Chapter 10

Hermione was excited that Snape had gained the feeling back in his body. She wondered if it could mean that he had the potential to be fixed, as it were. She wondered if he would ever walk again. For some reason the thought of him walking again made her happy. It wasn't the fact that he would no longer need her help that pleased her; it was the fact that it would give him freedom and release him from the prison of his own body.

His request for some decoration had made her think. She tried to put herself in his shoes. She thought about what it must feel like, lying there, day in and day out, not moving very much, only having his own thoughts for company for most of the day; it must be killing him. He probably wanted to do things, be active.

Hermione thought about what she knew of him; not very much at all, she realised. She figured that he was a solitary man, judging by his lack of appearance at most meals. He was definitely capable of feelings, and very strong feelings by the sounds of things. He had, after all, put his life at risk for Dumbledore, for the sake of Lily Potter. He also was a Potions Master, and it seemed to be his other life's obsession. She knew that he knew a vast number of potions by heart. She also knew that he had been the first owner of the potions book Harry had used in their sixth year. That had earned Harry a high regard with Professor Slughorn, because he had produced a perfect potion every time, following Snape's written instruction.

That was it! She knew something she could try to get Snape's mind off things. He loved potions, and it was the one thing she could do for him. She would brew the potions that Madam Pomfrey needed in his room where he could watch. She didn't know if it would help, but she would ask him anyway. She decided that the best thing to do first would be to ask Poppy for permission. She needed to get a potions table from the dungeons, and would definitely need to ask if it was okay.

She decided to try, so she made her way to Poppy's office. The other patients were ok and generally didn't need much attention so Poppy was in her office doing the paperwork for the patients she had healed. Hermione knocked on the door.

"Enter," she heard Poppy say from inside. She opened the door and went in, closing the door behind her. "Hello there, Hermione dear."

"Hi Poppy. Are you still busy with the paperwork?"

Poppy sighed, "Ah yes. Well, there were a large number of those who were injured during the war. I didn't have time between patients to do a write up. So I have to do it now. Thank you, by the way, for completing your paperwork so quickly. It has saved a great deal of extra work for me." She was referring to the paperwork on the patients Hermione had treated, which she had completed within a day. "Is there anything you need?" asked Poppy.

"Actually, there is. I was wondering if it would be ok if I brought the potions table from your lab into Professor Snape's room," she said. "I thought that maybe he might enjoy the brewing. And I could be keeping him company at the same time. I think he is lonely and bored."

"Why, that sounds like a wonderful idea. Hermione you are so caring. Of course you can, but as long as the windows are open for fresh air and there is no possibility of danger." She smiled at Hermione.

"Thanks Poppy. I will go and ask him now if he would like that." She left the room quickly, eager to share her idea with Snape. She went to his door, and knocked gently.

"Enter," she heard from the other side. She went in, and found Snape staring out the window. He seemed to be faraway, seemingly deep in thought. She stood for a moment and watched him, taking in his features, his hooked nose that had obviously been broken before, his dark eyes that seemed to drink in the world, the thin lips. He was still pale as ever.

She cleared her throat and he looked around. "Sorry if I disturbed you."

"No, you didn't disturb me," he said. He looked at her expectantly. She just stood, watching him. "Did you want something? It's not time for lunch already is it?" he asked, glancing out the window, probably to gauge the time from the sun.

"Oh, sorry," she said, coming out of her reverie. "Yes I did actually. I was wondering if perhaps you would like it if I came and did some general brewing of potions here in your room. I thought it might be nice for you to have something to watch other than the volunteers rebuilding the castle." She paused before continuing. "I also thought perhaps you might like some company."

He seemed to give her a long, calculating look. His eyes were chocolate brown, and she realised they only seemed black because he was always in the darkness of the dungeons. She found them mesmerizing.

"I would love for you to do that. I would really appreciate having something to do." He gave her a small smile. She felt that although it was a small gesture, it would go a long way.

She patted his hand, lying limp next to his side, and said, "I will be back in a little while, in time for dinner." She smiled, and turned on her heel and left the room. Closing the door behind her, she stood for a moment, trying to decide how she was going to manage redecorating his room.

Hermione decided that it would be best if she took the small potions table of Poppy's that she used to brew the simple potions that she needed at times. The small lab was just through Poppy's office, so it would require her to disturb the witch again. Just then the witch came out of her office.

"Poppy, may I please move your small potions table to the private room?" Hermione asked quickly. The witch looked around at her.

"Of course, dear. Just don't make a mess." She continued out of the Hospital Wing.

Hermione hurried through the office into the lab behind it. In the tiny room was a wooden table. Small though the table was, it took up almost all of the space in the room. There were shelves lining the wall space, filled with potions books, other healing books and potions ingredients.

Hermione tried using a shrinking spell on the table, but nothing happened. Of course! It is spell-and-fire-proof wood. She then realised she had to lug the heavy table out of there.

After a lot of puffing and grunting, she finally managed to get the table into the office. She thought that it would be better to prepare the room before bringing the table in.

She went back into his room. He was again gazing out of his window, down at the figures below.

"They are making progress from what I can see from up here," he said quietly, without looking away.

"Yeah, they are. It really is coming on nicely. Maybe I'll take you down one day to have a look. You might find it interesting..." She left the sentence hanging. She didn't tell him that there was a statue being built, partly in his honour.

"Maybe." He seemed to her to be lost in thought.

"Uh, I need to shift the furniture around to make space for the table."

"Yes, yes. Sure go ahead, do whatever you feel is necessary," he replied absent-mindedly.

She wondered if she should worry about him, but then put it from her mind.

She had suddenly come up with a plan.

A/N: I am so sorry it took much longer than usual to finish this chapter but I have been quite busy, but here it is :) Please R 'n R

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