Author's Note: I used to have more author's notes, but they wouldn't really make sense now that the story is all posted.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. Wow, what a revelation.

Chapter Four: The Tables Are Turned

Harry woke later that night to a deep coughing. At first he thought it was himself, but then realized that the sound was coming from Snape, who was sitting in a chair by the fire.

Getting shakily to his feet, Harry stumbled over to his professor and placed a tentative hand on his shoulder. Snape was shaking violently.

"Professor?" said Harry uncertainly.

Severus looked up into the boy's concerned face, trying to bring it into focus. He tired to say something, but was overcome by another coughing fit. The expression on Potter's face changed from concern to fear.

"Professor? Professor, should I get someone?"

Severus shook his head. "Don't be a fool, Potter, you wouldn't make it as far as the door. Lie back down." With an effort, Severus got to his feet and led the boy back to the sofa.

"Professor," said the boy, looking up at Severus. "I got you sick, didn't I?"

"Yes," said Severus "Yes, if you hadn't insisted on acting as if nothing was wrong when you were falling ill, all of this nonsense could have been prevented. But what's done is done," he added, sitting down next to the boy. "Get some sleep, Potter."

"You, too, Professor," the boy said shyly.

Severus huffed and turned away from Potter, but he couldn't help feeling a little touched by the boy's concern.

*****CTC*****

The next morning they both woke to a sharp knock on the door.

Dumbledore stuck his head into the room and, seeing Harry, his face broke into a grin.

"Harry, you're awake! How marvelous!"

Then his eyes fell on Severus.

"Severus, what is this?"

He crossed the room and put his hand on Severus's forehead.

"You're running a temperature," said Dumbledore, frowning.

"It's nothing," said Severus irritably, standing up. But he immediately stumbled and fell back down onto the sofa.

"Oh dear," said Albus. "I'll have to go see Poppy."

*****CTC*****

After Dumbleore and Madame Pomfrey had finally left, ordering them both to remain in bed, Harry turned to his professor.

"Er—I'm sorry," he said, biting his lip.

"For what, Potter?" said Snape.

"For getting you sick, and making you take care of me, and—"

"You didn't make me do anything," Severus stated flatly.

There was an embarrassed silence.

"You saved my life," whispered Harry.

"How do you—?"

"I was awake...sort of. You told me not to die."

"Oh."

*****CTC*****

Severus was coughing. He didn't know how long he had been coughing, or if it had started before or after he had woken up, but he knew he needed water. He didn't know how he was going to get any though, if he was coughing so hard. Then Severus felt a small hand under his head, and another hand brought a glass of water to his lips.

"Drink this, Professor," said Harry. "It'll be alright."

Slowly, Severus's coughing eased, and he looked up into the frightened eyes of Harry Potter.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Severus rasped.

"You—you were—" Harry looked taken aback at the reprimand. "Are—are you alright, Professor?" he asked in a small voice.

"I think so." Severus sighed and looked into the small face in front of him. "Thank you, Harry."

"Y-you're welcome," stuttered Harry. "Sir," he added.

Severus struggled upright and placed a hand on Harry's forehead. "Your fever's gone down some," he noted.

Harry gave him a small smile which quickly turned into a frown as the professor started coughing again.

Harry's small hand reached out and gasped Severus's larger one.

"Professor? Professor, please...oh Merlin...you'll be okay, you'll be okay."

Awkwardly, Harry patted the Potions Master on the back until his coughing subsided.

"Water," Severus rasped, and Harry quickly tilted the cup to his lips.

Both professor and student were shaking violently.

"Professor Snape?" Harry ventured. "I think we should get someone. You're not well, and I..."

"Are not well either," finished Snape. "For once I agree with you, Potter." He flicked his wand and the silvery patronus rushed out of the room so quickly that it was just a silver blur.

Severus felt worse than he could ever remember feeling. No, that wasn't true, he had felt a hell of a lot worse when...but he didn't want to think about that.

"What have you given me, Potter?" he asked, groaning.

"I'm sorry, sir," the boy whispered. To Severus's horror, tears were coursing down Potter's cheeks.

"Potter, don't, I didn't mean it like that," he said, but The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Make-Him-Surprise-Himself only sobbed harder.

"Harry—"

Gently, Severus drew the trembling boy onto his lap, groaning with the effort. "Don't cry," said Severus in what he hoped was a soothing tone. "Everything will be alright."

Severus looked up as Albus entered the room and took in the scene.

"He's overwrought," said Severus in response to the Headmaster's questioning look. "I'm afraid I—upset him." Severus gestured to his own shaking body and waxy skin.

"Maybe it would be best if Harry were moved to the hospital wing now, since he seems to be beginning to recover."

But when Dumbledore reached out to take Harry from Severus, the boy clung to the front of Severus's robes.

"Harry," said Severus in annoyance, trying to pry the boy's hands from his robes. "Go with Professor Dumbledore."

Harry raised his head and looked at Severus. "Will you be okay?" he asked.

"Of all the silly—of course I'll be okay, Potter!" Severus snapped. "Your presence does not ensure my health. Now go!"

The boy winced, and Severus immediately regretted his harsh tone. Dumbledore, however, considered Severus thoughtfully.

"I think you'd better come, too, Severus," said Albus. "We will use the Floo."

Grumbling, Severus agreed and the three of them Flooed into the hospital wing, where Poppy immediately put Harry and Severus straight to bed.

*****CTC*****

Harry woke in the middle of the night, drenched with sweat, but feeling better than he had felt in a long while. He reached up and felt his own forehead. He couldn't tell if he had a fever or not, but if he did then it had at least gone down.

Harry looked over at the bed where Snape was sleeping. His professor's cheeks were flushed with fever and his breathing was labored. Harry's insides squirmed with guilt.

Snape's eyes opened. "What are you staring at, Potter?"

Harry jumped. "I—nothing sir."

Severus pulled himself into a sitting position. "I am not going to die the moment you take your eyes off me, Potter," he said, with a hint of his old sneer.

Harry bit his lip and looked down at is hands.

Severus sighed. "Come here, Harry."

Harry looked up in surprise.

"I am used to being obeyed, Potter," said Snape.

Harry hurried over and sat down gingerly on the professor's bed.

"Why are you awake at this hour, Potter?" said Severus.

"I'm feeling a lot better, Professor, honest," said said Harry.

"That is good," said Severus.

Severus coughed and The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Mystify-Him squeezed his shoulder gently.

"Do you need anything, Professor?" asked Harry.

Severus shook his head in amazement. "Go back to bed, Potter, I'll still be here in the morning. I promise."

Harry got up and walked back over to his own bed.

"Er—" said Harry, feeling like he should say something. "I—er—"

"Out with it, Potter," said Severus impatiently.

"I hope you feel better, Professor," said Harry in a mumbled rush.

Severus rolled his eyes, a gesture Harry couldn't see in the dark.

"Go back to sleep, Potter," said Severus.

"Yes sir," said Harry.

*****CTC*****

When Severus awoke the next morning he knew immediately that Poppy's healing spells had not worked as they should. His head felt as though it was being split in half, every muscle in his body ached, and he was freezing. He felt worse than he had the day before, if that was even possible. He opened his eyes and glanced over at Potter. The boy was sitting up in his bed, eating a bowl a porridge and a piece of toast. He looked completely recovered.

Lucky him, though Severus resentfully. But he knew that he wasn't being fair, even if it was the brat who had gotten him sick in the first place. He was glad that Potter was feeling better, he just wished he himself didn't feel so damn awful.

At that moment Poppy glanced up and saw that Severus was awake. She bustled over and cast a critical eye over him. Severus didn't have to be a mediwizard or a Legimens (though he was that) to know that he looked awful; he couldn't have fooled Poppy if he tried.

"Weren't you supposed to fix this?" Severus ground out.

Poppy pursed her lips. "If you hadn't overworked yourself and had come to me earlier then I could have," she said tartly. "Now you'll just have to ride it out. My spells and your potions will help, of course, but since you took your time in coming to me, you'll have to take your time in getting better."

Harry stopped with his piece of toast halfway to his mouth. Snape sounded terrible. He looked over at his professor and gasped. If he sounded terrible, it was nothing to how he looked. Harry had never seen Snape look anything but imposing, seeing Snape like this frightened him.

It's your fault, he reminded himself. It's Snape, a part of his brain said. Yes, said the other part, but he saved your life. Twice. A nice way to repay him, this.

Severus grimaced. "Poppy, I won't stay here to be gawked at by every brat who wants to see their Potions Master on his deathbed. I demand to be returned to my rooms."

"Severus, look at yourself, you are in no condition at all to take care of yourself."

"This is embarrassing," growled Severus.

"I'll do it," said a small voice.

Both Poppy and Severus turned to look at Harry.

"I'll do it," he repeated. "I'll look after him. I'm better now, and I can't get it again. It's the least I can do."

"Potter, don't be ridiculous," said Severus.

But Madam Pomfrey looked thoughtful. "Now, there's an interesting idea. I'd have to check in on you of course, I can't entrust such a job entirely to an untrained thirteen year old, but it would at least make it possible for you to remain in your own quarters. What do you think, Severus?"

"You can't be serious?" said Severus.

"It's either that or stay here," Poppy asserted.

Severus ground his teeth. "Potter, don't be stupid. Go and play with your friends."

Harry tucked his legs under him on the bed. There was a determined look in his eyes that Severus didn't like at all.

"Professor, I know how you feel. You feel like shit."

"Potter, watch your language," said Severus.

Harry ignored him. "I also know what it's like for people to try and gawk at you in the hospital wing. It sucks. If you order me to go, I'll go. But I won't be happy about it."

"It's not my job to make you happy," retorted Severus.

Harry just stared at him.

"Oh, very well!" said Severus, feeling too miserable to argue the point any longer. "If you want to give up the rest of your Christmas break, Potter, be my guest."

Harry gave him a crooked half smile.

Damn him, thought Severus irritably, he can be cute when he wants to be.

AN: Reviews are always appreciated, no matter how long ago this was published.