Author's Note: Right, so I am still working on my Frozen story, I just watched HP6 and decided to try a one shot of this scene. Severus is my favorite character. This is how I imagine he might have viewed it. And, I do imagine him to be more human than he ever shows. Nothing belongs to me.

Severus struggled to not roll his eyes. The troublesome trio were at it again; this time, Weasley had somehow been poisoned. The three of them, in addition to himself, Dumbledore, and Slughorn were gathered in the hospital wing. He reflected with grudging respect that Potter may have indeed been paying attention in his first potions lesson six years ago, as he had had the sense to administer a bezoar to Weasley when no antidote was available. The boy hovered nervously at his friend's bedside. Severus's gaze traveled to Granger, sitting opposite Potter, wearing an appropriately worried expression.

Just then, Lavender Brown hurried in to the hospital wing and flew to the foot of the bed. Severus's struggle to control his facial expression deepened as she exclaimed, "Won Won! I'm here! Has he been asking for me? What are you doing here?" she added nastily to Granger. He observed the rest of the scene play out with some amusement.

"I could ask you the same question!" Granger retorted.

"I happen to be his girlfriend!" spat Brown, affronted.

"I happen to be his….friend," answered Granger rather lamely.

The other girl scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. You haven't spoken in weeks! I suppose you're only here now that he's all interesting," she said scathingly.

"He's been poisoned, you daft dimbo!" Granger shot back. "And for the record, I've always found him interesting," she added.

At that moment, Weasley stirred and groaned slightly. With a gasp, Brown hurried forward, exclaiming, "He senses my presence!" At this Severus could not help rolling his eyes. Thankfully no one noticed.

Weasley groggily muttered "Her….my….nee…." This sent Brown scurrying from the room in tears.

Potter awkwardly shuffled his feet and glanced in the professors' direction before shooting Granger an amused look. "Oh, shut up," she muttered past a small grin as she took Weasley's hand.

Severus smiled inwardly at the trio's antics. Though he would never admit it to anyone, he had developed a reasonable tolerance, perhaps even fondness, towards the three students. Outwardly he pretended otherwise; it was for their own good. And he had a reputation to uphold. On top of that….Severus's thoughts darkened slightly as he was reminded of the added burden he carried on behalf of the Malfoy boy. He flicked a glance at Dumbledore, who looked as serene as ever.

"Headmaster, I believe my services here are unneeded," he said quietly.

"Yes, Severus, you may go. Madam Pomfrey has the situation well under control," Dumbledore replied with the trademark twinkle in his eyes.

Severus left the hospital wing, his usual black robes trailing behind him. He would track down Draco to have a word about this latest incident; it was a sloppy attempt on the headmaster's life. Resentment swelled inside him as he thought again of the difficult situation he was in. It gave way to despair as his thoughts tracked forward to the inevitable. He mentally shook himself; it would not do for him to dwell on these things. After all, it was all in the name of the greater good. He put on his customary scowl as he made his way to his office to prepare for his next lesson.