Chapter 18 - Drowse

Hermione Granger and Minerva McGonagall did not hesitate in rushing toward the ancient castle's hospital wing. They passed the great hall, from which the steady babble of early morning conversations could be heard. None of its inhabitants were aware of what was happening a few mere floors above their heads in the infirmary. Hermione shuddered as she herself wondered in what condition they would find Severus.

The pair were almost running as they weaved their way through the Hogwarts halls, passing a number of bleary eyed students who were dragging their still sleeping feet to breakfast. A few of these stared in slight shock at Hermione, but she ignored them to focus on her destination. Her breath was coming in short and sharp gasps, which she knew had little to do with the speed at which they were moving and more to do with the impending reunion. Even McGonagall, who would have regularly given the students a stern ultimatum of get-to-the-great-hall-right-now or detention, did not pay them an ounce of attention.

They soon found themselves walking through the worn double doors of the ward to be greeted by a rare frown upon the face of Albus Dumbledore. McGonagall began to speak. "Albus, what-" But Hermione cut across her, unable to wait a moment longer. "Where is he?" The headmaster gestured to the back of the room where one of the beds was screened from view.

Ignoring Dumbledore's entreaty of "Hermione, please wait a moment," she moved determinedly forward. The two professors quickly followed. Hermione tried not to heed the sudden weakness in her knees and stepped past the curtains that had been hiding Severus. At first she could not see his face. Madam Pomfrey was leaning over him, tending to his limp form. Hermione glimpsed a flash of deep scarlet beneath the matron's arm. Her mouth forming a near silent "Oh," she moved still closer.

Severus Snape's eyes were closed and his breathing laboured. Sweat was forming in droplets upon his deathly pale forehead and there was a purpling bruise on his right cheek. But the thing that caused Hermione's breath to catch in her throat was an obviously deep gash that stretched across his left bicep. Blood was dripping steadily from it, staining the previously crisp white sheet. Madam Pomfrey was rubbing a thick white paste over the wound, her face set in concentration as she payed particular attention to its blackened edges. It was only when Hermione noticed this ominous characteristic of the injury that she realised it was in the shape of... "A lightning bolt." Hermione jumped as Dumbledore spoke in a gentle voice from behind the young witch. Placing a hand upon her hunching shoulder and nodding solemnly, he continued. "It seems that the Deatheaters wished to remind us of what they accomplished last summer. What they are capable of." Hermione immediately realised what he meant and managed to let out a single word in a choked whisper. "Harry." Dumbledore continued to nod as Madam Pomfrey finished with the paste and waved her wand, causing a pile of bandages upon the foot of the bed to spring to life and wrap themselves tightly around his arm.

"So, what is the verdict Poppy?" The headmaster spoke in a hopeful voice, his hand still on Hermione's shoulder. "Well he's certainly in much better shape than he was when you brought him here." She replied, looking up at the three people now standing by Snape's bed. "He had a few cracked ribs, which I've mended. I was a little more worried about that." She pointed to his arm. "It has all the signs of being caused by dark magic. I've tended to it as best I can, but it will be continue to cause him pain for some weeks at least. And the scar it leaves will never heal. But it does not seem to be life threatening any longer."

While these words were being spoken Hermione had moved forward and placed her hand atop Severus'. She could feel it trembling violently. Both Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were watching this display with curiosity. The headmaster cleared his throat hurriedly. "I cannot thank you enough for your help, Poppy." But the two women continued to look on intently as Hermione tucked a loose strand of black hair behind Severus' ear before returning her hand to his. Dumbledore smiled to himself and cleared his throat once more. "Minerva, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you may have a third year Transfiguration class awaiting your masterful instruction." The professor jerked out of her reverie and hurried off. "Now Poppy, if I may have a word with you in your office I would be eternally grateful. That is if our young friend does not mind staying with the patient." Hermione looked briefly up from the unconscious face of Severus Snape to nod. Dumbledore smiled warmly, his blue eyes twinkling, and conjured up an oversized armchair covered in royal blue cushions. Hermione gratefully lowered herself onto it and was left alone with Severus.

Without realising that she had been holding her breath, she let out a deep and thankful sigh. He was safe. Perhaps not as unharmed as she would have hoped, but he was alive. He would recover. It was then that she realised that her eyes were completely dry. She had managed to control her emotions.

She looked once again into the face of the man she had missed so dearly, a shy smile shaping her mouth. But this soon faded as she came to fully realise the dismal physical state he was in. His cheeks were gaunt and slightly hollowed and his black robes, torn in many places, hung loosely upon his shoulders. The pale skin on his face and bare arm was interspersed with small cuts and scratches, some weeks old but others clearly very new. Just as her eyes swept towards his forearm and she noticed a fleck of the deepest shade of black extending from something upon the inner side that rested against the bed, Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey returned.

The headmaster moved to stand beside Hermione. She shifted as though to return to her feet but Dumbledore spoke in a comforting voice. "No, no please do not trouble yourself my dear girl, you must rest. This has been quite an ordeal for you. I must return to my office but you may stay here as long as you wish. Madam Pomfrey will look after you both. I daresay that Severus will be grateful to see a friendly face when he awakes. Good day to you both." He swept from the room, smiling serenely as the matron approached the bed.

She was carrying an ornate goblet of steaming liquid, which she placed upon the bedside table. "Now then Miss Granger. I will need to change Professor Snape's bandages every three hours while he's here, but don't let that worry yourself. You just relax. I've put a pretty heavy sleeping charm on him, which means that he shouldn't wake up until tomorrow morning. But sometimes, in cases of serious pain, the charm can be overridden. If he does wake up and I'm occupied or in my office, just get him to drink the contents of that goblet. It should ease things a little and let him return to rest." Hermione nodded, looking at the dark circles beneath the potions master's eyes. "He certainly looks as though he needs all the rest he can get." The older woman agreed and returned to her office. Hermione continued to grasp Severus' hand, which was now only trembling very slightly. And for the first time in a month she was not plagued by disturbing images or memories, but was simply happy.

…

Yet another chapter that I was able to get through very quickly. Perhaps the huge break was not such a bad thing. I had intended to include more of the story in this part, but everything seemed to come to a logical conclusion so I suppose that I will just have it all in the following one. I would very much like to sincerely thank everybody for reading and providing feedback.