Thanks a lot to my wonderful betas, saiyanwizardgurl and AmyLouise, for correcting my story and improving it.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to J.K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.

Dear readers,

I'm so glad the positive reactions outweight the negative ones. I really was scared that you didn't want to continue reading it because of the realtionship between Severus and Minerva. I wouldn't have changed it but I thought about stopping to submit the story here and just write it for myself. But as long as positive reviews are coming I will continue posting it here. Thanks a lot for them and don't stop! I think that they really are a good pairing even when Minerva is older than Severus. He has gone through so much and so is from his thinking and feeling much older than he biologically is. That's at least how I see it.

Oh and these of you how read my other story "Harry and His New Family": Please vote in my current poll for the names of the Snape twins.

Chapter 7 – The Toilet Accident

When he woke up two hours later, he needed a few moments to realize where he was. Looking to his right side he found Minerva, fast asleep in a comfortable armchair. His gaze dwelled for some time on the sleeping form.

God, what have I done? Destroying one of the few friendships I have for a stupid kiss. He turned his eyes to the ceiling. Suddenly he noticed pressure on his bladder. The soup obviously had gone through his alimentary system and now wanted to come out again.

A look around the hospital wing showed that Poppy was nowhere to be seen. The best way would be to call for Poppy because that would make the alarm in her office go off. Surely she will have a 'nice' embarrassing way for relieving me in mind, he thought sarcastically. But there was a good chance that she would be occupied with work in her office, and so there was a possibility that he could go to the toilet by himself. One last glance at Minerva, who was still sound asleep, and he slowly sat up and let his legs dangle over the side of the bed. Okay, it seems she hasn't put any alarm on the bed, he thought, smirking. He could also feel that he was still very tired and weak. Fantastic, yesterday I was quite okay and now, after spending the whole day in bed, I feel worse.

His gaze lingered on the toilet door on the opposite side of the room. Only a few metres. I can make it, he told himself. The image of using a bedpan in front of Minerva came to mind and a slight blush crept onto his cheeks, and that was the last thing he needed to push himself to his feet. He felt the weakness in his feet and waited for them to get steady. For the first part of his 'journey' he could use the bed for support, but then he would have to go without help. His legs became weaker with each step and he felt slightly dizzy. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Even if I make it to the toilet I will never make it back. Damn. Yesterday it all worked. I always knew that being here wasn't helping at all, he thought bitterly. He was now in the middle of the room. Sweat formed on his forehead, and his legs hardly moved like he wanted them to. Then the inevitable came; his legs gave in and he fell down. "Damn," he screamed and hammered his fist on the floor.

"SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE, what in Merlin's name do you think you are doing?" Poppy's voice was ringing through the room like a siren.

Then three things happened almost in the same moment. First, he could hear Minerva shout, "Oh, my God," and jump out of her chair. Second, the door of the infirmary was opened. He could hear uneven heavy steps which then came to an abrupt stop because the person had obviously reacted to the scene, and the third – and most frightening one – the fast clicking of Poppy's heels in his direction.

Panic came over him and he tried to stand up.

"Oh no, you don't, you stupid man," Poppy said angrily. "Wingardium Leviosa."

When Severus felt his body being levitated to the bed, he covered his eyes with his hands. Not only because he still felt dizzy, but out of embarrassment. Quickly he was back on his bed. Poppy and Minerva, who had regained her composure again, arranged his bed clothes around him. Severus still refused to show his face.

"So?" Poppy asked. When no reaction came, she tried again. "Severus, put your hands down and speak with me this instant." She grabbed his wrist forcefully and he obeyed.

"I just wanted to go to the toilet, Poppy. Yesterday I could walk perfectly well, so why not today?" He looked at Poppy and saw that Alastor was approaching her. So it was Alastor who walked into the infirmary a few minutes ago, Severus thought.

"Yesterday, you collapsed!" Poppy almost screamed. She was furious.

Alastor was now standing behind her and was gently encircling her with one arm from behind. He pulled her back to his chest and spoke softly to her, "Come on, Poppy. It wouldn't be Severus if he didn't at least try to sneak out. Calm down, sweetheart." With that he kissed the crook of her neck. His magical eye was fixed on Severus, but the rest of his attention was on his wife.

Poppy tried to push Alastor away. "Stop it, Al. He could have hurt himself and worsened his condition."

Alastor tightened his grip on Poppy to calm her. "It also wouldn't do him good if you hexed him in this condition. Look, you're scaring him." He grinned at Severus.

Slowly, Poppy regained her composure. She seemed to remember what Severus had said and waved her wand over his groin.

Merlin, how I hate these spells, Severus thought while trying hard to resist the urge to grab his pants to check if they were wet. Of course they wouldn't be wet, but the feeling of a suddenly empty bladder seemed to send that kind of signal to the brain.

"So, what did I tell you about trying to leave the bed without my okay?" Poppy asked sternly. She had wriggled out of Alastor's grip already and now was weaving diagnostic spells on several parts of Severus' body.

"Why can I not walk? I was perfectly well yesterday. One day in this damned hospital wing and I'm a cripple."

"And again Severus, YESTERDAY you FAINTED. You've definitely had problems for days, if not weeks. And YESTERDAY your body finally gave in. Now it is taking all the rest it can get and isn't cooperating when you try to overwork it again. Maybe it realized that you don't understand any of the small signals it's been sending you, and so it started sending some more drastic signals, so that even a stubborn, stupid man like you would realize that you need rest." She had finished her diagnostic spells and now was taking his temperature. When it beeped she took it out of his mouth, looked at it and placed it, without a word, on the night table.

He shivered slightly and was grateful for the warming spell she just had put on his sheets. "When will it be over?"

"When you have had enough rest, and gained enough weight. That reminds me, it's time for a little snack." With that she moved away from the bed to order something from the house-elves.

"You really know how to make her furious, Severus," Alastor said mockingly.

"I just want to be left alone," Severus replied sadly.

"But that won't happen. You can be lucky that Albus has had so much work lately that he can't fuss about you as he'd like to. You know he would be much more manipulating than my dear Poppy or Minerva here. Oh, and that reminds me, Albus sends his greetings, and asked me to inform you that he will come by later to check on you."

"Fantastic," Severus said sarcastically. Alastor was right. It was good that Albus wasn't around. If Albus thought Severus needed sleep, he would just put a sleeping spell on him. No arguing or discussion, just the spell. Or if he thought he should eat, then he would make him eat. Again, without discussing it. Poppy at least lets me argue about it, so I have the impression that I have a choice in the matter. Not that it ever made any difference, but at least I can voice my objections. And with Minerva, it... suddenly the image of him kissing Minerva came into his mind, and he looked at her. He felt his cheeks grow hot.

Minerva observed him closely and smiled. "I have to leave for a few hours to check on my Gryffindors and do some work, Severus." She again cupped one of his cheeks and affectionately stroked it. Again, he lost himself in her beautiful eyes, but this time it wasn't he who placed their mouths together, but Minerva. It was overwhelming and he closed his eyes to memorize it for eternity. She moved her face away a bit, smiled at him and stroked his cheek one last time. "Don't scare me again like that, Severus. Promise me!"

"Promise," Severus said, hoarsely.

"I will be back as soon as possible. And I will check on your Slytherins as well." After saying this, she waved good-bye to Alastor and Poppy and left.

When he recovered from the shock, he looked over to Alastor and Poppy. Alastor cocked the eyebrow of his healthy eye and Poppy looked stunned. "Care to explain, Casanova?" Alastor asked mockingly.

Severus blushed deeply and then turned around to face the wall opposite them.

Alastor's deep and loud laugh could surely be heard far away from the hospital wing. "Oh my, Severus, seeing you blush is really something." He patted Severus' shoulder. "Well done, my boy."

Then he looked at Poppy, gave her a kiss and said, "I'll come back this evening, darling. Don't hex him. Just remember – it is Severus."

When Alastor had left the Hospital Wing Poppy addressed Severus, "Don't think you can get around the afternoon snack by pouting. Turn onto your back." She softly pulled at his shoulder and was glad when he obeyed.

Just a moment later he was sitting in front of his bed tray. Poppy placed the plate with some cookies and a glass of fresh milk on it. She gathered the potion against nausea and sat on Severus' bed to observe his eating. "Tuck in, Severus."

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