Yay Chapter 2!
Jayla728: Sorry Ron and Hermione are home on holiday for a while. :( But I'll see what I can do later!
harvestlight441: Here it is!
Man of Constant Sorrow: YES YOU GOT IT! Woohoo soooo happy right now you have no idea! Hope you don't mind my plot bunny crossing a tad bit.
readingaddict24: Thanks, and I love your screen name.
Emma: This is part of the rest ;p
Ananas: I wish autocorrect would stop turning your name into bananas. But thanks for the high praise!
Guest: IDK who you are but PLEASE WAIT! I hope you read this :).
hobesan: Logical thought process... Maybe I'll debilitathe Severus to change that plot bunny...(insert anticipational music and chills here.)
I don't own anything.
Severus returned to the hidden room quickly, baring a large dusty book and a few vials of bubbling liquids. He set the vials on the table resting next to Potter and set to work. Disdain for James crept into his mind. He debated letting the boy continue as revenge but quickly dismissed the idea. Potter was a student and his responsibility. Besides Umbridge was so bad he was willing to side with anyone, even Lockhart rather than keep her around. The lanky man shuddered at the thought. As he scanned the book he glanced up silently every so often. Potter was slumped gazing into thin air. He was so far away from the cheeky, spoiled, enlightened boy in potions class. Eventually he closed the book, Minerva knew better than to disturb him and he could practically see the questions waiting release.
"It appears to be what I feared." He drawled. "Warmweed."
"Poor boy didn't even have a chance." McGonagal muttered to herself. Snape stood.
"There is no way to prevent his body from withdrawal, magic or muggleborn, other than to wean him off that vile substance." He stepped towards the door. "I suggest you decrease the amount 1gram every week." Snape opened the door and was stepping out before sharp words stopped him.
"I cannot do this Severus.I can't give the boy that- that..." She trailed off, Snape turned sneering.
"You have no choice." He turned to leave again.
"Sev." That caused him to turn. Minerva met his eyes. "Please. He doesn't respond to me." Indeed Potter had turned his head in the direction of Snape's voice. Severus sighed.
"My schedule is busy, Min, however I might see to it that I can take the boy over the holidays." This time Snape left the room before any more words could be spoken. Damn woman he thought to himself. He had a weak spot the size of the royal islands for her.
McGonagall knelt next to Harry whose eyes were drooping closed. She brushed the hair out of his eyes sadly before moving closer to the fire herself, morphing into cat form and curling up in the large armchair.
When she awoke the next morning Harry was still glazed over. She quickly stood to the form of human and snapped her fingers. Dobby appeared.
"Yes master? You summoned Dobb- Is that Harry Potter sirs?" Saucer round eyes floated towards the Professor, tears glimmering in the round orbs.
"Yes Dobby." Minerva allowed unusual kindness to seep into her voice. "Could you bring us some breakfast we will not be joining the others in the great hall." Her voice was again steely.
"Yes D-dobby would be glad to do anything to help Harry Potter master-master-mistress" with a resounding crack the house-elf was gone. In a matter of mere seconds trays of food appeared, setting themselves on tables around the room. Dobby appeared again.
"Anything else I can do for you great sirs? I know these is Harry Potter's favorites sirs." Dobby mused.
"Yes I'm sure it is." McGonagall replied quietly. "That will be all." She dismissed the house-elf again, picking up the ornate silver platter and bringing it to Harry's side. She summoned her own seat, placing the tray on her lap. The eyes stayed glazed and unmoving. She reached over and snapped her fingers in front of his face, to no avail. She sighed scooping a little of the porridge and moving the spoon towards his mouth.
"Harry, you need to open your mouth dear." There was no response. He hand shook slightly. She had noticed Harry's change in behavior but had done nothing. Why hadn't she done anything? She sighed placing the spoon back on the tray. She placed the tray in front of him and stood, pacing. Suddenly Harry jumped up out of the chair and bolted out of the room. Just as quickly McGonagall grabbed a handful if floo powder and summoned Professor Snape.
"He's run Severus." She quickly withdrew her head as Severus appeared.
"You lost the boy?" He sneered but was met with the icy Gryffindor stare.
"No he just bolted." Minerva snapped. Severus sighed, why did she have to drag him into this with the Potter boy.
The duo started a pragmatic sweep of the castle, no boy in sight. None of the students had woken yet, thankfully for Snape. He did not want to be seen accompanying the Gryffindor Head of House in a manhunt for the boy-who-lived. Over an hour later Snape was clearing a room when he glanced out the window to see a huddled form standing by-no in- the Black Lake. The sun was just starting to rise, albeit still shrouded by heavy clouds. He sent a quick message to Minerva and then ran, skipping steps and skidding around corners. The boy had been standing in the water for over an hour. Idiotic plea for attention he thought but he knew it wasn't true. Finally he reached the Great Hall, flung the door open and stepped out into the blistering cold. Pulling his robes tighter around his body he swept purposefully toward the boy who did not seem to notice.
"Potter." His voice was sharp and demanding. The boy turned his head slightly but that was the only movement. Snape's eye traveled down to see a pile of Basilisk Tongue piled on the shore. Confused he looked closer at the boy. The water was up to his knees and he wore only a thin robe. Tremors shook his body. He was about to call again when a sharp intake of breath made him aware of Minerva's presence behind him.
"Potter, come here now." Snape snarled, to no avail, the boy didn't seem to comprehend or even know Snape said anything at all. Unless, Snape watched as the boy turned slowly and stepped toward the professors. His face was white and lips blue while black shadows rimmed his eyes. He took another cautious step before he hesitated. Snape watched the boy crumple into the water but somehow already felt the cold knock away his breath as he broke the ice to get the boy. He lifted the limp boy out if the water gently, cradling his head on his chest. He was startled to feel how light the boy actually was.
"I'll get Poppy." Minerva announced' thoroughly shaken by the events.
"No." Snape hissed. "Then that regretful bat of a headmaster will know something's up. I'll take the boy to my personal quarters," he grimaced at these words, "I have the right potions there anyways." He finished lamely. Snape made his way back to the castle trudging through the snow. When he reached the entrance he stopped. Cursing slightly he turned.
"Breakfast, the entire castle will see us." He sneered at the thought but turned down another path. McGonagall followed silently. Snape all but plowed down the door to Hagrid's hut, startling Fang off his bed who ran to hide under the bed. Hagrid was in the Great Hall for breakfast and the cabin was eerily silent. Snape marched over to the fireplace grabbed the floor powder and uttered quietly his room. Soon the chilled trio was dripping water and melted snow onto Snape's common room. Snape placed the boy on a table and motioned to summon a bed with many blankets. McGonagall quickly placed a drying spell on Harry before he was moved to the bed. She watched as Harry pulled in deep gasping ragged breaths of air. His chest collapsed on itself making him wheeze with every exhale. She soothed his hair out of his face. Snape moved beside her, lifting the boys head before pouring a potion into his mouth. He held the boys jaw shut gently but nothing happened. Snape massaged his throat and quickly the boy swallowed, easing Snape's growing worry. Snape'es fingers felt the hot skin of the boys face and his frown increased when he felt the boy's forehead. Fever burned through him. With a flick of his wand Snape had a diagnostic floating over the headboard. The frown sharpened when he read the chart.
"Merlin. 40°" McGonagall whispered behind him. Snape went into his stores pulling out a Fever Reducer potion. He poured it down the boy's throat and he seemed to settle. Suddenly however the form sputtered, gasping for air, his body arching off the bed. Snape moved forward but a flailing limb sent him sprawled, slumped against the wall. He stood disdainfully. Surprised, Minerva had her wand at the ready but was looking for Severus's guidance. He shook his head, although he would've loved to see Harry cursed or in a body bind it was not practical. He walked over to a cupboard in the corner of the room. Resting his palm on it and whispering a few words and it sprang open. He pulled out a jar filled with what appeared to be tea leaves. He held the jar as if it were a vile, repulsive object, which it was. He removed a small amount before placing it back in its rightful spot. He took the leaves and rolled them together placing them under Harry's tongue. Instantly the boy settled. A smile almost played on his lips and his breathing became normal and easy. Minerva stared murderously at him.
"Severus! We are supposed to be ridding the boy of that substance not providing it!" Snape sneered back at her.
"If you could get over your Gryffindor ego, you would see that the boy is seriously I'll, not faking for a pick-me-up." Minerva's eyes flashed dangerously with anger.
"I bet you love seeing him this way Severus. The entire castle knows where you stand with the Potters. I don't know why you're helping at all. If it weren't for that horrid wretch of a woman I wouldn't even be asking for your help!" Tirade finished she stormed out of the room, the heavy door banging behind her. Snape sighed, sitting in the oversized chair next to Harry's bed pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. He finally realized he was soaked through to the bone and shivered violently, his thin frame unaccustomed to the chill. He muttered angrily. This is how it all started. Damn the Potter boy.
End Chapter 2… AW so sad…. But! NOW IT'S TIME FOR COMMENTS YAY!
