Harry stood there, totally baffled as his feared Potions Master collapsed onto the floor in front of him.

"Sir?" he tried tentatively. "Professor Snape?"

The was no response from the floor. Harry knelt down to get a closer look but the movement made his head spin furiously. Supporting himself on his hands and knees and blocking out the pain as much as he could he tried to wake the professor again.

"Professor Snape?" he called loudly. The noise made his head hurt even more and with a sudden heavy feeling all over, Harry fell down beside his professor.

xxxxxxxxx

Severus awoke feeling stiff and sore as was usual after a Death Eater meeting. Getting gingerly to his feet he remembered what had happened the previous night. Minerva had accosted him and he had not been able to get to his potions. That would explain his nausea, swollen stomach and throbbing leg then. If he hurried with the dittany he might still be able to heal the wounds on his stomach without leaving a scar. Poppy finding the word TRAITOR branded across his stomach would not do well for his continued spying. At least he was an adult, Potter didn't have that luxury.

Wait, Potter? Where was the boy? If he remembered rightly most of the ingredients left in those cauldrons were toxic if mixed, and considering the state of the classroom, some were explosive. He didn't dare wonder what the boy could have inhaled or got on his skin or-

"Sir?" croaked a voice behind Severus. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Likely you have poisoned yourself Potter, why did you not leave when it was obvious I was not there?"

"Saw all the cauldrons and thought I could do that. Thought that was what you would have had me doing so I did it."

"You tiny little brain could not comprehend that the residues in those cauldrons could react with each other if mixed. Once again Potter your stupidity knows no bounds. Now I have to tend to myself, so eat this and leave me alone."

Severus handed over a round stone-like object. It was slightly furry and did not look at all appetising.

"Eat... this sir?"

"Unless of course you want to die of an unknown poison. Then at least I wouldn't have to deal with you anymore. If you don't know what it is Potter think back to your very first Potions lesson."

Harry thought for a moment and then stuffed the item whole into his mouth. Ten seconds later it flew across the room and ricocheted off the opposite wall.

"That's gross! I can't eat that!"

"Potter... I will not be responsible for your death so take the damn bezoar." Snape growled. "It is your incompetence that has left you needing it and I do not have the time to brew a suitable antidote. So swallow the bezoar or I will make you."

Grimacing Harry took the offered stone again and this time managed to swallow it with a supreme effort.

"Good, now sleep, or read or do something that does not involve me. I'm busy."

"Where are we sir? Why are we hiding? Won't Professor McGonagall be angry when we get back?"

"For all she knows we have not gone Potter. Time moves differently here. Whenever we return we will return just one minute after we left. How else did you think I got everything done? Now you may be cured for the moment, but I most certainly am not so kindly leave me alone."

Snape turned his back and studiously ignored the boy as he began to remove his shirt. He lasted five minutes before the sounds behind him drove him to distraction and he spun round.

"Potter what do you think you're doing?" He snarled. "Think you can meddle with anything you find? Your relatives may allow that for Prince Potter, but I certainly will not. If you cannot entertain yourself quietly I will tie you to a chair where you can do no damage. Understand?"

Harry lifted his head to nod and gasped. "Professor! Your stomach!"

"It's nothing Potter. You have seen nothing. Mention this to anybody and not only will you gain yourself detention until the end of time, but you will have also doomed the entire Wizarding World to the Dark Lord's rule. Do I make myself Quite. Clear?" Snape's tone was fiercer than Harry had ever heard it.

"Yes sir, I've seen nothing sir. But-"

"No buts Potter. There are books on the bookshelf. I assume you know how to read?"

Harry glared at the dour man.

"I suggest you do that to pass the time then. I shan't be more than three hours or so. Remember what I said."

"Yes sir" Harry said sullenly.

He was surprised to find a good collection of muggle fiction amongst the potions manuals, charms magazines and medical books. Picking out two books at random, Harry quickly scanned the blurb on the back before replacing them on the shelf and picking another two. This continued until Snape clicked his tongue impatiently.

"Sorry sir!" Harry blurted out. "Reading now sir!"

Harry sat down promptly on a squishy leather armchair by a roaring fire and looked at the book in his hand: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Well at least he'd heard of it and he knew other people liked it a lot. Not like there was anything else to do either. So he opened it and started to read.

Three hours passed like a second to Harry, he was so absorbed. He got up to choose another book but Snape interrupted him.

"No need. I will only be another few minutes. Make sure you've got everything because you won't be coming back here."

Harry bent down to put his shoes back on but nearly instantly straightened up with a pained look.

"Umm sir...?" He questioned slowly.

"What is it now Potter?"

"Is there a bathroom I can go to?"

"Can't you hold it for five more minutes? You've gone three hours boy."

"Don't feel well sir."

Snape spun quickly, it was probably just the bezoar taking its course but it didnt harm to be careful.

"Through that door" he said. "I'll be right behind you."

Harry almost fell into the door but it opened. Expecting to see a bathroom, Harry was surprised to find himself in Snape's office.

"What-?" he started, but then the nausea took over and he vomited all over the floor. Dropping to his knees Harry retched again, just as Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall came through the door. The mediwitch hurried to the boy's side as Minerva glared at the Potions Master suspiciously.

"What have you done to him?" she hissed.

"Perfectly natural reaction to poisoning I assure you" he replied smoothly. "Bezoar is doing its job."

Minerva glared again, obviously unimpressed. "And yourself?"

"Me? Nothing wrong with me, well nothing a good sleep won't cure anyway."

"I think I'll be the judge of that Severus" came a voice from behind. "Will you come along or do I have to stun you?"

"And why can I not stay here? I do not require your expertise tonight as you can see."

"Unfortunately I cannot "see" Severus that is the problem. If you have nothing to hide then I promise it will only take up ten minutes more of your evening. I'm sure Mr Potter here will distract both my and Minerva's attentions for the forseeable future in that case, allowing you to get your rest. Deal?"

"If I say no?"

"Then I go to Albus with my memory of your return this evening" Minerva retorted quickly. "Good luck trying to outmanoeuvre him!"

"I should like to view that memory at some time Minerva" Poppy added.

"Certainly. I will be glad to share it."

Severus was trapped and he knew it. Worse, the witches knew he knew it and were playing it up. There was no way out.

"I will accompany you to the Hospital Wing in case you require my assistance in treating Mr Potter." That would at least save his dignity if there were students about.

"Thankyou Severus. Much obliged" Poppy retorted, barely hiding a smile.

Minerva's smirk told him that she also knew exactly what was happening but she would play along for now.