Torn - Repost

TITLE: Torn
AUTHOR: Ravenkiss
STATUS/PART: 17/?
EMAIL: Ravenkiss2000@yahoo.com
RATING: NC17
PAIRING: SS/RL, SS/RH
SPOILERS: OOP
WARNINGS: AU, M/M Slash, Rape, Violence (Things get bloody today!)
DISCLAIMER: JKR owns everything, I am not making any money here.
SUMMARY: 'Sirius' left another surprise.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Albus is not as clever as he thought.
BETA: Sylvadin


Part 17

Leading his small procession down the corridor to the infirmary, Albus Dumbledore's usually, despite outward appearances, well ordered mind reeled at the revelations of the day. How could he not have seen what was happening? That the entire staff suspected at least some portion of the truth about the origin of Severus' child?

Albus had been so clever with the story concocted for the papers. He had thought through every possible question or inconsistency! Every single reporter had gone away satisfied that they had entire story. He had the portraits and ghosts listening to the students in the halls to find out if they harboured any doubts. But they had universally accepted the official version of events without question. Perhaps because they were children and they wanted to believe what they were told and move on.


Now this. What would Severus say? More importantly, what would he do?


The Potions Master would find out sooner or later that what they had thought secret was, in fact, common knowledge among his colleagues. At least Dumbledore had managed to keep the more sordid details of Harry's behaviour quiet. It was little enough, but he would do everything in his power to keep the real story of the child's conception secret.

Almost before he realised it, the Headmaster saw the doorway to the infirmary. Pausing for a moment, he took a deep breath to steady himself and opened the door.

Albus Dumbledore noted the surprised look on Poppy Pomfrey's face as he ushered Hagrid, Remus, Ron and Hermione into the infirmary. Before she could object, the Headmaster held up a hand. "We have reason to suspect that Harry might have left traps here in the infirmary. I need for you and Hagrid to stay close to Severus and be sure that he does not leave his bed until we are finished with our search."

"That should not be an issue Headmaster. I was forced to sedate Severus when he woke from your spell," Poppy announced angrily, her eyes never leaving Dumbledore's. "He had a severe panic attack." The mediwitch looked at the man sternly. "I need to know if he has had any more of these attacks that I have not been told about?"


Hagrid and Remus looked at one another. The half-giant swallowed nervously. "Few days ago, he started ter cry an' carry on a little," said Hagrid his eyes on the floor like a disobedient child.


"It was last Monday morning when he took his first meal in the Great Hall. Severus had a flashback," Remus admitted also having difficulty meeting the mediwitch's stern gaze. He also ignored the puzzled looks that Hermione and Ron gave him, since he had no intention of elaborating as to exactly what the 'flashback' had been about. The one who needed to understand did, and that was enough. "He recovered quickly," Lupin added weakly.


"He needs counselling," Pomfrey informed them.


"We should talk about this later Poppy," said Dumbledore, trying not to make his indication of the students' presence too obvious. The last thing he wanted was for her to mention the rape by accident.

"Alright Albus, it will keep for now, but we will talk about it," the mediwitch informed him, then turned and strode to over check her patient.


At this Dumbledore, Remus, Ron and Hermione fanned out with wands at the ready to examine the room for hidden traps and traces of dormant magics while Hagrid strode over to the bed where Severus lay in a drug induced stupor. He sat down on a chair beside the bed and placed his large, rough hand on Snape's comparatively small one and ran his fingers tentatively over the pale skin. Snape moaned slightly but did not wake, nor did he pull away.


Hagrid looked at him with loving eyes and continued to stroke Severus' hand and arm gently while Remus tried to keep his mind on what he was doing. That was no easy task. He had to force himself not to growl as Hagrid felt up Severus.


'How dare he...' Remus quickly turned away and squashed that line of thought. Hagrid was not feeling Severus up. Nor was the gamekeeper taking advantage of him. He only touched the Slytherin on the hand to help calm him.


Remus still wanted to hex him.


Albus, Remus, Ron and Hermione divided up the room and set to work attempting to find any traps that might be waiting in the infirmary. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure of finding them was to individually test every single item in the room. Slowly the four went over their areas with a fine-toothed comb. Casting first a spell to check for Harry's magical signature, then a simple detection charm to find any trace of latent magic.


Remus was still about half way through the bottles of Skele-grow in a large wooden cabinet when he heard a gasp behind him. "I think I found one," Hermione announced, keeping her wand trained on a small innocent looking green bottle that sat on the centre shelf of the glass cabinet near Severus' bed. As they watched it began to glow red.


Severus suddenly moaned and started to thrash about to the dismay of Hagrid, who tried to calm him. His large hand went to Severus' pale cheek. "Shh, everythin's alright, won' let nothin' hurt yeh."


Suddenly the bottle began to shake violently. "No! Oh god, I can't hold it!" gasped Hermione as the containment spell snapped. The world exploded in a burst of red as the magic backlash slammed her against the far wall. The bottle transformed into a long thin blade, leapt from its place on the shelf and crashed through the glass. Hagrid instantly threw himself over the prone man on the bed as Remus made a split-second decision. Realising that he could not get off a spell in time he lunged to intercept the deadly missile!


The blade nicked his wand, sent the short length of dark wood flying as it ripped the palm of Lupin's right hand, tearing completely through the layers of flesh, blood and muscle! It did not slow as it passed Madam Pomfrey, slicing her starched uniform, missing the skin of her stomach by a hair's breath as the blade sought its intended victim.


What finally halted the enchanted blade was the tough bone and gristle of Hagrid's broad shoulder!

Remus gasped as he collapsed against the wall, cradling his mutilated hand, while Hagrid stumbled backwards and attempted to grasp the twisting blade. The cursed object had done a lot of damage already, but it was not finished yet. Hagrid bit back a cry as it moved by itself, gouging out bloody flesh from the wound while it tried to work itself free.

Dumbledore finally had a clear shot and cast a containment spell on the blade as it jerked out of Hagrid's shoulder. Inside the powerful spell, the enchanted knife stretched and warped then slowly disintegrated. "Poppy, hurry!" The Headmaster moved to Remus, as Madame Pomfrey ripped off Hagrid's bloody shirt to get to the gaping wound on his shoulder. She placed a hand on his arm and urged him to kneel down on one knee so that she could reach the injury.

Hermione stood slowly with assistance from Ron, who carefully held her around the waist. The young witch stared at the bloody scene with tears in her eyes. "I could not hold it!" she whispered as a sob tore at her throat. Ron quickly turned her away from the frightening scene. "It is not your fault, Mione. You know how powerful Harry is..."

"Ronald is correct, my child," said Dumbledore as he worked to close the hole in Remus' hand. He could do little for any internal damage, but he had treated many a comrade on the battlefield. Albus knew how to stop the bleeding, and try to ease the pain somewhat until Poppy could examine him. "Despite his illness Harry is still one of the most powerful wizards who ever lived. Even I have been hard pressed to counter some of his traps."


"I taught him how to create these traps," admitted Hermione dejectedly. "This is my fault!"


"You gave him knowledge that you expected to be used for a noble purpose," continued the Headmaster. As he spoke, he found a clean cloth and wiped more blood from Remus' hand. "What was done with the knowledge was Harry's choice." Dumbledore relaxed slightly as he looked at the closed wound. He hoped that there would not be scarring. "There you are Remus, bit of a rough job I fear. As soon as Poppy is done with Hagrid she will make sure that you sustained no nerve damage."


"Ron, take Hermione out of here," Remus said, his voice strained by the intense pain. She was coming apart and needed to get away from this room.


"No," she brushed away Ron's supporting arm as well as her tears. With a determined voice she announced, "I think I know what I did wrong. If there is another trap I can hold it."


"I believe you child, but you should start by checking out the other rooms in the infirmary. I think that our main mistake was testing for traps in the same room with Severus. Such close proximity to him must have been what set it off," said Dumbledore. He kept his voice calm, but inside he was in turmoil. He was making too many mistakes! Now both Remus and Hagrid had been injured because he had not foreseen this happening.


Some omniscient Headmaster he was!

"Yes Professor. Come on 'Mione, we have work to do," Ron said as he urged the young woman into one of the adjoining rooms and closed the heavy door behind them.



Madame Pomfrey stepped back from Hagrid's shoulder to survey her work. His faded blue, blood-splattered shirt hung in tatters from his belted waist. She frowned as the wound continued to bleed through the stitches. His natural resistance to magic was hampering her attempt to heal him.

Poppy was preoccupied sewing up Hagrid's injured shoulder, while Dumbledore was leaning close to Remus using a spell to better numb the pain. Despite the intense pain that he was feeling, the half-giant had remained stoically silent as she worked, so the Mediwitch was startled when he actually spoke. "Sev'rus?"


They all turned to see that Snape was sitting up with his black eyes wide open, staring at them.


Dumbledore started to move towards him with the intent of offering comfort, but the horrified look on Severus' face made him freeze in his tracks. He glanced down at himself. He was covered with Remus' blood. "Severus, this all looks much worse than it actually is," Dumbledore gulped somewhat inadequately.


"We are alright Severus," assured Remus as he held up his hand. It hurt like hell, but the hole was closed and most of the blood had been cleaned from it. "It was a nick from some broken glass."


"Were my fault," Hagrid added hastily with a shrug that sent a jolt of pain as Pomfrey continued to sew up his still bleeding shoulder. "Just clumsy I guess."


Severus looked at them as he began to tremble. Dumbledore used a quick spell to clean all of the blood that he could see. That included some of Hagrid's blood on the side of the bed that the Slytherin had thankfully not yet noticed.


Albus walked over and sat down on the bed beside his ill Potions Master. He smiled reassuringly when the other man did not flinch. "You see Severus, everyone is just fine. You and your child are perfectly safe."


"Gryffindors are pathetic liars," Severus said as Dumbledore rubbed his back, though he made no move to stop his ministrations. In fact, he leaned into the older wizard's gentle touch. "I am not blind," he continued. "The glass from the cabinet was broken from the inside. There was something on the shelf that Potter set up to kill me." He was obviously upset but, at least, he had not succumbed to a panic attack.


"You are correct Severus," admitted Dumbledore knowing from long experience with Severus that it was better to come clean. Besides, the young wizard would feel a bit of Slytherin pride at sniffing out their fabrication so easily. "But the trap has been destroyed. I promised you that we would keep you safe."


Snape's tired eyes went from Dumbledore to Remus and Hagrid. "You were hurt trying to protect me," he placed a hand on his belly. "To protect us. I owe you both a Wizard's debt." The slight tremor that he felt run through the black haired man's thin frame as he spoke made it obvious to everyone that thought made him nervous.


"Severus, all of us promised that no one would hurt you or your child," said Remus, sitting down on the other side of the trembling Slytherin. "And you know what sticklers we Gryffindors are for keeping promises." His left hand closed over Snape's.


Poppy felt Hagrid shift restlessly beneath her needle. She tightened her grip on his arm and continued to sew him up. She knew exactly what the problem was and had no patience for it. Hagrid and Remus' rivalry over Severus was becoming very inconvenient.


"That is true my boy," said Dumbledore softly. Remus and Poppy noted the slight glow begin to form around the Headmaster's hand.


The spell Dumbledore wove began to take hold, and Severus' head started to droop. But suddenly he jerked upright and glared over his shoulder. "Albus, please discontinue your sleep spell. I am not slipping into hysterics, and I have spent more than enough time asleep today."


"No, you have not, Severus. You are exhausted and you need as much sleep as you can get," countered Madam Pomfrey, returning his glare as she placed a bandage over Hagrid's now closed wound. "You and the baby need rest."

"I can rest without becoming comatose," insisted Severus.


"Perhaps he can read a nice dry potions text?" suggested Dumbledore, hoping to defuse the situation. Poppy frowned, but nodded. If the best she could do with Snape were to keep him in bed for a while, she would take it. "Good." The Headmaster smiled. He hid it well, but he was elated at the fact that Severus was fighting them. That he seemed to be acting more like his true temperamental, uncooperative, infuriating self. "Remus, you should let Poppy take a look at your hand. Hagrid, will you sit by Severus for a while? I have something that I must attend."


Hagrid moved quickly as Poppy finally released his arm and allowed him to reclaim the chair beside the bed as Remus stood. The werewolf was not pleased, but still moved closer to allow Poppy to examine his hand.


"Albus, I saw Granger and Weasley leaving the room. Do they know?" asked Severus attempting to keep the note of fear in his voice, and freezing the Headmaster in his tracks.


"Because of the number of traps and the random nature of the triggering mechanisms, we have brought in Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley and the rest of the staff," Albus said softly, fervently hoping that this news did not destroy what looked like positive progress.


"The whole staff! They know about Potter..."


"We had to bring in more help, Severus," assured Dumbledore stroking his back again. "They only know that Harry carried out the pranks including impregnating you and that it was he that set these traps, nothing more."

Snape swallowed. "You are sure?"


"I am sure," assured Dumbledore. "They understand that you are the innocent victim of a mentally deranged person. No one blames you for anything that happened."


"They don' Sev'rus," said Hagrid with complete conviction. "Everyone wants ter help yeh."


"Come Remus, I need to examine your hand," Madame Pomfrey said, indicating for Remus to follow her into the next room. The werewolf could not stop a longing look at Severus or a mute glare at Hagrid before reluctantly following the Mediwitch.


She actually could have done what she needed to there, but the testosterone in the room was becoming a bit too thick for her and, more importantly, for Severus to take.

"If we are all set here, I should check on the progress of Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger," noted Albus, giving Severus an affectionate pat on the shoulder. The Headmaster moved towards the door. "Oh Severus, I will have Dobby bring up your copy of Most Potente Potions."

"Could you make it A Study of Subtle Poisons? I have not read that one in a few years," said Severus.


"Of course," Dumbledore nodded as he exited the room. Then on a whim added, "Just as long as you do not plan on using any of them on the students."


"Please, Albus, you know me better than that," Severus deadpanned. "Those are too easily traced."


Dumbledore smiled, surprised and pleased that Severus would engage in their old game. He was under no illusions that the younger wizard was completely himself. As he closed the door behind him, Albus sighed. He knew that Severus had a long way to go, but he was strong, and resolute. Severus had not survived twenty years of spying to give up now.

"Yeh all right there, Sev'rus?" asked Hagrid when the two of them were alone.

"Quite well, thank you." Severus glanced at his caretaker nervously. He cringed slightly at the sight of the heavy gauze on Hagrid's shoulder. Only recently had he realised that Hagrid was a sexual being. And now? Now he also understand that Hagrid was no longer invulnerable, especially when he recalled much too clearly just how bad that wound had been. Severus glanced down at his tightly clasped hands. He felt ashamed. Ashamed that he was nervous because Hagrid was sitting beside him in a shirt hanging in shreds on that brawny form.


"Yeh don' need ter worry yerself. I won' let nothin' happen ter yeh," assured Hagrid, seeing the odd look on Severus' face.


"Of that I have no doubt." Snape's eyes were glued on the far wall.


There was an uncomfortable silence until Hagrid said softly, "Sev'rus, am I makin' yeh nervous? 'Cause o' my shirt?" The half-giant felt a little self-conscious. Showing off by the lake was one thing, having his shirt ripped off and being exposed like this was quite another.


Face reddened slightly from shame, Severus nodded. "It seems silly. I should not be afraid just because..." 'Merlin this is ridiculous! I am thirty-seven years old! I am not a virgin maiden swooning at the sight of a man's bare chest!'


"If it'll make yeh feel better yeh can fix it. Yer wand is in the nightstand."


Severus leaned over and opened the drawer. He felt a sense of relief flow through him as he wrapped his hand around the dark wood of his wand. He did not feel quite so helpless or afraid with his wand in hand. Feeling more confident, he pointed the wand towards Hagrid, "Vestment Reparo!" he commanded.

Hagrid looked down at himself with a smile and ran a hand down his immaculate shirt. "Looks like it just came from the shop!" The half-giant laughed as he examined the rest of his wardrobe. "Thanks Sev'rus, yeh mended a tear in my trousers, and I think yeh fixed the hole in m' sock too!"


"I was not specific about what clothes to repair," Severus shrugged. "Besides, it was the least I could do under the circumstances."


"Oh, yeh don' have ter worry about that," assured Hagrid. "Yeh don' owe me nothin'."

"But I do," Severus sighed. "A Wizard's debt is a very serious matter Hagrid. I owe both you and Remus my life."


"I know 'bout Wizard's debts. Looked 'em up in the library a while back. I can ask yeh ter do something fer me an' the debt will be paid, right?"


"Yes," the Potions Master answered nervously.


"Then, maybe yeh could come ter dinner on Saturday?" he asked hopefully.


Severus blinked at him in disbelief. "You are saying that if I come to your hut and eat dinner with you Saturday, then you would consider my life debt paid?"


"The book don' say I have ter ask fer nothin' specific."


"I suppose not," Severus looked into those sincere black eyes and could not help but smile just a little. "Alright Hagrid, assuming that Madame Pomfrey will allow me out of here by then, I would be honoured to have dinner with you."


The half-giant took Severus' hands in his, "Thank yeh Sev'rus. Thank yeh!"

---

Poppy had stopped any pretence of not listening as Hagrid very loudly thanked Severus for accepting his invitation. "Stop clenching your fist, Remus."


"Sorry," he sighed feeling ill.


"Remus, you know that Severus only feels an obligation to Hagrid because of the Wizard's Debt," said Poppy softly with a hand on his shoulder. As annoyed as she felt with the pair of them, Poppy was firmly in the camp that believed Remus would be the better match for Severus. "I mean, Hagrid is a very sweet man but what could they possibly have in common?"


"I know." He tried to relax, not to think about the two of them spending several hours together alone. But it was true. Severus had only agreed because of the Wizard's Debt. It was not as if he and Hagrid would have anything to talk about. Severus did not care about the half-giant's creatures, and Hagrid would be completely out of his depth trying to discuss potions.

The only conversation they could really have would be about the baby. The baby that had as much chance of belonging to Remus as it did to Hagrid.



"Remus, you know, Severus also owes you a Wizard's Debt..." noted Poppy. Remus' eyes lit up as he realised that she was right. The Potions Master could not deny him equal time.


He would ask Severus to dinner himself.


tbc