Disclaimer: Oooh... feel funny... must wear dark flowing
capes... with white face powder... *THWACK*
~*~ Vampire medicine. Not to worry. Our fair author is still
recovering, so please have patience with her. Have a nice
night. ~*~
Severus eyed the slumped shape of Harry Potter, a small frown crossing his features. He was looking even worse than two days ago, when he had simply looked tired. Now the boy looked positively haunted, and dark rings had formed under his eyes. Concern? a jibing voice asked in the back of his mind. I didn't know you had it in you, Severus.
Harry pounded the Ashwinder eggs to a finer powder than was really necessary. He didn't even see them. A large hand suddenly came into view and took his equipment away from him. Harry realised that Snape had moved up to him, of course precisely when his mind started to wander. He braced himself for any snide remarks Snape had to dish out, but found that the teacher only briefly examined the powder, then handed it back.
"That's enough, Potter," Snape said decisively. "You still have a few other things to prepare, don't get stuck on one thing."
Just before he left, Snape lowered his voice so only Harry could hear: "See me after class."
What do you want? Harry thought wearily as he watched Snape move throughout the rows.
The bell rand shortly after, and Harry carefully put aside his ingredients to continue next lesson. He worked at a snail's pace, hoping Ron and Hermione would catch on and leave. Apparently not.
I'll catch up with you later, he mouthed.
Ron shrugged, and pulled Hermione outside with him.
"Potter."
Harry rubbed his eyes as he made his way over to Snape, who was leaning against his desk, arms crossed.
"I can't let this carry on, Potter," Snape said in the low voice he usually used when he was trying to intimidate someone. "Please go see Madam Pomfrey today, see if she's got anything of use. I can't have you so near to nodding off in class."
Harry blinked up at him, surprised. What had gotten into him? If he hadn't known better, he would have thought that Snape was actually being sensitive.
"Okay."
Severus nodded.
"You may go."
Harry shouldered his bag, and wandered out of the dungeon with a lot more than a sleep potion on his mind.
Severus watched him go. Weariness was etched in the boy's every movement. How many nights had he spent dreaming of Voldemort, Severus wondered. He drew his arms more tightly around himself, trying to shake off his own unpleasant memories. He could still fell the memory of the needle branding the Dark Mark onto his wrist. Severus ran his fingers over the black skull with the snake for a tongue. Until about three months ago, the picture had been a faded, but still livid red. However, during the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, on the night Lord Voldemort had risen again, it had turned jet black, accompanied by a burning pain. However, he had ignored his former master's call.
Severus let his hands sink with a sigh. He wondered what would have happened if he had never joined the Death Eaters. You'd probably be dead, a voice whispered in the back of his mind. He smiled wryly. That, of course, would have been quite possible.
Ron and Hermione were waiting for Harry a few paces out of the dungeon.
"What did he want?" Ron asked.
Harry made a face at his friend.
"Same thing you did the night before last."
"Huh?"
Both Ron and Hermione looked at him incredulously. Actually, Hermione only did so for a second before turning a suspicious stare towards Ron.
"What did you want the night before last?"
Ron immediately went on the defensive.
"Hermione!"
"Well, what?"
Harry rolled his eyes. Puberty was obviously having a bad effect on the cleanliness of his friends' minds.
"You told me to go see Madam Pomfrey about that dreamless sleep potion," Harry clarified.
Ron turned his indignant glare away from Hermione and blinked.
"What? You mean Snape...?"
Harry nodded.
"Yup."
"Wow."
"I didn't know Snape had it in him," Hermione whispered in wonder.
Harry shrugged.
"I guess I'll get the stuff after classes today, if she has some."
Ron nodded, still a little wide-eyed, and followed him and Hermione to Transfiguation class.
Chapter 5