Thank you to the beta of this chapter- Born-of-Elven-Blood
Chapter Six - Draught of Living Death
Harry didn't speak a word all through the morning. He sat curled up on the couch, wrapped in the old quilt, listening to the turn of the pages as his Professor read. Every now and again his body would twitch as if he had been subjected to the Cruciatus Curse as memories of Lockhart popped into his mind.
Snape could see the twitching out of the corner of his eye but decided it would be best if he didn't mention anything. He was just glad that Harry was sitting out in the living room, and not locked away in the bedroom.
It was close to lunchtime before Harry finally spoke.
"What are you reading?"
The question even shocked Harry. He didn't know why he had asked, and he was sure all he was going to get in response was a snarky comeback. Instead, Snape flipped the cover forward.
"Potion Theory: Draught of Living Death," he read aloud before slipping the book back open and continuing to read.
Harry was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "What is it about?" he asked in a mutter, not wanting to anger his professor with too many questions.
Snape slowly lowered his book and looked over at Harry. "You…want to talk about potions?"
"…Maybe…I don't know," Harry said softly. He only knew that he wanted something to keep his mind busy; to keep his mind from drifting back to Lockhart.
Severus let out a long breath.
"Draught of Living Death is a powerful sleeping potion, so powerful that the person who imbibes it appears to be dead. Hence the name," he explained. "The author theorizes that if diluted properly and mixed with Calming Draught, it would put the drinker into a medically induced coma."
"Can't you just do that with a sleeping draught?" Harry asked, remembering the revolting potion Madam Pomfrey would make him swallow whenever he spent the night in the hospital wing.
"A sleeping draught only puts the person to sleep. This method would ensure they felt no pain during the Healing process. Of course the Healers could use pain relief potions instead, but long exposure can lead to addiction. This way would be safer if the person was in need of long term healing."
Harry gave a small nod. "Sounds kind of interesting," he muttered with a little shrug. He expected that to be the end of it, so he was shocked when Snape got up and handed him the book.
"You want lunch, or are you still not hungry?"
Before he could reply, there came a knock at the door.
"Relax, it's probably just another professor," Snape said when he saw Harry jump.
"I don't want to see anyone," Harry said quickly as he watched his professor answer the door, unable to see whoever was behind it, and hoping that meant they couldn't see him.
"Shouldn't you two be in the great hall?" Snape said with customary coldness as he stared down at the two Gryffindors in his doorway.
"We…We just want to see Harry," Hermione stuttered. "Madam Pomfrey said he was staying in your chambers."
Harry froze inside when he heard Hermione's voice. He didn't think he would be able to face his friends.
"Harry is safe," Snape replied, making a mental note to have a talk with the school's Healer. "But he doesn't want to see anyone right now." As Snape made to close the door, the girl slid her foot against the frame, in against the frame, preventing him.
"That's five points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger!" Snape snapped.
"How many points will it take to see Harry?" Ron demanded under his breath, rolling his eyes.
"Watch your tone, Mr. Weasley," Snape sneered, drawing his wand. With a flick of his wrist, the two Gryffindors were propelled backwards out of the doorway. "And that's five more points from Gryffindor!" he added, slamming the door shut on their indignant expressions.
"Thank you," Harry said quietly once Snape had made his way back into the living room.
"It's not a good idea to shut your friends out."
Harry was surprised by the comment. He wouldn't have thought Snape would care what he did.
"I won't… I just need some time…alone," Harry tried to explain. "…I just don't know what to tell them."
Snape gave a small nod of acknowledgement.
"Can…Can I go back to the bedroom?" he asked in a small voice. "I'm feeling kind of tired."
Harry rose from his seat without waiting for a reply and retreated towards the guest room. Snape watched him go in silence. He couldn't really blame the boy for stalling. He didn't know what to say either.
