The door to the common room of Gryffindor shut with a slam. The boy who lived, also known as Harry Potter, supported himself to the shut door to catch his breath. He didn't have time to think of any way to escape with magic, he ran all the way up from the dungeons.
"Harry! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Did something happen?"
The common room was partly empty except for two who got up from the sofa in the middle of the room, his best friends Ron and Hermione. Ron was quick to bomb Harry down with questions though Harry clearly wasn't ready.
"Ron, can`t you see Harry needs a breather?! Here you go, Harry"
Hermione handed him a glass of water. He wondered where it came from hence it came out of nowhere, but then again this was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and no student knew magic as well as Hermione. Harry took the glass and began gulping the water down.
"Easy, easy! Slow sips, Harry." Hermione grabbed hold of the bottom of the glass to make Harry stop his vigorous slurping. After drinking up the remaining water with slow sips, Hermione made the glass disappear and Harry took a couple of deep breaths.
"So…will you tell us what`s going on?" Ron asked, despite remaining silent he clearly couldn't wait finding out what happened.
"Yes, Harry, I would also like to know. Did you run all the way up here?" Hermione added.
Harry nodded. He had to serve detention with Snape this evening and during that time said teacher snapped over trivial matters. He shouted, threw jars and whatever he could grab hold of at Harry. Snape was disliked by most or all students for being a "greasy git" who mocked and bullied his students. But the way he acted in detention was not how he usually behaved. Though Snape was awful to others he never yelled or got angry, certainly not in this sort of matter! Ron and Hermione listened carefully as Harry told them everything that happened. Hermione looked flabbergasted but Ron less so.
"We all know how awful he is, it`s really no surprise he would things like that" Ron said nonchalantly.
"There must be a reason to why he behaves angrily, someone can get hurt if he remains like that!" Hermione said in a tone filled with worry.
It made Harry think back to how the day went on earlier in potions class. Snape didn't say much during that lesson, everybody was occupied brewing potions. Harry did notice something was off with Snape whenever he glanced towards him. Snape marked essays clearly looking uncomfortable as he gritted his teeth, furrowed his brows and occasionally took slow and deep breaths.
"I think he`s in pain" Harry said.
"Oh? Professor Snape can surely do something about it himself, no excuse for him to hassle others" Ron said with an annoyed tone.
"I mean physical pain; you know how hard it is to perform tasks when you are in pain. It might be the reason why professor Snape hasn't dealt with it himself"
"Are we supposed to do something about it then? It would be impossible even if I wanted to. Whether he`s in pain or not, professor Snape is still a skilled wizard and we can`t do anything towards him. And he would say no if we offered him any help"
Harry fancied the idea of helping Snape just as much as Ron did. Though he didn`t know Snape`s personality completely, he knew the man was too stubborn to get help from anyone. Harry knew Snape didn't allow Madam Pomfrey to tend to him so it would be highly unlikely he would let students do it instead. Last but not least; how would they do it?
"There is a potion which soothes pain both physically and mentally. It contains simple muggle ingredients I happen to have in my possession and it doesn`t take long to make it" Hermione said as she picked up a book, she had borrowed from Merlin knows where.
"That's excellent, Hermione but how do we make him drink it? I think professor Snape would notice if we put it in his drink" Harry told Hermione.
Hermione shook her head.
"Professor Snape doesn't have to drink it; it can be applied on his skin. I can make this potion thicker and less runny so it will stick to his skin easily"
Both boys looked flabbergasted at Hermione.
"Professor Snape wouldn`t use an unfamiliar potion as body lotion even if we told him it`s a cure for his sallow skin" Harry said.
Thoughts of Snape`s appearance appeared in Harry`s mind. Except for his skin colour the whole man looked sickly unhealthy. Though his whole body was hidden underneath these billowing black clothes, Harry noticed from his teachers face and fingers he was a tad too skinny. Snape`s fingers looked like the fingers of a skeleton and his cheekbones stood out clearly visible, almost sticking out. It was amazing how Snape had managed to keep himself together for so long.
Hermione shook her head again.
"I didn't say he`s going to apply it on himself"
Once again, the boys looked flabbergasted and this time their eyes almost bulged out.
"That`s impossible! We can`t apply it on him, professor Snape would never let us do that and I`m not touching that greasy git!" Ron protested and Hermione put her hands up.
"Shut up and listen to my plan. You just do your part and leave the rest to me" Hermione said.
Hermione really was clever; it didn't take long for her to come up with a plan with such a short amount of time. Harry doubted he would like her plan; he could hope he wouldn't partake too much when dealing with the man himself.
"
Severus heavily sat down by his desk. No, he still hadn't retired to his chambers to rest, his body felt so weary. Though the pain from the crucio curse came to an end, the aftermath of it wouldn't fade away immediately. His body had ached greatly everywhere all day and he had done his best to hide his pain from everyone. Yesterday he went for a meeting with the dark lord who was all but pleased to hear Severus had nothing new to report and thus the meeting ended up with Severus suffering the crucio curse.
Though he wanted nothing more than to rest he still had to teach potion lessons and reckoned he could rest after the lessons were finished but then he remembered he gave Potter detention the day before yesterday when the boy had talked back to him after he called miss Granger an insufferable "know-it-all", thus Severus had to wait even longer to get any rest. Severus assigned Potter to sort the potion ingredients on the shelves but after he noticed Potter did the sorting all wrong and he felt his body going into further agony, he lost his temper. With what he thought was the last of his remaining stamina, Severus lashed out on Potter by yelling at him for his wrongdoing and threw jars of ingredients at him from the shelfs.
Severus almost collapsed after Potter ran out from the dungeons, he sat down on the stone floor and took slow deep breaths. Severus` "pause" lasted longer than he intended, the dungeons had gotten darker and he felt cold. Severus needed to get off the floor lest he`d freeze even more thus feeling a bit better he tried to get up but that proved to be a challenge so in order to get towards something more comfortable, in this case to the chair by his desk, he had to crawl towards it like an animal.
Had anyone seen him like this, a colleague or a student especially, he then would never show himself ever again even if the attempt would kill him. The world wouldn't stop degrading him and there was no escape from it for Severus. Blast the Potter boy, blast the dark lord, blast it all!
Before Severus finally could set himself at ease after he got on his chair, someone knocked on the door.
"Enter!" Severus bellowed, cursing himself for not keeping his mouth shut.
This miserable day never seemed to end, when one occurrence ended, another one appeared. Hopefully Severus wouldn't have to get up when a female student opened the door and shut it, his stamina had reached its limit after he struggled getting to his chair. Looking at the female student approaching him, he couldn't believe it was miss Granger!
"What are you doing here?" Severus asked stoically, or as stoically he could manage. Despite feeling the way he felt, he had no energy left to express it.
"I need to ask you something, sir, and it can`t wait till tomorrow. I thought you might still be in the dungeons since it wasn't long ago Harry came back to the dormitory"
Severus sighed. The Potter boy probably told both her and Weasley about the incident that occurred, Merlin have mercy on her if she were to talk about it with him.
"Fine…just get it over with"
Granger stood there in front of him as she looked down and wriggled uneasily.
"Well… Before I ask you, I must apologize" She mumbled as she slowly raised her gaze and met his eyes.
Before Severus could ponder on what she was talking about, he noticed on the floor a shadow suddenly appeared behind him.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Before he could turn his head to see who it was, Severus` body stiffened and he fell towards the floor like a stone. Luckily, someone caught him and the fall didn't hurt him. He was placed face first on the floor.
"Blimey! The greasy git is heavier than I thought!"
Good gracious… The Weasley boy! Had Potter made his friends go to the dungeons to avenge him?
"Shush, Ron, he can still hear you!"
And of course, Potter himself was there too, the boy must have been the one who sneaked up behind him under his invisibility cloak. This trio was always up to something, what were they planning to do towards Severus?
"I told you to take off his robes before putting him down, Ron!"
So, this was the reason why Granger apologized in advance and distracted him. Did they plan to strip him down? Various emotions ran through Severus but the worst was the twinge of fear after he heard what Granger said. Memories of what Potter`s father did to him all these years ago appeared in his mind. Severus couldn't bare experiencing it again, especially not under these circumstances!
"It doesn't matter, I know a way to take care of this and it can be fixed afterwards"
Severus felt fingers fumble on his neck, gripping his collar and rip his robes open all the way down his back. Feeling his teared clothing get cleared to his sides but not taken off, it made Severus wonder why they wanted only his back exposed. Did they intend to flog him? Before Severus could think of more probabilities, he heard someone gasp. Most probably Granger by the sound of it.
"Bloody hell, look at those scars!"
That wasn't Granger`s voice, Weasley was the one to exclaim about the scars on his back. Not only did the dark lord provide for Severus and the other death eaters crucio when he was displeased, there were other ways for the dark lord to punish them. Sadly, some punishments left marks on them, both physical and mental, and Severus felt shameful he had no energy to prevent these three from paralysing him, rip his robes open and see his scars. Once again; what were they up to?!
Fingers ghosted over a scar in the middle of his shoulder blades. If he weren't under this curse, Severus would've shivered.
"Harry, give me the potion!"
The fingers felt soft and gentle, Severus practically knew they were Granger`s, but what was she talking about, what potion? Something wet and warm ran down his spine, this sensation reminded him of blood running down his spine back when the scar Granger touched was a fresh wound. The scent however was another, it calmed his senses. Hands rubbed this fluid all over his back, like the fingers, the hands felt soft and gentle, also comfortably warm.
"Are you going to rub it on him, Hermione? Isn`t it enough to empty the potion on his back and just let his skin suck it up?"
"No, Ron. The more I spread it around, the faster it will absorb into his skin"
"Good choice taking care of this from his behind, would hate to see his ugly face while you put the potion on him"
"Ron, Harry told you once; he can still hear you!"
Though the ability to hear was intact, Severus paid no attention to their bickering. No one had ever touched him like this, these gentle and comforting touches were new to Severus. Granger`s choice of using her mind to get through hard work had apparently kept her hands nice and smooth. Never had Severus thought it was possible for any potion to get through the skin, but of course little miss "know-it-all" had figured out that possibility. She must have been the one who made this potion, whatever this potion was it made Severus feel better. If Potter or Weasley had made it, they would risk getting expelled for ambushing and burning up their teacher`s flesh. But there was no burning feeling, the pain in the muscles all over his body was fading away. As for the rubbing and the kneading it felt good, very good!
Granger traced her hands down his sides, probably to get excess potion off, this time Severus managed to shiver and he closed his eyes. The hands on him withdrew quickly.
"Oh, the spell has worn off!"
"But why isn't he moving? You sure this potion was okay, Hermione?"
"Yes, Harry, I am! Professor Snape might be asleep but I`m not sure, I did feel him move though"
Something thin and hard prodded Severus` temple and it made him snap his eyes open.
"Stop poking me with your wand and get out of the dungeons, all of you!"
Whoever it was prodding him, it stopped right away. Severus heard no more talk, just hurried noises as the three ran out.
Severus remained on the floor; his robes still torn up. He wasn't in pain anymore and the spell Potter casted on him had indeed worn off, the reason why he hadn't gotten up was simply because he didn't want to get up. Though the floor was hard, cold and not at all comfortable to lie on, the tingly, yet ecstatic, sensation that went through his body warmed him and he wanted it to last for as long as possible. A sensation he can`t recall to have felt nor believing he would ever get to feel, he`d mostly felt agony in his life. The anger and humiliation Severus felt vanished through the tears he shed; tears he didn't bother to wipe away. The feeling of being completely at peace drastically was overwhelming! Severus didn't know what potion this was, perhaps he would ask Granger. If a potion could make pain vanish this easily, then he might get through life easier. For now, Severus chose to enjoy this feeling before having to get up lest he`d fall asleep on the floor and wake up with a new body ache.
"
Potions class the day after taking care of professor Snape was out of the ordinary. Harry expected he, Ron and Hermione would get detention from Snape and have house points deducted, but the potions master didn't give them any punishment nor did he mention yesterday`s incident! Also, everybody saw the man seemed happier and wasn't his grouchy self. Professor Snape didn't bully or say anything mean to anyone, he let Hermione answer a question he asked, complimented her correct answer and even gave points to Gryffindor for that instead of deducting! After class Harry noticed Neville looked happy instead of afraid, which probably must have been the first time! Professor Snape would never thank them personally, apart from him expressing a happiness that had probably been dormant for a long time, this was the best "thank you" they could receive.
Harry and Ron relaxed in the common room of Gryffindor and talked about the day and professor Snape.
"I don`t know for how long it will last, but I like it better when he`s not a git" Ron practically gloated.
"Yeah, I would like to ask Hermione about that. Where is she?" Harry said.
After a minute or two the door to the common room slammed open, not as vigorous when Harry did it, but loud enough to catch Harry and Ron`s full attention. Hermione entered with a disappointed look on her face.
"Hermione, what`s wrong?" Harry asked.
Hermione went towards them slowly without looking at them.
"I made a mistake..." she said and sat down between the boys.
Hearing it from her made Harry worry. Hermione was quite the perfectionist with everything she did and Harry had never heard about her faults because they never occurred. Ron put a hand on her shoulder.
"Think nothing of it, Hermione, everybody makes mistakes. Whatever it is, it can surely be sorted" Ron tried consoling Hermione but she remained distressed.
"No, I don`t want to do it all over again, I won`t use my time-turner to fix what I did. I can`t handle professor Snape again" Hermione cringed slightly.
This confused Harry.
"What are you talking about, Hermione? You saw professor Snape today, the potion worked!"
Hermione looked down, she looked embarrassed.
"I…. I forgot to add an ingredient in the potion…"
Harry and Ron exchanged confused glances towards each other.
"What does that mean, then?" Harry asked.
Hermione hesitantly looked up at Harry.
"It`s an essential ingredient; without it the potion has no effect!"
Though still distressed, Ron`s attempt to console Hermione worked better this time and she put her head on his shoulder. Harry was stunned in disbelief; he had no idea how to figure this out. Though Hermione`s mistake affected her negatively, everything else turned out great. But if the potion didn't affect professor Snape, how come he turned out the way he did?
I never thought I would write a Harry Potter fanfiction but I saw the movies with my brother this Christmas and it got to me this time, I also grew fond of Snape (and Alan Rickman) 3