Part III

It seems like every day's the same
and I'm left to discover on my own
It seems like everything is gray
and there's no color to behold
They say it's over and I'm fine again, yeah
Try to stay sober feels like I'm dying here.

Severus got up and summoned his cane, getting up with extreme difficulty. An hour later, he hobbled out, cursing the clunking sound following him to his classroom. His students stared at him, shocked.

"What are you brats staring at?" he snapped.

They stared at their desks, pointedly not looking at their teacher. Severus limped over to his desk and eased himself into his chair. "As you well know, there is a test today. Stand up and get the test."

The kids nodded and respectfully stared at the ground as they shuffled to get their tests and sat down, frowning as they took it.

"Browning, come up and get your test," Severus ordered with a sigh. Usually he would hand it out, but he realized that he couldn't stand that long.

The child addressed got up and grabbed his test. Severus sighed and rubbed his temples. He hated his life sometimes, especially with the new insult Fate had thrown at him.

He glanced down at his useless leg, cursing it with all his might.

"Johnson, eyes on your own paper," Severus snapped, knowing it was far more effective when he was an inch away from the student. Still, the boy averted his gaze quickly and looked steadfastly at his own test.

He collected the tests five minutes before the end of class. "Listen up, all of you!"

They all immediately looked at him, making sure they were looking at his eyes and not the walking cane in his hand. Severus struggled to stand up and stood in front of the class, attempting to announce what he needed to without sitting down.

"As it is obvious to you sniveling brats, I am unable to use one of my legs. That does not mean, however, that you can cheat, copy, or do anything you wouldn't do when I was able to look over your shoulder and see it! If you do so, severe penalties will be imposed upon you. Do I make myself clear?"

The class nodded.

"Excellent," Severus hissed. He bit his lip in pain and lowered himself into his chair slowly. His leg was threatening to give out again.

The bell rang, and the class filed out slowly.

Severus sighed as he entered his rooms that night. The day had been tough on him. He massaged his sore leg and headed towards the bathroom.

He came out half an hour later, his hair wet and his skin moist from the bath. He climbed into bed and laid the cane next to him, making sure he would have it when he woke up first thing in the morning.

The next day was terrible. His first class sat there for twenty minutes in complete silence waiting for him. Finally, one of the students got up and left, heading to the Headmaster.

He tried to figure out how to get up to Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle suddenly jumped aside and the staircase behind it began moving. Shrugging, the student stepped onto the staircase and tapped on the door.

"Enter, my dear boy," Albus called.

The student entered fearfully and waited patiently.

"Now, what is the problem? You should be in class, am I right?"

The student nodded. "Potions, sir. But Professor Snape isn't there. We've been waiting for twenty minutes now, and he isn't there yet."

Albus' eyes widened slightly. "Very well. I will come down and see what is going on. Follow me."

Albus went down to the dungeons and saw Severus' entire class waiting patiently for him.

"Class dismissed," Albus announced with a sigh. The class filed out quietly, and Albus headed to Severus' rooms.

Albus called Severus' name a few times, but received no answer. Albus walked around, trying to see if there was any sign of Severus. Finally, he went into the bedroom.

Severus was lying on the bed, his eyes closed. His cane was propped up against the wall within an arm's reach of the bed. Albus walked over to the bed and bent over Severus.

"Severus, you have to wake up now," he said quietly. Severus didn't move. Albus frowned. The only other time he had to do that, Severus had leapt out of bed and had nearly cursed the Headmaster within ten seconds.

"Severus," Albus said louder. "You really need to get up. Your entire class waited for twenty minutes today. I finally had to dismiss them. Severus?"

There was still no answer.

Going against his better instincts, Albus reached over and shook Severus gently, knowing that if he did wake Severus that way he would be cursed instantly. Severus didn't move.

Albus gently touched Severus' forehead, trying to see if he had a fever. His body was ice-cold. Albus' hand dropped suddenly.

"He's dead," he whispered, a tear sliding down his face.