Come the Maëlstrom

Chapter 17

Severus snorted as he disdainfully threw the three day old morning edition of the Daily Prophet on the bedside table. At least that reporter wasn't as bad as Rita Skeeter. He glanced over to his left at Harry's inert form, noting the slow, barely perceptible breathing. Over to his right, Draco lay in a potion induced sleep, bone spikes still protruding from his skin. He bitched all the time when he was up about the pain and both Severus and Poppy found it much more preferable to have him resting. Besides, he bled constantly from those things and Poppy was starting to run low on Blood-Replenishing potion. When he was asleep, he certainly wouldn't be as active or vocal nor doing something to get his heart rate going. God knew Severus barely had enough time to brew anything, let alone just be sitting here.

After that messy battle, additional space had to be added onto the infirmary to accommodate the number of patients. At the moment, they had over two hundred bed-bound patients, with others coming in for daily checkups. And Poppy had to run over to St. Mungo's to see about some supplies and possibly getting a few Healers here to relive them both. Answering the ails of at least two hundred patients was too much for two Healers.

"Damn it, what's taking Poppy so bloody long?" he growled as he looked at his watch.

He snorted as he crossed his arms and looked over at Harry. It was no small wonder that the boy was in this state. He'd heard rumours that Harry had been covered some red-black sort of light. Given the volatile state of his magic, it must have actually manifested itself; that alone was severely depleting. Add in an Unforgivable and some spell that no one had heard before, let alone the possible effects it could have wrought…

"See? Patching you up again." Snape mumbled as he rested his head on a hand.

He started dozing off slightly when the sound of the curtain being drawn back came. He started to find Hermione and Ron standing there. Hermione had a patch over her right eye and Ron had crutches. Behind them stood the two Muggles… Ernesto and Valencia if he remembered correctly.

"If I remember correctly," he began wearily. "It was agreed that Potter would not be having visitors."

Hermione opened her mouth but it was Ron that spoke.

"You once called Harry a heartless creature remember?" he said quietly. "I'm going ask you something Sir. Are you going to be the heartless creature and deny these people from seeing him at least once? Don't you think they deserve at least that?"

Severus scowled as his eyes flitted to the couple standing anxiously. They couldn't see beyond the curtains that had been set up. And the anxious, strained looks on their faces said more than enough. He drew his wand and flicked it at Draco's curtain, causing it to draw shut. He nodded his head as he sheathed his wand back, resting his head on his upturned palm and fighting the urge to sleep.

Ron moved aside awkwardly and motioned for Ernesto and Valencia to enter. Hermione walked in before them, looking at Harry's inert body sadly. Ernesto and Valencia stood at the foot of the bed, glancing at one another momentarily.

- Harry, are you up? - Ernesto asked quietly.

The words fell heavily into the air and were met with a reply of silence. Valencia's brow furrowed as she walked over to the bedside and looked at Harry for a moment. She looked at him, before she reached down and smoothed a few loose strand of hair from his forehead. She let her hand rest there as she leaned in.

- Harry… answer me… please… Harry… Harry? -

Severus may not have understood a single word said, but he certainly didn't need to know anything. The fearful but entreating tone in her voice said she was clinging to some form of hope. But the longer the silence stretched on, he got the distinct feeling that she knew what had happened and that hope was rapidly vanishing away. She crouched down, resting her knees on the ground as her hands moved down to clasp one of Harry's. Ernesto walked over to her side now, a grim expression on his face when he stopped and looked down at Harry.

Severus was surprised when the man looked directly at him.

"What did he do?" the words were slow, unsure and somewhat broken sounding but perfectly clear.

"Potter?" Severus glanced over to find that Valencia had curled Harry's hand into a fist and wrapped her hand tightly around it, eyes closed and whispering something softly. "He did just what was expected of him."

Ernesto shook his head. "Not Harry… Dumbledore."

Severus didn't say anything for a moment, realizing what Ernesto was getting at. He basically wanted to know if Albus knew of a way to prevent this from happening. He could still remember that scene in the office; that had been the first time he'd seen anyone thoroughly chew up Albus and spit him back out as if he left a bad taste in their mouth. He shifted his attention back to Ernesto to find that glowering, brewing expression on his face.

He shrugged. "Don't know."

Ernesto snorted with a black look on his face. - I should go give Dumbledore a piece of my mind… -

He blithely ignored the mutterings. In a way, Severus supposed he couldn't blame the man for his sour attitude. When a choked sob came from the bedside, he looked back to find Valencia with tears in her eyes. She buried her face in the blanket, her shoulders trembling but she still held onto Harry's hand.

- What did he do to deserve this? - Valencia looked up absently. - What… -

She stifled her tears long enough to slip her fingers from Harry's and press a kiss to his fist before resting it down on the bed gently. Her hands came to rest on the edge and she watched Harry a bit longer, fresh tears welling up again.

- Come on; you're not doing any good wetting his blanket with tears Valencita. -

Severus watched as Ernesto guided the weeping woman from the bed. They disappeared behind the curtain. Ron, who had been hanging back, glanced at Hermione for moment, before shuffling his way off, crutches thunking against the floor. Hermione was standing in the corner, watching Harry's still form with an expression of guilt that would have put Wormtail to shame.

"Miss Granger, if there's something you wish to say to Potter say it now. Poppy will be back any moment and will hex me to goo if she finds you here."

Hermione continued staring at Harry. "It must have drained him. I might as well have done that to him myself," she whispered softly. "I never should have thought about showing him that… and he had it for a whole month…"

Severus was beyond the point of exhaustion. That was the only logical explanation for why he still didn't order Hermione from the room in his usual cursory manner. "Shown him what?"

That seemed to surprise her. "He didn't show you or… Mr. Malfoy?"

He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead. "Obviously not."

Silence came again as Hermione didn't say anything for a long moment. "Do you know the origins of the Obliviate charm?"

"No," he slumped further in his chair, blinking owlishly as he struggled to stay up. "I don't."

Hermione's gaze swung from Harry to him. "You're tired."

He refrained from saying something; it just might be, Heaven forbid, nice or even genuinely amusing in his current state. Hermione walked over and held out her hand, a wistful expression on her face now. He swatted it aside and pushed himself up from the chair, trying to not sway slightly. The only problem was that the entire world lurched forward.

"Careful!"

The floor abruptly stopped moving, and he looked over to find Hermione with an arm around his midsection and his arm draped over her shoulder; she was giving him a smile that simply said, 'Severus Snape, you are hopeless'. He snorted and blinked once more, intent on remaining awake at least a bit longer. Their steps seemed unnaturally loud in the infirmary and by the time he felt a soft surface beneath him, he wasn't sure what was wrong with him.

"You've worn yourself out," Hermione said as she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him. "Try and get some rest."

"I can't. Too many damned brats to look after," he struggled to sit up.

"Just rest; Madame Pomfrey should be back any moment now," Hermione said with a smile he could see in her eye as she pushed him back down gently. "I think you have a very serious problem."

"And what's that?" he sneered.

"You care too much," Hermione's smile became a bit sad. "It's all over Severus; you're free. You don't have to hide anymore, you know," she paused. "I'll bet you haven't even looked at your arm yet have you?"

Severus didn't say anything as he grumbled. Bloody know-it-all Gryffindor… Hermione watched him for a long moment before she reached out and rested her hand on his left forearm. He didn't say anything as she slowly slid the cloth up. For some odd reason, he was barely noticing that fact. Her hair looked a bit straggly, as if she had run her hands through it one too many times. And she looked a touch haggard; she never looked haggard. He stopped her hand suddenly.

"When did you last sleep?" he demanded.

"I woke up the day before yesterday around eleven at night…stayed up since," she said with a shrug. "I'll get some sleep later."

"Get some now." He ordered curtly.

"I will if you promise me three things."

"Fine, fine." He sighed testily.

"Look at your arm," she murmured as she pushed the sleeve all the way up.

The spot on his arm that had been graced with the Dark Mark for twenty odd years was gone. There was absolutely nothing to indicate that it had ever been there. The skin was just as pale and sallow as the rest of him. He tugged the cloth back down with a sigh.

"What else?"

"Get some sleep, all right? I'll bet Madame Pomfrey is heading up here right now."

"You said three things."

"I know. Would you –"

"I'm back!" Madame Pomfrey's voice called out gently as the sound of the door opening came. "And I have twenty wonderful Healers with me!"

For the first time in his life, Severus had the vague feeling that he could have cried from relief. Hermione didn't say anything for a moment as she stood with an unreadable expression on her face.

"Get some sleep. I'll tell her everything is fine."

Severus was sure he mumbled something in reply, but he was already nodding off to be absolutely sure.

"Well, it certainly is good to see you up and about."

A scowl came to Severus' face as he glanced up at Albus from over his cauldron. "I'm busy. What have you come to bother me with now?"

"To see how you were doing and to have a chat."

Severus watched as Albus conjured a chair and sat close to the table edge. He didn't want to chat now; he wanted to be left in peace so he could brew some more potions before going up to check on Harry and Draco. They were the only two patients that were not entrusted over to the care of the Healers. The only thing the Healers were told was that two patients were in a comatose state and it was deemed best if Poppy and Severus kept track of their condition; they were more aware of the situation leading up to the state, and knew what measures to take. So far the volunteer Healers agreed with them and hadn't looked. It was also effective in screening out any journalists who thought they could sneak their way in. Twenty qualified Healers weren't about to let some unscrupulous leech in and potentially tamper with a patient's health.

And after he finished this batch of Dreamless Sleep potion, he had to head up to check on Draco's progress and to make sure Harry wasn't regressing. Draco was making good progress but the simple fact was that the bone was taking its time to shrink away. He'd still look like a giant porcupine by the end of May and would be in the infirmary at least until the middle of August the way things were looking. Harry was treated as delicate; they knew he was breathing and that he was alive. But that was about it. Every single test Poppy performed came back with an inconclusive result. They were at their wits end with Harry.

But, then again, this was nothing new to Severus. He was accustomed to the fact that nothing was ever as simple as it should be when it came to Harry.

"What did you want to chat about?" he asked gruffly as he stirred the cauldron.

"I was wondering how you were doing," Albus said. "Miss Granger seemed quite worried that you were wearing yourself out."

"Unfounded." He replied quickly; a bit too quickly.

Albus looked at Severus from over his glasses. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

"Nothing," Severus said tightly; tell Albus…right… that was tantamount to packing his bags and never coming back. He wasn't quite ready to give up on the DADA position. "Absolutely nothing. When are you starting up classes again?"

"That is a bit of a problem. Half of the student population is able to attend. But those in the hospital wing will be coming out at various times. Quite a predicament, you see."

"Indeed."

"But we do need to prepare for the students that will be coming in September."

Severus bit his tongue. A summer spent teaching a bunch of brats that would be ranging from denial to melancholic in emotions. Didn't he sacrifice enough to avoid something like this? Did he have to voluntarily slice off a leg or arm to get some peace and quiet in the summer?

"So I've talked to the administrators of the N.E.W.Ts and O.W.Ls. They quite agree that those taking DADA, Charms and an assortment of other subjects should get an automatic Acceptable given the situation and the work that they did. If they wish to boost the grade they can take the examination. Should they fail it, they will still receive a pass."

"Just what subjects exactly?" he asked warily.

"That depends on what the student is studying," Albus paused. "Quite an ingenious idea if I do say so myself. The examiners looked relieved when I suggested it."

"Had you not…"

"Why, an entire school year might have been lost. The students would have finished around December. There'd be no Christmas break, they'd graduate in March… no, no, it's much easier this way. Less exams, less stress and less that you will have to teach."

"Albus, what subjects are being considered?"

"Oh let me see…" Albus was lost in thought. "Potions, DADA, Charms, Elementary Healing… I can't remember any more. They sent me a list that's quite long. It's in my office if you wish to look at it in more detail."

Severus nodded his head curtly as he outed the fire beneath the cauldron. "What will happen if Potter doesn't wake up?"

"He'll have to be transferred to St. Mungo's," Albus said after a long moment. "His relatives will have to be informed and…"

He tuned out the things Albus began listing off. He had a feeling that Harry wouldn't want his relatives contacted about him in any way.

"…until he wakes up." Albus finished.

"You know," Severus began slowly. "Potter seemed convinced that you knew of a way to defeat the Dark Lord."

"I knew of a way to defeat Voldemort, yes," Albus paused Severus hissed. "Come now, he's dead and gone. You need not act so."

Severus simply gave Albus a look. "And may I ask why you chose to not divulge it?"

"There are reasons," Albus said slowly after a few minutes of silence. "Mainly there was still the risk of Voldemort entering Harry's mind."

"Are you implying –"

"On the contrary; I believe you taught Harry to the best of your ability and did an exemplary job. But one can never be too sure. He could easily extracted the information from you or Lucius, a wide number of things could have been leaked."

He pursed his lips tightly; he didn't believe what he was hearing. "I see. And what we devised was a much better idea?"

"In some manners, yes."

"And what happened to that thing you always supported, hm? What about giving him a choi–"

That was all Severus got in, since a sharp rap came from the door. He glared up at the door. Who dared to knock on the door to his private lab? He stalked over to the door and threw it open to find himself facing Percy Weasley, who looked a bit hesitant and unsure.

"Weasley." He said coldly.

"Professor."

Severus smirked. "And just what brings you here?"

"I was looking for headmaster Dumbledore and was informed that he was here," Percy peered around him. "It's nice to see you again, Sir."

"Very!" Albus beamed. "Won't you come in?"

Severus scowled as Percy slipped past him and drew up a seat beside Albus. "Fine, come right in. Make yourself at home. Would you like a pair of slippers and some tea?" he groused as he walked back to his cauldron.

"And how goes it at Ministry?"

"Busy," Percy said. "I had to block off time during my schedule to come and discuss this with you."

"Discuss what?" Severus snarled.

"Harry."

"What is there to discuss?" Albus asked, heading off Severus' livid reply.

Severus was fed up. His lab was being used a chatting place and he was already behind from the interruptions. He bottled the Dreamless Sleep and placed them in a carry all. He was just walking to the door when Percy's voice stopped him.

"You may want to stay and hear this as well Sir. It might explain just what happened to Harry."

He froze at the door and turned around slowly. "Just what are you blithering about?"

Percy's ears went red but he didn't look abashed. He looked irritated instead. "If you had bothered to listen and not tune out what I was saying you would know; I don't like repeating myself more than once."

An appalled sound rose in the back of Severus' throat but he swallowed it down.

"Now, we gathered from Death Eater testimony that Harry said two words after using the Killing Curse on You-Know-Who. Oblivisci anima…"

Severus scowled further; this rumour had been flying around for awhile now.

"It is a very obscure curse; a curse that fell into disuse because it was deemed as inhumane during the eleventh century," Percy began. "How he even knew of its existence –"

"I think I have a fairly good idea." Severus ground out, realising what Hermione must have been going on about.

"Yes well, it had the desired effect of obliterating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's very soul. I'm guessing Harry's in a comatose state right now? Just breathing? Can't get any test results on him?"

"And just how the blazes do you know this?!"

"Ministry files and old sealed records of when the curse was actually used. It causes the caster to fall into a comatose state because of the sheer amount of magic it requires. It takes a massive amount and requires a contribution from the wizard's energy as well."

"Energy, magic, same thing," Severus muttered in irritation. "If that is all –"

"No, that is not all; you will be quiet and listen if you want to keep him alive, am I understood?" Percy said in a harsh tone.

Severus gave Percy his coldest look and crossed his arms. "Then hurry it up. I do have a patient to go check on."

"Energy and magic are not the same thing," Percy said. "They are two very different things. Magic, his own raw magic, is what's probably keeping him alive right now. It's depleted yes, but some of it remains and that's what keeps him breathing and alive. His… essence, his energy is the main force that drove the Oblivisci anima curse. And that is why he is comatose now."

"His essence… are you referring to his soul?" Severus demanded.

"No, his soul is still in his body. That is, unless he's cold when you touch him; that would indicate that his soul is gone. He's not is he?"

Severus shook his head. "Explain this better and I might have an idea of what you're attempting to explain."

"His energy, essence…" Percy ran a hand through his hair. "Cripes, it was easier to deal with the idiots that wanted to prosecute him."

"Prosecute?" Severus narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah, said he'd used an Unforgivable, needed to stand trial like the rest. I'm not an idiot. A jury would take one look at him and vote not guilty immediately, waste of money that's all it would be," Percy frowned. "It's like he's suffering from an extreme form of lethargy. Only it's so extreme that if something's not done about it, he could die."

Severus' gaze lingered on Percy for a moment longer before he looked at Albus, who just happened to be popping a lemon sherbet in his mouth. "Didn't I forbid those in here? Especially after what happened when one accidentally made its way into a brew. " he asked icily.

Percy looked around and both he and Severus were rewarded with Albus' guilty expression. The candy was swallowed hastily. Severus sighed heavily as he opened the door.

"I do believe we are done Albus."

"I suppose we can finish our talk later," Albus said. "I was feeling rather peckish."

Severus watched as Albus reached into a pocket once he stepped into the hallway and removed a small bag of the candies and popped another one in his mouth. Severus closed the door and looked back at Percy.

"A lethargy so extreme he may die?"

"Yes," Percy paused. "Think of it like this. You have a potion that was once potent, could fully do as it was supposed to. Now, it's little better than water; plain simple water."

"So what he needs is an infusion?"

"Precisely," Percy replied. "But you have to make sure that the donor will have some sort of compatibility with him. Otherwise, it won't do much good." He reached in his pocket and drew out a sheaf of notes. "This is the information we have compiled so far," he walked over to Severus, tucking it into the carryall. "If we discover anything new, I'll have it owled to you immediately."

Severus inclined his head slightly. "Now, if you don't mind, I have a patient to attend to."

"As you wish Sir. Er… you wouldn't happen to know if Ron is…" Percy laughed. "What am I thinking, asking you a question like that? Never mind. A pleasure to see you again Sir."

Severus watched as Percy slipped past him and opened the door. Politics certainly agreed with him. He walked out of his lab and locked the door before making his way up the steps, looking over the papers and the surprisingly thorough information they contained. He'd have to remember to have a talk with Hermione later on. The topic of spells and ethical usage seemed like an ideal topic.