Title – The Price We Pay 5/12

Rating – PG-13/T

Disclaimer – I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling. I just have the honor of using her creations in my story. No slash, sex or profanity.

Summary – Snape heals and The Minister of Magic pays a visit.

A/N – Thanks again to all my reviewers out there, you really make my days! I thought I would save you some tissues with this chapter, it's still got angst, but it's also quite light-hearted if I may say so myself! All reviews, suggestions, corrections and questions are welcome! Read and enjoy!

The Price We Pay

Chapter 4

Over the next seven days Dumbledore and the staff slowly settled into a schedule that revolved around Snape. Dumbledore of course was at the head of the recovery effort, spending most of his time in the Hospital Wing, tending to Snape with his usual amounts of infinite patience and love. When he was forced to leave for an extended period of time one of the staff would gladly take his place. It often worked out that the staff would be called in the afternoon and Dumbledore would tend to Snape in the mornings and nights. They were more than eager to help in any way they could, volunteering their free time to sit in the Infirmary with Snape and keep him company, doing their part to help him heal.

McGonagall came the most often, when she was not busy with her transition to Headmistress, sitting and stroking Snape's hair, talking about the exams the students would finally be taking next week. Hagrid, despite his great size was very gentle with the easily frightened Snape and would tell him about anything and everything happening in Hogwarts. Celene Sinistra, named Head of Slytherin after Snape's disappearance, spoke about the latest news from his House and relayed the numerous well wishes from his students. Other professors would come with similar tales of the students or would simply sit quietly next to Snape, letting the mostly unresponsive wizard know he was not alone as he struggled to connect with reality.

After Snape's breakthrough his recovery slowed down and became more difficult, testing the patience and emotions of everyone who spent any time with him. It was hard for everyone to see a human being reduced to such a helpless and disoriented state; especially someone they all knew, even if they had disliked the man at times. His memories were slowly returning, sometimes suddenly and unexpectedly, at other times it took great conscious effort for Snape to remember his own name. One day he would remember the ratio of asphodel to wormwood in the Draught of Living Death, the next day he would remember his birthday. While the recovery of memories was a good sign Snape's mind was healing on its own, the memories themselves often left Snape confused and exhausted. He did not recognize anyone except Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey and cowered away from strange sounds or situations. This tendency to hide from the unknown proved to be a challenge to the staff, but soft voices and slow movements worked wonders in gaining enough of Snape's trust so they could provide comfort without him hiding or ignoring them. It was like tending to an abused pet, one who had been cruelly betrayed by humanity and in desperate need of simple love and care.

Depression was another thing they had to worry about. Snape would have serious mood swings, from cooperative and aware, to sullen and depressed. He would sometimes start crying for no reason at all or start laughing at the silliest things. Pomfrey attributed these wild changes in mood to the massive overdoses of mind-altering potions forced upon Snape during his captivity. She was reluctant to give him any potions to reverse these affects, saying they could do more harm to his sensitive mind. So Dumbledore used gentle hugs and smiles to calm Snape through the worst of his episodes and panic attacks.

Snape slept most of the time, letting his tortured body heal and regain its strength. The cuts, bruises and whip marks faded away almost immediately; unfortunately leaving scarring in some places too deep to be healed with magic. Pomfrey had healed his eyesight soon after his awakening, though he was still sensitive to bright light and would frequently bury his head into his blankets to avoid it. The rest of the external injuries took longer to heal, but eventually Pomfrey removed all the bandages and cut back the number of healing potions. Snape was still very thin and pale, and could not move on his own, relying on the strong arms of others or levitation spells.

He also could not use his hands; Pomfrey had judged they should remain bound and immobile for at least two more weeks. A hint of the old Severus emerged the first time Dumbledore tried to feed him; he looked irritably at the Headmaster with a small sneer and refused to open his mouth. With a patient smile, Dumbledore waited until Snape's stomach rumbled and the younger wizard gifted him with a sorely missed glare, before reluctantly opening his mouth and submitting to being fed by the smiling Headmaster.

But the hardest part of Snape's recovery was simply talking and interacting with others. Talking involved forming complete thoughts and words and Snape just did not have the energy or the will to do either. 8 months of silence and darkness had driven the need to speak with others almost completely from his mind. When he could find the energy to talk in his still hoarse voice it was only to Dumbledore and even then it was only a few words at a time with frequent pauses between words. The staff was encouraged with even those few words; at least Snape was aware he could speak and even if he did not speak to them, he would whisper whatever he wanted to say to the Headmaster or Pomfrey, and they would relay it to them.

The last of the injured students had been released by Pomfrey a few days earlier and the only occupants of the blissfully quiet Hospital Wing were Snape and Dumbledore. Now that the wing was empty Snape had been moved out of the private room to a bed in a nice corner, where he could adapt to light and open places. The Headmaster even had his own bed next to Snape's, as Pomfrey was tired of finding him asleep in hard chairs. Eight days after rescuing Snape Dumbledore was in the Hospital Wing, as usual, tending to a decidedly stubborn patient.

- & -

"Now Severus you know Poppy told you that your body is still weak and vulnerable to other illnesses, you must keep warm."

"I'm…not…wearing…those."

"Why not? They are quite warm and comfortable child. I'm not asking you to walk into the Great Hall during lunch with them on. Just over to the window."

"I…don't…care. Someone…could…see."

"No one else is here Severus." Dumbledore argued, "Your feet will thank you if you just put them on."

Snape frowned and curled into a ball under the blankets to hide his legs. Dumbledore sighed and grabbed the pair of enchanted bright yellow bunny slippers before they could hop out of the hospital wing. Snape was being particularly difficult today, and though Dumbledore was heartened to see more of the old Snape appear it was becoming very frustrating.

It had started with Snape refusing to eat the special soft cereal the house elves had created to help him gain weight, claiming it was "boring" and would only eat it after Dumbledore had properly sweetened it with cream and berries. Then came the refusal to take any more of the potions Pomfrey demanded he take to finalize the healing processes. Only after Dumbledore soothed him through another crying episode did Snape reluctantly agree to drink his daily potions. Now he was refusing to get out of bed and stretch neglected muscles. Wanting to avoid another episode Dumbledore compromised and said,

"Wear them to the window and I will charm them for you so they look different."

There was no reply but Snape peeked his head out from the cocoon of blankets and glanced from the slippers to Dumbledore's honest face. He did not realize Dumbledore could charm the slippers right there and decided that complying with the request now was easier than fighting it any further. Snape slowly emerged and let the Headmaster slide the slippers on. A heating charm immediately warmed his cold feet and he glared at the cheerful yellow bunnies before giving a small smile of thanks to the older wizard.

"See, that wasn't so bad. Let me help you up, there we go." Dumbledore slipped a dressing robe over rumpled sleep clothes and slid an arm around a too slender waist. Carefully, they worked their way over to an enlarged plush chair next to a window that overlooked the school grounds. They settled comfortably in the chair and Snape lifted his head to stare pointedly at his slippers. When Dumbledore failed to notice, he reached up and tugged on the long beard. The older wizard looked over at his friend and smiled slyly.

"Ah yes, I did say I would change them didn't I?" With a wave of his wand Dumbledore charmed the slippers from bright yellow to black, ignoring the glare Snape was still giving him. "What? They are black now aren't they?"

"Still…bunnies…Albus. Change…them…too."

"I happen to like bunnies Severus and those black bunnies seem to like you."

Snape frowned unhappily at his feet, staring at the black rabbits adorning the slippers and finally shrugged. He could not change them and if Albus liked them he guessed he could learn to like them too. In fact, as he continued to stare at them he felt his unhappiness fade away and wiggled his feet experimentally. The bunny on his left foot wiggled its ears in response and Snape smiled at the slipper's antics.

Smiling himself at Snape's pleased reaction, Dumbledore reached over and retrieved the Daily Prophet from a nearby table. Since it was Sunday there was a larger edition than usual, with a whole section devoted to the trials of captured Death Eaters. He began to read certain articles to Snape, quickly deciding to skip that particular section of the paper, and only reading aloud the parts that would not upset the wizard nestled next to him.

His mouth stopped when he came to an article detailing the continued hunt for escaped Death Eaters Bellatrix and Rabastan Lestrange. They were the only two to escape the final battle and were proving to be very hard to catch. The pair had been seen last in Muggle London, but rumours placed them in various cities like Paris and New York. They were reported as being obsessed with revenge for the death of their Lord and crazy enough to do anything necessary to accomplish that goal. Suppressing a sigh, Dumbledore knew he would have to organize sufficient protection for Harry and his friends once they left the castle, as well as members of the Order and their families. The Lestranges were not to be taken lightly and everyone who played a part in the war would have to be protected. Another light tug on his beard made him look down into Snape's worried eyes.

"You…stopped. Something…wrong?" Snape managed and tried to lean forward to look at the paper. Dumbledore nimbly moved the paper out of Snape's reach and sight and replied,

"No, nothing's wrong. I was just pondering today's horoscope. Let's take a look at yours."

With his short attention span, Snape was now sufficiently distracted and drowsed as Dumbledore continued to read. The Headmaster kept speaking but his mind was going over the different spells and wards necessary to defend key people from homicidal Death Eaters. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that when a hand touched his shoulder he jerked in surprise, startling Snape into full awareness as well.

"Sorry for disturbing you Albus," Came the voice of Professor McGonagall, "but several owls arrived for you during lunch that need your immediate attention. I'll watch over Severus for awhile."

Both occupants of the chair looked up at the witch, who merely smiled and used her wand to transfigure a glass into a comfortable chair next to theirs. Dumbledore eased himself out of the chair, mindful of not bumping Snape's still healing body, and tucked the blankets around the squirming wizard; unhappy now that he had lost his warm Headmaster pillow.

"I'll be right back Severus. Sit here with Minerva and she'll take care of you. Remember Minerva? She came yesterday." Dumbledore said and watched as Snape blinked a few times before nodding at them, showing he recognized McGonagall. The Headmaster shared a pleased look with her and knew Snape was in good hands as hurried out to take care of whatever needed his attention.

McGonagall smiled at Snape and pulled a book out of her robes. Black eyes watched her curiously as she held it up and said,

"I brought a book today Severus. It's about potions; one of your first year Slytherins loaned it to me. Would you like me to read some of it to you to help you remember?"

"I…thought…you…teach," Snape's brow furrowed as he struggled to remember the word, "trans-transfiguration, not…potions."

"I do, but let me read a little to you anyway."

She opened the book and began to read in a calm, lilting voice that soon lulled Snape back to sleep. McGonagall stared at her younger colleague, curled peacefully in his chair, looking so young and her maternal instincts suddenly flared to life. She wanted to sit with the hurt wizard and comfort him, but knew he was only truly comfortable with Dumbledore and would probably panic if she touched him for too long. The witch satisfied her urges by scooting her chair closer and started to brush the black hair that was not as greasy or lank as it used to be. Footsteps outside the Infirmary alerted her to someone's presence and McGonagall looked up expecting to see Dumbledore return. When the doors flew open with a bang, she was surprised to see Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge stomp into the room with two Aurors right behind him. A very angry Minister of Magic.

"WHERE IS DUMBLEDORE!"

- & -

For the thousandth time Dumbledore wished apparation was allowed within the walls of Hogwarts, then trips through the castle would not take so much precious time. He sped around a corner, nearly knocking over a student in his haste and loosed his wand in his sleeve as he approached the doors of the Hospital Wing.

When told by Sinistra that an irate looking Minister Fudge was looking for him, Dumbledore frowned and wondered what the Minister could possibly want now. There had been a letter from Fudge sitting on his desk, but he had burned it without a second thought. Only a few hours after the end of the final battle he had kindly asked Fudge to stay away from Hogwarts and its students until things calmed down and injuries, physical and emotional had time to heal. Well, maybe not exactly kindly. Dumbledore recalled using the words unforgivable and pus filled boils when telling Fudge to keep out. The Ministry had no right to disturb his students, many of whom were still grieving for friends and family slain in the war. He had fought Fudge for the privacy and sanity of his children, keeping the Ministry and press away from Hogwarts, at least for a little while. Apparently the Minister had lost patience and had come uninvited, with a pair of Aurors no less, demanding to speak to him right away.

The doors to the Hospital Wing were already open when Dumbledore entered and the sight that met his eyes made his heart drop and jaw clench.

Professor McGonagall had drawn her wand and was pointing it at an Auror and Minister Fudge, who had also drawn their wands. All three were yelling various insults and orders at each other. Another Auror was standing guard by the door, but he glanced at Dumbledore's face and backed away quickly, lowering his wand. McGonagall was standing protectively in front of a hospital bed, her eyes blazing as she prevented the three intruders from coming any closer. Dumbledore took one look at whom she was protecting and his blue eyes grew cold, his magic crackling dangerously.

"CORNELIUS FUDGE!" Dumbledore roared, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Fudge spun around and all the colour drained from his round little face. He looked to his Aurors for help, but the other two wanted nothing to do with the enraged Dumbledore and wisely stepped away. Dumbledore did not wait for a response and lifted his hand to summon their wands to him. As he slowly advanced on Fudge, the other wizard quickly found his voice and stammered,

"Al-Albus! I was told you were in the Hospital Wing and came to look for you! We meant no harm here, honestly!"

"If you wanted to speak with me Cornelius you should have waited in my office. How dare you come in here and threaten patients!" Blue eyes flashed and the air around Dumbledore practically shimmered with potent magic. Fudge however appeared to regain some of his former anger when he replied,

"Threaten? We were doing nothing of the sort! Listen here Dumbledore, I demand to know what is going on in this school! We have heard nothing from Potter or the students involved in the battle and now you have decided to resign? And is that Severus Snape? He looks like he should be in the permanent care ward of St. Mungo's. We may want to question him later about the whereabouts of certain individuals."

"No you listen Minister Fudge," said the Headmaster coldly, "I have not allowed you inside Hogwarts for this very reason! You have no consideration for the students or staff and will do whatever is necessary to achieve your own purposes without considering the consequences!" Dumbledore paused and visibly reigned in his anger and magic before he did something he would later regret. "I will not speak with you today Cornelius, owl me with your questions if you must. And you will have absolutely nothing to do with Severus, he is staying right here, out of your meddling hands. Minerva, would you be so kind as to escort Minister Fudge and his guests out of the castle? I am afraid they would not make it that far with me."

Fudge opened and closed his mouth like a gaping fish and allowed a still fuming McGonagall to usher them out. All three Ministry officials appeared suitably intimidated by Dumbledore's cold gaze and aura of invincible power. The Minister somehow found courage worthy of a Gryffindor to lock eyes with Dumbledore as he passed and say,

"I will authorize an investigation into Snape's continued presence here Albus and you will be hearing from me again. There are questions being raised and I will find the answers."

Dumbledore silently returned their wands and motioned for McGonagall to escort them out. When they had left, he sighed heavily and turned to repair whatever damage had been wrought by Fudge and his incompetence.

Snape had immediately woken up at the Minister's yell and panicked; the loud voices and raised wands bringing back too many horrible memories of his imprisonment. He had quickly sought the sanctuary of the dark space underneath the closest bed, curling tight and hoping the strange intruders would not notice him. McGonagall had no time to calm the frightened wizard before Fudge was yelling for the Headmaster and wands were drawn. The transfigurations professor had moved to protect Snape from the curious Aurors and tried to explain to Fudge where Dumbledore was and what had happened to Snape. That was when Dumbledore had entered the wing and put an end to the ridiculous encounter.

Kneeling, Dumbledore bent down and gently coaxed Snape from underneath the bed. He was in the middle of another crying episode, trembling fiercely, breath hitching and tears streaming from clenched eyes. He pulled the unresisting body into his arms and rocked slightly, murmuring the same words he always did to help calm Snape down after these attacks. After a while no sound came from the limp form in his arms and Dumbledore wondered if Snape had fallen asleep when a soft voice drifted up to him,

"Fudge…gone…now?"

"Yes, Severus he's gone and won't be back. I'm amazed you even remember him."

A short, hoarse laugh came from Snape and Dumbledore looked down in surprise.

"It's…hard…to…forget…someone…that…brainless."

Dumbledore blinked a few times before starting to laugh; a deep, hearty laugh that washed away all the fears and tears of the last hour. Wiping away his tears of laughter, Dumbledore gave Snape a gentle hug and said,

"That, Severus, is the wisest thing I think I have ever heard you say."

Snape only smiled quietly in return.

TBC

Honestly, who wouldn't want a pair of enchanted yellow bunny slippers? I was writing that part around midnight, wearing my plain, muggle slippers, when inspiration hit and tada – enchanted bunny slippers were born:) And if you couldn't tell I absolutely hate Fudge, he's my least favorite character and it shows in this chapter. Anyway enough rambling, it's your turn to tell me what you think! The next chapter will hopefully be out this weekend!