1Disclaimer: I really think these should just be posted once and count for the whole story. But to be safe I still own nothing. :(
A/N: Thanks again for everybody who reviewed. You guys rock!! Now for some bad news. My mom is insisting that I go on vacation with her for three freaking weeks to the middle of nowhere where they've never even heard of internet. So sadly this will be the last update for a while but I promise that when I get back I will have loads of chapters for you guys. So here it goes:
Severus Snape was stunned. For a man who prided himself on his quick comebacks he found himself suddenly speechless. He saw the boy in front of him glance up warily, no doubt expecting an attack. But Severus found himself paralyzed, completely unable to respond. Potter's outburst still echoed in his ears, his angry, accusing, voice filling his head. Severus had never imagined that the boy had enough guts to stand up to him. He watched as Potter walked dejectedly to the door of his office. The teen stopped halfway through the door and glanced back, bright green eyes meeting his stunned stare.
"I really am sorry." The boy turned and walked away, closing the door gently behind him. Severus got the sudden, unexplainable urge to go after him. Regaining some of his composure, he calmly sat back down instead.
Since when did Potter have that kind of courage? Severus cast his memory back looking for when the change happened in the Gryffindor. He finally decided that it had a lot to do with the incident in the Ministry. Potter had very nearly cost his godfather his life, a fact which Severus had taunted the boy with on several occasions. This school year had presented a calmer, more collected Potter. The teen chose not to react when people harassed him, not even lashing out at Draco as he had in years past. Severus could even count on one hand the number of times the boy had spoken back to him. That, he concluded, was the answer. Potter had finally grown up.
Severus sighed and pushed himself to his feet, quickly walking through the door at the back of his office into his private quarters. And now Potter is asking for my help. Severus poured himself a large glass of Firewhiskey, determined to forget what he had to do.
Harry walked slowly through the empty halls, already regretting losing his temper. Now he was right back where he started, Snape hating his guts and no one to help him train. Harry's head pounded with the onslaught of a migraine as he tried to push his thoughts from his mind. He climbed the last set of stairs to the first floor, the giant front doors of Hogwarts coming into view. Along with the body lying face down in a puddle of blood. Harry sprinted across the Entrance Hall and skidded to a halt next to the limp form, cringing as he recognized the fair skin and pale blonde hair. The Gryffindor sank to his knees next to Malfoy, watching and listening for any kind or movement or sound. He sighed in relief when the Slytherin's back rose shakily, drawing in a shallow breath. Gently Harry rolled the boy over and gasped at what he saw.
Malfoy's face was covered in purple and black bruises and bleeding gashes. The front of his robes were coated in blood and a quick look revealed a long slice down the left side of his torso. Not waiting to find anymore injuries, Harry maneuvered his arms under Malfoy's shoulders and knees. He lifted the Slytherin, wincing at how small and light he felt. As gently as possible, Harry ran to the Hospital Wing.
Severus had worked up a nice buzz. He sat in his favorite black leather armchair next to the fire, his fourth or fifth glass of Firewhiskey in his right hand, the half empty bottle in his left. Along with his buzz he'd also managed to produce a large bought of self pity, which he was currently wallowing in. Severus didn't allow himself the privilege very often and was enjoying every minute of it.
He was drawn from his reverie by a soft chiming. A moment of confusion racked his inebriated brain before he realized it was the alarm he'd set on the fireplace, a sort of doorbell so there were no unwanted visitors. Annoyance settled over him as he sluggishly drew his wand disabled the spells. Poppy Pomfrey's face appeared moments later, suspended in the fire.
"This had better be good," Severus grumbled moodily.
"Severus you need to get down here. Now." The frantic tone in her voice startle Severus, clearing his mind a little.
"What's happened?"
"Draco's just returned. He's in bad shape." The last of Severus's buzz fled as he leapt to his feet and ran from the room.
Severus expected chaos when he entered the Hospital Wing. What he found instead were somber faces circling a single bed. Preparing himself for the worst he crossed the room as calmly as possible. He slid into the circle next to Albus and looked down at the unconscious, but mercifully breathing, form. The sight of his godson was like a fist squeezing his heart. Dark bruises littered the boy's face and chest along with several small abrasions. White bandages wrapped around the boys torso and left shoulder, blood already seeping through down his left side. Severus turned pleading eyes to the man next to him and Albus hurried to explain the situation.
"Madame Pomfrey assures me that he will be fine. He's a very lucky boy. A few more minuted and he would have bled to death." Severus sagged in relief, releasing the breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Where was he?"
"Collapsed by the front doors." Albus paused for a moment, considering. "Mr. Potter was the one who discovered him." Severus's eyes widened and he scanned the room for the boy but found only adults. He turned his gaze back to Albus's. "I've sent him back to Gryffindor tower with a promise to keep him informed on Mr. Malfoy's condition." That infuriating twinkle filled Albus's eyes and Severus instinctively knew the Headmaster was up to something. "What I want to know is why Mr. Potter was out after hours in the first place."
"Potter was with me," Severus said in a tone that implied the subject was closed. From Albus's smile Severus guessed that no further explanation was even needed. Deciding to play it safe anyway the Potion's Master changed the subject. "When will Draco wake?" Albus's smile widened and he answered, allowing the subject to be changed.
"He's been given a Dreamless Sleep, and is no doubt entirely exhausted. He should at least sleep through the night." Severus nodded and turned to Poppy.
"You'll notify me the moment he wakes?" It was more a statement than a request but she nodded anyway.
Severus bid the Headmaster a hasty good night and retreated quickly back to his rooms, mind racing over the new information he gathered in such a short amount of time. Draco had been involved in something very serious, which Severus wasn't even going to guess at. And Potter saved the day, yet again. But this time he'd saved his enemy's life, adding a whole new layer of depth to the boy. Severus had never expected the Gryffindor to be heartless enough to let someone die but to have it hit so close to home was startling. Damn Potter for being such a decent person. The Head of Slytherin picked up the abandoned bottle from the floor and resumed his earlier goal of drowning out his thoughts.
A/N: Once again the characters have a mind of their own. Sorry it's so short, packing for this ridiculous vacation got in my way. I totally swear to have at least 5 very long chapters written and ready to be posted when I come back. And if I don't you can throw tomatoes and other random vegetables at me. So yeah. Tell me what you think.