Chapter 10

Severus was in the Shrieking Shack staring up at Nagini. The snake was encased in some sort of protective shielding. Voldemort was talking about the Elder wand. Then, before he knew it, the snake's cage was on him and the snake was attacking him. He fell to the floor as Voldemort stalked out with his snake floating alongside of him. Suddenly Potter was in front of him.

"Take…it" he rasped as his memories came flowing out of him. He saw Hermione Granger pull a bottle out of her bag and douse him in a liquid. Then all went black.

"Do you have what you need Harry?" asked Hermione.

"Yes" he said.

She pointed her wand at Snape. "Tempus Arresto"

It was as if Snape had turned to stone.

"Hermione, what did you do?" cried Harry.

"I put a time stopper curse on him. It will keep him frozen in time until I release the curse. I doused him in dittany before that. Hopefully it might heal some of the damage and give him a chance to get medical help before he dies."

"You're bloody brilliant!" Harry exclaimed. "Do you think he has a chance?" he asked more seriously.

"I don't know. His injuries are severe. Let's hope Madam Pomfrey can help him."

A while later, the crowd roared and surrounded Harry, congratulating him on every side. Voldemort lay dead on the floor. It was over. As the great din leveled off and some of the people began to move away he searched for Madam Pomfrey. Shoving through the crowd, he ran over to her and explained what had happened to Snape. She hurried out of Hogwarts in search of him.

Lana tried to get to Harry. So many people wanted to shake his hand, pat him on the back, and tell him their tales that it was hard to even see him. Finally she edged her way to the front of the throng.

"Harry, those things you said about Severus, were they true?" she asked him as she grasped his hand.

"Yes, they were. He was always on our side. Dumbledore had been stricken with an incurable curse. His days had been numbered ever since he hurt his hand. Snape and Dumbledore had planned Dumbledore's death together. He was just doing what Dumbledore wanted him to do. He also kept an eye on the Carrows, so they didn't get too crazy here. He's helped me on occasion this year too without me knowing it."

She had turned white. Her hand was still clenching Harry's tightly. "I feel horrible. I have been so awful to him when he was only trying to protect everybody."

Harry grasped her hand in both of his. "Professor Barrista, don't feel guilty. If he was able to trick Voldemort into believing he was true to him, it would have been impossible for any of us to know the truth about him."

She sighed and released Harry's hand. "You said Voldemort killed him." Casting her eyes downward she asked, "Was it quick?"

"Actually he's not dead. Well, not yet. Hermione put a time stopper curse on him until he could get help. Madam Pomfrey went to find him a little while ago. She should be retuning with him soon." He became lost in thought. "There's one other thing you should know Professor. His last thoughts were of you."

Svetlana stared at him with wide eyes. She was afraid to hear what he had to say. What could Severus be thinking after all of these months of silence and hateful stares? She knew he despised her.

"He wanted you to know that he loves you and always has," explained Harry.

She gasped. "How could that be? He hates me and I've been horrible to him."

"He never hated you; it was all part of his cover. Thinking of you was the only thing that got him through all of this subterfuge. It's hard to imagine the things he had to deal with." He glanced at Lana and noticed her doubtful stare. "Those were his memories; I'm not making this up." He paused again and then said, "Look, I'd bet he's been pretty awful to you and you still care for him."

"Harry, that's not..."

"I can tell you do. Just your concern for him tells me you do. If you didn't care for him, we wouldn't be talking about this right now."

As Harry said this there was a great commotion in the front of the Hall. Madam Pomfrey and a few others were bringing in Severus. People were crowding around to get a good look at him. Harry and Svetlana raced to his side. Svetlana's heart sank. He was a bloodied mess. He looked dead already. It would take a miracle to save him.

"What did you say you did to him Miss Granger?" asked Madam Pomfrey.

"I poured dittany into his wounds and then put a time stopper curse on him."

"That was quick thinking. You may have saved his life," replied Madam Pomfrey. "Lift the curse so I can treat him."

With a flick of her wand the curse was lifted and Madam Pomfrey set to work. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Lana stood at the edge of the bed watching her. After some time she rose and faced them.

"Well, it was touch and go, but I think he'll live. Miss Granger's quick thinking and the application of Phoenix tears have cured his wounds. The poison from the snake may have some lingering effects though. I'm not sure if he'll ever wake up."

Lana stared at Severus, unconscious on the bed. "Can he be returned to his room? I think he'd prefer the privacy," she asked Madam Pomfrey.

"I don't see why not," said Madam Pomfrey peering over at him. "He'll either wake up or he won't. It won't make a difference where he's lying. It'll probably take a few hours. If he doesn't wake by tomorrow, we'll have to send him to St. Mungo's." With that she took her leave. Harry, Hermione, and Ron helped Lana levitate Severus back to his room and get him settled into his bed.

"Thank you," Lana told them as they were turning to leave. She walked up to Hermione and gave her a big hug. "And thank you, Hermione, for saving his life." She looked over at Harry. "Thanks for clearing his name, Harry. If he survives he should be honored for his service."

Harry just smiled at Professor Barrista and the three left her alone to tend Severus.

She stared at him. Madam Pomfrey had cleaned him up so he looked more like himself except he was more pale than usual. He actually looked quite peaceful. She sat on the bed next to him and took his hand. It was cold.

She looked at him despairingly. He had to come out of this. He needed to know that everyone knew the truth. That she knew the truth and didn't hate him. He continued to sleep, unaware of his surroundings. She studied him, drinking in his features. Even in unconsciousness he had a strong presence about him. All of these months, he had been working behind Voldemort's back. All this time he had only been trying to protect her. She didn't deserve him. None of them did. She replaced his hand and realized that she was exhausted. After all the fighting and then the emotional upheaval of the past hour she could use some sleep. She went out to the couch and settled in for a little nap.