The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"You Absolutely Cannot Go"

Madeline lay awake in the hospital bed with her head on Snape's chest. Simply sitting on the side of the bed had exhausted him and he was sleeping deeply, which was unusual for him. Normally he woke at the slightest noise or shadow, but his body was tired and trying to heal. She was wrapped in his arms and she was grateful. He was alright. That was all that mattered. His heart thumped insistently under her cheek. Strong. Alive.

She heard a creak and sat up. Severus stirred, but did not wake.

Someone was entering the great double doors of the hospital wing. The dim candlelight revealed a small boy with blonde hair wearing a Gryffindor red dressing gown. Colin Creevey.

"Maddie?" the boy whispered tentatively.

"Over here, Colin," she whispered back. "Are you sick?"

Madeline stood and straightened her uniform.

"I've got a stomach ache. I thought it might go away on its own, but it didn't."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Have a seat."  He sat on the nearest bed. "May I examine you?"

The boy nodded and she gently pressed his abdomen.

"Does this hurt?"

He nodded.

"Have you eaten anything that might have made you ill?"

"Well, I did eat six chocolate frogs."

"Six?" She smiled. "I think we've found the source of your stomach ache. Wait here. I'll get you something that will set you right."

When she returned with her potion, the boy was staring at the bed where her husband lay sleeping.

"Is that Professor Snape?" he asked.

"It is."

"Is he ok?"

"He will be. He isn't feeling well, but he'll get better soon. Now here. Take this."

She handed him a vial and he drank it down.

"That ought to do it.  Now go get some rest, Colin. Come back and see me if it gets worse. Alright?"

The boy smiled at her. "Thanks, Maddie."

"Happy to help. And don't eat so much chocolate at once next time." She ruffled his hair, grinning.

"I promise," he said, and he left quietly.

She climbed back into bed with her husband and, without waking, he instinctively took her in his arms and pulled her close to his body. Safe in the arms of Severus Snape, she closed her eyes and let herself sleep.

...

Snape was moaning. Madeline shot straight up in the hospital bed. She had barely been asleep for an hour. The clock on the wall read 1 am exactly.

"Severus," she called softly, laying her hand on his chest.

His black eyes flew open.

"My mark. It burns. I must go." He gripped his forearm desperately.

"Severus, no! You can't even stand! You absolutely cannot go!"

"You know I have no choice. Now help me." He was already sitting up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed.

"Then I'm going with you."

"Absolutely not."

"Yes! You almost died, Severus! You're unwell!"

"Firstly, you were not called to him so you cannot go, and secondly it is too bloody dangerous."

"I don't care. You're not going without me. Look at yourself! The simple act of sitting up is causing you to perspire."