Ch 4
Nurse Pomfrey sat her bag on the nightstand took out a thermometer gently placed it in the boy's mouth and gasped at the high temperature, "His fever is high. He needs a wet rag and quickly", she said and Madame McGonagall went to the bathroom, and takes a bowl filling it with cold water, and rags and she handed them to the nurse and placed a wet rag on Harry's sweaty forehead as he moaned weakly.
"Shh, lad, you are going to be fine", Dumbledore said.
Hermione and Ron stared at their friend with their eyes showing worry as well as the adults except one just stared at the boy coldly as he sat on the bed.
Harry moaned weakly making a wheeze and soon coughed breathing heavily as he began to sluggishly open his eyes wearily to find his surroundings he was lying in his bed in his room with others but they were blurred and he saw someone sitting on the side of the bed with his back facing him, once Harry's sight cleared from the blurred vision he sees none other, but the potion wizard sitting on the bed with his eyes closed.
Harry moaned lifting a trembled hand slightly as he raised it towards Snape's cloak. Carefully, he wrapped his fingers around a small piece of the fabric and tugged at it, ever so gently. With his tiny touch and pull, Snape slowly opened his eyes, turning his face to look at the boy. Harry's gaze met the empty, cold stare of his professor, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he offered a small smile. Snape continued to stare at him, his expression usually unreadable, as Harry held on to the cloak he continued to smile at the dark professor.
His dark eyes fixed on the young boy in front of him. It was Harry Potter, the son of James, the boy who had been the bane of his existence for so many years. But as he watched him, Severus couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between Harry and his mother, Lily. The boy's smile was like Lily's, and his eyes held the same brightness and hope that had once shone in hers. For a moment, Severus felt his frozen black heart soften at the sight of Harry's gentle smile. Underneath his usual cold exterior, he felt a small glimmer of relief as he stared at the opened eyes of the boy. But he quickly composed himself back to his stoic expression, snatching his cloak away from Harry and turning to leave the room without a word. As he walked away, Severus couldn't help but wonder why someone like the child would want to smile at him like that. Severus stroked the part of his robe where Harry tugged it.
As Harry stirred and watched Severus leave, he made a feeble attempt to sit up on his own and stop him. However, he felt a tender hand on his shoulder, guiding him back to his resting position with utmost care. Upon peeling his eyes wide only peeking slightly, he found himself surrounded by two of his dear friends, along with the wise headmaster Dumbledore, the formidable witch teacher Minerva McGonagall, and the nurturing nurse Pomfrey. Their relieved expressions with smiles spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation that Harry had just escaped from.
Harry weakly smiled.
"Harry dear, it's all right", Minerva said stroking his forehead and he coughed.
"Harry, why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you tell us you were sick?" Hermione asked in slight guilt of not looking deeper into the acknowledgment and anger towards her friend who hid the acknowledgment of his sickness from her and Ron.
Ron nodded making an angered look. "I wished you had said something. You scared us when we found you like that", he said with his tone matching Hermione's.
Harry smiled at his friends. "Sorry,...you guys", he apologized and he coughed again making a wheeze and inhaling heavily.
Dumbledore gently patted the boy's shoulder. "Easy, Harry", he said.
As the silence thickened in the room, Harry's voice broke it with a longing plea, "Severus...I want him to come back..." The three adults and two students who were present there dilated their eyes, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern, upon hearing Harry's earnest desire for Severus' return.
Harry. Wanting Severus. The intimidating professor is the only intimidating teacher in the school. Someone who hates the boy, but Harry wishes Severus to return and sounds as if he wishes him to stay with him.
Minerva broke the silent shock of the room, "Child, why?"
"He....makes...I feel...safe...with him," the young boy cried out, tears streaming down his face as he wheezed weakly blinking his at the door. He clutched at his chest and gasped for air, wheezing with each breath. "Please...I want him to come back...please," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. Madame Pomfrey hurried over to him, shushing him gently as she examined him. Professor McGonagall and the two students stood nearby, worried expressions etched on their faces as they watched the boy struggle to breathe. Madame Pomfrey placed a damp cloth on his forehead to help cool him down, hoping to ease his discomfort and to get him to meet sleep.
Dumbledore stared at the door where Severus abruptly walked out and back at Harry who was already unconscious while the nurse, witch, and friends comforted him he then left the room and found Severus staring at the window across the door with a cold usual gaze.
"Severus..."
He stared at the headmaster and cruelly scoffed, "If you think I am going to waste my time babying the miserable little brat, 'cause he wishes for me you are wrong, old man, as well as you are mistaken and a fool as that sickly brat. I am a wizard, not a pillow", He snapped as he heard Harry's weak but clear words of wanting him and those words and hearing his pleas disgusted him.
"Severus...he needs you, he's sick. He even tried to hide it from his friends and you, especially you just not to show it. He needs you, no one else. He wants you, no one else", Dumbledore said, completely speechless at Severus' disdain toward Harry.
"Bah! I refuse to baby that little weakling. He has you, Minerva, and his two insignificant brats to tend to his illness, so go and baby him. I have some work to do", he coldly said walking away.
Dumbledore is about to use his wand to stop him but he steadies his movements and temper. "Severus...", he threatened and Severus scoffed at him making a laugh.
He gazes at the headmaster over his shoulder with a threatening sneer. "Please, old man, do what you must and try to stop me, but I refuse to comfort and care for the brat", he said walking away but a stern voice stopped him.
"Severus Snape! Do you have no shame in that heart of yours?" Minerva said in an angered tone in a frown while the nurse Pomfrey stood by her and Dumbledore.
Severus glared at her over his shoulder. "Perhaps I do"
They stared at him in hurt and shock. How could he be so cruel, especially to someone who is still a child, and show idolization toward him?
"Severus, he is ill and any other time even we thought he would want anyone else, perhaps us, but instead of that, he wishes to have you by his side to take care of him. He wants you to be with him as he journeys to recover. Please be there by his side...at least do it for...her", Minerva smiled gently at the cruel dark professor while both Dumbledore and Pomfrey smiled as well.
Lily. Do it for...Lily. He turned away from them and growled and faced them angrily. "Fine! I'll baby him", he said and made the three move out of his way and entered the bedroom seeing Harry sleeping his friends immediately stood from sitting by his side staring fearfully at their teacher.
"Both of you get out now", he ordered demandingly intimidatingly, Hermione and Ron stared at him and Dumbledore entered the room with a warm smile. "Go on, lads, Harry will be all right now. Don't worry, Severus will be here for him", he said with his eyes on the potion wizard who scoffed at him and they soon left not wishing to go against anyone's wishes, especially Severus'.
He watched them and Dumbledore with Minerva and Pomfrey leave and he just stared at the sickly boy and walked to the bed staring at Harry hearing his raspy breathing and his face still sweating with the cloth on his forehead. Severus saw him moan shaking his head side to side as he whimpered.
Severus took a chair and sat on it grabbed the rag soaking it in the bowl, squeezed it, and set it on Harry's forehead hearing him whimpering.
"Silence your whines, boy", he angrily ordered him, but Harry moaned and made a rough cough and then started gasping for air, Severus then left the room for some time and returned with a tray of an empty cup and a cup that carried water. While staring at the sick boy he set the tray on the nightstand and poured the water into the cup gently lifted the boy's head and gently poured the water into Harry's mouth the boy coughed and then sighed with a wheeze.
Severus lowered him back on the pillow and just coldly stared at him, not sure why is he assigned to do this, caring for the boy and he already hated every bit of it.