Chapter Forty-Three: Sickly.

Harry was unable to sit still. He didn't want to sit and wait for Kingsley to come back—and to be honest, he didn't feel comfortable with McGonagall watching him so closely. He knew his magic was sparking angrily, but the last thing he wanted to do was just sit and wait. Not even he'd seen the tape. However, McGonagall had showed him. It was a Muggle instrument, but someone had placed an enchantment on it. Without the use of any kind of player, the images came out like a projector from the tape itself. Why would a witch or wizard use this technique? It just didn't make sense.
Instead of getting into another argument with the Headmistress, he headed down to the Forest. On the brim, he saw Hagrid, and he called him over. Hagrid clearly knew something was up because he'd collected the mess that had been left on the grass.

"Harry," said the half-giant, "I'm guessin' yeh've heard the news? Saw it all with me own eyes… Had no idea wha' was goin' on."

Making his way over, he helped Hagrid pick up some of the smaller things that had fallen. Most of it was just various plants that he had no idea of. "Yeah… he's been taken to the Ministry."

"Wha'?" Hagrid's voice boomed over the grounds. "Yer gotta be kiddin' me. I thought Kingsley woulda bin able ter do summat…"

"Yeah, well… not much until they've found whoever caught it all on camera and if they can stop the next edition of the paper," Harry stated bluntly. He slumped down onto the ground, knees up.
"I hate just sitting here. I can't do anything… None of this would have happened if I didn't urge Severus to come with me. I knew it wouldn't go well, but… He only said it because he was angry. It's not like he really believes that kinda stuff…" He assumed Hagrid had heard profanities and accusations from the two Aurors.

Hagrid knew very well what Professor Snape's views were when it came to Muggles. He'd seen Snape as a kid. Things had definitely changed for him. He was once quite racist to blood-race and Muggles, but he did know things changed when he grew up.
Snape wasn't a fan of the term 'Mudblood' but he wasn't sure if that was because his views had actually changed, or because he'd lost Lily over it. As for Muggles… most witches and wizards were a bit indifferent on the whole thing. However, Hagrid knew this was just a slip of the tongue, and a complete repeat of what had happened with Lily all those years ago.
"I know, Harry… I'm sorry ter hear. I 'eard 'em talkin' 'bout takin' 'im ter Azkaban prison, triallin' him under the Death Eater sen'nce. That ain't really 'appenin', is it?"

"I don't know…" Harry murmured, his chest tight. He couldn't stand the thought of that happening. He couldn't stand that at all. He was sure the two Aurors were yelling absurd things as it was, and accusations that weren't real. He didn't get any time to even talk this out with Severus or Kingsley to see what was really going on. It all happened so fast. He had no idea what would be happening. He was Snape's bondmate, why the hell wasn't he there with him!?
He felt sick to the stomach, like he was about to throw up. His head hurt a lot, too. It was all too much. Why did all this stuff always have to happen to Severus? It was just a small slip of the tongue!
"I have to wait for Kingsley to come back…" he breathed, running a shaken hand over his forehead. He felt like he was breaking out in a sweat.

"Are yeh al'ight, Harry… Yeh're lookin' a bit pale…" Hagrid said softly.

"Yeah, I'm just…" Harry realised that his breath was getting short now and there was a sharp ringing in his ears. Why did he feel so weak all of a sudden? His head was spinning and everything was starting to go out of focus. "Hagrid… I don't feel too well…"

As Harry fell back into the grass, Hagrid moved over him immediately. "Harry? Harry, wake up!" He tapped the side of his face as gently as possible with his robust hand, but Harry had passed out.

*****
Kingsley had been polite enough to not take him down to an interrogation room. Right now, they were in the own privacy of his office. The two henchmen were by his side, but Severus hardly allowed that to bother him. He could have easily hexed or cursed them back at Hogwarts, but they were, after all, Aurors. He only struck them back because they had been so rude.
Finally, he was shown what was on the tape. He didn't understand why it was on such a Muggle instrument and someone had gone to the lengths of putting an enchantment on it so it would work in Hogwarts and the Ministry (with their levels of magic). It didn't make much sense at all, really. But there it was, as plain as day… him yelling off about Muggles being filth.

"Severus, I know what you said was a mere slip of the tongue," said the Minister, "and I do apologise for these two having roughened you up. That was not what I asked them to do. I simply wanted to chat with you to get down to the bottom of what is happening and what could potentially happen if we cannot find the person behind these acts."

"Perhaps you should have sent men who weren't so threatened by me that they had to hit me around…" Severus drawled. He grunted as the biggest Auror unshackled him under Kingsley's orders. Such hospitality. He didn't see why he had to be arrested in the first place. It wasn't like he was going to flee. Kingsley obviously didn't trust him, but that was fine, because he didn't trust him in return.

"Wouldn't have put you in chains if you behaved."

The Potions master just looked at Kingsley. "Azkaban prison for a racial slip? I hope you're not serious."

"Severus, you're not just a regular wizard now. The moment you and Harry started a relationship, you should have been aware of the consequences. It's not so much what you said, it's about who you are and that it's still a sensitive time for those who are mourning. People are still being locked away for their loyalties," he explained.
"If you were any regular wizard, this may not be happening. You may have gotten struck with a hex from someone who was offended, but that's not the case. You're Harry Potter's bondmate. You are famous now, and people will want to see action taken against such behaviour and accusations of loyalties still towards Voldemort. Dead or not. People will think that you simply grew close to kill Potter."

"So I've become a slave to the public?" Severus snorted. He knew very well what was going to happen the moment he and Harry were seen by the public in a relationship, but not even being able to speak his mind!? How ridiculous! He had no bloody freedom whatsoever and now had to tip toe around and be polite to everyone otherwise because of his past he was still a Death Eater!? Even when he didn't start the fight!? Even after what he did for the wizarding world!? If this was anyone else, who hadn't been a Death Eater in the past, would this even be happening to him? Or was it all over the publicity and Potter's fame?

Kingsley sighed, rubbing his forehead as he sat down behind his desk. "You two may leave," he said, brushing the two Aurors away. "You're both on basic duties, too." Both Aurors opened their mouths to complain but he put his hand up, "You disobeyed a direct command from the Minister himself, not to mention hit someone around when there was no need for violence. Now go."

Severus eyed the two Aurors as they walked past him. He stepped up to the table and placed his hands onto the back of the chair. "Sending me to Azkaban will kill Harry, you know that. Not from the emotional impact, but from the bond. I've already got a splitting headache. Potter is much younger, there's no telling what could happen to him from unwilling separation."

Kingsley put his hand up once more, "I'm not going to arrest you, Severus. This is your first and final warning, though. You must watch your tongue in public. I have my men working on finding the person behind this and I have them already stopping the papers manually and checking if the story has been printed."

"I only defended-,"

"It doesn't matter! What is written in the papers the people will believe. Now, if you're willing to give me the whole story and what perhaps wasn't shown on this tape, then I can try and get an apology story out and say it was false accusations. Less paper work than arresting your arse, Severus. Azkaban is getting full."

Snape rolled his eyes. "All I did was say Potter's aunt and uncle were worthless Muggles. They offended the both of us. I merely stood up for him and myself. You already saw it on the tape. If you knew those people-,"

"I know what they are like, Severus, but you can't let every little Muggle get your wand in a twist. Working for Voldemort, I would have thought you had better control of yourself."

Severus felt his shoulders tense a little as he looked away. "Yes, well… Potter has an annoying effect on me…"

"How is your bond going?" Kingsley's voice lowered this time. "I've heard they can be quite… intense."

Well that was rather personal, wasn't it? Merlin, it wasn't like the two of them were actually friends. Severus supposed that it was Kingsley who had dropped all charges on him after the war, though. This didn't make them friends, though.
"Like I said, I have a splitting headache…" he muttered, leaning back up from the chair. He put his hands behind his back. "Your Aurors certainly did not help ease the pain."

"Yes, about that, I am very sorry. They will be punished, but in return of this whole mess, you won't be charging them."

"I wasn't planning on doing so, anyway," Severus drawled. He got the catch now, though. As long as his precious Aurors didn't get their names slandered for throwing some punches, he was free of charges—if they could stop the paper in time and find whoever was behind this. He was sure this was just to make everyone else's jobs and lives easier, but nonetheless, no Azkaban. He'd take the deal. He couldn't risk Harry's mental wellbeing over his sharp tongue.

"This next edition of the paper will have a false accusations statement if things aren't cleared beforehand. It's already being written. That should calm the public down. But you must learn to keep your mouth shut. You are not just a professor anymore, you are famous. As long as you are with Potter, what you say and do reflects upon him, and vice versa. You don't need people accusing you of a past trait. That mark will be on you forever, even if you are with the most famous wizard hero of all time."

He was well aware, unfortunately. "You're just going to cover it all up? Just like when the Dark Lord returned and nobody believed Potter?"

"The public believed the paper over the boy, didn't they? Yes, we'll cover it up. Believe it or not, Severus, but people do believe the paper. As dim-witted as it can be sometimes, it gives them something to talk about. And believe me, even with this follow up edition—if needed—people will still talk if this gets out. I trust you to deny everything, unless you wish to be separated from Potter. With being bonded to Potter, you'll have your enemies and paparazzi trying to slander you. It's a simple cover up—jealousy. After all, I am sure some will get to you simply to free Potter of a relationship. Especially a bonded one."

Idiots, the whole lot of them. "You expect hundreds of witches and wizards to just roll over when by midday they could possibly be reading that I am a racist pig?"

Kingsley stood up from his seat, clearly looking exhausted. "We have our ways," he stated, "unless it's your desire to spend the rest of your life in Azkaban as a Death Eater and loyal supporter of Voldemort—falsely accused?"

"Minister, I may take your offer this once, for Harry's sake, but I will not change myself for the sake of moronic people and their sentiment. What I said was a simple slip of the tongue. It could happen to anyone."

"So you wish for the public to know the truth? To print the paper and give into a possible terrorist? You know very well that that wouldn't be the case. That you apologise and are some kind of stand-up guy? Severus, you're not stupid, you're an intelligent wizard. They would slaughter you due to your past. No matter what good you have done, that Mark remains on your arm."

The past was exactly that, though! Why couldn't people change!? He still hated himself sometimes, but things had changed! He knew he'd made mistakes, but anyone out there could have done the same thing. And a terrorist? Kingsley honestly didn't believe that, did he?
He looked down to his covered arm and nodded. This was not a battle worth fighting. Not while Harry was involved. "How long am I under your orders?"

"Until we can fix this. I'm doing this not just for Harry, but for your career. You know it would be gone in a heartbeat. You know as well as I do that if this edition makes it to the public, angry parents will be screaming that you should be sacked…"

"Yes, this is all for Potter and I," Severus drawled, "I can certainly see where we fit under this scheme." More like Kingsley and the Ministry just didn't want to deal with the backlash from the public.

"Severus, it's not fair on either of you if you were to be locked up," said the Minister. "I may not know you, or trust you like I did Dumbledore, but I trust Harry. I trust your bond. It could have been anyone to make a slur like that in public, but because of your status with Harry, things like this happen. You need to watch your tongue."

Severus just folded his arms. "Am I to keep myself distracted in your office all day?"

"Unless you prefer the holding cells?"

Right. Looking at the seat, the Potions master sat down. He might as well make himself comfortable—not that that would last long considering the horrendous headache that was pulsing through his skull.
When Kingsley left, he saw that the Aurors were standing outside the door in case of his escape. The Floo was also closed off, too. Great, he really was stuck here. He knew he couldn't Apparate or fly away either. The office was clearly in a lockdown mode once Kingsley left. Good protection, but still a prison cell to him.
He ran his hand against the pulsing vein in his forehead. Merlin, this headache was terrible. He knew it was because of Harry. Although he knew he was here, Harry's side of the bond didn't know anything and was clearly fretting. He was worried also, considering this was his freedom on the line.
Damnit, why couldn't he have just shut his mouth? It always got him into trouble! He'd been so well in control of himself when under Dumbledore's and the Dark Lord's orders. Not once did he put a toe out of line. Of course, there were things that he had done that could have called him out—small things at the end, but nothing like this.
The last thing he recalled ever getting him into this much trouble was with Lily. He was idiotic and young back then. He should have known better! He should have known that Vernon and Petunia just weren't worth it. And now, just because they had insulted him, he could be charged as a Death Eater?
There would, of course, be a trial for him to explain and redeem himself. He knew very well he'd have time to explain himself. It wasn't like Kingsley was going to toss him into Azkaban just like that. No, there would be a proper trial, just like all the other Death Eaters who were locked away now.
He'd be dead…
The moment he stepped foot in that prison, those Death Eaters would all want a piece of him. Even if he was charged as one of them, he would still be a traitor to them. His magic bonded to Potter? Their enemy. He may not have been the one to kill the Dark Lord, but he still betrayed them all. They all knew the truth. He may be a powerful wizard, but in Azkaban he was just a man. Just like the rest of them. An animal. He'd be a lamb to the pack of wolves.
Severus made no illusion to his lack of muscle. Yes, he was a powerful and perhaps the most powerful wizard in Britain at the moment (now that Harry's powers had lowered due to the Dark Lord's demise), but physically? Being a human? He was not strong at all. Hell, the only reason he was alive was because he usually knew how to work his way around people and sneak his way out of trouble. Now? Now that he was 'famous'? Well, nothing escaped the public, did it?
Damnit, why did he have to bond to Harry? No, this wasn't about that! He knew the risks when he started having feelings for the Gryffindor. He knew very well what would happen if they dated, and that he'd also be in the spotlight. It was something he was willing to do for Harry, to be able to be with him. But in a moment of weakened anger, he let something horrid and prejudicial slip from his mouth. It didn't matter what his true views were, the fact of the matter was that he said it—and someone caught it. He should be thankful that this person didn't go right to the press, and instead were giving him a chance. A warning, perhaps? Or just idiotic in their threat? A tape? Why go to the trouble? Someone was obviously trying to keep things confusing for them. An off trail. No straight line. Something bazar to their world.
Running his hand over his forehead once more, he tried to massage the headache away. It was to no avail. He wanted to return back to Hogwarts to check on Harry. He knew the younger wizard was very emotional and confused over the whole matter.
Seeing him being hit around? Severus felt pathetic at that. He was bruised and bloody, and poor Harry had to see that. He knew the Gryffindor, he'd be worrying himself sick, and with the bond fretting, who knew what was happening to him. He just hoped Harry could control his emotions. Then again… when had he ever been able to do that?

*****
Poppy moved over Harry's pale form in the hospital wing. He was asleep, but he was weak. Hagrid and Minerva were beside him. "I'm sorry, this sort of magic is out of my hands…" she said worriedly. "If Severus doesn't come back soon, I don't know what will happen."

"He ain't gunna…" Hagrid couldn't finish his sentence, and he felt McGonagall's hand go to his arm.

"I'm sorry, Hagrid… I just don't know," said the medi-witch. "This sort of rare and Ancient Magic? It's impossible to treat. It has a mind of its own, you might say," she explained. Even she knew little about the bonds. She'd never seen one in person—in her whole life. She didn't expect to in Hogwarts, though, it was a school!

"What if Severus were to come back? Surely Potter's magic is weak simply because they were separated. Correct?"

Again, Madam Pomfrey just shrugged helplessly. "Minerva, I don't know…" She turned as there was a swoosh of red and gold that passed her, Fawkes landing on Harry's bedside. "Perhaps the phoenix can help?" But Fawkes just looked at Harry with the same helpless eyes. Not even he could do anything.

"Wait… he's wakin' up!" Hagrid said in surprise, making the two witches jump.

On the bed, Harry's eyes opened weakly. He realised where he was immediately. He was in the hospital wing. He felt horrible, like everything had been drained from him. Was Severus back!?
"W-what happened?" he asked, trying to move. His energy was just too low, though, and he felt his breath shorten quickly.

"Shh, stay back," Poppy said, gently putting her hand to Harry and pushing him back into the bed. "You fainted, Potter. And until Severus gets back from the Ministry… you're going to have to stay here."

Harry looked around, his glasses still on his face. "Why did I faint?" When everyone just exchanged looks, he began feeling anxious about what was going on. "Is something wrong?"

"Potter, it seems that your bond with Severus and him being taken away… it's had some kind of negative magical effect on you."

"He's not back?" Harry's voice was weak but worry was clear. As he tried to lean back up, Poppy pushed him down again.

"I'm afraid not. Potter, you have to stay here. The Headmistress will go to the Ministry to see if Severus can come back." Her voice was serious now, a hidden message that Minerva really didn't have much of a choice here.

Minerva knew that a student's and person's wellbeing was much more important than accusations right now. If something bad were to happen to Harry from this, not one of them involved in this would forgive themselves.
Nodding, she quickly left the room—Hagrid stayed behind. Entering her office, she quickly used the Floo network to get to the Ministry as Kingsley's network was blocked. It was crowded, but she made her way through and found the two Aurors standing outside the door. "Kingsley, where is he?"

"He's gone to clean up," said the taller man. "Sorry, ma'am, you're not gunna get through here."

"A very sick boy is in the hospital wing at Hogwarts and needs his bondmate back," said the witch forcefully. "You do realise that if you keep Severus from Harry, that it could potentially kill him, do you not? And when the world knows of this, who will they blame? Severus, who could have saved his life, or the two Aurors keeping him from getting back to Potter?"

The two Aurors exchanged glances. "Ma'am, we're on orders from Kingsley himself. If we let you in, and let Mister Snape out…"

"You'd be saving two people's lives," Minerva noted. "I will handle Kingsley by myself, if that makes you feel any better?"

"With all due respect, Ma'am-,"

"Don't 'ma'am' me, just let me inside to collect Severus and we will all be on our way."

The two Aurors stepped together, blocking her way.

"Potter wants to join your ranks, and this is the imagery you show him of becoming an Auror? Being arrogant and irresponsible? Hitting on a man who is already down even if you don't know the accusations are true? Enabling Potter to die?"
Nobody even asked Severus if what happened was true or not, they all just assumed. And so he may have come forward with it, and the evidence was compelling as it had been recorded with a Muggle instrument, but still. Just because of his past as a Death Eater, everyone assumed the worst of the Slytherin—even if he saved the world's hero and protected him at every cost of his own life.

"We're under orders, Potter would know this."

"Because of him, you two are alive today!" Minerva hissed. "The least you can do is pay him back that favour."

Looking at one another, the larger of the two huffed. "This is for Potter… got it? We'll be accompanying you, too. If you think we're letting Severus Snape out of our custody, you're wrong. He is under Kingsley's watch, and right now, we are his eyes."

Minerva just glared at the man. "Suit yourselves," she snipped, the doors finally opening. She hurried over to Severus, who was sitting very still with his hands on his knees. He looked awfully pale.
"Severus, are you alright?" she asked, leaning down. She went to put her hand on his shoulder, but he stopped her.

"No…" said the Potions master, "I think I may vomit…" His mouth was watery and he kept swallowing. He felt clammy and cold. All he could think about was trying to focus on his breathing, to try and keep whatever he ate inside his stomach. His migraine was throbbing hard in his head.

"I'm taking you back to Hogwarts."

"I haven't vomited in years, Minerva…" Severus said, looking up from his seat. Oh, Merlin, talking made it worse! His hands tightly gripped his knees.

"The bond…?" one of the Aurors said, looking to the other and back to McGonagall. "I suppose he's not about to flee, then…"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Come, Severus, we'll take you back to Hogwarts and get a potion into you."

"The Floo Network won't operate until Kingsley is back," stated the shorter Auror. "I'm afraid you're going to have to wait, unless you wish to take him to the network outside."

"Oh, Merlin, waiting is not an option," Severus said hurriedly as he stood up. He leant over the desk and heaved, hurling his guts onto the Minister's table. He tried as hard as he could to miss everyone else, as well as his hair. Thankfully, there wasn't much food in his stomach at all.
Oh, Merlin, it was awful! He could feel himself shaking, the taste of vomit in the back of his throat. Minerva's hand went to his shoulder as he breathed, his head pulsating from the headache that was still raging—and most likely the cause of him being sick. He always carried at least some kind of potion with him, but considering the Ministry had jumped him, it wasn't an option even if he tried.

"We need to get you back to Hogwarts," the witch said, hearing the door open and turning her head. Severus just concentrated on his breathing, hunched over the now vomit-splattered desk of the Minister. Thankfully, it didn't look like he had had much in his stomach.

"What is going on in here?" asked Kingsley, rushing over as he saw the door was open. He took a step back when he saw what was covering his desk, his face palling in disgust.

"You must let him get back to Potter. Harry's side of the bond must be fretting, and it's causing him to be ill. Harry is already in the hospital wing."

"What?" asked Snape, leaning up. Minerva caught him as he almost fell. Since when did he feel so bloody weak!? If this was what he was feeling like, then Harry must be feeling like a train-wreck.

"It's why I am here," said the Headmistress. "Potter fainted. He's very weak, including his magic. He believes you're going to be put away, Severus."

"I told him Azkaban would be the very last resort for something like this," said Kingsley, cleaning his desk with a spell. He handed Severus a hanky to wipe his mouth with.

"Clearly, you don't know Potter…" said Severus, trying to pick himself up after that humiliation.

"What more does this bond do?" asked the shortest of the Aurors.

Severus sighed shakily, shooting him an annoyed glance, but Minerva stepped in first. "We can discuss that matter later. Severus, you must get back to Harry. As long as Harry is worried, your side of the magic will be affected, too. And I'm sure Kingsley doesn't wish for his office to be soiled any further," she said, shooting a look at the Minister.

"We will keep a close eye on him, Minister," said the tallest Auror. "If only for Potter's sake."

Kingsley shook his head for a moment. "Alright. But you are to stay in the hospital wing at all times, Severus."

"Yes, because in this state I'm going to go fly around Hogwarts…" muttered the Potions master irritably.

"Come, Severus, we'll get you into a bed," McGonagall ushered, the two Aurors standing by either side of them. "I presume you are going to get to the bottom of this mess as soon as possible, Kingsley?"

"Trying to…" said the Minister flatly. He lifted his arm to the fireplace to allow the others through. When the flames settled down, he set back out of his office, heading towards the paper room. The only thing they knew was that it was a Muggle instrument that had recorded what happened. He had his men working on finding any traces from it.

*****
Harry was on the bed with a bucket in his lap. He'd already vomited twice now, and all he felt like doing was sleeping. His mind wouldn't shut off, though. All he could think about was Severus and what was going to happen to him.
Could Kingsley get there in time to stop the paper? Or did part of him want Snape to be called out for his racist remark against Muggles? He mentally shook his head, his body covered in a cold sweat now. Madam Pomfrey really couldn't do much but try and give him a Pepperup Potion. It wasn't doing much, either. He was still anxious and worried as hell.

"Potter, you must try and rest," said the witch, though turning when she heard footsteps coming down the corridor outside the door.
Severus was on his feet, but he looked dreadful. "Severus," she muttered, Harry leaning himself up enthusiastically, despite his position in the bed. She quickly hurried over to the professor.

"I'm fine," muttered Snape, trying to push past Poppy.

"You're sweaty, you've got a temperature," said the witch, her wand scanning his body. "You've clearly thrown up. And what happened to your eye?" She hadn't seen the damage the two Aurors had put on him.

"Sev?" Harry asked, his voice hoarse.

"Harry," Severus murmured, moving over to the bed. He leant on the side, looking at the younger wizard. "I told you to stop worrying… Now look what you've done; gotten yourself into a hospital bed. Typical…"

Harry just smiled, lifting his hand to take Snape's arm. "You don't look like you're doing much better, Professor."

"I vomited…" Snape said honestly. "Do you have any idea how long it has been since I've done that? No thanks to your magic, I've become ill—just like you." Despite his words, Severus' voice was actually quite low. Instantly, at the sight of Harry, he felt a light kick in his energy levels already.

"You vomited?" Harry asked, looking at the older wizard who was dressed in his robes. "That's not good."

Poppy did a quick scan of him, and Severus brushed it away. "Yes, well, it wasn't very pleasant, I must admit. It happened to go all over the Minister's desk…"

This time, Harry made a light laugh, though ended up coughing after it.

"You need rest, Harry," said Snape, softly tracing his fingers over the sick Gryffindor's hair. His forehead was covered in a thick sweat, his fringe damp.

"And so do you, Severus."

Snape looked up to Poppy who had slid over a bed with her wand.

"Poppy, I'm-,"

"It's not a request, Professor," the witch ordered.

Harry grinned lightly as he watched Severus roll his eyes. "You have to get your face looked at." He tried to ignore the two Aurors who were still in the room (as well as McGonagall).

"I thought you liked men who were all burley and the like, Potter," said Severus.

"Guess you're outta the question, then," Harry retorted, Severus giving him a sarcastic look.

"Alright, boys, you're to rest—immediately," Poppy huffed before their banter continued. She ushered Severus to remove his robes so she could check on him properly, but he wasn't required to get changed. Just to sit or lay down and rest. She gave them both buckets in case any other mess happened in the future, handing Severus a potion to at least help.

"The Aurors are staying under orders," McGonagall said, "but we need to know more of this bond. If… things don't go the way we plan them to," she said, looking at the two of them as Snape settled himself against the pillows on the covers, his boots removed, "then we need to know the consequences of this bond."

Severus, who was feeling much better—despite his black eye—frowned. "I've already searched-,"

"Not through Kingsley."

"Kingsley has known about this bond since Skeeter and her story reached the papers, surely he would have mentioned something whilst I was a prisoner to his office." Harry looked at him oddly, but he just eyed the Headmistress.

Minerva knew very well that Kingsley and Severus' personalities clashed—hell, almost everyone's did with Severus—so it was understandable if Kingsley had not explained everything to the other wizard. But he allowed him to return to Harry, and that made something tick. He had to know at least something, or a possible reliable source. He also seemed keen on letting Severus off the hook for his racial banter. Even if this was just for Potter's sake, it was best if Severus and Harry understood as much of this bond as possible.
"Rest, the both of you," she said strictly. "I will return as soon as possible." She then turned on her heal and allowed the two Aurors to stay before Severus could ask her anymore questions.

Severus' eyes narrowed. He had a feeling Minerva wasn't telling him something, but for Harry's sake, he laid back in the bed. After that episode, he wasn't about to get up and chase after her when Harry couldn't follow.