Chapter Sixteen
Majority
ONE
Severus blinked as bright light assaulted his senses. He groaned and pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"Severus, thank goodness," Poppy's voice said from across the room. Severus blinked and watched the plump witch walk over to him. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Fine," Severus replied shortly, though his voice didn't hold as much bite as he'd intended.
"Now, Severus, how am I supposed to help you if you won't tell the truth?" Poppy asked as she checked Severus' pulse.
"I assure you that I am quite well," Severus replied, and he did, indeed, feel better than he had in a long time.
Poppy sighed. "Very well. The headmaster has been waiting to speak with you. I'll send him in."
Severus groaned but did not object. Albus entered after a few minutes and sat next to Severus' bed.
"Hello, Severus," he said, folding his hands in his lap. "How are you, my boy?"
"As I told Poppy, I am quite well," Severus replied. He was well aware that Albus had not come to the hospital wing to inquire about his health.
"Tell me what happened," Albus said after a moment.
Severus didn't know why, but he smiled. He felt light and free and he wanted to go and explore his newfound freedom. He leaned toward Albus and motioned for him to come closer. Albus leaned in and Severus whispered, "He took it, Albus."
"Who took what?" Albus asked.
Severus rolled up his left sleeve and showed Albus his clear skin. "Harry took it from me," he said.
Albus took Severus' arm and touched the smooth, unmarred flesh just under the bend in Severus' elbow. "How?"
"He healed it." Severus leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "He just took it away."
Albus frowned. "And you let him do this?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Of course not, Albus. I'm not entirely incompetent as a teacher. He was stronger than you might imagine, and I was in pain. The Dark Lord was torturing me through the Mark."
Albus' eyes focused far off as he thought. "I see." After a few moments, he sighed and rubbed Severus' arm. "Well! Congratulations, dear boy! I have some things to do, and I am sure that you need to rest." With that, he got up and disappeared from the ward.
Severus blinked in surprise before shaking his head and sitting back against his pillows. He rested for a moment and then he started to feel very warm. He threw off his blanket and his sheet followed shortly thereafter.
"Severus, are you quite all right?" Poppy asked as she entered from her office. "Why are you covers on the floor?"
"It's bloody boiling in here," Severus replied, feeling hotter by the moment. His veins felt as though they were filling up with liquid fire, more fearsome than anything he had felt before. His body soon felt as though it was burning, and Severus became certain that he was going to become a victim of spontaneous human combustion.
"Severus, your temperature is normal," Poppy said as she checked on him.
"Get away from me, loathsome woman!" Severus snapped through clenched jaws. He swore that, whatever this was, he would not cry out against it. Perhaps Harry had only removed the Mark, but not the connection?
"Severus, don't be so childish," Poppy admonished, moving closer to Severus' bed. All at once, a clear wave of magic erupted from Severus' body, sending Poppy harshly to the floor. The magic then reverted back, crashing into Severus and knocking him back into unconsciousness...
TWO
Severus slowly returned to the world of the living, hearing confounded voices speaking nearby.
"It was strange, Albus," Poppy was saying. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that he only just reached his majority. That's not possible, is it?"
"It seems unlikely, Poppy, but we must not dismiss it as a possibility," Albus replied. His voice sounded thoughtful, and for a moment, Severus wondered whom they were talking about.
He groaned and shifted slightly; his whole body felt strangely drained and energized at once.
"Severus?" Poppy's voice said near his ear.
Severus struggled to open his eyes, and when he did, he stared at Poppy curiously. She was surrounded by a pale pink glow and Severus decided that she had not realized her full potential by becoming a school nurse. How he knew this, he wasn't certain, but he knew it without a doubt.
"How do you feel, Severus?" Poppy asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Tired," Severus replied, and then, "revitalized."
Poppy glanced at Albus, and Severus did as well. He found that Albus' 'aura', for that's all it could be, was a shimmering silver.
'No wonder the Dark Lord fears him so,' Severus thought. 'With power like that.' Severus was uncertain of why he was seeing these things and how he understood it so perfectly, but he didn't dwell on it.
Albus' eyes were twinkling merrily, much to Severus' chagrin. "I think that you are better than you have ever been," he said.
"If you say so, Albus," Severus said, sitting up slowly.
"It's true then, Albus?" Poppy asked as she checked over Severus' vital signs.
"I believe so," Albus replied.
"But how?" Poppy asked.
"I think, perhaps we should ask young Harry when he wakes," Albus replied. "Good day to you both." He left the ward swiftly.
"Harry is still here?" Severus asked before he could stop himself.
"Yes," Poppy replied, her tone suddenly gentle. "He wore himself out, I'm afraid."
"May I be alone?" Severus asked, squeezing his eyes shut and pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.
"Of course," Poppy replied. "I'll be in my office."
When Severus next opened his eyes, Poppy was gone. He slowly got to his feet and made his way to Harry's bed. Harry was on his back, breathing slowly but not moving otherwise. His body emitted a faint purple glow. It was so faint, in fact, that it was almost imperceptible.
"What have you done to yourself now, Harry?" Severus asked softly, placing a gentle hand on Harry's brow.
Harry didn't respond to his voice or touch.
"You cannot keep doing this, you know," Severus went on. "You're going to worry me into an early grave." With that, he bent and placed a gentle kiss on Harry forehead. He straightened and pushed Harry's hair back before returning to his own bed and going back to sleep.
THREE
Harry slowly opened his eyes, only to be assaulted by the harsh whiteness of the hospital wing. He blinked as his eyes adjusted and then he sat up and looked around. Professor Snape was in a chair next to his bed, fast asleep. Harry smiled slightly and adjusted his pillows, sitting back against them...
FOUR
"I didn't do that, I'm telling you," Professor Snape's voice said, waking Harry up.
"What's s'matter?" he asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes. He hadn't realized that he'd fallen asleep.
"Harry!" Professor Snape exclaimed, appearing at Harry's side. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine," Harry replied, eyeing Professor Snape strangely.
"What were you thinking, Harry James Potter?" Professor Snape asked, suddenly stern. "How could you just heal my... arm like that without thinking?"
"Oh, well I'm so sorry," Harry snapped back angrily. "I'll just go ahead and let you suffer next time!"
Professor Snape sighed and closed his eyes. "I didn't mean it like that," he said. "You just never take your own health into consideration."
"He would have killed you, you know," Harry said. "There wasn't enough time. I know my limits, and I knew that I couldn't just let him take you." During this interaction, Madame Pomfrey had been going about checking Harry over.
"Well," she said, straightening up. "You seem fine. I'm keeping you until morning, and then you'll be free to go. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, please," Harry replied, looking down at his lap.
"All right then," Madame Pomfrey said. "I'll have the kitchens send you both some dinner."
"Thank you, Poppy," Professor Snape said. Harry was surprised, but grateful that the Potions Master decided to stay with him. Dinner was a quiet affair, and Professor Snape seemed strangely subdued.
"I don't know exactly what you did," Professor Snape said as he set aside his dishes. "But thank you. I feel better than I have in years."
"I thought you might," Harry replied. "I found something interesting when I was looking at your Mark."
"Oh?"
"Yes. It seems that it was incorporated into your magical fiber. I think it was blocking your potential. Maybe it blocks your magical energy so that Voldemort ensures none of his followers are stronger than he is. Anyway, I hope that it didn't hurt too much when I removed it."
FIVE
Severus was shocked. The Mark had been blocking his magic? No wonder he'd passed out when it was removed. He stared at the young man next to him, wondering how many times he would give his own life force for the sake of someone else's life.
"Severus?" a voice said behind him. He turned and saw Albus standing by the door. "Ah, Harry. So good to see you back amongst the living."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said softly.
"I need to borrow Severus for a little while," Albus went on. "I will see that he comes to say good night." He opened the door and waited for Severus to follow.
Curious, Severus followed Albus out and the two wizards walked in silence to Albus' office.
"Have a seat, Severus," Albus said once they'd arrived. He took his seat behind his desk and offered treats, which were promptly refused.
"What is this about, Albus?" Severus asked, though his tone was again missing its usual bite.
"How are you holding up, Severus?" Albus asked, folding his hands on the desk in front of him. "I'm worried about you."
"I am well, Albus," Severus replied with annoyance. "There is no need to coddle me as though I was an infant."
"I am not trying to coddle you, Severus. I am, however, concerned about the amount of time you are spending in the infirmary."
"My charge is ill. Should I not check on his progress?"
Albus held up his hands. "You are misunderstanding me, Severus."
Severus sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, sitting back in his chair.
"There is a point where caring and worry cross the line into something else."
"Are you saying that you don't want me to care about Harry's well-being?"
"No. I am concerned that your relationship may no longer be appropriate. I fear that you may have become attached to him."
Severus couldn't believe what he was hearing. He stood up and began to pace angrily. How could Albus imply that Severus would abuse a teacher/student relationship?
"Severus, please do not take this the wrong way," Albus said in that gentle, condescending tone that Severus hated so much.
"The wrong way?" he snapped. "You question my integrity and then tell me not to take it the wrong way? How would you have me take it?"
"I did not question your integrity, Severus," Albus stated calmly. "I am worried about you. You are overly concerned about Harry's..."
"He has been inhabiting my quarters since last summer! Of course I am concerned! I don't know how to help what he has!"
"Severus, calm yourself!" Albus snapped.
Severus stopped ranting and dropped back into his seat. "What are you implying Albus?"
"Simply that you should distance yourself from him slightly. He's a teenage boy, and I worry that he may confuse gratitude for what you've done for him with deeper feelings of affection. He's too young to know the difference. You know the school's policy..."
"Do not finish that sentence, Albus," Severus interrupted. "If you brought me here to insult me, I think I'll pass. I do not know where you got the idea that I would ever even think of touching that boy, nor do I want to know, but I will not just sit here and let you accuse me. Good evening." With that, Severus stormed out of the office.
SIX
Poppy was sitting in her office when Severus returned to bid her young patient good night. The professor seemed agitated and was visibly holding his legendary temper in check. He left quickly after telling Poppy to inform him of any changes, should Harry's health decline again.
"Do you need anything, Mr. Potter?" Poppy asked as she was preparing to call it a night.
"Um," Harry said nervously.
"Yes? What it is?"
"It is a little warm in here," Harry replied.
Poppy found this statement odd because she felt decidedly cool. She removed Harry's blanket and checked his temperature, which was normal. "Is that better, dear?"
Harry nodded. "Thank you, miss."
"That's quiet all right. Now, you get some sleep, and call for me if you need anything."
"Yes, miss. Good night."
"Good night, Harry." Poppy smiled gently and moved into her room near her office. Harry was such a polite and respectful young man. She felt it was a shame that so many things had happened to him.
SEVEN
"Madame Pomfrey!" Harry yelled from the ward.
Poppy started and sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes and wondering what woke her.
"Madame Pomfrey!" Harry yelled again.
Poppy quickly got out of bed and put on her dressing gown. She entered the ward to find Harry standing, dripping wet and fanning himself frantically.
"Good heavens, what happened?" Poppy asked, waving her wand to dry Harry off. He had apparently dumped the water pitcher over his head.
"It's so hot!" he said, stripping off his pajama top. "I feel like I'm burning!"
"You feel... oh!" Realization hit Poppy and she lured Harry back into bed. "It will be over soon," she said. She erected a magical barrier around herself and tried to soothe Harry as he continued to whimper.
"It hurts," he said, and Poppy was touched by the pleading tone of his voice. He was taking the pain much better than many older students she had treated.
"I know, dear," she cooed. "We've all felt it."
"What is it?" Harry asked, fighting to get out of bed.
"It's your majority, dear," Poppy replied, still keeping the struggling teen in the bed. "You're a little young, but it will be over soon." After several more minutes of this, the magical surge that Poppy had been waiting for finally came. It was so strong that Poppy could still feel its intensity through her barriers. After she had Harry arranged comfortably in his bed, Poppy went to fire call Severus. She felt that this definitely constituted a change in Harry's condition.
"Poppy?" Severus asked, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What it is? Is Harry all right?"
"He's fine, Severus," Poppy assured. "I just thought that you should know that he's reached his majority. Have a good night." She pulled out before Severus could reply.
EIGHT
Severus went to see Harry first thing the next morning. He ignored the thought that Albus may have been right. Harry was still sleeping when he arrived.
"Good morning, Severus," Poppy greeted from the store cupboard.
"How is he?" Severus asked, moving to Harry's side.
"He's resting," Poppy replied. "I expect he'll wake soon."
Severus sat in his usual chair by Harry's bed and took the teen's hand. The strong purple glow of Harry's aura reassured Severus that Harry was fine.
Poppy emerged from the cupboard and smiled at Severus.
"Was it very hard for him?" Severus asked.
"Not overly so," Poppy replied. "He's a bit young, but I think it could have been worse." She handed Severus a list of potions that needed restocking.
Severus took the list with a sigh and a nod before resuming his watch over Harry. Harry was in for a rough ride, and Severus knew he would never be able to deny the young man anything, Albus' warning be damned...
"I love you, Severus," thirty-year-old Jason told the man in his arms.
"I love you too, Jason," twenty-nine-year-old Severus replied.
"I'd do anything for you," Jason went on. "You know that, right?"
"Of course I do," Severus replied, snuggling closer to his lover's body. "We'll always be together, won't we?"
"Forever, my darling..."
Severus made a vow then, never to hurt Harry. He would never betray the young man in front of him, even if Harry never returned his feelings. And why should he? Harry was still young and vivacious. Why should he feel anything for an old, washed up ex-Death Eater?
"Professor Snape?" Harry asked sleepily, pulling Severus from his depressing thoughts.
"Yes, Harry?" Severus replied. He realized that he still holding Harry's hand and let go.
"Is something wrong?" Harry asked, pushing himself into a sitting position.
"No, Harry," Severus replied. "Everything is fine. You should be back in your room tonight or tomorrow."
"Oh. That's good then. I hope I don't have too much homework to make up."
"Miss Granger has been collecting your assignments for you. I'm sure that you'll have it completed quickly."
Harry smiled and sat back. "I'm hungry," he said after a moment.
Severus smirked and informed the nurse that her patient demanded food. Poppy gave him a skeptical look, as though she doubted whether Harry would every demand anything, and informed the kitchens.
Author's Note: Many thanks to Victoria Ennis for her hard work on this fic. Thanks also to…
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