Chapter 5

FLIGHT OF FANCY

Chapter 4

Harry Potter woke up with a start. He found himself breathing heavily, perspiring and sweating. He had just gotten up from a dream he couldn't remember much about. All at once a mix of emotions flooded inside of him. Not knowing what to do and feeling restless, he sat up looking around him.

It was still night, that much was certain. The curtains on the windows were still drawn. The heavy snoring and shifting sounds told him that Ron and the other boys at the dormitory were fast asleep. It was too dark to see much of anything.

There was not much for him to do in the middle of the night (or was it before dawn?). He thought of all the things that had happened over the past day or so. About Professor Snape, about what Dumbledore had said about him being an important member of the Order.

And he thought about the kiss that had turned his view of Snape…no, Professor Snape upside down. He wasn't an enemy or a hated Professor to him anymore. Well, he did still dislike his obvious treatment and attitude towards other people. But then again, he had cared for someone, so maybe there was good in him. Harry shivered at the thought. What was he thinking? Something good in Professor Snape?

But then, the curiosity got the better of him, as it always did. He found himself now creeping towards his trunk, making sure no one would wake. There it was, his invincibility cloak, lying neatly folded beneath. He carefully wrapped it around himself, not caring if he was still in his sleeping clothes. When he made certain that he was properly covered from head to toe, he then slowly made his way down the dormitory, making small and determined steps as he went.

When he arrived at the Hospital wing, he made sure that there was no one following him, and he also checked if Mr. Norris was anywhere around. Satisfied, he tried looking for Professor Snape, amid all the white beds. But he already guessed where he was, as he saw a corner bed by the window with white drapes covering whoever was laying there.

As he slipped through the drapes, he saw Professor Snape, looking very beaten down and very, very pale, even paler than normal. He seemed to be breathing steadily. He was lying flat on his back. His pale face was serious and calm, eyes closed. He also noticed how thin he looked, his sallow face looking worse.

Unconsciously, he reached for Professor Snape's arm, lying over the sheets, tracing the frame of his arm, as if to comfort him and relieve him of whatever pain he was going thru. He shivered at the coldness he felt, but Harry did not seem to mind, in fact he liked it. Cold against heat. Ice and fire. It seemed to be a good notion…

And then deep black eyes were looking directly at him.

"Potter," a voice, cold and emotionless spoke.

Harry jumped and drew back his hand, as if on fire.

"What are you doing?," Professor Snape now asked him. Voice constrained.

Harry couldn't speak and he stared at Professor Snape. His face was furious, but Harry caught an expression on his face, an expression that had him wonder. This was replaced immediately.

"Explain yourself," he said.

And then Harry did, "I'm sorry Professor Snape, I thought…I, just wanted to check on how you were," he replied nervously. He knew he sounded that he was stuttering.

"Get out. I am still your Professor. I can still deduct point for your disobedience," he replied to Harry. His arm came up and pointed towards the exit of the Hospital wing.

Harry, too shocked and embarrassed to say anything, hurriedly prepared himself to leave, but then he heard footsteps nearby.

"Get under the bed!" Professor Snape grunted. And Harry, all to willing to do so, forgetting that he had dropped his invisibility cloak (that was how Snape saw him), slid under the bed, just in time, as in came Madam Pomfrey looking a bit annoyed and ruffled. And standing just behind her was Professor Dumbledore wearing a purple nightgown.

Harry, hidden under the bed could only hear the voices. He recognized at once Professor Dumbledore talking.

"Severus, I'm sorry to wake you, but this couldn't wait,"

There was a long pause, as Harry assumed that Professor Snape was pretending to get up from his slumber.

"Anytime, Albus. You know I owe you my life," Snape's voice was tired, but still strong enough to hear.

"Don't worry, I'll make this quick. We need you to step down as Potions Master in the meantime,"

There was another long pause, then a sigh.

"So be it Albus. But please, whoever my replacement will be just make sure he or she is good," Professor Snape added bitterly.

"We already found a replacement for you, not to worry. He will start tomorrow," Dumbledore assured Professor Snape.

"Tomorrow? Albus! "There was movement on the bed. Professor Snape seemed to have made an effort to sit up.

"Relax now Severus. Nothing too worry about like I said. This has to be done. You must disappear. The students and the wizarding body must realize and know that. We can create a story of course. A façade. Unfortunately, Severus Snape has undergone and caught a magical illness that is only curable with a long rest. He will be confined in a rest house in South America..,"

"South America?" Professor Snape scoffed.

"Please Albus, if we were to make up some far off country, at least let me choose. India," he added.

"Okay. India it is then. Now since we've got the story settled. The Order needs you to stay at Spinner's End. Don't worry we'll make sure no one comes looking for you. You will be based there while working to bring down Voldemort. You will tell Voldemort that you made the entire story up about your illness, so that I, Dumbledore would leave you alone, and you would have the perfect alibi to do his bidding,"

"Well, you certainly seem to have everything covered," Professor Snape said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"For now," Dumbledore said. Harry could almost imagine the smile on Dumbledore's face.

"Now, I'll have you get back to your…rest. Tomorrow, during the morning feast, I will announce your unfortunate leave of absence, and the new Professor who will relieve you of your duties," Dumbledore told him.

A pause again.

"Albus, what about the potion? "

"You continue to take it as usual. It's vital that your true intentions remain hidden. We don't want Voldemort to know,"

"And the new Professor? " Professor Snape prodded.

A pause, coming from Dumbledore this time.

"Remus Lupin will be taking over Potions while you're gone,"

Harry could almost hear a pin drop.

"Lupin? Why him?"

"Because, he has the potential in Potions, and we need someone inside from the Order," Dumbledore told him, not concerned at all at the sudden volume in Professor Snape's voice.

"No," Professor Snape said vehemently. "No, no, no and absolutely No," he said again.

Dumbledore gave an audible sigh. "I'm afraid Severus, you don't have any choice on the matter, I'm really sorry," he said.

There was grunt and then movement again.

"You can leave now," Professor Snape replied.

When Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey left, Professor Snape coughed. Sensing that this was a signal, Harry got up from under the bed. He couldn't look at Professor Snape straight in the eye, in fear that his anger would be targeted to him as well.

"You do realize that it would be best that you forget the conversation that transpired," Professor Snape told him.

"Yes, yes sir…I won't tell anyone, "Harry said. His eyes remained on the floor.

He retrieved his cloak on the floor. But before wrapping himself with the cloak, he dared look at Professor Snape.

Professor Snape's eyes were burning with something he could not describe. Was it pain? Or maybe something else entirely? This was the same expression that he saw when he touched Snape's arm. And then almost as if it never happened, Professor Snape looked away.

"Snape…I mean Professor…I just want to say…," Harry began.

Professor Snape focused back his attention to Harry, but now his eyes were expressionless.

"I just wanted to tell you, I hope you feel better soon. I know, it sucks…I mean it's not pleasant to be in the hospital bed all helpless. I know, based on experience," Harry told him.

What was he thinking? Telling all of this to Snape? Snape, for crying out loud!

Snape lifted his eyebrow.

"And I wish you all the best in your mission or whatever," Harry finished. And before Harry lost his nerve, and before he could think that what he was about to do would equal a confinement at St. Munggo's, he leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Harry then wrapped his cloak around himself, not daring to look at Snape anymore because he was definitely embarrassed. And he knew he would regret it later on. As he stepped out of the drapes, he heard a sound from the bed that almost sounded like a "thank you."

But he knew that was probably just his imagination playing with his mind.