Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

******DISCLAIMER********

J.K. Rowling’s wonderful characters are of her own creation. My characters are my mine. I’m not profiting from using her characters in a possibly depraved manner, but I am entertaining myself.

Sorry it took me so long to update, but I was too busy merry making for the holidays…Tequila, Whoo-hooo! Plus I suffered severe writers block probably brought on from too many hangovers. O.o

Snapespet, if I only knew where I could get a naked Potions Master…

Anyway, without bothering you further, I give you chapter six. *unveils curtain* And thank you all for the lovely reviews, *Purrs*

***An Exhausted Potions Master***

Severus impatiently paced his study, the look of disdain increasing on his pale face as every minute passed on the seemingly loud echoing of the ticking clock. Damn that insufferable woman he piteously thought to himself. It was bloody near midnight and she still had neglected to inform him of what potion SHE believes she needs brewed for that, that girl! He didn’t know what he thought of the young Phoenixx. Currently his rage was directed at Madam Pomfrey. Slamming down his third helping of fire whiskey, he suddenly felt better as it heated his insides, the delicious warmth spreading throughout his body, engulfing…He was interrupted of his momentary pleasures when a timid knock sounded upon the door. “You may enter,” he drawled in a bored voice. A trembling midget of a house elf crept in, clutching a roll of parchment, apparently terrified in horror to enter the study of one Severus Snape. “Well, give it here,” he snapped impatiently, and the house elf rushed forward, tripping itself in its efforts to obey the commands of one so terrifying. Ignoring the house elf’s presence, he began to read the parchment covered in the scrawling script of Madame Pomfrey’s penmanship. Snape’s eyes flashed in heated anger. “Draught of Easement?” “That potion will take me till dawn to complete!” Cursing under his breath, he poured himself another generous helping of liquor. Still, he had foolishly agreed to the request, and grudgingly, he scribbled out his compliance and returned the parchment to the horrified house elf. What he was committing himself to…

The Draught of Easement was indeed a complicated potion, nothing he couldn’t handle of course. It was designed to ease the ailments and combat the effects of withdrawal symptoms of any foolish witch or wizard that dabbled with muggle drugs. Turns out our little mystery guest has a bit of a drug addiction he thought darkly in disgust. His efforts had BETTER NOT go unappreciated. He was a practical man and did not wish to toil into the wee hours of the morning for some insolent wench who would throw away his efforts on a mere whim and continue with her various habits of bodily destruction. Still, with his experience, he knew all too well people can change…
His thoughts were redirected to the task now at hand and he began preparing the various ingredients needed to perfect the Draught of Easement.

As the first rays of dawn heralded the beginning of the new day, Professor Severus Snape had just finished the potion and with a note of satisfaction after examining the results of his work, he quickly filled the bottle with the deep purple liquid and corked the lipped neck with his long, lithe fingers.

Although exhausted from the exertion of his toil and slightly intoxicated, he still had to deliver the potion, and personally administer it to the girl himself, only trusting his own hands to complete the task. After having another quick nip of fire whiskey, the lank professor strode out of the dark bowels of the dungeons, making his way to the hospital wing to product the results of his toil.

Madam Pomfrey was hovered over her charge, completely immersed, unaware of the entrance of the silent Potions Master, intent on delivering his contribution and leaving just as promptly. Coming upon the girl he instantly noticed her condition had improved over the night. Her bruising had almost completely vanished, the wrist that once was oddly twisted in an unnatural manner was now binded and on the mend. Her sallow, shrunken cheeks seemed as if they had filled out slightly. Madam Pomfrey had seen to that when she had administered several nourishing potions throughout the night to assist Phoenixx in growing stronger.

Observing Madam Pomfrey dote on the injured girl, Severus almost felt sorry for the decrepit condition she was in; however he had no pity for weak drug addicts. The silence was broken by a charade on incoherent babbling. Phoenixx’s face contorted in considerate pain, sweat upon her brow. She shuddered and her body writhed uncontrollably, convulsing. It had begun.

Severus, although known by his students for his ability to act rather nastily, was not one to enjoy watching someone in unnecessary physical pain. There had been a time…He shuddered inwardly. This reminded him too much of an Unforgivable, the cruciatus curse.

Without another thought, he rushed forward, nearly knocking Poppy to the floor in surprise. In one fluid motion, he held the head of the writhing, babbling girl and for the sake of the potion began to gently poor the contents into her mouth, pausing now and then to shut her lips to ensure every last drop of the precious liquid was consumed. The seizures were becoming more violent however, and it was becoming increasingly difficult not to spill the liquid. “FOR - GODS -SAKE!” “MAKE USE OF YOUR SELF POMFREY AND HOLD HER DOWN!” Severus bellowed harshly. Madam Pomfrey typically took orders from no one, but with one look at the bloodshot eyes of the glowering Potions Master she alarmingly did what she was told. With Poppy’s assistance Severus was able to complete the task. Several minutes passed after the consumption of the draught when Phoenixx’s severe seizures finally climaxed to an end. Her breathing became even once again and her face, earlier contorted in pain, relaxed in peace. Satisfied his potion had done the job Severus turned to leave, his black robes swishing about his legs. “Thank you Professor.” Severus merely looked at the shaken but pleased healer and stormed out of the hospital wing. She became aware of the strong scent of liquor that drifted through the room and shook her head disapprovingly as Snape made his exit. Such a wretched man, and no doubt an alcoholic to boot. Poppy admired his work alone, feeling he lacked other qualities, such as the ability to interact civilly with his fellow man. This was undoubtedly an understatement in her mind. With that last thought she returned to care for the sleeping girl.

Although she still had not regained consciousness, Phoenixx’s condition improved as each day passed. Her auburn hair was regaining its old luster, her skin was returning to a normal healthy color. Her face had lost much of the haunted look it had previously retained. Although her body still was obscenely thin, it had filled out enough to ward away the skeletal resemblance. Her health was returning. Severus had noticed the positive changes as he continued brewing the draught Phoenixx so desperately needed to overcome the terrible ordeal of the withdrawal symptoms she retained from the torture she had subjected her body to. The Potions Master was still personally administering the Draught of Easement to the young woman, preferably after Poppy finished her pampering and went to bed as he did not prefer her insufferable company.

As a result of his exhaustive work, Severus’ usually tolerable demeanor suffered and his surly attitude achieved such confound heights of snarkiness most didn’t even think HE was capable of. The students were succumbed to an even more brutal reign of terror, fleeing from his towering presence in mortal fear of becoming the next unfortunate victim of his wake of wrath. In light of his new found abilities to terrorize, even teachers were becoming wary of their Slytherin colleague. All except for one, Albus Dumbledore, who acted as though the Potions Master’s recent behavior had been nothing but congenial sweetness and perseverance.

Severus aside, Albus alone understood the implications of the task he had committed himself to. The Draught of Easement consisted of tiring hours of work and mental exertion. The potion must be administered once a day, ten in succession in order to be effective, lest all the precious work be undone and all progress hindered. To make matters worse, each potion after the next must be considerably stronger than the previous. As a result, it became increasingly difficult to brew and more time consuming than ever.


Between teaching classes and the preperation of the Draught of Easement, Severus had time for little else. By the tenth and final day, the intense dark circles under his eyes indicated he was getting next to little sleep. Albus made a mental note to himself that after the final draught was concocted to give Severus several much needed days of rest. Perhaps he’d throw in a couple of bottles of fire whiskey from his own personal liquor cabinet later when he was feeling better. That is, if he didn’t drink them all himself. Albus chuckled at the thought. Albus’ mind returned to a more somber state of the present. Dumbledore knew Severus had been personally overseeing the administrations of the young woman’s medication. If Albus wasn’t mistaken, his surly Potions Master seemed to have taken an interest in the mysterious young woman, even if he did not care to admit it, not even to himself.

Dumbledore recalled the several occasions he had visited the hospital wing to check on the girl’s progress. With each visit she grew stronger, her health returning to a more acceptable state, dramatically taking a turn for the better. Although she still had not regained consciousness, Albus was clearly pleased with her progress, and told Madam Pomfrey so. Of course he knew without Severus’ help, her situation would not have been as agreeable, even with all the work Madam Pomfrey had done.

Later that evening after dinner when the students had shuffled to bed, Albus retreated to his office for a generous nightcap before making a late visit to the hospital wing. Upon entrance, Albus was not surprised to find his indifferent, seemingly callous Potions Master elevating the head of the young woman with one hand, his long fingers wrapped around the base of her skull while feeding her the contents of the bottle with the other in a gentle manner, not unlike the attentiveness he bestowed upon his beloved work.

Bending over the freshly changed linen, compliments of Madam Pomfrey, he was completely unaware of the Headmaster watching him intently as he impatiently poured the results of his exhaustive toil into her mouth. Although he considered this slightly self-degrading, it was obstinately the satisfactory moment of the day. He was deeply relieved that this was the very last draught, for he was extremely exhausted from the ten days of continual never-ending work.

Severus continued his task in administering the deep purple liquid to Phoenixx. Upon finishing, Severus stood up, his tall, dark form towering over the hospital bed. He paused to intensely study the auburn-haired woman. He held her responsible for the source of his newly found troubles, and his ebony eyes glittered in bitter annoyance. Blast her pathetic addiction to hell!
However, he was secretly intrigued with her origins and had several questions regarding her obtainment of magic, if she had any at all. He could not help but notice her now lustrous red-tresses. Very becoming. ‘Hmmm.’ He pondered, ‘the lack of sleep must finally be getting to me.’ That statement would not have gone over well with the other Professors as they had been forced to tolerate his insufferable hostility.

“Ahem.” His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Albus clearing his throat.
‘I wonder how long that meddling old goat has been standing there,’ Severus thought to himself darkly.
“Good evening, Severus,” Albus greeted, his blue eyes twinkling merrily, apparently pleased at the sight of him. Nodding at Dumbledore in silent acknowledgement, the Potions Master noted regrettably that Albus looked as if wished to speak with him. He prayed to the gods the old wizard would get to the point quickly, as he had a habit for voicing his proclamations of various eccentricities, sometimes annoying Severus to the point that it took every inch of his will power to quell his desire not to hex the Headmaster. Realistically he wouldn’t even dare dream of it. Even though he was not always the most agreeable of persons, he had the upmost respect for the wise older wizard, and almost even looked up to him as the father Tobias never was. It had been Dumbledore who rescued him from the bowels of destruction, Dumbledore who treated him with nothing but kindness, and Dumbledore, when no one else had, given him the greatest gift of all, a second chance at life.


“Severus,” began Dumbledore, interrupting his thoughts. “It seems your efforts have greatly improved our guest’s condition. Without your extensive knowledge of the Draught of Easement, I fear her body may never have fully recovered and her situation would have been very dire indeed.” Dumbledore’s eyes glittered in approval at Snape. Snape nodded his head, “My pleasure, Headmaster,” he drawled in a soft voice coolly, but not unpleasant. Dumbledore continued, “Your efforts have been truly exhausting, it would be appropriate I think,” he paused, apparently choosing his words carefully. “It would be appropriate I think for you to rest. I suggest you take as much time as needed to recuperate. I will arrange for your classes to be taught…” “That shall not be necessary,” Snape cut him off, his voice cold and indifferent. The thought of some bumbling fool meddling with his work and destroying his progress in his classes irritated and infuriated him beyond measure. Dumbledore continued as if he had not heard a word. “It is tiring work and mentally draining to have had to complete a ten day supply of the Draught of Easement. Many wizards and witches do not have the stamina, nor the will power to finish the task.” Dumbledore’s voice was patient although it was evident that even he found it tiring to comply with the stubborn antics of a certain Slytherin.

Severus however, annoyed at the Headmaster, knew the request to be in his best interest and muttered, “Very well, are we finished then?” “Of course Severus, return to work when you are replenished, I shall make a visit in two days’ time to see how you are feeling.” With a nod of his head, Severus wished the Headmaster a goodnight, and Dumbledore watched him stride out of the hospital wing, headed towards the dungeons for some very much needed rest.


Author's Note: I am very sorry it has taken me long to update. I am working on it. It is just that I am going to school. I will update soon. I promise.