Chapter four

Minerva could not believe how dedicated Severus was, he had hardly slept, he hardly ate, all he did was continuously try to make an antidote for the draught of living death. The normal antidote was useless now, so Severus was trying to adapt that one to work on Harry who had now been on the brink of death for a month. To Minerva, it seemed Severus was not going to stop until he was able to make a new anti-dote.

Minerva knew Severus was one of the best potion masters the world had seen in the last one hundred years, so if anyone can save Harry Potter, Severus Snape can. Her only concern was no one knew how long it might take. It had already been a month since Harry had been poisoned, but she knew he could remain in this state for ever. She was putting her faith in Severus' abilities, just as she had done many times before.

Over the month Minerva, Severus and Poppy took turns standing beside Harry to watch all the visitors. Out of all Harry's friends, three people continuously complained that they were being watched. Kingsley had explained that Harry was not going to be left alone until they found out who poisoned him and since Minerva and Severus had legal rights over Harry then they would make sure Harry was safe. Poppy Pomfrey had looked after Harry since he was eleven, so as far as Minerva, Severus and Kingsley were concerned, she was the only other person they trusted with Harry's wellbeing.

It came as a shock to all the visitors when they found out they could not touch Harry without receiving a shock. Severus had come up with a charm to place around Harry, any touch would send a painful shock through the person's body as they were forced away. No one liked it but most understood the reasons.

Minerva was at the door of the private room in the hospital when she saw Ginny and Molly walk up to them.

'Has there been any change?' Molly asked sounding anxious.

'No, but that does not mean we will give up,' Minerva, Molly and Ginny stepped into the room.

'I'm sure you are busy Minerva, and we are just going to sit with Harry,' Molly said.

'I'm sorry Molly, but we have orders from the Minister and head auror to remain with Harry whenever he has a visitor. You must understand why they believe we must be cautious. Harry was poisoned and whoever did this might try again. So until everyone has been investigated and the culprit has been found then someone will always be present when they visit Harry.'

'Yes, we understand, but I think you know how we feel about Harry. He is like my son Minerva, I just want him well. Ginny loves Harry and they were talking about the future, about when they would get married, but not until they finished their education, at the earliest.'

'Yes, but this is how it's going to be, for everyone. I am also following James' instructions as one of Harry's main guardians until he is twenty five.'

'I trust you professor, but I do not trust Snape with Harry. Why would his mother believe he would help Harry especially after the way Snape treated him?' Ginny said as she stared down at Harry.

'Lily trusted Severus with her son's life and he made a wizard's oath to her that he will always protect her son. So as of now Severus is the most trustworthy person when it comes to Harry's health and needs which means he will do everything in his power to make sure whoever did this to Harry never gets a chance to do anything else. I thought I should mention this but….' Minerva was cut off by a loud bang that came from somewhere in the castle.

'Aren't you going to see what is happening Minerva, it could be the escaped death eaters?' Molly asked.

'The staff will take care of it,' Minerva kept her eyes on the two Weasley's along with Harry until the door opened five minutes later, 'Ah Severus, thank you.'

'It's fine Minerva, how long have they been here?'

'Fifteen minutes, so it's only fifteen minutes before you can resume your work.'

'This is ridiculous, we love Harry, we would never harm him.'

'Not while I'm around,' Severus stood beside the bed.

'I will go see what the problem is,' Minerva headed out now she knew Harry was safe with Severus. The more the two Weasley woman visited they more she became suspicious as they always seemed to try to talk her into leaving.

As Minerva got to the fifth floor Helena floated in front of her, 'Headmistress, I saw a red headed man running away right after that horrific noise.'

'Thank you Helena, I will go investigate, please keep watch outside the hospital until Molly and Ginny leave,' Minerva headed downstairs to see scorch marks on the wall of the charms class room. She cast a few charms which revealed some type of firework, similar to what the muggles use. Then she remembered the Weasley twins had invented some type of firework, they used it when they left a few years ago which upset Dolores Umbridge. But at the time it had made Minerva smile, she just wished she could find something to smile about now, right now nothing was amusing. One of the Weasley men set this off and her only conclusion was so Harry would end up alone, which will never happen.

'Times up,' Severus said.

'Please allow Ginny time with her boyfriend Severus, surely you can see how much she loves him.'

'No, now leave or you will not be allowed back,' Severus kept his eyes on the two Weasley women but coughed when Ginny bent down, 'No, do not try to touch him in anyway Miss Weasley, unless you wish to feel pain again. Now leave.'

'Harry is my boyfriend Snape, you can't keep him from me.'

'I beg to differ Miss Weasley, as of now I say who sees Mr. Potter and who doesn't. If you wish to keep complaining or arguing I'm sure Minerva will refuse you entry from now on.' Severus flicked his wand making the door open then watched as they two Weasley women left, 'I will find the right antidote, trust me,' Severus sat on the chair to wait for Minerva to return.

'The castle and grounds are sealed again Severus. Before I get to what took place I had a thought about Harry when the students return.'

'It would be too easy for anyone to slip in here when there are hundreds of students.'

'Yes, I had the same though, so I spoke with Poppy, we believe Harry would be safest down in your chambers. A second room can be added with another fireplace so Poppy can see to him at all times. It can be set to just the three of us and your wards will keep anyone from entering your rooms.'

'Then we will move Harry there, where he will be safe.'

'Yes, he will, now as to what happened. Helena saw a red head man running away right after the noise. After a few diagnostic spells I found it to be the same type of firework the Weasley twins invented.'

'So you believe it was George Weasley?'

'No, I do not believe George is involved in this at all, neither is Arthur, as for the others, I am still suspicious of all of them. Hermione and Neville are trustworthy as well but we cannot show favouritism or there will be more complaints from the rest of the Weasley's, especially Molly and Ginny.'

'So either Bill, Charlie, Percy or Ron used a firework in the hope that you would go an investigate?'

'Yes, the timing is too suspicious. Now last time Molly and Ginny visited, Molly did say she preferred Poppy or I to be here while they visit Harry, but not you, and again this time Ginny mentioned you, that she does not trust you. I think your reputation as a spy precedes you Severus, they will not try anything while you are here.'

'No, they won't, but Ginny did try to bend down, I would say to kiss him.'

'So even though you would have told them it was not allowed they would know they cannot touch him, not with those charms you placed around Harry, they still try. I would say to distract you in some way, but it is hard to say. Every time they are here they keep insisting that we leave, that they are trustworthy. Those two are the only ones that constantly complain that they are not allowed to be alone with Harry. Everything they do makes me more suspicious of them, and now we know at least one male Weasley is helping them. Anyway, I will tell Poppy to keep an eye on him while we go work on your rooms. Once the students return he will be safer there, we can always move him into here just for his friends to visit.'

'Yes, I will not be allowing anyone entry into my rooms, apart from you and Poppy,' Severus looked down at Harry's still form. He would never stop working to revive Harry but Severus was not sure how long a new antidote would take, it could be years. The first antidote for the draught of living death took six years before it was successful, Severus dearly hoped this one does not take as long.