Title: After Cruciatus
Challenge: "Magical Maladies" on LiveJournal's Snape100 community
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: A future what-if written after the release of OotP. Just decided to post it.
"Professor?"
Hunched over the cauldron, Severus Snape stiffened. One palsied hand dropped to the tabletop, steadying itself before reaching haltingly for another ingredient.
"The Headmaster said —"
A growl. "Idiot mediwizards. Go back to patients who need you."
"Still irascible." The second visitor smiled, advancing in a whisper of medical robes.
The dark head snapped up. "Dr. Granger." Distant.
"We have the cure, Severus." She joined him by the cauldron. "Neville's parents are recovering. Draco, too. Albus and I hope . . ."
As he glanced at her, one silver lock of hair fell into his eyes, masking their hope.
