May 14, 2011 Prompt: 'Why in the world would you do that?"

X. Tempting

They wouldn't let him go home.

That was all that Severus could think of after his daily visit from his Healer. Or rather the Healer put in charge of his recovery. And all because he was still having palpitations.

To Severus, this was absolutely absurd. He was a Potions Master. He was more than capable of going home himself and looking after himself. He was more than capable of making his own potions and ingesting them when needed for whatever it was that he needed. To him, palpitations did not seem enough reason for him to be kept in the hospital.

Surely when Arthur Weasley had been bitten, they didn't keep him in the hospital so long. However, he supposed that might have been because he had a wife at home to look after him. Not to mention two or three elder sons that could have looked after him if their mother needed to go out for some thing.

Severus thought that he would surely lose his mind if he stayed in the hospital longer.

He thought if may have been a bit ironic that at this point, someone tapped on his door, before poking their head in. Considering he only ever had one visitor, he wasn't surprised to see that it was Luna. Though perhaps he ought to have been surprised considering that when she'd left, he hadn't been sure she would come to see him again. She'd seemed in a mighty rush to get away from him.

"Good afternoon Professor," She said with a slight smile towards him as she slipped into the room and closed the door behind herself. Severus noted that her hair looked damp and was loose. Today she was wearing a turquoise skirt, with tangerine knee-high socks that matched her t-shirt, with a black vest that matched the sneakers on her feet.

Severus briefly wondered if he should feel offended that she was attacking his eyes in this ways. But instead he thought that at least she seemed to bring some life into his utterly bland surroundings. Besides, she wasn't anymore of an eye-sore than those lime-green robes the Healers wore. And she sort of seemed to match oddly. Like the colors she wore complimented each other. Belatedly, Severus wondered if Luna preferred skirts and dresses to jeans and shorts. He was rather sure he'd never seen her in any form of pants of shorts before.

"Miss Lovegood," he merely said as she walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. Once more, as usual, Severus wiggled away from her, as always feeling uncomfortable by her proximity. Luna didn't seem to take it personally. Or maybe she didn't even notice it.

"How are you today, Professor?"she asked conversationally.

Severus blinked at this wondering why she was asking now. It seemed a rather odd question to asked someone when you've woken with them earlier that day. Severus tried to keep form blushing as he suddenly scowled at her.

Seeing that he wasn't about to respond and noting that he was in one of his moods, Luna decided to ask another question. "It's a really nice day out, although its a bit humid. I think it will rain," Luna said. Severus furrowed a brow and looked out the window. It was extremely bright out. He didn't think it likely that it would rain. "You're really quiet today. Did the Humdingers get your tongue?" she asked, leaning into him and furrowing her brow. Severus looked at her as though she were about to pry his mouth open in search of his tongue. He didn't put it past her to do so at least.

"No," he stated, ignoring the fact that it was rather stupid to answer her question considering there was no such thing as Humdingers.

"Oh, well that's good. Tongues are very useful I've found," Luna said, pulling back from him. Severus wasn't sure why but his thoughts went to an extremely juvenile place at this statement from her. He shook his head and balled his fist angrily at himself at this. He looked away, knowing full well that he was blushing and once more wondering how Luna managed to unnerve him like this when no one else could.

"Is something bothering you?" she suddenly asked.

"They won't let me leave," Severus replied immediately, though he wasn't sure why. He supposed that it was just hanging on his tongue considering he was so pissed off it. He felt rather realized to actually be able to tell someone, though he knew it wouldn't help matters.

"Yes, I know," Luna said, causing Severus to look at her with a furrowed brow. That is until he remembered that she was there with him the day she woke, and she had told him about it. "If you'd like, I could sign your release form, saying I'd be responsible for you or rather be there in case you turn for the worse," Luna suggested, causing Severus to stare at her deeply. However, she was't looking at him. Her eyes were rather unfocused and her head was tilted as though she was thinking.

"Why in the world would you do that?"

Luna shrugged. "They have my dad here, and I don't think its doing him any good. I think he'd be better at home, but they won't let him, because we're technically homeless at the moment," Luna replied, not sounding particularly emotional, but neither nonchalant about it. She had feelings, but Severus was unsure how to decipher them by her tone. "But I imagine for you its harder being here."

"What makes you think they'd let you?" Severus said, ignoring her previous statement as he was unsure what he meant with that last part.

"I've been of age since March," she replied, shrugging. "I think thats all that will really matter to them. That and that I'm there for you in care you do relapse or something."

Severus didn't know why, but he was actually considering this. It didn't mean Luna would have to really be there for him, did it? It only mattered that the people of St. Mungos thought she'd be there. And it was sorely tempting, being home, being able to dress in real clothes and read whatever he wanted, eat, brew potions.

Severus sighed. Wearily, he nodded, merely hoping that he wasn't getting himself into something he wouldn't expect.

TBC...

A/n: Sorry, this is a day late. Was really busy yesterday though. Anyway hope the chapter was enjoyable. Please Review!