Secrets and Lies
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Chapter 19: "Everything's all mucked up."
Poppy rushed out of the Floo, not caring that her pristine white uniform had become sooty. She took determined strides reaching Severus and the unconscious headmaster quickly.
Severus felt his hopes rise, seeing Poppy so calm and composed. The mediwitch knelt opposite Severus and pointed her wand to Albus' chest, a frown creasing her brow. Keeping her wand trained to the older wizard's chest, her head snapped up, drawing Severus' attention.
"Severus, I'm going to need to jolt his heart to start it again. Stay back while I do this."
Severus' black eyes flicked to his best friend and one true confidant, Albus Dumbledore. He decided that he would do whatever it took to see that the headmaster survived. The Potions Master pulled back as Madam Pomfrey sent a jolt of red light from the tip of her wand into Albus' chest. The venerable wizard's body jumped. "Albus?" Severus said in a pleading tone. "You cannot die now. There is too much work to be done." He frowned as Poppy sent a second stronger jolt to his friend's body and he had to look away, reminded of the Cruciatus. Severus pursed his lips and leaned close again. "Albus, you can have whatever you want of me. I'll meet with your dratted Mind Healer and the magical ear Healer as well. You simply must come back from this. Potter needs you. The Order needs you." He added very softly, only for Albus' ears, "I need you." Poppy waved Severus back and sent another jolt. The Potions Master froze, gobsmacked at the sight of tears in the formidable mediwitch's eyes. Merlin, no!
Severus felt so very helpless, so not in control. This displeased the Potions Master as he was used to having control over his world, at least as much as was wizardly possible. When he brewed a potion he knew how to control every minute aspect of the process. He could skillfully make changes to compensate for inferior ingredients, still able to concoct a superior product. In class he could squelch any undue merriment with a withering stare and obliterate impudence by taking points and adding detentions. When he was a spy he was even able to control his fate to some extent, due to his superior skills as an Occlumens which prevented the Dark Lord from prying into the recesses of his mind. But here…Here he was helpless to do anything to save his most loyal friend's life. Despair began to creep into his chest.
The Potions Master's face drained of the small amount of color that he possessed, his heart hammering painfully against his ribs. He winced as Poppy jolted Albus again and glanced from the headmaster's twitching body to the mediwitch. Poppy's face was stern and she leaned closer to Albus as if trying to hear something very faint. The next thing Severus knew Poppy was laughing. She reached across Albus to enfold him in a big hug. "Albus, he's alright?" Severus said, his voice muffled by Poppy's starched white uniform. The Slytherin was unaccustomed to being handled in this way and he was taken aback, his body rigid.
"Yes! Yes! He's going to be fine!" She gave the Potions Master one last squeeze and then let go of the clearly shaken Severus, nodding vigorously. "Yes, he's going to be fine," she repeated. Poppy looked down at Albus, who was peering back at her.
"What happened?" asked Albus, his mind rather fuzzy.
"You, my dear headmaster, had a heart attack," said Poppy sternly. "I could also tell during my diagnostic that this was not your first heart episode. Why didn't you come to me?"
"I thought it was simply heartburn. I thought I just needed some rest." Albus replied sheepishly.
"You're lucky you're not resting beyond the veil, you silly man!" Her words were stern but her expression was warm. "I'll be setting an appointment for you to see a Healer right away." She chuckled. "At this rate I'll be having Healers all over the place, between you and the two Severus has agreed to see."
Albus' head jerked toward Severus, his pale blue eyes wide. "The two…Severus?"
Severus glared at Poppy and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes, I've agreed to see the Healers." He waggled his finger in Albus' face. "On the condition that you see yours as well."
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Draco stared at the emotional scene before him with some detachment. He had no real feelings for Albus Dumbledore. Surprising to him was that it did bother him to see Snape so overcome at the thought that the old man would die. For Merlin's sake, that wizard must be about 500 years old by now! Draco smirked, shaking his head and crossing his arms over his chest as he sat back against the arm of the sofa. He saw the newspaper on the table across the room and sauntered over to get it. As the teen passed the others his foot kicked something and looking down he saw several yellow balls rolling across the stone floor. Draco smirked, lemon drops. He reached down to retrieve the bag and as he picked it up he saw a flash of glass underneath it, a small vial. The young Slytherin deftly pocketed the vial and set the bag of sweets on the table. Draco heard Professor Snape address him and he whirled around quickly. "What?" he asked, hoping he didn't look guilty.
Severus was disconcerted that he had to repeat himself. I'm the one who's deaf, after all. "I said that we are going to take the headmaster to the hospital wing. You are to stay here and under no circumstances are you to leave this room. Understood?"
Draco nodded and watched the trio leave the dungeons via Floo. He sat tat the table and pulled out the vial again, studying it closely. This belonged to my father. He would've recognized the exquisite cut glass and distinctive dragon's head stopper instantly but checked the bottom of the vial for the telltale symbol anyway. Of course it was there, the fancy script 'M' on the bottom of the vial. He peered more closely at the word on the label. "Styx". Bobbling and almost dropping the vial, it struck Draco exactly what he was holding. His shaky hands placed it on the table and he pulled back, staring at it in horror. Styx! That's the most potent poison ever. What's Dumbledore doing with it? Draco swallowed hard, unconsciously grabbing his throat. He's going to kill me with it! Draco felt his heart constrict painfully in his chest, his breathing coming in short gasps. Draco get hold of yourself, you're letting your thoughts run away with you. If he were going to kill you he would've done it already. Besides, Snape won't let him do that. Draco calmed himself and then leaned into the table to stare at the vial again. The light from the wall sconces caught the edges of the cut crystal causing them to shimmer softly in the subdued light. The beauty of something that could be so very deadly mesmerized him
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Lucius Malfoy inwardly cringed, seeing Voldemort's unnatural countenance so close to his face. Lucius held his breath and waited for his Lord to speak.
"Lucius…I see that you are healing nicely?" Red eyes bored into the blond Death Eater's skull.
"Much better, Lord." Malfoy answered softly, watching Voldemort pull back and take a few steps from the bed. Lucius knew what would come next and was not surprised to hear the killing curse cast. He blinked, the harsh green blast burning his eyes. The curse had felled the young Healer instantly. Lucius avoided looking at the vacant eyes of the young woman who had helped him; she had to know that this was the only possible outcome. Lucius steeled himself, pulling himself out of the bed as quickly as he could without stumbling; weakness would not be tolerated. The elder Malfoy then stepped over the woman's body to join his Master, dropping to his knees before him. "What would you have me do, Lord?" Lucius reached out a shaky hand and pulled the hem of his Master's robes to his lips.
Voldemort's long spindly fingers slowly raked through the Death Eater's platinum hair. "My dear Lucius, my loyal one. I need you to help me as only you can."
A shudder passed through Lucius' body. Oh no, not more blood.
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Ron paced the floor in the hospital wing. Harry and Hermione had gone to class but he was still not discharged from this blasted place! I should just get the bloody hell out of here. Remus won't stop me, will he? His blue eyes flicked to the lycanthrope who was looking rather edgy. Seeing Remus look uncomfortable made him all the angrier. Ron quickened his pace, feeling his anger build.
Don't do anything stupid, Ron, please! Remus started to gnaw on his fingernail. "Madam Pomfrey should be back in just a bit, I'm sure." The lycanthrope smiled slightly.
Ron glared at his former teacher. "That's what you said an hour ago! Look, breakfast is over and classes have started. Just turn away and I'll go quietly—" Ron was interrupted by the appearance of several figures through the hearth. He and Remus both rushed to see who had come, both hoping that it was Madam Pomfrey.
Severus floated the stretcher over to the bed, his face a mask of intense concentration. Poppy rushed to the potions cabinet and began searching for what she needed.
"What's happened?" Remus paled at the sight of Albus Dumbledore lying on the bed.
"He had a heart attack." answered Poppy from across the room. "He'll be right as rain when we get him fixed up."
Albus smiled. "Don't worry about me, child. I'm not leaving this earth while Voldemort is still around."
Ron stared at the headmaster, then quizzically turned to Snape and Poppy. "Where's Malfoy?" he asked.
Severus crossed his arms over his chest. "Malfoy is not your concern!" he snapped. "If you would just leave the child alone—"
"—ME leave HIM alone! Who Obliviated whom, Snape?" Ron trembled with anger.
"Did I see that right? What did you call me?" Taking a few long strides he stood face to face with the teen. Leaning in he spat, "You impudent brat! How dare you speak to me that way!"
"Why ever not! You don't give a bloody damn about how you speak to me!"
Remus got between the two and faced Ron. "Look, Ron, let's just sit down and talk—"
"—I'm through with talking!" Ron's ears were red and his face sweaty. "I've had enough of this! I want out of this place NOW!" He could not remember feeling quite so angry before. Ron was losing control.
Remus reached out to hold Ron's shoulders. "It'll be fine, Ron. Let's— "
"—Don't you touch me!" Ron screamed, slapping the hands away.
Poppy drew her wand, having had enough. "Mr. Weasley! If you do not settle down at once I will take action!"
Ron seethed, seeing the wand pointed at him. "I just want to leave here. I want to get back to classes."
Snape could not hold his tongue, not that he tried very hard. "I cannot imagine that any Weasley has ever been eager to get to class." Severus' deep, rich voice dripped with sarcasm.
Ron did the unthinkable. It was a knee-jerk response really. Having grown up with brothers who would just as soon punch you as say hello, Ron instinctively reacted. He hauled off and punched Severus Snape in the nose. The minute his fist made contact with the Potion Master the mediwitch spelled the young Gryffindor into a full body bind and he fell hard to the floor, his head smacking the floor with a thud.
Remus drew his wand and gently eased Ron onto a bed as Poppy handed Severus a towel to hold over his bleeding nose. Ron couldn't believe what he had done. What is wrong with me? I've never hit an adult before, and a teacher no less. Tears filled his vision and spilled down his cheeks. I've gone mad!
"It's going to be okay, Ron." Remus wiped the teen's tears away, smiling sadly.
Poppy gave Albus his potions, next fixing Severus' nose. She then took a deep breath and walked over to Ron's bed. With a flick of her wand the body bind was lifted. "Explain yourself," she said curtly.
"I…I can't. I don't know why I did that." Ron's eyes were troubled and he swallowed hard in an effort to hold back his tears. The hand he had used to punch Snape throbbed painfully and he cradled it to his chest a he sat up slowly.
"Ronald Weasley, you cannot go around punching people in the nose." She was exasperated. Ron was not behaving like himself at all. She pursed her lips in thought and then came up with the solution. "Well, I've decided what we will do. I want you to meet with a Mind Healer that's—"
"—What? Madam Pomfrey, please! I'm not nutters, really!" Ron's eyes had gone round and he grasped at Poppy's uniform with his good hand.
"Young man!" Poppy brusquely disengaged the teen's hand from her garments. She needed no more drama today. "It is that or expulsion. Make your choice."
Ron's anger returned full force. "Can poison be an alternative?" he scathingly remarked.
Remus was stunned. "Ron, I think you do need to see a Mind Healer. You're not acting at all like yourself."
Ron raked a hand through his red hair, staring at the floor. After a minute or so he looked up. Snape stood by the bed, his body tense and black eyes narrowed. Ron swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, sir." he said softly. He tried not to look at the dark stains on Snape's black robes.
Severus' eyes were red and his nose ached abominably. He could not believe that this child had struck him. Severus was disgusted with himself for not seeing it coming. Twisting his lips into a sneer, he snarled. "You will see the Mind Healer, understood?" Snape's tone left no room for argument. The teen mutely nodded and Snape turned to leave wishing to exit this embarrassing scene as quickly as was possible. Wait! He spun back around, poking a long finger in Ron's face. "You will not speak of this to anyone." He gestured with his finger, jabbing it toward Ron repeatedly as he finished. "This will never happen again or the next time I will not be so magnanimous." Black robes billowed out behind him as he spun around, striding swiftly toward the hearth.
Ron sighed deeply. When did I lose control of my life?
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Several hours later, Ron, Harry and Hermione trudged across the grounds following their Care of Magical Creatures class, the first class Ron had attended since his nightmare began. The redhead pulled his robes more tightly around his tall, lanky frame. Ron couldn't shake the guilt feelings over how he had assaulted his teacher, the man who suffered greatly in his place at Malfoy Manor such a short time ago. Ron could yell as loud as anyone, a prized family trait, but he was not used to seeing himself as a violent person. What bothered him more than the act itself was how right it felt. He was so absorbed in his own musings that he didn't realize he had walked right into Harry. "Sorry, mate."
"You haven't heard a single word I've said, have you?" Harry said, shaking his head.
"Er…" Ron scratched his head. Looking up he saw Hermione continuing on her way.
Following Ron's line of vision Harry smiled and clapped Ron on the back. "Don't worry about her, I asked her to go on ahead." Harry took Ron firmly by the arm and led him to a nearby bench, where the two sat. "Are you sure you're up to classes? You almost lost your arm in class today."
Ron sighed, taking his head to his hands. "Everything's all mucked up."
"What do you mean? What happened?" Harry looked at his friend, concern showing in his eyes.
Ron slumped back against the back of the bench, sliding his long legs out in front of him. "I did something awful."
Harry's curiosity was piqued. "What?"
"I punched Snape in the nose; I may have broken it." Ron gritted his teeth not expecting his friend to burst into laughter at his dark revelation. "Why're you laughing? He could've had me expelled!"
"Sorry, mate!" said Harry. "Come on, you know every non-Slytherin has that fantasy at least once a day, especially before or after a potions class!" Harry sobered when he saw the pained look on his friend's face. "He didn't expel you or you wouldn't be here, right?" Harry suddenly sat up straight and grabbed Ron's arm. "He didn't take some ridiculous number of points from Gryffindor, did he?"
Ron stared at Harry, aghast. "He didn't, but that's not the point."
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what did he do, if not expel you and not take points?"
Ron's head tipped forward and he mumbled, "He's making me see a Mind Healer."
"A Mind Healer, what's that?"
"A Mind Healer, Harry!" Ron waved his hands around looking for the right words. "They treat people who are…" he continued in a hoarse whisper. "Nutters."
"Ron, you're no more nutters than I am." Harry thought back to the newspaper coverage last year and how the media had portrayed him as unstable. "Scratch that. You're no more nutters than Hermione."
Ron smiled, shaking his head. "You're not nutters, Harry."
"Neither are you, Ron. You were tortured, for Pete's sake, and by a Malfoy, no less."
Ron had been carrying around the burden of what had happened to him in the hospital wing for what seemed like forever. Maybe Harry would understand? Before he could stop himself Ron blurted it out. "There were spiders living in my leg."
"Come again?" Harry's eyes grew round. "What did you say?"
Ron rubbed his now sweaty palms on his legs. He recounted the story of the vampire spiders and subsequent infestation of the patio area of the hospital wing. It felt good to be able to tell someone about it.
Harry swallowed thickly. He thought things like that only happened to him and wasn't sure what to say. "That must've been awful for you."
"It's not just that…" Ron told Harry about Lupin needing the potion and about the body switch. "I was in Snape's body off and on for a while." Ron stared at the ground, unsure about how his friend would respond.
Harry fell silent, deep in thought. "You know," he answered after some time. "I was kind of a prat last year, if you recall."
Ron smirked, slanting a glance to Harry. "I vaguely recall."
Harry smiled. "What I mean is that it took time for me to start feeling like myself again. I felt like an unstable potion that was—" Harry dramatically threw his hands up. "—ready to blow! I was so full of anger that I could easily have popped Snape—maybe even done worse." He turned so that he faced Ron and looked him in the eye. "You can't beat yourself up about this." Harry snorted. "Believe me, there's always a long queue of people who'll be waiting to do it for you."
"You've never had to talk to anyone." Ron's ears reddened.
Harry grinned. "Well, I never popped Snape in the nose!" He playfully punched Ron in the shoulder. "Let's go and get some lunch before Neville gets it all." The two friends stood and started to make their way back to the castle. "Did you see how tall Neville got over the summer?"
"Yeah, if he doesn't stop he'll soon be as tall as I am."
"Yeah, rub it in!"
"You're not short! You're the perfect size for a seeker."
The two laughed and Ron wondered if things might just work out after all.
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Author's notes: I'm sorry to give the impression that Albus would die. I will tell you that he is not one of the two who will die in Chapter 22.