Spur of the Moment

Chapter 46

Harry woke slowly and with a groan, but did not immediately open his eyes. Instead, he reached out with his other senses and a bit of his magic like Severus had taught him in their lessons. He could feel that his surroundings had changed. He was no longer laying on that table or the ground but was, instead, in a bed. He could also feel that the space around him was larger than and not as constricting as the basement had been.

There weren't many sounds to pick up on. He could, however, hear a light clinking of glass, a rustle of sheets, and nearly inaudible breathing. The place smelled medicinal and familiar. It was a place he often frequented though he hated the place.

"Ah, Mr. Potter. You're awake," a familiar female voice said and he turned his head towards the sound, still keeping his eyes shut. He reached out with his magic again and picked up on two magical signatures.

Poppy Pomfrey and Severus Snape!

It was at this realization that his eyes flew open. He briefly registered that he was in the Hospital Wing before searching for Severus.

"Mr. Potter, stop moving," Pomfrey said sternly.

"Severus. Where's Severus? What happened to him? Is he alright?" Harry asked frantically, still trying to get to his feet despite Pomfrey physically restraining him.

"Severus is fine, Harry. He is in the bed next to yours," Pomfrey said and Harry looked at the bed to the right of his. Severus lay on his back with a thin blanket covering halfway up his chest. Harry could see the white gauze that was wrapped around the man's chest.

"What happened to him?" Harry asked, staring at him.

"When the basement collapsed, Severus protected you. His chest was crushed by the impact," Pomfrey told him.

"Will he be okay?" Harry said.

"Yes, he will be fine. He will be tired and his chest will pain him for the next couple days, but he will recover." Pomfrey nodded. "Now, sit still so I can be sure you are healing as well," she added.

Harry obeyed and remained still as Pomfrey did her scans, but his eyes never left the Potions Master.

"Alright, you are doing fine. However, your chest will not be completely healed for a few days yet. It was heavily damaged," Pomfrey said and Harry frowned. He looked down at his own chest and found it was wrapped in bandages much like Severus' except his had a few small spots of dark red on them. "Does it hurt, dear?"

Harry shook his head. "No, it's fine, Madam Pomfrey."

"Call me Poppy, dear. I daresay we know each other well enough," Pomfrey said with a smile.

Harry gave her a small smile in return.

"Now, you lay down, Harry, and rest. You still have to heal," Poppy told him and Harry laid back. She quickly checked on Severus before leaving the wing and disappearing inside her office.

Harry waited a few moments to be sure the matron was busy in her office before he slowly slid from his bed and tiptoed over to Severus' bed. He looked down at the man as he gently sat on the edge of the bed. He gazed at Severus and sighed, placing a hand lightly on the gently rising and falling chest, feeling the bandages beneath his palm. He focused on the steady breathing of his friend.

But he wasn't just a friend anymore, was he?

He wasn't sure when, but sometime during the time they were in the basement of the Apothecary, he had realized that his feelings for Severus were not limited to friendship any longer. He felt a definite pull, an attraction to the dark man that was his best friend and he had a feeling he had been feeling this way for a while now, but had been ignoring them. He sighed again.