raised an eyebrow and Harry nodded, saying goodbye to his friends. Dinner was over; it was time for detention.
A/N: (again) So McGonagall knows! What will Harry's life at Hogwarts be like now that two teachers know how evil Umbridge is? Next chapter is Harry's detention with Snape. Feel free to let me know what you thought of this chapter :)