A Promise to be Better 32

Author: Raven Dancer

disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Beryl and Gibbons. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.

Summary: patching foundations

Jeffrey Barnes managed to keep his patient's attention for the better part of an hour. Snape ate a substantial lunch lulled by the Healer's energy. He then allowed the Healer to curl up around him in the lounge, using short energy pulses to heal nerve endings. But as exhaustion set in the Potions Master grew agitated and finally tried to move away, stiffening under the continued touch. Before his patient fell off the lounge, the Healer carefully got up and tucked the blankets around the trembling body.

"Ok, Severus, I want to give you some more healing potions then you can sleep safe right here," Barnes soothed, wanding what he needed to him. He mixed the potions and managed to get Snape to swallow the entire dose, followed by some cold milk flavored with a little vanilla, nutmeg and scant sugar. No longer touchable, Barnes watched as sleep stole over the defeated man.

Once asleep, of course, the Healer returned to gently pulsing the nerve endings to help soothe Snape's sleep.

"He needs to be held, Jeffrey," James Barnes remarked as he entered the room. "Held close and pulsed. Only way to get around that revulsion to touch he's developed." The older healer had used the technique successfully in the past on many patients. It didn't always work, but he had the feeling that Snape would benefit waking up warm and safe nestled against someone he trusted before his fallout with the Headmaster. Even if he jumped away the first few times it would slowly diminish.

"He let me right after we ate," Jeffrey commented, "but he tried to slip away from me as he became more tired."

"Yes. That's to be expected," James carefully levitated the limp body before sliding onto the lounge and re-arranging him carefully. He gently soothed the twitches away with sure strokes and gentle words.

"Albus would be best; his smell is imprinted up here," James gently touched Snape's head. Jeffrey shook his head.

"No, no way! He nearly bolted from the room when I suggested seeing Albus before lunch," the younger Healer sat back and folded his arms. His father gazed at him with an appraising look.

"You two have not settled the dispute between you," it was a statement, not a question. Jeffrey looked away.

"Jeffy, we both know Albus made a mistake," began James.

"A serious of progressively worse mistakes!" Jeffrey muttered.

"From where I sit the wizard is as human as you are," his father's voice was a stern warning. The door chose to open at that moment and the Headmaster came into the room. He noted both healers and hurried over to the couch.

"Did he eat?" Dumbledore asked anxiously.

"Yes. Go wash up, Albus, I need your help and it will take a few hours," James responded, sending the Headmaster into the loo. When he returned the older Healer levitated the Potions Master and had Dumbledore switch places, although there was some initial protest.

"James, he doesn't want me near him! How will this help? He's just going to wake up agitated," the Headmaster pointed out looking very sad. The Healer just continued to arrange the patient carefully over Dumbledore, snugging his head against the older wizard's chest.

"He knows your smell, your heartbeat. See? He's more relaxed already," the older Healer remarked. "When he wakes just speak softly and then move away so he knows you've been with him but are respecting his rights. It will help. His subconscious will know and his conscious will follow."

Sighing, Dumbledore finally was able to comfort his friend, even though he was asleep. Even Jeffrey's stone heart was moved as a few tears leaked out of the Headmaster's eyes. James stood up and began to collect his things.

"Severus should sleep another 6 to 8 hours, Albus. Then he'll need to eat and use the washroom. I'll come back tonight after dinner and help settle him into bed," the older healer held out his son's cloak and satchel. Jeffrey looked up at him quizzically.

"Your patient will be just fine, Jeff. You need to come back to the clinic with me and help me with the inventory," his father's tone was firm and non-negotiable.

"But, but he doesn't want me!" Dumbledore began to complain. James Barnes fixed his stare on the older wizard.

"Yes, he thinks you don't love him, you don't want him. I know. But you do love him and you do want him. He needs to see that. He may be a little agitated, but just you taking care of him, alone, will make a difference. I'll be back to help, and if he gets too out of control, bind him, put him to sleep and call me," James pushed Jeffrey ahead of him.

Nervous, and more than a little guilty, Dumbledore sat nearly an hour simply soothing Snape. Just being able to curl up and take care of him helped calm the Headmaster. Dobby came and fetched his owls, then tea. Fully settled Dumbledore began to read his mail.

The afternoon passed very peaceably. Oh, a couple professors stopped by, most notably McGonagall who sat for a bit and talked to the sleeping Snape. She even went as far as brushing back and carefully braiding his hair, lecturing the Headmaster on keeping the snarls out.

The Potions Master did surface once, when the comb snagged enough to pull. He opened his eyes and looked a moment, then sighed deeply and snugged against Dumbledore more fully before falling back into sleep. The witch clucked in concern, but continued her quest. She left them still curled up in the lounge to teach her last class of the day.

Finally, a little after seven, Snape woke. It was a long time surfacing, Dumbledore felt the fingers rubbing over his robe, the sound of him scpenting the air. Relaxed until awake enough to know he was with the Headmaster.

"Hello, Severus," Dumbledore said as warmly as he could. "Sleep well? I'll help you get up and to the loo, hmmm?"

Now the reactions started, but the Headmaster had levitated Snape and stood up walking the Potions Master into the washroom. A bit shaky, but with the levitation charm still helping he managed to finish his business and wash up. Very real panic was setting in and whenever Dumbledore came too close Snape would flinch. Somehow he managed to get the skittish professor back to the lounge.

"Headmaster," Snape managed to eke out. "I can go to my rooms now."

Dumbledore smiled gently. "No, Severus, you are going to stay right here. Dr. James will be back soon and in any event, I want to have you near me so I know you're ok. I'll get us something to eat."

The older wizard moved away, giving Snape the space he needed to calm himself. He ordered up dinner and tidied up the table. Glancing at his friend, he pulled out a chair as an invitation and watched how Snape moved with great reluctance to the table.

*At least he didn't bolt!* Dumbledore consoled himself as he slowly offered different dishes to Snape to chose from. Tea was poured and in relatively calm silence they ate.

When dessert came up and tea freshened, the Headmaster spoke about his day. He detailed the cold day and the freezing lake idly wondering how far down it actually froze. He spoke of Hagrid and Fang wandering about and of McGonagall's visit. Simple, unpressing and he noted that Snape listened and finally stopped shivering.

Dr. James came in time for a slice of warm peach pie and tea. He sat next to Snape, smiling warmly without touching the flighty wizard. Hagrid was right in a way; the Potions Master was like a hurt wild animal afraid of every shadow and sound.

The doctor shared some of his day, about the sheep that had broken out of their fields and decided the town center was a fine place to be. Sheep had been everywhere, even entering a few open doors in hopes of finding a barn. Rosemerta was amused, at least, by the wooly clientele.

The calm, soothing voices of both James and Dumbledore succeeded in keeping Snape nearly relaxed. The doctor was able to scan him and warm him enough to keep the nerves healing. It was a slow process but at least it felt good keeping Snape willing to receive treatment.

"May I go lie down?" Snape whispered.

"Certainly, Severus. Leave the door open," Barnes smiled easily, although he didn't want the professor out of his sight for long. Snape padded off to the bedroom. Dumbledore stirred.

"Well, he didn't bolt," the older wizard commented.

"No, all in all he's doing much better around you. I thought if Jeffrey were to leave you alone he'd feel better," James commented, filling his tea mug.

"But, he's still not sure of me at all," Dumbledore sighed.

"You hurt him, Albus. It will take time to rebuild the trust. It will come. He still loves you," Barnes observed.

"I was a fool trusting Black," the Headmaster spat out, still angry with himself.

"Albus, one of your greatest strengths is your biggest weakness: your trust. I know you wanted to believe Black. In your defense, it was all just hearsay and feelings about the pranks. If Black was denying his part, and there was no real proof, then what could you do? You couldn't ship Black off,V really. I'm just sorry it came down to Severus going back to Voldemort," Barnes sipped his tea.

"As am I," murmured Dumbledore. They sat quietly for a time, finishing up dessert and tea. Dobby returned to clean up and the two wizards moved to the couch and stuffed chairs.

"He's awfully quiet," mused James.

"Severus has always been quiet," replied Dumbledore. "I'll go take a look." The Headmaster walked into the bedroom.

It was dark in the room, but the older wizard could hear Snape whimpering near the bed.

"Severus?" Dumbledore queried, wondering what the sharp coppery smell was.

"Hurts, Albus. It hurts," came the low voice tight with pain. Concerned, the Headmaster waved on the lights and was greeted with a bloody scene.

"Oh gods, JAMES!" Dumbledore yelled then moved towards Snape, trying not to frighten him moreK.

The water glass, why the hell had they left the water glass in the room?

"Hurts, Albus. Tried to make it stop, but it hurrttsss," Snape held out a torn, bloody arm. Left arm. Voldemort must have summoned him and the pain was too much, too many memories of recent torture. He'd tried to cut the dark mark off.

"Ssshh, Severus, let me help you. I can make it go away," Dumbledore knelt down next to the shaking wizard. He'd managed to cut something major because the blood was pooling slightly on his robes. Covering the gash he breathed the incantation and stopped the summoning. The blood was another matter.

Dr. James was in the room in a trice, also kneeling down by the terrified wizard. He immediately stopped the bleeding and tried to pull the arm out for inspection.

"No. Dirty. Filthy," Snape wrenched his arm back trying to hide it. He was rocking again.

"Severus? Severus?" Dumbledore tried, calling in a singsong voice. Snape looked up, eyes shining in fear.

"Albus?" the voice quavered.

"Here, child, let me hold you," he opened his arms and very slowly Snape slipped into the comforting embrace, Dumbledore sat with his back to the bed holding the rapidly weakening wizard.

"Good child," he soothed. "Now let Dr. James see your arm."

"I made a big mess," Snape keened, "mommy will be mad."

"No, mommy isn't here, Severus. You're with me, child. I love you and you won't make me mad. Dr. James and I will clean up the mess. Let Dr. James see your arm," Dumbledore continued to rock a little, cuddling the frightened man. Finally Snape held out his arm, letting Barnes seal the ripped flesh together, connecting the veins torn by the broken glass. He'd done a fair job trying to cut away the death mark.

"He's going to need a transfusion," James said grimly as he finished healing the initial damage. "I'll send a message to Jeffrey to bring a couple pints in from the clinic and then get some towels to clean up."

As Barnes moved away, Dumbledore continued to soothe Snape. The distraught man plucked at his bloody robes.

"Dirty," Snape whispered.

"Yes, it's dirty child. Why don't we get you cleaned up? Dr. James will bring water and towels. Let's take off your robes," the Headmaster slowly stripped off all the bloody clothes. He noted Dobby and Beryl had come silently into the room, rather an odd scene actually, and take away the soiled things. They blotted and magicked away the stains on the carpet.

Barnes returned with a large container of warm water and several towels. He gently cleaned away the blood as he whispered soothingly to Snape.

"Tired," soft voice wafted up.

"Yes, Severus, I know you're tired. I need to put an IV into your arm. Promise me you won't pull it out," Barnes asked, waiting for the quiet promise. First dry, warm shirt and leggings were pulled on, socks pulled over cold feet. Then a needle searched for a vein, which was somewhat difficult, but the doctor finally managed to get the heplock in place and taped down. Saline was hung to get the blood pressure back up.

"Good child," Dumbledore crooned softly, letting Snape burrow deeper into his robes. Several warmed blankets appeared, carried in by Dobby. Barnes quickly levitated the limp body, wrapping him snugly before returning him to the Headmaster.

"Sorry," Snape's weak voice tore at them.

"Oh, child, it's going to be all right," sniffed Dumbledore. "You've been very good; you only wanted to get rid of the pain."

"You can sleep, Severus, if you want. We'll be here, Albus and Dr. James. You can sleep and we'll take very good care of you," the doctor said with a rough voice. Even he had trouble keeping his emotions in check.

Snuggled close to Dumbledore, Snape tightly gripped the Headmaster's robes. The Doctor began sending a warm energy flow through him and Snape finally closed his eyes and slept.