As Mungo Bonham predicted, Hippocrates' portrait appeared exactly where I had need of him. When I went back upstairs to Charlie Weasley's room and asked - feeling very foolish - out loud for Hippocrates to appear and give me guidance, a large, ornate-framed portrait of the ghost appeared directly over Weasley's bed. I spent the next half-hour explaining Weasley's symptoms and everything that I and the Healers had done. Hippocrates instructed me to run some different tests on Weasley and report my findings to him.

After that, he disappeared from his frame for a while, returning every now and then to ask a question or demand more tests, or to pace about. When he returned, he told me that Weasley had a very, very rare, but curable, form of Wizarding Malaria. I asked how that was possible, given that Malaria is usually bred in warmer climates. Hippocrates explained that it had probably been transmitted by this Kozlov fellow, and that perhaps he had traveled to a tropical climate and returned with the disease. This explanation did make sense, as Kozlov was probably required to travel to many countries to find different species of dragons and bring them to the reserves in their areas. Hippocrates gave me a list of potions ingredients and brewing directions, and said that Weasley would recover in a day if the potion was administered to him promptly. I copied the list and instructions from the portrait and thanked Hippocrates profusely. He told me no thanks were necessary. In fact, he said that he hadn't had anything to do for a good century, and had been getting rather bored. Instead, he thanked me for providing him some entertainment.

Entertainment?

Before I could voice my... displeasure... at the though of my and Weasley's predicament being called entertainment, the portrait vanished.

I used my anger to fuel me for the rest of the night as I got to work immediately on the cure for Weasley. I also made a copy of the cure's ingredients and directions and sent it promptly to Dragomirna, so that the healers there could get to work as well. The concoction took approximately two hours to brew, and, without waiting for McKenzie's approval, I gave Weasley the instructed two tablespoons. All I could do now was wait.

-----------------

I woke up around noon the next morning, something that shocked even myself. I haven't slept like that since my days as a spy during the war against the Dark Lord. I showered, got dressed, and rushed to Weasley's room to check on his improvement. In just the eight hours that it had been since I gave him the cure, Charlie Weasley was recovering remarkably. Healers McKenzie and Channel were already there, as well, and couldn't make anything of it.

"This is unbelievable!" McKenzie was saying, looking at the readings from her wand. "He's almost full recovered! I don't understand-"

"Don't bother yourself about it, Miss McKenzie," I said, lazily, taking Weasley in for myself. "I discovered what the disease was, and how to go about curing it. I brewed the potion last night. I have the recipe and instructions so that you will be able to put it in your archives, in case this disease ever present itself again. I've already sent a copy to the Dragomirna reserve."

If McKenzie and Channel had been Muggle cartoon characters, their jaws would have hit the floor with a very loud thunking noise.

"No thanks are necessary," I added.

McKenzie exploded first.

"You did what! Who do you think you are? Only the staff of this hospital are allowed to... You can't just go around thinking you can cure people! What if it had made him worse?"

"It's highly unlikely that would happen," I informed her. "Besides, it's of no significance now. He's been cured, obviously, as you've just pointed it out a few minutes ago."

This only seemed to infuriate her more. "You know," she began, face red, "you really think you're something, don't you? Well, for your information-"

"Could you all please stop yelling?"

The three of us looked down to where Weasley was laying. He was wide awake, looking at us tiredly. "You're making my head hurt. And is it possible for me to maybe get something to eat? Shepard's Pie would be lovely. My mum makes the greatest Shepard's Pie..."

McKenzie's mouth opened and closed a few times, as if she was trying to think of something to say. She eventually turned to Channel and asked her to see if St. Mungo's kitchen could possibly procure some Shepard's Pie.

As Channel was on her way out of Weasley's room, another Healer stuck their head in, and said, "Healer McKenzie, Charlie Weasley's family and Professor Dumbledore are here."

McKenzie, seeming quite flustered, nodded and said, "Let them in."

"Um... all of them?" the Healer asked.

"Yes. Let them in."

He shrugged and left. A few minutes later, Arthur, Molly, Percy, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny Weasley piled into the room, followed by Albus. I think McKenzie was shoved out of the room accidentally in the process. All the Weasley children began talking at once.

"Bloody hell, look at that burn on his arm! That'll be a wicked scar!"

"Are you going to be well in time for the Quidditch World Cup, Charlie?"

"Yeah, because if you're not, I was thinking about selling it."

"George!"

"I can't believe you had to travel with Snape-"

"That's enough, Ron!"

"Oh, Charlie!" Molly Weasley said, sobbingly, pulling up a chair next to her son's bed. "How are you, dear? Are they feeding you enough? You looked starved!"

Charlie Weasley grinned. "I'm fine, Mum, thanks to Professor Snape."

Oh, Merlin. I attempted to escape but Albus cornered me.

"I was told by that lovely Healer in Training that you were responsible for finding the cure for Mr. Weasley's ailment, Severus," Albus said loftily.

"Yes," McKenzie piped up. Ah, it seems she managed to survive the stampeding hoard. "He did so without my consent, or Charlie Weasley's, Headmaster Dumbledore. And, even though Charlie has been cured, I think that-"

"Oh, no, no, no," Albus interrupted. "Don't be modest. I'm sure you had a hand in it as well, Healer McKenzie, and I will make sure to tell your supervisor of your outstanding work."

McKenzie blinked. "I, well, I mean-"

Molly and Arthur Weasley beamed at McKenzie. "Thank you so much for saving our son," Molly said, tearfully. "And you, too, Professor Snape. What would he have done without you? That was very brave, risking your life to bring him all the way from Romania! We'll never be able to thank you enough."

I was very tempted to say "Stop having children and that will be all the thanks I need", but I figured that probably wouldn't be prudent, especially with Albus in the room. Instead, I simply bowed, and said "It was no trouble, Mrs. Weasley. I did what needed to be done."

"They should name the cure after you," Arthur suggested.

"That really isn't necessary-"

We were interrupted by Healer Channel, who managed to make her way to Weasley's bed to give him his Shepard's Pie. The Weasley children began bombarding their brother with questions as Albus took me by the arm and lead me out of the room and into the hallway. The portrait of Gunhilda of Gorsemoor winked at me as we walked by.

"How did you discover this cure, Severus?" he asked me, blue eyes twinkling.

I sighed inwardly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Headmaster."

"Try me."

Damn him.

"I asked the ghost of Hippocrates' portrait."

"Really? Interesting. How is he doing?"

Anyone else would have been quite put off by this sort of question. I, however, have dealt with Albus Dumbledore long enough to have stopped trying to understand him years ago. I simply shrugged, and answered, "Very well, I suppose, considering he's a painting. Apparently he's been quite bored."

"I should say so. Poor devil hasn't had much to do for almost a century."

I was caught a little off guard by that last statement, but recovered quickly. "I suppose you've already thought up a way for me to not be... disciplined... for handling Weasley's case myself."

"Of course. It's already been taking care of, Severus."

"I expected nothing less of you."

"Indeed," Albus said with a small smile. "By the way, I was meaning to ask how you came to your decision to risk your life and Charlie Weasley's as well to bring him here and find a cure? It almost seems quite unlike you."

Because I knew I'd have you and the rest of the Weasley's on my back for the rest of my life if I didn't, I thought, aggravated. Out loud, however, I said, "Albus, you know more than anyone that sometimes things are better faced with a kind of... poison rationality."

"Hmm... I daresay you lost your cool a few times?"

I allowed myself a small smile as well. "Just a few." My expression darkened, however, as I remembered my incident with the Imperius curse. "I was attacked here in the hospital. Someone attempted the Imperius on me."

Albus stopped. "Someone?"

I shook my head. "It was dark. I could not see him. I tied him up and left him in one of the rooms."

"There aren't any lights in the hospital rooms?"

I blinked and cursed myself for my idiocy. I was in such a hurry to find that bloody cure for Weasley that I never bothered to find out who my attacker was. "My apologies, Headmaster. I was tired and pressed for time, but that is no excuse-"

Albus held up his hand. "No matter, Severus. Where did you put him?"

I lead him to the room where I had stashed my would be attacker, only to find that the bed was empty. The ropes I had conjured, however, were still in place.

"Remarkable," Albus muttered to himself.

"Perhaps one of the Healers released him?" I asked, going to check the ropes.

"Quite impossible, as your Impediment jinx seems to be firmly in place," Albus pointed out. He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Very interesting..."

He then turned and walked out of the room.

I really, really, hate that man.

I found him over by the Welcome Witch's desk. The woman shook her head and then went back to her magazine.

"She did not see anyone come out of that room, and nothing amiss as been reported." Albus regarded me carefully. "Are you quite certain that in your exhaustion you didn't, perhaps, imagine-"

I glared at him.

"Ah, yes," Albus continued. "Well, in that case, I have an idea of who it could have been, and how, exactly, they escaped from your spell."

I raised my eyebrows. "Indeed? Care to elaborate?"

Albus regarded me again for a moment, before saying, "Where is the tea room, Severus? I'm feeling quite peckish."

I sighed. "Fifth floor."

"Ah, that's right. I think I will try their Shepard's Pie. It looked quite delicious."

As Albus was walking away - with me glaring furiously after him - the Weasley Family, minus Charlie, arrived in the atrium to Floo themselves back home.

"Thank you again, Professor Snape, for everything you've done," Molly said, smiling.

"Not at all, Mrs. Weasley," I said again.

"Now, it would be an awful shame if Charlie can't make it," Mr. Weasley began, "but we have tickets to the World Cup, and if he can't go, well... as thanks, would you like to have his ticket?"

"What?" George Weasley cried, indigently. "I wanted to sell it!"

"You're not selling Charlie's ticket, George!" Molly shouted.

I was shocked by this question and for a moment could find nothing to say. "Do not worry, Mr. Weasley. The potion that was given to your son should have him fully recovered by this evening. I am sure he will be quite able to attend. But... thank you for your offer."

"Ah, well, if there's anything that we can do for you, Professor, please let us know. We owe you quite a lot," Arthur said, gratefully.

I nodded, and was about to follow Albus to the Tea Room, when Ronald Weasley stepped forward and asked, "Um, Professor Snape?"

I turned and raised an eyebrow at him.

The boy visibly gulped. "Um... Charlie wanted me to tell you thanks for not hurting Norbert."

Norbert? "Excuse me?" I asked.

"The dragon that he was trying to give the antidote to. The one you had to save him from. That's his name," Ron explained. "Hagrid, er... found him when he was a baby and gave him to Charlie to take to Dragomirna-"

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, for the explanation. Feel sure to tell your brother that... Norbert... is quite well. Good day," I said, excusing myself from their presence.

As I made my way toward the Tea Room to find Albus, I couldn't help but ponder the events over the last few days. Out of everything that had happened, only two things were unexplainable.

How did my attacker escape his captivity, and...

Who in their right mind gives a Norwegian Ridgeback a name like Norbert?

The End.

Disclaimer: Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback was not harmed during the writing of this fanfiction. Severus Snape and Charlie Weasley, however, were indeed forced to spend countless hours within each other's company, and neither will speak about their misadventure to this day. ;)