Celebrating Voldemort's Downfall
Chapter 4
by Iva1201
A/N: I am happy that you still like my writing - thank you for your kind comments. (-:
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Hogwarts
Early November 1981
Severus was really trying to follow the quiet conversation of Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout. Back when the women started to talk, he even managed to nod once or twice in the suitable moments. But now his eyes were closing, his head was dropping and his limbs felt terribly heavy. He knew he shouldn't fall asleep yet, not in front of the nurse in any case, but his body was not obeying his mind…
When the fragile china cup shattered on the floor and the last remainders of Severus's tea ended on his boots, both Madam Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout stared in the boy's direction for a moment taken aback – before realizing he was almost asleep again. The nurse was immediately on her feet, rushing to the young professor and shaking him by shoulders.
"Not yet, Severus, you cannot sleep now," she prompted, while nodding at Pomona to come and help her. "We must get him up and walking. It helped earlier, so we shall hope that it helps again."
The ever practical Pomona was instantly on her side, taking the boy by one arm while Poppy was already holding the other. As they were pulling him up, Professor Sprout asked curiously: "What would happen should he fall asleep before you give your consensus to it?"
Madam Pomfrey was shaking her head. "I do not know for sure, but I believe he would still end in a coma. The coffee he had earlier helped a bit, but he very likely ruined all the progress while walking the whole way up here. Foolish boy! He could have simply Firecalled or asked the Emergency House Elf to let us know that we were to pick up the potions…"
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Half an hour later, Severus was still walking around the nurse's office, heavily leaning on Pomona Sprout's shoulder but obediently following Madam Pomfrey's orders. The nurse was tending to yet another group of Butterbeer poisoning victims in the main Infirmary Hall, this time from the Ravenclaw Tower, leaving them on their own for the time being.
So far, they were quiet – except of a few politeness's. Now, Professor Sprout said unexpectedly: "I am very sorry she died."
Severus appeared startled. "Pardon me?" he questioned.
"Lily Potter. I am really sorry she died." The Herbology teacher repeated. "It was such a nice girl. … You grew up together, didn't you? I still remember the pair of you in your first year – I was so very surprised to see a Gryffindor and a Slytherin on such friendly matters. It is a shame that such a friendship couldn't survive the seven years of the interhouse rivalry…"
"Yes, a shame indeed," Severus repeated quietly, staring in front of himself. It had not been exactly interhouse rivalry what ruined them – rather his own stupidity. And now he would have to live with that thought until the end of his miserable life.
"I hope you will not mind that I am asking. Have you ever reconciled?" Pomona Sprout sincerely hoped they had managed to.
Severus was silent for a long time. After another twenty steps, he replied hesitantly: "No, we have never reconciled. And now we will never be able to…"
Professor Sprout felt genuinely sorry for them. "I am very sad to hear that… But no matter that, I am sure you both still cared for each other deeply. Please, accept my condolences."
Severus was not sure if he had any right to accept this comfort. He nodded anyway: "Thank you."
Professor Sprout smiled sadly and patted his arm. "You are welcome."
They continued their walk around the room then, again not speaking except of the necessary.
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When Madam Pomfrey opened the door to her office again, she looked tired. She gazed at Pomona and Severus slowly circling around the room, nodded satisfied at the boy's returning colour and, sitting behind her table, summoned five files of just treated pupils from the register of Ravenclaw students to note alcohol poisoning and its treatment there.
"This was much easier, now that I had the necessary potions at hand. Although I still don't think it was quite necessary – but we probably cannot expect any rational behaviour from our Headmaster, celebrating the fall of the second dark lord in his career," she sighed, sending the now updated students' files back to the Ravenclaw register.
The nurse was clearly not expecting any answer as she simply flicked her wand again to summon yet another file, this time one of the thicker ones from the teachers' register. If Severus would follow her doing instead of concentrating on his unsteady steps, he would have noticed his name on the top of it.
Madam Pomfrey opened the file and for a moment studied the latest entries there. Finished, she nodded, closed the file and requested that Pomona would lead the boy of a Professor to her. Professor Sprout complied and Severus was soon standing in front of her, his limbs slightly trembling but his eyes finally alert.
"So, young man," Poppy Pomfrey started, her normally kind voice suddenly stern, "I trust that you will not feel the need to repeat this stunt in the nearest future. I suppose that our estimated director will keep me well occupied even without such foolishness's."
She made a break to emphasize her next words. "No matter what has happened to you lately, this is not a behaviour I would expect of such a bright young man. If you are grieving, let yourself grief – should you be depressed, ask me for help. But do not try to forget in this hazardous way – it will bring you no real respite and you will only endanger your health and quite possibly even life. I do not wish to see you in a long-term coma or treat you because of a kidney damage or liver failure. All of which you are not far from."
She waited a moment for her words to sink in. Then she went on with explanation of what would happen next: "I will take you to the private room now and shall examine you more properly. If I am right in my estimation and you have by now metabolized the dangerous amount of the sedating substances, I shall let you sleep. But mind this – you will cooperate with me and should I say you need a Muggle IV to give you enough fluids or prescribe any potions, no matter their lower quality than what would be your standard, you will not protest. Are we agreed?"
Severus nodded mutedly, understanding that objections wouldn't help him anywhere.
"Excellent," Madam Pomfrey acknowledged a little less strict. "You will be quite likely out until tomorrow – or probably already today –" she glanced at the clock and nodded "– late afternoon or even early evening. The classes are not taking place – but are there any meetings or detentions that you need to cancel? Pomona could arrange it for you."
Severus shook his head no, surprised by the considerate offer. "Thank you," he added quietly and was again startled by the friendly smiles of the two women. He hadn't earned their trust or friendship. But his hollow heart warmed for having them both.
Madam Pomfrey nodded and stood. "Come now, I shall show you to the private room… Pomona, may I ask you to keep an eye on the children while I am gone?"
Receiving a nod from her friend, the nurse marched Severus out of the office. The boy will get better, she assured herself, firmly believing that something good must come even out of such an unfortunate day.
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