I fixed this chapter. Professor Trelawney scares a third year student, not a first year.
Hermione arrived in the Great Hall for dinner and hurried over to sit across from Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. They were both eating steadily, Ron once again having a look of bliss on his face. "Hello," Hermione greeted them. She sat down and put some food on to her plate.
"How's Snape doing?" Harry asked quietly. He was glancing around at the other Gryffindors to make sure that he wouldn't be overheard.
"He's sleeping," Hermione replied. "He woke up not long after you two left. He and Dumbledore talked for a brief moment, but then Dumbledore had him take a potion for dreamless sleep."
"And he's been zonked out ever since?" Ron asked. "I guess that's lucky. He seems like such a nice guy when he's out cold."
"That's true," Harry agreed laughing. "Has Snape mentioned what happened to him?" he asked Hermione curiously.
"No," she replied. "But Dumbledore said that they'd be talking after dinner." She took a bite of toast and chewed it thoughtfully.
"That's bound to be a cheerful conversation," Ron said sarcastically. "Snape will be thrilled about it." He imitated a cheerful voice and said "Well, Professor Snape, please relive every horrific detail of the meeting you attended-" He stopped when Harry elbowed him.
"Ugh..." Hermione groaned. He's going to be in such a foul mood. and I know he's not going to want me helping him. Hermione frowned. This was definitely not going to be an easy weekend.
"Maybe we could do something to cheer you up," Ron suggested.
Hermione grinned mischievously. "You could always hit Harry with a spoon again," she said slyly. "That's always good for a laugh." Ron blushed.
"I think we'll pass on the spoon," Harry said grimacing. "It stopped being funny for me right around the same time that my glasses broke," he said sourly.
"Speaking of funny situations," Ron said, eager to lead the conversation away from the spoon incident. "Malfoy was running his mouth during herbology and he got bitten by a plant," Ron said grinning.
"What kind of plant?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Er- I don't really remember," Ron replied guiltily. "Harry and I were talking about this thing with Snape." Hermione rolled her eyes. She should have known that the boys weren't paying attention. "Anyway," Ron said clearing his throat. "Malfoy was shooting off at the mouth. It was 'My father' this and 'mudblood' that... Quite annoying really. Well, apparently the plant thought it was annoying too. It reached up and bit the head boy badge right off of Malfoy's robes. Then, the plant spit the badge on the floor and growled at Malfoy." Ron's face was gleeful.
Hermione just looked at him for a moment. "Yes, well," she said dismissively. "That certainly must have been interesting for you two to not pay any attention in class." She looked disapprovingly at them.
Harry grinned at her. "Sorry Hermione. We'll do better next time."
Hermione finished her dinner and stood up quickly. "I have to go check on Professor Snape. I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow," she told them leaving the table. Harry and Ron waved to her and continued eating.
Hermione stepped into Snape's bedroom silently. He was still sleeping. She crept over to the bed and touched his face. He was running a fever again. She picked up the cool wet cloth she had used earlier and gently pressed it against his forehead.
Snape sighed quietly, bringing a small smile to Hermione's lips. Little drops of water from the cloth trickled down his face. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. Professor Snape looked up into Hermione's face. "What are you doing?" he hissed at her.
"You- You're running a f-fever," Hermione stammered. "This will help," she said never removing the cloth from his face.
"Miss Granger, I'm capable of taking care of myself," he snapped. He began using his arms to push himself into a sitting position. Suddenly, he began to shake, and his face tightened as pain coursed through his body. Hermione immediately helped him lay back down. His chest was heaving as the pain subsided, and his body fought to stop the shaking.
Hermione quickly pressed the cloth to his forehead again. "Please Professor," she said softly, pleading with him. "I know you can take care of yourself. But, you'll heal more quickly and it'll make thing easier for you if I help."
Snape scowled, but didn't argue. Hermione tentatively pressed the cloth against his slightly flushed cheeks and neck. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax. Occasionally, Hermione would dip the cloth back into the cold water. She kept the process up for a few minutes and turned around to see the headmaster and Professor McGonagall walk into the room.
Snape opened his eyes and groaned when he saw Dumbledore and McGonagall. "Well, it's nice to see you too, Severus," Dumbledore chuckled. "And don't worry. Miss Granger can continue to pamper you while we talk. You seemed to be enjoying yourself."
Snape glared venemously at the headmaster, while Hermione was torn between amusement and embarrassment. "Albus," McGonagall said smirking. "Don't upset him. We'll never get him to cooperate."
Dumbledore grinned. "Severus do you remember what happened to you?" he asked kindly. He waited patiently while Severus was propped into a sitting position by Hermione.
Snape sighed and said "There is not much to tell. The Dark Lord was in a terrible mood," he said in a strangely detached voice. "He demanded information about different things and was very displeased when no one had much information to offer." Snape shook his head. "I believe he was just looking for a reason to vent his frustrations. So, he began torturing the death eaters with several spells, his favorite being the Cruciatus Curse. After a few hours, some were sent to a nearby muggle village to bring back... entertainment. I was permitted to come back to Hogwarts."
Hermione shuddered. She didn't want to know what exactly he meant by "entertainment." She could probably guess.
"Thank you Severus," Dumbledore said politely. "It was obviously not a particularly important meeting. I hate that you had to endure such cruelty," he said sadly.
"You are not the only one," Snape grumbled.
"Now, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said looking at the young Gryffindor. "There's a potion that Professor Snape will need to take every twelve hours starting tonight. I will leave that with you. Please keep him as comfortable as possible. He needs plenty of rest. By Sunday, he should be nearly completely healed." He smiled at her.
"That sounds easy enough," Hermione said nervously glancing at Professor Snape.
"It would be easy if it weren't for the patient," Professor McGonagall said laughing. Snape glared at her.
Dumbledore pulled five vials of some blue potion out of his robes. "He needs to take this in the morning and at night," he said quietly. Hermione nodded and placed the vials on the side table.
"Well, good night then," Dumbledore said cheerfully before leaving the room. McGonagall followed him out.
Silently, Hermione helped Snape lay back down. She hesitated for a moment before touching his face. "The fever's gone," she murmured. "Is there anything you need?"
He shook his head. "I would just like to go to sleep. I find the headmaster exhausting at this time."
"Alright," Hermione said grinning. She uncorked one of the vials and Snape attempted to reach for it. His hands were shaking, preventing him from taking it. Hermione brought the vial to his lips and slowly poured the liquid into his mouth. Snape swallowed and grimaced at the bitter taste. Hermione smiled apologetically.
"Thank you," Snape said quietly. He was not accustomed to having someone take care of him. It was strangely comforting to the grouchy potions master. Hermione offered him a small smile and slipped out of the bedroom.
Hermione hurried to Snape's private rooms after breakfast. She wanted to make sure that he was doing well. When she walked through the bedroom door, she found him sleeping, looking more peaceful than she had thought possible. Perhaps a little too peaceful. Anxiously, Hermione moved to stand next to him and touched his face with her hand. Immediately Snape's eyes snapped open. She gasped and withdrew her hand.
Before Hermione could say anything, a voice behind her said "Startling your apprentice early I see." Hermione turned to see Dumbledore smiling cheerfully.
"She's an easy target," Snape replied, smirking when Hermione scowled at him. Looking at Dumbledore he said "I haven't the slightest clue where my wand is."
"Ah yes," Dumbledore said knowingly. "I've sent Mr. Potter to take care of that little matter."
Professor Snape scowled. "You have sent Potter to get my wand. I'll probably never see it again." Hermione rolled her eyes. A second later, Harry walked into the room holding a wand loosely at his side. He was looking at Snape rather nervously.
"Well well," Snape said sneering. "Speak of the devil. It's the boy-who-lived-to-make-my-life-a-living-"
"Severus," Dumbledore said warningly.
Snape sighed. "Potter, how nice to see you so early in the morning..." he said sarcastically. "In my private rooms..." His eyes narrowed recognizing the object in Harry's hand. "Holding my wand." Hermione bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing.
Harry hastily held the wand out to Snape who took it with a hand that trembled slightly. "Thank you," he muttered grudgingly.
"It was out on the school grounds," Harry said looking at Dumbledore. Then he looked at Hermione. "I'll see you at lunch," he told her with a smile. She nodded and Harry left the room.
"It's time for your potion Professor Snape," Hermione said quietly.
While Hermione uncorked the vial, Dumbledore said "I must go now. I have to meet with Professor Trelawney. She's, once again, predicted the death of some unsuspecting third year. The student was sent to the hospital wing in hysterics." He winked at Hermione and left the room.
Hermione helped Professor Snape swallow the unpleasant potion. He frowned at the taste but said nothing. Hermione looked at him and said "I think we should take a short walk." At his look of surprise she continued. "Just in the sitting room. A little bit of movement would do you good. I think you'll recuperate faster."
Snape looked doubtful. "We could try," he said slowly. To his surprise, Hermione quickly pulled back the blanket covering him and put her arm around his back to steady him. They moved slowly until Snape was standing. He glanced down at the small witch that was now standing so close to him. How very strange to have one of his students attending to him in this way.
"Ok," Hermione said, staying close to his side. "We'll take our time going over to the couch in the next room. You can rest there and then we'll walk back in here. We have to be careful because those tremors have made you so weak." Snape nodded and they started off toward his bedroom door.
