A Promise to be Better 41

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: De-Hexing Harry

Even with his heightened anxiety, Snape slept until nearly nine the next morning. He pushed up through the the dulling layers of sleep, towards a remembered need then sat bolt upright. He immediately felt hands on him and warmth filling him.

"Harry?" he said weakly.

"Severus, good morning," a calm, deep voice pleasantly burred in his ear. Focusing, the Potions Master found himself leaning against Dr. James.

"Jeffrey is down with Harry right now. I believe Albus is at breakfast in the Great Hall," the older Healer carefully moved his patient more fully against his torso and began scanning. He wasn't too pleased with the anxiety level, nÌor with the low energy Snape was showing. But he knew Harry had to be healed sooner rather than later. The youth was holding his own at the moment and he quietly assured the Potions Master of that fact.

"Harry rested well. He took some juice awhile ago from Remus. I think after you clean up and have a little breakfast yourself we can go downstairs," James continued to feed a thin stream of energy. The Healer carefully insinuated himself inside his patient and began to bond to Snape's subconscious.

"What, what are you doing to me, Dr. James?" Snape moved uneasily against the Healer as he felt something strange happening inside. Both Healer's arms were now encircling Snape and he curled as close as possible. He wanted to melt into the Healer, it felt so impossibly good.

"I am creating a healing bond. I do not want to lose you, Severus, when you perform the counter curse," James pressed his forehead against his patient's, surreptitiously upping the energy.

"You and Jeffrey have healed me before and it never felt like this," Severus moaned softly. The warmth was incredible; the feeling of complete peace nearly overwhelming. His entire body tingled with radiance.

"Because I am not healing you, I am bonding with you. I will be able to hold onto you while you heal Harry. I will guard you, protect you, while you recover after if you need me to. It is different because I'm part of you for a little while. Do you feel me, Severus?" and the Healer smiled, his calm demeanor flowed through their bond and soothed away all of Snape's anxiety.

"Yes, Dr. James. I feel you. It's like how I feel sometimes when Albus smiles at me. When I know he loves me," the Potions Master murmured.

"Albus does love you, Severus. He loves you very much. Jeffrey and I love you, too, but our love is different from Albus'. He loves you like I love Jeffrey," James explained, releasing Snape from the tight hug. The Potions Master tilted back, looking at the Healer carefully.

"Why the bond? I mean, you and Jeffrey could just fill me with energy like you've done before," Snape asked, searching for reactions. James smiled gently, then started to smooth his patient's hair back.

"We could, and it would work. But I am worried about you, Severus. You've been through so much. You've had to relive some horrible parts of your childhood. You've had to endure both Albus' rejection and Lucius' torture. Never mind getting called to Voldemort too many times. I want you to go down to heal Harry knowing we're all behind you. This bond is the very best way for you to know that because the bond goes two ways: I can feel everything you're feeling and you can feel me," Barnes explained and the warmth of acceptance and concern filled Snape. The Potions Master smiled shyly and touched the Healer's cheek.

"I do feel you, right here," Snape murmured, touching his chest near his heart. Then he leaned up against the older man who once more encircled his patient in a loose hug.

"Let's get you up, ready and fed, Severus. Then," James began.

"We can go to Harry," finished Snape.

"Exactly!" Barnes agreed and began to get his patient ready

Dressed in a simple black robe and wrapped in a thick, warm cloak, recently pilfered from the Headmaster's closet, Snape left Dumbledore's office and made his way down to the hospital wing. He was shaky on his feet, requiring Dr. James to take his elbow for support.

Once in contact with him, all of the Healer's assurance filled Snape and he sighed; stopping a moment to lean against the older man. His own anxiety bled away in the face of such calm.

"Almost there, Severus. You're doing just fine," Barnes quietly whispered. With a nudge he moved Snape onward. They skirted the noisier areas of the castle and soon were entering the isolation ward that contained half a dozen empty beds. One bed, near the window, contained a barely awake Harry flanked by Lupin and Jeffrey. Snuffles was under the bed decidedly unhappy. Dumbledore stood by the window, contemplating the sunlight and snow. Seeing his friend, he crossed the room to meet him.

"Good morning, Severus," the Headmaster said warmly, putting a hand on Snape's shoulder. He was quickly surprised by an armful of Potions Master looking for a hug. It was spontaneous and just what the worried Dumbledore needed. After a moment they broke apart slightly, but Snape did not let go completely.

"Hi Albus," Snape said softly. Together they moved over to Harry. Looking over the room thoughtfully, he sized up the possible places to perform the counter-curse.

"I think I should at least sit down," Snape said. Dr. James chuckled warmly.

"You are going to lie down, Severus. Then Jeffrey will levitate Harry to you," the older Healer said decisively. Sit, indeed! If what Jeff and Lupin said about last time were true, Snape was barely going to get through this. With help from Dumbledore Snape shed his cloak and climbed up onto the empty bed next to the youth's. Dr. James took pains to pull blankets around his patient and brought a chair very close so he could easily scan the Potions Master.

Jeffrey looked at his father slightly confused. His father was hovering. His father was sitting close, not standing as was his normal practice. The younger healer proceeded to levitate Harry after Lupin pulled his covers off. Pale and trembling, the youth was lowered onto the Potions Master.

"Hi Harry," Snape said gently as he wrapped his long arms around the sick child. Harry regarded the older wizard curiously.

"How are you feeling, Professor Snape?" Harry asked shivering into the hug.

"Definitely better than yesterday," he said quietly, pushing back Harry's unruly black mop of hair. Dr. James placed a hand on Snape and one on Harry. The feeling of calm immediately focused the Potions Master and he snugged his charge under his chin. No one was more surprised by the affection than Harry himself.

"I feel so stupid. I'm sorry," Harry whispered.

"You're not stupid, Harry. And you have nothing to be sorry about. Voldemort and his evil did this, not you," Snape said quietly in return.

"But you've been sick. You shouldn't have to take care of me," Harry lamented.

"I am the only one who knows the counter-curse," Snape said simply.

"But, but you're too weak. I can wait," Harry tried. The Potions Master took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Harry, I am sick. I had a bad day yesterday. But you are sick too. And you're having a very bad time. I know what you're feeling: waiting, wondering if you're going to get better or if you'll just get weaker and weaker and die," Snape cuddled Harry closer still, ignoring the Healers, ignoring his friend next to him. "No child deserves to be so helpless, to feel so alone. If I can help you then I'm happy to do that, I want to make you better. Albus has taught me how to reach out when I need help. Relax and let me help you."

Harry sniffled, trying not to cry. He was very scared, not knowing if he was cursed or just sick (not knowing even now if the counter-curse would work). As the tears broke through he felt those thin arms rock him slightly and soft words murmur into his hair. His entire world narrowed to that comfort, and it seemed enough that Snape cared so deeply.

James smiled, feeling the Potions Master's own turmoil: sadness and love intertwined. He sent a warm stream of energy into both patients. He then tugged along the bond, pulling Snape to the surface and meeting his eyes.

"You need to cast the spell," the elder Healer reminded gently. Jeffrey leaned over the bed, touching both Harry and Snape.

"Yes, Severus. Let's get Harry healed. James and I will be right there with you," the younger Healer said.

"Jeffrey, I've secured a healer's bond with Severus," Dr. James said very casually. His son looked up at him sharply.

"You did what?" Jeffrey hissed, obviously trying to keep his emotion in check. Confused, Dumbledore looked at Lupin, but the DADA professor just shrugged, clearly as clueless as the Headmaster.

"Healer bond?" the Headmaster inquired.

"I'll explain later," Jeffrey said tersely, giving his father a final, inscrutable look. James lifted his hand and touched his son softly on the cheek.

"We'll be fine, I promise you, I will be just fine," James said gently. With a short nod Jeffrey returned his attention to Snape and a snuffly Harry.

"Albus, you and Remus stand by Dr. James," Jeffrey directed. He motioned with his eyes, concern clouding them. Both wizards complied immediately. Snuffles crawled out from under the bed and perched his head on the end of the bed, watching his Godson.

"What if it doesn't work?" Harry asked suddenly, his voice more shaky than he'd like.

"Then I'll be extremely tired and you, child, will only have the flu. Madame Pomfrey will work her healing magic on you," Snape assured him. He had no doubts about his ability to cure Harry. Dr. James felt the peaceful acceptance and took a firm hold on the bond.

"Ok, Severus," Jeffrey prompted.

Snape closed his eyes, summoning up his courage. He chanted the words carefully and distinctly (for the healers) as he began focusing all that was within him into Harry, willing the curse to pull out the evil that held the boy hostage. A warm glow surrounded the Potions Master and Harry's head lolled forward, mouth opening in a long sigh.

Jeffrey marveled at the power Snape was generating. It built slowly, starting at a point within the wizard's chest then expanding until it encircled both Snape and Harry. At this point the younger healer wanted to send in an influx of energy, but he could not. He had no idea what that would do to the spell.

Instead, he rode with the spell itself, feeling the casting as the words echoed in his head. "I give myself so that you will heal" Snape stated firmly. "I give myself to redeem your body from evil." The Potions Master threw his power into the youth. A mist rose from Harry, swirling up and up over their prostrate forms. The wizard lifted his right hand and flicked a hard command of dissolution. The mist dissipated quickly.

Several things happened at once: Harry's eyes flew open, the feeling of energy and health roiled within him and he wanted to leap up and shout to the world Severus Snape had, indeed, healed him. Snape went utterly limp, completely deflated and depleted, eyes rolling back, lashes fluttering spasmodically, then shutting decidedly. James Barnes collapsed, narrowly missing pitching to the floor as both Lupin and Dumbledore grabbed him.

"What's wrong?" both Harry and the Headmaster called out in unison. Jeffrey held onto Snape a moment longer, scanning, confirming, then sighed deeply.

"Nothing is wrong. Well, that's not entirely true," Jeffrey amended quietly. He pulled Harry up and quickly had the bouncing youth standing next to him. A swift wave of the wand and the narrow hospital bed widened.

"Need to get Dr. James up next to Severus," the younger Healer said, levitating his limp father onto the bed, carefully arranging him around the Potions Master. Although seemingly unconscious the older Healer curled around his patient, tucking his head against Snape's chest. Jeffrey touched his father, eyes brimming.

"Ok, Dad, I expect you back," he said with a breaking voice. He then turned and walked across the room trying to gather his resolve.

"Jeffrey?" Dumbledore immediately followed the Healer, touching him on the back in a silent offer of support. The younger wizard turned and leaned against the Headmaster letting him gather him close.

"What, child?" Dumbledore asked as he hugged Jeffrey.

"Healer's Bond," Jeffrey said with a resigned sigh. "It's the equivalent of muggles' life support. Dad's regulating all of Severus' vital functions. Basically, Severus is too depleted to manage his functions himself."

"WHAT?" Harry exclaimed. "He said he'd just be tired. What do you mean he's too depleted?" Both Healer and Headmaster broke apart and turned to face a room full of alarmed people. At some point Hermione and Ron had snuck in, they were now flanking their friend in relief and concern.

Dumbledore froze momentarily as what Jeffrey said really hit him. The Headmaster looked directly at the Healer.

"Jeffrey, what is going on?" he asked very firmly. The Healer sighed and looked back at the bed containing his father and Snape.

"Dad established a Healer's bond. It's very advanced healing, only older, more experienced healers can form one; even fewer can sustain them long. In emotional healings, the bond actually lets both sides feel fully the other. It's very helpful if a patient has been despondent or depressed for a period of time because the healer can infuse them with their own calm and well-being. They work through counseling sessions bonded, usually no longer than an hour at a time." Jeffrey moved toward his patient and father, deliberately skirting the animagus who still sat next to the bed. Lupin shifted, letting the Healer get closer. The DADA professor stayed between the animagus and the Potions Master. He didn't think Snuffles would do anything, but Lupin knew something was wrong with his old friend and couldn't let his guard down.

"What Dad did was a little more complicated. He bonded with Severus, but not as a counseling tool," Jeffrey put a hand carefully on his father, scanning him lightly. He let his hand stray across the older man's face as if memorizing it. This did not engender a good feeling in anyone.

"Basically, Severus was too run down and Dad knew it. He formed the bond as a safe-guard. He's actually keeping Severus going until his body can regain enough energy to function on its own," Jeffrey removed his hand and curled his arms dully around his torso.

"So, when Severus is better then James will pull out," Lupin said carefully, eyeing the Healer.

"That's the theory. It's just that if anything happens, well, Dad would go, too," the younger Healer managed to get out. Now Lupin put a comforting arm around Jeffrey and held for a moment.

Harry looked at the Headmaster, frozen in his concern and fear. He turned his gaze to the two men on the bed, pale and limp then to the young doctor fighting back his emotions. Finally, he took in the sight of his Godfather cringing.

Cringing? Why was Snuffles looking as if he were going to be yelled at? A dark thought passed through Harry's mind.

"Why was Professor Snape more worn down? I thought the whole idea of waiting a few days was to be sure he was stronger," Harry asked slowly. Was it his imagination, or did Snuffles look ashamed?

"What happened yesterday? The Professor said something about having a bad day yesterday," Harry looked at Dumbledore.

"He, he had a set back," the Headmaster fumbled, rubbing his eyes as he sank down into a chair.

"For gods sakes, Albus! Put the blame where it belongs!" hissed a very angry Barnes glaring at the animagus. "You always cover for your damned Gryffindors, don't you?" the young healer broke away from Lupin and stormed across the room, then suddenly swung back and stood right in front of the Headmaster. Jaws working in anger, eyes blazing, the young Healer nearly frothed at the mouth.

"Tell, him. Tell him why Severus is near death from saving his life! Saving the life of someone not because he's a noble Gryffindor but BECAUSE HE VALUES LIFE!" Jeffrey raged but Dumbledore did not speak. "Why my Dad is sacrificing his life," he finished, voice finally breaking as he covered his face and he turned away.

"Sirius," Harry said with dawning understanding and turned to his Godfather. "Sirius hurt Professor Snape. Again." Snuffles shrank against the bed frame then shifted back to his wizard form.

"I only wanted to make Snape come down and heal you, Harry. I didn't think he'd do that," Black said in a frightened voice. He knew he'd gone too far. He'd lost the only family he had left. Harry would never understand. That there was an anger inside Black he could not contain. Harry would never forgive him.

"You hurt him?" Harry prompted through clenched teeth.

"I... I...," Sirius managed.

"Sirius cracked Severus' ribs, bruised his intestines, caused chunks of Albus' coffee table to be driven into his shoulder, and severely bruised his face," Jeffrey ground out, seething as he started listing the damages he and his father had worked over trying to get Snape ready to help Harry.

"YOU CRACKED HIS RIBS?" Harry screamed.

"SHIT! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? What gives you the right to hurt Professor Snape?" Harry's voice only lowered when he saw Dr. James jerk on the bed.

"Harry, he's, he's Snape! He'd as much spit on you as help you!" Sirius argued back. Harry pulled every bit of his 5 foot eight inch frame upright.

"Oh, he would, would he? HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW? Severus Snape has done everything he could to protect me these past four years while acting the role of enemy and forgoing the basics of human friendship in order to help our side," Harry hissed in anger. "He has been ridiculed and hounded by every student and a lot of the staff for his role. And it's just a role, even I, a student, can recognize that. gods, Sirius, where do you get off judging the man?" Harry turned, staring straight at his Godfather, pinning him where he stood.

"When we were in school," Sirius began.

"That was over twenty years ago! You were children! Remus grew up, Professor Snape definitely grew up. When the hell do you think you'll let go of your stupid childish grudges and get on with your pathetic life?" Spit flew from Harry's mouth.

"Harry, your Godfather was locked away for twelve years," Dumbledore said reasonably. "He hasn't had time to grow up, really."

Harry pivoted and faced the Headmaster. Respect for the older wizard and outrage fought within him.

"Sir, I'm years younger than he was when he went to Azkaban and I get it. And now, he's been out over a year and he hates Professor Snape as much if not more than when I first reconciled with him in the Shrieking Shack. Just how long does it take to move on? You asked him to put aside their differences and work together. Does attacking Professor Snape seem like working with him to you?" he asked his intense green° eyes peeling away any arguments Dumbledore may have considered.

"I don't know, Harry, I'm not a skilled therapist," the Headmaster admitted.

"Dad might have some suggestions," Barnes said quietly.

"Am I good to go?" Harry ground out.

"I need to scan you," Jeffrey faltered, amazed by the anger generated and sustained.

"Harry, I'm, I'm sorry," Sirius tried reaching out to his Godson, but he moved away.

"Are you? You say you love me; but you almost killed the only person who could help me because you have to hate him," Harry said hotly. "You hate him more than you love me, and you don't even know who he is."

"I can't speak to you, not now," Harry managed as he submitted to the doctor's scan.

"Good to go. Eat and rest for the day," Jeffrey told him. "Then see me tonight. I'll be here or in the Headmaster's rooms."

"I will," and Harry swept out of the room, his silent friends in tow.