Author's note: All reviews very much appreciated! I accept anonymous reviews now. Not sure why that option was selected in the first place, but I suppose it was one of the default settings. Anyway, apologies for any inconveniences that has caused. Let's see, what else… Oh yeah, the cave was convenient only for me because I needed to get at a stopping point. And, also neglected to describe the effects of being wet in European mountains during the winter on Severus… What can I say about that other than, damn, missed out on an opportunity for Severus angst :-(
Very important to assume for this chapter and from now on in the story that our darling Severus is nature savvy. And finally, on to the story…
Chapter 18
Severus returned to the cave with a bundle of sticks and other sorts of brush in his arms. He quietly laid his parcel down near the sleeping boy. Severus knelt down beside him and felt his forehead with the back of his hand. It was hot and he noted Harry's cheeks were developing a faint rosy hue. He needed to get a fire going soon.
Severus sighed and found a seat next to the pile of wood. He picked up two adequate looking sticks but he found the task difficult as his hands were shaking. He didn't know if it was from the cold or the fresh shock of having his childhood friend's dead body sprawled out in front of his eyes.
Closing his eyes, he took a moment to steady himself before he began rubbing the two sticks together to start a fire. He had recalled his survival training as an auror when he had rejoined Dumbledore's side. He remembered that at the time, he couldn't think of any situation where he would be without his wand in the middle of nowhere, but now he was grateful that he had learned the survival techniques.
Finally, a spark flew onto the brush he had under the sticks and a flare began. Cautiously, he slowly added twigs until a stable flame was going.
Turning his attention back to the adolescent, he again felt his forehead. It was still hot and shivers were coursing through his body. His cheeks looked like those of a young child going through her mother's make-up drawer. Severus was surprised at how frail he looked. It didn't seem possible that this child, resting in front of him was supposed to be the world's savior against Voldemort.
Severus pushed himself to his feet. There was no snow on the ground yet and some plants were still hanging on to autumn's skirt. Perhaps he could find some herbs that would reduce the boy's fever.
Harry woke several hours later on the hard ground of the cave floor. He first noticed that he wasn't cold. In fact, he was quiet warm. He cracked his eyes open only to snap them shut again when an offending light hit him. He opened his eyes again, only to slits and squinted into a bright light. Once his eyes had adjusted, he realized that the offending light was coming from a fire and for a moment, he peered into the fire, trying to remember where he was and what circumstances had brought him there.
Memories of his imprisonment with Snape and their escape flooded back into his awareness. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, he hastily pushed himself into a sitting position, only to have a hand softly push him back down.
He searched with his eyes for the owner of the hand and found himself staring into Snape's eyes.
"Be still," he heard the man say in a gentle voice that he didn't recall ever hearing before.
Harry ignored the man, however, and tried to get up again. He was not comfortable with the situation at all. But this time, the hand pushing him back was not quite as gentle and the voice held a firm, warning tone.
"Harry," Severus began impatiently, "be still."
Harry felt lightheaded from this last attempt so he obediently stayed put this time but his body had tensed awkwardly. He avoided Snape's eyes, watching his hands work uncomfortably.
He saw Severus pick up a relatively flat rock and scrape something green and slimy off of the top with his fingers.
"Take some of this," he said, offering the stone's contents to Harry.
But Harry wasn't too keen on eating anything that looked like it came from a slug especially when it came from a rock. This time, he pushed himself up into a sitting position before Snape could do anything and backed away slightly.
Severus sighed in exasperation. "I'm not trying to poison you. It's for your fever," he stated irritably.
Harry berated himself for acting so childish. "I didn't think you were trying to poison me," he said pointedly. "I just-" he broke off not knowing how to tell the man that he wished that he was with anyone else right now, someone he could trust and feel comfortable with, like Sirius or Remus. On the other hand, he thought, he probably wasn't Snape's ideal company either.
Severus eyed the boy but decided that it would probably be best for the rest of their journey if he didn't force him to do this. It would only make things more unpleasant. "We have a long journey in front of us. Things are going to be difficult as it is and your health being in jeopardy will not help matters," he said. "Take some of this." He offered the stone to Harry again.
Harry took the rock and looked at the surface. It looked as if Snape had grinded several leaves together on it, which was not unlikely as the man was a potions master. He remembered several occasions in which he and the rest of his class had had to collect herbs for potions.
He swiped his finger over the surface, collecting some of the, well, whatever it was and brought it to his mouth. He immediately had to fight the impulse to throw up. The stuff tasted horrible.
He glanced back at the man and saw that he was staring at the floor of the cave with heavily shadowed eyes. He looked tired. His eyes seemed haunted and with the added effect of the man's disheveled hair and growing stubble, he had that insane quality that Harry remembered from the castle's dungeon.
"Sir?" Harry asked, somewhat timidly.
Severus looked up and Harry could see the darkness under his eyes.
Harry waited for a moment for the man to say something, but he didn't so Harry continued. "Aren't you going to take some as well?"
Severus shook his head and pushed himself to his feet, turning away from Harry, moving to the other side of the cave.
"Sir?"
"What is it?" came the testy reply.
"You don't, um, look well. I think that you should take some of this too," he said, pushing himself up and taking a few steps toward the man.
Severus turned back to find the child offering the rock back to him. He took the stone and placed on the floor. "How are you feeling?" he inquired in a more hospitable tone than before.
"I'm fine," Harry stated, a bit awkwardly.
"You should get some rest," Severus said in a tone that felt more like an order than a suggestion. "Those herbs will have more effect that way."
Harry was a bit surprised at this. "Shouldn't we be leaving? Voldemort-"
"Voldemort does not send out his servants in the daylight," Severus interrupted. "We'll be traveling during the night and resting during the day for the remainder of the journey."
Harry looked away but nodded. He was tired, but he wanted to put more distance between himself and Voldemort.
Severus looked the boy over. He couldn't really pin point his exact emotions, but he guessed that Potter would not be overly joyous at the announcement.
"Here," he said, taking off his cloak and handing it to Harry. "Take this and get some sleep. We've got a long night ahead."
But Harry did not take the cloak. He eyed the man in disbelief for a moment before saying, "Professor, I think you need it more than I do."
"Do not argue with me, Potter," Severus rebuked. "Take it and get some sleep."
"I wasn't arguing with you, Sir," Harry retorted, a bit annoyed. "You're shivering."
Severus was a bit taken aback by this response. He hadn't expected that from the child. He took in a deep breath and let it out. "I will be fine. I want you to take this. We cannot afford for you to be ill."
"Oh," Harry replied, "but we can afford for you to be?"
Severus' first instinct was to glower at the boy for his mere audacity of challenging him.
By the look he was getting, Harry thought that perhaps he had gone too far. But in a few moments, the man's sinister glare disappeared. He looked tired and worn.
"Harry, I don't want to argue with you," Severus said, surprised at how drained he sounded. "Please, just accept that I know what's best and take this." He extended his arm toward Harry once again.
Harry was too stunned at the defeated tone that the man had used to refuse. He simply took the cloak and glanced up at his professor quickly before he brought his eyes back to the ground. He was very tired and he found that it was difficult to stay on his feet.
Severus turned away from Harry and sat on the floor of the cave with his back against its wall.
Harry following suit, moved to another wall, near the fire, but not too close to the dark man. He soon was asleep, with Severus' cloak wrapped around him.
Severus' brought his eyes up from a spot on the ground and rested them on Harry's sleeping form. He watched the boy for a few minutes before a thought occurred to him.
If they made it back alive, how was he going to tell Draco about his father's last wishes and how would the young Slytherin react?
* * * * *
Author's note: Ok, I know that was short, but I have finals week coming up and I have to study for those. Um, this chapter was kind of slow, but I wanted to establish a mood between Severus and Harry before moving on. Anyone know if I spelled auror correctly? My boyfriend still has my books so I couldn't reference them. Anyway, let me know what you think. Next chapter should concern Draco, Narccissa, and Sirius finding out about Severus' past from McGonagall and Severus and Harry will begin their journey. All reviews will be appreciated!
This is actually a repost with an added author's note: I got a few questions about why they were traveling during the night instead of the day. The reason why I'm having them travel during the night is so they're not ambushed while they're sleeping. Also, there's less of a chance to be seen by muggles this way. But it's very important that they are traveling during the night for later chapters.