A/N: Sorry this took so long! It's been pretty busy, and will be busy for quite awhile. But, here is the fourth chapter. Please review!
Chap 4 -
For one moment, Harry experienced an exhilarating sensation. Voldemort is gone! He could scarcely believe it, and he stared at his wand for a moment. To be able to end a person's life (however evil) with just a swish and two words. Will he ever be the same again? He slowly turned around and raised his eyes, sweeping over the wide, familiar field that was Hogwarts. Bodies lay scattered all around, and there were people moving around, turning one corpse after another, and moaning and crying. Some were still slashing and hurting the Death Eaters, which knelt on the ground clutching their arms.
Then, all that has happened came rushing into his mind, and he focus his eyes on a black clump that was still familiar to him. He quickly climbed, and jumped over the bodies, and rushed to the man. Harry did not know how anyone could lay on the ground, and still seem dignified, but Snape was. His eyes were still tense, and his lips set in a thin line, as if even unconsciousness could not easy the tension. Harry pressed a finger next to Severus's neck, and breathed a sigh of relief. There was still a pulse, albeit a weak one. Then as more and more people realized Voldemort's demise, a crowd came to him, some in celebration, others in disbelief, just as he had felt minutes ago. He raised his arms weakly, and pointed at Severus, signaling for help. Medics came, but stopped short as they realized who it was.
"Mr. Potter, sir… He's a Death Eater!" And so he was. A part of his sleeve was torn, and the Death Mark, now faint, still remains for the world to see.
"He's on our side! He needs help!" Harry insisted, but then the medics were frowning and started a check-up on Harry. "No! I don't need help! Check him!" Harry gestured wildly at the body beside him. Yet they continued to ignore him, with pointless platitudes. Harry suddenly felt a pang of sympathy with Snape. Was this what being a spy is like? To be treated by both sides as the enemy, and ignored by everyone? Something tugged at Harry's conscience. After all, how many times had Harry himself assumed the worst of the man? And now, no one will even check on Snape.
Then, with relief, he saw Dumbledore striding up to where they were. "Professor!" He cried, gesturing toward Snape.
"Gentlemen, excuse us, please." Dumbledore murmured, staring at Severus. He looked around and, upon seeing no response, said, "Please, gentlemen." Grumbling and hesitant, they parted a way for Dumbledore to move through, unwilling to move any further. It was all Albus asked for.
"My dear Severus," he breathed, and knelt down next to the said man. Harry could only see mild concern on Dumbledore's face, but he noticed Dumbledore's hands – they were trembling as they reached toward Snape, searching for a pulse. Then, Dumbledore murmured a soft incantation and a light blue glow spread around Snape's fallen body. Then, to everyone's surprise, Dumbledore, with his one hundred and more years of age, gathered Snape into his arms. He glanced at Harry, and said, "Grab my arm, child." Then, with Harry clinging to the aged man's arms, they disappeared into Hogwarts' Hospital Wing.
"Poppy!" Dumbledore called, as soon as they landed. To Harry's surprise, it was not the busy room filled with beds, but rather a simple room with a cot, a stand, and a chair. It was simple and plain, but crisply clean, just like the hospital wing. The door burst open, and Madam Pomfrey came rushing in. Harry caught a glimpse of hospital wing just outside. Madam Pomfrey casted a diagnostic spell, and bustled around the room, gathering potions from a hidden cupboard that appeared as she touched the wall. Harry casted a questioning glance at Dumbledore, but he seemed intently staring the lists of injuries that appeared near Snape's body.
Suddenly, the list flashed red, and Harry saw the words "Negessentia" enlarge and bloom like a serpent's widening mouth. Then Madam Pomfrey was by Snape's side, one hand casting spells, the other pressing down on Snape's forehead. Dumbledore, as if suddenly remembering Harry's presence, stepped in front of Harry and led him outside the room, then away from the Hospital Wing.
"What was that, sir?" Harry looked back at the Hospital Wing.
"I am not sure, Harry. Professor Snape is a oft-injured man. Too much so, in fact. I think you have come to an understanding with Severus in the last few months, and realized that he is an intensely private man."
"Yes sir. I, I once saw a memory of his parents during our Occlumency lessons. He kinda just ignored that incident."
Dumbledore looked at once sad and proud. "Yes. He is, despite the public's opinion, a good man. He is one of the very few men who broke away from the abusive cycle and stepped away from the Dark Arts. I am afraid even I could not come back, had I dabbled in them."
Harry smiled. "No, come on! I'm pretty sure you are better than that, professor!"
Dumbledore smiled also. "You do me too great a compliment, Harry. Off you go – I believe some of your friends are waiting for you." He gestured into the Great Hall. Hermione and Ron were talking with Fred and George at the Griffindor table.
"Thank you. See you, Professor!"
As Harry walked into the hall, he noticed that even Draco, the consummate Slytherin, was sitting on the very edge. He smirked inwardly as he saw Fred leaning back and surreptitiously waved his wand at the unsuspecting Draco's back. A lion was now stitched on the green cloak. Slytherin. Harry turned his thoughts back to Snape. He wondered what Negessentia meant. Remembering Snape's gaunt, pale face, he decided that he was going to help the man, whatever it takes, to repay him for what he has done. Hermione, he thought. She would know.
Dumbledore was sitting next to Severus's bed when he stirred. His face contorted into a perfect picture of pain that made Dumbledore winced at the sight. "Poppy!" He called softly.
Madam Pomfrey padded softly into the room, took a look, and walked out of the room. "Pain Relieving Potion Level 5." She called out as she hurried away.
"Here." She gave the potion to Dumbledore, knowing he needed to occupy himself with something. She stood on the other side of the bed, and gently raised Severus up. Severus groaned softly and blinked.
"Severus." Dumbledore breathed. "Drink this." Still half unconscious, Severus obediently opened his mouth. Both Dumbledore and Pomfrey could see the pain fading away as his face slowly became the familiar smooth mask.
"Headmaster, Poppy." He said as he took in his surroundings. He shrugged off Poppy's hands at his back and rose to a sitting position. "The Dark Lord?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "He's gone, my boy!"
Severus took this in, and slowly raised his left arm. He turned it back and forth, examining the unblemished skin. He nodded.
"That is a relief." He said, and nothing more.
