For a time, traitor is protected (3)
I believe the answer is:
rat
'traitor is protected' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'for a time' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'ra' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'a time' becomes 't'.
'ra'+'t'='RAT'
(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "Long-tailed rodent" , "Betray like a rodent" , "person doing shopping" , "Treacherous person" , "Sewer rodent" .)