CHAPTER 2

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A slow beep of the heart monitor could be heard from outside a private room where Severus was treated. Dumbledore sat outside the room waiting for Poppy. He couldn't tell how glad he was when he heard that sound. That was mean there was still a hope for him to survive. Minerva was on his side, kept assuring him that Severus would be alright. Harry was here earlier, but Minerva had sent him to the dormitory. All students have been ordered to stay inside their dormitory. While for Order members, Albus already told them to wait in his office. After checking Severus, he would went for the meeting.

Poppy emerged from the private room. Exhaustion riddled on her face.

"How is he, Poppy?" Dumbledore asked immediately, his voice was trembling.

Poppy looked up to Albus with sad eyes. "He's stable now, I managed to save him in time" she replied with tight voice.

Albus let a sigh of relief but he sensed 'a but' there. "But?"

Poppy bit her lip and continued, "But his heart may not be strong like before. The dagger pierced directly to his heart. The dagger was cursed with dark magic, Albus. If it was the normal dagger, his heart wouldn't be weak like this. "

Dumbledore falling backwards into his chair, he wasn't prepared for those words. He stared on the floor silently. He was the reason that caused Severus' injuries.

Minerva gasped. "Does it permanent?" asked Minerva, with a hope that was just for a temporary. Dumbledore was suddenly glad Minerva was there, because he found it difficult to speak.

"I'm not sure. Only time will tell" replied Poppy sadly.

"Is there anything else?" asked Dumbledore, once he found his voice again. Poppy silent for a moment, then shook her head.

Dumbledore walked in to the private room, followed by Poppy and Minerva. Severus laying motionless on the hospital bed. Minerva quickly get to Severus' right side. "Oh Severus", She put her hand on Severus' forehead.

Albus stood on Severus' left side. He couldn't hold back the tears that slid silently down his cheeks for the younger wizard. Gently, he laid a hand on the man's cheek. 'Why didn't you do it Severus', thought Albus.

"I've cast a charm to alert me if he wakes. He may wake up in 1 - 2 days but please do not make him stress. Otherwise, it may effect his heart", explained Poppy.

Albus nodded understanding. Then, Poppy leave them be and walked to her office.

Poppy entered her office, sat at one of her chairs and started to cry. Tears falling down freely from her cheek. There was something that she refused to tell Albus.

-flashback-

Poppy was able to stop Severus' bleeding. She muttering healing magic to his heart to strengthen his heartbeat. After a moment Severus opened his eyes caught a breath.

"Calm down Severus. Breathe slowly. Yes..good keep going", Poppy assured his patient. Severus calm a bit and his breathing was stable. He was half conscious.

She bent over him again, cast diagnosis charm on him to search other injury and she frowned when she detect there was a curse in his body, probably a dark magic. She didn't have any experience dark magic but she can detect it. She need to ask Albus about this. Then, she opened his bloodied shirt to change into hospital pajamas. Then, she found his right shoulder . She scan again at that area. Yes, this was the curse. This curse was trapped in his shoulder. She wonder if he was the one who trapped the curse so that it doesn't spread.

She took a sleeping potion, opened it. Just as she wanted to pour into Severus' mouth, a hand stopped her.

"Severus", she whispered. Severus was wide awake now.

"Please.. don't tell Albus", hoarsed Severus.

Poppy was confused. Then, Severus gesture his hand to his right shoulder.

"I took the curse from him. Don't tell him.. Promise me..." Then he lost consciousness.

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Just as Albus and Minerva walked out of hospital wing, they saw Arthur and Remus waiting for him.

"How is he?" asked Arthur, concerned.

"Poppy said he's stable now" it was Minerva who answered. Arthur and Remus breathed a sigh of relief. They noticed unpleasant mood in Dumbledore's face.

"I thought I asked all of you wait for me in the office", said Dumbledore bitterly.

"I'm sorry Albus, we have to guard you until you arrive at the office. Moody's order", Remus replied gave an apologetic look. Since the attempt of murder, the Order strengthen their guard in the castle.

Albus sighed but continued walking. "You should guard the students, not me. The students are more important" snapped Dumbledore.

Remus and Arthur glanced each other, refused to comment further. They surprised at Dumbledore's mood. The Headmaster always calm in handling problems. They wondered if Severus was the one who make Dumbledore like this. Minerva always said that both of them were like father and son. If Dumbledore love Severus like his own son then, he must be very upset.

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Harry entered the common room. His friends were waiting for him. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny and the rest his gryffindor friends.

"Harry!" called Ron and Hermione, worried was shown at their face. Harry went to them and sat at the sofa with a miserable expression on his face.

"What happened, Harry?, asked Hermione worried.

"Yeah, we heard that Malfoy was trying to kill Dumbledore" said Ron, there was a anger in his eyes.

"Malfoy couldn't do it. Dumbledore kept offering him help, but he refused. The death eaters intruded the castle. I knew it!!Malfoy was the one who brought them to the castle", yelled Harry with anger.

"Snape must have been helping him", said Seamus in disgusted.

"Have Snape been caught?", asked Dean Thomas.

"I hope the greasy great rotten in Azkaban", said Parvati Patil.

"Stop it!!" shouted Harry. Everyone in the common room turned to him, stunned.

"Snape wasn't what we thought. No, he didn't get caught, because he wasn't true death eater. I was wrong about him". ranted Harry as he took a deep breath.

"Snape help us, after he came up, he stupefied Greyback, Then, I came out from my hiding place and hex Malfoy. I didn't see what really happened, when I defeated Malfoy, I saw Bellatrix was throwing a dagger towards Dumbledore , but Snape cover him, the dagger stabbed Snape instead", explained Harry.

"Oh my god" Hermione put her hand to her mouth. Even Ron gave a wide eyes"

"Then, how's is he?" asked shocked Hermione.

"Dumbledore already dismissed me before Madam Pomfrey finished with Snape", said Harry with a disappointed look.

"Well, I never thought Snape was so brave", said Ron.

Hermione slapped him at his arm. "What!" asked confused Ron.

"He's brave man even before that. He's been spying for us. That's makes him braver than the others", snapped Hermione.

Ron just rolled his eyes.

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TBC

Sorry, I don't have time to cross-check, will do once I have time.

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