Author's Note - If this story seems a little strange or OOC, it is because it is the fleshing out of an actual dream that I had last night. Feel free to comment or criticize, I am always striving to be a better writer. Love to you all.
Part One - In the Hospital Wing"There is no antidote, Mr. Granger. I'm so sorry." Madame Pomfrey was standing over Hermione's sickbed, explaining the situation to her father.
Albus Dumbledore was standing to the side, silent. His face was drawn and pale. It was as though the stakes had suddenly been raised. He had been so proud to not lose a student yet in this war. There were muggles who had died, and grown wizards who knew what they were facing, and Albus wept for all of them, but he had not lost a student, and he was determined not to.
"What- what happened exactly?" Mr. Granger asked as though dazed.
"Your daughter," Dumbledore responded, "Was bitten by the Manticore. The beast has since been killed - by one of her best friends, no less. She is well-loved here-"
"What the hell is a manticore? Why was it here?"
Madame Pomfrey stiffened at Mr. Granger's outburst and seemed ready , but Dumbledore cut her off with a look of quiet strength. She deferred.
"The Manticore was not here," Dumble continued gently. "Hermione and her friends sought it out. It was wreaking havoc on a small muggle town. Many were killed by it's bite. They dealt with it admirably-"
"Do you always send children to do the work of men?" Mr. Granger cut in coldly.
Dumbledore looked truly saddened at Mr. Granger's words. "Mr. Granger, I know you may not believe me, but we did not send them out to the Manticore. As you know, there is a war going on in the wizarding community-"
"I don't care about your little wizard war, I really don't. I just want my daughter back. If she dies, I'll - I don't know what I'll do. I'll take legal action on your school, I assure you. You'll - you'll be sorry."
He kissed his sleeping daughter on the head. "I'm sorry, Mione. I wish I could stay. Your mother's in the hospital, too," he was trying not to cry. "I have to be with her now. These - people won't let you leave. They-" he sighed. "I'll be back as soon as I know your motherand the baby are all right. I love you, bookworm."
He stormed out of the hospital wing.
Dumbledore followed his exit with sad eyes. "She's not going to make it, is she?" He asked Madame Pomfrey.
She hesistated, then shook her head.
"You've given up, then?" the voice came out of the shadows.
Dumbledore started. "Severus, I had no idea you were still here."
Profesor Severus Snape almost smiled - almost. "I've been here for quite some time, Albus. Long enough to know that someone from the ministry is going to have to be dispatched to follow Mr. Granger for a while."
Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "He's no threat to us, Severus. I doubt it will come to that. If she dies... well, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. It seems inhumane to erase the memory of a child, though..."
"Have you given up, then?" Snape asked, more insistently.
"It's not that we've given up, Severus. It's just... I don't know what else to do." Madame Pomfrey looked truly frustrated.
"Ah, so... you haven't given up, but you are desperate."
She frowned. "Stop speaking in riddles, man, and speak your mind."
"Give her to me."
Neither Madame Pomfrey, nor Professor Dumbledore said a word, but they looked at him in surprise. "Do you know an antidote that we are not aware of, Severus?" Dumbledore asked at last.
"Not exactly... but I think I can save her. We all know there is no antidote for the venom of the Manticore. But I have been doing some research-" his eyes were lit up with energy, yet he seemed as though he were strongly in need of a good night's sleep. He paused and took a deep breath.
"Some have survived. Almost inexplicably. One survived out in the wilderness with absolutely no medical attention. It seems it requires only a strength of will to stay alive long enough to allow the body to flush the venom... I have a potion that I think will help, but she will need constant surveillance."
"Bring it here to me, Severus, and I-"
"No. I would need to administer it myself. The dosage is subtle. She will require constant attention. Please-"
"Professor Dumbledore, surely you will not allow-" Madame Pomfrey began.
"Albus, hear me out. I can save her. I can't guarantee the results if someone else tries. I know that you want even less than I do to lose a student. We can't afford to lose the support of the Grangers, or any other muggles. I-" he hesitated and look directly into Dumbledore's eyes, "I think I can save her."
Professor Dumbledore sat in silence for a long time. Finally he nodded slowly. "Try it, Severus. We are counting on you."
"Professor Dumbledore, surely you will not allow this. The place for a sick student is in my hospital wing."
Professor Dumbledore drew her to one side and spoke softly. "Madame Pomfrey. I beg your forgiveness. You are busy. Look around you. Already you are saving the lives of dozens. Let Severus do this one thing for us. It will give you a break, you are tired."
She sighed heavily. "Do you really trust him this much? He has never shown much love for a student before this."
"I trust him."
She nodded slightly. "And I trust you, Professor Dumbledore."
