Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The characters belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.

A/N: I'm so, so sorry this took so long. I've been so busy with writing essays and exams and working. But here it is, read and review.

Part 9

"Just hang on Minerva," Remus whispered gently, placing a towel in her lap to catch the blood. "Severus will be here soon with the potion and this will all be over."

Minerva's eyes widened in fear as another fit of choking overtook her. She moved her hand to cover her mouth, only to have tears spill down her cheeks at the sight of blood covering her fingers. She felt a sharp, burning pain in her chest with each cough and the gross metallic taste of blood.

The pain in her chest was made worse by the emptiness she felt at not having Severus with her. She wished he were here to hold her and comfort her. She yearned to feel his warm body against hers, to be safe in his warm, protective embrace. She knew he would return soon—but would she last that long?

Sirius gasped at the amount of blood that drenched Minerva. He looked upon her shivering form and felt a wave of protective emotions flood him.

"She's soaked," he whispered to Remus. "She's going to freeze to death, we need to get her out of these clothes, and I concerned she's losing too much blood, she looks so pale."

Remus nodded solemnly. He too was worried about the amount of blood she was losing. "If this keeps up, well…we'll need to get her a blood transfusion, as crazy as that sounds."

"A blood transfusion- how?"

"Basically transfiguring a needle, tubes, medical equipment, a donor- you, and a doctor- me," Remus answered.

Remus expected Sirius to protest, but instead was surprised by his valor of duty.

"Anything for Minerva, anything, I'll give her all of my blood, if it causes her to feel the slightest bit better," Sirius said strongly.

"Come on, let's get her out of these clothes before we do anything else," Remus stated, transfiguring a clean nightgown and robe.

He handed the robes to Sirius and approached Minerva, who slumped in the chair, her eyes half open.

"Minerva dear? We need to get you into warm clothes. Can you get changed yourself?"

Minerva looked up, moving her mouth slowly, trying to form an answer. Instead, another cough followed by a spurt of blood caused her to collapse painfully back into the chair. Her eyes rolled back and closed.

"Minerva!" Remus cried, panicking. Her eyes shifted under her closed lids, as if she was struggling to open her eyes. He leaned over hear and listened for breathing—which much to his relief was still taking place.

"Okay," he whispered to himself. "Well just have to get you changed." He didn't think she would mind under the circumstances, and besides, he wasn't going to take advantage of her.

He quickly and quietly pulled the wet robes from her body, shielding her with his own body from the outside world. Next he slipped the nightgown over her head and fastened the robe around her waist.

"There, that's better." He turned to Sirius who grabbed the bloody robes and angrily destroyed them with his wand.

Remus placed a wool blanket over her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek.

"Severus?" Minerva whispered, her eyes still closed. She reached her hand out to Remus. "Severus, is that you?"

Remus took her hand in both of his and sighed gently. "No, Minerva, it's just me, Remus. But Severus will be back soon."

"I need him," she whispered. "I…love him."

Remus was taken back. He had noticed Severus's severe protective side of Minerva during this whole incident. He did have to admit that Snape, who was often unkind and uncooperative with most people he met, had never been that way with Minerva. He had always seemed to have respected her. And now he was showing how much he cared for her.

But Remus was surprised that Minerva loved Snape, even though he had seen signs of her wanting to be near him. He remembered that night when he had entered the room to the sight of Snape holding Minerva in his arms. He remembered the way she held onto him, for protection.

Remus didn't know what to say to Minerva about this, so he just whispered soothing words to her. "Shh, Snape will be here, he won't let you down."

a/n: next part, Snape returns!