Title: Verisimilitude
Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: R
Coupling: HP/SS slashy goodness
Disclaimer: As much as I wish it were so, these charas don't belong to me.
Thanks to: Crazy Mary-J... You're my lifesaver with this, you know.
A/N: I can't believe it. I honestly can't. The response I got was explosive! I was completely and utterly shocked. I still am! Because I received so many wonderful and encouraging reviews, I decided to post this chapter a few days sooner than what I intended, as a thank you gift. So, read on and enjoy!
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Chapter 2: Replacement
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A flash of light resonated. Then--
"--hundred detentions for your impudence!"
A low chuckle emanated amidst the silence that followed the previous retort. "All right, but who would watch over the school in my absences?" Albus Dumbledore replied innocently, leaning forward in his seat and peering at Severus expectantly.
"Where is he?" Severus growled, onyx eyes scanning the room. "Sass me, will he? Where did he go?"
As he made to climb off the bed, Dumbledore gently pushed him back down. "Severus, do you remember what happened?"
"What do you mean?" He stared at the older wizard as if he had finally lost the few marbles he had possessed. What was there to remember? Potter had been disrespectful as usual, rapping on about helping find a cure for the curse he had--
Oh.
The potion. He had taken the potion, and his body began to relax, and then--
"Headmaster, how long have I been suspended in time?" he asked hesitantly, still not sure his assumptions were correct. Maybe it was he and not the headmaster who was missing a few marbles.
Deciding that delaying the inevitable answer was pointless, Dumbledore said, "Five years have passed."
"Five years!" Severus couldn't believe it. It had been that long but felt like mere moments to him. "Five years of my life, gone," he muttered absently.
"No; five years of your life never passed," the headmaster corrected. "You are still the same age as you were five years ago."
Well, that made sense. And Dumbledore explained that much before the potion was taken as well. Still, hearing the words five years into the future was entirely different. Just the fact that he was awake again was astounding, because that meant--
"You found a cure."
Holding up two vials, Dumbledore gave the first one to Severus. "We worked long and hard for this, and it finally paid off."
Glancing at it skeptically, Severus asked, "Are you sure this will work?"
"Positive."
Knowing that Dumbledore had never steered him wrong in the past, Severus downed the potion, quite surprised to find it flavorless. He indicated to the second vial. "And that is?"
"Dreamless sleep potion." He handed it to Severus, who made protesting sounds in the back of his throat. "Your internal system has been severely mangled, and it will take some time for the potion to run its course. You should rest in the meantime."
Now that it was mentioned, he did feel rather tired. He downed that potion as well, eyelids growing heavy.
"Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake, and we can talk."
Severus tried to nod but couldn't find the strength to move his head, so he just sighed. He briefly wondered who had been tending to his classes, but all thoughts were abandoned as he was enveloped by velvety blackness.
.
.
It was the next afternoon before Severus ventured back into the realm of consciousness. True to his word, the headmaster was sitting next to the bed, waiting for the grogginess to leave the potions master. Once back to full alertness, he was anxious to know how the cure was found and what he had missed in the past half-decade.
Starting at the beginning, Dumbledore told him how two other potions masters had offered their services and contributed much expertise on the inner workings of antidotes. However, one master had ended up regretfully leaving the research when his other projects needed constant tending to. The other master had been killed by Voldemort.
It pleased Severus to hear that the Dark Lord had been defeated two years earlier. The Dark Mark still glared up at him from his forearm, but just the fact that it would never burn again was enough to appease his previous anger.
What he was really interested in, though, were his classes. There was no one at Hogwarts even remotely qualified to handle even the first year classes, save Dumbledore, who had obviously not been teaching. He just about cringed at the thought of some of the people who could have been appointed to the position. A brief flash of Hagrid bumbling about the potions storage room caused an involuntary shudder to rush down his spine.
He was greatly relieved to find that his classes had been headed by Arznei Orten, a German potions master who was aiding in Dumbledore's research. But if Orten left after four years, as the headmaster had said, then who had been teaching this past year?
"When Herr Orten started teaching, he took on an apprentice," Dumbledore had explained, "someone to help with the research. This young person learned swiftly and was much help in tending to the classes as an assistant. It is this person who has been teaching since Herr Orten left. Coincidentally, it is one of your own seventh-year Potions students that took on the role."
Must be a Slytherin, then, Severus mused. Unless... "It's not Granger, is it?" he asked, horrorstricken.
Eyeing him in amusement, he laid the other man's fears to rest when he answered, "No, it is not. Said apprentice is a male."
Severus visibly relaxed at the words. In truth, he knew of only one student who could have handled the role, and that would have been his godson, Draco Malfoy. When he asked the headmaster if Draco was indeed the person in question, those blue eyes only gained a new twinkle as he was told to go visit the classroom and see for himself.
Which was why he was currently making his way down to the dungeons, much to the protest of Madam Pomfrey, who didn't want to release him. But after giving him a positive diagnosis--the potion had indeed cured him--there was really no reason she had that could keep the potions master from practically sprinting out of there. He hated the infirmary. It was nothing against Poppy personally, as she was a severely competent medi-witch. But he just couldn't handle the stark whiteness, the pristine smells and the inevitable feeling of nausea that involuntarily formed a tight ball in the pit of his stomach and refused to dissipate. Oh, how he hated that place.
And he didn''t even have to inform her of his discomfort. Not that he ever, ever would have. But at least he had a plausible excuse. As the thought of his previous task came back into mind, Severus quickened his pace as much as his long legs allowed him.
It was nearing the end of classes, so there was no one in the hallways, and Severus was greatly appreciative of that. Even though--according to Dumbledore--the students and other staff members were aware that he was no longer incapacitated, he had no desire to run into anyone.
As he reached his former classroom, a strange feeling washed over him. It felt like he had only been there the day previous, when in fact it had been much longer. Years longer. He almost didn't want to go in, didn't want to see what--or who--was on the other side. But twittering about outside was ridiculous. Besides, how bad could it be?
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and silently slinked inside. Years of spying had taught him how to blend into the shadows, even though the students all faced the door. They were all too occupied to notice his arrival, anyhow. A quick scan around the room showed that the class was sixth year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, all of whom were working diligently. He recognized them all from the day before when they had been bumbling first years. This new apprentice/professor must be at least halfway decent, then. Just where was he, anyway?
As if hearing the silent question, a voice rang out from the storage closet, "Five more minutes! Your potions should all be the color and consistency of that green sludge that Peeves has taken to flinging about." A few of the students snickered at this.
That voice... It sounded so familiar, yet not. Severus's brain started scanning through possibilities of who it might be. It definitely wasn't Draco. Another Slytherin, perhaps? But Slytherins wouldn't joke like that in class. In fact, joking like that was characteristic of a Gryffindor. His stomach twisted at the realization. And then a single, lone voice popped into his head, the last voice he remembered hearing.
"Now, now, sir. Don't want to say anything you'll regret after waking up from that little sleep of yours, do you?"
"Time's up!" The students groaned but began to fill and stopper their vials. Walking out of the storage closet, the professor reminded, "Don't forget your essays that are due tomorrow at the beginning of class. Two feet, no more, no less. Have a good day, now!"
The students all turned in their vials and cleaned up their work stations, calling goodbyes out as they left the classroom.
Once they were all gone, the professor turned to his desk and began checking the vials one by one, making scratches on a piece of parchment. After a moment, he said softly, "I see you're up and about, so I assume you're feeling all right?" Abandoning the vials, he turned around and looked over at Severus, who was still cloaked in shadows.
Severus found himself staring into the blindingly green eyes of Harry Potter. That was the last thing he saw before his own eyes rolled back into his head as he fainted dead away.
.
.
.
.
Poor Sev. Can't he stay conscious for more than five minutes at a time? He must look so angelic when he's passed out... ::dreamy smile:: Sorry. Back on track here.
I think I'll start updating weekly. Meaning, every Friday you'll get a new chapter! This way, you know you have something to look forward to and when to look out for it, and I have time to actually crank out the chapters. It's a win-win situation.
Please review! I love reviews like I love my new Draco t-shirt. Ok, almost as much, then. But still! I appreciate and accept any forms of comment/criticism. It really does boost my self-esteem, you know. Until next chapter, then. Peace out!
Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: R
Coupling: HP/SS slashy goodness
Disclaimer: As much as I wish it were so, these charas don't belong to me.
Thanks to: Crazy Mary-J... You're my lifesaver with this, you know.
A/N: I can't believe it. I honestly can't. The response I got was explosive! I was completely and utterly shocked. I still am! Because I received so many wonderful and encouraging reviews, I decided to post this chapter a few days sooner than what I intended, as a thank you gift. So, read on and enjoy!
.
.
.
Chapter 2: Replacement
.
A flash of light resonated. Then--
"--hundred detentions for your impudence!"
A low chuckle emanated amidst the silence that followed the previous retort. "All right, but who would watch over the school in my absences?" Albus Dumbledore replied innocently, leaning forward in his seat and peering at Severus expectantly.
"Where is he?" Severus growled, onyx eyes scanning the room. "Sass me, will he? Where did he go?"
As he made to climb off the bed, Dumbledore gently pushed him back down. "Severus, do you remember what happened?"
"What do you mean?" He stared at the older wizard as if he had finally lost the few marbles he had possessed. What was there to remember? Potter had been disrespectful as usual, rapping on about helping find a cure for the curse he had--
Oh.
The potion. He had taken the potion, and his body began to relax, and then--
"Headmaster, how long have I been suspended in time?" he asked hesitantly, still not sure his assumptions were correct. Maybe it was he and not the headmaster who was missing a few marbles.
Deciding that delaying the inevitable answer was pointless, Dumbledore said, "Five years have passed."
"Five years!" Severus couldn't believe it. It had been that long but felt like mere moments to him. "Five years of my life, gone," he muttered absently.
"No; five years of your life never passed," the headmaster corrected. "You are still the same age as you were five years ago."
Well, that made sense. And Dumbledore explained that much before the potion was taken as well. Still, hearing the words five years into the future was entirely different. Just the fact that he was awake again was astounding, because that meant--
"You found a cure."
Holding up two vials, Dumbledore gave the first one to Severus. "We worked long and hard for this, and it finally paid off."
Glancing at it skeptically, Severus asked, "Are you sure this will work?"
"Positive."
Knowing that Dumbledore had never steered him wrong in the past, Severus downed the potion, quite surprised to find it flavorless. He indicated to the second vial. "And that is?"
"Dreamless sleep potion." He handed it to Severus, who made protesting sounds in the back of his throat. "Your internal system has been severely mangled, and it will take some time for the potion to run its course. You should rest in the meantime."
Now that it was mentioned, he did feel rather tired. He downed that potion as well, eyelids growing heavy.
"Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake, and we can talk."
Severus tried to nod but couldn't find the strength to move his head, so he just sighed. He briefly wondered who had been tending to his classes, but all thoughts were abandoned as he was enveloped by velvety blackness.
.
.
It was the next afternoon before Severus ventured back into the realm of consciousness. True to his word, the headmaster was sitting next to the bed, waiting for the grogginess to leave the potions master. Once back to full alertness, he was anxious to know how the cure was found and what he had missed in the past half-decade.
Starting at the beginning, Dumbledore told him how two other potions masters had offered their services and contributed much expertise on the inner workings of antidotes. However, one master had ended up regretfully leaving the research when his other projects needed constant tending to. The other master had been killed by Voldemort.
It pleased Severus to hear that the Dark Lord had been defeated two years earlier. The Dark Mark still glared up at him from his forearm, but just the fact that it would never burn again was enough to appease his previous anger.
What he was really interested in, though, were his classes. There was no one at Hogwarts even remotely qualified to handle even the first year classes, save Dumbledore, who had obviously not been teaching. He just about cringed at the thought of some of the people who could have been appointed to the position. A brief flash of Hagrid bumbling about the potions storage room caused an involuntary shudder to rush down his spine.
He was greatly relieved to find that his classes had been headed by Arznei Orten, a German potions master who was aiding in Dumbledore's research. But if Orten left after four years, as the headmaster had said, then who had been teaching this past year?
"When Herr Orten started teaching, he took on an apprentice," Dumbledore had explained, "someone to help with the research. This young person learned swiftly and was much help in tending to the classes as an assistant. It is this person who has been teaching since Herr Orten left. Coincidentally, it is one of your own seventh-year Potions students that took on the role."
Must be a Slytherin, then, Severus mused. Unless... "It's not Granger, is it?" he asked, horrorstricken.
Eyeing him in amusement, he laid the other man's fears to rest when he answered, "No, it is not. Said apprentice is a male."
Severus visibly relaxed at the words. In truth, he knew of only one student who could have handled the role, and that would have been his godson, Draco Malfoy. When he asked the headmaster if Draco was indeed the person in question, those blue eyes only gained a new twinkle as he was told to go visit the classroom and see for himself.
Which was why he was currently making his way down to the dungeons, much to the protest of Madam Pomfrey, who didn't want to release him. But after giving him a positive diagnosis--the potion had indeed cured him--there was really no reason she had that could keep the potions master from practically sprinting out of there. He hated the infirmary. It was nothing against Poppy personally, as she was a severely competent medi-witch. But he just couldn't handle the stark whiteness, the pristine smells and the inevitable feeling of nausea that involuntarily formed a tight ball in the pit of his stomach and refused to dissipate. Oh, how he hated that place.
And he didn''t even have to inform her of his discomfort. Not that he ever, ever would have. But at least he had a plausible excuse. As the thought of his previous task came back into mind, Severus quickened his pace as much as his long legs allowed him.
It was nearing the end of classes, so there was no one in the hallways, and Severus was greatly appreciative of that. Even though--according to Dumbledore--the students and other staff members were aware that he was no longer incapacitated, he had no desire to run into anyone.
As he reached his former classroom, a strange feeling washed over him. It felt like he had only been there the day previous, when in fact it had been much longer. Years longer. He almost didn't want to go in, didn't want to see what--or who--was on the other side. But twittering about outside was ridiculous. Besides, how bad could it be?
Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and silently slinked inside. Years of spying had taught him how to blend into the shadows, even though the students all faced the door. They were all too occupied to notice his arrival, anyhow. A quick scan around the room showed that the class was sixth year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, all of whom were working diligently. He recognized them all from the day before when they had been bumbling first years. This new apprentice/professor must be at least halfway decent, then. Just where was he, anyway?
As if hearing the silent question, a voice rang out from the storage closet, "Five more minutes! Your potions should all be the color and consistency of that green sludge that Peeves has taken to flinging about." A few of the students snickered at this.
That voice... It sounded so familiar, yet not. Severus's brain started scanning through possibilities of who it might be. It definitely wasn't Draco. Another Slytherin, perhaps? But Slytherins wouldn't joke like that in class. In fact, joking like that was characteristic of a Gryffindor. His stomach twisted at the realization. And then a single, lone voice popped into his head, the last voice he remembered hearing.
"Now, now, sir. Don't want to say anything you'll regret after waking up from that little sleep of yours, do you?"
"Time's up!" The students groaned but began to fill and stopper their vials. Walking out of the storage closet, the professor reminded, "Don't forget your essays that are due tomorrow at the beginning of class. Two feet, no more, no less. Have a good day, now!"
The students all turned in their vials and cleaned up their work stations, calling goodbyes out as they left the classroom.
Once they were all gone, the professor turned to his desk and began checking the vials one by one, making scratches on a piece of parchment. After a moment, he said softly, "I see you're up and about, so I assume you're feeling all right?" Abandoning the vials, he turned around and looked over at Severus, who was still cloaked in shadows.
Severus found himself staring into the blindingly green eyes of Harry Potter. That was the last thing he saw before his own eyes rolled back into his head as he fainted dead away.
.
.
.
.
Poor Sev. Can't he stay conscious for more than five minutes at a time? He must look so angelic when he's passed out... ::dreamy smile:: Sorry. Back on track here.
I think I'll start updating weekly. Meaning, every Friday you'll get a new chapter! This way, you know you have something to look forward to and when to look out for it, and I have time to actually crank out the chapters. It's a win-win situation.
Please review! I love reviews like I love my new Draco t-shirt. Ok, almost as much, then. But still! I appreciate and accept any forms of comment/criticism. It really does boost my self-esteem, you know. Until next chapter, then. Peace out!