Disclaimer: see Chapter One

A/N: Sorry it's been so long! To quickly bring you up to speed, Snape is deaf and Draco Obliviated Ron, who then smashed him over the head with a mirror.

Chapter 18: Boiling Over

Severus knelt on the bed beside Draco, gently cleansing the blood from his face. "Cuts to the head always bleed more profusely," he muttered to himself. "Draco? Can you hear me?" How ironic. I'm asking the boy if he can hear me when I can most obviously not hear him. The cloth was knocked from Severus' grasp as Draco's hands flew up to cover his right eye.

"My eye! What the bollocks is going on? Bloody Hell!" The boy sat up quickly almost falling off the bed.

Poppy and Albus came rushing through the door and swiftly approached the bed. "Put your hands down, young man. I cannot see the damage through your fingers!" Poppy said, as Albus went over to where Remus and Ron stood. Draco persisted in howling and leaning forward, preventing her from prying his hands away. "Young man!" Poppy was exasperated and was ready to stun the child if need be.

"Draco! Put your hands down at once!" Severus snapped.

Draco immediately complied, one hand sliding over to grasp Severus' long fingers in a tight squeeze. The teen whimpered as Poppy gently wiped the area clean, but there was still a small shard of glass stuck in his eye. He tried to pull away again as Poppy drew closer, wand in hand.

Poppy had to tap Severus' arm twice to get his attention, so he could read her lips. "Professor Snape, please hold his head still while I get this glass out and treat the area."

Severus pried Draco's fingers from his hand and tried to hold the blond head still but Draco's head jerked as Poppy raised her wand. Severus leaned close to the teen's ear and tried to reassure the young blond. "It's going to be fine, Draco. Just hold still."

Whimpering, Draco tried to pull at Snape's hands and Severus spoke with low, soothing tones. "Shush, Draco, calm yourself. This'll soon be over."

With a quick flick of her wand the piece of glass flew out and into a jar in her other hand, making a soft clinking sound as it hit the bottom. She tried to reassure the now sobbing child as she cleansed the area thoroughly and then applied some healing salve. Poppy then patched his eye with gauze and put a black eye patch over the gauze. "Don't get this wet. I'll change the bandages tomorrow but leave it alone till then, understood?"

Sniffling, Draco nodded, running a hand over the black patch. "Will I see again?"

Poppy chuckled and ruffled his hair, ignoring his sneer as she did so. "Of course, child. It was only a small piece of glass." Poppy then went to the stores to get a much needed calming potion for Ron.

Draco watched her leave as he sat awkwardly beside his former Head of House. Apologize to him, git. Just do it. Draco felt the bed shift as Snape stood. Draco's arm shot out and caught Snape's. "Wait." Severus turned, a question in his eyes. "I…I…I'm sorry, sir. I never meant to hurt you." He gritted his teeth hoping that he wouldn't start crying yet again. The teen stared at the starched white sheets, unable to meet his former teacher's eyes. "I never wanted to cause you pain… Father said…he said that I needed to prove myself to him. I…I wasn't thinking about how it would…would affect you."

Draco looked so forlorn and lost. Severus had seen the expression so many times before, on Draco's face as well as his own. Regret is very bitter potion indeed. "I'm not angry with you, Draco. I do wish you would learn to be less impulsive. This—" he motioned to where Ron paced trying to ignore the goblet Poppy was trying to get him to drink, "—was clearly not a well thought out plan, Draco."

"I'm sorry sir." Draco hung his head, a pink tinge of shame coloring his cheeks.

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Remus was having a difficult time with Ron. The boy had calmed somewhat but Remus had no doubt that if the spell were lifted Draco would be no more than a bloody pulp by the time Ron finished with him. "Let's have some tea; are you hungry at all?" Remus hoped that a gustatory distraction might keep the boy's mind off homicide.

Ron's head swiveled to stare at Remus. "I am rather peckish," he conceded. Smiling wearily, Remus called for a house-elf.

As they were waiting for the meal Dumbledore sent Severus and Draco to Snape's rooms, telling them that he would join them shortly. The headmaster then walked over to the table where Ron and Remus were sitting. Ron was still obviously distraught and clutched the arms of his chair with a white-knuckled grip. Albus spoke. "Mr. Weasley, I can reverse the Obliviate—"

"—That's great! I—" Ron's face brightened.

"—Hear me out first." Albus replied, putting his hand up to silence the teen. "I cannot guarantee that you will remember everything. The spell was performed with a wand not attuned to the wizard casting the spell."

"Anything is better than this, sir." Ron's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Albus nodded patting Ron's shoulder. "Just relax and close your eyes. You may be able to feel me in your mind but try not to fight the intrusion." The headmaster placed his wand to Ron's forehead and began to focus. In his mind, Albus could picture the cerebral pathways in Ron's mind and could see which had been severed. Increasing the intensity of his focus he corrected each pathway, one by one. It was a painstaking process, taking almost ten minutes of intense concentration. When he finished there was a thin sheen of sweat on the headmaster's face. "Mr. Weasley?"

Ron opened his eyes and blinked. His mind was spinning and he felt like he would pass out. He clutched the table for support and blinked several more times until the black spots quit dancing in front of his eyes. His world slowed down and his mind began to feel clearer. Ron remembered his name, Ronald Weasley! He also remembered his family…and bloody everything! A huge grin lit up his face. "It worked!"

Remus smiled until he saw Albus out of the corner of his eye. The old wizard looked very drawn. "Are you well, Albus? You don't look very good."

"I'll be fine, Remus. I'm just tired." He did not mention that the pain in his chest had returned. It's probably heartburn.

"Can I go then?" asked Ron.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley. I'd like you to stay here for the rest of the night. In the morning, if Madam Pomfrey agrees, you may go."

Ron stood. "It's not fair! Malfoy did this to me and he doesn't have to stay here!"

"Ronald, show some respect." said Remus. "Headmaster, you go on ahead. We'll be fine here." Remus wanted Albus to get some rest, sure that he could handle Ron alone. Fate smiled on the lycanthrope as the house-elves appeared with trays of food. Remus watched Ron's attention shift to his growling stomach and waved Albus on.

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Severus and Draco Flooed to Severus' rooms. It was decided by most (Ron not included) that the best course of action would be to separate Ron and Draco, by Ron staying in the hospital wing and Draco staying with the Potions Master in his rooms in the dungeons. Albus was to arrive shortly after correcting the Weasley child's memory. Dumbledore was to take charge of the powerful poison, Styx, from Severus to safeguard it himself. When the two arrived Draco stretched out on the sofa and Snape gave him a potion for his pain. The young Slytherin was asleep within minutes.

Some time later Albus arrived. The headmaster received the vial, slid it into his pocket, and then talked for a while with Severus regarding the circumstances by which Draco had been brought to Hogwarts. The headmaster found that he was unusually tired and before he realized it he had fallen asleep in the cushy armchair by the fire.

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Early the next morning Severus sat at the table in his private rooms, sipping his morning tea. The Daily Prophet was in front of him but he barely noticed the newspaper. He turned his dark head, seeing Albus still asleep in the armchair near the fire. It was uncharacteristic of him to sleep in the dungeons for the night and it worried Severus that he fell asleep here. Is he merely tired or is there more to it?

Draco shifted positions on the sofa, snoring softly. Severus worried about the boy's impulsive behavior. How could he do something so foolish as to Obliviate someone with a borrowed wand? It was a first year's lesson that you only used the wand that chooses you because you simply cannot be assured of a proper result otherwise. We have so much in common, Draco. Do not let your impulsivity rob you of your life by leading you to make a choice that is not so easily reversible.

Draco and Severus now had another thing in common; their mothers were no longer living. Severus sighed deeply. He had fancied himself to be in love with Narcissa once and maybe he still was. When he had known her at Hogwarts, she was in Ravenclaw and one year beyond him; her beauty and kindness entranced him. It was hard to believe that the beautiful, vivacious woman he knew so many years ago had become the bitter, cold woman he knew in recent years. Marriage to a Malfoy could do that to a person. He had tried to tell her that marriage to Lucius was a foolish idea but she thought he was being jealous, and some part of him could concede that it was true. Lucius, two years beyond him in school, was attractive, wealthy and the most powerful student in his class. He also exuded confidence, liberally mixed with arrogance, which had women swooning at his feet. He had scores of 'conquests' among the student body and it was rumored that he had even had several of the staff. He could be openly cruel and uncaring, turning a woman aside once he had taken what he desired. Yet women still came to him in droves, hanging on his every word. I will simply never understand women, Severus thought, shaking his head.

Severus vaguely wondered if Lucius Malfoy was still alive. He feigned a continuing friendship with him, due to his high rank as a Death Eater and that he was a prime source of information regarding Voldemort's plans. He never really cared for Lucius but came to care deeply for his son. Severus had made a goal to try with all his might to persuade Draco to shun the dark ways of his father, but up to this point he had failed miserably.

Severus sighed, staring at the boy on the couch. What will become of him? He had made so many mistakes but, as far as Severus knew, he had not made the mistake of accepting the Dark Mark. He doesn't have the sadistic streak that his father possesses but he does have the sharp tongue that his mother has…er…had. Draco lacks the necessary courage to pull away from his father, unable to stand up to him but that is likely what has kept him alive all these years. Severus was well aware of how abusive Lucius could be but was in the untenable position of needing to keep in his good graces in order to protect his position as a spy. He had secretly hoped that Narcissa would take the advice he offered her many times and disappear with Draco. I guess she did that and look where it has gotten her. Again, Severus sighed deeply.

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Remus was enjoying his breakfast as he read the newspaper. Ron still slept soundly in the back room as he had through the night. The teen had finally agreed to take a calming potion, which had put him to sleep within minutes. Remus was glad for the quiet. It had not taken much convincing to get Poppy to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. She agreed that she needed to get away from things for a bit.

Remus was glad to feel needed again. He missed being at Hogwarts. The teaching job here had been his most rewarding. Once he was no longer needed here he would go back to headquarters to await his next assignment. How he hated it there. It reminded him of his fallen friend, Sirius, who in turn reminded him of his other fallen friends. Stop it Remus! Don't start feeling sorry for yourself.

His appetite gone, Remus morosely pushed his food around on his plate.

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Harry and Hermione approached Madam Pomfrey the minute she arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast. They were worried that Ron had not come back from the hospital wing last night. Madam Pomfrey told them that she had not seen him but was sure that Ron was fine and probably off somewhere private studying.

Hermione agreed. "You're probably right, Madam Pomfrey. Sorry to have bothered you." She nudged Harry hard in the ribs and led him into the hall.

"You can't be serious, Hermione. Ron off studying somewhere? That's a load of bollocks! How can she not have seen him when he went to the hospital wing?"

"She's obviously hiding something, Harry. Come on, let's get your map and see where he really is."

The two bounded up the stairs to retrieve Harry's special map. When they unfolded it and began scanning it for Ron they saw that he was indeed in the hospital wing with Remus Lupin.

"She lied! Why?" Harry asked. He stuck the map in his pocket and he and Hermione rushed out the door.

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Ron slowly lumbered out of the back room. Stretching and yawning, he deposited his long lean body into a seat at the table.

Remus smiled and called for a house-elf to bring some more breakfast. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah, I guess. Look, how long do I have to stay here? I won't tell anyone about Malfoy." Ron yawned widely, covering his mouth with his hand.

"It's not my decision, Ron. Poppy will be back from the Great Hall soon. The headmaster said you can be discharged when she gives her okay." Remus watched Ron fill his plate. "I'm going to go in back and get a shower. Will you be alright while I'm gone?"

Ron glared at the lycanthrope. "Of course, I'll be alright!" Ron snapped, rolling his eyes. The redhead seemed to have an awfully short temper of late, even for him. Ron vaguely wondered if it was an aftereffect of having been in Snape's body. He ran his hand over his chest, frowning. Maybe it has changed me at the cellular level.

Remus discreetly called for Dobby to stay in the room and see that Ron did not leave. The lycanthrope then crossed to the back bathroom to get a short shower.

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Harry and Hermione ran into the hospital wing, seeing two first year students, Ravenclaws, but no one else. The looked at each other, clearly perplexed.

"Wait a minute," said Hermione, looking around. "Doesn't the ward seem smaller to you?"

Harry had been here long enough to notice that it was smaller. He pulled out his map and they both stared at the moving dots. There were dots for the two first years and he and Hermione, but there were others! On the other side of a new wall there were three others and one of them was marked Ron Weasley! "He's there!" Looking up from the map, Harry pushed his glasses up on his nose and pointed to a door at the far end of the new wall. "Come on!"

The two reached the door, not surprised that it was locked. Hermione drew her wand and with a quick Alohamora they were inside.

"Harry Potter!" Dobby came bouncing over to where Harry and Hermione had come inside.

Harry smiled. "Dobby and Ron!"

Ron stood up and quickly crossed to where they were, casting a quick glance over his shoulder to where Remus had disappeared earlier. "Harry! Hermione!"

"Why are you here, Ron?" asked Hermione, rushing up to him. "Are you ill?" She came closer and brushed the stray red locks out of his eyes.

Ron rubbed the back of his neck and glanced backward again. "I…er…last night…I… er…I'm feeling better now." He smiled weakly.

Harry's eyebrows rose but he made no comment on Ron's awkward excuse. "Let's go then."

"Harry's Wheezy cannot leave without Madam Pomfrey's okay." Dobby crossed his arms over his chest in his best imitation of a resolute posture.

Hermione was about to ask more when Remus came from the back room, rubbing his damp hair with a towel. He came rushing over the minute he saw the two other students. "What's going on here?" His tone was affable but his eyes keen.

"We came to visit Ron," said Harry.

Remus looked at Ron closely, watching the redhead color slightly then shake his head, as if saying he had not told them about Draco. The lycanthrope smiled and clapped Ron on the back. "Are you guys hungry?"

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Draco shifted again on the couch, moaning softly in his sleep. Albus glanced his way as he drank his tea. "What are we going to do with him?"

Severus shook his head. "I have an idea but I'd like to talk to him about it first."

The headmaster nodded. "I need to talk to you about something, Severus." Albus sat his cup down on its saucer. Breakfast did not seem to be agreeing with him at all. To top it off his chest was beginning to feel achy again and his arms were heavy. It's hell to get old. "I contacted Healer Graham yesterday and he has agreed to come here and see you this afternoon about the magical ear implant."

"This afternoon? Albus, can I not have a moment's peace?" Two red blotches appeared on Snape's pale cheeks.

Albus felt the uncomfortable tightness in his chest. "Severus, be reasonable. I also contacted Gabriel…" He winced in anticipation of the maelstrom to come and was not disappointed as Severus stood and pounded his fist on the table.

"What! How could you! I did not agree to see that…that Mind Healer again! I took your blasted potion! Wasn't that enough?" Severus began to quickly pace the room, his black robes billowing out behind him.

Albus' hand crept up to rub his aching chest. Feeling lightheaded, he tried to change the subject. "Severus, perhaps this is not the right time. I've no wish to argue—"

"—No wish to argue? You try to control every single facet of my miserable life and you don't wish to argue?" Severus whirled and slammed his fist on the table harder, sloshing tea out of the cups.

Albus stood, preparing to take his leave of the room. The air in the dungeons was suddenly too thin for him to breathe properly. He stumbled forward, clutching the table for support.

Severus sidled up to the headmaster and leaned in intimidatingly. "Don't you walk away from me, Albus! You can't drop this in my lap and just leave! I'm not your puppet on a string that you can control with a flick of your wrist. You can't control me any more than HE could!" His long bony finger waggled in the headmaster's face.

Albus clutched his chest then pitched forward, grasping Severus' robes. Severus instinctively grabbed the hands that clutched his robes. He suddenly noticed how ashen his old friend looked. The headmaster's eyes drifted shut and he leaned hard against Severus in a dead faint. "Albus?" Snape eased the older wizard to the floor and rolled him on his back. Placing two fingers to the older wizard's throat he felt no pulse. "Albus?"

Draco sat up on the couch, bleary-eyed. He blinked, looking at the spectacle before him. "Sir?" He reached out and touched his former teacher's shoulder.

Severus' head snapped up. "Go to the Floo and call Pop—Madam Pomfrey right away!"

Draco sprung up from the couch and bounded to the hearth.

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Lucius Malfoy opened his bleary eyes, scanning the simple room he found himself in. It was a small, windowless bedroom, unadorned. The only furniture in the room was the bed he lay upon and a small nightstand, which had a full potion bottle on it. By the color, he thought the potion must be a healing draught.

"I see you're awake, Mr. Malfoy." The young Healer witch said, smiling at her patient. She carried a small pitcher of water and a glass. The dark wizard had not been awake much since he had escaped death.

Lucius looked toward the doorway and saw the young woman, her smile obviously forced. The woman would be dead as soon as he was no longer in need of her services, Voldemort would see to it personally. Fool, do you not realize you are expendable? No one must know that I am alive and out of Azkaban. Lucius looked away, toward the blank wall, not wishing to become attached to this female who had brought him back from the brink of death.

"Your…friends are concerned about you. Shall I tell them you're awake?"

"No!" Lucius croaked, his throat suddenly dry.

The young woman gave him some water to drink and then some of the potion. She knew that she was a marked woman. Her only option at this point was to play along and hope for an opportunity to save her family, if not herself. She murmured a sleeping spell and lay the sleeping Death Eater's head back upon the pillow. Her time was running out.

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