I have no idea where I just apparated us. I think there's a good chance it's Hogwarts. That's where I was aiming for at least.
I look up and sure enough I can see the castle. We landed just meters outside the front gates.
I peer down at Severus in my arms.
His blood is running all down my side, he really needs help.
I give another glance up at the castle and realise that I cannot take him in there. Even though Madam Pomfrey would be able to help him, I'm pretty sure that within seconds Ministry officials would be there to finish what Lucius Malfoy started.
He gives out a painful groan.
I grab onto his arm for the second time, "I'm sorry." I whisper before we are gone again.
I look around as I feel the uncomfortable feeling that apparition gives us disappear. I think I did it.
We are in a room and I'm sure its Snapes apparition parlour.
"Marvil…" I say faintly, just to be sure.
There's a sudden 'POP' and the house elf appears in front of us.
He gasps, "Oooh Master, Master, what has Missy Mudblood done to you?" he screeches as he dives forward to pat Severus' hair.
"Marvil he's hurt, and I didn't do this" I indicate to the man lying over my knees. "He needs help, can you show me where his chambers are?"
The elf just looks at me blankly for a few seconds before clicking his fingers.
We appear in Snapes room moments later.
It's huge.
I mean really big, almost as big as the parlour. He has a dark wooden four-poster bed in the far corner, which is draped with a deep crimson veil and covered with silver embroidery. The sheets are also a blood red colour and they look like silk. Wow. I never knew Snape had style.
I shake my head and concentrate on the matter at hand. Snape.
Slowly I drag him over to the bed. Marvil grabs a foot and attempts to help, in actual fact he is slowing me down, but he hasn't bitten at my ankles yet so I just leave him to it.
Once he's lying down I realise just how much blood he had lost, his usually pale and sallow skin has turned a cold stone grey colour.
"Snape" I whisper to him.
He's still conscious, but can only mumble back.
"You're going to be ok" I reassure him, I'm reassuring myself at the same time.
"Marvil, does he have any Blood Replenishing Potion anywhere?" I ask taking charge of the situation.
The little elf looks at me wide eyes for a second then disappears. I just hope it's to get the potion.
I look down at Snape. He looks so lost.
I can't believe he just risked his life to save me, no one has done that before, not so directly anyway.
I slowly extend a hand and stroke his brow, he is so cold.
I grab the silky red sheets and pull them up over to cover him.
I look at him and for what seems like an age we just stare at each other, I'm paralysed by his stare. It's not cold or calculating, it's soft and warm. I have never seen him like this before. Maybe he thinks he's going to die. His eyes are filled with sorrow and I feel all my emotions being pulled up and thrown into him as I stare, unable to move, unable to blink.
Marvil 'pops' back into the room.
"Missy, Missy" he shouts holding out the potion I asked for.
"Thanks" I say looking down at him. "I also need some bandages".
He's gone again in another 'pop'.
Right, back to work.
I have no idea what I'm doing.
I only hope I don't do something wrong and end up killing him.
Which I probabily could.
Ok, here goes.
I take a deep breath and slowly pour the thick liquid down Snapes throat. He begins to fit and I hold him down by his shoulders.
CRAP.
CRAP.
CRAP.
CRAP.
He stops fitting and I brave to open my eyes.
He's ok-
-I think.
The colour seems to have come back to his cheeks, if that's possible. Let's just say he's back to his normal pearly white now.
"How are you feeling?" I whisper.
He smiles back at me. Yes, actually smiles. "I've been better" he croaks.
I can't help but chuckle at his last statement.
I mean he cracked a joke, alert the Daily Profit!
Marvil reappears and places the bandages on his bedside table with a bowl of warm water.
I thank the elf and begin work.
This is so embarrassing; I have to actually strip Snape.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
Ok, I take a deep breath; I mean after all its not like I'm really wearing anything, not after Malfoy and his lot tore at my clothes.
I start to gently peel off his shirt.
This is so embarrassing!
When, after a pain-staking 10 minutes, I have him I nothing but his pants I notice how scarred he is. His chest is covered in scars from curse after curse.
I look up at his eyes and he looks away.
He's self-conscious about them.
Awww, how adorable. Hehe.
It's nice to know we all have out weak points.
I begin to soak the bandages in warm water before applying them to his cuts and wounds. I feel him flinch each time.
Once they have soaked up the excess blood I wrap him up.
I'm almost tempted to make him look like an Egyptian mummy but I can't bring myself to be that mean right now. Instead I just cover his belly and chest with the bandages, and dress him in some night clothes I found whilst snooping through his closet.
I give him one last glance before leaving the room, he's pretending to be asleep but I try not to dwell on it.
"You'll be ok" I tell him.
And I close the door silently behind me, not before hearing his almost silent reply.
"Thank you..." he whispers.
Outside I lean against the cool wall and take a deep breath. I'm exhausted, and without realising, I slowly slide down until I hit the floor.
That night I sleep like a baby.
