Potions,Poisons and Antidotes

Disclaimer: Not mine and I make no money.

A/N: Thank you for the wonderful reviews. They really make my day.


As Severus and Hermione flooed into the lobby at St. Mungo’s they were surrounded by reporters. Hermione was momentarily blinded by the flash of pictures being taken and faltered in her step. Severus immediately grabbed her elbow and guided her through the crowd to a set of double doors. The reporters were yelling questions but only one caught her attention, “What about the party tonight, will it still go on?” Hermione felt panic rise again and was grateful for Severus.

He pushed her through the door and out of the view of the cameras. He turned to the reporters with his most intimidating scowl and hissed, “Miss Granger will issue a statement at a later date. As for now the celebration tonight will be rescheduled.” With that he turned and strode through the doors casting a short term locking spell to keep the press from following them.

As soon as they were out of the sight of the cameras he put his arms around her and let her cry for a moment. “We’ll get this straightened out Hermione. Now, we have a job to do. Concentrate on everything you have been taught and we will get through this.” He stood her away from him and looked into her eyes. He saw the fear and anger but to his relief he also saw the determination and intelligence in her gaze. He knew this was the brilliant mind that helped to end the war and kept her two knuckleheaded friends alive this long. Giving her a smirk he turned and stalked down the hall to the spell damage ward.

As Hermione followed him into the ward she saw all the victims lying peacefully in beds. She didn’t know if she should be relived that they were no longer writhing in pain or scared because they looked almost dead. Taking a deep breath she scanned the faces of her friends to finally find Draco. His normally pale complexion rivaled the color of the white sheet he had drawn over him. His beautiful blonde hair was only slightly more golden than the pillow he rested on. His eyes were closed and she could just make out the slow measured rise and fall of his chest. Shaking her head to pull herself out of her thoughts she followed Snape to the nurse to retrieve the samples that were waiting for them.

The two of them walked between the beds and she watched him cast diagnostic spells on each person. The first bed had Crabbe and he seemed to take up the entire surface of the bed. It was the first time she had ever seen the burly man look vulnerable. She knew she must be going crazy when she realized she felt protective of him somehow. Truthfully she felt the same of all of them.

The poison levels seemed consistent in all of the victims except for Harry. He must have gotten it in the face and inhaled more than the rest. The agent seemed to be attacking the nervous system and causing it to convulse and began to shut down slowly. At best she had two days to find an antidote.

When they finished gathering the information they needed she turned to Severus and said, “Would you like to accompany me to the Manor so that I can handle a few details about tonight and change to something more suitable for the lab?”

He nodded and gestured to the door. He knew that the Manor would be a mad house for her. Between her parents flooing in today from their vacation and all of the preparations to be canceled he needed to be there to keep her moving in the right direction. She didn’t have time to breakdown now.

As the two flooed into the library he knew he had made the proper choice. Sarah and the Grangers were sitting in the library with the older Weasleys. Hermione crossed the room to her mother and began to cry while holding her mother. Sarah looked at Severus and met him halfway taking him into her arms. It was strange to have someone to comfort him. He realized he liked it.

He leaned to whisper in her ear, “As much as I would love to stay and be held by you, people are depending on us to do our job. I have to get Hermione out of here as soon as possible so we can find an antidote for this poison. Can you and Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley handle the arrangement to postpone things around here?”

“Of course we can. We already have things well in order” she whispered back.
Turning to Hermione she put her arm around her and said softly, “You better get ready to save the day again. It seems your wizards can never stay out of trouble long. Hurry now so I have a day and time to reschedule this shindig.” She gently nudged Hermione toward the door to rest of the house. Nodding Hermione moved quickly to change her clothes.

As the door closed behind Hermione, Severus cleared his throat. “I don’t know how long we have to find an antidote but I’m guessing about two days. It is a variant of a poison that Hermione cracked recently. I know this is going to be hard for her but I also know that she is better keeping busy than sitting here worrying.” He looked at the group in front of him and waited for a response.

It was Mr. Granger that spoke up and said, “I know you will look after her. She is not a sit and does nothing kind of person, she has to take action. Just make sure she at least tries to eat and get some rest.” He sounded resigned.

The door opened and Hermione walked in. She had on a black scoop neck tee with black jeans and black dragon hide boots. Her hair was back an elastic band.
Severus thought she looked ready for hunting Deatheaters instead of lab work. He should have realized that the minute the antidote was ready she would go hunting for Nott. He would have to handle that when the time came.

Seventeen grueling hours later both Severus and Hermione were still standing over cauldrons trying to find the last component. They had tried everything either one could think of. The rest of the potions team had been sent for some much needed rest. “Hermione you need to get at least a nap. You can’t think reasonably if you have been up for almost two days.” Severus said for the millionth time. The answer was the same, “No”.

A tea tray with sandwiches and fruit appeared on Hermione’s desk. The pair walked over and looked at the note that accompanied the tray. “You have to eat. Take a minute and sit down, the answer will come to you. Love, Sarah”

Shrugging Hermione sat down and began to pour tea for them both. They ate the sandwiches in silence. As they finished Hermione lifted a hand to the single rose in a vase on the tray. It was a yellow rose, Sarah’s signature rose. Hermione was trying to remember what her Aunt had said about it being a hybrid of several varieties. “Severus, didn’t Sarah say that a Potions Master once begged her to let him have part of this plant to use for research?”

Looking as if the proverbial light had gone off over his head he answered, “Yes she did.” Grabbing the rose he headed for the nearest cauldron. He carefully clipped the center stamen that contained the most pollen. He added the pollen to the cauldron. The diagnostic wand began to vibrate and hum. A cheer was heard echoing down the halls of the Department of Mysteries.

A/N: I just wanted to update before the Yule. Happy Holidays to all the readers on AFF. One more chapter and this fic will be done. Thank You all for the wonderful reviews. Hopefully as I go I will get better. When I get back to work I am going to try to take a continuing education class in writing.