Disclaimer: I own nothing. I never have and I never will.

A/N: I hope the last chapter was up to standards. I'm trying to get this one out sooner than expected because a wonderful reviewer asked when it would be out. So, here it is. I hope this is soon enough.

Chapter Four

No More Foolish Acts of Kindness

Cizzy brought a lot of food to the sitting room. She had told Ginny that the other house elves were more than pleased to be doing things for Master Draco again. She also hinted, again, that Draco's godfather should be contacted, then left without another word. Ginny never ate so well in her life. She was sipping her tea when she saw Draco shift. She looked over but he didn't wake up. She knelt down next to him and placed her hand on his forehead. He was cool to the touch but not cold. She conjured a blanket and placed it over him. He snuggled into its warmth but continued sleeping. She would give him another hour and then she would wake him up. He needed his rest but he also needed to eat. She got up, walked out into the foyer, and called for the house elf.

"Yes, young missus?" Cizzy answered her call immediately.

"I thought about what you said and I need to know if there is an owl I could borrow?" Ginny asked politely.

"Cizzy will show the young missus where the owls are kept." She started heading for the staircase and Ginny followed.

Once they reached the end of the hallways at the top of the stairs, Cizzy led her to the very last door on the left and entered. It was one of the bedrooms that was done up all in burgundy and gold. She was surprised to see a room with Gryffindor colors but kept that to herself. She filed it away for later, to ask Draco about it. She noticed a door at the other end that led up another flight of stairs. At the top, it was a little colder and she could hear the soft hooting of owls. "The owlery is through a bedroom?" Ginny asked, surprise in her voice.

Cizzy nodded. "It wasn't always a bedroom. It used to be Mistress Narcissa's private office." Cizzy opened the top door and led her into the owlery. It wasn't as massive as Hogwarts own but it was bigger than any other she had ever seen. "Young missus may use any owl here. They haven't been used since," she started but cut herself off.

"It's ok, Cizzy," Ginny responded. "Thank you." Cizzy smiled weakly and then disappeared down the stairs. Ginny walked over to the desk in the room and opened the roller front. Inside were pieces of parchment and many quills. She spotted an inkbottle and pulled out the stopper. She tested the ink and it was still usable. She wrote a quick note to Mark to tell him that they were ok and that she would write more later. Then, she steeled herself for the most important letter.

Dear Professor,

It's been awhile since I've spoken with you. The war has done a lot of damage but none that is as massive as what I've witnessed these past few months. I work as a healer at St. Mungos and even after the war, people are still being found. About a month ago, an old acquaintance appeared. He is injured and I have no idea how to help him. I need your expertise in the field of dark curses. Now normally I wouldn't bother you but I have no one else to turn to. Please, come to Malfoy Manor. I'm desperate for answers.

Ginny

She sighed, rolled up the parchment, and called an owl over. It was a great snowy one, just like Hedwig. A silent tear slipped from her eye as she remembered the beautiful bird who had given up its life for its owner. She wiped the tear away and fastened the letter to its leg. "Get this to Professor Snape quickly." The owl hooted and flew out the window. She squinted into the rising sun until she could only make out a speck in the sky. Then, she quickly made her way down the stairs and into the bedroom. The bed looked rather inviting. It's king-size seemed to call to her. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if I laid down for a little bit," she said to herself.

She pulled down the covers and slipped onto the bed. The sheets were soft and felt expensive, more so than ordinary cotton. She let her head fall onto the pillows and was soon fast asleep. She hoped that Snape would answer her call but she wouldn't allow her hopes to get too high.

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Ginny woke with a startle as an owl softly hooted by her head. On its leg, a parchment was attached. She pulled on the string and took the letter. As soon as the letter was gone from its leg, it flew back up the stairs. She waited for her heart to slow its fast rhythm before she opened the letter. She read and a smile found its way to her lips.

Ms. Weasley,

Your letter intrigues me. I will arrive at the manor later this evening. Then, you can explain better what you have written.

S. Snape

Ginny quickly got out of the bed, waved her wand to make it, and practically flew down the stairs to the sitting room. When she entered, Draco was awake and trying to pour some tea for himself. "Here, let me help," Ginny said as she made her way over.

"I can do it myself," he responded. He then let out a yelp when some of the steaming liquid splashed onto his leg. "Damn it," he stated through clenched teeth.

Ginny merely stood there, watching him. She so desperately wanted to help him but knew that he needed to try first. After a few attempts, Draco merely gave up and threw the cup. It landed with a crash next to the fireplace. Ginny waved her wand and cleaned up the mess. "You will never learn with that temper," she stated.

"Try being blind for one day and tell me that I don't have a right to be blind," he seethed.

"Have you eaten?" she asked as she made her way over to the table where the teapot sat.

"Why do you care?"

Ginny ignored his tone of voice and poured him a cup of tea. She placed it in his hands and wrapped his fingers around the cup. "You need your strength. What kind of healer would I be if I let you starve to death?" She felt the tension pass from his fingers to hers and she quickly pulled away. She had the urge to wipe her hands on her legs but fought it.

Draco sighed. "I ate some fruit that was within reach," he stated.

"You need protein. Fruit won't sustain you. How long have you been wandering around after the war before you were found?" Ginny lifted some tops off of the platters until she found a steak. She brought the tray over to him and let the smell waft up towards him.

Draco watched as she took the cup out of his hands and placed a fork and knife into them instead. He felt around, with his fingertips, and then cut himself a nice big piece. He ate it and closed his eyes at the perfect taste. After he swallowed, he answered her. "I can't really say how long I was 'wandering' around after the curse hit me but it seemed like forever. My only thoughts were, just let death take me and be done with it."

Ginny winced at his words. She tried not to cry but it was heartbreaking knowing that he only wanted to be done with this world. She silently thanked Merlin for not answering his request. "But you were found," she stated as if that was all that mattered.

"But now I'm blind. What's my life worth if I can't see?"

"You are an amazing man, Draco. You can do anything as long as you put your mind to it," she said.

Draco smirked. "You called me Draco."

Ginny blushed. "Seems silly calling you Mr. Malfoy."

Draco put down his utensils and reached out for her. She didn't know what to do but her hands betrayed her rational thinking and reached out for him as well. She hadn't really held his hands since that day he disappeared and she missed it. She wanted so desperately to just lean forward, to close the few spaces between them, and kiss him again. She found herself actually leaning forward as well as he when Cizzy entered.

"Master Snape has arrived," she announced.

Draco backed up. "Snape? What's he doing here?"

Ginny let go of his hands and looked down. "I asked him to come."

Draco turned his head in the direction of Cizzy's voice. "Tell him he's not welcome here," he ordered.

Ginny stared at him in shock. Then she spoke to the house elf without taking her eyes off of Draco. "No, Cizzy. Tell him I'll be right there."

"Cizzy only listens to her master, young missus," she stated but with fear in her voice.

"Your master isn't in his right mind. Since I am overseeing his care, it's my orders you will listen to. Do you understand?" Ginny didn't want to be mean to the elf but she needed to put her foot down. She watched as Draco clenched his jaw.

"Cizzy," he started, "put Snape in the pallor. Ginny will talk with him there."

"Yes, Master Draco." Ginny watched as the elf backed out of the room and closed the door.

"That was rude, Draco," Ginny spoke first.

"Not half as rude as you inviting him here without my permission," he retorted.

"Oh, grow up. If he can help you why wouldn't you want him here?"

"What can he do?"

"He was a Death Eater. Maybe he's seen this curse before. Just let him see you. That's all I'm asking. Besides, it was Cizzy that suggested it first."

"Remind me to reprimand her," he whispered.

"You will do no such thing. Cizzy cares about you. Now, if you're done being a spoiled little brat, I have a former potions professor to speak with." She stood up and walked over to the door. Before she left, she turned back to him. "And eat some more. I won't have you passing out from lack of food." Draco just waved her off and she left the room.

Ginny made her way to the pallor and found Snape looking at some china. She could only see his back but he had changed. His hair was longer as it reached past his shoulders. It was also more lifeless than when she was at Hogwarts, if that was even possible. His robes just hung on to his frame as though draped over a skeleton. She didn't want to startle him so she just cleared her throat. He turned and she was even more surprised by his face. His eyes looked sunken and like he hadn't slept for weeks. There was no sparkle in his eyes. Not that there ever really was but it was like no one was home. His cheeks looked hollow as well as though he hadn't eaten in a while. She tried her best to not stare at him but it was hard in his condition.

"Um, Professor," she started but stopped when he held up an extremely bony hand.

"I haven't been your professor in years. Actually, I haven't been anyone's professor," he remarked.

"Well, then, what should I call you?"

"How about using my given name," he suggested.

Ginny silently gulped. "Um, ok, Severus. Thank you for answering my letter so quickly."

"Your letter intrigued me, as I responded in my letter back to you. I take it Draco is not at all happy to have me here."

Ginny looked at the ground before she looked back up. She almost didn't answer as she stared into the bottomless depths of his cold black eyes. "How did you know it was Draco?"

Severus sighed and ran his hand through his long black hair. "Why else would you come to this place?" He spat that last word as though it left a bad taste in his mouth. "So, what is wrong with him that you would contact me?"

"He was brought to St. Mungos only a few weeks ago. When I saw what had happened to him, I was scared. I have never seen anything like it."

"You are babbling. I would have thought that was Ms. Granger's job, not yours." Severus put one hand on the back of a chair and it looked as though he were trying his best to stay upright.

"Sir- Severus, would you like to sit down? I could get Cizzy to bring you some tea."

Severus nodded his head and sat down in the chair. He let out a long breath as Ginny called for Cizzy. "Yes, young missus?"

"Could you bring Severus some tea?" Ginny asked. Cizzy nodded and within a few minutes, there was a steaming cup of tea sitting in front of the old professor. He took a few careful sips before putting the cup down. Ginny noticed that his hand shook a little but she chose to ignore it. "So, tell me where you have been?" she asked cautiously.

Severus sighed and wrapped his bony fingers around the cup. "I've been around," he said. "Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I've been in hiding. I can't really show my face in the wizarding world. I would be captured before you could blink an eye."

"But why? You are a hero. You helped Harry defeat Voldemort."

Severus winced at the sound of the name, something she had never seen him do before. He steadied himself. "Ms. Weasley, you are still so very young. All of my efforts will be lost because of my past as a Death Eater. No one will care that I was there for Mr. Potter… no one."

Ginny wanted nothing more than to reach out and hug him but she kept to herself. She hugged herself as though she was cold and wished that she had asked for a cup of tea for herself. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize," she said, her head hung down toward the table.

"It's all right. I'm fine," he stated.

Ginny looked up and saw a glimmer of a smile on his lips. She smiled back but she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm sorry I brought it up. Are you up to seeing Draco or would you like to lie down first?" She didn't know why she asked him that, it just seemed like the right thing to say.

Severus laughed, he actually laughed. "I would like to see Draco."

"Ok, and then I'll have dinner prepared."

"I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense. After you see Draco, we'll eat."

"Are you that confident that I can help him?"

Ginny nodded. "You were- are- the best. I just hope you're prepared to see him. He may be stubborn but I'm sure he wants you here."

"I know my godson. I know him probably better than his own parents did. Let's go and see him. Then I'll give you my answer as to whether or not I can help him." He stood up on shaky legs and followed Ginny to the sitting room. Ginny only hoped that he knew what the curse was and how to reverse it.

A/N: Wow! I can't believe I actually finished another chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. It seems as though my muse has returned and in full force. I need to capture this moment and keep in case I should ever be in use for it again. LOL Again, read and review. Just press that little review button and make me happy.