Disclaimer: Not mine! Unfortunately...sigh
Author's Note: Oh my gosh! I am SOO sorry its taken me this long to update! Things started happening around here, and it got really crazy. My dad had, not one, but TWO major strokes in 2 weeks and kinda freaked us out. Very scary thing. So I've been kinda distracted from the computer. So, here I am. I have no idea when I will get the next chapter up, so please just be patient! Thanks to all my faithful reviewers! You're the best!
As soon as Dumbledore walked into his room, Severus started griping.
"Headmaster! I insist that you remove this young lady from my presence!" Dumbledore smiled and looked at Hermione. Motioning towards the door, he watched as she nodded and headed out the door. Severus glared at him. "No, Headmaster, I mean permanently! She is here to help me recuperate, but she is driving me to drink!" Dumbledore chuckled slightly.
"I hardly think she is that bad, my boy." Severus growled and Dumbledore gave a hearty laugh. "Severus, you have to understand. I would not have assigned Miss Granger to look after you had I not thought she was the best one to do the job." Severus opened his mouth to protest and the Headmaster held up a hand. "Now now, don't argue. Just be sure in the fact that I know what I'm doing." Severus's mouth snapped shut, and he glared all the more fiercely at the Headmaster. Dumbledore smiled at him. "Now, you need to sit quietly and do what Miss Granger bids of you. If you still feel this way in two days, well, I'll get someone else for you." Severus said nothing, continuing to glare at his boss. Dumbledore chuckled and moved to the bedside. Picking up an empty vial, he examined the glass closely. Serious again, he set the vial down and looked at Severus.
"Severus. I need you to tell me what happened last night." The younger man sighed and closed his eyes. Leaning back on his pillows, he crossed his arms over his chest. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes again. Instead of looking at Dumbledore, he gazed down at the black silk covering his legs.
"The meeting was going smoothly. The usual "I will take over the wizarding world" speech. When I thought it was going to be over, he looked at me…"
FLASHBACK
Voldemort looked at Severus and his barely-there lips formed a smirk.
"Ahhh, Ssseverusss. Come here, my servant." With horror spinning in his gut, Severus rose and strode to kneel before the Dark Lord. When the spindly hand came down upon his head, he held back a shudder of disgust. "My faithful servant. You have always served me well. However, I have received speculation about you recently." One long, extremely pale finger placed itself on Severus's chin, lifting his face to meet the gaze of Voldemort. "Tell me, my friend. Are you a spy?" Almost instantly, Severus felt the familiar sensation of his mind being entered. Frantically, he hid memories he didn't want Voldemort to find. Making up new ones to satisfy the Dark Lord. With precision, the evil wizard searched every memory to his satisfaction. Pulling out of Severus's mind, he let out an approving smirk. "It seems not. But, my friend, I have my eye on you. Now, your punishment for letting word get to me about this." Voldemort tapped his chin thoughtfully. He turned to Lucius. "Malfoy. What do you think?" Lucius sneered at Severus, who sneered back. Bowing his head to his master, Lucius shrugged.
"Whatever you see fit, my Lord." Voldemort smirked and stepped away.
"Brand him."
END FLASHBACK
Severus shook his head to rid himself of the memory. He looked at Dumbledore.
"The rest of the night is lost in a blur of pain." The Headmaster nodded and sighed sadly.
"As always, my friend, I am sorry that you have to live through this pain." Severus shook his head fiercely.
"You know my view on this, Headmaster." Dumbledore nodded and rose to leave. He stopped at the door and turned his head to look over his shoulder at Severus.
"I stand firm on the issue of Ms. Granger. Two days, and then we'll see. Until then, please don't drive the girl insane." Determined to always have the last word, the Headmaster left the room before Severus could comment. He shook his head and sighed. He leaned back against his pillows once more, and closed his eyes. This is how Hermione found him when she came back into the room. Leaned back against his pillows, sound asleep. She chuckled slightly and moved across the room. Carefully, she scooted the man down on the bed and pulled the blankets over his shoulder. She placed a warming spell on his still uneaten breakfast and looked back at the sleeping man. Hermione stood and watched him sleep for a few moments before smoothing the hair back away from his face and placing a soft kiss on his forehead. Briskly, she turned and left the room. Severus opened his eyes when he was sure she had gone. Softly, he touched the spot where her lips had lain, ever so briefly, and smiled slightly. He settled back into the blankets and quickly fell asleep.
