Chapter 6
"It was a close call, Severus," sounded like Dumbledore was back to his old self.
"Close call," I hissed "I get crucio'd by Wormtail and almost killed by a student and head-boy no less,"
"Yes well Mr Diggory is in St. Mungo's for an analysis; and you're as healthy as a very skinny horse,"
"What happened to Potter?" I pulled the headmaster closer so he could feel the panic I felt. It worked, Minerva had to keep me in check for the rest of the day; Albus wouldn't even look at me.
"Minerva?" I caught her attention, "The same question," I swear I heard a phrase similar to I don't know, leave her mouth. "What did you say!?" I roared at her, as I swung my legs out of the bed.
"Severus, listen we found the real Moody locked in that trunk; Crouch had been stunned, but there was no Potter," she was terrified about what had happened to her bravest lion cub.
"Dobby," I yelled, a light pop was heard as another elf appeared; thankfully this one remained silent, "Dobby I need you to find," I was quieter this time.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has tried sir, but Dobby cannot find Harry Potter," the elf was close to a panic attack.
"Have you tried Gryffindor Tower?" this was going to be a long list,
"First, sir,"
"Ok, the kitchens,"
"Not there, sir,"
"Three Broomsticks,"
"Not on a Saturday, sir,"
"Right, Hogs Head"
"Dobby will check, sir," the elf disappeared only to reappear a few seconds later, "nothing, sir"
"Room of Requirements," the elf didn't have a clue, "the come and go room,"
"Oh sir, Dobby cannot get in, sir, Dobby can normally get in, sir, but not today Dobby cannot sir,"
"That's fine, Dobby. Thank-you," the elf bowed and with another pop was gone. "Minerva, seventh floor now," I jumped from the bed, I didn't care about how much pain I was in.
"You're not going anywhere, Snape," Pomfrey had turned up, her timing as impeccable as always.
"He has to Poppy," Minerva looked fit to cry.
"What do you mean, has to?" She rounded on McGonagall; this was going to be an argument I didn't want to hear. Somehow I quietly left the room whilst Poppy's back was turned. There was no other thing for it I had to run; removing my outer cloak I was free to move faster – although not by much – until I reached the room of requirements, which at current looked like a bare patch of wall. Three times I circled the corridor, all the time thinking: I need to find Harry Potter; on the third pass the door swung forward and out stepped Potter.
"I was hiding in there Professor," after sizing me up as I slumped against a window ledge, he took me inside the room; it was cosy. There were two poster beds at either end of the room, a large table next to a fireplace. After taking a seat in one of armchairs beside the fire, I had to ask,
"Who are you hiding from today?" he was clearly annoyed that I asked.
"Everyone," it was a simple yet well calculated answer. I let it slide. "You really should be in the hospital wing," the tone was detached, matter-of-fact.
"I was there a while ago, besides I'm sure this place could make a corridor to Pomfrey's office if it needed to,"
"You mean if you needed to get there quickly; and there already is a corridor to the hospital wing," he pointed to the door on the right side of the fireplace. I nodded once to Potter, he needed more alone time; and I needed more time to heal. One thing was certain Pomfrey would kill me, firstly for leaving and secondly for not bringing Potter back with me; when I finally returned to my confines. Upon my return to my white prison, the warden was already asleep, thank god. However, sleep escaped me, as I laid restlessly on one of the matron's preferred Severus beds. It was around nine am when I finally feel asleep; and it was around noon when I was rudely woken by a certain medi-witch.
"Pomfrey stop shaking me," I was still tired and my voice showed it.
"Well if you go mad, due to lack of sleep don't blame me,"
"Whatever Poppy," I waved her off as I limped to my quarters. The stairs were not co-operating today, I always knew they would be the death of me.