The Princess and The Half Blood Prince

The Medical Wing

Madam Pomfrey came around the corner. "Professor Snape. To what do I owe the honor? Not another hexed acne case I hope."

Then she caught site of me. "What on earth happened to you dearie?"
"I was attacked on my way back in from town." I replied vaguely.

She sat me down on a hospital bed. Her gasp was audible. Then tisking. Not a good sign.
"I'm afraid this will take a bit of time. The fabric has melted to the skin. Not something I can remove with magic."

I could feel my muscle tense. I couldn't stand for people to be behind me. Severus placed his hand on my shoulder again. I felt my tension fade some. Why did being close to him make me let down my guard?

"Miss Greyson. I'm going to rub an ointment on the cut. It will numb it slightly, but you may feel some pain." She fidgeted. "I'll need to cut away the back of your shirt first." She glanced at Professor Snape. "I can send For Professor Mcgonagall if you prefer."

"Thank Madame, but it's fine. I want to get this done with. I have confidence in Professor Snape's ability to remain professional."

"Very well then." She gave me a nod. "Professor, hold her still."
He rolled a medium sized table in front of me indicating for me to lay my arms across it.
"Ready?" His voice unusually soft.
"Ready." I set my face in a mask.

The sound of lace cutting filled my ears first. Then the sound of a scalpel being pulled from its sheath.
Another audible gasp. "What in the..."
"Most those scars are ten years old or better."
Severus walked around me to look. I heard what I'm fairly certain was a growl. He moved back in front of my eyes brimming with concern.

The blade was cold when it touched my back rising goose bumps on my arms. I didn't flinch though. I barely even took a breathe.

Over all it was an hour long process. After the fabric was out of the wound I felt it beginning to close on its own. The upside to being a "filthy mutt" is I heal more quickly than the average person.  This would be a scar by tomorrow morning. 

"Alright now I have pour this potion into the wound. This is going to hurt. Hold as still as possible."
She had me lay face down on the bed. "Professor Snape, hold her down."

I was right. His hands were rough with calluses. They felt like heaven against my bare skin. I did my best to focus on that instead of the swords digging in where the healing potion touched.

I white knuckled the edge of the table, but I didn't move.  I kept my breathing shallow and steady. I could Snape's eyes studying every scar that traces my skin.  They were from a time before. Which was a story I wasn't ready to tell anyone.

Madame Pomfrey wrapped me up. Taking off the front half of my shirt as she went. Professor Snape had turned his back. I watched this robe slide from his shoulders reveling a black dress shirt underneath.

"This should do until you can have someone bring you a change of clothes." He said to me as he handed the robe the Pomfrey.

She took it and wrapped it around my shoulders. I buttoned it, hiding my bandaged back and chest. Once Madam Pomfrey indicated I was decent he turned to face me again. He looked so worried. I felt guilty for making him worry about me. There were far better people to worry over than me.

"Thank you Professor." I dropped my gaze to the floor.

"I am required to look after my students." His tone was cold, but his eyes held that same worried look.

I gave a half hearted smile. "Of course."

"Miss Greyson. I want to keep you overnight to make sure that wound is healing properly." No doubt she had seen it was already healing when she poured the potion in it.