Disclaimer: see Chapter One

Chapter Sixteen: Treatment

Poppy Pomfrey crossed the room in her office stopping at the bookcase. Running her finger along the spines of the books she searched for the one she needed. If I'm to be of assistance to Albus I'll need to refresh my memory regarding the Elation Elixir. Finding the book she sought she sat at her desk opening the old tome and beginning to read.

Elation Elixir

A potent antidepressant potion that can effectively treat a patient whose depression is potion resistant. It's one-dose regimen has been shown to be highly effective and has not been found to be addictive.

Hospitalization is strongly recommended prior to administration for the safety of the patient and others.

Most patients pass through three distinct phases of effect following the dosage.

Phase One: The patient's body experiences a purely physical response as extremes in body temperature, from hypothermia to hyperthermia. The extreme discomfort of this phase is not life threatening but can be frightening to the patient. Phase One is short-lived lasting only minutes.

Phase Two: The next phase is the longest and the most difficult for the patient and the caregivers. It is a manic phase characterized by a mood that is elevated, expansive or irritable. The patient may become hyperverbal, speaking loudly in a rapid fashion. He may also become labile, moving quickly from mood to mood, and may become aggressive. It is during this phase that the patient may become a danger to himself or others as a result of poor judgment. This phase is the longest of the three and can last anywhere from two to six hours.

Phase Three: This phase has been commonly dubbed the 'coming down phase' because it marks a reversal of the manic phase. Physical manifestations include tremors, facial tics and moderate to severe headache. This phase can last from approximately thirty minutes to one hour.

At the conclusion of treatment the patient will have become euthymic, no longer manic nor depressed but with an even mood. Therapy can begin at this point with a trained Mind Healer.

Note: Although the patient is euthymic at the end of treatment the patient may have a relapse at some point in the future and may need subsequent treatment.

Poppy sighed and said a little prayer for Albus, then replaced the book on the shelf and went to retrieve a headache potion for when needed.

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The two figures Apparated to just outside the boundaries of Hogwarts, their bodies tumbling to the soft, cool grass. Remus rolled onto his back gasping for breath, beyond merely exhausted. He had Apparated himself and others long distances in a short span of time. Minky and Dobby popped softly beside them, having no problem finding their way back to Hogwarts.

Draco sat up, his gray eyes wide in the early evening darkness. "Were they Death Eaters?"

Remus continued to lie sprawled out on the grass. "Probably," he said through great gulps of air.

Dobby leaned over Lupin. "Does Former Professor Lupin need Dobby?"

Remus bit back the sarcastic retort he so wanted to deliver and instead answered in his trademark civil manner. "Yes, Dobby thank you— gasp—- take Draco into the hospital ward— gasp— via the back entrance."

"What about you?" cried Draco.

"I need a breather— gasp— I'll be along." Remus knew he would not be able to gain enough strength in the next few minutes to make the long trek to Hogwarts. He would only hinder the child from reaching safety.

Draco started to shake, his eyes scanning the darkness for Death Eaters. "They'll kill you!"

Remus ignored him, directing his words to Minky. "Get him inside."

Minky started to pull at Draco's arm trying to get him into the safe boundaries of Hogwarts. He broke free and bent over Remus, wand out.

"Draco, go inside! I'll be fine! Go now!"

Draco pointed the wand at the lycanthrope's chest and recited the feather-light incantation. He then scooped up the older wizard easily and began the trek to the hospital wing, the two elves following behind.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Albus rubbed his temples wearily. Severus had been talking non-stop for— he checked the time— almost two hours! Has it only been two hours? I thought surely that it has been longer. Albus had spent the last two hours listening to Severus. He started with what dunderheads children were and then ranted about several whom were rule-breakers. He then raved about the child prodigy Mozart and how brilliant children were then. Following that he ended up back at the beginning, talking about what dunderheads the children of today are. He speech was so rapid that spittle was collecting at the corners of his mouth.

This uncharacteristic mania had been what frightened Severus regarding taking the potion in the first place. The last time he had taken it was fifteen years ago in July.

Albus remembered that day like it was yesterday. Severus had been distraught for some time and was no longer sleeping. The double life that he was leading was wearing him down considerably. His mother, Calida, had become depressed after being involved in a relationship with a married wizard whom she thought would leave his wife for her. When the relationship ended rather abruptly (as his wife found out) she came to Severus who was at the same point summoned by Voldemort. He didn't realize how desperate his mother had become and asked her to wait for him at home while he went with the Death Eaters. Before leaving he quickly contacted Albus and asked him to come and stay with his mother. Severus returned some time later to find that his mother had taken an overdose of sleeping draught and Albus had arrived too late to be able to do anything to help.

Severus had told himself that it was an accident but became even more quiet and withdrawn. He no longer ate and would just sit, staring off into space. Albus had finally convinced Severus to take the elixir after much argument. He had convinced him that his mother was looking down at him and wanting her son to be happy.

It was during the manic phase that he slipped away from Albus and Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. When Albus found him, thanks to a tip from Mundungus Fletcher, Severus was standing on a tabletop singing from Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro and sprouting flowers from the tip of his wand and tossing them to each of the ladies in the room. The women were not happy at all when Albus removed Severus from their presence and they almost started a riot. Severus received love notes from different witches for months afterwards, also receiving several offers to sing in public.

The incident had not made the newspaper because Albus had talked to Lucius Malfoy, who wished to protect his friend and fellow Death Eater. Albus had never asked what Lucius had done but simply accepted his help for Severus' sake.

Albus glanced at Severus who was currently telling a very animated tale about flying his broom as a professional Quidditch player. The normally taciturn and irascible wizard was grinning wildly and blithering non-stop. The headmaster kept quiet, as it was almost impossible to get in a word anyway. Albus closed his eyes and let his head rest on the cushioning of the overstuffed armchair. It shouldn't be too much longer.

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Ron lay in his bed, caught up in the throes of a troubled dream. He saw Snape glaring at him, his black eyes boring into the young Gryffindor. The Potions Master kept repeating that Ron had betrayed him. Ron tried to convince Snape that he was only trying to help. Ron reached out and grabbed Severus by the arms but the older wizard pulled away. Ron stared down at his hands, which were now covered in blood. He called out after Snape who was running swiftly toward the edge of a cliff. Ron took off after him, but as he reached the edge the Potions Master took a long leap and was gone, leaving Ron to drop to his knees, screaming "NO!"

Ron sat up suddenly in his bed, looking around the dorm room. It was only a dream, only a dream! His heart hammered against his ribs and he lay down taking deep steadying breaths. The room was dark save for a beam of moonlight shining in through the not quite closed curtains. It cast an eerie glow over the room, falling in a strip across Ron's then Harry's beds.

Ron noticed movement at the foot of the bed. Glancing down he saw a long brown leg curl up and over the bed followed by several others until an entire vampire spider was on his bed. More then began to pull up over the side following the first. Ron was frozen, unable to do anything but scream as he felt the familiar plunge of the needle–like projections into his calves and thighs. Ron screamed at the top of his lungs leaping from the bed.

Another Dream! Bloody hell! Ron scrambled from his bed and held his wand aloft gingerly pulling back the blankets and seeing no spiders. "Lumos." He checked under the bed and saw nothing. Ron then sat back upon the duvet, shaking and feeling very tense. He saw movement in the bed beside him and jumped but it was only Harry turning over in his sleep. Get hold of yourself, Ron! He found himself staring intently at his old friend. Something was different but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Ron scrambled from his bed and held his wand aloft gingerly pulling back the blankets and seeing no spidersHe checked under the bed and saw nothing. Ron then sat back upon the duvet, shaking and feeling very tense. He saw movement in the bed beside him and jumped but it was only Harry turning over in his sleep. He found himself staring intently at his old friend. Something was different but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Padding over to Harry's bed Ron leaned in close to his friend's sleeping face. He looked different without glasses, was that it? His eyes were drawn to Harry's throat, pale white in the moonlight. He suddenly felt drawn to move closer…closer. There was a very slight pulsing in Harry's throat over where his jugular vein lay, covered by a network of skin and subcutaneous tissue. Ron felt compelled to lean so close that he could swear he was hearing the blood flowing through his friend's body. He could catch a faint scent of something very warm and tangy. Ron licked his lips as an overwhelming thirst overtook him. His mouth opened of its own volition and he found himself sinking his sharp fangs into the soft flesh of Harry's throat. Harry began to call out and struggle but Ron held him fast, using his preternatural strength to keep his prey in place while he fed.

"RON! RON! Wake up!" Harry bellowed.

Ron sprang up from the bed, wild-eyed. "What! Harry—you're okay!" His bleary eyes saw Harry and their dorm mates all spying him curiously.

"You were dreaming—" Neville began.

"—and screaming," added Dean.

"And you were calling out Harry's name in your sleep!" Seamus finished.

Ron's ears went red. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Seamus was not so easy to give up on his teasing. "I didn't know you dreamt about Harry!" he cried, falling back onto his bed and laughing loudly.

"Leave him alone!" thundered Harry, causing the occupants of the room to fall silent. In Harry's fury some magical energy was released and caused the hairs on the backs of their necks to stand on end.

"I was just joking!" Seamus said. "We all know that Hermione is the one he fancies."

Ron reddened again. "Bugger off!" he spat.

"That's enough!" Harry shouted. "Ron, come downstairs with me, the rest of you get back to bed."

"Yes, SIR!" taunted Seamus, swiftly saluting, but following the directive anyway.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Draco lay Remus gently on the bed in the hospital wing. Poppy joined them and examined Remus. Finding that sleep was what he needed most she let him rest.

Draco sat beside Remus' bed, his back ramrod straight. He refused Minky's offer of food. "Is Professor Snape here?"

Poppy and Remus exchanged a glance. She then answered him. "He's here but not able to see people right now. He's in the back room with the headmaster. We cannot disturb them"

Draco swiveled his head to look at the back room. "Is he going to be okay?"

Poppy sighed. "He's deaf, Draco."

Draco bit his lip. "Minky did say something like that." Tears welled up in his eyes. "I never meant to hurt him. He's the only one who…who ever cared for m-me, except for M-Mother."

"Why don't you lie down for a bit? I'm sure you're tired." Poppy pointed to the bed beside Remus.

"I'm fine here," said Draco in a strained voice.

Poppy leaned in and patted his arm. "You need your rest, I'm sure, child."

Draco came completely undone. He felt the tears sting his eyes as they trickled down his face. Poppy drew him close and he vented his guilt and grief, clutching her tightly.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ron curled up on the chair near the fire, feeling very silly. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

Harry smiled, handing Ron a mug of hot chocolate. "Ron, if there's anyone here who understands nightmares it's me. Don't apologize for being human." Harry sat back in his chair, blowing on his hot chocolate to cool it.

"I've never heard you make a fool of yourself like that."

Harry chuckled. "You sleep like the dead, Ron. I've woken the others before, believe me."

They sat in companionable silence for a while listening to the crackling fire. Ron sighed. "I feel like I'll never be the same."

"You won't."

Ron's head snapped up. "I won't?"

"No. I was never the same after… after Cedric and Sirius…died…It's not really a bad thing, only different. You'll laugh again and be happy again, just not in the same way as before."

A few more minutes passed in silence before Ron spoke up again. "I feel like I need to see him, to see if he's okay."

Harry was lost in his own memories. "See who?"

Ron was reluctant to answer, afraid of how Harry would react. "Professor Snape."

Harry's eyebrows rose. "Oh."

"I feel like I need to see him, tonight, to make sure he's okay…I know it sounds stupid but we were through quite a bit together and I feel like I understand him better."

"Go ahead then, Ron. I'll go with you if you—"

Ron put up his hand. "I think I should go alone."

Harry nodded. "That's okay. Look, you can use my invisibility cloak…"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Severus was becoming increasingly agitated. "You've got to let me out of here! You're no right to keep me caged in here!" Severus punctuated his words with a fist to the wall.

"Severus, calm yourself—"

"Calm myself? YOU calm YOURSELF!" He jabbed his bony finger in Albus' face. "Let me out of here now!" Severus bared his teeth at the headmaster. "I WILL hurt you old man!" This time he kicked the door leaving a scuff mark from his boot.

He jabbed his bony finger in Albus' face. Severus bared his teeth at the headmaster. This time he kicked the door leaving a scuff mark from his boot.

Albus drew his wand and pointed it at his old friend, deliberately speaking in low, calming tones. "Severus, I won't allow you to hurt yourself or me."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Draco sat on the bed, staring at his untouched tray of food as Remus snored softly beside him. Poppy had gone to the dungeons to get some stock potions that Severus kept there since there had been a run on headache potions already this term. Draco heard a loud thump coming from the back room. He glanced at Remus and saw that he had not stirred. Maybe I should do something? Could Professor Snape be in trouble? Madam Pomfrey said not to disturb them but what if he's in trouble?

A second loud thump came from the room. Draco again glanced at Lupin who had not stirred so he drew his wand and slowly crossed to the back room, placing his ear to the door. He couldn't hear what was being said but did hear shouting. I have to help Professor Snape! He looked over his shoulder at Lupin who hadn't moved. The yelling became louder on the other side of the door. I have to do something! Draco put his wand to the knob. "Aloho—"

"—DRACO! NO!" Madam Pomfrey came rushing towards him, dropping the potion bottles carelessly on a bed. "Do NOT open that door, young man! We cannot disturb them! You can see your professor when he's feeling better."

"I heard shouting and pounding. Professor Snape could be hurt."

Poppy took Draco firmly by his wand arm and led him back to the bed. "You have to trust me when I tell you to stay away from there."

The young Slytherin sat back on his bed as Poppy wrenched his wand from his grasp and sat it on the bedside table. Draco scowled deeply and continued to glance furtively toward the back room.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The family of three cowered in the corner of the living room after the Death Eaters had burst in and taken over.

"If you're wise," began Voldemort, "You will cooperate and get this wizard's body back in working order. If you do not…well, I'm sure you had fun with your family while they lived."

The young Healer witch sprang up from the ground. "Let my husband and son out of here and I will do whatever you ask."

The Dark Lord grinned. "I don't negotiate… with anyone." His lips curled into a sneer. "Do it now or I will kill the boy first!" He reached down and pulled the young boy to his feet. The father tried to intervene but was quickly stunned.

The young witch quickly moved to where Lucius Malfoy lay, his skin pale and clammy. It didn't take a Healer to see that this man was close to death. "I don't have the potions I need to—"

"—We will get you whatever potions you require."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Severus was panting heavily, his huge black eyes darting about the room. A tremor passed through his tall frame, causing him to wince and bend forward at the waist. Albus came towards him, his arm out, but Severus backed away. "Let me out!" His words lacked the conviction from only moments before.

"It's going to be fine, Severus. Why don't you sit, hmm? You're starting to come down from the elixir."

Severus grabbed his head with both hands as a headache came suddenly upon him. He staggered a bit, bumping into the bed. He continued to evade Albus. "Don't touch me."

Albus continued to slowly move closer. It took three tries to persuade Severus to look at him so he would see his mouth moving. "The headache is from the elixir. Why don't you sit for a minute and I'll get you a potion."

Severus squinted. "It's too light in here."

Albus waved his hand and the lights dimmed. "Better?"

"Yes." Severus sat heavily in the armchair, taking several deep breaths. "Did I…was I …did you…"

"You were here with me the whole time."

Relief spread across his features as he sighed. "Thank you, Albus." Severus leaned forward wearily, head in hands. "I feel like I've been hit by a rogue Bludger—or at the very least spent some time alone with Sybil Trelawney." Sybil was taken with the young Potions Master and tried to corner him whenever she came down from her rooms.

Albus grinned, feeling that things had gone well if Severus was back to his acerbic self. "What about that headache potion?"

"Can I leave here?"

"Yes, if you promise me you won't try to hurt yourself and if you give over that Styx you have squirreled away."

"I solemnly swear that I won't misbehave, headmaster." Severus said in a monotone, rolling his eyes. "You may have the poison as well."

Albus opened the door and the two walked out, Albus with a spring in his step and Severus silently following rubbing at his temples. "I see that Remus has returned," said Albus, turning so that Severus could see his lips.

"Mmm," said Severus, glancing at the bed. He saw Remus in one bed and then saw Draco Malfoy lying in the bed beside. "Draco?"

Draco sat up and saw Severus. "Sir!" He ran to the Potions Master and stopped right in front of him, not quite sure what to do next. Draco found himself shouting. "I heard shouting! Are you well!"

The doors to the ward then opened and Ron Weasley stepped in, whipping the invisibility cloak from his shoulders. He saw Snape and DRACO! What is that git doing here? "Malfoy!" he sneered striding forward with his hands clenched into fists.

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Author's notes: Thanks to everyone for the kind response.