Tearmann 2

Supper in the Great Hall was usually full of noise as the students told each other of their day and making plans for the following. Harry sat between Ron and Hermione, not bothering to join in their conversation. He ignored their concerned look and concentrated on the empty plate in front of him, waiting for the meal to begin.

At the sound of the Headmaster clearing his throat, Harry looked up to the head table. Dumbledore looked old and sad. He had dark circles under his eyes and his usually neat long beard was in tangles as though he hadn\'t brushed it for days. He watched the old wizard rise unsteadily to his feet to address the school.

\"I regret to inform you,\" he started slowly, calculating each word, \"that due to illness Professor Snape has had to leave Hogwarts for a time. Until a substitute teacher can be found, I will be teaching potions. You will have your classes at the regularly scheduled time. I expect you to conduct yourselves the same with me or any substitute teacher the same as you would with Professor Snape. I\'m sure you all join me in wishing Severus a speedy recovery. Thank you.\"

There was a time when the Hall would have broke out in cheers at the mention of the school\'s most hated professor having been sent away, now, however, there was only silence. Since the end of the war when Severus\' part in the victory was revealed, there was a surge of respect and admiration for the man that hadn\'t been there before. Everyone had noticed the man\'s failing health as well and there were whispered concerns after every potions class. Their fears for the man had just become a reality. Snape was ill.

Harry refused to look at Ron or Hermione. He didn\'t want to talk about it anymore. It would only make him cry again and he already felt childish for crying as much as he had in the last two days. Severus was gone and it was very likely that he\'d never see the man again. Harry was certain he\'d be graduated before they let the man out of the hospital and allowed him to return home. With a heavy sigh, Harry left the Great Hall, never having touched a bite of food.

Albus shook his head sadly. Poppy had had to sedate Severus in order to transfer him to the Wizarding hospital. Severus had been distraught and refused to surrender. When the calming potion had taken effect, Albus was able to lead the man into his new room at St. Mungo\'s. He sat on the bed holding Severus, gently rocking him and whispered words of comfort he wasn\'t sure the man could hear but needing to say them anyhow.

When he finally rose to leave, a thin hand reached out and gripped him tightly around the wrist. He looked down to see frightened black eyes staring up at him pleadingly.

\"Don\'t go,\" he begged, his voice not much more than a murmur. \"Please don\'t leave me.\"

Albus\' heart couldn\'t take any more. He leaned in and whispered into Severus\' ear, \"I\'ll be back soon, little one. Very soon.\" He pulled away, the tears that had been threatening for hours finally spilled over as he closed the door quietly behind him.

Severus was cold. His whole world had just walked out the door, leaving him in an empty void. The one man he had trusted never to leave him had turned his back and left. He was utterly alone now. There was no one to hold him, to comfort him, to tell him everything would be all right. Everything wasn\'t all right and would never be. He was alone.

He lay back on the cold bed, closing his eyes and let his mind drift away. There was no more reason to stay. Albus had left and Harry had never been there. The war was over so he was no longer needed and just as Voldemort had promised, Albus had abandoned him as soon as he was finished with him. Severus let all of his emotion drain out of him; there was no reason to hold on to anything. Hope was gone and with it the fear of love.