A Potion

Previously in A Potion:

Severus sat there for hours. He was there as the fire continued to crackle into the darkness. He was there as supper in the great hall came and went. He was there as the moon rose fully into the sky. He was even there as his dark mark began to burn as a calling and he knew that he must leave. And as Harry lay awake in his dorm that night, silencing charms conjured around him as he cried himself to sleep, Severus was there on the grounds, looking up at the Gryffindor tower as he apparated away.

Chapter 8

Hermione sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She shook her head as Ron did the same and they sat down at the table in the great hall for breakfast.

Harry was running on autopilot. He had refused to tell them why his voice was hoarse or explain the dark, purple circles under his eyes, and merely sat, staring into space much like Hermione had done the days after she had learned of her parents’ death. He ate quietly, trying not to grimace as he felt the dry toast catch in his throat, and forced a swallow of pumpkin juice between his parched lips. His eyes stung as if salt water had been thrown in his face and he struggled to keep them open. He knew he looked terrible, but he didn’t care. The others could ask all they wanted, but what was the point of telling them anything? It wouldn’t help.

He had lost all of his family now, broken up painfully with his lover, and lost all confidence in himself. He was devastated and angry. Harry felt his lower lip quiver as more tears threatened to fall from his already drained eyes, but his face only flushed as he dug deeper into his meal in order for his friends not to notice.

He wanted to look. Could he? Could he turn his head those three inches and glance up at the staff table? It was so much more difficult than it sounded. Severus could be looking at him, and he wouldn’t be able to handle eye contact at this point. Harry was grateful he didn’t have Potions today. It was the weekend, a well-deserved break for the students as they struggled through exams. He wouldn’t have gone to the class even if he did have it, most likely. Even so, he had to look. Just one look…

Harry turned his head slowly. Maybe Severus wouldn’t notice him looking. Maybe the greasy bastard wouldn’t even care. He was probably eating his breakfast without a care in the world, thinking Harry was at fault and that he didn’t do anything wrong. Harry’s heart pounded with venom. It was his fault! He could have at least tr-

He wasn’t there.

Harry’s thoughts stopped, confused. Where was he? His eyes scanned the staff table in search of the Potions Master only to find nothing. His seat was empty and untouched. Had he already been here? Had he not come yet? No, he was always on time for every meal. Every teacher was.

Then where?

Harry’s chest tightened as he turned back to his food. Maybe he was in his rooms, too ashamed to come out and face Harry after last night. Harry frowned. ‘Serves him right,’ he thought vehemently, ‘He should feel guilty.’

Even though this thought seemed logical for a moment, the idea was quashed as soon as Harry thought more clearly. Severus never hid. It wasn’t who he was. No matter how humiliated or terrible or guilty he felt, he wouldn’t hide.

Which lead him to another conclusion:

Voldemort.

What if Severus had been summoned?

What if…. he had been found out?

Harry felt the uneasy feeling of guilt creep into his gut. He quickly pushed it away as he closed his eyes and mentally shook off the idea.

No. Severus was a perfect spy. He wouldn’t have been found out.

Gradually, Harry came to realize Hermione had been prodding him anxiously.

“Eh, what, Hermione?” Harry muttered, rubbing the now sore spot on his arm.

“It’s a beautiful day,” the young witch mentioned, gesturing to the windows lining the hall. “Let’s go take a walk. It might make you feel better.”

“I told you I’m fine,” Harry grumbled, standing up as the other two did the same. “I’m just tired.”

“I know...” Hermione seemed lost.

“Going outside will wake you up, mate,” Ron intervened, seeing Hermione’s pause. “I’m a bit groggy myself. Maybe we could play some Quidditch while we’re out. There’s no practice today so the pitch’ll be free!”

“Mm.” Harry grunted his reply. He didn’t really care. He was so emotionally worn that it seemed all he had left was apathy.

“Well let’s go then,” Hermione said, suddenly very happy, a forced grin plastered on her pink cheeks. She laced her arm through Harry’s and led him out of the hall, Ron not too far behind.

They walked out onto the steps of the castle, relishing the feel of the warm breeze as it cascaded over the grounds, rippling the surface of the lake not far away.

Harry frowned, his gut sinking once more as he thought of Severus. Had he left? Had Harry upset him that much? Maybe he did feel terrible, but Harry couldn’t believe that. ‘He didn’t think he did anything wrong,’ Harry repeated in his head, ‘How can he possibly be sorry?’

They took the few steps down to level ground and began to walk. Ron wasn’t listening to Hermione as she stressed about the Transfiguration test the upcoming Monday. Hermione wasn’t listening to Ron as he rambled on about the Chudley Cannons and their new team member. And neither of them were listening to Harry as he mumbled in acknowledgement as his friends spoke on. However, they all listened when a screech such as they had never heard cut through the blue sky of the afternoon, causing them to spin around in shock to the large doors at the entrance of Hogwarts.

Harry felt new rush of confusion spin through his mind and then a terrible, mind-numbing ache and agony that he had never experienced before as he heard the terrified voice of Sibyl Trelawney wail out from behind the doors of the school, screaming a name that chilled Harry’s heart to ice and shattered it within an instant.

“SEVERUS!”

The trio raced through the doors of the entrance, Harry far ahead, to find a sobbing Trelawney huddled next to the wall, her hands up to her face in a gesture of horror as she looked upon the twitching mass on the floor.

A group of students began to gather and a few screams and gasps pierced through the crowd. Harry could only stare aghast as he felt his arms go limp and his stomach wrench so painfully that he thought he’d vomit all over the shining marble tiles.

Severus lay bleeding and gasping on the floor. His eyes were wide and unseeing as he stared straight up at the ceiling, clutching his shredded robes to his convulsing body. His face was caked in blood and it stilled pored out of his mouth in what seemed to Harry like endless rivers of crimson liquid. His leg was bent at an odd angle and his knee protruded backwards, as if it had wanted to turn around but the rest of his body had not complied. He spluttered and a spray of blood flecked the dark floors, provoking another cry from the students huddled around his wretching figure.

Suddenly, a clear and crystalline voice rang out over the hall, parting the crowd as if Moses were behind them.

Dumbledore strode in with long, hasty steps. The sparkle in his eyes was replaced with concern and desperation. Minerva McGonnagal was not long behind, clutching her robes to herself as if they would fall from her. She gasped; a familiar sound in the now quite room; save for Severus’s coughs and wheezes.

“Albus,” McGonnagal whispered with severity, “We must get him to the infirmary at once!”

“Of course, Minerva,” Dumbledore replied firmly, saying to her that he was well aware of that fact. She frowned and took a step back.

With a wave of his hand, the Headmaster had Severus floating through the air after him, drops of blood trailing the hall as they swept away.

“He was discovered,” Hermione said quietly, her voice barely audible and raspy as if she had been screaming for a long time.

Ron swallowed, unable to speak. “He… he looks bad,” he managed to choke out, still shocked from the sight of the mauled teacher only moments ago.

Harry did not speak. Instead, he ran. He ran as fast as he could, his face blank and his eyes hard.

“Harry!”

Ron and Hermione called after him but he ignored them, rushing up the stairs to the common room. He dashed into the dormitory and grabbed his invisibility cloak, flying back down the stairs with it in hand to come face to face with two very red-faced companions.

“What the hell are you doing?” Ron asked, thoroughly frazzled from the chase.

Hermione’s brows furrowed as she saw the cloak in Harry’s hands.

“I’m going to find out what’s going on,” Harry replied simply, his breath shaky from adrenaline. “If he was discovered, this could be very bad for us.”

He moved past them to the portrait hole, waiting for it to swing open.

“Harry…” Hermione said softly.

He turned around to see her looking at him calmly, an expression of realization making its way over her strong features. Her eyes watered and she smiled haphazardly. “It’s him isn’t it?” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, and as Harry stuck one leg out of the portrait hole and into the hall, he looked her dead in the eyes and threw the cloak over his shoulders.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

“What are we going to do, Albus?”

Harry could hear McGonagall’s voice, shaky and nervous, on the other side of the infirmary curtains. He pulled the invisibility cloak closer around himself, hoping perhaps that it would save him somehow; save Severus somehow…

“Wait for Poppy to finish Minerva,” Dumbledore spoke, his clear voice trying sedately to quell her, “Only then will we know what can be done for Severus.”

“But Albus!” McGonnagal exclaimed, a tone of desperation squeezing out from her involuntarily. “The state of him… after he’d been called by him…”

“Your assumptions are correct, I’m afraid,” Dumbledore interjected somberly, “Severus has indeed been discovered as a spy. I am sad that he had to be put in such danger.”

‘So he was discovered then,’ Harry thought despondently, ‘He was summoned. That’s why he was gone… Last night he was discovered…’ He frowned, his expression morose and lugubrious as he inched his way around the curtain so as not to make a sound. He snuck slowly behind the two Professors who silently regarded Severus’s now unmoving figure upon the hospital bed.

“Well,” Madam Pomphrey said suddenly, “That’s about all I can do for him right now, Albus.”

“What exactly is his condition, Poppy?” Dumbledore inquired, serenely looking over the resting Potions Master.

The mediwitch sighed, clasping her hands together nervously. “He was attacked with numerous spells and physical blows. I can heal the non magical wounds easily, but it seems they did not want him to die. They wanted him to suffer. It’s dreadful…”

“What do you mean?” the Headmaster pressed, furrowing a worried brow as Harry did the same under his cloak.

“I cannot identify what he was attacked with,” Madam Pomphrey said slowly; carefully, “It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before… in all my years…”

“Poppy!” Dumbledore urged, his tone firm and precise.

She frowned and looked over at Severus for a moment. “He won’t be able to use his muscles correctly for quite a while. He’ll be too weak to hold a spoon for weeks, months, maybe more. I have a potion that can rehabilitate him, but it will still take a long time.”

Dumbledore sighed.

“Albus…” McGonnagal spoke into the silence, “If… if he couldn’t use his muscles… then how did he get into the castle?”

A horrifying look of realization swept over Dumbledore’s face as he looked at the Deputy Headmistress. “No one reported having seen him on the grounds. That being the case, the only mode of transportation is…”

“Apparation,” Madam Pomphrey finished quietly. “Headmaster-“

“We must alert the staff at once,” Dumbledore interrupted, regaining his composure and taking on his role as the leader. “Voldemort has finally figured out how to get past our wards. If our wards are down, then the students are in grave danger. Minerva, call all the staff together and wait for me in my office.”

“Of course,” the professor nodded brusquely and left the wing with a vengeance.

“Poppy,” Dumbledore continued, turning to the unsettled witch, “Please retrieve the potion for Severus. However,” He raised a hand as she turned to go. “I want you to triple its potency.”

“But, Headmaster, that could be lethal! It’s never been tested before!” Madam Pomphrey cried, her face aghast.

“I have faith,” Dumbledore stated simply.

She faltered for a moment before running hastily off to her stores.

“Harry, my boy.” Dumbledore spoke once more.

Harry jumped. He had been so caught up in the events that he had forgotten once more that the Professor could see him. Sighing in defeat, he slipped the cloak off his shoulders and looked, ashamed, up at the Headmaster.

“You must go pack your things,” the old man said, his face wrinkled in thought.

“Bu-but why!” Harry exclaimed. “I can’t leave! My friends are here!”

“Harry, if Voldemort has indeed found a way to get past our barriers, then Hogwarts is no longer safe, especially for you.” He raised a quieting hand when Harry moved to speak, causing the young wizard to snap his mouth shut hesitantly. “All he wants is you, and at this point, Severus as well. He only allowed him to live so that we would know he has access to the castle. However, if Voldemort is not sure that you reside inside Hogwarts, then he will not attack until he has full confidence. If you stay here, I have a feeling he will attack within the week. We must get you to a safe place at once.”

Harry’s heart raced. “But for how long!” he asked.

“As long as it takes to ensure that Hogwarts is safe once more,” Dumbledore answered, looking around the room forlornly. “I do not know how long, but it should not be more than two weeks.”

“Where will I go?” Harry cried, furious that he would not be able to stay.

“I cannot tell you that, Harry. For now, not knowing is far safer.” The man tugged at his beard for a moment, a surprisingly anxious gesture. “You are to take Severus with you. He is in no condition to defend himself at this time.”
”What?” Harry’s eyes grew wide. “I wouldn’t be able to help him!”

“You must only make sure he gets his potion. If it works, he should be fine within a few days.”

“But Madam Pomphrey said-“

“Do not let that worry you, my boy,” Dumbledore cut Harry off. “Severus is far stronger than you know.”

Harry looked away. He jumped when he felt a comforting hand rest itself on his shoulder.

“Please, Harry,” Dumbledore said softly, “Trust me.”

Harry suddenly felt very guilty. He shouldn’t have doubted Dumbledore’s logic, even for a moment. “Yes, sir. But…” Harry glanced at Severus. “Can I at least tell Ron and Hermione that I’m leaving and why?”

“Yes, of course, but come back quickly. I will be here.” Dumbledore turned to leave, reaching the doors in a few quick strides and opening them with a natural flourish. As the Headmaster turned to him, Harry saw that the twinkle in his eyes had come back once more. “Don’t be afraid Harry.”

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

“What do you mean, you’re leaving?” Ron yelped, jumping up from in front of the fire. “Dumbledore can’t just kick you out like that. You have a right to stay here.”

“It’s for our own safety, Ron,” Harry replied as Hermione and the fuming redhead followed him up to the dorms. “If I’m here, Voldemort will definitely attack.”

“I don’t bloody care!” Ron pouted.

The three entered the room to find Seamus in the middle of changing. He promptly clasped his hands over his bare chest in some kind of shield as he turned pure crimson. “Bloody hell, guys! Warn me before you bring a girl on in here!”

Hermione couldn’t restrain a giggle as the ruffled Gryffindor dove behind the hanging sheets of his four-poster bed, grumbling about the fact that he couldn’t go into the girls’ dorms. Ron frowned and plopped himself on Harry’s trunk, only to be shoved off of it moments later as Harry grabbed a few clothes from its depths.

“I don’t see why you’re agreeing to go hide,” Ron muttered grumpily, finding Harry’s bed to be a much more suitable seat that the trunk.

“Because I trust Dumbledore,” Harry replied severely, eyeing Ron. “Don’t you?”

“Uwah! Yeah, yeah! Of course I do!” Ron stuttered, taking on Seamus’s previous crimson blush. “I didn’t mean that! I’m just saying that I don’t think it’s smart to send you off somewhere alone. Doesn’t that just make you more of an open target?”

“I’m not going alone…” Harry said softly, shoving a pair of trousers into his bag.

“Huh? Who’s going with you then?” Ron inquired curiously, leaning over the edge of the bed to peer at his friend. His eyes lit up for a moment. “Can we come?”

“No, you can’t come, Ron.” Harry zipped the bag closed and slung it over his shoulder.

“Who then?” Ron quirked his eyebrow in annoyance. “Spit it out already mate!”

“Snape” came the blunt reply.

“Snape!” Ron gaped. “But he was just torn to shreds an hours ago! How can he protect you?”

“I don’t need protection Ron,” Harry replied, his voice hard. He softened suddenly. “I’ll be fine. I’ll be back before you know it. Just… be safe while I’m gone, ok? Both of you.” He looked over at Hermione and gave her a hug. She looked at him sadly and it appeared as though she wanted to say something, but her lips remained unmoving.

“Come back, Harry,” Ron mumbled, patting his friend on the shoulder. Harry smiled and nodded.

They walked down the stairs and into the common room in silence, exchanging worried glances as the portrait hole swung open.

Harry took one last glance at his companions. ‘I love you guys,’ He thought, and stepped for the second time that day out of the room.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

“Are you ready, Harry?”

“As much as I can be.”

“Do you remember what I told you?”

“Two doses of the potion a day. One at night, one in the morning.”

“And the other?”

“Don’t leave no matter what. Stay there until you come get me.”

“Very good. You will be fine.” Dumbledore smiled sadly and placed his palms on either side of Harry’s shoulders, holding him in place. “This will work out, Harry.”

Harry couldn’t bring himself to reply. His throat felt dry and his hands cold. He wrung them together in an attempt to warm them. “This had to happen eventually, didn’t it?”

Dumbledore frowned. “Yes. Yes it did.”

“Well better sooner than later,” Harry sighed. “I think when I come back, I’ll be ready to face him.”

“The whole point of this is so that you don’t have to face him yet, Harry. Don’t wish for danger.”

“Danger wishes for me,” Harry replied, grimacing as if he had tasted something bitter.

“Do not be so jaded, Harry,” Dumbledore said, “Your life is a lucky one.”

Once again, Harry didn’t reply.

They stood in silence for a moment, letting the implication of the situation fully sink in.

Harry closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Oh, how he hated traveling by portkey. He looked over at the empty potion vial that would be his transporter. He wasn’t ready for this. He wasn’t ready to go to some unknown place and wait, not knowing what was happening to his friends and his home. He wasn’t ready to admit that Voldemort was so close; that times were so dark and dangerous. Harry wasn’t ready. He wasn’t nearly ready. And Severus. He would have to face Severus when he woke up.

Harry wasn’t ready for that either.

Harry swallowed and looked up into the ever-glowing eyes of the Headmaster.

“I’m ready,” he said.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Voom biddy boom boom.

Don’t ask. I just felt like saying that.

So a big atmospheric change and Sev is hurt! OH NOES!

What to do…. What to do………….