Disclaimer: Same as always.

Dumbledore took leave of the Order members as quickly as possible. He had a feeling Severus was not well at all. They way he had kept unnaturally quiet all through the meeting was already highly suspicious, adding the blood on his robes and the twitching and shaking he was sure the boy was not as whole as he appeared. The floo powder carried him back to Hogwarts in an instant and he made his way swiftly from his office to the dungeons. Feeling the air getting chillier with every step he took. He had offered Severus quarters elsewhere, as to not have him exposed to the constant cold of the lower parts of the castle. But the man had always refused, claiming he was not bothered by it. Though Dumbledore had an idea that he preferred the dungeons more as a mean of isolation from everyone else more than other reasons.

He knocked softly and was met by no response. Unstymied he knocked more forcefully but the stiffling silence prevaled. Perhaps the boy was already sleeping? He must have been tired after all his meetings of the night. Still slightly worried he decided he would see him at breakfast tomorrow morning and let him sleep in peace. Though rather hesistant he turned back to his office.

Severus awoke suddenly from a few hours of fretful nightmares. Feeling far from rested he summoned enough energy to fetch the alcohol he had been intending to drink before falling asleep. He took a deep gulp and put it down. He ached all over. Shaking slightly he forced himself to stand and glanced at the clock, he was amazed to discover he had managed to sleep seven hours in one go. He was usually woken several times in the night from the dark memories that purged his dreams. It must have been the exhaustion, he thought, even though that didn't seem to have faded at all. As he ordered his feet to keep moving towards the bathroom his legs appeared to be made of some squiggly material that did not want to hold him up. But he had to clean himself up before going to the Great Hall. Hunger was not a feeling he usually had but he knew Dumbledore would argue if he did not at least make his appearance at lunch times every two days. Not that he ate much anyways.

Disentangling himself of his robes he washed the blood from his chest with a wet cloth. The gashes were long but shallow and the bleeding of most had been stemmed yesterday by time. His arms were plagued by new cuts and he smirked as they crossed over the old ones he had done himself over the years. Carefully donning clean robes he walked slowly out of his room and up the stairs, leaning agaisnt the wall for support. When he finally reached the Great Hall almost everyone was seated and he was dismayed to see Dumbledore had saved him a seat next to him instead of leaving him to sit alone in his usual corner. He unwillingly sat down gingerly, trying not to wince as his cracked ribs pained him.

'Severus dear boy. How're you this morning? I passed by your quarters last night but you appeared to be asleep-'

Dumbledore smiled at him kindly, his twinkling blue eyes inspecting him keenly.

'Fine, thank you Headmaster.'

He replied dully and turned to stare at his plate to avoid further conversation with the old man. He bared his teeth in disgust at the porridge awaiting him and did not bother to pick the spoon up. His hand reached for the tea cup and he took a sip, it was comfortably warm. He took a few more sips and set it down as his hands began trembling once more. It was harder to pretend to eat while sitting right next to the Headmaster. Yet he could not bring himself to pick up the spoon and enter that sloppy mixture of ingredients into his mouth. He decided to simply leave the table and head off to prepare the lesson for today.

'Severus, you have eaten nothing!'

The old man cried out when Snape was getting up. He grasped the man's wrist which caused him to gasp and yank it out of the Headmaster's hold in pain. Dumbledore eyed him warily, a slight frown between his bushy eyebrows. Severus pursed his lips in anger and stole off from the questioning stares of the staff. He knew Albus had meant no harm but he had unknowingly pressed his hand over a painful cut. Stil he was mostly angry at himself for crying out in that way. How weak was he? He could bear hours of torture but not a simple touch on a shallow cut. He shook his head and wearily prepared himself for the long day that awaited him.

'P-professor Snape, sir?

Snape raised his eyes from the pile of essays just handed in a glared at the small hufflepuff who was standing at the door, as though frightened to come any closer.

'What do you want?'

He asked rather rudely and hoping the boy would leave soon and before he had to give him a detention. A snarl threatened to issue from his mouth as he watched the boy shifting uncomfortably.

'Well what is it boy!?'

He snapped impatiently after a few seconds in which the boy still hadn't summoned up enough courage to speak.

'J-just that Professor Dumbledore asked me on my way h-here to convey a message to y-you, sir.'

A loud gulp was heard through the room as the boy finished talking. Snape raised an eyebrow and shook his head slightly urging the boy to continue.

'He said he would like for you to join him for dinner.'

The words stumbled out in a rush as though the second year were speaking as quick as he could, eager to leave the presence of the frightening Potions Master. Indeed his cowardice took the best of him for without waiting for a response he was gone, leaving the door wide open in his flight.

Severus wrinkled his face in disgust and closed the door with a wave of his wand. He had been planning a peaceful night, his only company some more alcohol. And now Dumbledore had to come and ruin his plans. And what was worse, he was sure what the wizard wanted. Probably to question his queer behaviour of this morning and an answer as to why he hadn't gone to lunch either. Damn.

He set the papers on a corner of his desk and got up unsteadily, the room blackening as he stood and took a few uncertain steps. His attempt to take a deep breath to clear his dizziness was met with a sharp pain in his chest as his ribs moved around. Spots dancing still before his eyes he proceded to the Great Hall, even though exhaustion was the nearest term to describe what he was feeling.

'Severus! Come sit beside me.'

The old man greeted cheerfully as Snape finally got to the Great Hall, feeling rather out of breath. He took the seat Dumbledore was pointing at with a quick nod and stared at his food in disgust. A nice looking meat pie was on his plate, but despite it's savoury apperance it only served to bring a wave of nausea. Pulling away from his plate he turned to face Dumbledore, trying to keep his face as expressionless as possible. His mind working for a simple apology that would allow him to leave the table quickly and return to the dungeons.

'I apologize for my rude behaviour of this morning Headmaster.'

He stated dully, his voice short above a whisper, not wanting to be overheard by any of the staff. Dumbledore gave him a quick smile but his eyes seemed questioning, as though wondering why he was apologizing at all.

'Ah, there is no need for it dear boy. It is I who was seeking your pardon. I am truly sorry if I hurt you this morning but I really had no idea of the extent of your injuries.'