7. Cures and recuperation
Severus' eyes were fixed on the boy beside him, as he dripped Nutrient Potion and Wiggenweld into his open mouth. It was frightening, him bending over Harry in the dark but then again, Severus did do many suspicious things. Severus watches as he tipped one vial, two vials, into the boy's throat. Severus was also thinking of what Molly yelled at him about; he never cared for anyone. That wasn't true! Severus HAD cared for Lily, but now that he thought about it, it was more like an obsessive love...and obviously Lily didn't return his affections...but Severus WAS caring for someone now, something he would've thought impossible just a few weeks ago. Without warning something wet fell onto Harry's bed-Severus' own tear. More fell onto the bed. Severus was just thankful that no one was coming in, as he collapsed on the bed...It was all Severus' fault; HE should've taken the curse and blocked it instead, he was stronger, and his mind would fight off the after effects; the whole wizarding WORLD would be devastated if they lost their hero. Would anyone care for him? Many names came to Severus' mind, including a voice that said he had to get over this silly notion, because the curse would've hit someone either way-no matter if it WAS him or Harry. Severus still couldn't shake off the sadness, though.
"Severus? Are you sure you're not coming to lunch? We're having chicken stew." Molly knew that was Severus' favorite on the few days when he had a good appetite, but the man didn't seem interested. "For the LAST time, no." Severus grumbled, heading back into Harry's room. What he saw made him gasp; He was awake?
Not ENTIRELY awake, Severus thought later. He was grabbing in the dark, probably feeling around for the person that had disturbed his silence. Impatient, Severus turned on the lights, making Harry shut his eyes so tightly that they seemed to disappear from his face. "S-Severus? What are you doing here? And where am I?
"Had you been more observant you would've noticed that it is already summer and you are at Grimmauld Place." Severus drawled. "Oh great, can you cut back on that snark? Just say 'we're at Grimmauld Place.' I COULD do without the comments about my observantness since I woke up from a COMA?" Harry grumbled. "And also, I didn't remember anything besides being locked in a cage with a giant lizard, so what was that about?" "You were trapped in your mind and your body did not have enough energy to wake you up." Severus stated matter-of-factly, as if talking about bad weather. "If it had not been my Nutrient Potions you would most likely be in a permanent coma." Severus said with just a hint of pride. Without warning Harry pulled Severus close and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug- literally. "POTTER!" Severus barked, pulling gingerly out of the hug. "You still haven't learnt to control your emotions? Perhaps you know not to hug someone whose bones have recently been broken?" Severus snarled, his arm hugging his chest where his ribs still aren't fully healed. "Uhh...sorry...but why didn't you tell me earlier?" Harry asked, still groggy, but Severus was gone.
"Harry's awake! THANK YOU SO MUCH SEVERUS!" Molly Weasley screamed, pulling Ron, Hermione, and Severus into another bone-crushing hug, which included some accidental levitation, much grunts of pain, and a furious Severus. "There is no need to thank anyone. Getting overemotional in your age, Molly?" Severus snapped. Ron looked ready to argue, but Severus silenced him with a swift glare and slunk back to his room.
"HARRY!" Harry was woken by a scream the next day. "Hermione! What did I miss when I was...taking a nap?" Harry joked, overjoyed at seeing his friends again. "Not much. Snape did play the hero for the second time and roll down stairs to save you from a blasting curse, if you don't remember. He's still grumpy about it because everyone keeps hugging him when his bones are broken." Ron sniggered, which made Harry laugh and Hermione roll her eyes. That is, until an angry voice shouted from downstairs: "I heard that! It was necessary, Weasley! Or Potter wouldn't be here!" "Snape. Does he have spidey senses?" Harry wondered. "Probably from years of teaching us 'dunderheads.' " Harry grumbled. That sent the golden trio into raucous giggles, because this was the first time they had been feeling happy for weeks.
The next week things got steadily better. Harry finally ventured outside his room and Grimmauld Place; He, Harry, Ron and Hermione took to exploring outside with Severus as a raven; he was tired of either being in the dungeons or in Grimmauld Place, too. It was fun to watch Severus dodge skirmishes with little girls when they tried to catch him; apparently, a silver-crested raven shouldn't exist. "Muggles. They get scared at the slightest disturbance." Severus snapped, causing Hermione to wince angrily. But the four of them were able to finally enjoy the sunlight- All was well. Or so they thought.