Chapter Thirty-Three – Past the Boiling Point

Tonks woke up with a start. Merlin, she was in pain. Before she could stop herself, she screamed out in pain. This was a pain unlike any she had ever known. It was seething from every vein in her body.

A cool cloth was being placed on her forehead. "Hush, dear. You need to keep still," Madam Pomfrey instructed.

She struggled to sit up. Everything that had happened was rushing back to her. "Where's Severus?" she cried.

"He's not here. Now you need your rest," Madam Pomfrey scolded.

"But was he? Did he show up with me?" Tonks cried.

"The portkey?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Yes, the fucking portkey!" Tonks screamed.

"There is no need for that tone, Tonks. You need to rest," Madam Pomfrey said briskly.

Tonks took a deep breath. "Madam Pomfrey. Did Severus arrive with me using the portkey?" Tonks asked as politely as she could. Tears were silently running down her cheeks. Why wouldn't Madam Pomfrey just tell her?

"Severus was here, but then he rushed out muttering that he needed to find Albus," Madam Pomfrey said, shaking her head.

Tonks closed her eyes. Severus was alive. He was alive! He had managed to save them both! But then reality hit her. He showed his true loyalty to the Death Eaters. Severus would probably become the second most wanted wizard after Harry Potter.

"I hurt so much," Tonks whimpered. She rubbed her arms. Her entire body was uncomfortable. "May I have a glass of water?"

Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "Before Severus ran out of the room, he ordered me not to give you any water. I'll take his word on this one."

"But I'm so thirsty," Tonks whined. Then another thought hit her like a ton of bricks. "Where's Nata!"

"Behind the curtain, dear," Madam Pomfrey said softly. "She was in bad shape. I gave her some dreamless sleep and another potion that will knock her out for at least eighteen hours. She just needs rest now."

Tonks wiped away her tears. How they all managed to get through this in one piece, she didn't know.

The Hospital Wing door slammed opened. "Severus!" Tonks cried out happily. Severus and Albus were practically running towards her. Albus didn't look well at all. Severus was holding a paper bag.

Severus barely acknowledged her. Feeling stung, Tonks sat up in her hospital bed.

Feeling like a child, she asked, "Severus, may I please have a glass of-"

He cut her off. "I need a table to work on, Poppy."

Madam Pomfrey waved her wand and a work space table appeared in front of them. Silently, Severus put the contents of the bag on the table. It looked like various potion ingredients.

"I need to go to my personal cupboards. Albus, will you start the antidote?" Severus asked quickly.

Albus nodded. Severus practically ran to the fireplace. Stepping inside, he said, "Professor Snape's Office," and disappeared.

"Antidote?" Tonks asked warily. Already knowing the answer, she asked, "Why are you working on an antidote?"

"Do you feel uncomfortable all over?" he asked. "With an occasional burst of pain?"

Tonks nodded. "I feel like my blood's on fire," she admitted.

"It is," Albus said as Tonks' jaw dropped. "Well, not quite yet. Your blood is slowly beginning to boil. Severus estimates you have about two hours before your blood evaporates, causing your death."

"Oh," Tonks said. As is common with Tonks in a serious situation, she tried resort to humor. "That's not very happy news."

She sat cross-legged on the hospital bed, watching Albus work. "Did Severus give me that potion?" Tonks asked suddenly.

"Dolohov did. Severus was furious when he realized it. They generally work as a tag team when they are torturing people. This is a poison that has never been used," Albus said.

"How did Severus know it was given to me?" Tonks asked. "He wasn't there when Dolohov was trying to place the curse on me."

"Your eyes, Nymphadora," Albus said softly. Tonks wished she had a mirror. Then Albus stopped in his work for a moment and sighed. "Until Tom is defeated, Severus will not be able to leave Hogwarts."

Tonks had been thinking along the same lines herself. But her train of thought was broken when Severus flooed from the fire. A moment later, Professor McGonagall joined them.

"Minerva volunteered to help, Albus," Severus said.

"Thank you, Minerva. Go ahead and start slicing the flubberworms. What are the exact measurements, Severus?" Albus said.

"One eight of an inch. It must be exact, Minerva," Severus warned. Minerva nodded and picked up a small knife.

Tonks watched in amazement as the three professors worked. All three seemed completely confident of what they were doing. But after a half hour, Tonks was distracted by the pain in her own body. Her entire body itched, that was the only way to describe it. Trying not to distract anyone, she started scratching her leg.

Severus looked at her quickly. "Dora, as much as I know this will pain you, stay still if you can," he warned. Tonks nodded and curled up in a small ball in the hospital bed.

After another half hour, the professor started cleaning up their work. "Are you done?" Tonks asked happily.

Albus looked at her sadly. "We just need one more ingredient. We just don't know if we'll get it in time," he admitted.

Tonks looked at the three professors. Professor McGonagall had tears in her eyes. Albus couldn't quite meet her gaze. They all expect me to die, Tonks realized.

Severus took a white screen and placed it around her bed. "Severus, we'll be in Poppy's office if you need us. We'll have a view of the fireplace, if he can make it in time."

Severus said something back, Tonks couldn't quite hear. But then he came behind the curtain and laid next to her in the hospital bed. Tonks tried to relax her body against his. It had been weeks since they had been this close.

"What are we waiting for?" Tonks asked softly.

"A bezoar," Severus told her. "Albus' brother, Aberforth produces them. The problem is the goat needs to be slaughtered in such a meticulous way that we don't know if he'll be done in time."

"That is a problem," Tonks said wearily. Tonks closed her eyes and just enjoyed the sensation of Severus stroking her hair for a few moments.

"I'm so sorry, Dora," Severus said into her hair.

Tonks took his hand. "What do you have to be sorry about?" she asked. "You saved Nata's life. You saved ours. You're a hero," she said simply. But then Severus had to hold her still as another spasm of pain washed over her.

"I invented this potion," Severus said bitterly. "Years ago, when I first joined the Death Eaters. It was my test of loyalty. Voldemort wanted a poison that would work slowly and have no antidote."

Tonks became very still. "But there is an antidote, isn't there?" she asked. "Aren't you making one now?"

"Now there is. I was able to figure out the antidote after I switched sides," Severus said.

"Good," Tonks said. Then suddenly she asked, "Why'd you kick me out of your room?"

Severus sighed. "Do you have the strength to talk about this now?" he asked.

"If I'm going to die in an hour, then yes, I do," Tonks said. She slowly turned around so that she was facing him.

"I saw your note, Dora. I just snapped. I thought you were going to end it between us, so some stupid part of my brain told me to end it first," Severus said bitterly.

Tonks laughed. "If you knew how many times I've done that same thing in a relationship…"

"We'll get through this, won't we, Dora?" Severus asked. Tonks could see the fear in his eyes.

"Assuming I live," Tonks joked. But suddenly, she was very tired. "Can I sleep for a little bit?"

Severus nodded. "I don't know if you'll be able to sleep through the pain, but you can try," he said gently.

Tonks started to turn around to sleep on her other side, but stopped. She placed her hands on either side of Severus' face and kissed him gently. It had been weeks since they kissed. For a moment, Tonks forgot everything about everything else but her lips next to his.

She opened her mouth slightly and the kissed deepened. Severus slowly slid his tongue in her mouth. Tonks stroked it gently with her own. But then the kiss was broken as Tonks shuddered in pain. The moment gone, Tonks turned on her side and rested against Severus.

"That was a goodnight kiss, not a goodbye one," she said softly.

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How she managed to sleep, she wasn't sure. But sleep she did. Until a loud crash from the fireplace woke her up. Tonks tried to concentrate, but the pain overtook her. She heard a commotion in the Hospital Wing, but all Tonks could do was curl up in the fetal position. She hurt so much! How long had she been asleep?

Time passed, but Tonks had no way of knowing how much. She started rocking her body back and forth, trying to make the pain go away. But then the curtain was shoved aside. Severus walked purposely to her, holding a chalice. Albus and a man she recognized as the bartender for the Hogshead lifted her up to a sitting position.

The men held her while Professor McGonagall opened Tonks' mouth. Severus poured the potion down Tonks' throat. "Swallow if you can, Dora," Severus ordered. Tonks nodded and took a swallow.

"That hurt!" Tonks cried. Severus fed her more of the potion, until it was all gone. She was laid back down, and Tonks fell promptly asleep.

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Tonks opened her eyes. "I'm not dead," she whispered softly. After a moment, she realized that the pain was gone. "I'm not dead, and I'm not in pain. Will wonders never cease?"

Tonks looked over and saw that Severus was sitting on a chair, his chin resting on his hands, fast asleep. He looked more dear to her now than he ever had before.

"Severus," Tonks said out loud. Severus practically jumped out of his seat.

"Dora!" Severus said. She could see the relief in his eyes. "How do you feel?"

She thought that over for a moment. "Pretty lousy. But I'm assuming that since I'm talking to you now that that's a good sign."

Severus moved to sit at the side of her bed. "Very good sign."

"How long have I been asleep?" Tonks asked, playing with his hand.

"Almost a day," Severus said.

"A day!" Tonks exclaimed. "How's that possible?"

"Poppy gave you some potion. Dora, I'm almost considered a legend with my torturing methods. And I went very easy on you. I'm actually surprised you're able to talk to me," Severus said honestly. He stood up suddenly, as if he just remembered something. "I'll be right back."

Tonks closed her eyes and came very close to drifting off again when someone threw themselves in her arms.

"Hey, Nata," Tonks said softly, stroking the young girl's hair. She couldn't quite believe how protective she felt about Nata. Severus was standing by the edge of the bed, trying to give them some space.

"I'm so glad you're alive," Nata sobbed.

"Why are you crying, silly?" Tonks asked. "We're both here. We're both alive."

"I know," Nata said. She turned around and looked behind her. "Go away! I'm trying to have a private conversation!"

Puzzled, Tonks turned to see who Nata was yelling at. Two Aurors, William Treeroot and Gordon Petty were sitting by the doorway. Gordon gave Tonks a quick wave.

"We're not leaving," Gordon said. "Sorry. We won't listen, promise."

"Fine," Nata said, shaking her head. "Dumbledore says I have to have two Aurors follow me at all times now. It's creepy."

"I'm sure he means well, Nata," Tonks told her. "The last thing we want is for anything to happen to you."

"Miss Haley, Tonks needs her rest," Severus said gently. Nata stood up, gave Severus a wary look and left the hospital wing, Aurors in tow.

Tonks patted the side of her bed. "I don't think she's very happy with you," Tonks said honestly.

"Albus and I spoke to her. I hope she understands I was playing a role. Though I had to admit, when she spit at my feet, I was convinced she was you," Severus said, stroking Tonks' cheek.

"I was so proud," Tonks said cheerfully. Feeling worn out already, she closed her eyes. "How can I be so tired if I've been sleeping for almost a day?"

"Give yourself a week and you'll be good as new," Severus said. Tonks turned to her side, facing Severus, and took his hand.

"Stay with me until I fall asleep?" Tonks asked.

"Till then or an hour from now. I have to teach in a bit," Severus admitted.

Tonks gave a big yawn. "I don't think we'll have a problem with that."

Five minutes later, she was fast asleep.