Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: My gratitude to the reviewers, as always! I bow to you, redlady, K-chan and NightBlossom.  To K-chan:  Just for you, I am going to try and combine some of my chapters to make them l-o-n-g-e-r!

Chapter 25

Poppy awoke earlier than usual the next morning. She was anxious to check on Jolicia. She knew that if there had been any change overnight, Bubble, the infirmary's house-elf would have come to fetch her.

She slowly entered the large room and was surprised by what she saw - Professor Snape was still sitting with Jo and he was holding her hand!

"Have you been there all night, Severus?" she inquired.

He quickly released Jo's hand.

"Yes, I have. There has been no change in her condition."

"You should go get a little something to eat and some sleep. I promise to stay with Jolicia," said Poppy.

"I prefer to stay here," he said matter of factly. "Please."

There was something about the look in his eyes when he said 'please' that made Poppy let him stay.

"Will you eat something if I summon a tray for you?" asked Poppy. He agreed and she set off to find Dobby.

She found Dobby in the kitchen and placed an order for Severus. Once that was done, Poppy went to the Headmaster's office to make her report.

Poppy began, "Good morning, Albus. I just thought I'd let you know that Jolicia's condition has not changed. She is no worse or better than last night. We just have to wait and see. By the way, do you know that Severus spent the entire night at her bedside, holding her hand? I must say I was a little surprised."

Dumbledore just smiled and said, "Nothing much surprises me any more, Poppy. I'll make the announcement to the students over breakfast. Thank you."

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes watch the medi-witch leave. He would make arrangements for someone to take over Severus' classes as well as Jolicia's. Severus was otherwise occupied.

Hermione had also risen earlier than usual. She hurriedly made her way to the infirmary, hoping to have some more news about Professor Medwin. As she approached the door, she saw that there was already one person waiting. He had his head in his hands and his shoulders were moving up and down. The boy was crying!

"Has something happened to Professor Medwin?" she gasped.

The boy looked up at her. It was Draco!

He quickly wiped his face, embarrassed to be caught weeping.

"No, Bubble told me there has been no change," he answered.

Hermione was somewhat relieved – at least she was no worse. She sat next to Draco on the step. She pulled out her hanky and gave it to him.

"Why are you crying, Draco?" asked Hermione softly.

"I can't tell you."

"Yes, you can. I'm a good listener. Try me."

"I'm…I'm scared that Professor Medwin might die. I don't want that to happen. She is the first person to treat me like an adult. She is the first person to be nice to me, to care what happens to me. I should have been able to break her fall. I wasn't fast enough." His tears began to flow anew.

Hermione sighed, "Oh, Draco. First of all, there was no way you could have prevented her from falling. It happened too fast and you were too far away. You tried your best, even though it was impossible for you to succeed. Okay? She isn't going to die. You heard the Headmaster – he said she would be fine. He knows everything, so it must be true. Stop worrying. I … I care what happens to you, too. I promise I'll try to be nicer, as well. Okay? Stop crying."

Draco looked at her, stuck out his hand and said, "Friends?"

Hermione smiled, shook his hand and said, "Friends."

He sniffled and asked, "Hermione, you won't tell any body that I was crying, I hope?"

"Friends don't tell on friends, Draco," Hermione said, giving him a hug.

Just then Madam Pomfrey came along and shooed them away to breakfast, saying that the Headmaster had an announcement to make. She told them the same thing Bubble had told Draco, there was no change.

Headmaster Dumbledore did indeed tell the student population the same story. He also added that even though they were most upset, they should all attend classes as usual.

"Professor Medwin would not want you to miss your lessons. So please attend them with that in mind. Do your best for her," he had said.

Jolicia remained unconscious all day Thursday. Severus still refused to leave her side.

Late Thursday night, he asked Poppy if she thought Jo would ever wake up.

"Of course she will, Severus. Her brain is just taking a little longer than we had hoped to recover from the concussion. Her body will know when the time is right and will let her wake up. Don't worry," she said reassuringly.

"Poppy, I have a favor to ask you. When Jolicia does wake up, I want you to promise me that you won't tell her I have been with her the whole time," he requested.

"Severus, I don't understand why you don't want her to know."

"I have my reasons. Will you promise me?"

"If it means that much to you, I promise I won't tell her," said Poppy shaking her head. "I still don't understand, though. Good night."

"Thank you, good night as well," he replied.

As she walked away, Poppy thought to herself, "I promised I wouldn't tell, but Bubble never made such a promise." She smirked at her own cleverness.

At about five o'clock Friday morning, a small movement caught Severus' attention. Jolicia had opened her hand. A small groan escaped from her lips.

"BUBBLE, COME QUICKLY," shouted Severus.

The house-elf appeared with a stunned, sleepy look on her face.

"Go get Madam Pomfrey at once. Tell her Professor Medwin is waking up. Be quick now," he commanded.

Jo opened her eyes and tried to focus.

"Severus? Wh…what happened?" she managed to whisper.

"Hush. Save your strength. You had a Quidditch accident, but you're going to be fine. Here's Poppy," he said, pushing his chair away from the bed.

"Hello, my girl. How do you feel?" inquired Poppy.

"Headache, bad one," Jo croaked.

"That's understandable, after what you've been through. Let me examine you and then I'll get you something for the pain."

As Poppy did her work, she briefly explained to Jolicia what had happened. She didn't go into too many details; they would wait until she was stronger. All of Jo's bones were nicely healed, so Poppy left to fetch the medicine. Jo looked up at Severus.

"What time is it?" she asked.

He replied, "It is 6:05 Friday morning."

"Friday? It was Wednesday afternoon. I don't get it," she said.

"You have been unconscious since then. You've lost about a day and a half," he replied honestly. "Don't worry about that right now."

"How come you're here so early?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I came along to see how you were. How lucky I just happened to be here when you awoke," he said with a slight smile.

Poppy heard that last line and rolled her eyes at Severus. He glared at her, defying her to say anything to the contrary. She kept her word and held her tongue.

Jo drank the potion and, after a short while, fell into a deep sleep. At least this time, it was only sleep.

Severus said, "I think I'll do the same. Thank you, Poppy."

She watched him leave and shook her head.

Poppy once again made the trip to the Headmaster's office, this time bearing good news.

She said, "Jolicia finally woke up at around five this morning. She had a bad headache, but otherwise she seems to have suffered no damage. I will be keeping her in the infirmary for about a week just to make certain that she is completely healed. Also, Severus finally went to get some sleep once he knew Jo was out of danger. I think you should get someone to cover for him again today; I'm sure he'll be out for the greater part of it. That boy never ceases to amaze me."

"Quite," replied Dumbledore. "He has earned a day off, I should think. I can't wait to share this news with the students. They'll be overjoyed. I must say 'well done' to you Poppy. Excellent work, as usual."

Madam Pomfrey blushed and replied, "It's all part of the job, Albus. I'm glad the outcome was a good one."

After she left, Professor McGonagall appeared in the Headmaster's office.

"I just ran into Poppy – what wonderful news! We were all so afraid for her," she said.

"Yes, Minerva, my dear. It is the best news possible. However, I have additional information that is just as wonderful," he replied.

 "Oh really Albus? Do tell."

"It has started." She looked at him quizzically.

"Severus never left Jolicia's side for one minute. He stayed until she woke up."

"It is about bloody time. I was beginning to think you'd lost your touch," she grinned.

"Your lack of faith in me cuts me to the quick, my dear," he replied with a devilish twinkle in his eyes. "Lemon drop?"

Dumbledore's announcement was met with a great cheer. Draco searched out Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Their eyes met and they both burst into wide smiles, Hermione giving Draco a look that said 'I told you she'd be all right'. She knew how much Professor Medwin had come to mean to Draco. She couldn't believe how much he had changed over the past two months. Hermione found herself staring at him quite often.

The Headmaster also said that Professor Medwin would not be able to receive any visitors just yet. He requested that the Prefects from each house select a small group of students from each year to visit her in the infirmary. Obviously, not all would be able to go; there were just too many of them.

The students had been busy ever since Jo's accident. Almost all of them had prepared a get well wish for her. Many had made cards or drawn pictures; others had written small notes of encouragement; still others had written poetry. A mountain of papers was stacked beside Jolicia's bed.

"Never before has Bubble seen so many well wishes, Professor," exclaimed the house-elf.

"Isn't it amazing? I can't believe it myself, said Jo. "It'll take a month just to read them all."  No matter how long it would take, she would read each and every one.

"So many love you, Professor Jo - it makes Bubble want to cry."

"Bubble, don't start blubbering because I'll start, too. Yes, I do think the students love me. I love them just as much."

"Not just them, Professor Jo, Bubble thinks the dark one loves you. Yes, very much he does. Bubble can feel it."

Jolicia was taken aback.  "What? Who do you mean, Bubble?" she asked.

"Bubble is very frightened of him. The children and other house-elves are frightened, too. Hide from him, they do. Always dresses in black, he does, Professor Snape."

Jo couldn't believe her ears. Why would Bubble come to this conclusion about Severus? They were friends - that was all. She was about to inquire further when Bubble volunteered the information.

Bubble was busy straightening Jo's bed and generally fussing about.

She continued, "Here he was, the whole time you were sleeping and would not wake. Sat on that chair and held your hand. Held it until you woke up. Bubble watched him, she did. Saw it all – loves you, he does."

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Bubble. Professor Snape and I are good friends. He was concerned about me, that's all. Really, he isn't in love with me," said Jo.

"Please excuse, but Professor Jo is mistaken, she is. Bubble sees these things. She knows the truth. Coming, Madam Pomfrey," called Bubble and then left.

Jolicia was confused. Her memory was a little foggy, but she distinctly remembered that Severus had said he had just arrived when she inquired why he was there so early. Why would he lie to her? Surely he knew she would be pleased if he had stayed with her.

Jo thought, "If what Bubble said was true, wouldn't Severus want me to know so that I would look at him differently? Wouldn't he show me he cared so that I might feel the same about him? No, it can't be true. It makes no sense at all."

Thinking about it gave her a headache. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Later on that evening, Jo was sitting up in bed, reading some of her get well wishes.

"You're looking infinitely better this evening, Jolicia. How are you feeling?" asked Snape.

She looked up at him and smiled, "I'm starting to feel like my old self, thanks, Severus. Look at all the lovely cards that the children have sent me. It's a little overwhelming." She patted the side of her bed for him to sit.

"They were all quite concerned for you, as we all were. I am told they were most joyous when they learned that you would recover."

"Oh? You weren't at breakfast this morning?"

"No, I was detained. Albus told me of their reaction."

"I think that they could come and visit me tomorrow, don't you? I feel well enough."

"Ah, I think Poppy should give her approval, not me, Jolicia. After all, she is in charge here."

"Yes, I suppose. I don't know what to do with all of the cards. They're too nice to leave in a pile."

Severus stood up, withdrew his wand and performed a sticking charm. All of the cards fastened themselves to the walls around Jo's bed.

"Wonderful," exclaimed Jo. "Why didn't I think of that?"

Severus sat back down on the edge of the bed.

"Will you tell me exactly what happened, Severus? Poppy seems reluctant to tell me for some reason."

"I assume she is just trying to spare your feelings. Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes."

Severus told her the whole story, after which she thanked him. She didn't see what the fuss was all about – it was just an accident. These things happen sometimes. She was just grateful that there was no permanent damage.

Poppy finally came along and shooed Severus away. He took his leave of her bidding her pleasant dreams.

"Severus?" she called after him. "Thanks for everything."

He stopped in his tracks, turned and said, "I would say you're welcome, but I really haven't done anything."

"Yes you did. I repeat, thanks. Thanks for being here for me."

He bowed and left.

Jo lay back on her pillow and wondered, "Could it be true?"

She decided that it couldn't.