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Alternate Routes 2

Albus Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. He'd just finished checking each charm, ward and protector in his rooms. All were in good shape; he'd just done his weekly check two days before. The one ward that had been cut had held against the intruder and heaven knows all the other protectors had certainly been noisy. The owls' flight attested to that.
He glanced at the couch. Snape was still deeply asleep, clinging to the pillow as if his life depended on it. He was twitching slightly and Dumbledore started to stand up when there was a knock at the door. Reseating himself he waved the door open.
A youngish man of thirty entered carrying a large bag over his shoulder. He had a ready smile and walked towards the desk briskly.
Good afternoon, Headmaster. I'm Dr. Jeffrey Barnes.
Professor Lupin said you were in needs of my services?
Well, not exactly you, but Professor Snape is ill? Barnes set down his bag and tossed his cloak on the coat rack before settling in a chair across from Dumbledore. The headmaster peered over his half-moon glasses in askance, causing Barnes to grin self-consciously.
I know, pretty young. I've been practicing four years
in Hogsmeade with my father, James Barnes, at the clinic.
Professor Lupin came in to ask for some help and seeing
how Hagrid and my dad know one another quite well he
listened to Lupin's request.
How does your father come to know Hagrid? the older man asked.
They share an interest in magical creatures. And the
occasional pint with Rosemerta, he leaned forward conspiratorially.
Although I must confess after all the things Hagrid's
dragged into the clinic after hours I never imagined it
would include a Hogwarts' professor!
You do have a human practice? Dumbledore asked quite seriously. The resulting laughter was infectious.
Well, of course! Some of your own staff may debate the
point, but Professor Snape has always struck me as human.
Now Dumbledore's features changed to a frosty visage and he sat up straight.
Oh, no, Headmaster! I meant no offense! Although he
rarely comes into town I can tell you most of the towns'
folk respect him. We remember how he helped our cause
during Voldemort's first uprising, although it was never
in the papers or official logs. There's always a table at
the Three Broomsticks tucked away from the curious,
although he may not fully realize that. We keep quiet.
Dumbledore tossed down his quill.
I gather everyone in the magical community knows some
of my staff apparently don't like Severus, he glanced at the sleeping man.
We used to think it was part of his cover; keep up the
image of the spy and all. But I've worried about him from
time to time. Rumor has it he's been unwell for awhile, Barnes held his eyes.
Dumbledore didn't blink.
I need to know how you personally feel about a
Death Eater, this one, to be precise.
The younger man steepled his fingers and considered his answer.
I was just a boy when Voldemort was on the rise; around
ten or twelve. There were many raids here, being a fully
magical community, with the Death Eaters and Aurors
battling each other. But then things began to change;
we were getting word of the raids before they happened
so we could protect ourselves. There was one in
particular that really stands out in my mind. It was the
first time my father let me know there was a spy, one
who was helping as best possible to overthrow the dark
regime. Dad had told me to stay in the clinic; there were
and are many protective wards and charms on the
building itself. He said Dumbledore himself was going
to be the bait for a huge trap that was set in town.
Something had gone a bit wrong; Snape had been there
with several other Death Eaters and the aurors weren't
exactly ready. If I recall correctly, Snape leapt in front of
you and took two full cruciatus curses at one time,
Dumbledore looked down at his hands,
Allowing me to take down one of the Death Eaters while
your uncle caught the other two.
Barnes smiled softly in remembering,
Snape was brought into the clinic; he was completely
run down and nearly died on us, he glanced over at the sleeping man.
Nasty habit of getting in harm's way. Suffice to say
I've always had a soft spot for Severus Snape. My
own childhood hero.
Dumbledore allowed himself to smile now,
Just don't let him hear you say that!!
Never. He doesn't take well to praise. At least from
what I've heard. I don't have the occasion to see him
very often, Barnes looked back at Dumbledore.
I think you pass muster, the older man said. He proceeded to fill the doctor in on everything he knew had happened over the past few weeks. Including the difficulty with their own school nurse.
I'm rather embarrassed about this, Dumbledore faltered,
I've known Poppy for years and I never suspected she'd be
capable of harming anyone.
Well, she really didn't hurt him outright, just kept him from
a restful sleep. It seems someone else has done the
actual harm, from nausea to flu like symptoms, he sat back,
as well as timed curses, which are difficult even for an
older, stronger wizard.
Barnes stood, picking up his bag, and made his way to the couch. Dumbledore followed, sitting nearby. The younger man looked down at the sleeping professor. He carefully peeled back the blankets and managed to dislodge the pillow.
I'll do a preliminary body scan, he said, see what I can
find.
Dumbledore looked up at him,
Need a chair? he asked, waving the lounge closer.
Yes, that will work just fine. Barnes settled himself on the lounge then gently levitated the Potions Master onto his lap, snugging his head under his chin. He leaned back slightly, arranging the sleeping man to his satisfaction then carefully ran his hand over Snape's back.
It was quiet. Dumbledore could hear Snape panting as he struggled against the intrusion, then his breath lengthen back out as Barnes calmed him. The doctor face tightened in concentration as the minutes passed.
The door opened, and Lupin slipped in sitting down on the couch to join the silent vigil. A true healer was fascinating to watch. They could practically crawl into the ill person's skin and check out every system much like a muggle's series of cat scans, x-rays, electrocardiograms and other diagnostic tools. There weren't many full healers in the magical community although Hogsmeade had always boasted of having one.
Now two, Dumbledore thought, watching the young doctor shift his patient slightly and begin checking his stomach and groin. With a final pass over his patient's lower back, Barnes leaned all the way back into the cushions taking Snape with him. The ill man looked comfortable sprawled over the healer who sat with eyes closed considering what he'd seen.
It's safe to say he's had his share of hexes. The
internal scarring is substantial, Barnes sighed.
Also, there are a couple still hanging around just
waiting for the right impetus to fully actualize.
He opened his eyes and looked at Lupin with a small smile. Then more seriously regarded the Headmaster.
You probably needn't worry about these last timed curses
coming from anyone here. One is a favorite among the
older Death Eaters; it leaves the affected wizard
powerless during a prolonged duel. It was probably
placed there when he left a gathering recently. This
overwhelming compulsion to sleep is older. Actually,
I recall one auror in particular who favored it while
tracking death eaters. It's probably been lying there
for awhile just waiting for the right set of circumstances
to come active.
Lupin looked at Barnes,
Which auror? he asked.
Well, Alastor Moody actually. I can't imagine how
Snape would come to be around him since he retired.
Dumbledore and Lupin both could imagine. Just last August in fact. Neither said anything to the Doctor about that.
Well, he was at the school however briefly last spring. He
could have hexed Snape then; he certainly has never
trusted him nor cared who knew about it, Dumbledore said.
Barnes shrugged as he ran a comforting hand up and down Snape's back causing him to snuggle down and sigh softly.
I'll remove these two with your help. Then after he's had a week to rest up I'll rescan him, he grinned sheepishly, if he'll let me.
Oh, I'm sure I'll be a perfect ass when you come back,
Snape said sleepily,
seeing that I hate being so open and defenseless. He curled into the warmth of Barnes' body.
Barnes' lip curved up in a small smile, mixed between delight and embarrassment,
Good afternoon, Professor Snape. I heard you've
been ill lately?
You're not talking to the right people, Barnes. I've
been ill for years. Perhaps since childhood, and his
characteristic sneer graced his visage, words rumbling from deep inside his chest.
Ah, I'm not talking about those mental deficits,
Professor, he chuckled, just the basic barf and faint
scenarios.
Bloody nuisances, groused the semi somnolent man, stretching a little. Barnes just continued to run a hand over his back getting him used to feeling the healer. Especially since scanning and expelling the curses would be extremely invasive. There had to be trust and acceptance from the ill person to make the healing work. Or being fully unconscious. Barnes preferred the former.
Quietly the doctor told Snape what he had found. Then he carefully outlined for everyone how he would go in and dismantle the curses. He needed Lupin and Dumbledore to be prepared to terminate the curse once it was dislodged.
I'm not so worried about the newer one; it's straight
forward and isn't entrenched. But the older one has
had time to take and begin to actualize. It'll need to
be contained then destroyed.
Both Lupin and Dumbledore nodded to show their understanding. Snape just sighed.
and I lay here like a lump of mud while you untangle my
innards.
Oh, no, Professor, said Barnes smiling, I expect you to
writhe and scream in pain and sweat like an over-exerted
race horse. At the very least!
He was rewarded with a low growl,
Oh, at the very least, Snape repeated. Shall I interject
hysterical pleading for my life whilst I'm at it?
Well, only if you really feel motivated to, Barnes said.
He sat up and looked to Lupin.
Lavatory first. I'd like a drink of water before we
start.
Lupin untangled the Potions Master and took him into the loo while Dumbledore poured out a glass of cold water. The young man sipped thoughtfully.
This may get a bit upsetting, especially the auror's
curse. Sometimes I don't know who's more cruel, the
oppressors or the saviors.
Curiosity peaked, the Headmaster cocked his head and asked,
You mean you think the aurors can be worse than
death eaters?
Barnes shrugged,
Just on face value, I have noticed the aurors' curses
can be nastier in effect. The death eaters can torture,
yes, but they also go for the kill. Some aurors toy with
them almost like a cat with a mouse before turning them
into the Ministry for official' questioning and trial. I know
the death eaters are evil, but some of the good' side are
more so, if that makes any sense.
Dumbledore weighed his words carefully,
As a healer you see the gross effects after the fact, so
you can judge based on hurt and pain inflicted. It makes
perfect sense to me. Also, here he paused to turn
his eyes away, I've known a couple aurors to go beyond
what is right, morally and ethically, seemingly just for the
pleasure of causing pain. So I agree with your observations.
They waited for the other two to return, Barnes sat on the edge of the lounge. When Snape returned he had his shirt removed.
Skin contact will make it much easier, Barnes explained. He motioned Snape to crawl onto his lap and lay across his torso so he could move his hands freely over the man's back and chest. Snape just closed his eyes without comment, although he was very uncomfortable being stroked and touched so intimately.
Dumbledore stifled a grin; the man would tolerate his touch most of the time. He'd allowed Lupin and Harry also to invade his clearly marked personal space when needed. This was rather amusing to see him twitch at the gentle touches of the healer.
But not for long. Barnes positioned the Headmaster and the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor on either side with wands drawn then began to enter into the cursed man's being. He carefully insinuated himself into the curse, detaching it in a sense, and threw it out into the open. He was aware of Snape clinging tightly to him in pain, breath ragged. Then he heard Lupin terminate the curse with a quick finitum incantatum'. That was easy.
Too Easy.
He let Snape's breathing slow, waited for the pain to become manageable for the man. He could feel the sweat roll off his body and soak into his robes. It was always like this, he reflected, the cursed person lost so much energy with the healing it was almost as bad as if the hex had fully formed.
Barnes then went down further, deep in the chest the second curse seemed to reside, already causing some problems. Now he had to be more careful, slipping under and muttering the counter charms he'd learned from his father. He was actually a little afraid of this one; once activated the curse was tenacious.
Unfortunately, Lupin was over-confident. The first curse had been simple to dispatch, especially after the doctor's cautious set-up. When the deep gray cloud roiled up he pointed his wand and was about to casually throw a finitum curse when it seemed to shake itself and thrust back inside Snape's body.
Lupin exclaimed, watching with horror as the Potions Master began writhing, every muscle taut in pain. But he did not scream out, did not beg as he had so sarcastically offered.
n't breath, Snape eked out. His skin started turning darker, mottled, as the air was forced out by the curse.
Barnes was not passive, not by a long shot. He dove back inside the man, riding out the jerking movements, systematically prying the curse off the lungs. Precious seconds slipped by and the frantic movement slowed, the body on top of him going limp. He tried a different charm, an expelling charm, and felt a cool flow of energy supplement his. Dumbledore had stepped forward and began to feed energy to the doctor.
With the boost to his system he flung out a modified expelleramus charm and felt the curse sail up and out once again. This time the DADA teacher was ready and had a containment spell half formed, sealing it quickly over the curse. Dumbledore straightened and threw a strong disenchantment charm and the two of them watched it shatter into a thousand pieces.
But Snape's battle was far from over. There was nothing left in either lung, they had been collapsed, and Barnes sealed his mouth with his own as his fingers pinched tightly over Snape's nose.
With a strong, steady pressure he forced air into the lungs, his free hand over the chest to monitor his success. He felt them inflate, then deflate as he pulled back to breath in himself.
Helpless, Dumbledore and Lupin watched as the healer breathed several deep breaths for their friend. Coughing and gasping, Snape took in air on his own, frantically grasping Barnes' robes as he pulled air into starved lungs. Long minutes passed as the man gasped, the doctor just held onto him helping him moderate the flow, calming him with quiet words and touches.
The two of them were soaked; although most of the sweat had literally poured off of Snape, Barnes' own turmoil added to the moisture. As the breeze played over their bodies Snape began shivering. Lupin shook himself and grabbed a blanket, tucking it carefully over the cold man.
Barnes began moving first, his hand rubbed gentle circles over Snape's back. Muscles loosened and unclenched as the body became used to itself again.
Oh damn, Snape managed, I forgot to scream.
You can't imagine how disappointed I am, Barnes sighed.
Dumbledore smiled, but Lupin rebuked him,
Severus, how the hell can you joke about it?
Snape carefully turned his head so he could see Lupin and sneered slightly at him
Beats dying, he retorted, especially that way, and he nestled back into the healer's arms seeking every bit of comfort he could find.