Stay with me

Chapter 4

"This is absolutely barbaric. Look at the state of you!" Minerva fumed as she helped the man to his feet. He stubbled further as he tried to carry his own weight alone.
"Oh for heavens sake Severus just lean on me, I'm a big girl I can handle some extra weight. I won't shatter in the proses."
As much as he wanted to protest his body was thankful for the extra support. Had she not of found him he'd have just remained slumped against a tree until morning, if he managed to make it that long.
"I'll take you to your rooms, perhaps-" Minerva didn't even get to finish her sentence before he began violently coughing after trying to speak.
"No, yours" he managed to croak before another bout of coughs erupted from him.
"Severus, your chambers are far closer than mine, it's the most logical option in this situation. Actually going to Poppy's would be the most logical, but that's not going to happen is it?" He didn't have the strength to argue, despite how much he really did not want to go to his chambers. Hers were so much cosier, warmer and he found himself more at ease in her brightly lit warm and neat chambers. Minerva was of course right, his was the more logical choice.

Getting past Snape's portrait was a challenge, not because the portrait saw Minerva as a potential threat to Severus, but because he cared for his well-being and bombarded her with questions. Questions Minerva couldn't answer and wouldn't answer, her annoyance must have been evident on her face because the portrait soon left her in without further questioning. The Gryffindor managed to manoeuvre him over to his settee, before helping him down.
"Best asses the damage this time around." Minerva mentally prepared herself. She undid his outer robes, cursing the amount of buttons on them. Had the extent of the injury been known she could of used magic to speed things up, but it was too risky. You know who, was very well practiced in dark magic, Merlín knows what he would have used. By apparating himself as far as the school gates could of caused more damage as it is.

As soon as she pushed the outer robes aside she moved back to his shirt buttons and faltered. Minerva realised, she'd never actually done this whilst he was conscious, and as dodgy as this sounds it was true, as soon as he'd reach her, he'd pass out.
Minerva swallowed mentally telling herself to get a grip of herself. She glanced at his face and his eyes were already on her. For a moment they looked lost, then it was as if fog had lifted and his dark eyes gave her all the information she needed.

The Gryffindor began undoing his shirt, slowly and carefully hoping not to cause anymore discomfort than necessary. As she pushed the fabric over his shoulders, she did her best to keep her composure. The sight before her wasn't a pleasant one.
"How bad is it?" He managed to croak, though judging by the worry in her eyes he knew it wasn't that good.
"Well, put it this way, if you had been wearing a white shirt it'd be completely red by now." With that Minerva instantly went into the kitchen and returned moments later with a bowl filled with warm water and an old flannel.
Severus didn't have the energy to even ask where she'd found that, frankly he had barely any energy to support himself for much longer.
"Lean back into the cushions." Minerva was back at his side in seconds, helping him to lean back, giving him some support.
"Just do me one favour." Minerva met his tired gaze, daren't letting her worry show.
"Don't close your eyes."

Severus did try to keep his eyes from closing, he focused on her face as she concentrated on the job at hand. He could feel the warm water treacling down his body, or was it blood? He didn't really know, nor did he have the energy to care. He was in good hands now, safe hands now. He was in Minerva's hands. Her soft gentle hands, he could feel her skin brushing against his own, and that alone was enough to ease his pain.
"Still with me Severus?" Her voice broke his trance and he blinked. His mouth had become very dry and sore.
"It's alright, that blink was indication enough. Don't force yourself to speak, I see the problem." Did she really? Of course no doubt she found the medical problem to his current situation, but was she aware he found himself speechless around her quite often, even when he's perfectly fine? She was one of the only people to ever put him in a situation where he's at a loss for words.

"You can rest now Severus, if you wish. I'm not fully finished here though, there's some damage, but we can discuss that in the morning." Minerva noticed his fight to stay awake, and she was ever so thankful to see him not giving up. She was confident now, confident that if he did fall asleep he'd wake up tomorrow. Minerva wasn't entirely sure how long she'd been there at this point but he'd fought slumber the entire time, she noticed him nodding his head every now and then and waking himself up, she also felt his gaze on her when he was awake, they'd been there some time. The extent of the damage was quite bad, though not completely erasable.
Minerva's actions came to a halt when a shaky hand caught one of hers. Her eyes fell to their joined hands before focusing on his face.
"You...you'll be here?" His voice was a hoarse whisper, and she crumbled beneath his gaze.
"I'll be here." She reassures, a smile softening her features.  It wasn't long before the man fell asleep, and Minerva finished off.