Jail Bird Choir

CHAPTER 8

“How much did that little lot cost?”

Harry glanced up from where he was easing off the iron band from around Snape’s ankle carefully avoiding tearing more of the infected skin as he did so. Remus had finally emerged from the basement and now stood arms folded grumpily across his chest and staring at the assortment of potions laid out on the coffee table in front of where Snape sat on the lounge.

“Does it matter he needs them.” Harry spat as he finally slid the band free and tossed it along with the other dirty swabs and scraps of bloodied cloth into the bin. Carefully Harry took one of the long bandages out and having soaked it in the purple potion Draco had given him proceeded to begin winding it around Snape’s gangrenous ankle. Harry had silently wondered how Draco had known he’d need all these things but would not question the blonde’s knowledge knowing he would undoubtedly dislike the answer. The blonde had a way of knowing too much about something he should know nothing about just as it had always been.

“What took you so long?” Remus continued with his sharp questioning his eyes flickering between Harry and Snape who was staring blankly at the wall despite the pain some of the medicinal practices were bringing him.

“I stopped for a drink, is that a crime?” Harry was getting irritated with his guardian’s questions and purposefully turned his back on the wolf as he washed his hands and sat back up on the couch beside his patient.

“Tonks tells me he hardly ate anything she tried giving him.” Remus wandered into the living room and stood beside Harry to look over Snape’s injuries that Harry had tended to.

“He’s starved himself for the last six months Remus, his body needs time to readjust to food.” Harry snapped sharply as he picked up one of the potions and with a small eyedropper began dropping a small amount of the potion onto Snape’s lips where it drained into his mouth and was swallowed. There was little chance of getting Snape to drink a whole potion in one go and without forcing it down the mans throat this was the only solution. Tonks had used the technique with the soup she’d made and although it was tedious it was well founded.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.” Remus muttered as he picked up the hair tonic and gently began massaging a little of it into Severus’ head. Harry bit his lip to resist commenting on Remus’ tender touch it wouldn’t do to push the situation further than was necessary. “He’s meant to be helping you Harry.”

“And he will when he’s well enough.” Remus raised a doubting eyebrow at Harry but said nothing as he continued to rub the tonic into the man’s fragile skin. Perhaps if Snape looked a little more like the Snape of old then his personality might return as well.

When Harry was satisfied that Snape had ingested enough Skelegro and was looking mildly more comfortable with his injuries he walked the wizard upstairs towards the bedroom. Silently Harry lay Snape down in his own bed and having covered him with a light sheet left him be.

Downstairs Ron and Hermione were waiting for him, Ron with a scowl on his face and Hermione looking rather sad. Harry bit his lip as he silently got himself a drink from the decanter by the fire ignoring the twin looks he was receiving from his friends. It had surprised him it had taken them this long for them to come and see him.

“I thought you said you wouldn’t do anything stupid.” Ron growled at his friend as he perched himself on the arm of the chair that his fiancée occupied. Harry shrugged his shoulders as he sat down on the couch beside Remus, who looked far too interested in the conversation passing between the trio of best friends. Tonks was making tea and cookies in the kitchen avoiding the confrontation that was bound to come.

“And I told you I was mad.” Harry put simply as he sipped his whisky glad of it’s calming burn in his throat.

“That’s no reason to threaten the Minister of Magic Harry.” Hermione sighed as she laid a hand on Ron’s knee in silent support. Hermione had grown up considerably since the war, her once schoolgirl figure had filled and left behind a buxom strong natured woman.

“His word against mine.” Harry grumped the inner part of him berating himself for not finishing the job when he’d had the chance.

“Yeah well Dad says they’re reviewing your position as Junior Auror, you could be thrown out of the academy.” Ron snapped sharply irritated that Harry was still making such irresponsible decisions in his life. “And for what? The greasy traitor who given the chance would have rather seen Dumbledore dead than his precious godson.” Harry took a deep breath in calming himself not wanting to lose his temper with his best friend.

“Ronald I thought we discussed this, Severus Snape is not a traitor.” Hermione berated her husband her level headedness winning out even in the most difficult of situations. Harry had always known Hermione would support him her way of seeing things from his point of view surpassing Ron’s narrowed mindedness. At Hermione’s comment Remus snorted in amusement and Harry turned to him glaring at him with an amber flicker in his eyes. Remus instantly apologized and back off knowing that neither Ron nor Hermione needed to see Harry lose his temper. It was not a good idea for the general population to learn of Harry’s condition. “So how is he Harry?” Hermione continued intrigued to see how her former potions professor was.

“A mess.” Harry muttered his ears picking up the unmistakable sound of someone moving about upstairs. “Excuse me.” Harry got up sharply from the conversation and headed quickly upstairs, his wand drawn in suspicion as he pushed open his bedroom door. Snape was sitting in the window seat his face pressed against the glass staring at the blue sky, in his hand was Harry’s graduation picture of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville standing on the front steps of Hogwart’s in their formal robes and holding their certificates.

“Severus.” Harry whispered hoping that he didn’t startle the man. Snape knew he had company though and turned slowly around on the bench to stare sadly at the young wizard. “I can’t take you outside till later do you want something.” Snape got up from the bench and walked over to the bed where an empty glass sat.

“Water.” The word was barely a whisper past the man’s bruised lips but Harry practically beamed with success as he hurriedly nodded and reached for the glass.

“Sure, I can manage that.” Harry picked up the glass and scurried into the bathroom across the hall before returning with the glass full. Snape was sitting on the edge of the bed the photo in his lap and his injured hands gentle stroking over the frame. “Here, sip it.” Harry took hold of Snape’s hand and gently eased the recently mended fingers around the glass. Snape shook as he tightened his grip and so Harry helped him lip the glass to his lips and let him sip from it for a while before returning it to the bedside for later. Harry was happy to see that the hair tonic was working and that the subs where Snape’s toes and finger nails had been were beginning to newly form again due to the potions. The man was still a mess but there was hope. “Do you feel better?” Harry tried hoping that Snape’s conversation wouldn’t be a one off. Slowly Snape nodded and Harry smiled again as he placed his hand shakingly over the wizards. “I’m so sorry I didn’t find you first.” Harry whispered keeping his voice low so that no one could over hear. Cautiously Harry glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was standing at the door before he leant forward and with his eyes closed pressed a chaste kiss upon Snape’s dry torn lips. Pulling back Harry looked sadly into Snape’s dark eyes a flicker of understanding igniting behind the blank stare. Harry smiled secretly and having laid Snape back down in bed got up to head back downstairs his secret safe from those who’d kill his dreams.

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

A/N Ah yessssss my preciousssss, I believe I've just created a cliffy.... Ooooh bet ya wondering what on earth is going on??? Well you'll just have to wait and see I think....Harry's been a bad, bad boy and when Remus finds out puppy shit is going to hit the fan....Alright hope you're enjoying it, I've cut back a little of the gore for now but you'll be pleased to know more is just around the corner....and it's name is Draco Malfoy.

Thanks for the reviews, I'm glad I've got an audience for this I had wondered if I'd get anyone reading it at all. If you've got time leave a review, I do appreciate them and I love your theories on what's going on they make me laugh, and often spur me to be more devious and cunning with the plot.

Cheers
RIFFRAFF & BF.