A Promise to be Better 6
Author: Raven Dancer
disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.
Summary: The gossip mill gets ahold of a few tasty bits.
When Dumbledore entered his offices he saw Barnes standing over the couch arms folded staring down intently at a still figure. He hurried over and noted Snape was completely curled around the sofa pillow, eyes closed and face slack. The Healer looked up at the Headmaster.
"He walked in, went directly to the couch and fell asleep," he said quietly. Dumbledore sat down next to the limp body and gently prodded it.
"Severus? Child?" he mustered all the warmth he could. At first there was no response, then Snape's eyes open slightly.
"Child? Are you all right?" the love in his voice was very apparent and he ran his hand over the tired face moving hair and soothing lines. The eyes opened a little more.
"Just tired, Albus. Want to sleep," he murmured. Barnes dropped down to his knees so he could look into those lackluster eyes.
"Hey, Severus, don't fall asleep just yet, ok?" The Healer cupped the Potions Master face in his hands, gaining his attention. A little energy began to flow through the touch. They waited a tense moment as the wizard mulled the request. If Snape didn't want to comport with reality, then he could simply tune them out. Finally Snape nodded slightly and allowed them to move him up, sitting on the couch. He leaned against the Headmaster while Barnes gently scanned him. Within a minute the Healer pushed himself up and rang for the house elf and ordered some bland food: cereal, fortified shake and toast.
With Dumbledore's help Snape was moved to the table and sat in an armed chair. When the food came up Barnes immediately began coaxing him into eating. Toast, hot cereal, cool shake slowly traveled into the wizard's mouth. He managed a modest amount which the Healer grudgingly accepted as enough.
"Now, how about a warm bath? I'm sure it will feel very good, Severus," Barnes wheedled the reluctant man into the washroom and into the tub. fi He pulled his medical bag along and added a few herbal potions into the water. A wonderful fragrance filled the small, steamy room and Snape settled back in the warm with a happy sigh.
Barnes sat quietly on the 'throne' watching the relaxed professor closely. It would be fine if he fell asleep now, and he'd probably give Snape something to push him over if he was too exhausted. After a bit two tired eyes opened and sought the Healer.
"Need to sleep, Barnes. Will you let me sleep now?" he asked softly.
"Of course, Severus. Let me help you dry and dress for bed," the Healer said with a small smile.
Dumbledore was at his desk speaking with Professor Flitwick. He wanted to be in with Snape but glad Barnes was there to help. The diminutive Charms teacher was happily relating the day's successes. He had been chattering about the first years' attempts at floating feathers when Snape moved silently out of the Headmaster's washroom wrapped snugly in the Headmaster's bathrobe followed by that young healer from Hogsmeade.
Flitwick's story slowly dwindled as he watched both men go into the Headmaster's bedroom. With mouth slightly open he turned to Dumbledore. There was a strange light in the older man's eyes that the Charms teacher could not quite understand.
"Was that Professor Snape Albus?" he asked quite surprised. What in the name of the seven fires was that man doing in the Headmaster's rooms? Bathing? He was shocked at the hubris of the wizard.
"Yes, it is. He's a bit under the weather and Dr. Barnes is seeing to him," Dumbledore said somewhat carefully.
"Wouldn't it be best to send him to Pomfrey? At the least? Or perhaps into town to stay at the clinic?" Flitwick said with concern. There was a flash of anger in the Headmaster's eyes.
"No, Frederick, he's quite fine right here," the Headmaster managed. "Now, then, did any of the children charm the feather correctly?" He directed the professor back to the more sotcial conversation they had been engaged in. The conversation never re-engaged. Flitwick finally made his excuses about getting ready for dinner and left full of concern and questions.
Several professors met before dinner to have a drink and a bit of conversation. It was quite apparent to all present Minerva McGonagall was still angry about Snape's alleged treatment of Neville Longbottom. Lupin had tried to derail her quietly, but she twisted his words.
"So he's gone and snapped? Is that what you're telling me?" she nearly yelled.
"That's not what I said at all, Minerva!" he countered quickly.
"Well, I'm not sure exactly what's up," Flitwick commented as he sipped his high-octane juice, "but I was just in the Headmaster's offices and he was wandering about in the Headmaster's bathrobe!"
Several scandalous voices piped up.
"Really, Frederick!"
"The Headmaster's bathrobe?"
Flitwick smiled to himself, enjoying the attention.
"Oh, yes, came out of the washroom with that healer from Hogsmeade, Barnes, I believe. They both went into the Headmaster's bedroom!"
More aghast whispers. Lupin just lowered his head into his hands. How did this conversation get so out of hand?
"So, you think he's really gone off the deep end?" Sinistra asked, "or just what are you implying, Frederick?" The way she drawled out 'implying' brought out more vulgar associations.
"I don't know exactly, Dumbledore wouldn't comment on the situation except to say Snape was a 'bit under the weather'."
"Did you get a look at his hair? Who or what streaked it blonde?" Sinistra changed gears quicker than a hot rod given the green.
"That was Longbottom's doing," huffed McGonagall. "He messed up some potion or another and splattered Snape with it. Looked like a total git."
"I don't know, reminded me of Lockheart," piped in Flitwick, not wanting to lose his piece of the limelight. He received a round of snickers for the comment.
"Look, Severus has been very pressed lately. We shouldn't be gossiping about him like this," Lupin tried to breathe some reason into the gathering.
"Oh, right," sneered McGonagall. "He only sent a dozen children to the infirmary the first week of school! No, Albus has him on a short leash. Probably academic review!"
Another chorus of startled whispers. Review meant forced improvement or getting sacked. This situation was just too delicious to not gossip about. With a groan Lupin threw himself back into his chair and listened to the excited conversations spiral out of control.
Dumbledore sat at the staff table wondering where the rest of the staff actually was. Dinner was just coming up and the students were happily chattering and filling their plates. Across the hall he noticed six professors hurrying in and securing places at the table. Sprout and Sinistra sat across from him.
"Headmaster," Sprout nodded her greeting and gave a very knowing glance to Sinistra.
"Headmaster," the other witch echoed as she sat down. Lupin slid in to sit next to him. All three began filling their plates. After a few minutes of eating Dumbledore asked Professor Sprout what she'd wanted earlier that day.
"Well, actually I was only going to discuss a late transfer between my class and Sinistra's," she said. "We have a student who just can't keep up on the astronomy work but is more successful at herbology."
"That's not a problem," he said with a shrug. "Just inform the Head of House."
"That would be Minerva," Sinistra said. "When she's done ranting about Longbottom we'll let her know." Dumbledore looked sideways at McGonagall several places down. She did seem a little stiff still.
"I can't believe how angry she is," Sprout picked up, "it's not as though Snape has never upset her precious Gryffindors before." The witch chuckled aloud.
"Well, Snape did send several students to the infirmary," Sinistra said, sipping at her soup.
"That was the first week," Lupin jumped in. "He's really been trying hard since. Some of my students have said his classes have become quite interesting.
"He has been working to improve his attitude and bearing," Dumbledore said mildly, hoping the conversation would steer away from the Potions Master. Sinistra glanced at him curiously.
"So he's on academic probation, then?" she asked as casually as she could. Dumbledore started, then lowered his fork.
"No, he is not. Where in the world did you get that idea?" the Headmaster spluttered.
"Oh, just a thought that was kicking around the staff room earlier. He has been quite surly this term and some of the staff can't believe he's actually going to change," Sprout was quick to step into the discussion. Lupin glared at both witches.
"That's not all that was kicked around," he muttered under his breath.
"He's been ill, Louise. He's been under some stress. He's working on it," Dumbledore spoke quickly. He noticed the two women looked at one another with strangely annoying little smirks.
"What?" he asked defensively.
"Oh, nothing Headmaster," Sinistra said.
"The soup is particularly good tonight," Sprout added. The conversation about Snape ended. The two witches chattered about the weather and classes for the rest of the meal.
Snape woke after eight that night a bit befuddled once again. He wasn't sure where he was at first, although he was quick to figure out it was the Headmaster's bed. As he lay looking at the drapes moving slowly in the slight breeze his memory began to filter back and he recalled with a little shame falling in the halls and McGonagall's verbal attack.
The anxiety started to build as he pushed himself up, coverings falling back to expose the Headmaster's sleep shirt and leggings. He thought he could recall everything that had occurred that day, but now he wasn't sure. He hoped he hadn't been too big a nuisance. He decided he should get back to his own rooms even though Dr. Barnes had told him not to leave. These were the Headmaster's rooms for gods sake. He shouldn't be here!
His body reacted sluggishly to movement and the covers seemed to be fighting him as he tried to swing his legs out of the bed. He was concentrating so hard on getting upright he missed the movement at the door and didn't see the Healer coming towards him.
"Severus? Anything wrong?" he asked softly as he helped straighten the covers. The Potions Master fell back against the pillows.
"I, I just thought I should be getting back to my own rooms," he said. Barnes helped him, putting another pillow behind him and raising him up a little more.
"No, Albus wants you to sleep right here, remember? You are just fine here," the Healer smoothed his hair back out of his face, looking into the exhausted eyes. He'd been asleep about four hours; he looked like he could use 20 more.
"What about a little tea and something to eat, Severus. A little soup? The elves made a nice pot roast for supper," he queried as he began to scan the internal condition of his patient. He could sense the anxiety and hoped to calm him down.
"I also want to give you a potion to help you sleep better. You keep waking andÏ aren't really getting a good rest," Barnes continued, managing to hold Snape's dwindling attention.
"I would like some soup, maybe some tea," Snape agreed. He felt the Healer prodding inside and feeding him energy. It took the edge off his nerves and relaxed him slightly.
"Can I sit at the table?" the Potions Master asked a little too quietly.
"Of course, Severus. Let's get you up and we'll get you ready to eat," Barnes agreed equitably. As he helped the wizard up Dumbledore walked into the room.
"Hi Severus, how are you doing?" he asked with forced cheerfulness. The younger man looked at him a little too wide around the eyes.
"I'm fine, Headmaster," he managed, moving towards the washroom.
"Just going to have a bit of a late dinner, Albus. He wanted some soup and tea," the Healer added. They watched as the Potions Master disappeared into the loo and shut the door.
"Are you all right, Headmaster?" Barnes asked, concerned. Dumbledore rubbed his face with both havnds.
"Dinner was a fiasco. Somehow a rumor has started that Severus is on academic probation and is going to get sacked," the older man looked at the Healer. "I also had the distinct impression a few other things were being bantered around about him and me, but I couldn't get anything definite." Together they looked over at the loo door, hearing water run.
"Hogwarts is like a small village; everyone knows everyone else's business. Gossip is a big problem!" Barnes said.
"Well, it's a problem I'm going to have to address, and very soon," Dumbledore said, then shook his head slightly at the younger man as the door reopened and Snape walked out.
"Ah, Severus, let's go have a little tea," the Headmaster said, leading the wizard towards the table.
After Snape had eaten somewhat more than the previous meal the doctor brought out his medical bag and sele;cted a small vial. He placed a half-teaspoon in the wizard's tea and stirred it thoroughly.
"This will help you sleep, Severus, all night. You've been waking every time you start to dream; you need to stay asleep and get in some good rem time," he pushed the cup back to the Potions Master. Picking up the cup he sniffed it carefully, not discerning much more than a slightly woody aroma.
"Don't worry, Severus. I plan on spending the night and Albus will be here, too. You can sleep and we'll keep you safe," Barnes added quietly. Bringing the cup to his lips Snape sipped. It didn't taste bad, the chamomile in the tea still came through. Taking another, longer sip, then a long pull, he finished the rest and set the cup down gently.
"I, for one, would really like a good night's sleep," Snape said with a very slight smile.
"The potion won't make you feel particularly drowsy right now," Barnes said. "We can sit and talk or you can read if you'd like."
"Or we could play cards," Dumbledore added, with a very mischievous grin.
"I don't have any salary left for the year after the last time I played with you," Snape gave a little glare at the older man.
"Ah, but you could win it back," the Headmaster countered. Snape raised a sneer.
"Oh, right, win it back. I'll just end up owing you another year's worth," he shot back.
"You two play for money?" Barnes asked a little surprised.
"Actually, we play for points," said Dumbledore.
"Yes, and I'm about 27,000 points down," grumbled Snape. Barnes looked from one man to the other.
"I like this. I want to play for points, too¯!" he said eagerly. Snape rolled his eyes.
"Oh, yes, you'd like that, too! Get the Potions Master deeper in the hole, eh, Barnes?" he growled.
"Now, Severus, you're only a couple thousand points down! You could get it back especially if Barnes was playing, too!" Dumbledore wheedled. Cards would be good. He could certainly use the diversion. Snape considered the possibilities. He was already substantially down so it didn't matter that much to him. On the other hand, Barnes was 'fresh meat' as the Headmaster had so indelicately referred to him (Snape) when they began playing. Maybe he could make up some points.
So the Potions Master acquiesced and watched Dumbledore get the cards and the points pad. He listened as the points system was explained. The Headmaster had 928 points; he had negative 1,324. Ok, he wasn't very good at cards. He used to be, but he found it difficult beating that innocent facade of Dumbledore's. Barnes' name was inscribed on the pad. He'd start at zero.
They played several hands of gin, the first two were just teaching and practice for Barnes. Then they played 'for real'. Snape was surprised to win three of four games gaining nearly four hundred points. Better yet, Dumbledore went down by nearly three hundred and Barnes had only a modest 178 points to show for his efforts. A large yawn split the Potions Master's face.
"Excuse me," he managed before another yawn was stifled.
"Perhaps you should lie down, Severus," Dumbledore said with a small smile.
"Oh, sure, now that I'm finally wi-ing," another yawn.
"Come on, Severus," Barnes stood and held out a hand to help the sleepy wizard up.
"You can lie over on the couch where you can still hear us if you'd like," Barnes offered. Snape accepted that proposal and carefully pushed back and stood up on his own. He moved over to the couch and settled down carefully while a blanket was tucked over him. He felt warm hands on his face, on his shoulders, then a warmth stole over his body. He yawned once more then slipped into a deep sleep.
Barnes and Dumbledore played a few more hands, mostly as a vehicle for discussing current affairs. Cards were a good diversion and both men relaxed.
