Chapter 14

As Hermione was drifting off to sleep, confusing thoughts swirling through her head, Harry was waking up from his disturbed sleep. He glanced around, blearily, and his eyes fell on Snape.

Harry sat up silently and felt around in the semi-darkness and put on his glasses. The room came sharply into focus. The only light was coming from a solitary candle. Harry looked at Snape curiously.

Why was Snape sitting next to his bed? The only people that had done that before were the Weasleys, Hermione, Dumbledore and Sirius. They had only been there out of concern. Was Snape concerned about him? Was Snape capable of being concerned about anybody? It was not a characteristic that he was very well know for, in fact Harry couldn't recall a time when he had ever seen his professor be anything but cold, calculating and cynical. Harry shook his head, trying to make some sense of the thoughts swimming around.

He was still half asleep and trying to remember the traumatic events of the previous day gave him a headache. He had vague, half formed ideas about what had been happening, but it made no sense. He seemed to be remembering things that could only have happened when he was dead. But had he been dead? Or had he simply dreamt it?

Harry was beginning to think he was going mad. When he began to recollect that he had been crying in Snapes' arms, he knew that he had lost it. He must be in St. Mungos. That is the only explanation for the clinical look to the room. Then his eyes fell on Snape again and all the memories inundated him.

As Harry began to process what had actually been happening to him, his gaze never left Snapes sleeping form. What was he still doing here?

As if Snape had heard the unvoiced question, he stirred and looked directly into Harry's eyes. Harry drew in his breath sharply as he saw the pain in the usually empty tunnels of black. A moment later all emotion had died and Snape was sitting up in his seat.

'Why are you awake Potter? You need to get some rest.' His voice was its usual silky self, but without the biting tone that it usually contained. The disdain that usually resided in his eyes as he looked at Harry was also gone.

'Sorry sir, I just woke up then. I haven't been sleeping well for ages, I mean, I hadn't been before.'

'Yes, I understand. If you would like I will go and get you some Dreamless sleep potion.'

'Would you sir? Thanks heaps.'

'Just a moment P.Harry.'

When Snape returned, Harry was curled up in a little ball with tears streaking his face.

'Professor? Did all those people really care that much?'

'Harry, this isn't the right time to be discussing this. Wait until you have had a good sleep, then we will talk.'

'But did they?' Harry pressed.

'Yes they did. Now do as you are told for once in your life Potter and go to sleep.'

'Yes sir.'

After Snape was sure Harry had drunk all of his potion and was sound asleep he left the infirmary.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Harry awoke to hear muffled voices. He listened intently to try and discern what they were saying.

'Dumbledore said that we shouldn't be here until he or Harry asks for us.'

'I know that Hermione, d'ya have to go around stating the bloody obvious?'

'Well if it's so "bloody obvious" then why are we here disturbing him?'

'We aren't disturbing him, he isn't awake which is a miracle with your high screeching. For your information Dumbledore doesn't know everything about everything. He hasn't even spoken to Harry from what we know, so how would he know what's best for him?'

'Screeching, screeching?'

'Yes you're doing it now.'

'Dumbledore is the headmaster, he does know what is right for Harry.'

'Just because he is the headmaster, you automatically think he is a saint. He is HUMAN Hermione. That means he can be wrong. Not often, mind you, but he can be. Not to mention the fact that he is unmistakably barmy.'

'Shut it you two. How the hell does Potter manage to keep himself sane hanging around the two of you. I thought I had it tough with Crabbe and Goyle, but at least they know how to keep quiet.' 'Yes it is hard. I was almost free of it forever and then bloody Snape goes and adds his two pence worth,' said Harry, sitting up suddenly.

He grinned around at them. 'So what have I missed. Are you two shagging yet? Why are we so chummy with Malfoy all of a sudden?'

'Harry!'

'Nuh really, jeez I was wondering who I was. Oh and by the way I'm not deaf so there is absolutely no need for you to scream my name at me.'

The three stood for a moment, staring at him warily. Ron and Hermione had experienced first hand what he was like when he was sarcastic. It wasn't often but it was often enough. Draco gaped open mouthed.

'You sounded like Snape, for a minute there Potter.'

Harry shuddered and Ron looked scandalised. No one noticed Hermione's face blanch for a moment before she bent to give Harry a tentative hug.

'How are you?'

'Well I am extremely cheesed off at Snape for bringing me back, but from what I have seen you guys just couldn't live without me.' Harry grinned wickedly.

A voice sounded from the door. 'Well it took you a while but I am glad you finally figured it out Potter.'

'Hello Professor,' said Harry warily. He hadn't forgotten that he had spent the past few days either yelling or crying in Snape's presence.

'Good evening Harry.'

'Har. er I mean, sorry sir.'

'That's fine Weasley, now it is almost time for your curfew so if you three wouldn't mind, I would like to have a word with Har, Mr Potter.'

'Yes sir, bye Harry'

'Bye Potter.'

'See ya Harry.'

'Now Harry, how are you feeling?'

'A bit sick sir, but I think I will be fine. How long have I been asleep?'

'Two days, I gave you an extremely strong dose.'

'Asleep for two days and I am still tired?'

'You have been through a traumatic experience Harry. I am actually surprised that you are awake at all. I want you to go back to sleep now.'

'Can I have some more sleeping potion?'

'Sorry Harry. I can't give you anymore. You have had a very strong dose and it is very strong and can become addictive. Like a muggle narcotic.'

'Yes, sir.' Harry paused for a minute, unable to phrase his next question. 'Sir, I er well.'

'Yes Harry?'

'Could you stayherewithmeincaseIgetnightmares?' Harry stumbled his words out shyly.

'Of course. Oh and Dumbledore wants to see you tomorrow if you feel up to it.'

'Yes sir, can Sirius and Re.Professor Lupin come as well?'

'If you aren't tired out by speaking with the Headmaster, we will see. Now go to sleep Potter.'

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Snape awoke from his uncomfortable position in the plastic infirmary chair with a start. He reflected wryly that even though this was the largest magical institution in the whole of Britain, they still used plastic muggle chairs.

He looked around in the dark, trying to determine what exactly it was that had woken him up. A whimper was emitting from the shaking lump under the blankets on the bed in front of him.

He sat up and leant over the quivering form. Amidst the incomprehensible muttering he could discern a few words.

'Sorry.mum.no.I.failure.mean to.anyone.Cedric.Volde- no.don't.kill, stop.not his.my fault.'

Snape leapt 20 feet in the air before windmilling his arms in a most undignified fashion in an attempt to keep his balance as Harry sat up screaming.

He was still asleep, but his eyes were open and staring. He started twitching and jerking. His eyes rolled back into his head and his erratic twitching changed to violent shuddering. His head tossed uncontrollably from side to as he continued screaming.

As Snape bent over him to try and control his violent thrashing about, Madam Pomfrey ran in, her hair poking out from a hair net and a faded, pink dressing gown flapping open to reveal a pink cotton nightie.

Snape shuddered and turned his attention back to Harry. *Pink* he thought disgustedly *you'd think the woman would have more taste than that.* The realisation that this thought was quite untimely crossed his mind briefly before he returned his attention to the boy in front of him.

He had broken out in a violent sweat but was freezing to touch. Suddenly the screaming stopped and Harry sat up once again, still asleep.

He sat as if listening to something before he collapsed screaming 'No, Professor, he knows, don't go back.'

Harry awoke sweating and shaking 'Professor, I.'

'Don't talk Harry it was just a nightmare.'

'No it wasn't.I can sometimes see him, talking. In real conversations.are you a spy sir?'

'That is none of your business Potter.' Snapes voice hard.

'But sir, he, Voldemort said that he knows about a spy, I thought he said your name.he said.he said that you were.'

'Were what Harry?'

'It doesn't matter, look if you are the spy the you cant go back, he was talking to Wormtail, he said that he would have a surprise waiting for the traitor and that Nagini could have what was left of his body.'

'PROFESSOR SNAPE this boy needs rest. Look at him he is cold and shaking. You can talk later.'

'No Poppy, this is important. Potter, what were you going to say before? What was the other thing?'

'It doesn't matter Professor, it was personal.'

'Very well Harry. I shall go and inform the Headmaster. Good-night Poppy.'