Severus' pain medication had worn off and he woke up with tears running down his face. He winced and his body began to shake. The burn of the antivenin flared.

Hermione stirred next to him, "Severus?"

He whimpered and his chest heaved. She flicked her hand to the light behind the bed and the soft brightness illuminated the man next to her. He was pale, sweating, and shaking all over. Immediately, Hermione hit the button next to the light to call the healer.

She summoned a cool wash cloth, "It's okay, Severus. I know it hurts. It will pass. It won't last forever. It won't," She stroked the wash cloth over his face as he stared at her with wide eyes. His jaw flexed uncontrollably. Hermione. Make it stop. Please.

A different healer from yesterday rushed in and was at his side in an instant.

"I am Stefan, and I'm your healer for this evening. I am sorry you are in pain, Professor Snape.

I know it's quite terrible and probably frightening, but I assure you it is to be expected with this type of wound and the antivenin," He looked to be in his late 20s.

Snape growled, "I know what the side effects of the antivenin are, boy. I made it."

Hermione hissed at him, "Severus!"

The young man appeared undeterred and reached into his robes and pulled out a vial, "This will help quell the pain," He said and handed the vial to Snape, "One swallow."

After Snape swallowed, he took the cool glass vial away. Severus' eyes were closed, but he spoke in a strained voice, "What is the prognosis?" Am I going to die?

Hermione gasped whispered, "Severus, we don't need to worry about the long term. Let's just focus on the short term, okay?" It's bad. It's bad. The pain medication began to take the edge off of the burning in his shoulder.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, "I've spent my whole life focusing on the short term," He said sadly, "What's the prognosis?" Please just let me live in peace.

"Professor, she isn't kin," He said quietly.

"And I fully intend on righting that situation at some point. Speak, boy. My medical information is hers as much as it is mine," He barked and then his eyes went wide. Fuck.

Hermione's eyes snapped to his face. He could feel himself blushing. Don't look at her. Don't look at her. Don't look at her.

The healer looked between the two people, and cleared his throat, "To be honest, we're not entirely sure yet. There are several layers to this injury. At present, we are focusing on ridding your body of the venom. We can't look at doing anything else about your other injuries until the venom is no longer in your system because, if it isn't, any attempt to heal anything else will fail. The venom is that toxic. Until it's out, we'll have the other injuries in stasis - they cannot worsen or better." Fuck. How bad is this?

"Other injuries?" He drawled, "Transparency would be preferable..." Just rip the bandage off, fool.

Hermione touched his arm, "Sev... It's late. Why don't we try to sleep and we can discuss this in the morning?" Her face told him she didn't want to know, that she was afraid to know. I have to know.

"What are the other injuries?" He looked at the healer. Please.

The healer hesitated, "When the snake bit you, she not only injected her venom into you, but she also, through the toxicity of her venom and the sheer power of her jaw, essentially disintegrated much of the area between the bottom part of your neck here," He pointed to a spot about an inch out from his jugular notch, "to here," His finger moved to the end of his collarbone near where the socket of his shoulder sat.

Hermione's hand covered her mouth, "Disintegrated?"

The healer frowned and looked visibly upset, "Yes, essentially. What's left, from what we could tell... there are shards of your collarbone, ribbons of muscle and tendons, and most of your scapula to work with."

Fuck.

"In other words, you are saying I have no left shoulder?" The shock in Snape's voice was palpable.

The healer shook his head, "No, not really your shoulder. Your clavicle area, though... There's... Not much there. At least, that we can see right now."

"Oh, that's much better," He growled. Fuck. Hermione's hand was on knee, "Why can't I move my arm at all?" Snape was irritated now.

"We've immobilized your arm - for pain management, and for injury protection. Like I said, there are a lot of unknowns here until the venom is out of your system."

Severus scowled and looked away. Fuck.

Hermione asked softly, "What arm usage percentage can we expect at full recovery?"

Fucking zero because they're just going to chop it.

The healer looked at her, "We're not sure. I'm sorry. I wish I knew more."

"So do I," Severus said coldly.

"Severus, stop. He's doesn't know anything else."

"Exactly," He seethed. Arse.

"Severus! I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you he's usually more pleasant to strangers, but I'd be lying. It's not your fault. Thank you very much for your help," She said and smiled at him. Why is she smiling at him?

Snape glared at the boy. Fuck.

The healer nodded, "If you need anything, like medicine, something to eat, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll be back to check on you in 90 minutes."

"You have anything stronger?" Snape grumbled.

"What do you mean?" The young man's blue eyes narrowed at Snape.

"Bourbon, whiskey, vodka..." Snape said and Hermione squeezed his knee.

"Severus, stop it. Leave him alone!"

The healer smirked, "You should get some rest," And he left them alone.

"You need to be nicer to the healers, Severus. They're doing their best. Someone coming here with a bite from Lord Voldemort's snake isn't exactly a common occurrence," She said. He flinched when she said the name.

Snape avoided her gaze. I know. She looked at him closely. He looked thin and frail. The left side of his upper body was bandaged heavily from midway down his chest to back below his shoulder. His arm was stiff in a sling and stuck tight across his body. There was dark stubble on his cheeks and throat, and there were dark circles under his black eyes. He looked exhausted, irritated, and... scared.

"Severus?"

His jaw twitched. I don't know how to do this. I didn't plan this far. I could be crippled. She'll leave me.

He felt her move toward him and he turned his head slightly to her, as far as he could. She stared into his eyes, leaned down, and pressed her lips against his. He sighed against her mouth. Her mouth opened against his just enough to make him moan slightly. Physically, it did hurt to kiss her, a fair amount actually, but he'd never show it. I miss her.

She pulled away, "I know you're scared. We'll figure this out. You're not alone," She smiled at him.

He swallowed. How does she always know?

"I love you," She said.

He blinked. I am undeserving, "I love you."

She curled up next to him again, careful not to pull or tug on his body in anyway, and she listened to his breathing. Slowly, it evened out and then deepened.

Hermione.