Title - To Consort with the Devil 10 of ?

Rating - PG-13/T

Disclaimer - I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling. No sex, slash or profanity.

Spoilers - None whatsoever.

Summary - Someone's just a little bit cranky.

A/N - Um, yeah, saying this is late is a bit of an understatement so just read and enjoy!

To Consort with the Devil

Chapter 10

The first thing Snape noticed upon regaining consciousness was a glorious absence of pain. He savored this feeling for a moment before he further realized he was very much alive and on his way to perfect health. The dark cloud that had settled over him since his imprisonment grew darker and he barely managed to hold back the sudden flood of frustrated tears. Despite his wishes, Dumbledore had brought him back to Hogwarts, where Snape guessed he was under the strict care of Madame Pomfrey. Snape slowly opened his eyes and gazed around the small, private room. He had been in this room enough times as a patient to know he was in the hospital wing and probably under several monitoring and privacy charms. Pomfrey was likely on her way to check on him now that he was awake.

So Snape took these few precious seconds that he was alone to take stock of himself and his situation. Much of his body was either wrapped in bandages or one big healing bruise. His hands, he noted detachedly, were tightly wrapped in bandages and tingled enough for him to know potent healing potions were at work inside him. Snape knew his natural healing powers were also hard at work and wished it all would stop. He flung back the covers and began looking for something, anything, with which he could end his miserable existence.

As soon as he tried to swing his legs out of bed he encountered resistance from an unseen barrier. It did not take Snape long to realize a restraining charm had been cast to keep him in bed and causing harm upon himself.

Screaming in rage, Snape pounded and pushed at the barrier until his already depleted body have out and he slumped back to the bed, thoroughly exhausted.

"Are you done trying to get out or can I come in and do my job?"

Snape turned his head to glare at Pomfrey, who stood next to the closed door of his room and exuded an air of motherly calm. He snarled at her, baring his fangs.

"No!" he spat, "Don't come near me! Just go away!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that Severus. Whether you believe me or not there are people who care about you and want you to get better. You have been through a traumatic ordeal and we are going to help you."

"And what if I don't want your help? Don't my wishes matter to you at all?" Snape answered, bitterness written in every line on his face. He knew instinctively that no matter what he said or did, his so-called saviors would disregard what he really wanted until they deemed him 'normal'. Then they could pat him on the shoulder, thank him for a lifetime of service to Hogwarts and the war against Voldemort and send him back to the dungeons to teach ungrateful little brats until the day he died. For now it would be best to surrender to Pomfrey's ministrations and continue his quest for death at a later time. The nurse had simply smiled kindly in response to his outburst and began to lay out fresh bandages and potions.

"Of course your wishes matter my dear." she told him, "But if you looked inside yourself you would realize death isn't what you want or what you deserve. Until that time comes we are going to keep you alive and help you heal. Now just lie back and don't even think of attacking me, the barrier prevents harm you may bring to yourself and others."

Snape did not know what to say or do in response to this optimism so he submitted and let Pomfrey bathe and change his wounds. He reluctantly swallowed the potions she handed to him and continued to fume in silence. His mind was still a maelstrom of self-loathing, anger and despair, but for the first time in a long while he felt the faint flicker of hope. Snape stubbornly ignored this flicker and watched blankly as Pomfrey made some notes on a scroll at the foot of his bed.

"I'll have a house elf bring in some nice broth, something simple until your stomach settles, and I want you to drink all of it. Then try and get some rest, Albus will visit you later."

Snape said nothing and a few moments later a house elf popped up from the kitchens bearing a steaming cup of broth. The cup was set within the restraining field and Snape reached out his shaking hands to pick up his dinner. He deliberately met Pomfrey's expectant gaze and slowly tipped the cup over the edge of his bed, as far within the restraining field as he could go, spilling its contents and tossing the empty cup to the end of his bed. Not waiting to see Pomfrey's reaction, Snape turned over on his side and tried to fall asleep. He clearly heard the nurse's sad sigh and waited until she had left before giving in to the flood of shameful tears.

- & -

Dumbledore hesitated outside the door leading to Snape's private room, going over Pomfrey's report from this morning and trying to decide on a course of action. Their patient was still firmly suicidal and refusing their help. Snape was healing nicely and faster than expected, but unless they dissuaded him from his self-destructive path all their efforts would be for naught.

Hopefully tonight they would make some progress on that front.

The Headmaster turned to his companion, intending to give Lupin some words of advice or encouragement, but instead found himself taking solace in the confidence in Lupin's eyes. The werewolf just tilted his head, silently asking if it was time to confront Snape. Dumbledore nodded and waved away the charms protecting the private room. They entered together and let their eyes adjust to the dimness before approaching the figure on the bed.

Snape was lying with his back to the door and Dumbledore had to walk around the end of the bed to sit where he could make eye contact. He was concerned to find Snape staring blankly into space and waited for an acknowledgement that did not come.

"Severus? It's me, Albus. How are you feeling today?" There was no response and Dumbledore exchanged a worried look with Lupin. "Poppy tells me you're healing nicely and should make a full recovery."

Still nothing.

"I know you're probably feeling confused and angry right now so I've brought someone to speak with you."

Snape's eyes shifted up to take in Dumbledore'e guest and there was finally a reaction.

"NO! I'm not going to have anything to do with that flea bitten monster!! Go away!"

Dumbledore seemed taken aback at the vehemence of Snape's outburst, but Lupin merely smiled wanly and settled a hand on the older wizard's shoulder.

"Perhaps it would be best if you waited outside Albus. I wanted to speak with Severus alone anyway; monster to monster, so to speak."

Both Snape and Dumbledore looked askance at Lupin, who had settled his gaze on Snape and seemed to be cataloging the vampire's strengths and weaknesses. The Headmaster nodded and rose to leave.

"I'll be with Poppy when you're done. Good luck."

When they were alone Lupin sat down and continued to examine Snape over his steepled fingers. Snape tried to glare back but could not muster the necessary disdain or hatred he normally saved for the werewolf.

"What are you doing here Lupin?" Snape asked to break the uncomfortable silence, "Come to see me brought down to your level? You must be so pleased I'm just as hated as you are!"

"Yes, actually, I am." Lupin answered after a pause. The brutal honesty stopped Snape's rant cold and the werewolf leaned forward with a small, sad smile. "I was once in your place Severus. Suicidal, angry, despised. I know what you have been through and the trials you have yet to face. When Albus told me what had happened I knew I had to come and see you for myself. The great Severus Snape brought low and humbled by an uncontrollable affliction."

Fury shook Snape from his apathetic state and he lunged for Lupin, fangs bared, only to be stopped by the restraining field.

"How dare you!! You bastard!"

Lupin was unfazed and pressed on.

"Yes, the truth hurts doesn't it Severus? The world has turned its back on you and cast you out into danger. You will no longer be coddled or protected. You will have to fight for the basic considerations - respect, money, friends, even a wand. The odds are already against you and you haven't even made it out of bed yet." Leaning even closer, Lupin tried to get Snape to see the truth in his words. "The only way for us to survive is to fight and start by fighting for your life. Merlin knows this won't be the first time you will have to defend your right to live, but you have people like Albus who will fight with you every step of the way. We all know you're too damn stubborn to surrender meekly so get up and live!"

Snape openly gaped at Lupin and slowly came to recognize the promise of a future in the werewolf's fervent speech. He swallowed the tatters of his pride and asked,

"How did you keep fighting after you were bitten?"

"I didn't at first. When I recovered from the physical bite I was dreadfully depressed, just like you. My mother showed me I had more to live for than my affliction and that I couldn't let it destroy me. Oh sure my lycanthropy determines many aspects of my life, like your vampirism will with yours, but I refused to let it take over who I really was. Despite what you and many others say, I am still simply Remus Lupin. You are still Severus Snape, the only thing different is the vampire that has invaded your body."

"I have committed terrible acts," cried Snape "and I can't get them out of my mind!! I will never be forgiven and deserve to die!"

"Maybe you do; that is for others to decide. Forgiveness and acceptance will come with time, you just have to be alive to receive them." Lupin replied, sensing that Snape was on the verge of some sort of breakthrough. Push too fast and Snape would shut down forever, refusing any further help. The perpetually stubborn wizard had to work through this on his own. Snape was still looking distraught and uncertain, but some of the despair had faded from his face and he appeared to be considering Lupin's words carefully. Lupin felt confident enough to continue.

"Things will get better Severus, trust me. Wounds will heal and memories will fade. Regardless of what you have always believed, you do have friends - Albus, Poppy, Minerva all love you and your students and colleagues will help you. I for one, would be quite sad if you were to give up now." Snape relaxed even more and Lupin decided to trust his instincts. He stood and pulled out his wand. "I know you can sense and perhaps even smell the truth in what I'm saying and the faith I have in you. If you still feel like life isn't worthy living anymore here's your chance."

Lupin placed his wand within the restraining field, next to Snape's hand on the bed and locked his eyes with the other wizard his intent clear even without legilimancy - if you want to die do it now and end this drama.

Snape looked from the wand back to Lupin, fingers twitching in indecision. Here was the opportunity he had been waiting for!! Just pick up the wand and with a few words it would all be over. Before he could go through with it however, the small flicker of hope that had been buried, but not extinguished by Voldemort, grew to a burning flame. He picked up the wand and looked at it thoughtfully, running his fingers over the scarred wood. In a way he supposed the wand represented what Lupin was trying to make him understand, that though the outside might be damaged, the inside remained the same and had a purpose.

"Take it before I change my mind." whispered Snape as he gave the wand back to its owner. Lupin silently took it and searched Snape's eyes for any deception, nodding once when he found none, just weary acceptance. Snape nodded back and looked away, the moment broken. "I'm tired Lupin. Come back tomorrow if you insist on continuing your saccharine pep talk."

Carefully hiding his smile, Lupin tucked his wand away and rose. "Of course. Good night Severus."

Snape grunted and rolled over, closing his eyes. Who knew heart to heart talks could be so exhausting?

Lupin let himself out and smiled as Dumbledore and Pomfrey both hurried over.

"Well, how did it go?" asked Dumbledore anxiously.

"Better than I expected. You can probably remove the restraining field tomorrow. There's some hope left in our Severus after all."

"Really?" interjected Pomfrey. "What did you say to him?"

"I talked to him and gave him the opportunity he wanted. He didn't take it. I'm not saying he's healed by any stretch of the imagination, though perhaps he's finally on the right track." Lupin answered.

They hesitantly began discussing future plans for Snape, happy that there would be a future with Snape involved.

TBC

Chapter 11 - Snape begins to heal and runs into a few hurdles along the way.