Title: When Harry Left Severus
rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.
Chapter 21 Transitions
by: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Daniel Murphy and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
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Harry woke with the same headache he went to sleep with, throbbing behind his left eye. He supposed that should be a relief since it used to always throb right behind his scar. Variety was the spice of life and all. He hadn't mentioned it to Dr. Barnes or his Godfather.
The pain had given him something to focus on, kept him from thinking about Vachel. He pushed up, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Now it just hurt.
Good morning, Harry. Have some tea? Bill Weasley said brightly. Harry irritably considered the fact all the Weasleys were bright first thing in the morning. He pressed the heel of his hand against his eye.
Bill asked as he set his cup down and moved toward the bed.
Headache. Had it last night but I thought it'd go away, Harry admitted.
Dr. Barnes left some pain potions. Remember he said that
you would get headaches as you worked through your
regained memories, the elder Weasley reminded the wizard. He plucked a packet from the dresser and brought it to Harry, dumping it into a glass of water was poured from the carafe on the bedside table.
What is that? Harry asked suspiciously. He took the packet and read the ingredients.
I recognize most of this, but what's ibuprofen?
I don't know. I used a packet the day before yesterday.
I went for a walk with Severus and Remus and developed a
headache after trudging through those halls, Bill shivered at the memory.
How was Severus? Harry asked suddenly. He accepted the foaming glass and sniffed.
Stiff. Tired. But Remus still made him walk down to the
staff lounge. McGonagall and Hooch were there... Bill was interrupted.
Why was he out if he were so tired? Harry pressed.
I think he's been having problems with nightmares.
Something about the potions not working or he was breaking
through them. So Dr. James felt he should get some light
exercise, Bill explained. Drink it Harry, it won't bite!
With a glare worthy of the Potions Master he drained the cup in one long pull. Blinking in surprise his gaze softened.
Wow, that tasted good! Harry exclaimed.
Yeah. Smells bland but it tastes like an orange squash, Bill agreed. Harry shook his head slightly.
Headache's gone, again the surprise.
Well, Dr. Jeffrey uses some different blends than Pomfrey
does. Plus he and his father keep current. I always felt
that Poppy is a bit of a traditionalist. Use the potions that
always work, Bill observed. Harry stood and stretched.
Is it breakfast time? Harry asked glancing at the window.
Yep. Get ready and you can walk me down, Bill said with a slight shudder.
The Great Hall had been quiet. Most of the students had trained home earlier in the week and the few still here were assisting various professors clean rooms for the summer holiday. Dumbledore had been conspicuously absent but Harry decided even the Headmaster had the right to sleep in sometimes.
Harry was a bit disheartened to see Jeffrey Barnes enter the hall with a strange witch at his side. He'd had a difficult session with the young Healer the day previous, the big contributing factor of his headache. Barnes had pushed him to discuss his feelings about Vachel. Hard. But he kept stifling any attempt to discuss the young man's feeling about Snape.
It's Dr. Mir! Bill said happily. He waved at the witch and received and answering wave and smile.
She's my therapist. She's been helping me deal with the
cave-in, Weasley explained to Harry. The two Healers sat
down across from them.
Good morning, Jeffrey said brightly. He received a less than enthusiastic response from his patient.
Hullo Bill! I see you're doing much better, Mir said warmly. Then she turned to his companion.
A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter, the witch extended her hand and shook his.
Good morning. Dr. Mir? Harry responded.
Yes, Antonia Mir. Jeffrey thought you and I might talk, she said with a disarming smile. Harry felt curious.
he glanced at Jeffrey.
Harry, you and I aren't doing very well as doctor and
patient. I thought you might feel better with a different
therapist, Jeffrey explained.
*Yes, much better,* thought Harry.
I suppose, he said aloud, trying to be indifferent.
After you've finished perhaps we can take a walk. I've
heard something about a giant squid from Bill, Mir offered.
The squid? Harry glanced at Bill wondering how their conversations about a cave-in ever extended to the squid.
Sure, it might even be out.
Dumbledore was not actually sleeping in; he was inspecting the owlery. Filch needed to clean it out now that the student owls were gone for the summer. He thought he'd go check a few classrooms next. Maybe the astronomy tower, too. Yes, he could easily keep busy most of the day.
He told himself he was not hiding, not avoiding Barnes and Black. Especially not trying to keep out of Harry Potter's sight.
Never. Albus Dumbledore did not hide!
Although he did believe in judicious retreats. Hence the unscheduled tour of the castle. Snape was in good hands at the moment; Dr. James was due to visit. He scratched the head of a sleepy barn owl before moving out the door. Onto the next tower!
Snape was still shaky from his morning wake-up when the three men finally untangled and went into the washroom. He had more help than he could possibly desire in the bath, though, and wondered how his companions managed showering without hurting themselves. He'd taken the tub but that didn't exclude him from the washing .
He'd been shaky; now he was thoroughly boneless. Lupin and Black tucked him into robes and guided him out to the breakfast table under the watchful eye of Dr. James. He noted his patient seemed weaker than the day before. Dobby poured out tea and passed cups around.
You look quite... relaxed, Severus. Did you sleep well? the Healer asked pointedly as tea passed over Black's lips. The resultant spew across the table delighted him. The Potions Master gave Barnes a big, happy smile.
The Healer's mouth dropped. Snape looked like the cat who'd been into the cream.
Barnes faintly prompted.
I slept very well, Dr. James. And the wake-up was quite
invigorating, Snape said, tooling his face back into the impassive mask they'd seen since he'd learned about his home. Although a slight flush spread on his cheeks.
Although I think the bath was a bit over-blown, he concluded as he sipped his tea.
Lupin spewed.
You demonstrated the ability to swallow earlier, Snape drawled. A delighted sneer graced his face as all three of his companions blushed.
You are so, so, Black sputtered.
So Severus, Barnes concluded with a grin. He patted Snape's shoulder.
Good to see the humor coming back.
Breakfast came up. The Healer kept a close eye on Snape, not liking the fine tremor that had reappeared. He glanced several times at Black and Lupin, but both wizards studiously avoided his eye. Soon they were engaged in hot cereal and fruit, toast and bacon, omelets and danish.
Ah, I enjoy Dobby's creativity, Black sighed as he sampled an omelet filled with a variety of sautéed veggies.
He is a wonderful cook, Lupin agreed. He looked over at Snape as he was stifling a yawn. Perhaps they'd gone a little overboard. He once more avoided Barnes' piercing gaze.
Need a nap? Black teased a bit uneasily. He was rewarded with a glare from the Healer (which he ignored best he could) and a sneer from Snape.
I am going to read. Not nap. R-E-A-D, Snape replied haughtily. He pushed up started towards the lounge. A stumble had the Healer at his side immediately. He helped the Potions Master lie down and began scanning him.
I'm fine, Dr. James. I'm just tired, the Potions Master murmured.
I can see that Severus. Your body is quite worn out, Barnes looked questioningly at his patient.
I, uh, I... Snape fumbled for the words. Barnes knelt down on the rug close to his patient so that the couldn't hear them.
You had a dream? Barnes asked suspiciously.
No, woke up hard and Siri and Remus took care of it, Snape blushed furiously.
I thought you were sleeping in Albus' bed, the Healer pressed.
I was. Albus got up early for some reason. When I woke
up I was in their bed, Snape confessed. Barnes quickly pieced together events and realized his patient's exhaustion had nothing to do with Snape's choices.
So they were just being the Healer smiled gently, stopping the inquisition. He accio'd his satchel and poke inside selecting several potions. Snape watched as these were combined in a mug.
They love me. Me! Snape whispered with a slight unbelieving tremor in his voice.
Yes, Remus and Siri love you very much. They just need to
slow down and let you gain back your strength, the Healer replied kindly. Soon Barnes slipped his arm under his patient and helped him sit up.
I thought I was off the anti-depressants, Snape muttered eyeing the cup suspiciously.
Yes, you are. This is sunlast and some strengthening
potions. You need a bit of a boost, Dr. James said holding the cup to the wizard's lips. The tell-tale smell of a rainy spring day wafted up and Snape inhaled deeply.
Always smells wonderful, he said then began to sip the potion. Barnes encouraged him to finish the entire brew. It tasted good, too, and Snape's tongue darted out to clean his lips.
Now I think you will nap instead of read Severus, the Healer said as his patient blinked sleepily. Setting the cup aside Barnes carefully lowered Snape, pulling up a warm blanket. He placed his hand on Snape's forehead.
Barnes whispered the charm and watch as the Potions Master slipped into sleep. Then he stood up to take care of two distinct problems. He turned and faced Lupin and Black.
Gentlemen? We need to talk, Dr. James growled soft and deadly at the two cowering wizards.