Getting help

"We need to separate and do particular tasks: one of you needs to retrieve Poppy now and inform her that it is an emergency since the situation is urgent-do not take no for an answer. One of you needs to remain with Miss Weasley and the final person needs to take the Slytherin to my office and keep an eye on the culprit," Snape growled the last part which made the Slytherin shrink away into herself, who knew that he could even brew fear in his own House members. "I will retrieve the headmaster and alert him of this situation immediately."

At those strong and silky words of finality everyone snapped into action like a lamp when it's switched on, the trio had already silently decided who was doing what. Ron would stay, Hermione would get Poppy and Harry would take the Slytherin girl.

"Professor, do you have a Floo-network from your office?" Hermione asked intelligently and Snape had to withhold his admiration for her brains, why wasn't she in Ravenclaw?

"Yes, and I give you permission to use it to get to the infirmary." Snape permitted with a curt nod as he spoke what the genius was thinking.

With that Snape left the destroyed lab with a graceful swish of his robes, Hermione followed the shadowy man and Harry with the Slytherin in hand followed directly afterwards. Harry's eyes were clouded over with images of Ginny writhing on the floor. Her screams could still be heard as they travelled down the dungeon passage towards Snape's office.

Most people in a situation like this would have relied on natural instinct and just ran all the way to the Hospital Wing. Yet, even in situations like this, Hermione kept a cool head and thought first. It was one of her truly beneficial qualities that had saved Harry and Ron on numerous occasions, and if you asked the two males they would never deny it. Hopefully, thinking ahead and using the Floo-network would save essential time-would save Ginny's eyes.

"Perhaps you know, where is the rest of my fifth year class?" Snape demanded from the Slytherin girl as he approached his office, she seemed reluctant to tell but another unavoidable freezing glare forced it out of her.

"I...t-told everyone that you said we would be studying theory in the-the library today." The girl all but squeaked out, it seemed she was suffering from a serious case of shock that made her stammer uncontrollably.

"On second thoughts, take her with you to the Hospital Wing Granger. Potter, you go to the library and retrieve my students." Snape sighed out in exasperation; they needed to be quicker than this!

"You honestly think they're going to listen to me, professor," Harry stated his point in disbelief. "You're a potions master, I expected you to be able to help Ginny yourself!"

"Do not argue with me, Potter!" Snape growled as he unlocked his office door with a flick of his delicate wand and Hermione and the Slytherin hurried in, Snape and Harry stood outside. "The more time you waste on petty contradictions the more chance Ginny will lose her eyes; this is not a time for arrogance. Now pick up the pace and go!"

When Snape put it in that manner and tone Harry just swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and took off down the dungeon passage, there was no Floo-network to the library for there was no fireplace. Seeing that Harry had gone Snape just frowned and entered his office. The door slammed with a resounding bang behind him. He was not in a pleasant mood.

Alert onyx orbs looked up to see Hermione already grabbing the Floo-powder from the clay pot she had discovered above the fireplace. Her actions were hasty as some dripped from her grip. It created grey piles on the floor as she harshly grabbed the girls arm. The Slytherin yelped as she was yanked into the empty fireplace. Soot was churned up beneath them. Hermione's voice filled the room. Suddenly she thrust the powder down. A resonating boom! Erupting green flames! A burst of intense heat! They were gone.

Snape only blinked and did not flinch. When they had vanished he got to work. He quickly grabbed his own pinch of powder. Scarcely any fell to the floor. He elegantly stepped into his fireplace. His robes swirled around him as he muttered his destination. Throwing the powder down it exploded! Lime flames burned! Consuming him in its jaws! The familiar tingling feeling and he was gone, leaving his office desolated and tense.

XXXX

Malfoy was flat up against a damp stone wall, hidden behind a dungeon pillar as he saw Harry bolt past him. Silver eyes regarded his dishevelled state as he disappeared up the dungeon steps. Malfoy then turned his gaze to the open potions class door, all he could hear was a girl screaming for help over and over. It was faint from his position, but it was unnaturally unruly and rattled him greatly.

Hesitantly, he stepped out from his hiding place. Having slinked away and hidden in the darkness undetected. His outstanding white hair reflected the embers of the torches above. Every step of his dragon scaled boots was deafening. Slowly, he made his way towards the agonised cries. What had actually happened? Every step made him approach it faster. It was getting louder and louder. Closer and closer.

XXXX

"Madame Pomfrey, we have an emergency!"

An earth shaking bang! A flurry of green flames! Poppy abruptly looked up. Hermione had suddenly burst into the Hospital Wing. She dragged the resisting Slytherin and practically threw her onto one of the beds. Poppy watched in bewilderment as she rushed towards them. Her look of confusion was suspected as Hermione whipped around to the medic with streaming tears. Her wavy hair fluttered with the worried action. Her brown eyes were glassy with fear.

"You need to come with me now, I will explain on the way." Hermione ordered.

Poppy Pomfrey just put her hands on her hips with a frown across her features.

"We're not going anywhere," Madame Pomfrey informed and Hermione could only gape in utter shock and disbelief. "You will explain to me first. I can not just leave my post without a notice from a member of staff, if this was so important there would be one with you."

Hermione didn't just hear that. She didn't! She could not believe what she was hearing. Just could not believe it!

XXXX

"RON PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME!" Ginny kept screaming as tears of crimson blood descended her face, she was in so much pain. "MY EYES! MY EYES! RON!"

Draco Malfoy appeared unnoticed in the open doorway, the scene playing before him froze him to the core. The damp potions door squeaked on its hinges as it swung slightly. Slowly, Draco took a quiet step inside. A sick sensation had settled in his stomach. Snape's words replayed in his mind.

"The more time you waste on petty contradictions the more chance Ginny will lose her eyes; this is not a time for arrogance. Now pick up the pace and go!"

He swallowed a feeling that had developed in his slender throat. Those words had been aimed at Harry...but why did it feel like they had also been aimed at him? The meaning behind those words fit this situation perfectly; fit like a jigsaw puzzle...he needed to help.

XXXX

A loud bang forced Albus out of his thoughts. His office illuminated bright green. Appearing unnaturally calm Snape found the ancient man to be petting a fully grown Fawkes. At the unexpected intrusion Dumbledore turned his head sharply. When he found Severus standing there his blood froze. Severus looked paler than usual. Something was terribly wrong.

"Albus, there is no time to explain details. Ginny Weasley is critically injured." Snape said tersely, voice devoid of any emotion as Dumbledore gave him a worried look.

"Where is she, dear boy?" Albus demanded instantly, standing up and taking quick strides towards the stiff potions master.

Severus didn't answer and instead just tugged on the man's arm to lead him to the fireplace.

XXXX

Ron sharply looked up at that exact moment at feeling someone else's presence in the room. At spotting Malfoy he sharply stood. Growling he yanked his wand out. Draco was taken aback. He took a step back. His eyes widened.

"BACK OFF!" Ron yelled in a broken voice and Ginny screamed louder in fright.

Fear gripped her as she couldn't see what was going on. All she knew was pain and blood.

"I want to help you-pathetic weasel!" Malfoy retorted without thinking. It was such a natural thing to say that he couldn't have reined it in before it had slipped out of his perfect lips. He mentally palm smacked himself for it.

"No you don't, all you care about is your pompous self! You're a spoilt only child; I wouldn't expect you to bloody understand how I-"

"No, you're right, I don't," Malfoy interrupted in frustration through gritted teeth. He managed to take a deep breath and calm down through Ginny's agonised wails. "But if I was in your shoes I wouldn't reject any help available."

Silver eyes trailed up the shaking wand, past the unsteady wrist, the trembling arm, the tense shoulder, travelled up to Ron Weasley's face. Silver eyes narrowed, all he saw was grief. All he saw was pain. Tears were cascading down the freckled cheeks. But Ron was completely oblivious. This wasn't the weasel he knew.

That had done it, Malfoy had struck hard and true. What infuriated Ron the most was that he was right. Ron slowly lowered his wand. His chest was panting. Face stained with tears.

"...Alright."

XXXX

Another heart stopping rumble. A strong smell of smoke. Bright burning flames. Both Albus and Severus rushed out of the fireplace! Both were a white and black blur. Soot flew into the air as they fled the office. Snape's robes fluttered behind him as the two hurried down the dungeon passage. It felt icy cold as they approached the open doorway. All they could hear was her screaming. Her pitiful pleas tearing their souls.

What surprised him more than the medic not being there was Draco Lucius Malfoy being there instead. The potions master was stunned for a moment before shaking himself out of his mild shock. They were running out of time! Where in Merlin is Poppy? Snape mentally asked as his jaw tightened unnoticeably to everyone else in the room.

As if the thought had conjured her they all felt a vibration through the stone floor. Snape sneered as he realised Poppy had only just got through his fireplace. What the hell was that woman doing? The loud sound of running footsteps closely followed before the medic and Hermione burst through the doorway. They were literally on the edge of their time.

"Who the hell is that screa-OH MY GOD!" Poppy suddenly gasped at seeing the amount of blood all over Ginny's writhing figure on the floor.

Pomfrey's face automatically steeled up into her professional medic mask. She hurriedly went to kneel beside the distraught girl. Malfoy and Ron both got up and moved out of her way to give the expert medic room.

At seeing the state of Ron, Hermione began to feel her own tears fall again. This was just horrible, absolutely horrible. She went over to the trembling Ron and hugged him comfortingly. Draco kept his distance, not sure how she would react to him. The brown eyed girl peered over Ron's shoulder. Spotted the white blonde and glared furiously. She was about to rant at him for this wasn't a movie the Slytherin could watch when Madame Pomfrey spoke up, sounding impressed.

"Whoever put this cloth soaked in Biliwig sting slime over her eyes thought well, the curing abilities of it have slowed down her bleeding," Poppy voiced her opinion and Hermione looked at Draco in utter disbelief, Ron definitely wouldn't have known that. "However, judging by how cold she is, she has already lost too much blood beforehand."

"What can you do to the potion corroding her eyes, Poppy? What do you suggest?" Albus questioned and Pomfrey sighed without looking up from her crying patient.

Snape closed his eyes and looked away with something akin to disguised sadness. Yes Harry was correct he was a potions master and so he had expected Snape to do something, however...there was nothing he could do. Opening his eyes halfway with Ginny's agonised screams ringing in his ears he knew what Poppy's shake of the head represented-she also knew.

"The potion is incurable...there is nothing I can do," Poppy whispered to them and everyone in the room felt their heart drop, Snape's as well for officially voicing his knowledge. "The only thing I can do is send her to St. Mungo's immediately, her eyes will be magically operated on to remove the potion. Although...it's too late to save her sight."

XXXX

They had missed the whole lesson of DADA and even half of charms as Ron was too shaken up to even care about learning. Harry and Hermione stayed with him in the Hospital Wing...Ginny had just been sent off. Hermione was hugging Ron currently sitting on a hospital bed completely in tears; his sister would never see him again. Harry watched from his crossed legged position on a bed on the opposite side of the room with sympathy filled eyes.

Turning his green eyes to Dumbledore he found him standing and talking in whispers and mutters to Professor Snape, the latter frowning as usual as he kept turning to glare at the Slytherin girl. Snape was obviously enraged behind his emotionless outlet as his lips were thin with the sign of inner fury.

They were obviously discussing what to do with her; they had gone into Poppy's office earlier with the girl and had interrogated her for what had happened under a silencing charm so no one else could hear. It seemed her answer was not acceptable, Harry had noted, since Snape had come out growling to Dumbledore, `that was truly an immature and despicable reason to conclude in such unnecessary bloodshed! `

The Slytherin girl with brown hair, who was currently perched on her own bed, had a grey blanket wrapped around her shoulders for the shock. He noted that her lips were moving but nothing was coming out as she rocked with her arms around her knees, she looked truly troubled. After narrowing his eyes and concentrating he realised she was lip-syncing, `I didn't mean to do it`, over and over again. He instantly forgave her, how couldn't you at seeing how truly sorry she was? But it wasn't in Harry's authority to forgive her...it was Ron's.

Every now and then Harry listened and managed to catch glimpses of the conversation between Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. All making him cringe as they all resulted in a negative turn for the girl.

"This is not a small incident, Albus!" Snape snapped, having obvious displeasure with Dumbledore's previous comment. "This is not just a petty broken bone that can be healed over time, or even a coma where there is still a significant chance of recovering afterwards, Miss Weasley's sight is permanently lost! All for a pathetic reason!"

"I understand the position you're in, my boy. You feel guilty-and don't deny it," Albus ordered quickly as he raised a withered old hand with a smile at seeing Severus open his mouth to argue. Snape rolled his eyes, crossed his arms and closed his mouth with reluctance as he waited for him to continue. "You actually feel guilty that one of your own House has damaged one of another beyond repair, however if you look at her Severus she is guilty enough without you putting it on your own shoulders. She has punished herself, Severus. There is no need to punish her further my boy."

"But it is not just that," Snape protested emotionlessly and Albus raised an eyebrow in curious confusion for the others bottled up distress, why did Severus have to bottle everything up? "There is...more to what occurred."

"Oh?" Albus asked inquisitively as he stroked his white, straggly beard. His smile and twinkling eyes never left his features.

"Where do you think Potter was the entire time? Clearly you have noticed that Mr Potter, Miss Granger and Mr Weasley travel around like Siamese triplets?" Snape droned sarcastically making Albus chuckle, but never the less the black eyed man had a point.

"I was wondering about that." Albus grinned in reply.

When they both glanced at Harry in the corner of their eyes they found his green gaze watching the crying pair of Ron and Hermione on the other side of the room.

"Anyway, Potter had to go and...retrieve my students." Snape said the last part with disguised embarrassment and scowled, Albus started to snigger as he found it rather comical.

"Oh, indeed?" Albus pressed and he was literally grinning from ear to ear uncontrollably, Snape raised a delicate black eyebrow at the others behaviour.

"Yes, indeed, that girl managed to persuade them that I told them to study theory in the library. Did they believe her? Obviously," Snape continued mockingly and Dumbledore released a hearty laugh at Severus' dark humour.

However, the ancient wizard also noticed that there was less venom in the others voice and narrowed his sapphire orbs at seeing Severus' lack of sleep catch up to him again. The adrenaline of the incident had kept him going, now that it was over and things had calmed down his exhaustion was returning. Meeting eyes with Severus he picked up that he had been glaring at Harry.

"I am going to write a letter to Arthur and Mrs Weasley now. Breaking the news is going to hurt them, but they have to know." Albus muttered to make sure Ron didn't hear and Severus just nodded stiffly in agreement.

The ancient man was about to leave when he suddenly turned back to Severus and effectively grabbed his attention, "and before I forget my boy, don't be too harsh on them tomorrow."

Snape blinked, when had Albus found out about that? Deciding not to ponder on the man's signature talent of knowing everything he decided to leave the three to themselves with a snort and a sneer. Albus had insisted that the three have the day off; Severus had disapproved of the move. Quoting the moment he had argued, `I would much prefer Mr Potter fill his brain with something that is not his ego. `

Descending the moving staircases Snape headed towards his potions lab with his signature grace; luckily it was halfway through second period which was a free period for him on Friday's. His shoulder length, greasy, black hair that framed his pale face fluttered around his head as he briskly went down the steps. His black robes were once again billowing behind him elegantly, being so elegant that it always brought frightful chills down onlooker's spines. Reaching the bottom relatively quickly he continued down a corridor, each one of his well placed steps echoing off the painting covered walls. All the painting's eyes were staring at him.

Scowl in place on his face, as his black leather boots clinked on the shiny marble floor of the Entrance Hall, he found the dungeon entrance was visible in his line of sight up ahead. He approximately had half an hour to sort his destroyed lab out before having third year's next class. He inwardly despised the thought, along with the one of Potter being with him for more than a few hours tomorrow afternoon.