Chapter Seventeen

Severus, are you okay? Val questioned gently as she bent over him and pried his hands off of his face to inspect the damage. His nose was broken, blood gushing down despite his efforts to staunch the bleeding.

Val reached down and ripped a length of material off the ruffle of her petticoat, then pressed it wordlessly to the wound, applying pressure to the makeshift bandage. Snape grunted with pain at the contact. My hero, she said jokingly, and he groaned in reply.

Let's get you up to the infirmary. Poppy needs to fix that nose before you bleed all over the hallway. She helped Severus to stand and took him by the arm, ignoring his protests that he could get there without any help. You helped me tonight, now let me return the favor.

A few minutes later he was settled comfortably in a hospital bed with Poppy hovering nearby, fussing over his nose as she applied the healing charms to the injury. Professor Dumbledore entered the room and approached Val. Severus watched them converse in low tones, noticing that Val gestured in his direction during certain points of the conversation. They moved towards him together and he caught the end of their conference.

Yes, I agree. A staff meeting first thing in the morning is in order, my dear. And I'll make sure your cousins are in attendance so that you only have to relate your story once more. Albus turned to Severus and addressed him. I'm proud of your actions tonight, Severus. You prevented me from having to hire a new Charms professor in the middle of the term. Now get some rest, and we'll see you in the morning.

Albus winked at Val and she blushed at the subtle humor in his words. She sank into the chair next to his bed and they sat in silence as the Headmaster left them alone in the room.

Severus studied Val's face as she stared at the door in contemplation, as if she expected it to suddenly open. She turned her head to speak to him, and it was then that he noticed the long red scratch running down her right cheek. Without thinking he reached out and gently ran his fingers over the mark, caressing her soft skin.

You should let Poppy heal that, he murmured quietly as he pulled his hand away.

I didn't want her attention until she had finished taking care of you, she replied softly, smiling at his unusual display of concern.

It was nothing serious. I've had broken noses before, he said, feeling awkward because of her closeness to him. She ran her index finger lightly over the ridge of his nose.

Good as new, she whispered softly before planting a kiss on his cheek and rising from her seat. She took a few steps toward the door before turning. Thank you for the rescue, Severus. Good night.

After she was gone he raised a hand to touch the spot where her lips had been a moment before. She kissed me' he thought to himself and his features contorted, forming into a genuine smile for the first time in years. Closing his eyes and relaxing into the pillow, Snape dozed off to sleep. Tomorrow he would see her again, and he'd also receive an explanation for what had happened earlier, the attack in the corridor. What did Voldemort want with Hogwart's newest professor?