Author Note: Have you've read this already? No, you're not going insane, I'm going to continue it but first I have to resubmit the first 8 Chapters that Crookykanks written. I have also upped the rating to "T" based on the seriousness of the situation.

Chapter 1

Where was he? Who was he? He didn't know; that, or he just didn't care. Either way he wasn't likely to find out soon. He tried to open his eyes, only to shut them again quickly as the place was too bright for his liking. He heard the door open but made no movement to show that he had heard anything at all. Feet walking across the floor. To him. No. Go away.

"Good Morning, Professor Snape!" Who is he? Who is talking to me? He looked into the woman's face but did not recognize her. The way she leaned over him frightened him. She was too tall. He re-closed his eyes, the room still being too bright for comfort. He retreated into his mind, trying block out the woman in front of him. He could still hear her talking to him, but he didn't try to catch what she was saying. He didn't care. Why should he? After a bit she left, and he retreated even further, hoping never to come back out.

He would sit like that for two more days, having to be force fed to live. He didn't care if he lived. What was the point? What was life, anyway? He didn't care. Why should he? Retreating further, he tried to remember anything at all. He couldn't. There was nothing there. He sank in further, too far for anyone to reach him.

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"I don't know what can be done for him, Headmistress. He is not responding the way we hoped he would. He doesn't even notice when we come in to check on him anymore."

Minerva McGonagall was in St. Mungo's psychiatric ward, and did not like the sound of the condition of her long time friend and colleague, Severus Snape. No one could piece together exactly what had happened, but one of Severus' own experimental potions had most likely caused this. She had always warned him to take every precaution, and she was sure that he had, but nonetheless here was the result. She had lost a close friend to insanity. At least that was what Severus' mediwitch was trying to tell her. Minerva didn't take in a word of it. She could not and would not, believe that she could lose a person as strong as Severus.

"May I see him?" Minerva asked the mediwitch, interrupting her summary of Severus' condition.

"Go and talk to him you mean? I'm certain he will not answer you, but he has not been violent. It could be a bit disturbing and disheartening though--"

"I would like to see him, please," Minerva insisted as politely as she could. The mediwitch gave in.

"Room 27." She sighed, and went on her way. Minerva wanted to know why she wasn't coming along, but thought better of it. If she did lose control, she'd rather be alone.

Minerva walked down the clean white halls, a sinking feeling in her stomach. She still had trouble thinking of Severus Snape as legally insane, though his condition had been checked by the ministry yesterday and he was declared mentally unstable. She hadn't seen him since the fateful day, though she had attended the hearing determining him mentally unstable and talked to the mediwitches almost constantly. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found in Room 27.

There was Severus, dressed in a pure white hospital gown, sitting in the far corner of the room. His dark eyes were glazed over, his skin gaunter than ever and his hair lifeless and lank even compared to its usual state. The pristine room was hurting her eyes a bit, with all of it being white, so she concentrated on his dark hair and eyes as she took a few breaths and walked over to him, kneeling in front of him so she was eye level.

"Severus?" she said hoping that she could get through to him, but he made no movement to show he had heard her, or even realized that she was there. She reached up and took his hand in her own, only to find that he seemed to be frozen in place and would not move. She scanned his face and pulled at his hand again, harder this time. It moved but he brought it back to the original position quickly, holding it in place so tightly, it shook slightly. Minerva gave up on that, sensing he didn't want to be touched or moved and resorted to just resting her hand on top of his, rubbing his sickly white skin, trying to return a little color to it. He still made no notion to show he recognized her presence. She spoke to him soothingly, trying to coax him back to her.

"We all miss you, Severus. Even my Gryffindors are worried about you. Slytherin is in the lead for house points. You have one particularly bright student. You remember Draco Malfoy, don't you? His youngest daughter, Celina. She has a wonderful mind, and a real biting wit. She's in her first year of course, but she's already showing talent. You'd love her, Severus. Craig's in his fifth detention this year already." She kept talking about what was going on at Hogwart's, hoping and praying that her simple words would bring him back though she doubted they would make any difference.

After half an hour of her talking and him not responding, the mediwitch came in to check on him. Obviously she had not expected Minerva to be so persistent. She looked a bit dumbfounded, but quickly recovered and ushered Minerva out of the room. Minerva touched Severus cheek one last time before leaving. She could've sworn she felt someone watching her leave, but brushed it off as the mediwitch who began to force feed Severus. He didn't even budge.

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He hadn't noticed that she came in. He didn't recognize her even now. He didn't understand what she was saying, but her voice prevented him from sinking further into his mind. He looked at her slowly, the brightness becoming more comfortable, less noticeable. He wanted to pull away. He didn't want to listen, he didn't care. But, she didn't frighten him. She was different. She didn't want him to move or conform to her ways. She just wanted to talk.

He did not relax. She had a glow around her. She just talked. He only heard her voice. He closed his eyes again, trying to escape her, but she wouldn't let him. Slowly he became used to her presence. He felt she wouldn't bother him. Her voice was soothing, and she was not as tall. He retreated again when the big scary woman forced things down his throat, but thought maybe she would come back. When the door had opend this time, he noticed. He moved, looked, waited. No. It wasn't her. He retreated yet again.

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The next morning, Minerva was awoken by an owl pecking on her window. Who would be calling her at this hour? Grumbling she got up and let it in. It circled the room, dropped a note on her bed and sped right back where it had come from. Thoroughly startled, Minerva gingerly picked up the note, ripping it open when she saw where it was from. Unlike most official letters, this on was short and to the point.

He responded this morning. We think he was looking for you. Come back soon.

--Gabriela Auxin, Head mediwitch, Psychiatric Ward, St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries

Minerva jumped up and summoned a house elf quickly. She clearly told the stuttering creature that Filius Flitwick was in charge until she returned and to let him know that she could be gone between one hour and the rest of the day. Filius knew how much the entire ordeal meant to her, and would take care of the school for one day. She felt it was safe and wasted no time dressing and flooing to St. Mungo's