A Promise to be Better 25
Author: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
Summary: falling apart
Snape rested over the weekend. Dumbledore was pleased, but Barnes was still concerned about the problems that nagged at the Potions Master. The Healer spoke at length with Lupin and together they organized another week of escorts and aides in the classroom.
Dumbledore held his comments about the arrangements. Personally he felt it was all too much. He knew Snape would start to resent the intrusion on his privacy soon. Then it would be interesting to see how the Healer handled his patient.
But Dumbledore, in all his infinite wisdom, was wrong. Snape did not complain. The Potions Master, was in fact, very happy to have the back up. The low-level harassment continued; ingredients went missing, directions or lists were altered, even cupboards became stuck. Barnes was aware of all the problems but Snape did not utter one word about it even when asked. When pushed all the Potions Masters would admit was someone was having fun pulling pranks.
Snape absolutely avoided the topic around the Headmaster, even going so far as to leave the room when the Healer brought it up Tuesday evening. Some student or ghost was having a laugh was all. No need to dwell on it the Potions Master figured.
In any case, when the topic was broached around Dumbledore things became tense. The Headmaster would subtly roll his shoulders back and become a bit stiff. To a person who spent the formative years of his life reading two different adults' body language in order to survive these slight adjustments screamed at him. Snape would not chance angering or disappointing his mentor.
Things became a little more stressed on Wednesday morning when George Weasley went back into the alcove next to Snape's office where the students' cupboard were to replace some saguaro cactus ribs.
The door was stuck to begin with. He tugged and finally hit the cupboard with an opening spell. Snape had come back and was just entering the alcove when the door sprang open and a boggart slid out. It took its bead on George, *thank gods for that!* Snape thought knowing exactly what form his boggart would take.
The bloated and bruised corpse of Fred Weasley hovered a little off the ground in front of George. He intellectually knew it was only a boggart, a fake, but all that was forgotten as the emotional latched on and reduced him to a quivering wreck. The young man slumped back against the shelves trying to get away. Snape strode up and sharply waved his wand.
"Riddikulous!" he spat out, shattering the boggart on the first go. Snape put away his wand and carefully crouched next to the shaking young man.
"George?" Snape said gently, getting his attention. The frightened eyes searched for the professor's calm eyes. Without a thought the student leaned forward and latched onto the professor's robes hiding his face.
"You'd think I would have more interesting fears," he muttered inside Snape's robes. He was surprised at the chuckle.
"Just be glad it was your fear and not mine," Snape said, "you'd have a time trying to scrape me off the ceiling.
Let's go to my office and have some hot chocolate sent up." the Potions Master pulled the young man up off the floor and let him stay glued to his side as they walked back into his office. Dobby quickly brought two tall mugs of cocoa and a pile of chocolate chip cookies. The aroma alone began to soothe the distraught student and he finally let go of Snape.
*Snape!* He'd been holding onto Snape for dear life and the older wizard hadn't so much as blinked. The Potions Master had been comforting! As they walked into the labs carrying mugs and cookies George snuck another glance at the wizard.
Tall, thin, pale complexion, greasy hair and tired, very tired. But the anger, the rage, that George was used to seeing (and avoiding when at all possible) was gone. There was some compassion and gentleness in the way he'd helped George up and allowed him to cling to him as long as was necessary.
George had to admit, Fred was right. Snape had really changed. He was still caustic at times, but there were no more cruel put downs and the wizard had thawed slightly. *Like early spring when the first patches of dark earth show through the snow* the young man thought. He then shook his head; too much of Angelina's love poetry!
When Dr. Barnes came to the school that night he went first to Lupin's classroom. It was the unofficial meeting place of his group of helpers. The Healer had been very, very careful in his handling of the students. Snape needed help but Snape did not need them to think him weak and falling apart. The Slytherins as a group protected their head of house fiercely. The few 7th years from other houses were generally interested in potions and wanted the extra class time. A couple detentions, the Weasley twins most notably, actually were concerned about the professor.
"You know, Fred and I want to keep our Monday/Wednesday slot," George was saying after he reported the boggart incidence. Barnes had carefully questioned the young man and Ms. Brown. The conclusion was the boggart slipped in after the first class's ingredients were removed. Slipped in or was put there.
"We both have learned a lot from working with the younger students," the Gryffindor continued. "And we both think someone is out to get Professor Snape. We want to help catch the git!"
The Healer looked carefully at the student. George had stayed after for a private word. Maybe Barnes hadn't been as careful as he thought in hiding the true reasons for the escorts.
"Look, doctor, me and Fred, we know something is going on! We're the two biggest pranksters you'll find at Hogwarts. This git that's bothering the Professor, well it's not funny and it's just not right!" George asserted with some passion. Barnes considered the student for a moment and then threw caution to the wind.
"You're both right," the Healer said quietly, "someone is bothering Professor Snape. The problem is we can't catch whoever it is and the Professor is reluctant to expose the perpetrator." George thought about the admission carefully.
"I suppose if you're trying to change," George mused, "and someone was hell-bent to harass you, then you'd just have to ignore it. Who would have believed before that Snape was being pranked? Of course," the student continued, "who would have cared? Since Professor Snape started trying to teach and not be as nasty towards the students a lot of us are learning more. He's really a great potions' brewer!"
"Yes, he is. Now we just need to watch out for him until the prankster gives up," Barnes said.
"Or he's caught," George commented, his eyes narrowing slightly. With all of his expertise in pranks, he and Fred could probably catch the person dogging Snape.
"That may be difficult," Barnes said. "I'd rather be cautious and not upset Severus. Whoever's doing this might try worse pranks if we attempt to catch them." George thought for a moment, the smoke pouring from his ears. Then he plastered an innocent smile on his face.
"Well, then, we'll just be quiet about it and help in the class. Can Fred come on Monday? He likes the younger kids. I'll stick to Wednesdays with the older," George sounded entirely reasonable and Barnes ag^reed.
"Anything else you noticed?" the Healer asked.
"Well, his office is a right mess of late. Professor Snape always kept it very organized. When we went in for the hot chocolate I noticed his shelves were all out of order," George reported.
"He's probably not been too interested in cleaning," Barnes said. He thanked George and watched him leave.
*Well, if anyone's going to catch Black in the act,* the Healer smirked, *it'll be those twins!*
From Lupin's classroom Barnes made his way to Snape's office. He wanted to see first hand the mess George alluded to. He was very surprised to see the lights on and the door slightly opened. Knocking, he pushed in and saw the Potions Master sitting at his desk asleep.
Quietly Barnes looked about. The shelves were a shambles! They'd just straightened and dusted them two weeks ago. Leaving the mess he went to his patient and put a hand on his back. Warm. A little too warm at that. Snape twitched beneath the touch.
"Severus? Are you awake?" Barnes asked gently.
"Yes," the hoarse voice answered. Carefully the Potions Master sat back. He looked drained.
"Why are you here, Severus? You should have eaten dinner and be up in Albus's rooms now," Barnes stood behind the professor and put both hands on shoulders and neck, reading the fever that was starting to build.
"I wanted to get a fever potion," Snape waved at his shelves. "But I can't seem to find it. I thought I'd rest a bit before I went to bed."
"And dinner?" Barnes pursued, not pointing out the obvious in the Potions Master's statement.
"Not hungry," Snape said quietly. The Healer carefully moved closer, feeding some energy into the ill wizard, working on reducing the fever.
"Does Albus have a stock of potions in his room?" Barnes asked as the wizard relaxed under his fingers.
"Yes, I keep him supplied with the basics," Snape sighed.
"Then let's go get some of his. I'll come by earlier tomorrow and help straighten up this mess with some of your study buddies," Barnes said.
"I thought I'd just sleep in my rooms again," the weary voice nearly shook.
"Didn't you sleep with Albus last night? When I left you were dozing on the couch," the Healer asked quickly.
"No, I came downstairs. I've been up there too much," Snape said. "People are noticing. I need to stay here."
"Who?" Barnes asked. The Potions Master squirmed before answering.
"Black," he finally admitted.
"And?" Barnes pressed. more shifting, then his patient stilled. The Healer felt the internal doors_ close again, one after the other as the emotions were quelled. It was frightening and he instinctively poured more energy in all at once, pushing doors open.
"Black," Snape moaned as the energy filled him.
"Black is one person. Not people. ONE person. Let's go up to Albus's rooms and get a fever potion," Barnes tugged on the professor, bringing him to his feet.
They met Dumbledore on the stairs. The Headmaster was concerned and was coming down to find Snape.
"I was at the ministry this afternoon and missed dinner," the older man explained as he pulled Snape into his rooms. "Minerva stopped in just a few minutes ago. Aren't you hungry, Severus? You missed dinner and didn't eat much lunch."
"I, I was just going to go to bed, Albus," Snape said in a very small voice. The Headmaster glanced at the Healer before slipping an arm around the Potions Master. He immediately noted the fever.
"Child, I missed you when I got back. Eat a little soup with me and then you can clean up and sleep here," Dumbledore gently held him a moment before the internal doors crashed open again and Snape curved against him, laying a weary head on his mentor's shoulder.
"I don't feel well, Albus," soft voice. small voice.
Together Barnes and Dumbledore helped Snape. Fever potion, a cool shower, soft sleep clothes and a mug of clear broth were given in that order. The Headmaster ate a light supper while Barnes continued to ply the Potions Master with broth and juice. Finally Snape crawled into bed.
"Severus, sleep. You'll feel much better in the morning," Barnes said.
"Yes, child, rest. You're safe here. I'll be to bed soon," Dumbledore soothed his friend. Snape curled around his pillow and closed his eyes.
As soon as they'd cleared the door, closing it, Barnes turned angrily on Dumbledore.
"Why did you let him go down to his rooms last night?" the Healer managed to get out through clenched teeth. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"Let him? He simply said he would be fine and left. I didn't have much choice in the matter," the Headmaster fired back.
"He's sick. Was he last night?" the accusation flew.
"No, he wasn't. You scanned him yourself before you left," Dumbledore's voice raised slightly.
"He was asleep! What happened? Why did he feel compelled to leave?" Barnes' voice raised a notch.
"How do I know? Sirius stopped by and," but Dumbledore was quickly cut off.
"Sirius? Did Sirius say something to him and upset him?" the Healer's voice shrilled.
"Nothing different than before," the Headmaster began.
"Severus?" Barnes suddenly turned and caught the Potions Master in the process of going for the office door. How did the wizard get out of the bedroom and so far across the room without them noticing? Dumbledore moved towards him.
"Severus? Where are you going?" the Headmaster asked and reached out.
Snape flinched, drawing back as far as he could, arms wrapping around his torso. His eyes were filled with fear.
"to my room, my room," he stuttered out.
"Albus, back off," Barnes said in sotto voice. Dumbledore moved back giving the Potions Master some room. Barnes moved carefully to the door and stood, hands down, as non threatening as possible.
"Professor Snape? Where are you going, Professor?" the Healer switched to his formal title. Both wizards watched as the sick man jerked slightly and blinked his eyes. From the look on his face he had no idea how he'd gotten there.
"Jeffrey?_ Albus?" he looked at his friends in confusion. "I, I was dreaming about my parents fighting and, and I wanted to go to my bedroom." As the trembling set in Barnes moved slowly towards the Potions Master. With a slight nod he gestured Dumbledore over with him.
"Here, child, come," the Headmaster opened his arms and soon had Snape clinging to him.
"ssshh, you're safe, child," the older man soothed as he rocked slowly. Barnes herded the two to the lounge.
"Let me pulse you awhile, Severus," the Healer offered, sitting back. Dumbledore peeled him off and helped him curl up against Barnes. Blankets were tucked in and he pulled up a chair so he could hold Snape's hand as he was soothed. The exhausted man fell into an uncomfortable sleep.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, but Barnes shook his head.
"Later," was all the reply he got.