Angelica's Sorrow

CHAPTER TWO


Two weeks later found our Potions Master in his labratory. He was not at full strength but he would allow no weakness to show. Since his release from the hospital ward, nothing had taken precedence over research. He occasionally ate and slept when Dumbledore forced him to, but his burning desire was to help the four who were still at St Mungo\'s.

Voldemort had cursed them and trapped their minds. None of the standard potions or counter spells were working and no one alive had heard what curse had been used. It had to be an obscure curse or one that was somehow warped by the evil of Voldemort. They were still alive, still sane but unable to move or speak. Who knew how long they would remain sane in that condition. The most heartbreaking part of the curse was their eyes. You could see the spirit of the person, fighting to break free.

\"Severus, unless you temper your resolve I will be forced to assign a house elf to you full time. If I do not see you at all three meals every day, I will do so. You will do them no good if you end up in a bed next to them.\"

\"Headmaster, I cannot waste time going to and fro three times a day.\"

\"Do not consider it a waste of time. You still need to get away from your work to gain a bit of objectivity. A chance to sit and ponder perhaps, away from your laboratory. And you need to sleep more than a few hours every few days. Your pepper up potion is not intended, nor is it a good replacement for sleep. \"

\"Those few hours I sleep could be the difference between sanity and insanity for those four people, Albus! I know you have seen their eyes. How can I sleep with them staring into mine.?\"

\"Are you sure it\'s all of them? Or is it only one pair that haunt your dreams?\"

\"I don\'t know what you\'re talking about, Albus. \"

\"I\'m talking about Hermione Granger. I know how hard it\'s been for you to see her like that.\"

\"It isn\'t any harder for me to see her that way than any of the others. Molly Weasley, Draco Malfoy and Sibyll Trewlaney have just as much right to their lives as she does.\"

\"I do not think you are being quite truthful with yourself, Severus. But if that is what you need to believe to get you through this, I understand.\"

Dumbledore turned and started to leave the laboratory. He paused at the door, \"I will expect to see you in one hour for lunch.\"

Snape\'s shoulders dropped slightly and he nodded. \"I will be there, Headmaster.\"

How could he expect him to join the others at meals? Waste time, precious time. Just to feed himself. He suddenly cleared his table of all the scrolls and tubes that littered the top with one sweep of his arm. The fury within him was growing stronger and stronger. He was no closer to the answer than when he started. Nothing worked. He needed - he needed - something, but the answer wasn\'t in his laboratory.

He strode quickly through the castle and out the front door of Hogwarts. He stood at the top of the steps and looked out on the grounds. A gentle breeze blew his hair into his eyes, he savagely whipped it back and strode off towards the lake. He heard the whispers of the leaves in the trees as he pounded the earth with his boots. His anger seemed to grow stronger at the gentle sounds and he wanted to roar his frustration into the sky.

What good is my knowledge, my cleverness, my so called bravery when so many had died? When so many still suffered.

Dumbledore watched from his balcony with Minerva at his side.

\"I don\'t know yet how to help him, Minerva. I have tried to guide him gently towards what may be the answer but I do not know if it is enough. I am thankful that you are by my side or it might have been me down there so angry and helpless.\"

\"Do you think it would help for me to talk with him, Albus?\"

\"No, my dear. I have already tried. The only one who can help now is himself.\"