Okay!! Short chappy but I like it! 'Specially the end. *giggles* I nearly posted the 24 chapter instead of the 23.. I was like "whoops! Can't do that!" Anyway, I wasn't *that* lazy so I looked up how to spell McGonagall!! So, I've got the right spelling for her now!! YAY!! ..Just nothing else is spelled right. *shrugs* Who cares? Not me!
Oh!! I've also dropped two seconds off my 50 free time!! And four seconds off my 50 fly!! Then I had an asthma attack during the 100 fly so.. Eh.. Not going to be doing that anymore! But my 100 free is now down to 1:18!! Yay!! Nearly a ten second drop! Funny story behind that one too.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!! 'Specially--
Ashley!! Hey ya chica!! *gallant bow* You're pleasure is my service. Yeah! I'm back and better than ever!! ..I hope.. LOL! Lots more written just for you!!
Renn!! *laughs* Glad to make you glad!! Hope this makes you glad!! @@ That's a lot of 'glad's.
Eyes of the Angel by Aloh Dark
Chapter 23: Propositions
"This poison isn't from an animal." Madam Pomfrey said. "It's from a potion."
Snape pushed his way passed to see Hermione's wound. He inspected it with gentle prodding fingers. When he was finished he'd reached the same conclusion. "She's right. At first glance it's from venom but it's a potion."
"Do you know what potion?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yes. And I know the cure."
"What ever you need we'll get you. And your classes will be canceled until you are done." Dumbledore said showing the importance of this.
"There is only one thing." Snape said. "The antidote requires two potion masters to create it. So I would like permission to pull Miss. Parkison from classes to help me. I have been giving her special training since it's her wish to be a potion master.
Dumbledore nodded. "I shall inform her professors of her impending absence from classes."
"And now, Mr. Weasley. What really happened?" McGonagall asked the read head.
"We were out walking when we saw something staggering towards us." Ron shuddered at the memory. "It was a giant spider. But something was wrong with it. It had crazy eyes." Ron shivered at the memory.
"What do you mean 'crazy eyes'?" Snape asked.
"Like it was insane. Or possessed. And he only had seven legs." Ron said going pale.
"And then what happened? After you saw this?"
"I'm sorry. That's when I passed out." Ron said.
"That's okay Ron. You've helped us with what you told us." McGonagall told him looking at Dumbledore.
"We'll need to talk about this with the rest of the teachers later." Dumbledore said. Then he turned to Ron with a gentle smile. "Now try and get some sleep. Your body needs it."
Ron nodded obediently but didn't think he'd sleep for a month.
"Now if you'll excuse me. I must get something's from my office before picking up Miss. Parkinson." Snape said before leaving then with the snap of the closing door.
Snape walked the deserted corridors for his office. He knew the Gena would have Draco there and he wanted to tell him that everything was fine. He'd wanted to be the one to tell Draco if anything had happened to Ron. And Draco would have preferred knowing from him than finding out from the other students.
He opened his door to find the two Valyha's fighting like they always did. You'd think being part of a dying breed would make them more willing to get along.
"Ladies, please, that's enough. You're making a bad impression." Snape said running a hand over his eyes as he walked in and closed the door.
"Master Snape." Talquin said respectfully.
"Talquin, Kaliya, would you both please leave Draco and I alone. I have something I must speak to him about."
The two Valyha's vanished from sight instantly, leaving behind not even a trace of smoke. Snape turned to his desk and walked behind it. He debated a moment before slumping down into a relaxed, weary posture. With a wave of his hand he motioned for Draco to sit opposite him.
Dread filled Draco at the sight of his slumped teacher. He perched nervously at the edge of on of the high back chairs.
"Oh do relax, boy. Your love toy is fine." Snape said after watching Draco's tense fidgeting. "He's had a bad shock but he'll be alright."
Draco let out a sigh and visibly relaxed. He didn't even realize he'd been so tense. "What happened? I thought he was attacked? You sure he's going to be okay?"
"For the last time, he's going to be fine!" Snape snapped. "He and Miss. Granger were attacked by a giant spider. Miss. Granger is currently unconscious due to a poisonous potion delivered to her through a bite by the arachnid. Mr. Weasley is awake and well. Just in shock."
"Oh thank the gods." Draco muttered, finally believe that Ron was okay. "But is Granger going to be okay?"
Snape hesitated. He straightened his posture and looked directly into Draco's eyes. "At the moment, that is unclear." Snape stood up abruptly. "I'm sure that with all the fuss of Granger you can slip in and see Weasley. He's in the first cot on the left."
Draco got out of his seat and followed Snape to the door. "He sure has been in the hospital wing a lot lately." Draco said.
"Just go to him and keep out of sight." Snape said before leaving the room and walking off towards the Slytherin Common room. Draco watched his go until he turned the corner and was out of sight. He waited a second longer before bursting out into a sprint and running the opposite way to the Hospital Wing.
Draco opened the hospital wing's door cautiously. He poked his head in and saw no one about. He slipped in silently and shut the door. He was about to take a step when Dumbledore emerged from behind the curtain around Ron's bed. Dumbledore didn't look at all surprised to see Draco and just winked before walking away.
'Crazy old coot.' Draco thought as he walked through the split in the curtains and shut them behind him. He walked over to where Ron was sleeping on his side and sat on the bed.
Draco ran his hands through Ron's hair, moving it off his face and sighed deeply. "Why are you always getting yourself in here?" Draco asked quietly.
Ron murmured in his sleep and rubbed his head against Draco's hand. A small smile spreading across his lips.
Draco sighed. "You are going to kill me before I'm out of this school if you keep this up. I don't know if I'm going to be able to stand many more hospital trips, love. And laying abed all the time isn't good for you either." Draco said to Ron as he stroked his hair, as if Ron was a cat. "I swear that if you land your arse in this damnable wing again, I'm going to kill you with my bare hands. You hear me?"
Ron rolled onto his back and squirmed a bit before settling down. His breathing slowed and got deeper. Draco gazed lovingly at the slightly snoring red head boy. Draco's lips twitched in quiet amusement at the look on Ron's face. His jaw was slack and opened, a bit of drool coming out of his lips right corner. His nostrils flared with his breathing. His eyebrows twitched periodically. He looked positively adorable.
Draco sighed again and shook his head. "You're too much for me. Even asleep." Draco kissed Ron's forehead. "You've turned me into a lovey-dovey worry wart. I'll never forgive you for that." Draco got off the bed and sat down in the chair next to the bed. "But you know, love?" Draco said grabbing Ron's hand. "I do believe you're worth it."
Snape crashed open the common room doors with a deafening bang. He didn't move from the door frame as silent, shocked, expectant faces turned to him. "Parkinson!" Snape barked out. "Follow me."
Pansy left the group of girls she'd been sitting with and followed Snape out into the corridor. She walked silently a few feet behind him as he lead her back to his office. Once there she took the seat Draco had vacated and Snape sat rigidly in his own.
"I have a serious matter to discus with you." Snape said.
"Yes Professor?"
"Miss. Granger has been poisoned by a rather advanced potion. The antidote to this potion takes at least two masters to make it. You are the most gifted of my students for many years. Your abilities are one of the greatest I've seen. If you help me make the antidote and make it right, you will get an automatic passing grade in advanced potions for the year. And top score on your potion N.E.W.T.S. Of course you shall be pulled from all classes while in my services." Snape said. He could see her eyes light up. Top score on her potions N.E.W.T.S is a given wither or not she takes his proposal was hers. He knew she loved a challenge and he knew that no matter what her feelings for the Griffindor girl were, she's take the chance to make such an advanced potion. The getting out of all her other classes would just be a plus. "The potion is highly difficult and requires a taxing amount of time, magic and energy. Any missed work from your other classes will have an extended due date that will depend on how long the antidote takes to brew." Snape leaned forward to the excited girl. "The only thing left is, will you accept?"
Pansy broke out into a huge grin and her eyes gleamed. "I do!"
To Be Continued!!! Dun-Dun-Dunnnnnnnnnnnn
