Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.


Chapter 8 Allies and Plans

Severus retreated to the bathroom to wash up and change before his colleague arrived to speak with him and his caretaker. Snorting to himself at the term his mind had supplied for Potter, Severus looked at his reflection in the mirror. While still a bit pale and tired looking, all in all he had come away from this latest visit with minimal permanent scarring. Grumbling at the thought that he probably owed the Potter brat for that, Severus quickly finished his ablutions and swept out of the room to find the student comfortably ensconced in one of his armchairs in the sitting room.

Harry looked up to see that his professor was indeed looking much more like his usual self, even if he was still a bit too pale and drawn for Harry’s liking. Frowning at why he suddenly cared about the git’s health and well-being, the young man shook his head. Unfortunately, they had enough other things to worry about without him trying to figure out his sudden change of heart concerning the snarky Potions master.

Severus had just arrived in the room when the fire flamed green and Minerva McGonagall stepped out of the hearth. Running her wand over her clothes, the professor cleaned away any soot and ash from her person. The formidable witch looked expectantly at her friend and house rival.

“Minerva,” Severus tightly acknowledged. “Please sit so that we may speak.”

Settling herself comfortably on the sofa across from the pair of armchairs, Minerva waited for Severus to explain why he had called her here and why Mr. Potter was also present.

“Minerva, I am afraid that we seem to have a problem with the Headmaster,” Severus began.

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Minerva broke in. “Does this have something to do with the fact that Mr. Potter has been missing since last evening and has apparently been here with you? And I simply must ask Severus; what has happened to the door to your chambers?”

Sighing at the witch’s impatience, Severus decided it would be best to get the Potter situation explained first. The Potions master knew that the Head of Gryffindor House would not be satisfied until she understood her student’s part in this. With more patience than he truly felt, Severus began explaining how the young man had come to be in his chambers. Studiously ignoring the woman’s gasp when he briefly told why Potter had felt the need to stay and help him, Severus knew he had to approach the subject of the Headmaster and his role in the loss of his door. Once he started talking though, Severus found that the tale started spilling out. He found himself telling Minerva more than he had ever before, even including the extent of his injuries and the fact that it was a common occurrence to return hurt and bleeding. As the story unfolded, the Potions master reluctantly told his colleague how Albus Dumbledore asked, no demanded that he keep putting himself into danger for the good of the Order. Reluctantly he also told how he and Har – Potter had discovered some of what the Headmaster had been doing to the both of them.

Minerva sat back and wearily closed her eyes. Of course she had known that Severus often risked his safety and life in pursuit of information from You-Know-Who, but she was appalled at the thought that her friend had practically been forced into such actions by a man they both had trusted and respected. The idea that Albus was capable of such cold-hearted behavior was distressing. And as for why he would have regularly dosed both Severus and Mr. Potter with an illegal potion – well, that would have to be discovered.

Resolutely opening her eyes, Minerva sat back up straight and steadily gazed at her long-time friend. “Severus, I have to agree with your assessment that Albus must be stopped or at least contained at least until we understand what he has been doing and why. I can admit that I can think of no legitimate reasons why he would have given both of you the ‘Convertere cor cordis’ potion. So, lacking any good cause for his actions, I fear we shall have to assume he was working to both of your detriments.” The Transfigurations Professor was coming to some very disturbing conclusions and she was determined to act in the best interests of her friend and her student. And if that meant that she would have to stand against another old friend, well, so be it. Standing, the witch smoothed her robes down and crisply said, “Well, Severus, I do believe the first order of business should be to retrieve your errant chamber door.”

Turning, the witch took out her wand and waving it in a rather complicated manner and speaking the incantation clearly, she was rewarded with… nothing. The wall was still missing its door. Frowning in irritation, Minerva looked to the Potions master. Perhaps, since it was his door he would have to be the one to return the portal to its rightful place.

Standing, Severus took out his own wand and performed his own spell to no avail. Turning a dark gaze on the still silent Potter, the Potions master spoke, “Mr. Potter, perhaps you might do me the favor of returning that which you took away.”

Harry sighed as he too stood and tried the incantation which should replace the door. ‘Should’ being the operative word here, the three decided with a shared frown. Each sat back down to reconsider what should have been a simple matter to resolve.

The young Gryffindor lifted his head as a thought crossed his mind. “Dobby,” he softly called. Immediately he was rewarded when the small creature popped in before him. “Dobby, do you know what happened when I made the Headmaster and the door to Professor Snape’s chamber disappear? We have tried to bring the door back, but as you can see it’s still gone.”

Huge eyes lit up and the dedicated house-elf squeaked in excitement. Nodding vigorously, Dobby answered, “Oh, Harry Potter, sir. It is being easy. You must be asking the castle to bring the door back because it was the castle that took it away for you.”

Three pairs of incredulous eyes met and Harry sighed. Of course, he thought sarcastically. It all makes perfect sense when you put it that way, he thought while rolling his eyes. Green eyes sought permission from his host to try once again. Seeing the older man nod, Harry stood and wondered just how he should ask. Out loud? ‘Pretty please, with sugar on top?’ Shaking his head at his wayward thoughts, Harry finally decided that he would try to silently ask and see if that would work. Clearing his mind, Harry visualized his desire and was immediately rewarded when the original heavy door shimmered back into being. Still blinking at the sight, Harry watched as the Potions master strode over to the door and made sure that it was indeed a working door. Apparently satisfied that all was in order, the older wizard sat back down opposite his colleague.

“Now that that crisis is averted,” Severus drawled, “we need to decide what to do with our esteemed Headmaster.”

Hiding her amusement at her friend’s attitude behind her handkerchief, Minerva thought over everything she had learned in the past hour or so. Somehow the fact that the castle seemed to want to work with Harry Potter did not really surprise the unflappable witch. It seemed to her that the unusual and extraordinary always happened around her student. She was also quite aware that the young man held a great deal of power, probably more than he even realized.

“If Albus has been giving the both of you an illegal potion, then we must assume that there may be more that he has done, to both of you as well as to others. The mere suspicion that he has given both of you this potion would be enough for him to be called before the Wizengamot and perhaps even sent to Azkaban. However, I think we can all agree that this would neither be good press for Hogwarts nor good for morale for the side of Light. Like it or not, Albus Dumbledore is still regarded as the bastion of all that is right and good in our world and the people still need to be able to believe in that.” The Deputy-Headmistress paused in her ruminations.

Severus’ mind was busy going over all of the possible ramifications. Minerva was correct, but they still could not allow the old wizard free rein. “So we must keep him as the apparent figure-head of the Order of the Phoenix and the fight against the Dark Lord, while still retaining control over his behavior and actions.”

“Can we keep him in his office and run things for him?” Harry asked before he could censor himself. Nervously, he waited to be told off for being so stupid and simple.

“Actually, Mr. Potter, I believe that may be our best option,” Professor McGonagall thoughtfully answered. “It could work, Severus,” she told her friend.

The dark haired wizard pondered the suggestion, preferring to ignore the source for the moment. “Yes,” he finally answered, “we could make sure he is safe and comfortable while still under our control. With the war against the Dark Lord raging, he has had to be absent from the school quite a bit as of late. So with any luck his absence will not be questioned and we will be able to mitigate the damage the news of his actions might have caused our side.”

“I agree, Severus. If the castle is indeed now working with Mr. Potter, then he will be able to direct Hogwarts to assist us in keeping the Headmaster under lock and key and this house-elf will attend to Albus’ needs.”

Dobby’s large ears perked up when the Deputy-Headmistress mentioned him. “Oh, yes, Professor, Dobby is being happy helping to keep Dumbly safe and happy in his tower. Dobby is being happy to help Harry Potter be safe from Dumbly.”


“That is settled then. Mr. Potter, would you kindly ask the castle to keep the Headmaster in his tower?” Professor McGonagall asked.

Harry closed his eyes and concentrated on asking just that. Somehow knowing instinctively that the castle did indeed hear him and had done as asked, Harry smiled slightly and nodded. “Dobby, would you see to it that Professor Dumbledore is comfortable and has enough food and everything?”

“Oh, yes, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby is doing that for his Harry Potter. If Harry Potter is needing anything else from Dobby you is just letting me know and Dobby will do what Harry Potter is wanting,” the house-elf enthusiastically responded before popping out to tend to the wayward Headmaster.

Minerva stood. “Well, as that is taken care of, I will be leaving you. Mr. Potter, I would consider it a personal favor if you would stay the night to make sure that Professor Snape continues to heal properly. And I fully expect to see the both of you tomorrow morning in the Great Hall for breakfast.” The smiling witch ignored the Potions master’s groan as she patted the shoulder of the mature young man who had already done so much for her friend. “As you once again have a door Severus, I do believe that I will use it to make my leave.”

At the door, Professor McGonagall turned, “Oh, and Mr. Potter. Fifty points to Gryffindor for your selfless actions in aiding a professor.” Now the wily witch was definitely smiling as she bade her fellow professor a good bye.

“Well, Professor,” Harry grinned. “I guess you’re stuck with me for another night. And I’m sure that you will make sure we both get to our classes on time tomorrow morning,” he cheekily added.

Severus groaned inwardly. What had he done to deserve such a fate as this, the bewildered man wondered as he automatically locked and warded the newly returned outer chamber door.