A/N : Yay, my first day of exams went better than my expectations, so here's a chapter to reward me! Sorry for keeping everyone waiting, I will really try to update more frequently. I initially planned to compensate by posting a longer chapter, but it turned out shorter than usual...opps...Please forgive me for that. Okay, enough of rant, hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 6 : Hospital Wing
The next morning, the whole dormitory, except Harry, was woken up by Neville's yell. He was standing by Harry's bed, eyes wide with shock. When a flustered Ron stumbled his way to Harry's bed, a distressed moan escaped his mouth. He saw a puddle of vomit on the floor, obviously belonging to Harry. "Harry, wake up!" Ron shook Harry's shoulder, but to no avail. "WAKE UP!" Harry didn't even stir. Ron's hand absentmindedly brushed over Harry's forehead, which was startlingly hot, and he gave a yelp. "Neville, fetch Madam Pomfrey. Harry is very sick." Neville rushed off after nodding.
Bustling footsteps announced the arrival of Madam Pomfrey. Without a word, she sat on Harry's bed and took his temperature. 39℃. It's dangerously high. "Ron, Neville, help me carry Harry to the hospital wing." They obeyed wordlessly, throwing each other worried glances on the way.
Harry finally regained consciousness when Madam Pomfrey completed the full-body check up. It appears that Harry had no virus or bacteria infection. "Harry, do you have any idea why you have a fever?" A quick observation of the surroundings showed Harry that he was at the hospital wing, again. He groaned. Madam Pomfrey's questions interrupted his thoughts. "Errr..oh, I actually do have a guess. I was distracted when I was taking my shower yesterday, and I ended up standing undressed for one hour."
"Tell me how old you are again? The first time you are not here for an injury, you are here from having a too long shower. You really enjoy being at the hospital wing, don't you?" Madam Pomfrey mocked good-humoredly. "I assure you that I have no preference to stay in the hospital wing, Poppy," Harry replied with a grin.
"Okay, enough bickering. Please finish these potions and take a rest. Besides the cold, your magical energy is also relatively low. Is something bothering you recently, my boy?" Harry's smile slipped away. "Nothing. I'm fine," he replied a little too quickly. He then proceeded to drain all the potions, giving no opportunity for Madam Pomfrey to ask questions. He succumbed to sleep almost immediately after emptying the last vial of potion, which undoubtedly contained the sleeping draught.
Snape had just finished brewing a new batch of healing potions, calming draughts and sleeping draughts for the hospital wing. He was pretty satisfied with himself for being able to complete the potions within hours of the request from Madam Pomfrey, despite his packed schedule. At the time of speech, he was levitating numerous vials of potions to the hospital wing, and was about to knock on Madam Ponfrey's door when Madam Pomfrey almost bumped into him. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Severus. Please place the potions on my desk, thanks for your help. I need to leave the hospital wing for a while, a student has collapsed at Hufflepuff tower and my assistance is needed." With that, Madam Pomfrey had swept out of the room.
Snape proceeded to place the potions at the spot motioned by Madam Pomfrey just now. He got the job done in less than a minute and was about to leave when a piercing scream reached his ears. Shocked, he turned briefly on the spot to the direction of the yells, with his wand tightly grabbed in his hands.
He walked briskly towards the supposed source of the shriek. When he saw Harry lying on the bed still yelling himself hoarse, he took a small step backwards, out of surprise. Before him, the screams had subdued into muffled sobs, which then turned into streams of words that were barely audible. Snape leaned closer, trying to make sense of the words.
"NO! Not Cedric, he is innocent. Just...take me instead." "ARGHH...Mum! No! Step aside! Why don't you let Voldemort kill me, I'm just a freak that has no use to the world. Mum...wake up…" "Voldemort, stop hurting those who love me, I'll willingly surrender if you let them off. Please, it's all my fault…"
Snape was rooted to the stop. He had not guessed that Harry's grief was so huge, that he would consider handing himself in to end the agony he thought he caused his loved ones. "And I lost no chance in adding that remorse by the sarcastic remarks I gave him in class." Snape considered. He was feeling immensely guilty. It never occurred to him that Harry was suffering to such an extent under his usually joyful mask.
Another scream from Harry interrupted Snape's thoughts. Without realizing what he was doing, he found himself sitting on Harry's bed, slowly patting Harry on his back. He felt a little awkward, for he never did something like this, not even with Lily. But Harry visibly relaxed under his touch, so he continued caressing Harry's back. Absent-mindedly, he muttered, "Why won't you let me help you Harry?" To his surprise, Harry answered, "I just don't want to put you in danger, especially with your role as a spy. You might loathe me, but I care for you, and I'm not worth it." With that, Harry fell asleep again.
Snape thought about Harry's words. If him being a spy and his safety was Harry's main concern, he had a way to make Harry give in. Snape smiled a sincere smile, oblivious of Madam Pomfrey who was observing him from the outside.