A/N: Thanks to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing.( You are such an
encouragement. To Crystal: Yes, I do have another story bouncing around
in my head, but am determined to finish this one first. To Anne Shiley: I
tried to review your latest chapter in Ancient Runes, but computer was
doing something weird, but I would like to here. It was a great chapter
and written so nicely. When our heroine ran into Sirius, I, of course, was
expecting Severus at first, but you tricked me.( It looks as though the
foundation is being laid for another source of trouble between our
Marauders and future Potions Master. Can't wait for more! To Jade:
Thanks so much for your reviews.( To Rycca: I miss seeing your reviews
and I'm sorry that apparently my story has taken a turn away from your
interests. Rougarre keeps me waiting anxiously for the next chapter!
To the Rescue
Breathing rapidly, Narnia threw the blankets off of her and without any thought, ran immediately to her uncle's office. Thoughts would only slow her, so she kept her focus solely on getting to her uncle. Skipping a stair at a time on the stone gargoyle as it carried her to Dumbledore's office door, she burst inside without knocking, initially unaware of the pale-faced Harry Potter sitting in a nearby seat. Her uncle looked at her quizzically and before he could speak, Narnia began desperately.
"Severus...." She gasped, trying to control her breathing. "....They're going to kill him. We have to get to him now," she stated, her voice and eyes pleading with her uncle. Dumbledore looked at her strangely only for a brief moment and then stood, looking to Harry and then spoke. Narnia quickly glanced back, noticing the young Gryffindor for the first time and turned away from his confused look. Dumbledore was looking at her again.
"Narnia, I'm afraid I need you to explain yourself."
"I can give you full explanation later; please take my word...Severus is in danger. Malfoy is there and other Death Eaters, I believe. They're going to kill him. We must hurry."
"Harry, there is nothing else you can tell us about what you know?" Dumbledore inquired.
Puzzled, Narnia turned to look at Harry again.
"No, Professor, just that I think Voldemort was planning to kill."
"We cannot delay, Uncle. We must do something now," Narnia interjected.
"Dumbledore stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before continuing.
"Harry, I would like you to return to Gryffindor tower at once and remain there. You were right to come to me this evening."
Harry slowly stood and without reply, he left the Headmaster's office.
Impatiently, Narnia stepped closer towards her uncle. Before she could speak, he raised his hand to quiet her.
"My dear, I am unaware of Severus' whereabouts. Am I to believe you have some indication of where he is?"
"Yes, in a forest. I do not know which one, but can picture it clearly enough in my mind to apparate there."
"Very well, but this must be done quickly. I fear that even if this is not a trap, then we will still be placing ourselves in the gravest of situations. Voldemort, without question, is present there. However, we must do what we can for Severus."
Walking over to one of the paintings, Dumbledore began to speak with its occupant.
"Please inform Minerva that I'll be returning soon, hopefully, and ask that she come here to wait for my return. She'll need to have Poppy ready for Professors Fairling and Snape in the infirmary as well."
The former Headmaster in the portrait nodded in agreement and disappeared from view.
Walking back to his niece, extending his hand, he added. "Wands out. You go to Severus and I will provide you the opportunity to reach him safely. Then take this portkey," Dumbledore handed Narnia a candy from his desk after charming it, "and you will be brought directly to the infirmary. Shall we?" Narnia shook her head. In an instant they were gone.
For the first time outside of her dreams, Narnia found herself actually standing in the forest that had haunted her for several months now. The moon was high overhead and the sound of the stream trickled in the distance. Her initial instinct was to break into a run, but held back, knowing this time, she would not go unnoticed. She met her uncle's eyes and pointed in the direction of the clearing. The ongoing silence around her caused her stomach to lurch and she hoped they weren't too late to save him. Before her last glimmer of hope seeped away, she heard the voices of Malfoy and what now could be assumed was Lord Voldemort, himself. Without coming too close to the gathered group, Narnia and Dumbledore adjusted themselves to see that, in fact, they had arrived just in time. From their vantage point, they could see the back of Malfoy and the top of Severus' head as knelt on the ground. The sight found Narnia forcing back the contents of her stomach and with one quick glance at her uncle, the moment had come for them to make their move.
Dumbledore disappeared from her side and she waited until the moment she could run forward, grab Severus, and bring him safely home. Suddenly, there was a commotion among the gathered group and the Death Eaters standing within the circle began running in all directions. Narnia could see Malfoy spinning around, looking for the source of the confusion, reaching for his own wand and then turning back to Severus. Charging forward, unaware of whether Voldemort remained or had vanished, Narnia cried, "Expelliarmus," disarming Malfoy. He glared at her in shock and ran from the clearing. Kneeling down and wrapping her arms around Severus limp body, she grabbed the portkey from her pocket and before returning home, a pain shot through her leg. Before discovering its source, they were gone and lying upon the cold floor of Hogwarts' hospital wing.
Holding Severus across her lap, gently rocking back and forth, she absentmindedly stroked the hair back from his face with her free hand, all the while, faintly aware of the sound of footsteps approaching them rapidly. A figure appeared in her periphery and she looked up to see the shocked expression of Madam Pomfrey.
"Good gracious heavens. Let's get him to a bed, quickly."
Making an effort to raise herself from the cold floor, Narnia stumbled slighty and lifting Severus' body with some difficulty, they made their way to the closest bed.
Madam Pomfrey hastily began to assess the damage and without stopping spoke.
"What has happened tonight, Professor?"
Narnia's eyes were fixed on Severus' face and unsure if she would be able to respond, she opened her mouth, fumbling for the explanation Madam Pomfrey needed.
"My dear, if you please," Madam Pomfrey stated in an irritable tone.
Narnia looked away from Severus and to Madam Pomfrey, her eyes pleading for answers.
"Voldemort and the others...They were torturing him and preparing to..." Narnia's voice trailed off, but from Madam Pomfrey's expression, Narnia knew she didn't need any further explanation.
"Well, then. It seems we have our work cut out for us. I will need your help, if you are able to give it, "Madam Pomfrey inquired.
Narnia shook her head. The only place she could fathom being right now was at Severus' side and no power on earth would be able to drag her away. Though she felt she would fall apart at any given moment, he needed her to pull it together and she would have to make due.
"Okay, first, we'll need to disrobe him to get a better perspective on his wounds."
Carefully, but quickly, Narnia worked at what was left of Severus' coat, stifling her gasps at the bruised and torn condition of the pale skin beneath. Severus' remained unconscious, but the shallow rise and fall of his chest signaled they had not lost him yet. Once they were able to account for the visible damage, Madam Pomfrey made for her stores to retrieve some healing potions. Waiting for her return to his bedside, Narnia kept one hand firmly pressed upon the blood-stained cloth that was keeping one of his wounds from gushing. He had been cut deeply into his side and the concern on Madam Pomfrey's face had not passed by unnoticed. Reaching her hand up to his face, Narnia began to stroke his hair again. Feeling the warmth of several tears streaming down her face, she lightly said his name and assured him everything would be all right.
When Madam Pomfrey cam bustling back, the Headmaster and Professor McGonogall accompanied her. A small bloom of relief sprung open in Narnia at seeing her uncle was safe, though the event undoubtedly tired him. Professor McGonogall's face lost all color at the sight before her and returning diligently to work, Madam Pomfrey answered any questions as she continued on.
"How does it look, Poppy?" Dumbledore asked soberly.
"Not good, but it could be worse," Poppy stated.
Narnia's shoulders slumped. She looked again to Severus lying motionless on the hospital bed, everything else around her fading away. Seeing the sight from the clearing in her mind again, she began to feel dizzy and nauseated. She wouldn't be able to hold back and quickly withdrew from his bedside, with no idea of where to run, but being unable to control it any longer, she braced herself between two beds, just yards away, and forcefully emptied the contents of her stomach onto the floor.
By the time Narnia had slumped to the floor, she felt two hands, one on each of her shoulders, and looked up to see her uncle's concerned face.
"Minerva, a glass of water, please." Dumbledore helped Narnia to her feet and helped her to sit down on one of the mattresses. Narnia stared at the floor, while her uncle remained at her side. "Severus is in the best of care. As there appears to be nothing more we can do for him right now, other than let him rest, perhaps we should all return to our quarters and get some rest of our own."
Professor McGonogall had returned with the glass of water and handed it to Narnia. Barely being able to hold onto it from the tremor in her hands, she took a small sip and then set it on the bedside table. Feebly, she spoke. "No, I'll be staying here." With her decision made, she looked up to meet her uncle's eyes. They gazed at each other indefinitely, before Minerva spoke.
She was leaning down, examining Narnia's leg, when she asked for Madam Pomfrey's assistance.
"Poppy, she's received a nasty gash to her lower leg."
Madam Pomfrey quickly came to evaluate her laceration and as Narnia and her uncle continued their unspoken conversation, she cleaned and dressed the cut.
Breaking the silence, her uncle leaned into her, holding her head gently in his hands and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Very well. Poppy will provide you with fresh clothes. If you are feeling up to it, we can talk tomorrow, then."
Narnia shook her head in agreement. The two professors left her side and returned to the end of Severus' bed. "Professor Fairling will be staying this evening. Please inform me of any changes."
"Of course, Albus."
With that, Professors Dumbledore and McGonogall left the infirmary. Narnia slowly slid off the bed and made her way back to Severus' side. She pulled a chair close and sat down, clutching onto his hand. She was unaware that Madam Pomfrey had finished her administrations to him and was now standing behind her. Poppy placed her hand gently on Narnia's shoulder to gain her attention.
Narnia turned to look at her.
"Narnia, the lavatory is right over there. You will find some fresh clothing by the sink. Why don't you go and freshen up and I'll keep an eye on Professor Snape while you do so," Poppy stated soothingly.
With one look back to Severus, she stood up and walked to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and for the first time, noticed she was only wearing her nightgown from earlier in the evening, only it was now caked with dried blood; sliding down the door, she began to weep. Placing her face against the cold stone wall, she tried to clear her mind as she made an effort to grasp all that had occurred tonight. She had anticipated this moment for so long; finally knowing the identity of the man from her dreams. However, knowing Severus as two different people, now, created conflict. On one hand, he was the man who needed her and was always reaching out to her, yet the man she had come to know in recent months and found herself falling in love with, consistently pulled away. Once, and if, he awoke, he would want all of the details and she knew her part in the tale would only push him farther away. Wiping the wetness from her eyes, she slowly stood up. Until that time arrived for her explanations, she would do all in her ability to help him, while he was unable to send her away.
After cleaning herself up, she returned to his side and placed herself back into the chair. Madam Pomfrey was pulling the blankets up and around him and then proceeded to hand one to Narnia.
"Thank you."
"If you need me, dear, I will be just in that room," she stated, pointing. She then added, "The next several hours will be the most important and after that, I believe he will be out of the woods. I'll be in to check on him periodically. Do try to get some rest."
Nodding her head, Narnia placed her hand over Severus' again as Poppy left her alone with him. Staring back at him, she faintly grinned. "You heard her. Now don't be your usual difficult self and get better. Besides, there will be no one for the students to loathe if you're not around."
After watching him for what seemed like hours, the rhythm of his breathing entranced Narnia and eventually her eyes began to droop. Keeping her grip on his hand, she scooted her chair even closer and laid her head down on the bed, at his side.
In the shadows, one Albus Dumbledore was somewhat relieved to see that all was currently stable and his heart was once again moved by the devotion and love his niece held for the Potions Master. How Narnia had known of the danger Severus had been in that evening, he was still unsure, but guessed that a deeper bond connected them than even they were aware of. Once revealed, Narnia would undoubtedly embrace it, but Severus, well, the fallout could be catastrophic.
To the Rescue
Breathing rapidly, Narnia threw the blankets off of her and without any thought, ran immediately to her uncle's office. Thoughts would only slow her, so she kept her focus solely on getting to her uncle. Skipping a stair at a time on the stone gargoyle as it carried her to Dumbledore's office door, she burst inside without knocking, initially unaware of the pale-faced Harry Potter sitting in a nearby seat. Her uncle looked at her quizzically and before he could speak, Narnia began desperately.
"Severus...." She gasped, trying to control her breathing. "....They're going to kill him. We have to get to him now," she stated, her voice and eyes pleading with her uncle. Dumbledore looked at her strangely only for a brief moment and then stood, looking to Harry and then spoke. Narnia quickly glanced back, noticing the young Gryffindor for the first time and turned away from his confused look. Dumbledore was looking at her again.
"Narnia, I'm afraid I need you to explain yourself."
"I can give you full explanation later; please take my word...Severus is in danger. Malfoy is there and other Death Eaters, I believe. They're going to kill him. We must hurry."
"Harry, there is nothing else you can tell us about what you know?" Dumbledore inquired.
Puzzled, Narnia turned to look at Harry again.
"No, Professor, just that I think Voldemort was planning to kill."
"We cannot delay, Uncle. We must do something now," Narnia interjected.
"Dumbledore stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before continuing.
"Harry, I would like you to return to Gryffindor tower at once and remain there. You were right to come to me this evening."
Harry slowly stood and without reply, he left the Headmaster's office.
Impatiently, Narnia stepped closer towards her uncle. Before she could speak, he raised his hand to quiet her.
"My dear, I am unaware of Severus' whereabouts. Am I to believe you have some indication of where he is?"
"Yes, in a forest. I do not know which one, but can picture it clearly enough in my mind to apparate there."
"Very well, but this must be done quickly. I fear that even if this is not a trap, then we will still be placing ourselves in the gravest of situations. Voldemort, without question, is present there. However, we must do what we can for Severus."
Walking over to one of the paintings, Dumbledore began to speak with its occupant.
"Please inform Minerva that I'll be returning soon, hopefully, and ask that she come here to wait for my return. She'll need to have Poppy ready for Professors Fairling and Snape in the infirmary as well."
The former Headmaster in the portrait nodded in agreement and disappeared from view.
Walking back to his niece, extending his hand, he added. "Wands out. You go to Severus and I will provide you the opportunity to reach him safely. Then take this portkey," Dumbledore handed Narnia a candy from his desk after charming it, "and you will be brought directly to the infirmary. Shall we?" Narnia shook her head. In an instant they were gone.
For the first time outside of her dreams, Narnia found herself actually standing in the forest that had haunted her for several months now. The moon was high overhead and the sound of the stream trickled in the distance. Her initial instinct was to break into a run, but held back, knowing this time, she would not go unnoticed. She met her uncle's eyes and pointed in the direction of the clearing. The ongoing silence around her caused her stomach to lurch and she hoped they weren't too late to save him. Before her last glimmer of hope seeped away, she heard the voices of Malfoy and what now could be assumed was Lord Voldemort, himself. Without coming too close to the gathered group, Narnia and Dumbledore adjusted themselves to see that, in fact, they had arrived just in time. From their vantage point, they could see the back of Malfoy and the top of Severus' head as knelt on the ground. The sight found Narnia forcing back the contents of her stomach and with one quick glance at her uncle, the moment had come for them to make their move.
Dumbledore disappeared from her side and she waited until the moment she could run forward, grab Severus, and bring him safely home. Suddenly, there was a commotion among the gathered group and the Death Eaters standing within the circle began running in all directions. Narnia could see Malfoy spinning around, looking for the source of the confusion, reaching for his own wand and then turning back to Severus. Charging forward, unaware of whether Voldemort remained or had vanished, Narnia cried, "Expelliarmus," disarming Malfoy. He glared at her in shock and ran from the clearing. Kneeling down and wrapping her arms around Severus limp body, she grabbed the portkey from her pocket and before returning home, a pain shot through her leg. Before discovering its source, they were gone and lying upon the cold floor of Hogwarts' hospital wing.
Holding Severus across her lap, gently rocking back and forth, she absentmindedly stroked the hair back from his face with her free hand, all the while, faintly aware of the sound of footsteps approaching them rapidly. A figure appeared in her periphery and she looked up to see the shocked expression of Madam Pomfrey.
"Good gracious heavens. Let's get him to a bed, quickly."
Making an effort to raise herself from the cold floor, Narnia stumbled slighty and lifting Severus' body with some difficulty, they made their way to the closest bed.
Madam Pomfrey hastily began to assess the damage and without stopping spoke.
"What has happened tonight, Professor?"
Narnia's eyes were fixed on Severus' face and unsure if she would be able to respond, she opened her mouth, fumbling for the explanation Madam Pomfrey needed.
"My dear, if you please," Madam Pomfrey stated in an irritable tone.
Narnia looked away from Severus and to Madam Pomfrey, her eyes pleading for answers.
"Voldemort and the others...They were torturing him and preparing to..." Narnia's voice trailed off, but from Madam Pomfrey's expression, Narnia knew she didn't need any further explanation.
"Well, then. It seems we have our work cut out for us. I will need your help, if you are able to give it, "Madam Pomfrey inquired.
Narnia shook her head. The only place she could fathom being right now was at Severus' side and no power on earth would be able to drag her away. Though she felt she would fall apart at any given moment, he needed her to pull it together and she would have to make due.
"Okay, first, we'll need to disrobe him to get a better perspective on his wounds."
Carefully, but quickly, Narnia worked at what was left of Severus' coat, stifling her gasps at the bruised and torn condition of the pale skin beneath. Severus' remained unconscious, but the shallow rise and fall of his chest signaled they had not lost him yet. Once they were able to account for the visible damage, Madam Pomfrey made for her stores to retrieve some healing potions. Waiting for her return to his bedside, Narnia kept one hand firmly pressed upon the blood-stained cloth that was keeping one of his wounds from gushing. He had been cut deeply into his side and the concern on Madam Pomfrey's face had not passed by unnoticed. Reaching her hand up to his face, Narnia began to stroke his hair again. Feeling the warmth of several tears streaming down her face, she lightly said his name and assured him everything would be all right.
When Madam Pomfrey cam bustling back, the Headmaster and Professor McGonogall accompanied her. A small bloom of relief sprung open in Narnia at seeing her uncle was safe, though the event undoubtedly tired him. Professor McGonogall's face lost all color at the sight before her and returning diligently to work, Madam Pomfrey answered any questions as she continued on.
"How does it look, Poppy?" Dumbledore asked soberly.
"Not good, but it could be worse," Poppy stated.
Narnia's shoulders slumped. She looked again to Severus lying motionless on the hospital bed, everything else around her fading away. Seeing the sight from the clearing in her mind again, she began to feel dizzy and nauseated. She wouldn't be able to hold back and quickly withdrew from his bedside, with no idea of where to run, but being unable to control it any longer, she braced herself between two beds, just yards away, and forcefully emptied the contents of her stomach onto the floor.
By the time Narnia had slumped to the floor, she felt two hands, one on each of her shoulders, and looked up to see her uncle's concerned face.
"Minerva, a glass of water, please." Dumbledore helped Narnia to her feet and helped her to sit down on one of the mattresses. Narnia stared at the floor, while her uncle remained at her side. "Severus is in the best of care. As there appears to be nothing more we can do for him right now, other than let him rest, perhaps we should all return to our quarters and get some rest of our own."
Professor McGonogall had returned with the glass of water and handed it to Narnia. Barely being able to hold onto it from the tremor in her hands, she took a small sip and then set it on the bedside table. Feebly, she spoke. "No, I'll be staying here." With her decision made, she looked up to meet her uncle's eyes. They gazed at each other indefinitely, before Minerva spoke.
She was leaning down, examining Narnia's leg, when she asked for Madam Pomfrey's assistance.
"Poppy, she's received a nasty gash to her lower leg."
Madam Pomfrey quickly came to evaluate her laceration and as Narnia and her uncle continued their unspoken conversation, she cleaned and dressed the cut.
Breaking the silence, her uncle leaned into her, holding her head gently in his hands and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Very well. Poppy will provide you with fresh clothes. If you are feeling up to it, we can talk tomorrow, then."
Narnia shook her head in agreement. The two professors left her side and returned to the end of Severus' bed. "Professor Fairling will be staying this evening. Please inform me of any changes."
"Of course, Albus."
With that, Professors Dumbledore and McGonogall left the infirmary. Narnia slowly slid off the bed and made her way back to Severus' side. She pulled a chair close and sat down, clutching onto his hand. She was unaware that Madam Pomfrey had finished her administrations to him and was now standing behind her. Poppy placed her hand gently on Narnia's shoulder to gain her attention.
Narnia turned to look at her.
"Narnia, the lavatory is right over there. You will find some fresh clothing by the sink. Why don't you go and freshen up and I'll keep an eye on Professor Snape while you do so," Poppy stated soothingly.
With one look back to Severus, she stood up and walked to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and for the first time, noticed she was only wearing her nightgown from earlier in the evening, only it was now caked with dried blood; sliding down the door, she began to weep. Placing her face against the cold stone wall, she tried to clear her mind as she made an effort to grasp all that had occurred tonight. She had anticipated this moment for so long; finally knowing the identity of the man from her dreams. However, knowing Severus as two different people, now, created conflict. On one hand, he was the man who needed her and was always reaching out to her, yet the man she had come to know in recent months and found herself falling in love with, consistently pulled away. Once, and if, he awoke, he would want all of the details and she knew her part in the tale would only push him farther away. Wiping the wetness from her eyes, she slowly stood up. Until that time arrived for her explanations, she would do all in her ability to help him, while he was unable to send her away.
After cleaning herself up, she returned to his side and placed herself back into the chair. Madam Pomfrey was pulling the blankets up and around him and then proceeded to hand one to Narnia.
"Thank you."
"If you need me, dear, I will be just in that room," she stated, pointing. She then added, "The next several hours will be the most important and after that, I believe he will be out of the woods. I'll be in to check on him periodically. Do try to get some rest."
Nodding her head, Narnia placed her hand over Severus' again as Poppy left her alone with him. Staring back at him, she faintly grinned. "You heard her. Now don't be your usual difficult self and get better. Besides, there will be no one for the students to loathe if you're not around."
After watching him for what seemed like hours, the rhythm of his breathing entranced Narnia and eventually her eyes began to droop. Keeping her grip on his hand, she scooted her chair even closer and laid her head down on the bed, at his side.
In the shadows, one Albus Dumbledore was somewhat relieved to see that all was currently stable and his heart was once again moved by the devotion and love his niece held for the Potions Master. How Narnia had known of the danger Severus had been in that evening, he was still unsure, but guessed that a deeper bond connected them than even they were aware of. Once revealed, Narnia would undoubtedly embrace it, but Severus, well, the fallout could be catastrophic.