Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the previous chapter! I will be updating the last part of the story in a day or two. As usual, please read and review. Thanks!

Yours sincerely,

severussnape922

Poppy's POV

I was extremely shocked to see Severus carried into the hospital wing while I was enjoying a bowl of plain oatmeal as I did not like the rich food of the feast and far preferred to eat simple food. I must have jumped ten feet into the silent air!

Minerva came over and urgently said, "I suspect Severus is down with a bad case of flu. I haven't been able to ascertain if it is the Muggle kind or the magical kind, but judging from the fact that Severus actually fainted, I presume that this is the magical kind." I nodded briefly. That explained a lot. I motioned to the teachers to place Severus on an empty bed. I walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a thermometer, the magical sort. I prised open Severus mouth and stuck the thermometer inside. Inwardly, I was rather relieved that Severus was unconscious when I placed a thermometer. If he was awake, he was sure to swat away the thermometer irritatedly and rant off a string of profanity.

I gasped in horror when I pulled the thermometer out of Severus's mouth. It read: 40 degrees. Severus has an extremely high fever! Why didn't he come to seek help earlier? I mused as I explained to every teacher that Severus was down with an extremely bad case of wizard's flu and desperately needed my care and attention for a week. Everyone nodded silently. I could tell, just from scanning their deathly white faces, that they were as shocked by Severus's predicament as me. I sighed and tucked the bedsheets over Severus's body. "Why don't you ever take care of yourself, Severus?" I murmured gently to the unconscious man. Deep down in my heart, I knew. Severus liked to bury himself in mountains upon mountains of work to keep himself busy, and finally the toll of the work had manifested itself.

Minerva's POV

I visibly reeled in shock. Severus had wizard's flu? The man who got sick, like, once in a blue moon? Why didn't I see the warning signs when I saw Severus's reactions at breakfast? I silently cursed myself. I stared glumly at the prone figure lying peacefully on the blankets. Severus was so much more pleasant when he was asleep, to tell the truth. However, I would never dare to say that into his face. The short-tempered wizard might just decide to 'test' a few spells on me.

I sat quietly by his bedside, accompanied by a slightly panicky Poppy. As Headmistress, it was my sole responsibility to ensure that every single teacher was fine. As much as I would have liked to entrust the job to Poppy, finding a new Potions Professor might pose a great challenge, as no one in the right mind wanted to teach in the cold and drafty dungeons (except Severus, of course). I could see why. The dungeons were less than comfortable, and were bare and basic.

I surveyed Severus, hoping that he would show some signs of life soon. As if the heavens had heard my plea, Severus stirred. I leaned forward excitedly with bated breath. Now I could finally interrogate him on the events that he had previously done that might have caused his recent bout of wizard's flu!

Severus's POV

I moaned to myself as I stared blearily and glassily at two blurry figures at my side. I groped wildly for my glasses. I was as blind as a bat without them. I felt a cold hand place my much-needed glasses into my hand. I shoved them up the bridge of my nose. Everything came into sharp focus. I eyed Minerva and asked hoarsely, "Minerva, what am I doing in the hospital wing?" Minerva sighed audibly, and then told me about the recent events that had just transpired. I stiffened in shock. How could I even have fainted while at the welcoming feast? I buried my face in my hands. The moronic students would probably be gossiping about it for ages!

Minerva glowered at me and lectured at me, "Now see what has happened to you when you neglect your own health?" I snapped at her, "Oh, you don't need to go on about it, I feel terrible as it is..." I was personally surprised by my outburst. Normally I was a cool and composed person. However, my patience had finally snapped when Minerva had gone into a lecture about it. Minerva looked terribly insulted by me. To smooth the incident over, I hastily added, "Sorry, Minerva, but I'm just not in the mood to listen to one of your long and tedious rants right now."

Minerva looked placated by my apology, but I knew that my insult had stung. Minerva then asked me gently, "Severus, I know you feel terrible, but just answer my question. Do you remember doing anything that might have caused you to get this severe bout of flu?" I racked my brains while a million thoughts whizzed around my mind like greased lightning. Then I replied, "No, Minerva."

Minerva looked confused for an instant, but then rose from her seat and headed towards the door. She turned around and softly said, "I will leave you alone now for you to catch up on your sleep. Thank you, Severus..." She left the hospital wing, leaving not a single trace of her visit. Poppy immediately pressed what must have been a dozen potions into my arms and said, "Drink all that down, Severus, they will help you speed up healing. One of them is a Sleeping Potion." I looked at the potions, feeling annoyed. "It is the height of disgrace for a Potions Master to drink his own potions..." Despite what I said, I obediently complied with Poppy's orders. I immediately fell back to the bed, letting the waves of sleep that I had been craving for overwhelm me.