Disclaimer: See Part 1.
Part 16
Time seemed to pass quickly. Harry spent most of his free time with Severus down in the bowels of Hogwarts researching and experimenting. The problems that arose were disheartening, not to mention discouraging, yet neither was willing to give up hope. The entire school seemed weary of Harry now. None of the teachers had spilled the information, but the truth was still there in the rumors that had been flying for the last three months. Most people had agreed that the strange scream the entire school had heard was the their resident DADA teacher.
Harry had slowly come back around to Ron and Hermione. They still didn't talk often and weren't on the best of terms with each other sometimes, but they could occupy the same room without fighting. It was an improvement.
It was just before Christmas that Severus had developed the necessary potions needed to repair the damaged flesh of Harry's hip. The first was a modified version of a cream Poppy used in the infirmary, that closed wounds. It guaranteed the rejuvenation of muscle, tendon, nerves and skin. A one shot cure-all that they had been working on for months. The second would be used first and its use would be the hard part.
They had to get rid of the scar tissue first. This meant a very powerful process of removing the scarred and damage tissue so that the wound could be healed properly. It would be very *very* painful. Harry was kind of nervous about the promised pain he was volunteering to put himself through. In the end they agreed to try it during the Christmas holiday. The school would be nearly empty for over a week for winter break.
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Remus came for the holiday. Harry had only seen him once since the incident in September. Christmas was falling on a Monday this year so Remus arrived on Saturday to spend a few days with him. When Harry had told him the situation, Remus had hugged him reassuringly and told him that he really didn't mind ending his holiday visit short if it meant Harry would get better. So, Harry had spent all of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day talking and visiting with his friend.
But now... now it was Tuesday morning and Harry was making his way from his quarters, down the short hallway to Severus'. Even with all of the encouragement of Albus, Remus, and Hermione (who was willing to help, Ron walked away to avoid and argument each time the topic was brought up) Harry was still feeling very nervous as he entered Severus Snape's private quarters.
"Where do you want me?" he asked quietly. Severus sat at his desk looking rather intently at a pile of parchments. It was a read out of every step and ingredient that had gone into the two necessary potions. They had been compiled with a helpful charm that Filius had written especially for him, years ago. Severus was sure that every Potions Master in the Wizarding world would kill for the charm. It was his little secret with the charms professor. A few muttered words in Latin and he knew every minute detail of the potions conception from times, to the directions of each stirring, and the freshness of ingredients. It was one of Flitwick's more useful charms.
"Oh, Harry," Severus looked up from the paper and raised an eyebrow. "Sit down, chew on some crackers and have a little warm tea. You look nauseated. Sip don't gulp." Harry moved to comply. He took a cracker into his mouth and then swallowed it half-chewed. It caught in his throat and caused him to cough and gag a little. "Calm down, choking yourself to death won't help either of us get through this any easier!" Harry sipped his tea, clearing his throat to clear the small blockage. He sat on the sofa and nibbled on the edge of a second cracker. The tray had been sitting and waiting for him on the small end table. He chewed slowly.
"You knew I'd be nervous." he stated quietly. Severus didn't bother looking up to answer.
"Of course, Professor Potter. You've been fidgety and wild-eyed every time the topic has been mentioned since we set the time and place three weeks ago." came the sarcastic yet calm reply. Harry smiled into his tea and reached for a third cracker. They really were settling his nerves.
Ten minutes and four saltines later, Severus stood up from his desk and looked at Harry expectantly. Harry raised an eyebrow and swallowed thickly.
"Everything in order?" he asked.
"Yes, it would appear so. Everything done by hand. No spells cast to stir, chop, clean, or preserve anything. I'm ready when you are Mr. Potter."
"Professor Potter..." Harry grumbled finishing his cup of tea and standing as well. He watched in trepidation as Severus walked to the cabinet and removed two clearly marked potions bottles. Severus gave him a significant look and moved to the back bedroom. Harry followed closely behind. Severus was charming the bed cool and rearranging the covers. Harry looked at him questioningly.
"Calm down. The healing process will take a lot out of your inner magic. You will be in a great deal of pain and more than likely spike a considerable fever in the process." he explained. Harry nodded and stepped further into the room. He took off his outer robe and began to get undressed.
This had to work, it just had too.
Tbc.
