Severus sprung up from the bed, his body wasn't cooperating so he stayed sitting instead. He looked over to the bed on the right, seeing Harry lying under the sheets, his hair was ruffled and his face was pale, oh god, was he dead? Severus tried to push himself off the medical bed to move over to the boys side, but his legs did no justice.
"Professor Snape, you'd better not be trying to get out of bed!"
Severus almost fell off the bed instead, "Poppy, what happened?" The medic witch cocked her eyebrow at him, "I'm surprised you can't remember, but then again, you've been out for about a week as with Mr Potter".
"A WEEK!"
"Yes, no need to shout, that dark magic really took a toll on you both, so don't stress your body out too much".
Severus threw another glance over to Harry, Poppy could see the message, "he's not dead, he's knocked out, I'd say he'd wake up soon". He didn't go back to sleep, he watched the boy, seeing that he was still breathing. He had to open is eyes, they had to be open, he wanted to see the green glow, the life in them, he didn't want to replay that memory from years ago. Severus took a breath when Harry stirred, his thin pale arm came out from under the covers and he scratched his head. One eye flickered open, landing on Severus.
"Professor?"
"Yes Harry?"
"What happened?"
"I don't know, but don't freak out".
He boy rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling, "my body hurts", he said to Severus who nodded, "as does mine", he replied to the boy. Poppy had returned from her desk with a smile, "oh you're awake I was correct then". She came to the boys side and brought him a drink, "drink up and don't spit it out". Severus watched as Harry hesitated before taking the vile and drinking, "you still have that creature inside you, his should take it all out", Poppy said as she went to look out the window. "When should I get going?" Severus asked and Poppy sighed, "you can go in a few hours time if you're so desperate to get to your students Professor". Severus ignored the witch, he had to go now, "I'll see you soon Harry".
Dumbledore had found Severus drinking coffee in the Great Hall around ten o'clock, "ah Severus you're alright, you got me worried".
"I hardly doubt I'd worry you headmaster".
Dumbledore chuckled, "my you're feisty when you've just woken up", Severus rolled his eyes and sipped his coffee. "I saw Harry a few minutes ago, talking to his friends, he's alright as well, Poppy said that the creature inside of him was a an unknown dark creature, quite a discovery".
"Another way to Potters fame".
Dumbledore sat down next to he potions master, "Severus, you don't have to go back to your old way", the professor stared at Dumbledore, shocked, "what're you talking about?"
"It's too late to change back, you've opened up to much, and everyone seems to like you more, even the students".
"Oh how delightful".
Severus hissed at the headmaster, he hated this new change in him. It was because of Harry, but Severus couldn't do much about it, the future was going to be different for the boy.
Harry rubbed the scar on his forehead and sighed, "I thought I could beat anything at that moment, but then when that creature over took me I thought otherwise".
"Well I'm glad you did, though it was a bit too late".
Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione who glared at him, "I'm serious Harry, you could've died, and don't go saying that that's impossible, that you're the boy who lived okay, I'm sick of it!" Hermione flicked her hair out of her face, and Harry couldn't help but smile, she could be so sincere, sometimes it got really annoying. She would be a wonderful mother. "Are you even listening to me Harry?" Hermione was tapping her foot and Harry shrugged, "I know Hermione, I shouldn't have gone out, I just panicked because Snape gave me back".
"You really like him don't you?"
"What!? I'm no gay!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "no Harry, you like him as like a father figure", Harry looked down at his lap. He clung onto Snape like he was his father. He felt the couch dip as Hermione sat down next to him, "you're lucky we've got Hogsmeade tomorrow, we'll go out and have some fun, take your mind off of what had happened". Harry smiled, she was right, Hogsmeade was the best place to calmly vent out anything that troubled you. Ron had joined them, still stuffing his face with food, "chocolate?" He pushed the box Harry's way, Harry was hesitant, but in the end took a piece, "you know, they've got new treats coming, hopefully they're not too expensive", Ron said as he brought out more food, "god Ron, where're you getting all this food, you're not stealing it are you?" Hermione glared at him and Ron smiled, "nah, the elves gave them to me, I was being nice to them".
"Really Ron?"
"I'm being serious, you be nice to them and you get what you want!"
He continued stuffing his face, Harry leaned over to Ron, motioning for more food, which Ron pushed towards him, "eat more Harry, after what had happened you need to eat, flush that critter out of your system", Harry smirked, "Poppy said that it's gone now, but hey I won't argue, the foods quite nice". Hermione nudged Harry's shoulder, "so, how'd it feel having such a creature inside you?"
"It felt horrible, he controlled every thing you did and you were there, but you couldn't stop it".
Hermione seemed to grimace at the thought, "well it's out of you know, so you don't have to worry".
"You don't have to worry Hermione".
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Hogsmeade was bustling, which annoyed Harry, he had to push people out of the way in order to get to the shops, you had no chance of relaxing and do even a little bit of window shopping. Hermione and Ron didn't seem to mind the fact that there were so many students around, "Harry, will you hurry up, you're too slow", Ron said, who was behind Harry, trying to push him, "I'm trying to go as fast as I can, these kids won't move!" Harry spat harshly and Ron rolled his eyes, "come on", he pulled Harry with him. They left the group of students, "I think we'll have to wait out on the new shops it's too hard trying to see what's in there" Ron said. Hermione raised eyebrows, "you think I didn't tell you before we left?" Ron sighed, "of course you did". The three watched as the students bustled about, waiting until there was a clears spot where they could push through.
"So, how's Snape?"
Ron asked Harry, "he's fine, he's actually not that bad", Ron frowned at Harry, "did he brain wash you or something?" Harry couldn't help but laugh, "no, you've just have to get to know him, that's all". Ron raised his eyebrows before pulling Harry and Hermione into a sweet and savory shop. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Really Ron? You've got enough food to last a whole year back in the dorm".
"No I don't, and besides, we all ate the food".
"I can't believe you Ron, you eat everything in sight".
"Hey, I'm a Weasley, we need food".
"As do every other wizard Ron".
Harry looked over his shoulder, he had a strange feeling someone was watching him, sure enough he saw Snape, so he was alright, he was doing the supervising this time. Severus's eyes landed on the boy, he went to advance on his but had thought otherwise. Harry didn't know if he wanted to separate from Hermione and Ron, but really wanted to talk to Severus, to see if he was alright. But he knew that the potions professor wouldn't move for him, so Harry had o break away. He came to Severus's side, at first they didn't say anything, just looked over the crowd... Well Severus looked over the crowd, he was taller after all.
"How're you feeling?"
Severus's voice broke the awkward silence between them, "I'm feeling a little faint, but I've never been any better", Harry replied, "what about you?"
"I'm not too bad, just shocked at the even that occurred".
"Yeah, never thought that would happen to me".
"Which is why you should try and learn to control your mind because of The Dark Lord".
Harry rolled his eyes, Snape knew he hated those lessons, "I really don't think that would happen, I've tried and failed so many times".
"Doesn't mean that you shouldn't give in".
Harry looked away from the teacher, he didn't want to have a fight with Snape, he was too tired. "Harry", he looked up at Severus, though the professor was staring ahead, "I never meant to hurt you when I gave you back to Hogwarts", Harry didn't know what to say, he was having trouble trying to figure out something snarky to throw back, but found nothing. Instead he shrugged, "I understand".
"Well I'm glad you do".
Harry looked up at Severus once again, but the potions master hadn't even looked at him, "do we have to forget about what had happened before?" Severus then looked down at the boy with a frown, "because I wouldn't mind". The words seemed to ring through Severus's brain, panic rose in Harry when he saw that he had somehow hurt the professor, "that's fine", Severus said, holding his voice so that it wouldn't waver. The boy was moving away from him for good, but Severus didn't know if he wanted it.
