The Worst Patient
DISCLAIMER: JKR owns all
A/N Thanks all for your reviews. Much appreciated :)
Extreme fluff as usual. You have been warned!
Chapter 2
"Ssseverussss," Voldemort's red eyes glowed dangerously, "My most faithful servant."
Snape was standing in the middle of a dark forest, the other Death Eaters around him.
"My most faithful servant," The Dark Lord repeated, "Or so I thought.."
The Death Eaters gasped and began muttering to each other.
"SILENCE!" screamed the snake like wizard. The noise stopped immediately. Severus held his breath, a shiver running down his spine.
"You foolish boy!" Voldemort's tone was icy, "You chose that Muggle loving fool over me?!" his face contorted with rage before becoming deadly calm, "No matter though. I will see to it that you endure a most painful death. Take him to the cells and await my instructions."
Severus felt the Death Eaters closing in on him. Hands grabbed him roughly, pulling him through the clearing.
Suddenly the rough hands became those of his mother.
"You foolish boy!" she screamed in his face, "You worthless little brat! I TOLD you to watch that cauldron."
"S s sorry mother," he stammered.
"The potion is ruined now," Eileen Snape ranted. She threw him into a dark cupboard.
"You will be very lucky if I let you out today!" her voice was muffled through the thick door.
Severus lay trembling in the dark. It was getting very hot. Fire coursed through him.
"Severus? Severus?" a voice was calling him, hands bringing him out of the darkness. He blinked and saw an old wizard leaning over him. The blue eyes seemed familiar, but yet..
"Child," the old man's voice was urgent, "Wake up. You were having a nightmare."
"Fire," Severus slurred.
"I know, child. You are boiling," Dumbledore said softly, "Just let me get Poppy."
As he moved off to Madame Pomfrey's office Severus finally joined the dots. It was Albus! Albus always looked after him. Why was he leaving him?
"Albus!" he tried to call. He was so weak it came out as a whimper. In frustration he began to cry. His body shaking with the force of his sobs.
"Gracious!" exclaimed Pomfrey, running her wand over the man, "He is worse than before. I must get some more potions.
Dumbledore came back over to the bed and put a hand on Snape's head. Drawing closer he saw the tear strained face. Snape was too hoarse to make much noise.
Oh my poor child," he soothed, "It is all right."
Severus recognised the headmaster's voice. Albus was back! He reached out and grabbed a handful of the long beard, clutching it tightly.
Dumbledore tried not to wince. The potions master had a tight grip. Albus finally realised the cause of his upset.
"Severus. It is all right. I will not leave you. I promise."
Snape whimpered but did not let go.
Madame Pomfrey returned with a cool cloth, which she quickly placed on the man's burning forehead. Snape shrieked in shock, let go of Dumbledore's beard and propelled himself off the bed, using the last of his strength.
"Poppy, perhaps you ought to have warned you were going to do that," Dumbledore's voice remained calm but his eyes were dark with worry. He leaned over and spoke softly to the ill man.
"Severus, child," he began, "I am going to lift you back on to the bed. Is that all right?"
Severus stilled at his voice. The shock of falling had momentarily quieted him.
Dumbledore reached down carefully and with the help of a levitation spell, brought Snape back up onto the bed.
"Good boy," he cooed, "There now. You are going to be fine. We just need you to take some potions for us. Could you do that?"
Snape managed to clutch Dumbledore's robe with one hand.
"I think he would do better if you held him, Albus," whispered the nurse.
Dumbledore sat comfortably on the bed, his back against the headboard and with Pomfrey's help, eased the sick professor into his arms. Severus buried his face in the headmaster's beard.
"Good child," Dumbledore crooned, gently stroking the dark hair, "Such a good child. I have you now, my young one. There is nothing to fear."
He began to rock slowly back and forth. Poppy reached him the cool cloth.
"Lets get you cooled down, hmm?" Albus encouraged Severus to lean his head back as he placed the cloth on his brow.
"Very good," he praised, "I am sure that feels better. Now what about some medicine and a cup of juice?"
With Poppy's help he teased all the necessary potions into Snape's mouth followed closely by a cup of orange juice. They waited to see if his temperature would drop.
Dumbledore cuddled the man he viewed as a son and rubbed his back, giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"That's my boy," he whispered, "Yes, you are a little cooler now, are you not. You have done so well."
Snape's body finally started to relax. He felt safe in Dumbledore's arms. He was confused though, his foggy mind still trying to separate his nightmares from reality. Why was the Headmaster calling him good? He was bad. He had always been bad.
"Bad Severus," he muttered, "Has to be punished. Mother says so."
Dumbledore looked at Poppy, concerned at this turn of events. She nodded reassuringly.
"It is the effects of the potion, " she mouthed to him.
Albus turned his full attention back to Snape who was speaking again.
"Foolish boy," the voice was almost a monotone, as if he were hypnotised, "Worthless brat. Severus is bad. Mother says so."
Dumbledore hugged Severus closer. He knew enough now about Severus and his childhood to realise where this had come from.
"No, Severus," he said in a gentle yet firm tone, "You are wonderful. You are good and I love you very much."
Slowly, Severus looked up. His eyes were slightly glazed from the potion's effect. Dumbledore smiled at him and stroked his cheek.
"Good Severus," he repeated, holding the dark eyed gaze, "Severus is a good boy. Albus says so."
"Good?" asked Snape softly.
Dumbledore brushed his lips over the clammy forehead, his own eyes moist but comforting.
"Yes, my sweet child," he whispered, "Always good."
Severus sighed with contentment and closed his eyes. Dumbledore resumed his rocking and began to hum quietly. Madame Pomfrey smiled and excused herself, assuring the headmaster that Severus would be fine and should sleep for a few hours.
Dumbledore waited until Snape was deeply asleep before tucking him back under the covers. He dimmed the lights and climbed into the next bed. He knew it would take a long time for Severus to recover from all his suffering but he would be there to help his child every step of the way.
FINIS
