Chapter 36: Reconciliation with my Best Friend
Regulus, Jughead, Betty, and I stood around Severus's bed. Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing.
"Good to see a friendly gathering around Mr. Snape," Professor Dumbledore spoke serenely. "Especially keeping in mind all the things that happened not just today but several weeks ago. I'm glad to see he has such a great support team."
"Professor," we all turned to see Madam Pomfrey exiting her office with a tea tray. "Did you bring what I requested?"
"I did, Poppy," the headmaster responded with a smile. "In a few short moments, Severus should be waking up."
"You didn't administer it, did you?" Madam Pomfrey demanded, placing the tea tray down next to Severus's bed.
"Of course not, but I assume you will administer it as soon as I hand it over."
With that, Professor Dumbledore handed Madam Pomfrey a flower that seemed like it was made of stone. She took it and added it to the tea cup and it immediately dissolved into the hot water. She then placed the cup against Severus's lips and poured the contents into his mouth.
Suddenly his breaths seemed deeper. His head moved and then he opened his dark eyes. They immediately went wide with shock, the lonely black filled with the reflections of the crowd around his bed. He gasped and went to cover his eyes.
"Shhh," Professor Dumbledore urged Severus. "You are weak. I wouldn't recommend speaking quite yet."
Severus nodded, putting his arm back down.
"You were spared by the kindness of your friend Mr. Jones," the headmaster explained. Severus looked over at Jughead with a conflicted expression. "He saw what was going on and ran for help. He then rushed to your aid with the remaining students from Riverdale. Though, we can't overlook the bravery of Mr. Regulus Black in standing up to the selective bullying."
"Bullying?" I interrupted angrily. "That was attempted murder!"
The headmaster sighed. "Unfortunately, the two adult witnesses claim it was nothing more than bullying that ended in a magical brawl between two groups. I was admonished to punish all involved parties, but seeing as only one side of the brawl confessed to being there, I have chosen to ignore the recommendation. This means it must be brushed aside."
"But we were there!" Betty interjected. "Don't our words count for anything?"
"In order to get the ministry involved, it needs to be an adult testimony. Anything else is a juvenile school problem unless it deals with the statute of secrecy. I'm sorry, but I'm glad that there was no permanent damage to anyone."
"Why can't you say something? You were there!" Betty said.
"Yes, but I only arrived after the fact. My account is not an eyewitness account. I will say the evidence of the site proves your side of the story, but the site was cleared by the time the adult witnesses spoke up. I did not expect them to be this thorough, but there is no changing the past. Be happy that Mr. Snape and Mr. Black survived and that you all had a hand in that. Now, if you don't mind, I have important matters to be looking into."
With that the headmaster got up and left us in stunned silence. A mob came and targeted Severus to kill him and nothing was going to happen. No investigation, no punishment, nothing.
Madam Pomfrey began pouring another potion down Severus's throat. "Now, don't speak for another hour or so. If your friends make that difficult, I will throw them out."
We sat in silence until Madam Pomfrey made her way back into her office.
"Regulus," I said, turning to him. "You were there the entire time. Who was involved?"
"I'm not turning anyone in," he replied. "It leaves me with more power to not say anything."
"How could you say that?" I asked.
"It's quite simple. They threaten to do something and I threaten to tell on them for their involvement. As long as they don't know Dumbledore has decided not to punish anyone, it will be effective in keeping them off Sev's and my tails." He said.
I turned to Betty and Jughead, but Jughead was nodding in agreement.
"It wasn't arbitrary," Jughead said. "It was targeted and it is best to have some defense while you can."
"What do you mean?" Betty asked.
"It couldn't be an accident that they went for Severus first and then only took Regulus when he got involved," I said, remembering what Regulus had told me.
"They were? I thought they just caught Severus," Betty said, then turned to Severus. "People are after you?"
He looked away, reminding all of us that all but Regulus still needed to make amends with Severus. I looked down ashamed.
"Severus," Jughead was the first to speak. "I'm terribly sorry about what I said. I'm sorry I told your secrets. I know there is nothing that I can do to take them back, but I hope you can tell that I want to make it up to you. I'm not trying to be the hero or anything, I just want your friendship back. Will you give me another chance?"
Severus gave him a dark look. Jughead looked confused.
"He wants to know why," I told him as Severus nodded to affirm.
"Why what?" Jughead asked nervously.
"Why you want to be his friend," Lily clarified and Severus nodded.
"Because…because I don't... It's just something sentimental. I think you are a good person. I think we both can learn a lot from each other outside of the academic world. We are so alike in many ways. I loved it when you called the marauders erotomanic. I just…care. You're my friend and I don't want to be on your bad side."
Severus returned with a blank stare.
"He needs time to reflect on that," I interpreted, happy to have an essential role in reconciliation.
"Am I going to have that skill eventually?" Regulus asked. "It'd be useful to understand Severus without words."
I laughed and Severus gave a smirk.
"Did I make Severus laugh?" Regulus asked. "Have I accomplished the feat?"
Severus gave a playful glare.
"Not quite," I laughed.
Severus smiled at me. I knew it was my turn to say something. I really wanted to grab hold of his hand so he would know how sincere I was, but it seemed wrong with Regulus holding his other hand with romantic intent. Instead, I just placed my hand on the bed.
"Sev," I began. "I know I'm not the greatest friend, but I'm sorry. I reacted emotionally instead of looking for your perspective. I think Betty is the only one who managed to keep her cool with all of this. We want to be here for you. I want to be here for you. Know you can always come to me if you need anything."
I looked into his eyes and knew that he understood. I let out a breath in relief. We would be friends again. I had more time to convince him that You-Know-Who had nothing to offer and was just tricking him.
We spent a few more minutes in idle chit chat around Severus before Betty, Jughead, and I left. I looked back as we exited the Hospital Wing and saw how tenderly Regulus stroked Severus's face. Betty was right: whatever he had done in the past, he really cared for Severus now. I needed to forgive Regulus and let him help Severus. Veronica was right: all Severus needed was someone to care for him where we all failed.