That's No Way to Live
The cool cloth pressed against his forehead is so soothing he knows it must be a dream. It feels so real though. He keeps his eyes closed, knowing the moment he opens them, the soft cushions below him will disappear, and everything will come crashing back down.
He ignores the small voice in the back of his head saying, You can't sleep. Get up.
___
“Idiot boy.” He hears someone mumbling under their breath and snaps his eyes open. Draco tries to sit up, but his body won’t listen.
He blinks blearily and peers around the room. He’s never seen it before. The walls are lined with supplies. Bandages, ointments, healing potions. The mattress below him is softer than anything he’s ever felt.
It couldn’t possibly be real. Yet as he sees a cloaked figure walking his way, he knows it is.
Snape nears him with a flask of water in his hand and his face unreadable. He hands it to Draco silently, and Draco looks at it with hesitation.
“I haven’t poisoned it,” Snape snaps. Draco flinches, but then nods in response and takes a sip.
“Where am I, professor?” Draco’s voice comes out raspy, and he swallows. “What happened?”
Snape only sighs and responds with a question. “Now tell me, do you know the maximum dosage for Girding Potion?”
So he knows. Draco shrinks back, partially afraid and partially confused. “What?”
“Two vials, Draco. Two vials. You are lucky I know the antidote to an overdose.” Snape’s eyes pierce into his.
“Oh.” Right, he collapsed. Draco flushes red and bites the inside of his cheek. “Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.” He stands up and walks to the door.
As Draco turns the handle, he glances back. His eyes flick downward for a moment, and he hesitates.
“Thanks,” he mutters. As he shuts the door behind him, Draco puts his head in his hands and groans.
He’s such an idiot.
He starts to walk away quickly, wishing to disappear and sink into the floor, but only a moment later, a hand stops him. Draco rips the hand off his shoulder and spins around.
His chest rises and falls quickly as he breathes. His posture relaxes slightly when he realises it’s Snape, but he quickly tenses back up. It’s Snape.
“I said I’m sorry.” Draco's voice shakes as he speaks.
Snape merely stares back at him and makes a small noise of indignation. “The Room of Requirement is able to provide anything that one requires of it. To open the room, one must walk past it three times while thinking about what they need, and the door appears.” He pauses for emphasis, and his eyes narrow. “Do you understand?”
Draco squints his eyes and raises his eyebrows, slightly confused. “The Room of Requirement?”
“The room you just walked out of,” Snape drawls. A look of understanding crosses Draco’s face, and he nods.
“Thank you. Sir.”
Snape only nods and places a hand on his shoulder. It’s an awkward gesture but gentle, nonetheless. Draco stiffens until Snape removes his hand, and the two awkwardly stand still for a moment.
“Well,” Draco mumbles. “I’d best get to my next class.”
He spins around and, once he’s walked far away enough, swipes at his face.