The Tale of Two Enemies

Chapter Three

Snape could hardly believe what he was reading, or rather, what was more surprising was the fact he was STILL reading this drivel. He had just gotten up to the part he presumed Granger and her unusual friend were writing and giggling over in class.

~

Snape carried the young wizard in his arms, as though he were a damsel in distress.

"Don't worry Potter, you will soon feel much better. I promise." Severus whispered, his breath dancing softly over the young wizard's cold goose flesh. He traipsed up the hill towards an all too familiar castle. Harry closed his eyes as a sense of fatigue consumed him. He felt safe in his professors arms, suddenly wishing he could lay in them forever.

Snape carried his exhausted student into his chambers before laying him on his larger than normal bed. Harry twitched before opening his eyes, the surroundings that greeted him were unfamiliar but by no means unpleasant.

He watched as his saviour strode over towards a large wooden cupboard. Snape yanked open the large door to reveal thousands of bottles of potions. There were enough there to survive the next world war, a famine and a zombie apocalypse.

"I'm feeling much better now thanks Professor." Harry offered, sitting up on the bed before rising to his feet, not wanting to trouble the professor.

"No you're not."

Harry's eyes widened as he instinctively sat back down on the bed.

Wasn't he?

"This one." Snape mumbled, more to himself than to his present company as he reached out for a stained green bottle.

The potions professor strode over to Harry's side before drawing the bottle his tired lips.

"Drink this."

Harry obeyed without hesitation, swallowing a mouthful of the surprisingly tasteless potion.

"Oops, I gave you the wrong one." Snape muttered, re-reading the label on the bottle. He hadn't exactly intended for the words to leave his lips but it was apparently too late.

"What did you give me?"

"N-nothing."

Harry knew something was wrong. Snape never made a mistake.

Ever.

And why was he being so reluctant to reveal to him what he had truly given him? Well, he supposed it would soon become apparent.

The young wizard laid back on the soft mattress adorned with a fluffy deep purple blanket. Though he was surprised Snape had opted to take him to his chambers instead of the infirmary.

"There is a set of dry clothes behind you." Snape whispered as he reached towards his student, his fingers hovering over his shirt buttons. He began the process of undoing them without much thought.

"W-what are you doing?" Harry murmured, instinctively placing his hand on top of the professor's, though he made no effort to stop the older wizard. A great tiredness seemed to be consuming him as he struggled to keep his heavy eyelids open.

"Making you more comfortable."

Harry slowly nodded as his breathing became heavy. He couldn't deny the heat rising in his cheeks or the desire tearing through his body. The young wizard tightened his grip around the professor's fingers before dragging his hand south.