A/N- Here is the next chapter, sorry that it isn't all that long, I will try and make the next chapter a bit longer. Anyways, thank you for the reviews, they are greatly appreciated. :) I love to get them, so don't hesitate to push the button. Hehe.
Also a note- Sorry that it might not be in its best form, but I don't spend so much time on this story as I do my others. As I have said before, this is a companion piece to Return to Youth which is first person pov of Severus Snape, so my adding this will be
So if anyone wants to beta the story, just say so, I would be more than happy to let you :)
Disclaimer- I don't own it.
****************************************************
Chapter 2- Why so pale?
Why was she in the infirmary? Hermione quickly looked around her, but could not see Severus. He HAD to be here though; after all it was his memory… She started to search, but soon seen Poppy just appear out of nowhere, and she quickly walked to her supplies. Hermione followed her, and she noticed that she was talking to herself. "Bloody parents, he never would've got this bad if they would at least take care of the boy properly. Honestly, I never…" This was all that Hermione could understand of her ranting as she went into a jumble of utterances that were incomprehensible.
She shrugged off her curiosity and went to the spot where Poppy had appeared. She took a deep breath, and then continued on. Soon she was inside of a ward, the room was very dark, the only light from a small glowing lamp from the furthest point from the bed. She heard choking and neared the figure in the bed. Her eyes went wide as she seen that the person that was in the fetal position before her was none other than Severus… His skin was bright red and he was coughing up blood… She gave a small cry, why was he coughing up blood? Why? He started to wheeze, and Poppy rushed back in. "Here, drink this…" She spoke softly and held it to his mouth, and he gladly took in the unknown potion. She sighed and then sat next to him as his body slowly relaxed from the effects of the potion. "Better now?"
"Yes" His voice was raspy and thin, and Hermione cringed at the sound of it.
"You should've stayed for the winter break you know. It wouldn't be this bad if you had."
"Probably." It was the answer for both questions within one word. Even at this age, he had known how to be concise without wasting a word. It was awful, yet amazing all at the same time to her.
"It is the second time this year… How many times does this happen at home?" He gave a half shrug, still lying down.
"Often enough." Poppy's face mirrored that of concern, but he didn't notice. He never looked at her the entire time. "You don't need to stay around. They don't." She sighed again.
"It isn't right." He chose to not answer her, though his face contorted with something resembling grief.
"I wouldn't know." She looked to him in surprise, and was about to say something when he spoke again. "I don't wish your pity. Finish what you must, and leave me be." His voice softened towards the end, and had a completely different tone by the next words he spoke, closer to forlorn perhaps. "It is better to not think of those things which you do not have, as not to lose oneself in false hopes." She nodded.
"I apologize then." She paused, grabbed a bottle of liquid, and poured it upon his skin, which soaked it up like a sponge. He let out a breathy sigh of relief when it touched his skin. "Just remember that I shall be here for you whenever you need me." He nodded slowly.
"I shall remember that." She stood and started to leave, but then briefly turned back to him.
"See that you do." She then left. As much as Hermione had the desire to stay with her future love, she felt compelled to follow Poppy. She soon seen Albus appear, and the two started to talk.
"How is he, any improvement?" Poppy sighed.
"Not much, if any at all. It is a disgusting thing, the things the boy's parents do. I am sure they know the attention he needs, with his condition. And the other students have the nerve to call him a vampire. Vampire indeed! Porphyria is a serious disease!"
"I hope that we will find a complete cure for him soon. The sun is not toxic to him, thankfully, but he burns so easily. It is lucky for him that he has never had the true form of the disease, otherwise he would not be able to go out at all." She nodded silently and then quietly added.
"I know it is not truly Porphyria, but I don't know what else to call it… The potions we have been trying so far seem to be helping more and more. Perhaps we shall find this cure soon." He nodded solemnly as suddenly the scenery changed again. Hermione found herself standing at a very familiar place. Platform 9 ¾.