Disclaimer: See Part 1.
Part 13
"What in God's name was that?" Remus' voice echoed in the sudden silence and stillness of the dungeon corridor. Severus didn't answer. He looked to Dumbledore, black eyes as impossible as ever to read.
"Can you carry him, Severus?" Dumbledore asked. He received a barely perceivable nod and turned, heading back down the corridor toward Severus's rooms. Harry was scooped up into strong arms, and carried down the hall with no visible effort. Remus and Hermione followed quickly, eyes wide with fear.
Dumbledore had left the portal inside open and had moved through the main room and into Severus's bedchamber. He was turning down the green cotton sheets when they arrived. Severus deposited the unconscious man onto the bed and with Dumbledore's help removed his outer robe, shoes and glasses. They tucked him into the bed. Severus shared a look with the Headmaster before turning and leaving the room. Remus stepped cautiously forward. Harry was pale and sweaty and still seemed so small when he was tucked into the rather large oak bed.
"Albus, what is going on here? What's wrong with Harry?" he asked, tone desperate for answers. His eyes flickered from Harry to his former employer and back again.
"Now is not the time for explanations. Let us tend to him and all will be explained in good time." Severus returned a moment later with a bowl of water and a soft cloth. He set the bowl down and placed the cool wet cloth to Harry's face.
The unconscious face flinched at the contact before relaxing again.
"He's over sensitized and burning up from exertion and pain. Albus?" he looked up at the older wizard. "How is he with magically charmed objects?" Albus didn't respond, just reached for a spare pillow and spelled it cool. He barely touched the edge of the pillow to the sleeping boys hand. He moved into the contact and didn't scream. Albus smiled and replaced the pillow under his head.
"He's not in a coma is he?" Hermione asked from just inside the doorway. Severus turned hard eyes on her.
"No. He'd merely unconscious, from the pain and the exhaustion. He reacts to stimuli..." He answered shortly. Albus raised an eyebrow and frowned at his employee. Snape merely glared back.
"Now Severus, that isn't necessary. The poor girl really had no way of knowing..." he replied.
"Knowing WHAT?" Remus repeated for the fourth time.
"That performing magic of any kind directly on Harry's person is the equivalent of casting crucio ten fold." Severus answered. "More pain then any of us could ever imagine." he added. Hermione slumped against the stone wall and slid down to the floor. Tears streamed from here eyes, face going pale.
"I... I didn't know. I swear that I didn't know. I'd have never. If I had..." she rested her head in her folded arms, balancing them on her bent knees. She shook with fear and regret, crying into the thick material of her robes.
"Now, now dear girl... no permanent damage was done. Young Harry will make a full recovery with some rest and time off. It's getting late Professor Granger-Weasley. Maybe you should head on home and rest yourself." Hermione nodded dumbly at the suggestion and forced herself up to her feet again. She looked blankly down at Harry's face.
"I'll walk you, Hermione." Remus volunteered. He stood from his seat at Harry's side and helped Hermione from the room. He stopped at the entryway and looked from Harry to Albus one last time. "I'll be back." he said quietly. Albus nodded offering a small smile.
Severus waited until the outer door clicked shut before rounding on his friend. Dark-fierce eyes penetrated twinkling blue.
"Tell me, Albus. I want to hear all of it. Every last detail that you can remember." he said lowly.
Albus took a deep steadying breath and began.
Harry slept.
Tbc..
More. Soon. Been Sick. Isn't pretty. College SUCKS!
