Sick

UPDATE: Dear no-name; thank you for your review, referencing the fact that Severus is still wearing his robes. I suppose it's my poetic licence, and it worked much better with this chapter. I don't pretend to be an expert in nursing (it's never something I have done) so I apologise for the slight inaccuracies. I would be pleased to discuss this with you via PM if I can be of any more help! :) SS19.

Chapter Three:

Albus Dumbledore swept into the Hospital Wing the next morning, later than expected because he had been waylaid by Ministry officials and their persistent owl post. Once again, he was being asked if he would accept the position as Minister for Magic—which he was denying, also once again. He would much rather be with at Hogwarts with his students rather than caught up in all the bureaucracy of the Ministry. Right now, of course, he had more pressing issues on his mind, too. He smiled in greeting at Poppy as she came to see him. "He's still asleep."

Albus nodded, "May I see him?"

Poppy hesitated. "Albus, with all due respect…I am still slightly concerned with how he reacted to your presence last night. It could be that he is linking you to some uncomfortable memories—and I do not want to risk a relapse."

Albus tried not to seem hurt by these words. "Of course, Poppy. I understand. Perhaps Minerva would be better equipped to help you. Will you at least let me know if he submits to the medical examination? What can you do if he does not?"

Poppy fidgeted with her hands, "Technically, he has no choice in the matter—I can say that due to his confirmed suicide attempt, he is mentally unstable and thus must be fully examined." She looked slightly disgruntled, "It is against my vows of respecting a patient's wishes, which are of course important—but—at the same time, if we can find out what happened…"

Albus nodded, "With any luck, he will cause you no problems. I do have one question. The destruction in his quarters. Do you believe…"

"It was accidental magic? Absolutely. Otherwise, his hands would be sliced by the glass." Poppy picked up the end of the sentence.

Albus looked concerned by this, "Accidental magic can only occur of that magnitude when someone is incredibly angry or upset. Yet I have found no reason for such a performance. You have to find out what was the catalyst here, Poppy. I am having no luck, and you are right—Severus seems reluctant to open up to me."

"I shall do my best, as always, Albus." Poppy patted his arm. "I shall attempt to convince our young friend to assist me in whatever way he can. I am sure he does want the help—he just doesn't know how to ask for it."

"Very well. I shall speak to Minerva and see if she has some time to help you—Severus seems to trust her. Good luck, Poppy, I have a terrible feeling you will need it."

She smiled and stepped back into the private room off to the side of the ward. Albus disappeared.

"Severus?" Poppy leaned close and gently touched the unconscious Severus' cheek, hoping to stir him carefully from his sleep. "It's half past eleven, Severus, and I could do with some company."

Severus moaned and turned his head slightly, waking slowly. He muttered something under his breath and rolled over, prompting Poppy to smile. "Never an early morning person, were you, Severus dear?"

There was a soft tap at the door and Minerva peered around the frame, "Albus sent me?"

"I'm glad you are here." Poppy crossed to Minerva as Severus continued to doze in a half awake state. "I need to give him a full examination—but I doubt he will be willing. He has never been particularly easy to examine."

Minerva nodded, remembering how difficult Severus had been to reach when he had been a child. "Can you give a reason for that, Poppy?"

"I have my reasons." Poppy's voice hardened. "Unfortunately, the Headmaster is not party to them."

"Yours are the same as mine then. He will not listen to me either. You know what he thinks about family, and how he can see no wrong in parents and relatives." Minerva shook her head, "I hope for all our sakes that our hypotheses are not true. Does he need to eat something first? He still looks incredibly weak…"

"I dislike being talked about as if I am not here." Severus said in response. "I am not hungry, and I am not submitting to a full medical examination, as there is nothing wrong with me." He sat up, subjecting them both to a cool glare. "I also intend to return to my classes."

Poppy folded her arms, "Not for at least another day. You lost a lot of blood, Severus, and that means you will be weak—the Blood Replenishment potion, as you well know, does not relieve the physical consequences of blood loss. I highly doubt you will be able to leave this room, let alone teach a class." Her tone was firm and bode no argument. "Now. Your medical examination is important…"

"Poppy. I do not wish to be examined, please. Thank you." Severus' use of manners was a sign that he was very unhappy with the idea. This was the beginning of a rebellion that Poppy was unwilling to continue with.

"Severus." She softened her tone just slightly, "I know that you are uncomfortable—but—"

"You cannot force me." Severus replied, tone biting. Neither Poppy or Minerva had not noticed the tensing of his muscles—like a caged animal wanting to escape. When backed into a corner, this Slytherin serpent could be incredibly dangerous—they had seen it before.

"Yes, I can. I do not wish to involve St Mungo's and their Healers, Severus, but you did try to kill yourself—and that means you are deemed mentally insecure." She took a step forward, "It is my responsibility to make sure that there are no underlying causes…"

"There is nothing wrong with me!" Severus shouted.

"Then why did you try to kill yourself?" Minerva interrupted, hands on her hips, and looking every part the fiery Gryffindor patron her reputation suggested.

Severus, for his part, did look slightly cowed. He lowered his voice to a more respectful tone, "My reasons are my own." His eyes pleaded with her not to press the subject.

Minerva looked away, and Poppy continued to stare at her patient.

Severus exhaled slowly. "Do I have any choice?"

"Not really." Poppy answered gently. "I'm sorry to place you in this position, Severus, we both know that you don't want to do this. But we do not have any choice either."

"Fine. I surrender."

Severus' choice of words made Minerva and Poppy glance at each other, but they chose not to pursue this and instead focused on the present. Severus took to investigating the bandage on his wrist as Poppy prepared her notes and picked up her wand. "You need to take your clothes off, Severus, dear."

Minerva stood, "I'll be just outside…"

"No. Stay." Severus interjected. "That is my condition. Minerva stays."

This struck Poppy as slightly strange—but she nodded, "As long as Minerva is fine with that…"

Minerva was staring at the younger man, surprised by the fact he seemed so desperate for her to stay. Severus and she had a complicated relationship—she had come to know him well over his time at Hogwarts as a student, and yes, he certainly was one of the most talented young wizards she had seen for many generations. But she had never been able to get him to open up—and there had been plenty of opportunities, considering she had found him in front of her many times due to his dealings with the Marauders—first of all when they were at fault, but by their seventh year, when Severus became the main antagonist. In the end, she had given up, and Severus had been sent straight to Albus when he had misbehaved. There was one incident that stuck out in her mind—Severus attacking a third year Gryffindor—she had never seen such violence in a student…she brought herself back to the present with an uncomfortable start, and realised she had been quiet for a long moment. "Of course."

Severus was watching her closely. "Thank you, Minerva." He lowered his eyes and continue to fiddle with his bandage.

"Severus. Your clothes, if you will." Poppy prompted.

Severus looked at her. "No."

"Do not make this difficult, Severus, dear. How am I supposed to examine you if I have to contend with your robes too? Have a little common sense." She was trying not to sound impatient—but still, did Severus really have to build obstacles at every turn?

Severus seemed to consider this for a moment. He swallowed and raised his head. "Can I…" His voice was rough and it didn't have any volume or strength. Minerva crossed to him. "What is it?"

He murmured something into her ear, which she paused for a moment before answering, "I'm sure that will be fine." She drew away, face contorted into a frown. Poppy shot her a quizzical look as Severus started to undo the buttons of his robes. Minerva took her arm. "He wants to keep his underwear on."

Poppy paled, "Why would he ask that?"

Minerva shook her head, "I don't know."

"Before you start thinking that I suffered something tragic in my childhood, maybe it is because I have slight confidence issues?" Severus said suddenly, pulling his shirt off and depositing it into a heap on the floor. He raised one eyebrow, standing up. "Ever since my fifth year, perhaps?"

Minerva turned away, but Poppy would not let her eyes drop from Severus', suspecting him of trying to evade the subject. Severus met her eyes obstinately, and she could not glean anything from that dark gaze. "That's fine—it is not a requirement, to strip completely. I just want to be able to pick up some of your vitals and have a look at you properly."

Severus got slowly to his feet, leaning heavily on the chair beside his bed as he did so. Still he hesitated, before undoing his belt and pulling his trousers down, the smallest of flushes reddening his neck. He raised his head when Poppy touched his arm and helped him to stand straight. "Not so bad, was it?" She said softly, brushing his hair back from his face and looking into his eyes. "Stand straight, and don't move. I'll make this as quick as I can."

Severus obeyed her instructions, looking straight ahead at the wall opposite. The blush still tainted his cheeks and he had wrapped the fingers of his other hand around the bandage. He was clearly uncomfortable, and Minerva wished there was some way she could sooth him.

Poppy pointed the wand between Severus' eyes, "Look at me."

The black irises fluttered to hers, "What does everyone think happened to me?"

"They think you have fallen foul of the terrible winter bug that grips most of Hogwarts every year." Minerva supplied, "I think most of the students believe you are holed up in your office with a packet of Self-Cleaning tissues and a good book…"

Severus' head jerked up. "My office."

"Yes, I meant to ask you about that, Severus. Accidental magic?" Poppy continued the conversation while scribbling something on her parchment.

"Yes. I didn't mean to…"

Poppy raised her head, "Angry or upset?"

"Mixture of both." Severus mumbled.

"I thought so." Poppy replied. "Open your mouth for me." She quickly checked Severus' teeth and gums, ignoring the glare that she sustained from her patient. "You truly are the menace of the Hospital Wing, Severus."

"I hate hospitals." Severus answered abruptly. "I hate the smell of them. Disinfectant."

Poppy noted that mentally and carried on. "You really do need to eat more."

"I really do not need a running commentary, Poppy. Being a Death-Eater has ways of disrupting the appetite. I eat enough."

Poppy drifted into silence, making notes as she went. She lingered when she looked at the faintly outline of the tattoo on Severus' left arm. "Can I just…" She reached out, as if to touch it—and Severus wrenched his arm away. "No. You cannot."

Poppy nodded to herself and finished looking him over. "Just a few tests, and then I will be done. I told you it would be quick." She touched her cold hand to his chest, relieved when he flinched slightly. "Sorry." She tried to make it into a joke, but clearly Severus was in no mood to be lighthearted. Finally she stepped back and looked at him from a distance. There was crease between her eyebrows. "Thank you, Severus. I'm finished." She picked up the parchment and smiled at him warmly. "I just want to go and put this away. You can put your clothes back on, we'll get the House-Elves to bring you something to eat, and then you can rest today. If you do as you are told, I may let you return to class tomorrow." She disappeared out of the door rather abruptly.

Minerva watched her leave, but stayed where she was seated, watching Severus. He pulled his trousers back on and sat down on the side of the bed, not yet picking his shirt up. Minerva got up and moved so she was next to him. "Are you all right?"

Severus nodded distractedly, "Of course. Thank you for staying."

"You are welcome. I was surprised you asked." Minerva said gently.

"Yes, well. I trust you. I knew that if you were there…nothing ill would befall me." Severus twisted his bandage, seemingly nervous.

"Nothing ill would befall you when Poppy is here either. We're here to help you, Severus, all of us. Even Albus." Minerva tested the ground. Severus looked at her when she mentioned the Headmaster's name, and his gaze was almost sceptical. "Indeed. It is sometimes difficult to convince myself of that."

"Why?"

Severus seemed about to say something more, when clearly he though better of it. Instead, he went with, "I think I'd quite like vegetable soup for lunch. If it will satisfy Poppy."

Minerva knew that whatever subject she had just broached was now closed and no longer up for discussion. She nodded, "I shall get a House Elf to bring some up for you." She patted his arm, "Well done. We'll make sure you get better, Severus."

"Thank you." Severus answered.

She stood and closed the door gently behind her. Poppy was sat in an armchair opposite, sheet white and still looking incredibly worried. Minerva crossed to her, "What is it?"

Poppy looked at her, and her eyes were anxious. "We need to see the Headmaster. There is something very wrong here."