Through his greying vision, Snape could see his spell simply dissipate as it struck the creature doing absolutely nothing. He squeezed his eyes shut waiting for the creature to pounce. Instead, it took a few more steps toward him.

"Whadja do that fer Professor?"

Snape opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of Hagrid wearing his heavy winter duster and holding a large lantern. Hagrid's huge black dog padded out from behind him and began making his way toward the downed potions master. Snape moaned knowing the dog would begin pestering him.

"Fang stay back give him a bit o space," Hagrid said stepping across the clearing in two large strides. Once near Hagrid began to look at Snape. He took in the ragged breath, twitching, pale yet flushed complexion, and the small pool of blood to Snapes' left.

"Professor Snape! You're in a right state you are!" Hagrid knelt next to Snape who had closed his eyes and appeared to be frowning.

"What an astute observation." Snape snarled.

Hagrid could now get an up-close look at Snape and didn't like what he could see. Placing the lantern down he tugged off one of his moleskin gloves and placed three of his very large fingers across the potion master's forehead. Snape flinched quite badly and couldn't stifle his gasp of pain.

"Could you not?" He growled at the half-giant.

"Sorry Professor but ya have a fever. What are ya doing all the way out here at this time of night in your condition?" Hagrid asked ignoring him.

Snape stayed quiet for a moment knowing he couldn't tell the giant oaf anything unless he wanted it to be public knowledge. In a sense however, he was glad somebody was here so he could find a way back to the castle. Hagrid was most certainly not one of the top people he would have wished to come across him in this state but then again his wishes were rarely granted. Unfortunately for Hagrid Snape's mission had to stay just that, his. Hagrid knew this forest like the back of his hand so lying about looking for potion materials or animal attacks was not an option. Ungrateful, mean, and frigid potion master façade it was.

"Haven't you been told not to ask questions about other people's business?" He snapped "Or do you have nothing better to do than wander the forest at night?"

Hagrid's face conveyed a series of emotions before it landed on one of pity. How Severus hated that look.

"Alright, yer business is yer business." He gave a placating gesture "I already got the seeds Professor Sprout asked me to get. Was headin back when Fang here picked up yer scent."

Snape turned his head to look at the hound who sat a few feet away wagging his tail.

"Ya really shouldn't be out here like this. Best I get ya back to the castle, the sooner the better. "

Hagrid reached down and went to help Snape up by the shoulders. Forgetting his earlier mistake Snape growled and attempted a pathetic half-roll away from the large hands. The series of events that followed were not exactly pleasant or dignified.

His left arm felt as if it spontaneously caught fire prompting a gasp of pain. His lungs and heart then decided to remind him that they were still there with deep coughs while what felt like a muggle jackhammer forced its way into his chest. This episode went on for only a few moments but Snape decided that they were quite possibly the most painful moments of his life.

Finally catching his breath Snape realized he was now sitting up and leaning on something. Snape opened his eyes and found Hagrid kneeling on the ground with one massive hand behind his back and head. The other rested gently across Snape's chest.

"That's not sounding too good." Hagrid pointed out

Snape groaned "I do not need your assistance" he ground out.

Hagrid shook his head and shifted his hands picking Snape up off the ground easily.

"No offense Professor but both the Headmaster and Madame Pomfrey would probably disagree with that." Hagrid stated flatly trying to shift the man in his arms to a more comfortable position. Eventually, after several grunts of pain and even more "Sorries" from Hagrid, Snape was mostly cradled in his arms. Copious amounts of the black fabric that the potions master was swathed in spilled over Hagrid's arms in such a way that Snape appeared to be melting.

Snape twitched around wanting to be free of the oaf but grateful deep down. If anyone saw them his pride would never survive.

"There that's not so bad." Hagrid chirped.

Snape groaned once more and settled his arms across his abdomen as Hagrid set off.