A/N: From Ch 11 - Lorien gives Remus the article before they...um ...well, nevermind. Excerpt JAMWW volume 8 page 72 August, 1994 - 'to date the only confirmed means of transmitting the disorder is through the bite of a transformed lycanthrope.' Now you guys don't have to worry about Severus. *grins*

Hi Areai! Hello Hexed! Welcome Utena! G'day Zephyre! Thanks to everyone for all the enthusiastic comments! Jigglydot I left you a note at the registry. Just hello. Nothing exciting.

Snape looks at the woman sitting next to him and speaks in an offended manner. "Now you've left me in a bloody coma!"

"But you're not dead," Nytd points out cheerfully.

"Do I recover from the coma?" Snape asks her.

"Severus, I'd have to let you read the next chapter to find out."

Snape raises an eyebrow.

"No," she responds quickly. "Absolutely not. I already let...what are you doing?" Nytd feels fingers toying with her hair.

"I think you should let me read the next chapter," Snape replies in his silkiest voice, staring into the author's eyes.

"Stop that," Nytd says, not quite sounding like she means it.

"Perhaps you need a little more convincing," Snape replies, moving much closer.

"Severus, I don't think.."

Snape grabs Nytd and kisses her until she helplessly lets go of the mouse, and he casually reaches over and clicks on the next chapter.

Recovery ~*~

Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to the hospital ward later Saturday afternoon. They found Lorien sitting next to a still unconscious Snape where she had moved him to a hospital bed. She looked up when she heard the door close to see the three of them hesitating near the entrance.

"It's ok. You can come in for a few minutes," she said to them. Harry noted that she seemed to look a little more rested then last they had seen her.

"How is he?" he asked as they approached.

"Better." Lorien smiled at the young wizard's concern. " He's going to need a lot of rest, but he's improving."

"Has he been awake yet?" asked Ron.

"Not yet. It might be a while still." She smiled at them again. "So, you can see he's not much for stimulating conversation right now. Can you do me a favor? Would you gentlemen watch him for a moment? Hermione, can a have a word with you in my office?"

Hermione nodded and shot a panicked look at Harry and Ron as she followed the woman to the small room.

Lorien turned to the young witch. "Please, sit."

Hermione sat with the woman near her desk.

Lorien sighed. "Hermione, I'll come right out and ask. Did you see Professor Snape kiss me in the dungeon last night?"

Hermione nodded.

"I see. I thought so," Lorien said. "That's what you all went to tell Remus?"

Another nod.

"It's ok, Hermione." Lorien spoke kindly to the younger witch, trying to reassure her. " Did you think Professor Snape was hurting me?"

"I didn't know. I just saw him grab you so suddenly." Hermione still looked worried.

"Well, he wasn't. I don't think he'd ever do anything to hurt me, Hermione. He and I are friends," Lorien explained.

"Really?" Hermione found it difficult to picture being friends with the irritable professor.

"Last night was.... a bit of a misunderstanding, that's all," Lorien told the younger witch.

Hermione replied quietly. "Oh."

"And just so you don't have to worry, I already told Remus," said Lorien.

"You did?" Hermione sounded surprised.

"Yes."

"Was he mad? What did he say?" Hermione asked curiously.

"That, my dear is between Professor Lupin and myself," Lorien said with a smile, "but let's just say he was a bit perturbed."

Hermione was relieved that everything appeared to be back to normal, and smiled at Ron and Harry when she walked out of the office with Lorien. They only stayed for a few more minutes but decided that they would probably come back tomorrow.

Remus brought her something to eat after dinner when she hadn't shown up in the great hall.

"You're wonderful!" She dove into the plate of food.

"I wondered if you'd had a chance to eat," Remus said to her.

"No, and I didn't realize I was hungry till you put that it front of me," she replied.

"Anything yet?" he asked.

She shook her head since her mouth was full.

"He'll probably wake up soon?" Remus inquired.

She shrugged and continued to chew.

Remus continued his questions. "But he's out of immediate danger, right?"

Emphatic nod.

He smiled. "How about I stop asking questions until you've had a chance to eat?"

She smiled back and nodded again.

"Ok. I'll do the talking," said Remus. "Sirius told me more about what happened last night. Evidently there were three Death Eaters that set a trap for Severus and one of them stabbed him after they disarmed him and beat him."

Lorien frowned and continued to chew.

"They made the mistake of telling him of a raid planned on the Auror training facility on Halloween because they thought they were about to kill him."

"Really?" She took another bite.

"It gets better. One of the Death Eaters was an animagus, Lorien. Sirius swears he never saw the wizard use a wand. He nearly blasted Snape apart without one."

"Nemorosi? Severus told me about one." Her thoughts went to the story he had told her about Ursa. "It must be the same one."

"Sirius said he saw the man transform just before they escaped... into a huge serpent, Lorien."

Her eyes went wide and she nearly choked.

"Merlin's wand!.. Are you serious?.... Remus, the legend!" Lorien gagged out the words.

Remus shuddered visibly. "I know. I must admit it is a bit spooky."

"A bit spooky? This is terrible," Lorien said, sounding quite upset. " I must send an owl to Perth in the morning."

They sat together in silence for a few minutes. Finally Lorien spoke. "Remus, about today...I wanted to thank you again for what you did. I know it must have been unpleasant."

Remus sighed and then replied. "Lorien, I don't like the man, but that doesn't mean I want to see him dead."

She nodded, understanding what he meant.

Remus stood up. "I've got to see Albus. Sirius is coming with me to fill him in on everything that happened last night. We're going to have to get word to the Ministry."

"Ok. I'll see you later then." She kissed him and turned back to her patient as he left.

It was not long after that Lorien sat back down at the bedside with the newest issue of JAMWW. She was settling in for an evening's vigil, and had made herself comfortable in the chair. She started to search for an article that interested her and looked up once to check on Snape's breathing. She went back to the article she had chosen and began to read.

After half a page she looked up again and found that Severus was watching her. She smiled at him. "Well, good evening."

"Ben notan." His voice was very tired and weak.

"How do you feel?" she asked him.

"Like I was stepped on by a dragon," he said hoarsely.

"Good, it sounds like you're improving," she said jokingly.

"I was that bad?" he asked.

She shrugged. "It doesn't matter, you're on the mend now."

He looked around a little. "How long have I been out?"

"It's Saturday night," said Lorien.

"I see."

Lorien stood up. "I'll be right back." She went to the medical supplies and came back with two potion vials. "Since you're awake, I can get these into you."

"Two, huh?" He eyed the vials she held.

"Yes. The sooner you're better the sooner I'll stop pestering you, so let's get this over with," Lorien said sternly.

"Alright," Severus replied, thinking that Lorien sounded more like Poppy at the moment.

She helped him raise his head enough to drink the potions, first the clear pink vial, and then the red one. He knew the second one was for pain, but he asked about the first.

"It's for blood regeneration," she explained. "You definitely need it. As a matter of fact, you were bad enough to need an actual transfusion when you came in. Two units, but you're still very anemic."

"I see." Snape was starting to get the picture. "Who....?"

"Sirius and Remus," she replied.

There was a long moment of silence as he laid with his eyes closed contemplating this. He took a deep breath and his fingers gripped the edge of the bed until his knuckles were white. "Unexpected," was all that he said and after a moment he looked at her. "And will I need to now brew wolfsbane potion for myself as well?"

"No. I'm sure of it," she said confidently.

He released his grip on the blankets and gave a weak nod. He was getting tired, and the potions were going to work.

"Get some rest, Severus. I'll be here if you need me." She rested her hand on top of his as she watched him drift to sleep again.

Lorien rested in the hospital bed nearby, and got up on the hour to make sure everything was alright during the night. Dumbledore came to relieve her early in the morning, and she afforded herself the luxury of a shower and change of clothes.

"He was awake for a little last night," she told the headmaster before she left.

It wasn't long after the older wizard had sat down that Snape woke once again.

"Good morning, Severus." He gently grasped the younger wizard's hand.

"Albus." He squeezed the headmaster's hand back briefly.

Dumbledore smiled. "It's good to see you, my friend."

"And you," Snape replied sincerely.

Neither said anything for a long moment.

Finally Snape spoke. "How bad was it, Albus?"

"Lorien didn't tell you?" The headmaster sounded a little surprised.

Snape shook his head. "She skirted the issue."

"Well, it was rough. She had Sirius and Remus donating blood," Dumbledore informed him.

"I've heard," Snape replied stiffly.

"She even had Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter assisting her. They were most helpful, I assure you."

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Quite a team effort." Dumbledore was clearly stalling.

"Albus....how bad?" he insisted.

The headmaster became very serious. He held his hand up with a very tiny space between his thumb and forefinger. "Severus, we almost lost you. In fact we did lose you for a minute or two...." He hesitated for a moment , and his voice had a strained quality to it when he continued. "If it wasn't for Lorien...." He composed himself and related the events of the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Snape listened very carefully when the older man told him about the efforts of the witch and the phoenix, and nodded when he was finished. "It appears as though I owe my gratitude to a number of people, and my life to Mistress Lorien."

"Essentially," Dumbledore said.

When Lorien returned she could see that Dumbledore was speaking to Severus, who was apparently awake again.

"You're color looks better. How do you feel today?" she asked as she approached the bedside.

"Like I've been throttled by a troll," Snape answered her, a bit of sarcasm edging into his voice.

"Excellent. You're making more progress." She exchanged a smile with the headmaster. She held up two vials.

Snape managed to scowl at her.

"You're not getting out of it. Do you think you can sit up?" she asked.

He nodded but groaned as she and Dumbledore helped raise him and prop pillows up behind him. He reluctantly drank the potions she handed him.

The older wizard spoke. "I've been telling Severus about everything that happened yesterday."

She glanced at them briefly and then retreated to dispose of the empty vials, looking a little uncomfortable.

The door opened and Lupin walked in. He could see that Dumbledore and Lorien were standing next to Snape who was awake and sitting up. He walked over to stand next to Lorien.

"Severus. It's good to see you awake," Remus said politely.

Snape's black eyes met his gray ones. "I hear that you are part of the reason I am still here, Remus. I believe I owe you my sincere thanks."

"You're welcome. I was glad to do it after all you've done for me each month. Besides, you really owe Lorien the most thanks," Remus said, not flinching from the Potions master's stare.

Snape turned to look at Lorien. "I have heard," was all he said. She smiled a little but could feel her face flushing a bit.

Remus decided he didn't like the way Snape had looked at her. "She's quite an amazing witch, don't you think, Severus?" He slipped his arm around her shoulders casually as she laughed a little uncomfortably at all the fuss. She didn't see it, but Lupin noted the briefest narrowing of the other wizard's eyes.

"Quite," Snape replied, once again meeting Lupin's gaze. Lupin looked away but only to speak to the blonde witch. "Could I speak to you for a moment?"

She walked with him a short way across the room.

"How are you doing? Do you need anything?" he asked her.

"No. I'm fine, thanks," she replied

"How is Severus doing?" Remus glanced in the direction of the recovering mage briefly.

"Better. He'll be out of the hospital in no time," Lorien said.

"Good." Lupin's reply was perhaps a little more zealous than he'd intended. "I mean it's good that he's making such a quick recovery." He added quickly. "Well, I'm going to breakfast. Do you want to take a break and go?"

"Not just yet," she replied.

"Ok. Make sure you get a little rest too," Remus instructed her. "I'll see you later?"

"Yes." She smiled at him, but was surprised when he kissed her firmly before he left.

Snape watched the werewolf walk across the room to speak with Lorien, and his eyes narrowed again slightly as he saw him kiss her. He hadn't really heard what the headmaster had been saying.

"....arrange the class schedule."

Snape turned to look at him. "What?"

"I said that we're going to rearrange the class schedule. The other professors are holding some of their classes in your class time slots, and then you'll double up class sessions at the end of the week if you're better," Dumbledore explained.

"Fine."

Lorien came back to stand by the two wizards. "Headmaster, with all due respect."

"You're throwing me out?" He smiled.

"Yes. He needs rest." She smiled back at Dumbledore.

The headmaster agreed. "Very well. I'll return later."

Snape spoke up before he left. "Albus, what about the raid?"

Dumbledore's expression became more concerned. "I've sent word to Fudge already. I only hope I have convinced him that this isn't some wild rumor, and that he takes it seriously."

Snape nodded, and the headmaster left.

Lorien spoke first when the older wizard had left. "Severus, was the Nemorosi wizard the same one who killed Ursa?"

"Yes. His name is Ian Fincastle," Snape replied.

A note of faint recognition sounded in her mind. "Remus said he's an animagus. A serpent?"

"Yes." He saw the disturbed look on her face, but was surprised by the note of relief in her voice.

"I see," she said quietly.

"Why does that matter?" he asked.

She told him about the legend.

"Quite interesting," he replied. He saw her smiling to herself a little. "What?"

"For a long time I was worried that the legend might concern me." She went on to explain her struggle over the decision to become animagi, how Sirius had been helping her lately, and the progress she had been making.

Snape listened carefully but said nothing. They both became aware of the moment of awkward silence. His eyes went to hers and he spoke softly.

"Lorien, I believe I owe you a great deal of thanks," he began.

"Please, Severus, I was doing my job. Anyone in my position would have done the same." Lorien tried to wave it off.

"I'm not so sure," Snape replied. "Do you really think anyone would have fought as hard to save a Death Eater, former or otherwise? No, I believe that it's only because it was you that I am alive. I am in your debt, Remedari atora." He touched her hand, but only briefly. He didn't want to make her any more uncomfortable.

She spoke quietly but didn't look at him. "Perhaps you are right," she said. "I guess it's because I know you're worth saving."

He reached out and lifted her chin so her eyes met his. "Do you really believe that?"

She met his gaze. "Yes."

"Thank you," he said quietly and released her.

She changed the subject quickly. "Do you feel up to eating?"

"Yes," he said in earnest.

She sent for a house elf and asked him to fetch them breakfast.

Severus spoke again when the house elf left. "Do you know what I would like?"

She looked at him questioningly.

"To get out of this bed for a few minutes," he said.

"Do you think you're up to it?" she asked.

"If you'll help," he said, a bit reluctant to admit that he needed further assistance.

"Of course," she said. " Wait one minute."

She quickly moved a small table and two chairs near a sunny window and then returned to the bedside with a black dressing gown

He raised an eyebrow at her.

She smiled and shrugged. "I had the house elves bring it, as well as that." She indicated the gray nightshirt he was wearing.

He nodded realizing that she must have discarded the blood soaked robes and dressed him the way he was. She helped him to the edge of the bed and then placing her arm about him steadied him as he stood. He wavered for a moment and she held him until he was steady on his feet. She carefully let go and helped him into his dressing gown.

"That's better," She teased once he was clad again in black. "Can you make it to the window?"

He gauged the distance. "Yes. I think so."

She walked with him to the window and helped him into a chair, noting that he winced a little when he sat down. The house elf returned with enough food for five people and laid it out on the table. Lorien sat in the chair opposite and shared breakfast with the wizard., and they talked about the raid on Halloween and the study on lycanthropy she had read in her journal.

She knew he was tired when she helped him back to bed, since he leaned on her much more heavily. He was asleep again in no time.

A/N: *giggles about the Severus/Nytd thing* BTW - Rose in the Darkness is starting a new fic called the Start of Something New. She's just posted the first chapter and it involves our favorite professors, some of her own OFC's and she's borrowing Lorien once in a while for it later on. Check it out and let her know what you think.