When Severus Snape awoke, he distinctly heard the voice of Harry Potter. Although he would never admit it, he was actually happy to hear that voice. Hearing any voice that was not that of the enemy would have made him happy.
Snape felt like he had woken from his worst nightmare. He vividly remembered Voldemort calling him a traitor and threatening him with Hermione next. He had no way of knowing what had transpired while he was unconscious, but by what Harry was saying, it was something significant.
"I felt totally lost. The ground and trees were all burnt. I was completely alone, but there was a voice calling me. I couldn't place it at first, but I just knew it was Voldemort. For a moment I thought he'd come back again. Then I realized that it was me who had gone somewhere. I . . ." Harry stumbled here. Snape could not see the boy's face, but by the quiver in Harry's voice, there was some fear. "I had to fight Voldemort again except I didn't have my wand. We wrestled back and forth for a long time. I was getting weaker, but I couldn't give up. I knew I needed to win, except I got cornered. When I was sure all hope was lost, the solution came to me: I wasn't really wrestling with Voldemort, but myself. Somehow my connection with Voldemort sent me to deal with my worst fear. Once I knew what happened, it was easy to come back."
When Harry finally finished his tale, Snape decided it was as good a time as any to make his presence known. He tried getting out of bed, but once soon as he sat up, his head began to swim. He let out a loud moan that earned him a potion from Madam Pomfrey and her world class chiding almost immediately.
"Severus, you shouldn't try to get up so soon. Here, take this. It will help," she told him, handing him the vial. Snape drained it, recognizing one of his own potions: 'good for aches, pains and the common cold' he thought.
"How long have I been unconscious?" he asked, not caring that there were six people suddenly surrounding him: Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hagrid, Draco, and Ron.
"The nearer part of five days. We've been worried sick about you, especially with the other three!" McGonagall informed him.
"Other three?" He only knew of Harry, so who were the other two?
"Yes, Harry Potter, Draco here, and Hermione Granger," Madam Pomfrey said. At Hermione's name, Snape was on full alert. In fact, he was on the verge of desperation.
"So, who is going to tell me what happened?" he asked sternly. "Obviously something of significance occurred while I was unconscious. I would like to know," he demanded.
"Severus, we're all glad to have you back," Dumbledore finally spoke. "Minerva and I will tell you in a moment. The rest of you may go." Turning to Madam Pomfrey, he said, "Thank you, Poppy. We will take care of him for now. Get some rest. You've nearly run yourself ragged."
Madam Pomfrey nodded and left reluctantly. After all the stragglers said their goodbyes, Dumbledore and McGonagall told Snape the events of that night. He listened intently, but was noticeably shaken by what happened to Hermione. Dumbledore trudged on with the story through Harry's waking. "But you already know what Mr. Potter related, Severus. I won't trouble you with it again."
"Thank you, Albus. Then Hermione has not awoken yet?"
"I'm afraid not. Rest now. Forcing anything will not be good for you. Come, Minerva," the headmaster said.
"Minerva, wait."
"Yes, Severus?"
"Thank you for what you did. If I can ever repay you, please don't hesitate to ask."
"You will repay me just by taking good care of Miss Granger, Severus. She needs you just as much as you need her. Be more careful in the future please." McGonagall and Dumbledore left before he could process what he had just been told. Madam Pomfrey was back in an instant with a dreamless sleep potion for him.
"Thank you, Poppy."
"You can thank yourself. This whole stock is yours."
"No, not the potion. For saving me."
"Get your rest and refill my stocks and that'll be enough thanks for me." Snape smiled slightly at this as she left. He drank his potion and drifted into a rejuvenating slumber.
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Harry could not sleep any longer. It was quarter past one, and he had been tossing and turning all night. He knew why too. So, Harry got out of bed and sat in the chair next to Hermione's bed. She looked so peaceful, but there was no sign of her being awake. He grabbed her hand, more for his comfort than hers. Her hand was warm at least.
"Hermione," he whispered, aware that Snape was nearby. "Hermione, we did it. Voldemort's gone. I couldn't have done it without you." Harry sat there for a few more moments. "Hermione, you need to come out of this. This isn't like you. You're a fighter. I know what it's like. Really I do. But whatever's going on, it's not the reality. Snape is really here. He needs you more than any of us. Please Hermione. You don't need to do this for me. You can't apologize if you don't come out of this." He was pleading with her unsure whether she could actually hear him. It was all he could do at the moment. It was the only way he could calm himself at the moment.
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Snape woke to voices. No. Correct that, a voice, singular. He sat up, allowing his head to adjust before quietly creeping over to the other side of the room. Potter was talking to her. Snape felt guilty for listening, but he decided he was not hurting anybody, so he listened anyway.
"He needs you more than any of us."
Harry had his full attention now. Harry Potter of his own free will had just acknowledged him. What an odd turn of events this was. Time to make himself known.
"Good morning, Mr. Potter. Quite the hero you are, I hear," he said just loud enough for the young man to hear him.
"Oh, good morning, Professor. I didn't see you there." Snape's sudden appearance flustered Harry slightly, but he soon realized he was not in trouble. "I'm foolish, sir. It wasn't much more than luck," he responded to the hero comment.
"Perhaps, Harry, but what you did took bravery." The shift to the first name was not lost on the young man. It was used respectfully. "Voldemort," Snape shuddered slightly saying the name despite the fact he knew the Dark Lord was gone, "was powerful, true. However, he was never as brilliant as some hoped. He was quite cunning, preying on weaknesses. But that only gets one so far. You stood up to him, Harry. You proved you were the better and wiser wizard. For that," Snape smiled, "I thank you."
Harry was a bit shocked by this sudden declaration, but he did not forget his manners. This was a man of respect he was talking to. "Thank you, Professor Snape. That means a lot coming from you," Harry said returning the smile. "Um, how are you feeling?"
"I am considerably better than I was, but not everything is completely repaired. I'm afraid some wounds were self-inflicted so to speak. I only hope I have the opportunity to correct them."
Both men looked at Hermione. "Please, sit down here, Professor," Harry said, getting up from the chair. "You need it more than I do. Besides, I think I will be able to get some sleep now, knowing she's in good hands."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. I believe I may owe you an apology for some of my past behaviors, as well."
"No, it's okay. Really. That's all in the past. With Voldemort gone, it's time for new beginnings. I probably owe you an apology or two anyway, so let's just call it even," Harry responded, sticking out his hand. Snape, in turn, took Harry's hand and they shook on it.
"New beginnings, eh, Potter?'
"Yeah."
"It's agreed then. Now off to bed with you. You look like you need the rest," Snape said to a tired looking Harry.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Harry joked, getting a chuckle out of Snape. "Good night, er, morning. Or whatever it is."
"Good dreams, Mr. Potter. Good Dreams." With that, and a bit lighter heart, Harry went to bed and attempted to fall into a peaceful sleep. Snape, meanwhile, turned to Hermione and took her hand in his. He felt guilty knowing that she was like this because of him. He could not lose her now. It would be his fault and on his conscience forever.
"Come back to me, Hermione Granger. Please come back. I need you more than anything. My life is nothing without you." A single tear formed, and fell from his eye. "I'm so sorry."
End Part 12