Thank you to the 12 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the greatest and I hope that you enjoy this chapter. Reviews, as always, are much appreciated.
8
Recovering, With Friends
Eileen was in the lab beneath Prince Manor with her father when Nira popped into the lab. "Master Vladimir," Nira said with a bow. "Nira sorry to disturb yous but Alex wishes to speak with yous."
Vladimir's eyebrows shot up. "Alex? Why is he floo-calling me?" he said speaking to himself and so not expecting an answer. He looked at Eileen who was starting to feel worried; Alex was teaching at Hogwarts and for him to floo-call Vladimir meant something happened.
"Come Eileen. I'm sure you'll want to know what's going on," Vladimir said casting a stasis spell on the potion before he made his way out of the lab. Eileen followed him out of the lab and into the living room while Nira popped away.
"Alex, it has been a while," Vladimir said to Alex whose head was in the green flames. Eileen gazed at her friend for a long moment taking in his worry-filled green eyes and the worry she was feeling began to grow stronger.
"That it has, Vlad, but something's happened. I need you to floo over quickly. Your grandson was somehow cursed with the blood poisoning curse," Alex said gravelly.
Eileen gasped horror flooding through her; the blood poisoning curse was a curse developed by a follower of Voldemort that had been used on Eileen's mother when Eileen was only ten. Vladimir had created the countercurse because the curse left Abigail in agony once it reached the third stage of symptoms. He was the only one who knew the countercurse because that curse hadn't been used since the Death Eater who created that curse had been killed in battle and so Vladimir didn't use it anymore.
"How did this happen?" she demanded.
Alex shook his head. "I don't know. I contacted you immediately because, based on what happened, the curse is almost at the third stage," he said.
"Eileen and I will floo right over," Vladimir said.
Alex nodded and his head vanished.
After telling Nira to tell Eileen's mother where they went and why when she got home, Vladimir and Eileen flooed to Hogwarts. Once there, Eileen immediately dashed out of the office and headed toward where her son was lying so still on the hospital bed. "Sev," she cried and immediately dropped into a chair beside Severus's bed.
She took her son's limp hand in hers as she gazed at Severus's body with tears in her eyes. "How did this happen?" she whispered repeating her question from earlier.
"It couldn't have been cast on him since using dark magic against a student can be detected by Albus," Alex said.
"It was likely cast on something he touched," Vladimir, who was at Poppy's side with his wand in his hand, said. He waved his wand over Severus before pressing his lips together as he looked at the results of the diagnostic scan.
"It has progressed far. What happened right before he was brought here?" he asked looking toward Alex.
"He collapsed into Mr. Potter's arms," Alex said. "Mr. Potter might know more."
James shook his head. "I just hit him with a Knockback Jinx and helped him up and then he collapsed," he said.
"Has he been experiencing light-headedness or dizzy spells at all?" Vladimir asked.
"He has," the light-brown haired boy said. Eileen didn't recognize him but she did recognize the boy standing beside him; the gray eyes was so like his mother's that Eileen knew this was Sirius Black, son of Eileen's former friend Walburga. "It started while we were talking on our way to our first class but he kept insisting that he was fine."
"I should've insisted he go to the Hospital Wing. Bloody hell, I know how Sev gets when he gets sick! He's too bloody stubborn to see a mediwitch unless he gets really sick. I should've done something," James said looking like he was beating himself up for not helping his friend. Eileen was about to reassure him that it wasn't his fault but her father beat her too it.
"Trying to get Sev to see a mediwitch when he doesn't think anything's wrong isn't easy," Vladimir said soothingly. "He gets that from his mother and his grandmother."
Eileen glared at her father but he simply gave her a look that clearly said 'you know it's true' and she looked back to her son's pale face. She stretched out a hand and brushed a few strands of black hair out of her baby's face.
"We'll need to remove the spell Alex placed on him in order to cast the countercurse but we'll have to be prepared. If he's as close to the third stage as I think he is then removing the spell will cause him to enter the third stage."
Eileen closed her eyes because she knew what the third stage was; she had seen her mother in the third stage of the blood poisoning curse and she didn't want to see her son in that same stage. However, she knew that she couldn't do anything about it; the spell that was stopping the curse's spread had to be removed in order for the countercurse to work.
"It should be wearing off any minute now," Alex said softly.
As if on cue, a shrill scream of agony escaped from Severus's lips causing everyone but Vladimir to jump and stare at Severus who was writhing almost as if he was being held under the Cruciatus. Thankfully, the pain wasn't near as bad as the Cruciatus, from what her father told her about the curse. Still, it brought tears to Eileen's eyes; she held on to her son's hand as the boy's screams continued to tear through the air.
Vladimir moved his wand over Severus's body murmuring the countercurse as he did so. Though his face and eyes remained expressionless as he spoke the words, Eileen could tell by her father's posture that he was just as worried as she was. To watch her son screaming in such agony even while the countercurse was being performed was painful, more painful than if Eileen, herself, was the one that was cursed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Severus's screams died down and his body went limp. Vladimir, looking tired, lowered his wand. "He should sleep for a few hours," he said. "But the curse is gone."
Eileen closed her eyes but tears still slid from beneath her eyelids. "Who could've done this to him? Was it an older student? And why?"
"The only person who knew that curse was Ashton Carrow and he was killed seven years ago," Vladimir said.
"Is it possible that he taught his wife this curse and then it was passed on to his children?" Alex asked thoughtfully. "From what you've told me about this curse, it's dangerous, yes, but it's also relatively simple that a first year, especially one who has had magical training before Hogwarts, can cast it."
"Why would a first year want to hurt Sev though?" Eileen asked looking at her friend with tears in her eyes.
Alex shook his head. "I don't know but I'm going to find out." His green eyes flashed.
"Remember your training and don't do anything rash, Alexander," Vladimir said sternly.
Alex flushed a little at the use of his full name but said nothing.
"I've informed Headmaster Dumbledore about this. He should be any moment," Poppy said.
A moment later, Albus, dressed in purple robes dotted with stars and moons, made his way into the Hospital Wing. "Poppy explained what happened," he said. "Is Mr. Prince recovering?"
"Yes. The countercurse was cast in time and he will sleep for a few hours while it finishes working," Vladimir said softly.
Albus nodded. "Very well."
"What about whoever did this? Won't they get punished?" Eileen asked stroking her son's pale cheek.
"Once we find out who did this then yes they will, Mrs. Prince," Albus assured her.
"I bet you it was the Carrow twins," Sirius hissed gray eyes flashing with fury.
"Mr. Black, you cannot accuse anyone without proof," Albus said.
"Considering their father was the one that invented this curse, I would not be surprised," Alex said shortly.
"Alexander, do not put blame on anyone without evidence to back up your accusation," Vladimir said sternly.
Alex winced again at being reprimanded by his former mentor. "Yes sir," he said.
"Poppy, will you keep me updated on Severus's condition?" Vladimir asked. "I have to get back to Prince Manor and explain what happened to Abigail before she worries herself too much."
"I'll be back later, Father. I want to stay with Sev for a little while longer," Eileen said returning to her seat beside Severus's bed.
"Very well. I'll let Abigail know. May I use your floo, Madame Pomfrey?" Vladimir asked.
"Of course, Vladimir," Pomfrey said with a gentle smile.
"Thank you. And Albus, will you keep me updated on the search for who did this to my grandson?"
"I shall," the headmaster said.
"Good." Without another word, Vladimir left the Hospital Wing soundlessly.
\/\/\/\/\/
"Ha, it worked," Alecto said gleefully when news reached the Slytherins about the half-blood spawn being in the Hospital wing. "Shame it didn't last as long as I thought it would."
Evan shook his head but said nothing. He pitied the poor boy that Carrow had cursed but only because Prince wasn't to blame for the latest prank played on them and there was no way of knowing if he had been part of the prank on the Carrows and Malfoy on the first day of classes. Still, he wasn't going to get on the Carrows bad side by saying anything; the last thing he wanted was for them to think him as a blood traitor.
"How did they counter it?" Amycus asked curiously looking up from the Transfigurations assignment he was working on.
"I'm not sure," Alecto admitted. "Still, at least we got him back. That'll teach him to mess with us."
"Don't you think it was a little cruel?" Evan asked.
"Why do you care? He's just a spawn. Are you turning into a blood traitor on us, Rosier?" Rabastan demanded glaring at him.
"No!" Evan said hastily. "I just mean everyone already looks down on our house as it is. Since it was a cruel curse, don't you think they would look at the Slytherins first for the culprit?"
There was a moment of silence before Rodolphus broke it. "Oi, I didn't think of that," he said.
"Ah who cares? They'll never figure out it was me," Alecto sneered.
"Get a little louder and they will," Lucius Malfoy said coolly as he walked over to join them. No one had noticed that he was there and Evan had to wonder just how much he overheard.
Alecto flushed in anger and embarrassment. "It was just you," she said, "and I doubt you'll care 'cause I know you wanted to get back at Prince too."
"Perhaps so," Lucius said. "But I suggest that you lay off Prince for a while."
Alecto scowled. "Don't tell me what to do, Malfoy," she snapped.
"I was not," Lucius said coolly. "I was giving you a suggestion." Without another word, the blonde prefect walked off.
"So are we going to lay off Prince and his friends for a while?" Rodolphus asked.
Alecto snorted. "We only did this to get back at him for his buddies' pranks. The spawn won't have to worry about us, at least for now," she said coolly.
"The instant the spawn and his buddies prank us again, all bets are off," Amycus said coolly.
Evan said nothing once again feeling pity for Prince now that both the Carrows and the LeStranges were his enemies.
\/\/\/\/\/
Sirius, James and Remus were asked to leave the Hospital Wing soon after Vladimir left, which Sirius thought was a bit unfair. He hadn't even had a chance to meet Vladimir, who was a legend in the Auror department. It was a little hard to believe that Vladimir Prince was Severus's grandfather even though it was true.
Still, he was also concerned about Severus; he may have only known Severus for a few days but he wouldn't wish the kind of pain Severus no doubt went through before his grandfather cast the countercurse on anyone, let alone someone he saw as a friend.
But Madame Pomfrey would only let Severus's mother stay and so he, James and Remus found themselves outside the Hospital Wing unsure of what to do while they waited for their next class to start.
"I say we get back at the Carrows for doing this," Sirius said.
"We don't know that it was them," Remus said softly.
"Who else would it be? The Carrows' father was the one that invented the curse," Sirius said.
"Just 'cause the Carrows' father invented the curse doesn't mean they know it," Remus pointed out, "especially since their father was killed seven years ago. That's what Mr. Prince said."
"Well, whoever it was, I wanna get them back. No one hurts my best bud and gets away with it," James said sternly hazel eyes glinting.
Remus sighed but said nothing.
Sirius frowned as he examined the pale boy before he said, "Are you all right, Remus?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
The Gryffindor didn't believe him for a second but he decided against pushing.
"We should probably get to our Charms class," Remus said as the bell ending their last class chimed. "We can tell Professor Flitwick that Severus's is in the Hospital Wing."
Sirius nodded. "Okay," he said and the three of them made their way down the hall toward the Charms corridor and their next class.
Once inside, they took their seats though James walked over to join Flitwick and give him the message about Severus. Flitwick, a gleam of concern in his eyes, nodded before turning his attention to the class as James took his seat and the rest filed in.
While Flitwick lectured, Sirius found himself doodling on his piece of parchment until Remus handed him a note. He looked toward the Ravenclaw who titled his head toward James, indicating the other Gryffindor was the one that sent the note. Looking back at it, Sirius unfolded it and read.
Let's meet at the library during lunch to go over possible payback plans.
Sirius picked up his quill and wrote a quick All right. See you there before handing the note back to Remus who, shaking his head, handed the note to James.
"Don't you want to get payback for what happened to Severus?" Sirius whispered to the Ravenclaw.
"Once Professor Dumbledore finds out who it is then they'll likely be expelled or suspended. I think that's enough for me," Remus whispered back.
"Not for me," James, overhearing Remus, muttered.
Sirius nodded in agreement. Just the sheer viciousness of the curse used on Severus was what drove Sirius to make sure the Slytherins who were responsible for this paid other than by being expelled or suspended.
\/\/\/\/\/
Alex made his way into the Hospital Wing after his last class of the day to find Eileen still sitting beside Severus's bed his hand clasped in hers. He quietly made his way to her side and she looked up; the redness in her eyes immediately told him that she had been crying and recently.
"He'll be all right, Eileen," he said summoning a chair to sit down beside the woman he loved.
"I know but…it just hurt so much to hear him scream like that," Eileen whispered. "It reminded me of what happened with my mum when this curse was cast on her and to hear such agony from my own son…" She broke off and a few tears leaked out of her eyes.
Alex hesitated and then gently placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "He'll be all right," he said lamely. He really didn't know what to say at the moment.
Eileen wiped away the tears before smiling at him. "Sorry," she said. "When I asked to meet up with you again, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
Alex smiled a little. "I know but we can still have that date in Hogsmeade if you want," he said.
Eileen raised an eyebrow. "Date?"
Alex blushed as he realized what was he said. "Er, as friends, you know, uh…" He decided to shut up before he stuck his foot further into his mouth. Why did he always get so tongue tied whenever he tried to talk to Eileen Prince?
Eileen's eyes softened and she placed a hand on his arm. "I'd like that," she said with a gentle smile before she looked at Severus. "How's Sev doing in your class?"
"He's a very productive student," Alex admitted. "He always completes his homework and he is always willing to aid in the discussions I sometimes hold during class. Today was the first day we actually cast spells though so I'm not sure how he is in learning spells. I'll have to see at a later time." He glanced toward Severus's sleeping body before adding, "I hope I find out who did this to him."
"I'm sure someone will," Eileen said. "I wouldn't be surprised if my father decided to take up the investigation himself and you know how well Father is at ferreting out information."
Alex chuckled before nodding in agreement. "I was never as good as him," he admitted.
"Father thinks you should have taken over as Head of the Auror Department when he retired," Eileen commented.
The DADA professor smiled a little before shrugging. "I preferred being out on the field," he admitted. He didn't want to admit that being Head of the Auror Department would have meant less field work and he wouldn't have agreed to it unless he had a family to take care of at the same time. But it was true and he wanted a family with Eileen; he loved her and he only wished that she returned that love.
But, since he didn't know if she did, he would remain strictly friends with her.
"So, how was life for you after graduation?" Alex asked casually.
Eileen shrugged. "I married soon after graduation," she admitted softly again stroking her son's cheek. "Tobias wasn't that bad those first couple of years and I really loved him."
"What happened?" Alex hesitated before adding, "If you don't want to talk about it…"
"No, it's okay," Eileen said with a sigh. "I just realized that my parents were right about him all along, that's all."
"Oh." Alex didn't push his friend to explain what she meant by that since he figured it wasn't that great and he didn't want her reliving bad memories.
"But I'm actually working for a healer in Diagon Alley," Eileen said. "Anna Kelley. You remember her right?"
Alex nodded. Anna Kelley was a Gryffindor who had been a few years ahead of him in school who had tutored him in Transfigurations during his second year. "So she did decide to become a healer," he said. "What about you? Is that what you want?"
"Actually, yes, it is," Eileen said with a small smile. "Anna's teaching me everything I need to know and she said that eventually I could open up my own practice or start working for St. Mungos like she is."
"That's great. How many years of your apprenticeship do you have left?"
"I'll be done with it in about two years if not sooner. Anna says I'm a fast learner."
Alex smiled. "You are," he said. "I can still remember how you managed to memorize the entire transformation formula in five minutes back in our first year."
"It was not five minutes," Eileen said.
Alex chuckled.
A groan sounded and Eileen's head snapped toward the Hospital Bed so fast that Alex was surprised she didn't give herself whiplash. She stood up before looking at her son as Severus stirred. Alex stood up. "I'll get Madame Pomfrey," he said and walked over to the mediwitch's office.
\/\/\/\/\/
Severus opened his eyes before gazing around. He was lying on a bed and his mother was leaning over him, worry written all over her face. He blinked a few times as the memory of what happened came back to him but he couldn't make any sense out of what happened. It was a bit of a blur; he remembered collapsing in Defense but not much after that.
"How do you feel, Sev?" His mother asked softly.
"I'm all right," Severus said. It wasn't true but Severus really hated being fussed over and he hated staying in bedridden for a long time.
His mother narrowed her eyes clearly not believing him.
"What happened?" Severus asked before his mother could call him out on his lie.
Eileen's obsidian eyes softened. "You were cursed," she said softly. "Not directly though. Your grandfather thinks the curse was cast on something you touched. Thankfully, he knew the countercurse. Sev, why didn't you tell anyone when you started feeling lightheaded and dizzy?"
"I didn't think it was a problem," Severus said.
Eileen let out a long sigh. "You wouldn't think it was a problem until it was too late, Sev. You're just so stubborn when it comes to admitting you aren't feeling good."
"And you aren't?" Professor Meade said amused as he walked over to join them with Madame Pomfrey just behind him.
"Oh shut up. I wasn't that bad."
"I seem to remember having to team up with Walburga to drag you kicking and screaming to the Hospital Wing when you caught the Wizard's Flu back in our first year."
"I was not kicking and screaming!" Eileen flushed with embarrassment as she said that.
Meade's eyes twinkled with amusement while Severus snickered.
Eileen glared at him but he just smiled at her and she relaxed.
Pomfrey cast a diagnostic charm before studying the results and nodding. "It would appear he has completely recovered from the curse," she said. "But I suggest he remain here for the rest of the day and can return to his dormitory tomorrow."
"Can he have visitors? I'm sure Mr. Potter, Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin would like to see him," Meade said.
"They can only stay for a little bit though," Pomfrey said.
"I'll go tell them. They should be heading to the Great Hall now. I'll see you at The Three Broomsticks in a few weekends, Eileen," Meade said before he walked out of the Hospital Wing.
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a date with Professor Meade, Mum?"
Eileen blushed and narrowed her eyes as she gazed at her son. "That is none of your business, young man," she said sternly.
Severus snickered but stopped when his mother glared at him.
About ten minutes later, the doors to the Hospital Wing opened and James walked in with Sirius and Remus just behind him. What was odd was that all three of them sported blue hair. At Severus's raised eyebrow, James blushed and said, "Erm, I was trying out a spell, just to see if it would work, and it hit Sirius and Remus aside. Sirius got back at me with the same spell."
"Well, it could be worse. It could've been pink," Severus said.
James chuckled. "That's true. How are you, mate? Oh and hi Mrs. Prince."
"Hello James," Eileen said narrowing her eyes. "Were you experimenting with pranking spells again, James?"
"It was just a spell I found in the library that I wanted to see if I could cast," James said. "We weren't going to use it on anyone or anything like that."
"How long does it last?" Severus asked.
"Another half an hour," said Sirius. "That's what the book said."
"So how are you, mate?" James repeated his first question.
"I feel better but what happened is a bit of a blur," Severus admitted. "I remember passing out but not much after that."
James bit his lip. "It was pretty bad, mate," he said slowly walking over to stand on the other side of Severus's bed. "I never want to see that happen again."
"Getting sentimental, are we, Jamie?" Severus said.
"Shut it, git."
Eileen stood up. "I'd better be getting back. I only decided to stay until you woke up, Sev. I'll see you during the holidays," she said before she leaned forward and brushed a kiss to Severus's forehead.
"Ah, mum," Severus protested mortified while James and Sirius snickered and Remus smiled a little.
Eileen chuckled before she looked at Pomfrey. "May I use your floo, Poppy?"
"Of course," Pomfrey said.
Eileen left the Hospital Wing after that.
"All right, you three. I said you could stay for a little bit," Pomfrey said. "But Mr. Prince needs rest. You can see him again later. Why don't you head to the Great Hall for dinner?"
"I'll talk to you later, Sev," James said.
"All right."
"Get better soon," Sirius said.
"I'll give you a copy of the notes from our classes tomorrow," Remus said.
"Thanks," Severus said before watching as the two Gryffindors and one Ravenclaw left the Hospital Wing.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and that was chapter 8
Darth: I liked it
Blaze: so what does everyone think about Alex now?
Darth: I like him
Blaze: of course you do
Darth: (chuckles) so what's going to happen in the next chapter?
Voldymuffin: the first flying lesson
Severus: (pushes Voldymuffin into Carnivorous Cavern) Severus tests out of first year potions
James: (captures Voldymuffin's ghost in Fenton Thermos) Eileen's date with Alex
Sirius: (takes thermos and starts banging it against stone wall) some more pranks
Remus: (takes thermos from Sirius and tosses it into volcano) and Vladimir and Alex get more clues as to who cursed Severus
Voldymuffin's Ghost: THAT WAS SO NOT COOL!
Blaze: (sucks Voldymuffin's ghost back into thermos)
Dan: will you stop putting him in the same thermos as me?!
Blaze: sorry (releases Dan but recaptures him in another thermos)
Dan: thank you
Blaze: I don't own Danny Phantom by the way. Please review and I will post chapter 9 as soon as I possibly can
