Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter-verse, even the apprenticeship thing isn't mine; I first read it in The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Jacquez. The story is really good, so I strongly suggest you go read it: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=687280

Chapter 4: Answers Never Come Easy, Part II

"Poppy?" I searched as I entered the Hospital wing.

"Here, Severus, quickly." She called from the corner of the bright room. As I approached, pain filled moans and the rattling of a bed being tossed around in met my ears. I quickened my pace and Poppy met me halfway.

"Here," she reached out for the potions, "I need to prepare them." I gave her the bottles and continued over to Potter. The sounds I had heard were indeed coming from him. He was thrashing around in his bed and looked to be in pain.

"Potter?" I asked gently as I approached trying to calm him, but he was in a fitful sleep. "Potter, wake up." I ordered stiffly. He hadn't seemed to hear me. "Potter." I bid, moving over closer to him, but there was no response save for the continued moaning and thrashing. Poppy came over to the other side of the bed, mumbling to herself and obviously pre-occupied. 'Can't even handle a simple night mare, Poppy?'

"Ennervate." Potter's eyes snapped open and he let out a horrible scream, lurched up into a sitting position and since I was closest, grabbed the front of my robes.

"Help! Profes- please! You- you must- Arahh!" He cried, his face terrified but eyes unseeing, as he smashed himself back down against the bed and started writhing.

"Severus, quickly, hold him down." I nodded and held down his shoulders; he cried against my force and continued struggling.

"Apertus Rostrum." Potter's mouth jerked open and Poppy poured the potions down his throat. He struggled for a moment longer before becoming silent and limp.

"What-?"

"I don't know Severus," she shook her head, "it must have something to do with the poison… did you find an antidote?" She looked up at me hopefully.

"As much as I would have loved to do your job for you, there is no antidote-"

"but-"

"because," I continued, annoyed by the interruption, "it is not a poison, that much I gathered from the formula before being," I glared at her, "interrupted. Tell me, you do know where to get potions, yes? And you also know their names, correct? And you have a budget I assume?" I asked acridly. She looked a little ashamed at first then looked up at me indignantly.

"Well, I don't usually have to treat people during the summer. It's two months for heaven's sake, go somewhere!" She replied bitterly.

"Poppy, I believe it is the motto of a group of young muggle boys, 'always be prepared.' If they can master that theorem, I'm sure you could as well, with a little effort that is." She glared at me before ushering me out as only she could.

As I walked through the dim halls to my chambers, I kept seeing Potter's face dance in front of my eyes. 'Damn child, even when he's unconscious he annoys the hell out of me', I thought, though it was lacking much of its usual edge. I just couldn't be angry with the child while he was desperately asking for help in my mind. This had me worried. 'Am I growing soft?' ~Why shouldn't you? I took care of Voldemort. You don't have to pretend anymore.~ Potter was now not only in my eyes but in my head, again. 'I told you not to invade my head, Potter!' ~Then don't let me… humph, couldn't do it, could you?~ 'Go. A. Way.' ~Umm, no.~ 'What? arr… fine! Just be quiet!' ~You're right, you have gone soft.~ 'I told you to shut up!' ~Scared of the truth? You shouldn't be. Why be the greasy git anymore? You don't have too.~ 'Because that is who I am, Potter! Now. Sod. Off.' ~You're wrong. You are a bastard now, but you weren't always one.~ 'Then why change.' ~Why not change? You said it yourself. You're getting soft. So why fight it?~ 'There are reasons I can not become soft, Potter.' ~Not good ones. You are no longer a spy, so no need to act like one. Guilt? To keep your self from having happiness you don't deserve? If so you're being selfish. I'm sure everyone would appreciate the nice you a lot more then the callous you.~ 'If I throw a stick, would you finally go away?' ~Well, since you asked so nicely, I'll just leave you with this. Trust opens doors. See you soon.~ 'Idiot.'

"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." I ordered the painting of a giant pink and yellow bunny guarding my chambers, a gift from Albus of course. I felt a pang of sadness as I looked at the picture. 'Albus… you never found out…I- he's alive, Albus, alive.' I allowed my self to remember the great wizard for a moment before banishing those thoughts and entering my rooms. 'This is no time to grieve.' I sat down at my desk and tried to get to work on the next year's lesson plans, but it was futile, and I soon zoned out. I saw Albus and Potter in a never-ending field. There were flowers and lush green grass, but it was too bright. So bright that when I tried to approach, I caught fire. The field started drifting away then, up wards, too high for me to reach. The ground slipped beneath my feet and I fell, still aflame.

"No!" I woke with a start, the dream was easy enough to understand, but I wouldn't let it happen. 'No, for Albus' sake I will make sure the annoying prat lives. That's what he wanted, so that's what will happen.' I seized the little leather book from its resting place and opened it to the last page. 'If there isn't an antidote, then maybe there is a way to reverse the effects, or maybe if I could find out what it did…' I hurriedly started making notes and cross-referencing, again. And so I wasted another six hours hunched over that bloody book, with, again, no results.

"Damn you, Potter. Why couldn't you have just told me what it was?" I muttered angrily, before realizing what I had said. 'Why not go ask him?' I checked my watch, 'the potion should have worn off by now. I suppose it wouldn't hurt just to go check. I can't take any more of this pointless time wasting.' On that thought I left my chambers, again, and walked up all those stairs, again. 'And people wonder why I'm so thin.' I snorted as I finished climbing up to the Hospital Wing. I pushed the door open and glided silently to Potter's bed. I waited a meter away from his still figure to be sure he was awake. He was. In the dim strips of moonlight I could tell his eyes were open. He was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling. I was about to approach him when he asked calmly,

"Sir?" I approached. "Even the slightest sound is a scream in here. So…" 'Does no one have the mental capacity to finish sentences?'

"Finish your sentence, Potter." I ordered quite patiently. He glanced indifferently at me for the first time since I had approached before setting his eyes on the ceiling again. "And please look at me when I'm talking to you, though I'm sure the ceiling is quite fascinating."

"You'd be surprised." He mused to himself then rolled his head to face me. "I was wondering why you were here, Sir."

"I need to know what happened." I said very calmly, but he still blanched at my words and turned back to the ceiling. "I must know if I am to help you, Potter. Look at me, child!" He turned and responded matter-of-factly.

"I don't need your help." I scoffed.

"You certainly didn't think so yesterday when you were pleading for it." I said a little too smugly causing him to flinch and once again stare off at the ceiling. Obviously he wasn't pleased with himself for appearing weak, but it was a little late for that. I tried softer, "I need to know." Nothing. 'If not one way…' "Just tell me so I can leave, Potter! Now, what happened?" Annoyed by the lack of response, I decided to say the phrase that had been repeating itself over and over in my head. "Trust opens doors." That did it. He whipped his head around to stare at me accusingly.

"How did- who told-" He appeared furious, but his voice portrayed hurt confusion.

"That is personal," I paused, "but if I were to tell you, to confide in you, then would you return that trust?" 'Confide in Potter? I must be going mad.' He closed his eyes in defeat and whispered,

"It was the last thing that Remus told me before leaving… how?" 'Here we go… this is going to sound crazy.'

"Yesterday, while you were unconscious… I heard" 'Bloody hell, this is embarrassing!' My tone turned slightly sour and I hurried my pace, "you talk to me. Well more like pestered me as you always do." He turned back to the ceiling. 'Not the right thing to say Snape! Damn it you'll never gain his trust this way! Be… nice' I cringed inwardly at the word. "You were trying to- convince me of something. I finally got you to- erm, I finally understood what you meant, and before leaving the last thing you said was, that trust opens doors." I sighed, 'there I said it.' I looked over to the boy; he looked unphased by my peculiar experience. This surprised me at first, but then I accepted I'd jus be hearing about it later. I supposed he must've been thinking the whole time of his own story, 'how like him.' "Your turn." I ordered, though staying gentle. He opened his eyes tiredly and took a deep breath, but didn't say anything. He just opened and closed his mouth as if trying to find the right words. After a few seconds he sighed sharply,

"South-East corner of my room, 6 stones up, 2 right, tap twice with any of my possessions, pass word: cowardice," 'interesting,' "ask for…" he hesitated, and looked me over tentatively, "ask for 'action and consequence." Once finished he turned his head to face away from me. He was done talking, and so was I. I had what I came for… I hoped.

"Thank you." I whispered as the wing door swung silently shut behind me.

AN: Okay! Boring and Short Chap, Part 2 over and done! I tried to keep this chap interesting… even if the plot was working against me… did I succeed? This chap was also a little longer then the last, but still pretty short… but rest assured the next one will make up for it! *grins evilly* Speaking of that, its going to take awhile for the next one cause much to my dismay I'll be busy the next week and won't have much time to write : P hopefully it'll be worth the wait! ^_^ Reviews always make my day! And they make me work much faster, especially if they included threats ^ ^ So go ahead, tell me what you think! … please? … Or I'll send my flock of flying platypi after you!

Thanks for Reviewing!:

LagacyLady: Aww! You're so nice! Thank you! There will definitely be more to await next chap! I can't wait to start! *is giddy* Severus nailed to a "T"? Really? *grins and blushes* Hope you liked this chap! Your review really got me finally going on it! ^_^

Lady FoxFire: Erm… I just said that Remus was away, it didn't fit the moment to add anymore detail, but if I can I'll add his exact status later on ^_^ As for who poisoned, Harry? … No one *smiles innocently*

Saavik: Ooo! Really?! *pats Mr.Happy affectionetly* "I gotta get me one a dees!" I'll try to get into desperate Harry more in the chap after next, you're right he does sound fun! As for Ron… *smiled wickedly and rubes hands together* I'm sure I can cook something up…

Prophetess Of Hearts: Bingo!

Pinkmoon: No need to be sorry! None at all! No, no! Master Pinkmoon needs not be sorry to Sevrin! Sevrin likes Master Pinkmoon! Sevrin was just kidding! Sevrin is sorry if she caused any anxiety! *shakes head and turns from house elf back to human* er, sorry about that -_-() … here you are! *points up at chap*

Kelzery: Thank you very very very very (ha, 4x) much! Hopefullt you'll know what is going on soon!

Mistress Cresacre: You do! Yay! You'll find out soon!

Wink At J00: Glad you agree! I never like it when the story is handed to me on a silver platter, so hopefully you'll have fun speculating for a while (not too much longer I hope, though ^ ^) Yay more stories by Wink At J00! Always a good thing!! WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? TO ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? That's so amazing! I'm speechless! … but luckily I'm typing this! Thank you!!! That's so cool! You're so cool! Yay!!! *is very very giddy! So decides to bounce off walls*

"freaking awesome"! wow! *lands* That's just what Sev's wondering now to! You'll know soon! Please update soon yourself and so will I! ^_^ THANK YOU FOR THE AWESOME REVIEW!!! As thanks I will order my flock of flying platypi to protect you from evil flamers! (Not that's you'd get any flames mind you, so they'll basically just be hanging around, if you want to stick them on a slow author, though, you can do that too*grins*)

Zardiphillian Beryllix: Wow! You review all three instead of just the last! Thanks! That's so considerate! Here's more!

Sasina: Really? On your faves list! Yay! Thanks! Voldie and Peeves, hun? I think I'd better get to work…As for Snape, you hit the nail on the head… is that how it goes? Suddenly I'm getting doubts… *shrugs* oh well! Thanks! I'll try to find time this week to read one of your fics *cringes* I'm going to be so busy… but I'll try!

You said my grammar sucks, could you be more specific so I can fix it or improve or something? Thanks ^_^

Otonopaz: I'm glad! Here ya go!