Love, Lies & Loneliness

Chapter 45
(Rude Awakenings)

“Severus Snape a ‘Possessive’? Who’d have guessed?” Harry heard a voice, distance though it was he could still make out what was being said. There was a rustle of paper nearby and then Harry heard another voice replying.

“You wouldn’t know from looking at him, that’s for sure.” This voice was more familiar and Harry imagined the coloured hair the witch would probably have. Nymphadora Tonks, order member and auror. “Bet you, ‘you know who’ didn’t know that?” Tonks continued as the rustling of paper continued, as if someone was turning the pages of a newspaper.

“Yeah that’s true, pureblood or not a ‘possessive’ wizard certainly isn’t an asset.” The unfamiliar voice responded and Harry tried to focus on the voice and its direction. Harry decided the person who the voice belonged to was on his right, the same side that he could feel the warmth of sunlight hitting his face. Harry didn’t know where he was or who apart from Tonks was with him, but he was aware of the darkness and his inability to open his eyes or move.

“Is he still in the room?” Tonks this time spoke and Harry heard a chair scrape along the floor beside him, as if someone was getting up. The scrape of the chair was followed by light footsteps that ended further away.

“Yup, refuses any company.” The unfamiliar voice responded again and Harry heard the chink of china and the splash of water, which Harry assumed was someone making tea. “Accept Albus that is of course. Molly said he’s hardly eaten anything the last three weeks, his tray sent back half full every day.” Harry heard the unfamiliar voice sigh softly, before more footsteps and the slurp of someone sipping their cup of tea.

“And Sirius?” Tonks inquired, the sound of a chair scraping back along the floor as she sat back down.

“Still in St Mungo’s as far as I know. Poor sod.” As Harry listened to the conversation the voices began to get louder his senses slowly returning to him, to the point where he could just wiggle his toes and fingers beneath the tucked blankets.

“Yeah, Black’s strong though, he’ll get through it. It was bound to come eventually, you can’t go 15 years in Azkaban and have it not affect you.” Tonks sounded positive like she normally did although Harry was sure he didn’t feel so upbeat.

“I’m sure he will, they’re the best in the business down at St Mungo’s he’ll be back before we know it.” Again Harry heard the sipping of tea and now as well as hearing it, he could smell the blackcurrant flavour of the tea. Harry tried desperately to open his eyes but they remained firmly shut and he inwardly cursed at not being able to see the mystery person. Harry had no idea what had happened. All he could remember was seeing Dumbledore apperate into the backyard of Grimmauld place before the pain and the darkness. Harry desperately wanted to know what had happened, both to Sirius and Severus.

“Yes I’m sure he will too. I hope I could be more positive about young Harry here though.” Harry heard tonks sigh, the twinge of concern in her tone of voice somewhat disturbing Harry. Harry tried harder to open his eyes his fingertips curling into the soft bed sheets as he gritted his teeth.

“Aye, but he’s come this far we shouldn’t give up hope yet.” Harry couldn’t believe what he was hearing and he inwardly fought with his no responsive body, desperate to open his eyes and let those two people in the room know he was okay. “Still three weeks with no sign, the boys got luck I’ll give him that but this time he might have pushed it a little too far………..” The unfamiliar voice trailed off as Harry heard a door off to his left opening and a set of footsteps entering and moving over towards where he was lying.

“Albus.”

“Headmaster.” The two voices acknowledged the entrance of the person and Harry rejoiced at knowing a familiar person was now in the room. Again Harry desperately tried to open his eyes but still his eyelids refused to respond.

“How is he?” Harry heard Tonks stand up from the chair again shortly before Dumbledore sat down, his voice sounding weary and old.

“No change headmaster, it’s such a shame after surviving Voldemort to be brought down by his own Godfather. Such a tragedy…” No sooner had the unfamiliar voice spoken that Dumbledore spat nastily at the man, for the first time ever raising his voice to anyone in anger.

“Dr Lee, I don’t appreciate your comments regarding Mr Potter. You may say what you wish when outside this room but while you are in here supervising our patient you will refrain from any negative comments. Mr Potter if you have not realised is still very much alive, and while ever he breathes there is still hope for his recovery.” Dumbledore ended his retort and Harry felt the man’s hand coming up to rest on his forehead brushing away a stray piece of hair. Harry still was unable to open his eyes and in his desperation tears began to leak from the corners of his closed eyes. “Now I believe breakfast is being served downstairs, I will relieve you both while you eat.” Harry felt Dumbledore’s hand shift down from his forehead to his cheek and within an instant the man felt the wet tears beneath his palm. It was as if a whirlwind went through the room and Harry heard the chair fall to the floor with a crash as Dumbledore stood up sharply, the man’s hands coming to cup Harry’s cheeks tightly. “Harry? Harry? Can you hear me? Please, give me a sign. Harry?” Harry had never heard Dumbledore sound so desperate and Harry tried desperately to shout and open his eyes. “Come on Harry, look at me.” Clenching his fists beneath the blankets Harry tried one more time to open his eyes and within an instant his vision was flooded with bright white light, momentarily blinding him. “Close the curtains!” Dumbledore shouted at the other people in the room and within moments the bright light had gone from Harry’s vision and he was left with only the fuzzy outline of Dumbledore’s wizened old face hovering so close to his own. “Oh my dear boy, you’re awake.” Dumbledore’s hands were running frantically over Harry’s cheeks, the man’s smile so wide it practically took up his entire face. “Tell the others, and Severus. Go and get Severus.” Harry’s vision slowly swam into focus although the boy still found it difficult to keep it clear, but he did see Dumbledore call over his shoulder to Tonks, her fiery red hair an orange blur in Harry’s vision as she ran from the room crying out in happiness to everyone else in the house. “Oh thank Merlin Harry, give an old wizard a breakdown you did.” Dumbledore brushed the stray tears from the boy’s cheeks with a soft hand. Harry managed a weak smile before the ache that was beginning to take over his body made him close his eyes again in pain.

“Where is he?” Harry heard footsteps running down the hall before the door to the room shot open and the footsteps came running over to where Harry lay. Dumbledore’s comforting touch left him, and was instantly replaced by far more familiar hands, callused and dry with a lifetime of potion making. The smell was intoxicating too, the familiar smell of sandalwood and spice something only Severus smelled of. “Harry?” Forcing back his pain Harry opened his eyes to acknowledge his lovers frantic voice. No sooner had Harry’s blue gaze focused on Severus than the man broke down, tears streaming down his cheeks and his hand shaking violently as they tried to capture Harry’s cheeks in a gentle touch. Harry heard a disturbance in the hall before many talking, chattering people spilled into the room, all of them trying desperately to get to Harry. For Harry it was all too much and he slid his eyes closed as the pain swept over his body yet again.

“Out! Get Out! Mr Potter needs rest, one visitor at a time if you please.” The unfamiliar voice Harry had become accustomed with earlier demanded order and soon everyone was moving out of the room, leaving just the quiet sobs of Severus who now had Harry’s right hand clasped tightly in his own shaking ones.

“Severus, calm down or you’re going to make yourself sick again.” Harry heard Dumbledore move around the room and Harry opened his eyes long enough to see the headmaster place a supportive hand on Snape’s shuddering shoulders. Snape seemed to take three strained breaths calming himself even though the tears still spilled down his cheeks, from eyes that looked so tired but relived.

“Harry.” Severus spoke Harry’s name with so much concern and Harry opened his mouth to whisper back, but no words came out. Dumbledore was quick to place his hand on Harry’s forehead calming the boy’s obvious pain.

“Don’t speak Harry, not yet. Dr Lee has gone to get some pain potions from downstairs.” Dumbledore soothed his hand on Harry’s forehead making the boy involuntarily close his eyes again. It was a few moments before Harry heard the door to the bedroom open again and the clink of bottles being carried in and placed on the bedside table.

“Well now what cocktail would you like today Mr Potter.” Harry opened his eyes and watched through sleepy eyes as the unfamiliar doctor poured several different coloured liquids into a glass, which he topped up with what Harry assumed was pumpkin juice. “Good all mixed, now let me help you drink this.” Harry felt the bed yield as the doctor sat down on the bed and put a supporting hand underneath his shoulders propping him up slightly, as he brought the foul coloured concoction to Harry’s lips. “All in one go now, don’t want to waste it.” Harry swallowed the liquid obediently but felt himself heave at the taste. When the liquid was all gone Harry was laid back down again and his lips carefully patted dry by Dumbledore. During the entire ordeal Severus had sat silently beside Harry, his hand clutching to the boys unwilling to let go. Harry had never seen Snape so quiet, nor had he seen Snape seem so tired. The man had at least several days’ growth on his face, and the dark circles under his eyes made his face seem more sallow than usual. “Well that should knock him out for a while, so we can get to work on his arm. I didn’t dare start healing that until we were sure he was going to wake up, but now time is of the essence and I will require Madam Pomfrey’s help naturally.” Harry turned briefly from Snape’s face to glance up at the doctor who was now buzzing around the room. Harry was beginning to feel sleepy again and as he looked back at Snape his eyes slowly drooped closed until only the image of his lover swirled in his mind.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>