Potionary Confinement

A Mending Heart

CHAPTER SIX

Madam Pomfrey was checking the time as soon as Dumbledore and McGonagall came in.

"The children are still asleep in their dormitories," McGonagall said. "I'll alert Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger tomorrow morning about Potter's condition."

"Severus should be back by now," Poppy said, changing Harry into pajamas with the flick of her wand. "I sent him off for potions."

As soon as she looked up, Fawkes the Phoenix flew in with a song, carrying the unconscious Snape easily.

McGonagall gave out a shocked cry and Dumbledore helped release Snape into the bed right next to Harry.

"You did brilliant, Fawkes!" Dumbledore said brightly. "Now Severus was gathering potions. Will you please go back and bring those if they're anywhere in sight?"

Fawkes the Phoenix gave a beautiful cry, and flew off again.

"Oh my goodness," Poppy began frantically doing healing spells on him. "The man is practically skin and bones! How he stayed awake as long as he did is beyond me!"

Dumbledore and McGonagall watched her work, worrying about their colleague. Poppy took out Snape's wand and many empty potions flasks inside his robes. While they waited for Fawkes, they realized how thin the both of them were.

Harry looked pale and scrawny like always, but now it looked deadly, but he was no where near Snape's condition...

Snape was already a thin man, but his robes hung over him and he looked to have lost several pounds. His face was so gaunt, his cheekbones looked sunken in. Starvation seemed to scream from his body.

Looking at Snape's face, Dumbledore knew that he went hungry for Harry to eat. Knew he went through sleepless nights to care for the sick child...

Anger at whoever did this seethed inside him, and that's when Fawkes flew in with bottles under her wing.

The bird dropped the bottles into Snape's lap and landed to stay upon the top of the bed, watching over them.

Dumbledore stroked the bird's feathers. "Thank you, Fawkes. You may go back to your perch, or stay here if you'd like."

Fakes stayed, singing quietly which caused them all to stop and listen. They were in a trance for a few minutes.

Until Snape coughed up and clutched a hand to his chest. Poppy started wiping his face clean.

His eyes shot open and he felt nothing but panic. Where was he? Where was Harry?

Snape started mumbling frantically. "H-Har — "

Dumbledore patted his hand. "Harry is safe. He's right here, Severus."

Snape couldn't see though. The light hurt his eyes and his stomach burned from hunger.

Poppy held Dreamless Sleep potion in her hand at the ready.

"F-Feed him," Snape said. "Take c-care of him... Please..."

Fawkes gave a sad cry and flew away. Dumbledore squeezed his hand. "Don't worry, my boy. You both are going to be all right."

Snape gave a frustrated yell. Poppy put the potion to his lips, making him drink. He tried pushing her away, but the potion worked instantly, causing his eyes to flutter and shut in sleep.

Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. "I believe it is time for us to sleep. I'm sure Alastor has rid the castle of the Ministry, for there is no more need for them."