The characters of HP do not belong to me.
Chapter 3
'Now that I know he is my son, what do I do?' Albus asked himself. A part of him wanted to run down to the dungeons and tell Severus, but he did not. Amidst his feelings, the rational part of him told him to think first, before acting on his impulses. Turning around, he headed back to his rooms where he could decide what course of action to take.
'I can't tell him! He is still distant and wary. He'll never accept me.' Albus argued to himself.
That night, he didn't sleep well, tossing and turning, his thoughts in turmoil. In the morning, he left his room tired but decided. He would keep this information to himself. Severus would be safe this way. Perhaps one day, when Severus has learnt to trust again, when they both knew each other better…
[14 yrs later]
Severus Snape was not in a good mood. The day had been disastrous; three exploding cauldrons and Longbottom managing to turn himself pink. Marking the second years' atrocious essays had left him in an even fouler mood.
'The day can't possibly get any worse' he muttered to himself as two first year Hufflepuffs leaped out of his way at the sight of his dark face. He hurried into his rooms and slammed the door shut. 'Perhaps a good read will calm me down' he thought. 'Shakespeare always works.'
As he reached towards his bookshelf, he felt his Dark Mark burning. 'I should take back my words, the day just got worse' he said grimly to himself. Contrary to rumors, he did not hate Harry Potter and Gryffindors, he merely disliked them. The only person he hated was Voldemort. Attending Death Eater meetings were not events he looked forward to…
Hurrying out the door, he grimaced at the thought of the next few hours. The previous night, their attack on a wizard family had failed; Voldemort would not be pleased…
(Several hours later)
Hagrid patrolled the grounds of the Dark Forest, waiting for Professor Snape to return from his meeting. The Professor sometimes returned in a bad shape, and Professor Dumbledore depended on Hagrid to help him back to the castle. Just then, he noticed a dark shape on the ground before him. It was Professor Snape, and he was in a bad shape. He was unconscious, and the snow around him was painted red by his blood.
Carefully picking up Severus, Hagrid quickly made his way to the infirmary. Although Severus often returned from his meetings injured. Hagrid had never seen him as bad as this…
Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey were waiting for them. As he laid Severus on the bed, Hagrid noticed Dumbledore turning pale upon taking in Severus' severe injuries.
'How is he?' Dumbledore asked.
'He was under the Cruciatus curse for quite some time and his injuries are quite bad, but they will heal.' Madam Pomprey answered examining him. 'Don't worry, he'll be…Oh my!'
'What is it?' Dumbledore cried.
'His wounds….they're healing on their own! Look, the open wounds are closing!'
'But that's impossible!' McGonagall exclaimed. 'No wizard can heal themselves! Isn't that right, Albus?'
'What's going on?' a voice interrupted their conversation. It was Severus. He was sitting up in bed, his wounds all fully healed.
'What is the last thing you remember, Severus?' Dumbledore asked.
'He put us through the Cruciatus curse for our failure. I must have blacked out because the next thing I knew, I woke up on the ground alone. I apparated here and I guess I fainted again.' Severus answered. 'What were you talking about?'
'Your wounds healed by themselves.' Madam Pomfrey told him.
'That's ridiculous! Self healing is impossible!' Severus protested.
'No. There have been cases of wizards healing themselves before. Perhaps if you would step in my office Severus...' Dumbledore trailed off.
A confused and frightened Severus followed the headmaster, leaving behind three equally confused colleagues. All of them, wondering at Severus' abnormal healing powers…