Snape was feeling horrible over this new discovery. His own Aunt was the cause for Harry's sickness and at this point there was no known antidote. Snape thought back to the last conversation he had with the boy. Harry had told the Professor that he was being taught lessons to 'change' and that in turn was supposed to keep Snape safe. It all didn't make any sense to Severus but he speculated that it did make sense to a severely abused boy. Now Snape had to struggle with the fact that Harry was in mortal peril, once again because of him.
Snape was angry at himself for not tracking down Vespa and killing her after what she had done to him with the curse. Now he would pay a heavy price as he watched his future son fight to live. He wished more then anything that he could just take Harry away from all this and reside in a house far away from Voldemort, Vespa and Dursley. The boy deserved so much more then this and it just wasn't fair. He didn't really know how he was going to tell Harry, not to mention the Weasley's, Granger and Dumbledore. It was all his fault and he had to fix this mess he put the boy into.
He pulled out several cauldrons and began brewing potions that he hoped would lead him to find a counter curse. After quite a few failures he finally forced himself to stop so he could go check on Harry.
Snape walked into the hospital room and found all the Weasley's along with Granger and Longbottom talking with a very tired looking Harry.
"How are you feeling Harry," Snape asked as he saw the boy grab his stomach.
"Erm, fine sir. I just wish I had some of that tea," Harry said in a scratchy voice. He seemed to be losing his voice after all that vomiting and not drinking water for three days. Snape only hoped it wasn't permanent as he didn't really know all the side effects of the poison.
"Harry that tea is not beneficial for you. I'm going to ask that you refrain from eating or drinking anything unless Madame Pomfrey or I provide it for you. Do you understand?" Snape didn't want to alarm the boy but thought he better make it clear.
Harry looked at the soup Mrs. Weasley brought him and back at Professor Snape. He didn't want the soup anyway but didn't want Mrs. Weasley to think Severus meant her food too.
"Molly I hope you don't mind but Harry will be on a severely restricted diet until we can control this… flu bug he has. He will also be monitored 24 hours a day and unfortunately will have to endure quite a few blood tests. I need to know every single item he places in his mouth and the core ingredients."
Harry didn't care, this was nothing compared to his stay at the Dursley's.
Molly gathered up her soup and with a flick of a wand it disappeared. "Whatever you say Severus. I have total trust in you that you will take care of our Harry." Snape felt worse then ever at hearing that. He was the reason Harry had these stomach pains to begin with. Blasted Vespa and her poison!
Snape turned towards the young people of the group and said, "Do not bring Mr. Potter any sweets or drinks of any kind." Snape plucked a couple of chocolate frogs off Harry's bedside table and handed them to Ron. "Also, I am counting on you to convey to me any abnormal symptoms Mr. Potter does not reveal to me. He seems to be partial to hiding his grievances from me," Snape gave Harry a stern look then looked back at the young people before him, "May I count on you?"
The group nodded and a few said, "Yes sir."
"Well this sounds like its going to be loads of fun," Harry said with a grin.
Snape rounded on Harry and said, "And you Mr. Potter are to remain in bed unless otherwise given express permission to do otherwise. I do not want to be forced into utilizing those magical bands again to keep you in bed."
Harry's face flushed and he wished the Professor hadn't just said that in front of his friends.
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere Severus," Harry said without thinking. He looked back up to see his friend's with looks of shock mixed with fear at his using the Professor's first name so casually.
Snape walked over to Harry and pushed the sweat soaked hair back from Harry's forehead. "Do not worry Harry. I am attempting to get you out of here as soon as possible." Harry looked up at him gratefully and missed the looks of utter surprise from everyone else in the room.
Snape pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to Harry. Harry looked at it and then back up at the Professor.
"Well are you going to open it or just stare at it?" Snape said with sarcasm.
Harry gave a quick glance to Ron and wished Snape hadn't done this in front of him. He slowly opened the box and pulled out a tiny golden snitch. He opened his hand and the snitch flew around the room.
The Weasley twins both said, "Wicked!" as they jumped to catch it as it went buzzing by. Ron watched as the tiny snitch buzzed around his head.
"If you desire to speak with me or need anything from me when I am not here you simply say my name and the snitch will let me know that I am required here. You may use it anytime you desire, even if I am teaching," Snape explained.
"Sort of like an indoor owl Harry," Neville said without knowing the pain it would cause.
Harry caught his breath and suddenly looked down. He shook his head and felt his heart tighten at the thought of Hedwig.
Snape watched him struggle with his emotions and said, "Well, it's time for this visit to end. Mr. Potter needs to get his rest." Harry looked up at him gratefully and Snape saw the unshed tears.
After everyone left Snape sat down in the chair next to Harry's bed and asked, "Do you desire to talk about it?" Harry shook his head and looked away.
"Harry when will you learn to trust me?"
Harry closed his eyes and tried to push the thought of Hedwig away. As long as he kept his mouth shut Hedwig would continue to live. The last time he had seen her she looked alright but she still hadn't made any sounds. He had begged his Uncle to let him keep Hedwig in his room but after the first few days Vernon took Hedwig away.
When Harry was leaving to come back to school he had thought Hedwig would come too but Vernon soon squelched that idea. He threatened Harry with Hedwig's life if Harry said anything about his 'lessons'. Harry had almost missed the train because he had refused to leave without her. Uncle Vernon had to forcefully drag him to the car and once inside had silenced him with a punch to the side of the head. When Harry came to he was sitting in the train station parking lot with Vernon throwing his trunk and wand on the ground. Harry stumbled out of the car and Vernon took off without looking back to see that Harry was okay. Harry came to realize that he wasn't strong enough to take on his Uncle without using magic. If he used magic he would be kicked out of Hogwarts and most likely thrown into an orphanage. He couldn't imagine Vernon taking him back after getting hexed.
No, he wouldn't tell Snape anything. He couldn't take the chance of anything happening to his owl. Besides he seemed to have gotten off without having to say much about his injuries and that was what he was most concerned about. Hedwig's life depended on it.
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The next few days Harry had sudden stomach attacks that left him gasping for air. It seemed to come in waves and lasted for an hour or two. The first times he held back from making any noise. Then as it became more severe he panted through the attacks. Now the pain was so sharp he begun to cry out. During the last attack he was alone in the infirmary when the sharp pain began to build. He looked around for Madame Pomfey but she was no where to be found. He felt foolish for doing this but he pulled out the tiny snitch and said Snape's name. The snitch flew out the door and Harry waited while the pain built to an all time high.
Snape was in the classroom berating his students for yet another explosion when the snitch came flying through the door. His heart stopped for a second and he quickly told the class to clean up and class was dismissed.
Snape raced out the door and down the long corridors to the hospital wing. He pushed the doors open and looked around quickly. Harry was not in his bed and Pomfrey was not around. Snape heard a sudden gasp coming from the other side of the bed. He raced around the bed and saw Harry curled up in a ball on the floor, shaking uncontrollably.
"Harry! Harry what hurts? Is it your stomach?" Snape asked in a panic stricken voice as he knelt down next to Harry.
"S'my stomach an head. It's worse, please help me," Harry said in a low raspy voice.
Snape picked him up and put him back on the bed. He felt Harry's forehead and was appalled at how hot he was. Snape grabbed the vial of pain potion off the night stand and held it up to Harry's mouth. Harry barely managed to get half down but it soon came back up with a violent reaction from the boy. Harry screamed out in pain and clutched Snape's cloak. "Do something please Severus," Harry begged. The pain was excruciating and tore at his insides. It felt ten time's worse then the Cruciatus Curse. Snape didn't have any idea how to stop the poison from attacking Harry and felt like he was helpless. Snape continued to hold onto Harry and rubbed small circles on his back while the boy tried not to scream, but clamped his jaw closed and moaned in agony. About an hour later the attack subsided and Harry fell immediately into an exhausted sleep. Snape was torn between leaving Harry and working on the antidote or staying with the boy in case he woke. The Professor opted to stay with Harry just in case he had another attack.
Snape's schedule had been grueling and he had only had an hour here and there to sleep. He stayed with Harry as much as he could but his first priority was the antidote. Just when he thought he was getting closer he would find that it didn't work. He extracted more vials of blood from Harry until Harry's body wouldn't tolerate any more blood loss and Madame Pomfrey had to give Harry a blood replenishing potion. The potion didn't stay down and Harry became weaker. Snape had been working with the Potion Healers at St. Mungo's but no one was any closer.
That night Harry lost his voice completely from vomiting and screaming. His scratchy whisper was barely audible. Snape was at a loss and thought he should let everyone know that Harry had been poisoned by Vespa and there was no known cure.
Snape had not told anyone because he thought he would have found the antidote by now and didn't want Harry to worry needlessly. Now it seemed the boy was going down hill fast and the attacks were much more frequent. Severus couldn't describe how he was feeling because he had never felt that paternal love for anyone before Harry. His heart ached every time he thought about Harry and the poison running through his body.
Severus was back down in the dungeons working on the antidote when the snitch flew through the door. He immediately ran back up to the infirmary. As he walked through the hospital doors he could hear Harry calling for him in that scratchy strangled voice and Molly reassuring Harry that he was on the way.
"I'm here Harry. I'm right here," Snape said as he sat on Harry's bed and took hold of his hand.
"Just don't leave, kay?" Harry whispered as he squeezed his eyes closed in pain.
Snape didn't know what happened to make Harry want him there so badly but he certainly wasn't going to leave the boy in that condition. He pulled an empty chair closer to the bed. Snape sat down and leaned closer to Harry as he placed a hand on the boy's face.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Harry relaxed and let himself fall into a fitful sleep and escape the pain temporarily.
Two hours later Snape woke after falling into a disturbed sleep. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see Harry awake as well. The boy didn't know he was being observed as he stared at the ceiling with giant tears falling on to his pillow. He didn't make any sound but just stared upwards and let the tears flow.
Snape watched silently knowing that Harry had been taught to suffer without any noise or bothering anyone with his pain. Snape reached his hand to the boy's face and rubbed Harry's cheek with his thumb. Harry didn't move or say anything.
"Could you tell me what you are thinking about Harry?" Snape asked quietly as he continued rubbing Harry's cheek.
"It just hurts so much and nothing is helping. I can't take it anymore Professor," Harry said in a sad raspy whisper as he continued looking up.
"Harry I'm trying hard to find the solution. Please, please don't give up hope."
"What's really wrong with me?"
This was the conversation Snape had been avoiding. He watched as the tears stopped coming from Harry's eyes but the boy continued looking up.
"It seems Vespa is opposed to this adoption and the tea you were given from Stanton was poisoned. I'm trying to fix it Harry but I haven't found the right antidote yet," Snape waited for Harry's response.
Harry took in a deep breath and looked over to the professor.
"It's not your fault Professor. I just want you to know that," Harry said as he closed his eyes and put a hand on top of the Professor's.
Snape wasn't ready for that kind of response. He thought the boy might get angry or cry or ask all sorts of questions. All Harry thought about was making sure Severus was not blaming himself for what his Aunt did. Snape was taken aback at how selfless this boy was and it ripped his heart apart to know he couldn't help him.
"You make me proud to become your father. I hope you know that," Severus said and he saw a small smile appear on the boy's face.
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After watching Harry sleep for close to an hour Severus called Molly to stay with him once again. It was 2:00 am and the halls were quiet at Hogwarts as Snape made his way down to the laboratory to continue on the antidote. As he walked into the lab he saw a lavender owl sitting on his workbench with a scroll tied to her leg. Vespa's owl!
Snape pulled the scroll off the owl and opened it. A small vial fell onto the workbench. Snape picked up the vial and read the letter from his aunt.
Dearest Severus,
By now I can only presume that young Mr. Potter is in immense pain. He is only days now from losing his life. I am most assuredly the only one who is able to save him. As you well know I am a superb Potions Master myself and the best in the world at Dark Arts Potions. The poison given to Mr. Potter will kill him unless he takes the antidote I kindly sent to you. He must drink the antidote every three days as it counter acts the poison and stops it from functioning. I am a compassionate woman and will send the vial of antidote to you every three days, if you do as I say.
Firstly you must stop any absurd ideas of adopting the mudblood boy.
Secondly, you must not pursue any vindication from Sir Stanton. As you may have figured out by now, Sir Stanton works for me. As soon as you applied for gaurdianship of Mr. Potter I employed Sir Stanton to make sure the adoption did not happen. Since you figured out about the blood curse I placed on you I am now forced to turn my attention to young Mr. Potter. I will not stand by and watch as our family estates end up in the hands of a mudblood orphan boy. Sir Stanton will be watching out for my best interest and you are to leave him unharmed. As a matter of fact you are to treat him as your superior and abide by any orders he gives (as those orders will actually be from me).
The antidote requires plenty of uninterrupted sleep for it to work properly and loses it's potency with less sleep. Please advice your boy to eat at every meal as the antidote is rather harsh on the stomach. He must drink the entire vial and stay in bed for 12 hours after each dose.
Remember - If you fail to heed either of my commands I will not send the next vial of life saving potion.
Your loving Auntie Vespa
p.s.
The owl can not be tracked so do not waste your time trying to find me.
Immediantly after reading the note it burst into flames and disappeared.
Snape was livid! How could the evil bitch do something so vile and to a child! Snape needed to get to Harry and relieve his pain immediately. He pulled out a syringe and drew out a tiny amount of the antidote to study later, then quickly stopped it back up and headed to the infirmary.
As Snape walked through the hospital doors he saw Harry rolled up in a ball on his side, clutching his stomach as Molly rubbed his back and spoke softly to him. The boy was covered in perspiration and his face was showing the agony he was going through.
"Harry do you think you could manage to sit up for a moment?" Snape said and he grasped Harry's arm and helped him into a sitting position.
"What is it Professor?" came the pain filled voice.
"Just drink this and we'll see," Snape didn't want to give the boy false hope.
Snape put the vial to Harry's mouth and tilted the potion in. Harry scrunched up his face at the taste and swallowed the entire contents of the vial.
"Molly do you think you could bring some of your soup for Harry?"
"Certainly Severus," Molly said a spell and flicked her wand as a hot bowl of soup appeared on Harry's nightstand.
"Sir? I can't really eat that right now," Harry whispered out.
"You have no choice," Snape said in a no nonsense tone of voice. Snape would be sure to follow the instructions to the letter. He lifted the spoon to Harry's mouth and watched as the boy begrudgingly swallowed.
Within an hour Harry was sleeping soundly and Severus sat next to him hoping that this would work. Snape soon fell asleep after having only a few hours sleep in several days.
The morning sun struck Snape in the eyes and he immediately sat up and looked towards Harry. He was amazed at the sudden change in the boy. Harry was sitting up in bed, eating a bowl of cereal and looking back at him.
"Harry, how are feeling?" Snape asked with hope as he could already tell the boy was in much better condition.
"Brilliant! Whatever you gave me seems to of worked," Harry said through a mouthful of cereal. His voice was still scratchy but he sounded so much stronger.
Snape placed his hand on Harry's face and felt that he was cool to the touch.
"I feel good enough to go for a ride on my hover board!"
"Do not even think about it! You must stay in bed and sleep all day Mr. Potter," Snape said as he tried to use a firm voice but was so pleased at seeing Harry so healthy that he barely managed from smiling.
Harry looked up at the Professor and smiled. Snape was overcome with emotions and looked away.
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The rest of the morning was spent chasing Harry's friends from visiting the young Gryffindor so he could get the required sleep the antidote called for. It seemed that every time Snape left the hospital room he would come back to see a group of young people surrounding Harry's bed and talking incessantly. Harry joining right along, enjoying the company.
Snape came back up from a Potions class and walked in on Harry, Weasley, Finnegan and Longbottom jumping from bed to bed trying to catch the tiny snitch. Snape was worried beyond belief at how this would affect the antidote. He watched as Harry dived across the beds and was extremely angry at Potter for not abiding by his rules.
The first of the Gryffindor's to notice Snape standing at the door was Weasley. He froze on the spot and tried to warn his friends by loudly clearing his throat. Harry looked up after taking a dive across two beds and catching the tiny snitch. He immediately froze too. It took Seamus and Neville a second longer to notice Snape but as soon as they did they jumped off the beds and stared with fright clearly written on their faces.
"Potter in the bed NOW!" Snape snapped as he glared at Harry.
Harry let the snitch go and walked over to his bed feeling like he had really let Severus down.
Snape turned his attention to the other Gryffindor. "The rest of you will be doing detention with Mr. Filch this week," Snape said in a stern voice.
Harry watched as his friends made their way to the door.
"Severus, that's not fair. I was the one who started the game and they were just helping," Harry said with an edge to his raspy voice.
Snape walked up to Harry and stood over him as the boy stood next to his hospital bed.
"Mr. Potter, it would be advantageous for you to keep your mouth shut while I am doling out detention to my students," Snape said in a dangerously quiet voice.
Harry wasn't going to let his friends down. "I just don't think its fair Sir. It was my fault and they shouldn't get in trouble for something I did," Harry tried to reason again. Harry looked at his friends now all standing together by the door. Ron was shaking his head trying to tell Harry to shut up and Neville looked as if he was ready to flee.
"Mr. Potter you are testing my patience. Get into bed and stay there! The detention stands as it is. Now I do not want to hear another word on the subject," Snape hissed.
Harry stood firmly next to the bed and folded his arms in front of him in anger.
"Mr. Potter I will give you one more chance to get into bed before I toss you in," Snape snarled.
Harry stood firm and said, "Professor these are my best friends and if it had been Ron's dad who caught us I know Mr. Weasley wouldn't give everyone detention." Harry looked down in embarrassment over having such a strict guardian. He didn't want his friends to hate Snape. Harry looked towards his friends again and saw that Neville was actually shaking and Ron had his hand covering his face as if he didn't want to watch.
Severus was worried about Harry. He thought about what Harry had just said and came to the conclusion that Harry did have a disadvantage to having his guardian at school to watch over him while the other students did not have to worry over such matters. If this would make the boy stay in bed then it was worth conceding.
"Mr. Potter I will rethink my decision, however you must reside in bed the rest of the day."
"Yes sir," Harry said as he watched his friends look of astonishment. At least they won't hate Snape now.
"Fine." Snape turned towards the three Gryffindor, "You may go but the next time you visit Mr. Potter remember that he needs to get plenty of rest and remain-in-his-bed ," Snape said firmly.
"Thank you sir," Ron and Seamus said with surprised expressions as they escorted Neville out the door.
Harry looked up to the Professor with gratitude.
"Sorry I disobeyed you, sir."
"Harry, I am trying not to be so strict with you but there is certain behavior that I will-not-tolerate. One of them being your utter lack of concern for your own health. I will not stand for you putting your health in further jeopardy. If you disobey me again I will be forced to punish you." Snape wanted to make sure Harry understood completely.
"Yes sir," Harry said as he rolled onto his side, looking away from the professor. What did Snape mean by "punish"?
Snape reached a hand out to Harry's shoulder and the boy moved purposely away.
"Are you angry with me?" Snape asked with surprise. What did I do? Didn't I just let his friends out of detention?
"No. And you don't have to stay and baby-sit me, you know." Harry's voice clearly had an edge to it.
"Harry, I have another class to teach at the present time and do not have the time nor the patience to try and figure out this teenage angst you are displaying. Now, why are you angry with me?"
"Just leave me alone. I'll do what you say and stay in bed," Harry said as he began to feel his stomach hurt again.
Snape was at a total loss as to what he should do with this angry teen. This wasn't familiar territory for him. Usually he didn't give a second thought to any of his students feelings and the students certainly would not speak to him with such disrespect
"Harry get some rest and we will discuss this when I return," Snape said as he thought he would pay a visit to Molly for parenting advice before returning to the infirmary after class. Severus reached for Harry's shoulder again and gave it a little pat.
Just as Snape was approaching the infirmary doors he heard Harry call his name . Snape walked back and stood at the foot of the bed. "Yes, Mr. Potter?" Snape watched as Harry grabbed his stomach and panted with pain. Snape knew that Harry had overexerted himself and would now have to pay the price.
Harry didn't really know why he had called Severus back. He had been angry over Snape saying he would "punish" him for not staying in bed. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew that Snape wouldn't hurt him. Now he didn't know what to say but didn't want Snape to leave thinking he was still mad at him.
"Harry is there something I could do for you?" The Professor was a little confused as to why the boy had called him back.
"I'm sorry," came a near whisper.
Snape walked around to the bedside and pulled the chair closer to Harry and sat down. Harry reached over and grabbed the professor's hand without saying anything else. Severus understood completely and held on tighter to Harry's hand.
Severus called Madame Pomfrey over.
"Poppy could you please ask Professor Flitwick to take over my class? My son and I need to spend some time together," Snape stated proudly with a slight grin towards Harry.
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Well, another week on this ship and I'm home again. Thank you for the reviews, I needed to hear your kind words after the past few days. I can honestly say this was one of the worst runs on a ship I've had. It makes me rethink my job. Two people actually got thrown in the brig. I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach as the ship has been hitting rough waters. We're back in Miami and starting a new run tonight and then I'm back home. Your reviews are great to come home to.