Chapter 36

Severus came stumbling on the ground with relief gushing from his heart. He breathed in the fresh scent of air and let the tingle of a cold nights breeze wash over him. He looked around quickly and studied the two boys he grudgingly owed a debt to. They were lifting themselves off the ground, their knees wobbling and grasping at each other for support. He quickly glanced over and watched as the old man lifted himself off the floor shakily, crying tears of relief. How long had it been since the man had seen such a sight or breathed in the night air, even fresh air at all? Severus felt a twist of pity for the man deep in his gut but pushed it aside as he searched for the person that mattered to him the most.

As soon as he spotted her, Severus forced his numb legs over to where Claire sat toying with the grass between her fingers. Her bright blue eyes sparkled dimly in the cloudy sky over head. Silent tears of joy streaked their way down her pale almost angelic face. Severus knelt before her and carefully brushed the dark brown curls away from her face and whipped her tears away gently with the tip of his finger. He cupped her face gently and tilted it until he could see into her vacant dark eyes.

"Would you like to sit around all night in the mud or would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?" Severus sneered at her playfully. Fresh tears started in her eyes and she nodded her head vigorously. Severus carefully lifted her into his arms and she immediately pushed him back firmly.

"I can walk fine on my -hiccup- on my own!" Claire protested and pushed against his chest. Severus held on to her like a stone, not budging even when she threatened him with magic.

"Your body needs rest, keep still." He murmured to her calmly as she continued to push against him.

"I'm fine." She said through her tears. Severus was incredibly irritable and impatient but he held his temper for her, he knew she was tired as well. Suddenly an idea struck him and he tucked her head under his chin. She immediately quit fighting and sighed loudly.

"Severus, don't do that I'm going to fall asleep." She whispered against him. Severus smirked and continued his path towards the castle with Samuel, Potter and Longbottom staring after him.

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It had been several weeks since the 'incident', the temporary healing potions Severus had used from his lab in the Dark Lords mansion had indeed healed their wounds for the time being but the three adults had been on lockdown in the Hospital wing. All the adults, that is, except for Severus. He had snuck out of the Hospital wing having done it many times before. Claire had begged him to save her from the bitch from hell that was Madam Pomfrey but he solidly refused, telling her she "needed the rest."

She had refused to talk to him after that.

Severus claimed he was spending time taking care of Satina but in reality, he was brewing a very special potion for Claire. He had already tried and failed many times to produce such a special potion for her but he thought he might have found the answer when he asked Potter to fetch the plant for him. The plant he had was rare, it couldn't be found anywhere in England. He had hiked over to South America to find it. It had magical properties that restored life into a small area of human cells. Severus wasn't sure whether it would work or not but he desperately hoped he was right to assume that Claire's eyes would be a small enough area in which he could revive the optical nerve. He had no way of knowing whether the arrangement was permanent or not but he prayed –yes prayed- that it would serve its purpose. 

Severus watched the lime green potion turn a dark shade of blue as he added shredded leaves from the plant. It bubbled madly and threatened to over boil but Severus remained focused as he continued to stir the potion three times clockwise. Small beads of sweat trickled down his face and his neck as the intoxicating smell of the potion simmered in front of him. Hot vapours arose out of the thick black cauldron and the small bubbles of compressed air popped as Severus continued to stir the potion in the required direction.

After several minutes of revising his work and scribbling down reaction times and numerous variables, Severus declared the potion fit to simmer for ten minutes before being tended to once more. With a casual flick of his wand, Severus reduced the flames to mere embers and swept his long black cloak over his shoulders. He had intended on visiting Claire in the hospital wing even though she, at the moment, was completely ignoring him. Severus slipped a small vial containing a minimal amount of his new potion into his pocket to gauge the reaction it would have to room temperature. He took two steps towards the doors to his personal chambers and was about to open the door when there came a resounding knock from the other side.

Eyebrow raised, Severus opened the door with a casual sneer plastered upon his face.

"May I help you…" Severus shifted his eyes several centimetres towards the ground before realizing that it was merely a child at his door. Expecting Albus or Minerva Severus was mildly surprised to see glossy and slicked back blonde hair several inches below him.

"Draco? I trust there is a reason for your unexpected visit?" Severus drawled mildly, it wasn't much of a surprise to see Draco at his door, he almost expected it.

"I-I needed to talk to you Professor." Draco's voice wavered as he silently asked permission to enter. Severus grunted but held the door open for the younger man. Draco walked over to the center of the room and glanced at the simmering black cauldron. Draco had already been in Severus' personal quarters, but only because he came with Lucius.

"Now," Severus said as he closed the door with a soft click behind him, "let's get this over with shall we?" his voice held no room for argument with a tinge of uncertainty. He knew what was coming, he only hoped he could dissuade Draco from what he was about to do.

"Well you see Professor; I have a job to do." Draco started, his voice wavering; Severus' eyes flickered to the boy's right hand and noticed the thin piece of fragile looking wood it held. Draco was pale, deathly pale and his blue eyes shone bright but uncertain. He knew what was coming but decided to play it out and see how it went, it was inevitable after all.

"Go on Draco." Severus said smoothly and sat down in the armchair closest to him. His wand was in his rob pocket and he could reach it quickly and curse Malfoy's pants off before the child even realized he was in deep shit. As he suspected, Draco lifted his arm lightning fast but with a shaking hand and pointed his wand directly at him.

"I think you already know what it is." Draco continued faking coldness to his voice. Severus knew the boy wasn't very fond of him, however, he also knew the boy didn't intend on killing anyone. It was obvious that his father had put him up to it, his initiation into the Death Eater circle.

"Do you think it wise boy, to kill a teacher in Hogwarts?" Severus drawled unenthused and unmoved.

"This isn't a joke Snape!" Draco suddenly shouted, it was obvious the boy was close to hysterics.

"Of course it isn't, if it were I'd have you in detention." Severus continued and smirked at the young man. Draco simply gaped at him and held his wand tighter.

"You don't think I'll do it." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"It's not a question as to whether you will or will not do it, it's whether you can do it." Severus continued very aware of the wand pointed at his chest.

"I will, and I can." Draco whispered his face a sickly shade of white.

"Are you sure? Then do it." Severus said with his palms up and his eyebrow raised. Draco's wand wavered but he held it still. Ever so slowly, Severus rose from his seat and advanced on Draco.

"Is it worth it Draco? Is it worth your father's pride?" Severus stared down hard at the boy and awaited an answer.

"My fath-my father will be proud of me." Draco replied his lips dry and his eyes frantic.

"Do you remember what Professor Laurel said to you that day you attacked Longbottom?" Severus grabbed hold of the boy's shoulders and shook them slightly. "Do you remember boy?" Draco nodded his head and pursed his lips in a thin line.

"Yes." He whispered.

"Do you want to be looked upon with fear? Do you want to be hated throughout the world all for the pride of your father?" Severus continued his voice rising louder.

"I-I don't know." Draco stuttered frantically. His eyes searched Severus' black ones for an answer only he could give.

"I know how it feels Draco, I've been in your place before but you have a choice!" Severus shook the boy's shoulders harder. Draco suddenly pushed Severus off with surprising strength and brought his wand back up.

"No! I don't have a choice! You don't understand!"Draco shouted, his voice ringing through the quiet underground quarters.

"Stupefy!" Came a voice from the doorway.

"Sectum Sempra!" Draco shouted back towards the doorway. The first spell hit Draco in the chest and the boy crumpled to the ground, the second spell hit its target and left its opponent wounded on the floor.

"Potter!" Severus shouted and rushed over to the bleeding teenager at the foot of the doorway. Potter had one large gash across his chest but it seemed as though the majority of the spell had missed its target.

"What in the name of Merlin were you doing?!" Severus shouted as he magically sealed most of the damage.

"He was pointing his wand at you Professor!" Potter panted frantically as he tried to lift himself off the ground.

"I had it under control you idiot child!" Severus shouted as he rubbed his temple. He was so close! So close to getting Draco to realize that he did have another choice. Potter scrutinized him but the pure confusion in the child's eyes made Severus reconsider taking off house points. Suddenly Potter started to sweat and he turned green.

"Let's get you to the hospital wing Potter." Severus sighed and quickly lifted the child into his arms. Potters cheeks flamed and he avoided his Professor's eyes.

"Umm, S-sir, I can walk fine on my own." Potter stuttered out. Suddenly Severus chuckled darkly.

"What's wrong Potter? Embarrassed? Stop acting like a two year old and deal with it." He sighed and flicked his wand at Draco's limp form. Ropes shot up out of thin air and rapped themselves tightly around the boy.

"Such a pity." He murmured then turned back with Potter in his arms, walked out of the dungeons and headed towards the Hospital wing. As soon as they reached a public area Potter started squirming uneasily again.

"If it bothers you that much Potter, pretend you've been knocked unconscious!" Severus snapped as he carried the boy up the stairs. And that's exactly what Potter did, he lay his head back until it lolled to his side and closed his eyes. The boy was being ridiculous but Severus paid him no mind. He hated to admit it, but ever since the fiasco at the Dark Lords mansion, he was beginning to tolerate Potter more. He didn't seem to be the most spoiled brat in the world and he had come to rescue him and Claire...

"Potter what were you doing in my quarters?" Severus suddenly asked in a harsh tone. He bore his dark eyes into Potters forehead as he asked. Potter lifted an eyelid and looked at his Professor defiantly. That set Severus' teeth on edge, just when he was beginning to tolerate the boy…

Suddenly the resolve in the deep green eyes broke and Potter simply opened his eyes and cocked his head to the side.

"Professor Laurel told me to come and get you." Potter stated calmly. Severus unclenched his teeth and took a deep breath, she wanted to see him? Why? She knew he was coming to see her anyway.

"Potter, I would like to…thank you for grabbing that plant for me, it is very valuable." Severus grit out, he didn't like thanking the spawn of James Potter but he felt it was necessary. Potter glanced at him in complete shock with his mouth slightly open. Severus turned the corner and purposely moved a little too close to the wall. Potter smacked his head of the stone wall and glared hard at Severus.

"Stop gaping Potter, it is not becoming of you." Severus sneered but couldn't hold back a smirk. Suddenly the boy cracked out a lopsided grin. This unnerved Severus greatly.

"You thanked me." Potter laughed and his smile spread across his pale face.

"Grow up Potter." Severus snarled. The rest of the walk to the Hospital was a quiet one.

Once the pair burst through the doors to the Hospital wing Severus dropped Potter unceremoniously onto a bed and hollered for Poppy.

"Poppy! Potter needs attending to once again!" Severus snapped and he scanned the room and noticed the old medi witch leaning over Claire's bed.

"Hey honey." Claire said and attempted to get out of bed when Poppy pushed her back down.

"Honey?" Severus repeated distastefully. He heard Potter snicker behind him and he turned around to glare at the young man. The look on his face made Potter snap his mouth shut quickly. Poppy bustled over to Potter and closed the curtains, distant murmurs and an argument could be heard from behind but it was plain that Poppy was winning. Severus snuck over to where Claire lay and sat down on her bed.

"So what was so important that you had to send for Mister Potter?" Severus demanded and placed his pale fingers over hers.

"This." She whispered and quietly placed her lips against his. Severus smiled against her lips and kissed her back.

"Not in the Hospital wing!" Poppy shouted from behind Potters curtain. Claire giggled and Severus felt his cheeks warm just the slightest bit. She rubbed his arm and moved her hand down his side.

"What's that?" She asked her vacant blue eyes searching where his face was. Her fingers had bumped the small vile of blue potion in his pocket.

"Nothing of importance."

"Have you been working on something new?" Claire asked him quickly, anticipation in her voice. She smiled brightly and awaited the explanation to his newfound potion. Severus cleared his throat and rubbed her arm absent mindly.

"Like I said, nothing of importance. When you are well, I'll share its secret with you."

"I hate surprises." Claire pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. Severus chuckled low in her ear.

"Patience my dear." He pointed out and Claire looked slightly put out.

"When can I leave this horrid place?" Claire whimpered. Severus said nothing but pulled her long dark hair into a messy bun at the back of her neck. She let him play with her hair for the time being but she eventually pulled his hands back down and held them carefully.

"When can I leave?" She asked him firmly.

"I'll sneak you out tonight." Severus whispered in her ear. He watched as Claire's blue eyes sparked and her devilish as well as Slytherin streak shone through.

"Shh, you'll give it away." He whispered to her. Claire smiled at him and pulled him into a hug. But as soon as she pulled him in, she gasped and pushed him back as if suddenly realizing something.

"What happened to Harry?" She asked him her face losing some colour.

"I'm fine Professor, ouch, sorry Madam Pomphrey." Potter grumbled.

"There was some trouble with Malfoy earlier today." Severus mentioned.

"What kind of trouble?" Claire's eyes narrowed to slits and her lips pursed tight.

"Nothing, he was just being the usual prick." Potter said from behind the curtain.

"That's enough comment from you, Potter." Severus warned and all was silent. He turned back to look into Claires concerned eyes.

"I dare you to guess." Severus drawled, his black hair swinging in front of his face as he turned to look at her.

"Hmm, Draco was most likely pressured by his father to murder you as well as me, and probably Harry and Neville as well seeing as we escaped. Not to mention Dad." Claire's eyes shifted over into the direction of the last occupied bed in the Hospital wing. Severus looked over and watched Samuels motionless form laying on the bed. Because of his exaggerated stay with the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters, Poppy had put him under heavy sedation so all his wounds could be fixed. He had been asleep for a couple of weeks.

"Dead on." Severus said without bothering to conceal his contempt. "Malfoy came waltzing in and attempted an action which we all know he was not capable of and then Potter over there decided to play hero once again." Severus said in disgust. There was silence from Potter, one thing Severus could be grateful for.

"Are you hurt?" Claire asked in concern, she began running her fingers over his chest and arms when he caught them.

"Of course not."Severus said, mildly insulted. "You believe a fifteen year old child could wound me?"

"Just making sure." Claire mumbled and kissed the palm of his hand. Severus suddenly stood up and kissed Claire on the forehead, making sure he didn't hurt any of her bruising.

"I shall return tonight to pick you up." He whispered to her quietly so that Poppy wouldn't over hear. He turned around swiftly and headed for the door, he checked on Potter briefly before leaving the Hospital Wing to deal with a certain blonde individual.

A/n- Hey guys! Really really sorry about the delay and I'm sorry it isn't that long of a chapter. I hope you're all still with me! It's almost finished :) Thanks so much for your reviews, helps me all the time! Thx again guys! please keep reviewing!