"When will he be able to leave?"

"Soon. Within the next two days possibly."

Voices. Harry could hear them but was not yet awake enough to respond. He shifted a little on his bed and woke slowly. Remus was still in his room, the chair had been moved back to the wall and the werewolf was still sitting in it. A cup of tea rested on his good thigh, and his free hand was currently pushing his greying hair from his face.

"'Mus..." Harry mumbled into his pillow. The werewolf heard him though and turned toward him with a small smile.

"Awake already?"

Harry shook his head and buried his nose into the pillow, he was awake really and knew he wouldn't be sleeping for quite a bit yet.

Remus' laughter made him smile against the linen and with a dramatic groan he rolled over and stared up at the ceiling.

Soon, a looming face blocked his view and when Harry's eyes uncrossed he saw the frowning face of Severus Snape looking down at him.

Harry frowned as well as he studied the potions master's face. He too had new creases and an ashen color. There were bags beneath the man's eyes and his pale lips were dry and peeling. Harry suddenly noticed several grey hairs at the man's temples. He didn't remember those ever being in Snape's jet black hair.

"You look awful, Professor."

The face above him cocked an eyebrow and scowled. "Thank you for that astute observation, Mr. Potter. Now sit up."

Grimacing, Harry sat and another cup of sludge was handed to him. "What is this stuff?"

Snape arched his brow again. "Apparently you are feeling better."

Harry took a large drink of the stuff and made a face. "Why is that, Professor?"

"Because you're becoming more like your brattish self."

"Severus." Remus said quietly, a small frown on his face.

Snape smirked. "He did ask for my opinion."

Harry finished the draught and handed the cup back. "I suppose I am feeling better." He smiled for Remus' sake when Severus snorted.

A shy nurse stuck her head through the entry and smiled at them. "Mr. Lupin? Would you mind returning to your room. The doctor would like to check your wounds and give you fresh bandages."

Lupin nodded, gripping his cane in one hand and stood with a groan. He smiled at Harry's worried look. "Never get old, Harry."

Harry grinned. "I'm not sure I have a choice."

The werewolf stopped at the foot of his bed and smiled gently. "For that I'm glad, Harry." He continued on and nodded at Severus as he hobbled by. The nurse smiled shyly at him and took him by the elbow, helping him down the hall.

Snape snorted and turned back to Harry. He began to look at Harry's eyes, then his throat. Harry sighed in irritation and let the man finish his examination. As he continued, Snape paused to look him in the eye. "You heard our conversation, no doubt."

Harry grunted in affirmation, not able to say 'yes' since his mouth was wide open so that Severus could look at his tongue.

"Then you know you will be free of this place as early as tomorrow." Snape released his face and frowned down at him. "You will still have to take it easy for a time. Most likely you will stay in close contact with Madame Pomfry. I'm sure she will be very happy to have you under her wing to fuss over."

Harry was quiet and contemplative as he looked at the potions master. Severus scowled under his stare. "What is it, Potter?"

"You look tired, Professor." Harry muttered.

Severus was taken aback and his arms dropped from where they had been crossed over his chest.

"Why don't you take a nap?" Harry offered with a grin. "I could sit in the chair, you can lay here if you want."

"I think not." Snape snapped. Harry watched as the man closed in on himself. Onyx eyes grew far away and closed off. The professors arms came up again but instead wrapped loosely around his stomach.

"Professor?"

"Rest, Harry. I'll be back tonight with your next potion." Severus turned, exiting quickly.

Harry watched him go, frowning slightly. Professor Snape had never been an open man, especially to Harry or any other student. But then again, Harry doubted that anyone had ever bothered to listen to him. There was something bothering him, however, and Harry was bound to figure out just what it was.

Severus returned just a he said he would and Harry watched him enter with calculating eyes. The professor chose to ignore him and set about his ingredients to mix another horrid concoction for Harry to swallow.

By the time the mug was full and set in Harry's hand, Snape was scowling and on the verge of hexing the young man into sleep. "Drink this, Potter."

Harry wrinkled his nose at the offensive smell, pinched his nostrils shut and gulped. Before he had swallowed the last bit, Snape was already on his way toward the doorway. Harry called out, choking slightly on what remained in his mouth and began to cough.

Even though it wasn't what he wanted to do, it still served its purpose when Severus came back in and sat Harry up quickly. "Foolish boy." As Harry's fit passed, Snape had a hand resting on his lower back and was scowling hard enough to crack the floor tile.

Calmed enough to breath normally, Harry caught hold of Snape's sleeve as the man started his way back toward the door.

Startled, Severus stopped and furrowed his brow. "What is it Mr. Potter?"

"Professor, would you sit with me for a while?"

Snape looked mildly surprised but hid it rather quickly. "I am rather busy Potter, and I doubt you want my company. Perhaps you can sit with Lupin if he'll have you."

"Actually, Professor I would like you to stay." Harry kept the man's gaze for as long as he could before he finally had to look away.

"What do you really want, Potter?" Severus sighed.

Harry was quiet, blinking up at Snape with a contemplative stare. "You look tired, Professor. I know I haven't been awake for long, but you're always here. In the middle of the night, early in the morning, the middle of the day...don't you sleep?"

Severus remained quiet and Harry was counting the seconds until Snape turned and left. To his surprise and mild enjoyment, Severus didn't leave. The potions master looked defeated and he deflated like a party balloon right before Harry's eyes. It was oddly disconcerting, seeing the only person to remain stoic and hardened over the several years he had known him, fall into disorder so easily.

"I don't often," Snape admitted carefully. His voice was perfectly neutral. "I catch myself napping at odd moments and wake to find something useful to do."

"Why?" Harry was a bit reserved to ask the question, from his past experience working with the potions professor he knew that it was best to let the man talk until he was finished and not fish for answers. Usually the man clammed up, realized that he had said too much and wouldn't talk to Harry for days after.

That familiar glint of annoyance flashed in Snape's eyes and Harry nearly laughed at the predictability. When Severus spoke next, Harry barely heard him as the man merely whispered and looked away. "Bad things happen."

"Oh." Harry felt stupid, unable to think of something far more suiting to answer. He swallowed hard, "What sort of bad things?"

Snape stiffened and began to stalk back and forth at the foot of Harry's bed. Green eyes trailed him in wonder. Harry suddenly didn't want to know the answer, not if Snape was getting so worked up. He didn't know whether to be watching for a tongue lashing or a horrid story. Either way it would probably make it harder for him to sleep that night.

"What do you remember of the fight against Voldemort, Harry?" Snape stopped at the foot of the bed, ebony eyes narrowed.

Harry sorted through the fragments of what he could remember. There were still a few larger pieces missing, but he had most of the pieces there. All he had to do now was take the time to sort them. Furrowing his brow in thought Harry began to chew at a thumb nail as he concentrated. "Panic. So many people running back and forth. Professor McGonagall was behind me, picking off death eaters. Covering me from their fire, I think." Harry paused, frustratedly running a hand through his hair. "Dumbledore came out of nowhere. One minute I was running toward Voldemort alone, the next" Harry motioned with his hands, "there he was."

Severus nodded slowly. He had just hexed Bellatrix when Albus had popped into being only feet from him. He had watched as the aged wizard moved with a speed and agility that belied his age.

"He said something to me..." Harry grumbled, temples starting to ache as he forced his mind to remember. "He was going to distract Voldemort." Harry's eyes widened in dawning as though he had just been told instead of merely remembering. "It-it worked but by the time I got a clear shot...Dumbledore was already falling..."

Wide, watery eyes implored Snape to tell him it was a lie. He got no reassurance when the lanky man would not meet his gaze. Harry bit back a sob and flopped backward onto his bed, staring sightlessly at the ceiling tile.

"He didn't die on the field, Harry." Snape's quiet voice informed him. Harry picked up his head from the pillow and peered at the dark wizard. "Madame Pomfrey had him removed and partly revived before they had even announced Voldemort well and truly dead. She had nearly cried in relief when Saint Mungo's came to take you. She was tearing herself into pieces trying to keep the both of you stable." A sick smile twisted Snape's lip. "I came straight from the battlefield and into my dungeons, brewing potions as fast as I could manage. It had been two days and I hadn't slept, only surviving on pepper-up potions and coffee as thick as tar."

The eerie smile fell from his lips and his hollow eyes pierced Harry right to the heart. "Poppy couldn't take it, my working myself into my grave as she put it." He snorted. "While I had been filling vials for her, she took the liberty of tainting my coffee with dreamless sleep. When I woke" Severus' voice wheezed out and he paused to clear his throat. "When I woke in a fury, Albus had passed."

A light flickered on in Harry's mind and he felt pain and pity for his professor for the first time. Snape didn't sleep because the one time he had, the most important person in his life had left him alone in a world that didn't want him. "I'm sorry, professor," he whispered.

The sick smile returned and Severus snorted. "Don't be daft, Potter. It's not your fault." The distant look in Snape's eyes told Harry that the potions master blamed himself.

"Rest, Potter. I'll be back in the morning to gather you. You'll return to Hogwarts for the next few months until you are completely healed. It may be some time before the school is up and running." Severus' eye twitched and Harry watched him as he walked to the door with slumped shoulders.

"Professor," Harry called, satisfied when the man paused to glance over his shoulder. "You can sleep, Professor. No one else is going anywhere." Harry tried to smile but it didn't stick. Severus was staring at him with an intensity he had never seen. Finally the man blinked, and he watched as Snape exited in a whisper of robes.

An hour later, Harry was lying on his back, the remainder of his tears for Dumbledore's passing drying on his cheeks. A soft knock came from his entry and he rolled over to see Remus leaning on the frame with a gentle smile. "Mind if I come in?"

Harry sat up, scrubbing his face with his shirt sleeves. "Come in, Remus."

The werewolf hobbled in and sat in the guest chair. "I hear you'll be leaving tomorrow."

"I guess so." Harry mumbled.

Remus frowned. "You should be happy to get out of here. I'm stuck here for at least another two weeks yet." He prodded Harry with a sly grin. "Besides, you'll be able to get some fresh air and visit your friends again."

A weak grin worked its way onto Harry's face. "That will be nice."

"Things will be alright, Harry." Remus said carefully. "Not everything will be the same as it was, but I promise things will get better."

"How can you be so sure?" Harry grumbled, not feeling very optimistic. He had been awake and alert for only a few days and he had only heard of death and destruction.

Lupin rested a hand on his arm. "It has to." His voice lightened and he nearly laughed. "I've seen an omen."

Harry gave him an odd look. "What omen?"

Remus winked and touched the side of his nose, "Severus came and sat with me for a few minutes after he brought you your potion, his spirits were a bit dour I admit but after he left I came here. And do you know what I saw?"

Harry shook his head.

"He had lain down on an empty cot and fallen asleep." Lupin smiled lightly.

Eyes wide in surprise, Harry could only blink stupidly.

The wolf laughed and stood. "I'll leave you to your rest then. I've got a meeting with some needles in another room anyway." Remus made a face. "I'll be sure to catch you before you leave in the morning."

Harry nodded and waved as the lycanthrope left. He waited until he was sure Lupin had gotten to wherever he had needed before he got out of his bed and walked cautiously to his door. Apparently whatever it was Snape had been feeding him was working wonderfully. Only days ago he could barely stand for longer than a minute without feeling the need to sit down. Now, though he didn't think he could run a marathon, he felt like he could do just about anything.

After making sure the hall was empty, he walked down the hall with his patter of bare feet to keep him company. He stopped before he made it to Remus' room since the wolf had said he had seen Snape on the way. Green eyes scanned the possible rooms and he decided to try the only open doorway in the hall.

When he peeked his head through, he smiled a little and entered a bit further. Severus was indeed laid out across a cot, dark hair fallen across his face. Harry picked up a folded blanket and crept closer. With a careful toss, the fabric spread open and fluttered down onto the professor's slight form.

Dark eyes snapped open and Harry stopped as his heart leapt into his throat. "What are you doing, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked quietly.

Harry grinned, "Checking on you, professor."

Severus grunted, glittering eyes watching the young man as he stopped his retreat at the doorway. He raised an eyebrow when the boy's face turned to look back at him. "Go back to sleep, we'll watch over you this time."

A derisive snort answered him, and when Harry shut the door behind him lightly and checked in through the window, Severus was already asleep.