Disclaimer: There once was a lady named J.K. Rowling. She was a very famous lady, for she was the owner of the Harry Potter series…

Comments

Q-BriarXJade-Q: Yes, I'm terribly sorry for dragging out the first two chapters to where you're so excited, you'll either fall out of your chair, pee in your pants, or come looking for me so you can beat me up! Snape is not bulimic, as you figured out, even though it might seem that way. If I told you why he threw up now, I would ruin the story for you, so I'm sorry, but you'll just have to wait!

XiaoGui: Yes, I am trying to make Albus and Minerva even more caring than in The Burdens of an Old Headmaster because I am planning a bit more of a relationship for them in this story (but nothing extreme like making out in front of the entire school).

Rosaleen: Yeah, Severus is going to have to explain a lot. You'll see what I mean in later chapters, but you might be able to guess where I'm going...

LinZE: Don't worry, Severus will be okay...eventually. For now, though, he's got some things he needs to take care of. Since I'm only borrowing him, I'll be sure to give him back in good condition!

Rikki8879: Yeah, curiousness is getting to everyone here, but that's mostly my fault...

Quill of Minerva: Who knew Minerva had a sense of humor? She probably picked up her immitating skills from Snape! And yes, this is the story I mentioned in The Burdens of an Old Headmaster. I don't know if I can say there will be a lot more ADMM in this story, but there will be much more than in The Burdens of an Old Headmaster.

Thanks to all the wonderful readers that reviewed (and even to the ones who only read)! I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

saiyanwizardgurl

Chapter 3: Good Night, Sleep Well

The sight of the Potions Master caused Dumbledore's jaw to drop slightly and McGonagall to cover her mouth with her hand. Severus Snape was standing over the sink, leaning heavily on the marble counter. His head hung and his face was hidden behind a dark curtain of hair. They both realized that he had been the one they had heard coughing. The headmaster's shock increased when he saw that the Potions Master's thin frame was shaking.

"Hello Albus, Minerva," said Snape in a weak, hoarse voice. "I didn't expect to see you in the castle, headmaster."

"Severus, are you all right?" said Dumbledore as he strode over to Snape and put his hand on his shoulder.

McGonagall followed the headmaster in. "What happened?"

The Potions Master only shook his head; he made no move to look at either of them. Quite suddenly, Snape's knees buckled. Dumbledore caught the younger wizard around the waist and pulled him back up. The black curtain of hair that had previously hidden Snape's face flew back. The headmaster saw a look of distress and slight panic on the younger wizard's pale face. Dumbledore noticed that Snape was still shaking and pulled the Potions Master into an embrace. Snape felt very thin in his strong arms, and a realization hit the headmaster. He must have thrown up, thought Dumbledore. That would explain the toilet flushing and smell of mint in here. "What happened, Severus?" asked the headmaster.

Snape just shook his head again and leaned into Dumbledore's chest. Sighing softly, the headmaster grabbed the younger wizard by the shoulders and led him out of the bathroom, motioning for McGonagall to follow. Dumbledore walked around the table and sat Snape down on his bed. The Transfigurations teacher sat next to the Potions Master and put her hand on his forehead. "Albus, he has a fever."

"I feared as much. Take off his shirt, Minerva, while I go get a towel."

"What?!?!" she whispered.

"Take off his shirt. He's drenched in sweat."

The headmaster turned on his heel and strode into the bathroom. Pulling a fluffy white towel off the rack, Dumbledore turned around in time to see and dodge Severus' black shirt, which floated across the bathroom and jumped down the laundry chute. "Minerva, I would appreciate a warning before you start attacking me with shirts," said the headmaster softly, laughing to himself.

Dumbledore returned into the bedroom to find Snape leaning heavily on McGonagall, his head resting on her shoulder. The witch saw the headmaster and propped the Potions Master up as Dumbledore sat beside the younger wizard. Unfolding the towel, the headmaster began to gently wipe the sweat off Snape's chest, back, arms, neck, and face. When he was done, Dumbledore banished the towel to the bathroom and let the Potions Master rest his head on his shoulder. McGonagall put her hand on the younger wizard's knee and Dumbledore began to stroke Snape's hair. The three sat in silence until the headmaster saw that the younger wizard was beginning to doze off. He motioned to his Deputy, who pulled back the covers and helped the Potions Master slip his legs under the warm covers.

"Severus, child, would you like a Dreamless Sleep Potion?" asked Dumbledore, noticing the dark rings around Snape's eyes. The younger wizard looked up at the headmaster and nodded slowly.

Dumbledore went into Snape's office and looked through the cupboards. When he found a potion vial labeled in the Potions Master's pointed scrawl, he uncorked it and poured some of its contents into a goblet sitting on the shelf. He brought the goblet into Snape's rooms and gave it to the younger wizard. Without hesitating, Snape swallowed the contents in one gulp. As his eyes began to droop, McGonagall took the goblet out of the younger wizard's hand and Dumbledore helped him lay down. Kissing him gently on the forehead, the headmaster whispered, "Good night, my child."

McGonagall followed suit, kissing the Potions Master on the cheek, she whispered, "Sleep well, Severus."

When they were both sure that Snape had fallen asleep, they walked out of his rooms, Dumbledore closing the door soundlessly. McGonagall pulled out her wand. "Lumos!" The headmaster pulled out his wand and did the same. The Transfiguration teacher turned to her companion. "Albus, what just happened?"

"I'm not sure Minerva," said Dumbledore, picking up the fallen black leather chair and putting it back behind the Potions Master's desk. "I would like to know myself."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say he was sick, but something tells me that that's not it."

"He is sick, Minerva," said the headmaster, glancing again at the Pensieve on Snape's desk. "The coughing we heard tonight came from him. He was the one we heard throwing up. But you do have a point. Severus looked distressed, almost panicked."

"Do you think it's safe to leave him by himself?" she asked, glancing at the door to the Potions Master's rooms.

"I think it will be all right for now, but I'll come back in the morning and wait until he wakes up."

"I'll come, too."

"All right. Nox! I'll see you tomorrow morning, then?" said Dumbledore. To the Transfiguration teacher's astonishment, the headmaster bent over slightly and placed a kiss on her cheek, causing her to blush furiously. He then quickly turned on his heel and swept out of Snape's office, shutting the door behind him with a snap!

McGonagall stood frozen on the spot, completely shocked at what had just happened. Slowly, she raised her hand to her face and ran her fingers down her cheek. "Well," she whispered, "I guess I really do like him."

After a few moments, the Transfiguration teacher shook herself a bit and strode towards the office door. "Nox!" she whispered, putting her hand on the doorknob. Before leaving the office, she said "Good night, Severus. Sleep well."

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