Harry woke up with a jump. He felt like he had slept for years and yet felt completely drained. It was so hot and he felt like he couldn't breathe making his breaths short and very quick.

"Mister Potter." Harry turned his head to see Madam Pomfrey mixing a cup of a yellowish potion.

"Snape…" He mumbled, remembering the previous time he woke up. Madam Pomfrey paused a little surprised before continuing the mix.

"Professor Snape has been called away on business mister Potter. Drink this now." She said passing him the cup. Harry shook his head seeing the sludgy potion. "Potter, the poison from Devil's Torture is nothing to play with. You need to drink it." She said sternly. Harry panted and tried to sit up, reaching with his hand and looked horrified at the black veins than ran up his hand, the tips of his fingers were stained entirely black. "Today would be nice mister Potter." She said sternly. Harry glanced up at her and took the potion, a cold chill went through him, making him start shuddering. He had to use his other hand to try and steady his grip so he could drink the whole thing.

Madam Pomfrey simply took the cup and went on her way. Harry watched her go and shuddered, curling into himself as he sat up against the back of the bed. He felt horrific. He felt like the room was on fire and at the same time his body felt like it was chilled to the bone. He didn't know whether to cover himself more or get out from under the sheets.

A jolting pain spread through his forehead and he cried out, covering it with his hand, flinching as he felt the curse scar. Voldemort was angry. Was it at Snape again?

Harry lay on his side, curled up miserably on the bed, feeling pathetic as he felt the heat increase and the air become less and less tolerable.

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

Severus kneeled before the Dark Lord, keeping perfectly still while the other stood, wand pointed at Bellatrix who wept after the crucio, not just from the pain but from having upset her master.

"Do not do anything without my consent again." The Dark Lord said and returned to his seat, Nagini slithering around her master's feet. "So he is back at Hogwarts. How close can you get to the boy Severus?"

Severus occluded. He'd already discussed this with Dumbledore. "I am to make him the antidote for the Devil's Torture." He said. The Dark Lord remained quiet, probably considering the possibilities.

"Continue as Dumbledore wishes." He said.

"Yes my lord."

"Go now Severus." Severus rose to his feed and bowed slightly.

"My lord." And turned to leave. He returned to Black's place before going to Hogwarts. "You were correct, Black, in assuming that the house-elf was involved." He said as he stepped out of the fireplace, Black sitting on one of the armchairs.

"Bellatrix." The Gryffindor sneered.

"She did not act under the Dark Lord's command. She suggested to your house-elf to ensure Potter would wander into a room with cursed artefacts." Severus said.

"When I get my hands on that… how is Harry?" He asked. Severus turned to head for the fireplace once more.

"Potter will be alright. Eventually." He said simply.

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

The heat… the heat… why was it so hot. He was so thirsty. He whimpered and sat up to get out of the bed, trembling from head to toe. He held himself as he took a couple of steps away from the bed to try and get some water. Madam Pomfrey always kept some by the table in the corner.

"Potter! What are you doing up?" Harry jumped and turned to see Snape glaring at him as he came closer.

"I'm thirsty. I was trying to get water." Harry argued. Snape was hearing none of it and dragged him all the way back to the bed. "Hey!"

"Shut up, Potter." Harry groaned as he fell back on the bed and glared back at him. The potions master sneered and turned to walk out of the curtains. Harry huffed as he got under the covers. Why was the other being such a bastard all of a sudden? "Here."

Harry watched in surprise as Snape returned with a glass of water. He reached eagerly for it, breathing faster as he downed the whole glass as fast as he could. It cooled him down very little but it offered him some relief as he plopped back onto the pillows. "So tired…" he mumbled.

"Your body is under a lot of physical effort. The poison is strong." Snape said taking the glass from his hands. Harry watched him as Snape sorted through the empty vials of potion on the table, counting them up under his breath. Snape paused and glanced at Harry who flinched at having been caught staring. He quickly turned onto his other side, turning his back to the man.

The sounds of soft clattering started again and Harry knew Snape had gone back to what he had been doing. He glanced at his darkened finger tips and flexed his fingers. They didn't hurt but the rest of his body started shaking. He couldn't hold back the whimper as every single joint in his body ached.

"Your arm will return to normal in due time." Harry turned to look at him.

"Uuugh… I feel horrible…" he mumbled, shivering even more. He sat up. "I need another blanket." He went to get up but the other grabbed him by the shoulder and made him stay seated.

"You insufferable Gryffindor, what is it? You want to get worse?"

"You're insufferable! I'm getting cold." Harry exclaimed curling under the blankets again.

"You are feverish, boy. If you cover yourself up even more your temperature will go higher and I have no intent in brewing anything for you for longer than I need to."

Harry glared at him. Aunt Petunia would always say the same if he ever got sick. 'I will not waste any more medicine on you than necessary. What if my little Dudders got sick? You would have wasted it all you little freak!' Great… now he felt worse.

"Well that's fine. You don't need to waste any more energy brewing anything. I'll get better on my own like I always do." Harry said turning his back to him again.

"As always your abilities sure do astound us mere mortals. You will certainly get better on your own, if your definition of better includes or is pertaining to death."

"Whatever Snape."

"'Whatever' is not an appropriate reply to anyone, Potter."

"What-e-ver, Professor Snape." Harry replied.

"You are a child Potter! Do not get out of this bed and drink your potions when they are due." He said sternly and stormed past the curtains. Harry took deep breaths trying to stop himself from replying. But he refused to let Snape had the last word.

"Whatever!" he heard an annoyed grunt and then the door of the hospital wing slam shut. Harry smirked in victory. It was short lived as he kept shivering despite the heat. He stubbornly wobbled to his feet and went to steal a blanket from the next bed, curling in bed a bit more comfortable, the trembling continued but at least it was ok now.

That'd show Snape when he realises that the blankets won't make anything worse.