Save Me
by hots4harry73

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter, its characters and settings are the copyrighted works of J. K. Rowling, Warner Bros., her publishing companies and affiliates. No profit was made from the writing of this story nor was any malice intended in any way, shape or form to the author or the actors/actresses who have so brilliantly brought them to life.

A/N: didn't sent out an update alert about the last chapter, but chapter two is completely revamped. You'll want to read that first, or this could be a tad confusing.

No spoilers beyond OOTP.

Chapter Three

The heavy silence was broken by Harry's weak voice, "But i-it won't get to that will it? You know what's wrong with me, and you can just give me a potion and I'll be fine, right?"

"I'm afraid, Harry, that it's not that simple," Arthur uneasily responded. "I think Professor Snape could explain it to you the best."

Snape was silent, gazing at the wall above Harry's head with a thoughtful look on his face. He was brought out of his musings as Harry looked up at him, "Professor?"

"I am endeavoring to think of a way to explain that even a simpleton like you would be able to understand, Potter," he snarled impatiently. "Now, what do you know of muggle DNA?"

"Um, I've heard of it, but I wasn't in muggle school long enough to actually learn too many details about it, sir. B-but what does this have to do with this punctal novum thing?" Harry questioned, his eyes feverish and confused.

"Punctim novacula, Potter, and I will get to that if you would cease with your impatience!" Snape sighed loudly before his voice took on a lecturing tone, "DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information. If a mutation occurs, disease, or at least increased risk of disease, arises. Witches and wizards have this DNA as well as a magical DNA, called veneficus-deoxyribonucleic acid, or V-DNA. It reacts in much the same manner as DNA when mutations occur."

Here Snape had to pause while he waited for Harry to stop coughing. When Harry had collapsed back against his pillow, Snape continued.

"This is where punctim novacula comes in. The brown spell that hit you caused a mutation in your V-DNA, causing the disease you currently have. Unfortunately, little is known beyond that. The disease usually moves too quickly from the first onset of symptoms for much useful research on a cure to be accomplished."

"A-are you saying that…that there's no hope?" Harry stuttered.

Molly let out a loud sob, prompting Arthur to pull her close. Snape sneered at the emotional scene.

"Unfortunately, Potter, you have such adoring fans who will exhaust themselves in researching a cure and enough pure luck that you will undoubtedly pull through. Though one can always hope," Snape scathingly replied. "Now enough of this nonsense. You, Potter, are going to lie down and sleep while we figure out what to do with you."

Harry glared up at his professor, but finding himself too tired to argue, he turned on his side and attempted to get comfortable as Molly, Arthur and Remus reluctantly left the room. Harry let his eyes fall shut and tried to ignore how cold he felt. He pulled his threadbare blanket closer and shivered.

He heard a sigh and a whisper before his blanket thickened and warmed. His eyes shot open in shock to see the retreating back of his Potions Professor. He stared in wonder and confusion, but decided he was much too tired to puzzle out Snape. He drifted off into a troubled and feverish sleep, oblivious to the fighting going on out in the corridor.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Snape joined the others out in the hall, troubled as to why he had bothered to fix Potter's blanket. He shook his head, what was getting into him. No, there's nothing to read into it; he was simply caring for the comfort of a sick child. That was all. He turned his attentions outward to the harsh whispers coming from Molly and Remus.

"We'll take him. He can stay in Percy's old room; it's across the hall from our bedroom, and I know plenty about sick children from my own offspring, enough to ensure Harry's comfort. Yes, it is best for Harry for him to come home to the Burrow," Molly whispered fiercely.

"No, I will not allow him to spend the last days of his life away from me! I am the only one he has left. He will come and stay with me at Grimmauld Place. Tonks and I can take care of him well enough by ourselves," Remus argued, his eyes flashing.

"Silence!" Snape thundered. "Weasley, wolf. There is no need for this irksome and childish spat. Potter will be coming with me, away from childish pranks, loud noises, and wolves howling on the full moon! I am the only one here who knows the intricate details of this disease, and the only one with a fully-stocked potion lab on hand. There will be no questions about it. The matter is settled."

"How dare you? I will not allow Harry to die being belittled and bullied by the likes of you! He deserves to be with me!" Remus screamed in response, not even attempting to be quiet.

Snape snarled at the werewolf, but stopped mid-step forward as he noticed the whole Dursley family, minus the big whale, congregated at the top of the staircase pale and staring in astonishment. A big grin broke out on the face of the short blonde pig.

"Potter's dying? Can I see? I –" he broke off suddenly at the looks of pure venom on the faces in front of him. He squealed and scurried behind his mother, cowering in fright.

"It's true? The boy's really dying?" Petunia queried with an odd look in her eyes. At the slight nod from Remus, she continued, "Well, then. He needs to leave right now. I don't care where you take him, as long as he is as far away from here as possible. My Dinky Duddydums doesn't need to see death at this stage in his life. It would traumatize him even more than that boy has already done with his foolish wand-waving and D-d-dementors!"

"At least we are agreed on one thing. Potter will not be staying here any longer. Now if you would take your son downstairs, we have things to discuss," Snape turned away to speak to the others. "Lupin, I need you to contact Dumbledore, tell him to meet me at my home. Weasley, I think it would be best if you took your wife home and broke the news to your children. I will contact you if I need your assistance."

Snape turned and stalked back into Harry's room, shutting the door in their faces.