Sick

Thank you for the wonderful reaction to the first chapter; it surprised me! I have worked on this little addition, but the next few chapters will be slightly delayed as I want to finish "Dumbledore's Betrayal" and "Guardian Angel" first as both as shorter. I thank you in advance for your patience!

Chapter Two:

"We're lucky that you found him, Albus. The Blood-Replenishment potion is working." Poppy Pomfrey brushed her brown hair back from her eyes, tucking it under her hat, shaking her head as she regarded the prostrate figure of Severus lying on the bed before her. She sighed, "Any more time and we would have lost him."

Albus was sat beside the bed, looking and feeling every single one of his years. He was still slightly shocked—having one of his own attempt to commit suicide under his admittedly scrutinising gaze was difficult to comprehend. Especially Severus. "I wonder what brought this on…he had been doing so well here with us…"

Poppy glanced at him, "There have been no signs?"

"No. He seemed to be rather positive recently. Settling in. Settling down. He was talking to people in the staffroom. He is even striking up a friendship with Minerva…who I ought to inform. She will need to tell the students."

"What about his Slytherins? He will need time to recover, Albus, he will be incredibly weak, after such an event. I want to keep him here for at least three days. There must be some other cause of this—and if he is psychologically unstable, he should not be in a classroom." Poppy pressed the back of her hand to Severus' forehead, "He is hot. I wonder if he has a fever."

"I will inform his Slytherins that he has caught the illness that is sweeping through Hogwarts." Poppy had recently been inundated with cases, students and teachers alike, pleading symptoms such as sore throats, dizziness, nausea and exhaustion. It was a common winter virus that Albus knew appeared every single year—and it was just a case of handing out potions and dispensing some sympathy. No one could know the true reason why Severus was in the Hospital Wing.

Poppy smiled, just slightly. "I was just remembering Severus when he was a boy. He used to catch that winter illness every single year. He would come here only when he was sent…and he hated my fussing. Such a peculiar child, do you not think?" Poppy raised her head, "Always covered in bruises and scratches, even when he was not having run-ins with those Marauders."

Albus met her gaze, "I know about your theories, Poppy. Both Severus' parents are dead. I do not think we should pursue the matter. When do you expect him to awaken?"

"Soon. He's been out for nearly six hours. When he wakes, I will make sure he eats something small and solid—poor boy looks like he has not seen food for a week."

They both looked up when there was a knock at the Hospital Wing door. Albus got up and crossed to the door while Poppy pulled the curtains around the bed, not willing for Severus' dignity to be slighted.

"Minerva." Albus smiled slightly at his Deputy, who looked concerned. "A portrait told me what happened in the Slytherin corridor. Is he all right?" The slightly blunt words were a cover for anxiety, and Albus was relieved that someone else was as worried as he. "He is still unconscious. He lost a lot of blood."

Minerva pulled the door behind her as Albus led her to Severus, "I thought he was beginning to enjoy his time here too, Albus." She sat down in the chair Albus had vacated, eyes falling on the white bandage around the recently healed wound on Severus' wrist.

Albus rested his hands on her shoulders, "We'll make him better, Minerva. We will find out what happened and we will make it right."

She nodded slowly, her eyes burning. "He's only twenty two…"

Albus tightened his hands, "I know."

Minerva swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced up at Poppy, who was staring at Severus, a frown appearing upon her lined forehead. "He's waking up."

True to her word, Severus stirred slightly, eyes flickering open and looking up at the arched ceiling. It took him a few moments to focus, after which he glanced around. His eyes were tired and reddened and shadowed. He blinked and his brow creased as he started to understand what was happening. His gaze settled on Poppy. "…You caught me."

"We stopped you." Poppy corrected, leaning close and looking into his eyes. "You are very lucky to be still alive, Severus."

"…Considering I attempted…to kill myself…we have a different…" He coughed to clear his dry throat, "…Concept of luck, Poppy."

Poppy Summoned a glass of water and rested it on the table next to him. "Do not be silly. Why would you possibly wish to kill yourself, Severus?"

Severus turned his head away and looked instead at Minerva. "Hello, Minerva."

Minerva saw the way his face brightened slightly when he recognised her, and she smiled. "Good morning, Severus. How do you feel?"

Severus didn't answer that either. He simply observed her and Albus, before offering—"You two look…like concerned parents…" He raised his good hand. "…Like that." His hand dropped back to the blanket. "I hate my parents."

Poppy glanced across at Albus. He took the hint and they both stepped out of the curtain, leaving Minerva to help Severus take a sip of the water. "He's rambling, Albus." Poppy murmured. "He will need some time to get back to his right mind."

Albus was preoccupied. "Did you hear what he said? He said that he was unlucky because we had saved him. He really did plan to kill himself, Poppy. But why?" Albus seemed most bewildered by this small fact. "Voldemort has been gone for three years—he is under no threat here—and yet…"

Poppy put one hand on his arm, "Albus. Things like this can be triggered by the smallest thing—we have no idea what happened to him before he returned to us. It could be that something has reminded of him of his time with You-Know-Who, and that is why he has tried this. We can make no diagnoses until he has fully recovered consciousness and we can ask him ourselves."

Albus nodded, "Thank you for your wisdom, as always, Poppy. I just thought we were starting to make a breakthrough."

"Albus. I know how important he is to you. We'll fix him. I promise. Come."

They stepped back into the small curtained cubicle to find Minerva sat closer to Severus, holding his hand, talking to him. Severus was listening intently to whatever it was Minerva was speaking about—and Albus had to smile at the tender scene before him. Despite her fiery personality, the often formidable Gryffindor Head of House had a good heart and a true maternal instinct—and was often particularly protective of those who were neglected or lonely. She had always had a soft spot for the difficult and silent Slytherin who had first entered their lives ten years before. Somehow he had charmed her.

"We are pleased to see that you are awake, Severus, dear boy." Albus said, addressing Severus for the first time. "You gave us quite a scare. I trust that you will let us know the next time you are planning something so dramatic?"

Severus had gone very quiet, staring at Albus, suddenly incredibly white. Minerva looked at him, and then down at her hand. "Severus?"

Severus managed to gasp two words, even though his throat suddenly sounded constricted and his breathing rate had increased considerably. "I'm sorry…"

Albus had noticed the slightly odd behaviour, "No need to be apologetic, child, I assume something happened that sparked such a thing. In time, you can tell us." He put one hand on Severus' arm, hoping to sooth the much younger man.

It had the opposite effect. Severus flinched away, suddenly uncomfortable. "…I want to go to sleep.." He said, and Poppy decided to step in. "Albus, Minerva. We should leave our patient to rest—he has had enough 'excitement' for one day." She raised her eyebrows pointedly at Albus, who nodded and withdrew. "Sleep well, Severus."

Minerva came away more reluctantly. She was massaging her fingers with her other hand, casting a concerned glance back toward the bed as Poppy put the curtains around and stood with Albus and Minerva.

"Minerva? Your hand?" Albus pointed.

"It was Severus. He was holding on to me so tightly." She frowned. "He was terrified. Of you." Her eyes latched onto Albus, and Albus felt as though the gaze was almost accusing.

"We do not know that for certain. It could have been any stimulus. However." Poppy folded her arms, "I think it would be prudent to put Severus through a full medical examination."

Albus shook his head, "He requested not to have one when he joined Hogwarts. It is his choice." He folded his arms into his cloak, "He personally asked it of me."

"Albus!" Poppy sounded slightly irritated, "You did this when he was a small boy too! We need to find out what has happened in Severus' past, otherwise we will never understand why he tried to kill himself tonight! If he had not supposed to have been hosting a detention tonight, he would have also succeeded! This is no longer a case of your word, Albus, I'm sorry! This is Severus' wellbeing that we are talking about!" Although they were talking in near whispers, the anger and determination was evident in Poppy's voice. "What are you so frightened of discovering?"

Albus turned away.

"Do not turn your back on me, Albus Dumbledore!" Poppy stepped in front of him, knowing that she also had the support of Minerva. "Tell me why you will not allow this to happen."

When Albus finally looked at her, she was shocked to see his eyes glistening with tears. "He went to Tom because of me, Poppy. Do you really think I want to know what I sent him to? I do not think I can bear that guilt." He shook his head, "I know there is something wrong with him. I know that any number of terrible things could have befallen him—and most likely did. But I look at him and I see the child I failed. The physical evidence would destroy me."

Poppy's eyes softened slightly. "But Albus. This is not a question of your guilt. We can only help Severus if we try to find out what happened and help him cope with it. Surely he deserves that?"

Albus nodded slowly. "Of course. Forgive me. I may retire, if it is all the same to you, Poppy."

"Of course. I'll bid you both good night."

Behind the curtains, Severus had turned onto his side and was listening to the conversation intently. They wanted him to submit to a full medical examination? He would do no such thing! They would find out…he wrapped his arms tighter around himself and wished he had not been found. It had been so close…he had nearly drifted…he had been warm and happy and secure…he swallowed. He would need to find a way out from the medical examination. That was what he would focus on. There would be another time. Another place. And then he could find a way to make sure he was not stopped.