Severus carried the unconscious girl through the silent halls of Hogwarts deep in Slytherin territory.
They entered his domain. Contrary to popular belief, he did not live in a cave, encased in a coffin, as far away from light as possible. While he did live in the dungeons there were grand windows enchanted to overlook the lake as though he lived in a tower, which gave an airy feeling to the rooms. The comfortable looking blue and silver sofas and bedding, combined with the light wood of the floors and furniture as well as the nice forest green drapes on the old stone walls made the rooms feel homey and warm. The students would have been shocked, had they come in.
He deposited her on his bed, careful of her injuries, and took off her robes to look at her injuries. Little Amiel had a multitude of little cuts along her arms and some bruises on her knees. Severus turned her to look at her back and cursed slightly. There was a deep gash crossing from her right shoulder to the small of her back and while the healing he performed on her stopped the blood flow, it still looked really bad.
After making sure there were no other injuries which required his immediate attention, he crossed the room to the bathroom and rummaged through the shelves. He came back out with a basin full of warm water which he deposited near the bed, a wash cloth, a moss green paste smelling like cherry wood and an electric blue one smelling of blueberry, as well as some bandages. He cleaned the gash with clear water, taking care not to hurt her even thought she was unconscious, then applied the blue paste on it. He then cleaned each little cut on her arms to make sure they were not infected and applied the green paste on them, after which he bandaged them. He then took out his wand and conjured a sack of ice which he put on her knees. He checked her forehead for fever and was relieved to see there was none.
*.*.*.
Meanwhile things were not quite so calm in the Great Hall. As a matter of fact, after Severus' departure the students had all but exploded in chatter, asking questions ranging from "Who was she?" to "Was that Snape showing worry and concern?!" passing through "His hand glowed!?" and "His eyes were purple!?", while the teachers were crowding around the Headmaster wanting those same questions, minus the one about the concern, answered.
Well. Most of the teachers were. Madam Pomfrey just wanted to go heal the young girl, but Albus wouldn't let her. She was not happy with him, to say the least. "Albus! You must let me help her!"
Her screeching attracted the attention of the students who calmed down slightly. Poppy Pomfrey was legendary in the school for the way she seemed to be able to make even the Headmaster obey her, but for most of them it was the first time they saw her in action.
"Poppy I assure you that Severus is perfectly able to take care of little Amiel." He was making little soothing gestures as he talked, while slowly stepping away from her, his eyes twinkling full force. The students stifled giggles at the sight of their Headmaster's mock nervousness.
"Albus…" Poppy having realized she was being mocked took off for the dungeons, summoning a bag of healing supplies as she went.
'Oh well, looks like she won't let it go… better go with her, to keep her from harming Severus.' With that thought and a chuckle Albus went to the dungeons, leaving Minerva to try to establish some sort of order in the Great Hall.
*.*.*.
Severus had just finished putting his supplies away when a knock was heard at his door. He took the time to wash his hands thoroughly before crossing his bedroom to his sitting room to open the door just as a third knocking was heard.
"Albus." He stepped aside to let the Headmaster and the school's nurse enter his room. "May I help you?"
"Yes, yes I do believe you can." He took out a bag of lemon drops, an ever present twinkle in his eyes. "Lemon drops?"
Severus groaned softly. "No Albus."
Poppy Pomfrey, who had been wringing her hands anxiously, could not keep silent much longer. "Where is she?"
"Who?"
"The girl, who else! Is she badly hurt?"
"She was."
"Well, take me to her."
"Why?"
"To heal her!"
"No need for that."
"What do you mean no need for that! Severus, this is no game!"
"I know. I also know that she is fine and that you couldn't help her even if you wanted to."
"Why you…"
Albus, who had seen the smirk that Severus was wearing, decided that it was time to interfere before it became ugly. "Now now, children, be kind. Severus, please refrain from being so irritating on purpose. Poppy, he did not mean to be insulting."
"Yes I did" Severus muttered under his breath. Poppy glared.
"He simply meant that our magic can't help her." Albus continued on as thought there had been no interruption.
"Can potions help?"
"Yes."
"Then I can heal her."
Severus cut in. "Poppy, I'm a potion master, aren't I?"
"Fine, fine…" She relented with a sigh. "Why must you be so stubborn, and invariably right?"
"You really want that answered?" Silence. "Thought so." He replied with a smirk.
A/N: These first two chapters were written 6 years ago. I edited them to correct spelling, grammar and some inconsistencies, but they remain mostly the same. I had decided that this story was not original at all and that it's theme was over-used in fanfics, then promptly forgot about it. Now, I'm wishing to take up writing again and I armed myself with a 'who cares if it's over-used, just don't read it if you don't like it' attitude. Hence the editing.
Be warned that I'm a sporadic updater though I'll try not to let 6 years pass before writing some more of this At least this time I'm not ashamed of people reading it.
