Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, or anything Harry Potter-ish
Thanks to everyone who reviews, Verdesilath, I love the poem! There are more chapters to follow, I'm going to have to slow down thought because I'm nearing the end of the my degree and the University is insisting that I do some work (grr hiss spit), so a short chapter I'm afraid.
Chapter 7
That night as expected Tonks arrived with Kingsley as expected, Hermione looked very anxious, she had enough trouble breaking the school rules and this was definitely worse, even if it was in a good cause. She focused on what needed to be done, if she didn't succeed Harry would die, she couldn't bare that. She left with Tonks and Kingsley they apparated to hospital nearest to the burrow, they were dressed as muggles, at Hermione's suggestion they were carrying flowers. It appeared that Tonks suffered from hay fever, ever few steps that had to stop so she could sneeze. What was worrying Hermione was that every sneeze caused Tonks' hair to change colour, she was almost through the rainbow by the time they had found the storage cupboard.
"In there" Hermione whispered, Tonks drew he wand
"AlohoTISSUE! She sneezed and the spell bounced off the door and took the heads off the flowers Hermione had been carrying. Hermione sighed and dropped the decapitated bunch in the bin. Kinglsey drew his wand and had noticeably more success with unlocking the door. Once inside Hermione made quick work of gathering the supplies, she even found the nutrient bags that connected to the hose and the catheter, she put the all in the bag, she looked around just in time to see Tonks burst a saline bag all over herself and slip over, she knocked several shelving units down and made enough noise to wake the dead. Hermione rolled her eyes and looked and Kingsley, he shrugged
"What can you do?" he said as he dried her off. Shouting on the other side of the door drowned out Hermione's response, she ran over to them, and slipped in the saline which was all over the floor, she grabbed Tonks' hand just in time to apparate with the aurors. They arrived in a heap on the floor of the Burrow, they had left in such a hurry that they hadn't been all standing, Tonks fell on Hermione and managed to pull Kingsley on top of them when he tried to help them get up. After several minutes of giggles and flustered movement the three had separated themselves to see the twins smirking Snape standing in the corner.
"Did you get it or was the entire trip as disastrous as that entrance?" he said looking contemptuous.
"We got it. Now all we have to do is keep Harry still enough that I can fit it"
"That won't be a problem Miss Granger" Hermione nodded, she hadn't thought it would be, however she was surprised to see Snape on guard duty.
"There is one thing though I should mention"
"What Miss Granger?" Snape sounded bored already
"With the catheter in place Harry won't be able to talk"
"Well seeing as he has said a grand some of three words since this morning and two of those were asking for his dagger, I don't think we need to worry much. Now shall we?" Hermione nodded and followed Snape up the stairs. She sat down on the corner of the bed, she tried to stroke Harry's hair, but he turned away from her.
"Harry please eat, this is pretty much your last chance. If you don't I'm supposed to put you on a catheter feeder, you know like the ones in muggle hospitals" Harry looked at her
"Your idea huh?" She blushed, not quite sure what to say. She reached into her bag,
"Harry this is going to hurt…" Snape cut her off
"Not if you drink this first" He had a potion in his hand, Hermione understood why he had been waiting for them, she took the potion from him and bought it to Harry's lips,
he didn't seem inclined to drink it. She looked at him pleadingly
"Please Harry I don't want to hurt you". Harry melted at her request and drank it. Hermione separated the catheter, and tried to set it up, Harry would not keep still, he pulled on the restraints, and kept fidgeting until Snape drew his wand, he point it straight at Harry's head
"Immobilis" Snape lowered his wand; Harry found that he was no longer able to move his head. Hermione nodded her thanks and returned her attention to Harry. He graoned as she pushed the catheter home, she looked regretfully at him
"I'm sorry Harry, look if you'll eat normally we can take it out" His fists clenched. She looked at Snape
"It's done now you can free him" Snape nodded
"Finite Incantatem" Harry's first reaction was to shake his head to try and pull it free, this only succeeded in making it hurt so he gave up. Hermione set the bag, which had been magically cloned and left the room. Harry glared at Snape until he followed suit. Hermione was being comforted by Ron
"That was horrible I never want to do that again. Snape snorted
"If the boy wasn't so damn stubborn you wouldn't have to do it now"
"Yes well he gets that from his father" Molly was standing behind him. Snape tensed then walked into the fire place
"HOGWARTS" he sneered.
Snape arrived back in Dumbledore's office he nodded to the headmaster
"The plan was a success though I rather feel that the Tonks woman hindered more then helped" Dumbledore nodded
"Still it is done. There is someone who wishes to speak with you Serverus"
"Really who?"
"Our new Defence Against Dark Arts professor, he is in his office" Snape nodded and left the office. He arrived a few minutes later at the DADA offices. He knocked loudly once and an all too familiar voice answered;
"Come in Severus" Snape snarled as he entered
"So he's bought you back then?" Remus nodded
"Yes for the time being"
"Was that all you wanted?"
"No Severus, I wanted to talk about Harry"
"Harry is none of your business"
"Look Severus I know we haven't seen eye to eye on well practically anything but I do care about Harry. James was…."
"A thieving arrogant git" Remus ignored the jibe
"A close friend, Harry is the closest thing I have to a son. You need to tell him" Snape looked at Remus with a sudden down of realisation
"You're in love with him aren't you?" Snape sneered at Remus, Remsu shifted uncomfortably
"Look that's not the point" Snape lost control
"Not the point you're in love with MY SON and you are telling ME how to behave?!" Remus had gone quite pale. Snape was shaking with anger he grabbed him by the from of his robes
"You are NEVER to lay a finger on that boy understand me? NEVER" Remus nodded. Snape headed for the door
"I won't touch him, but I shan't turn him away if he needs me either Severus. I owe James and Lily that much" Snape paused but didn't turn round
"Yes you owed them and look where it got them" he spat before slamming the door on his way out.