Bucolic- RBR Book 3

Bucolic ||6

Chapter 6: Snape Has a Heart... Maybe

I bolted up from my bed, my hospital bed. I knew it was the hospital bed because it was the same bed I was in every time I came to the hospital wing. It was painfully sentimental. Well, the pain had nothing to do with that, my head felt like Snape was conking it again.

"Wuzgoinnon?" I said, dazed and tired.

"Dementors," Hermione explained from the crowd around the bed next to mine. She came over to my bed and sat down. "They showed up at the match. You fell out of the stands and onto the pitch after you fainted."

"Woah," I said in awe. "Has anyone ever done that before?"

"No," Madame Pomfrey said from across the room. "Just you." She bustled over with a huge slab of chocolate. "The dementors affect you worse than anyone I've ever seen." She pulled out a small hammer, hacking off bits of chocolate and shoving them in my mouth. Hermione sighed in anguish. She knew there was no hope for me now- I had eaten sugar.

"Where's Harry?" I asked Hermione through a mouthful of chocolate.

"In the bed next to you- though I suppose you can't really see through the crowd," Hermione said. "He fell from 300 feet on the air but was perfectly fine and even woke up before you. Humph!"

I sank back into my pillows. Harry had seemed cold towards me lately. I had no idea what it was- my three years weren't up yet, he couldn't dismiss me because of my heritage, so what was it? Was he jealous of the new cat earrings that I got? If so, I would be more than happy to get him a pair. I decided it wasn't a thing to worry about, and asked Madam Pomfrey when I could leave.

"You feel fine? No headache, or other aches?" She questioned, raising her eyebrows. I nodded. She sighed. "Fine. You can go. Quidditch I say..."

I tossed the covers off and waved goodbye to Hermione. I decided that I was going to visit someone- not Lupin, he was ill. Or he said he was ill. Really? Ill on the full moon with your boggart as the full moon. Without a doubt, he was a werewolf. But, there was only one person (well who wasn't unavailable to speak to) who would tell me yes or no and have no guilt about it. And that person was Professor Snape.

Now, I know I sound insane for wanting to talk to Professor Snape voluntarily, but he would certainly spill it if he knew it. Then again, he might not talk to me, as he hated me because if this summer (and probably my dad too). So it was really fifty fifty if he would reel me or not. It was too late, however, because I was already staring him in the big ugly face.

"Yes?" He asked through gritted teeth. He appeared to have been in the middle of something.

"With all do respect, sir, we've never been on the best terms, but you're the only one I knew to go to. Will you lend an ear, and an answer, perhaps?" I asked him hopefully. He heaved a great sigh, and, rolling his eyes, beckoned me in.

"What is it?" He asked, going back to his cauldron.

"I don't suppose there's a way to put this delicately, so I won't try. Is Lupin a werewolf?" I asked. He nearly dropped his spoon, but recovered instantly.

"Yes, he's a werewolf. You are sworn to secrecy, Rumor. No one can know under Dumbledore's orders," Snape looked at his cauldron, then at me then back to his cauldron. "I am currently preparing Wolfsbane for him. As much as I hate to admit it, you're a good student Miss Stormhenge. And I need help."

"I will certainly help you, sir. What do you need?" I replied, almost shocked that A. We were being civil and B. He was actually helping a Lupin out with something.

"First of all, you need to know that this must be perfect. If it is even the slightest bit wrong, both Lupin and everyone else will be in danger. Why don't you stir while I add ingredients?"

Huh. I guess Snape has a heart after all.

"Sure thing, Professor!"