O my soul

O My Soul

Part Five

by

Logospilgrim

Harry couldn't stop himself from crying out. "No!" He tossed the Invisibility Cloak aside, revealing his flustered companions in the process, and said, "I don't believe it!"

"Mister Potter! What are you doing in here?" Pomfrey said. She glared at Dumbledore. "I'm starting to think that Severus was right about the boy. Never listens to anyo-"

"Now, now, calm down, Poppy, I will deal with this." Dumbledore fixed the trio with a disappointed gaze and said, "Mister Weasley, Miss Granger, I will speak th you later about the matter of your detentions. Please return to Gryffindor Tower immediately."

"Yes, Headmaster," they said, lowering their eyes, and left the room as fast as they could.

"Harry," Dumbledore said. "I believe Madam Pomfrey asked you a question."

"We... we saw you bring Professor Snape back to Hogwarts. He looked so bad, we just... we had to find out if he'd be all right."

"I see. Noble as your intentions were, it still does excuse this latest escapade of yours, which is yet another blatant disregard for rules, and the situation is extremely serious, considering what Draco has told us."

"It can't be true," Harry said. "Sirius would never betray us."

"I'm not so sure about that, Harry," Lupin said. He raked his hand through his hair, then let his arm fall. "His hatred for Severus only seemed to get worse since... To be honest, I don't know if Severus's recent change had much to do with it. Sirius has always hated him."

"He acted on the Dark Lord's orders, and... put a portkey in Professor Snape's quarters," Draco said. His face had grown paler. "Then Black kidnapped me and... brought me to the Forbidden Forest."

"And how could he have been able to get into the professor's quarters in the first place?" Harry said.

"The Dark Lord isn't on his own anymore," Draco said. "He told Professor Snape that he had a master now, he said... 'You know the Father of Lies.'"

Father Nikolski crossed himself and said, "The Evil One." He lay a protective hand on Severus's forehead. "It is such wickedness as cannot be described."

"Harry, go back to your common room. I trust you'll stay there as I asked," Dumbledore said.

"Yes, Headmaster," Harry said. With a backward glance at Lupin, he left the Hospital Wing.

"Father, watch over Severus. Remus and I will go have a look at Sirius's quarters and search it for clues," Dumbledore said. "Then, I'll see what can be done."

The priest nodded.

After the Headmaster and Lupin had gone, Pomfrey ordered Draco to bed and gave him a potion. Then she returned to Severus's bedside and lay her palm on his forehead.

"We'll have to keep a close watch on him," she said. "His temperature is normal, but if it rises... I'm worried about those wounds getting infected. Tomorrow I'll get in touch with St. Mungo's. He needs special treatment, otherwise I can't see how he'll ever heal properly. I thought I'd seen everything, but..." The mediwitch shook her head. "Poor boy."

"You should rest for a while. I will stay up with him," Father Nikolski said. "I will warn you right away should there be a problem, but I am sure everything will be fine."

Pomfrey checked Severus's bandages again and sighed. "He should sleep 'til morning. I suppose it'd be a good idea to lie down a bit, though I think you should rest too, Father."

"I am used to vigils. Do not worry. I will watch over him."

"Don't be afraid to stretch out on the bed next to his if you get tired."

"Thank you. And good night. There will be much to do tomorrow."

"There always is. Good night, Father."

****

Shortly before dawn, while Father Nikolski was praying, Severus whimpered.

"Child?" Father Nikolski said. He got up from his chair and bent over his spiritual charge, who whimpered again. "Severus, I am here."

The bedridden man stirred and looked up at the priest with pain-filled, watering eyes. His lips moved, but the priest shushed him softly.

"Do not try to speak. Your Madame Pomfrey has left some medicine for you."

Father Nikolski helped him take the potion, and Severus groaned.

"Forgive me, child, there," Father Nikolski said, lowering Severus's head onto the pillow again. "You were hurt terribly, but you are at your school now, and Madame Pomfrey has taken good care of you. The medicine is helping you?"

After a moment, Severus nodded, blinking slowly.

"The Lord has placed you under the shelter of His wings, so you must be at peace and get better. Dear child, blessed one," Father Nikolski said, his voice breaking, and kissed Severus's forehead. "God had mercy on me and preserved you."

He kissed Severus again on both cheeks and straightened. "I will go get Madame Pomfrey so she can-"

"He's awake?" the mediwitch said, hurrying towards them.

"Not quite," the priest said. "You gave him many strong remedies yesterday. He is not fully conscious."

Pomfrey took out her wand and said, "Did you get any rest?"

"I shut my eyes for a few minutes now and then," he said. "I am fine. How is Severus's condition this morning?"

"He's improved a little. Meaning, he's stable."

"Perhaps he can eat. Do you think? To build strength."

The mediwitch touched her patient's brow and said, "Are you hungry, Severus?"

"Yes," he whispered.

"Something light, then. I'll be right back," Pomfrey said.

She soon returned with a glass, helped Severus to drink the thick, vitamin laden concoction that one of the House Elves had prepared for him, and he fell sleep. Then, with Father Nikolski's assistance, she changed his bandages. To see the gravity of Severus's wounds again made her wince inwardly, but she made certain there was no sign of infection and reapplied more salve.

"An expert from St. Mungo's is coming this afternoon, to see what can be done," she told Father Nikolski.

"I am not worried. Assuredly, Severus has gone through the worst. No matter what happens next, I will support him. He has such endurance in his heart... So young still, yet he bears so many scars, both hidden and physical. It is extraordinary."

"There's nothing ordinary about him," Pomfrey said with an affectionate smirk.

"I am thinking that perhaps I will lie down for a while, before your specialist doctor arrives," Father Nikolski said.

"Good idea, Father. Why don't you go... here, come here, Father." She closed a curtain around one of the beds further down the row. "It'll be quieter for you."

He stroked Severus's cheek, then went to where Pomfrey was standing, and put his hat on the bedside table. "You are most kind, but of course you will wake me if Severus needs me?"

"I promise I'll fetch you the moment he opens his eyes," Pomfrey said.

****

It wasn't the mediwitch who stirred Father Nikolski from his nap a couple of hours later, but the sound of voices engaged in a heated conversation. He quickly rose, donned his clerical hat and observed the small group not far from Severus's bed.

A short, strangely attired man was the center of attention, and, it seemed, the focus of everyone else's ire. Lupin was almost snarling, Pomfrey's face was red, and though Dumbledore was calm, the familiar twinkle in his eyes was absent.

"Well, I can see Professor Snape was seriously injured, a dreadful affair, but to imply that Lucius Malfoy was somehow involved, let alone He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, what utter nonsense-"

"The boy was there, Minister Fudge," Lupin said, all but spitting the man's name. "He saw everything, as we already told you."

"Clearly, the lad was confunded. It's no surprise an escaped lunatic like Sirius Black would've bewitched him. Young Draco did mention that Black was also there, and, well, let's not forget the boy was in a state of shock when he told you this... this rather incredible tale. We all know how much Black hated Professor Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore here will agree with me, I'm sure, whereas Mister Malfoy was always quite close to Severus. To imagine he could have anything to do with this is ludicrous!"

Lupin was about to snap at Fudge again, but the Headmaster spoke first.

"You may be right, minister. But I believe our most urgent concern is Sirius Black's capture."

"Every available auror will be on the alert 'til he's found, naturally," Fudge said. "In the meantime, I urge you keep your staff from spreading fantastic rumors. And-"

"Forgive my rudeness, but I fear your discussion will disturb Severus," Father Nikolski said, stepping in the midst of the fray. "Perhaps it could be continued in a more suitable place."

"Father Nikolski, I hadn't noticed you were up," Pomfrey said. "I was just about to suggest the same thing."

"Minister Fudge, this is Father Nikolski. He's the one who saved Severus last year, after the incident with Karkaroff," Dumbledore said.

"Oh yes, the, uh... priest, do I have that right? Muggle oddity, I've heard of it through Arthur I believe, you know how he loves all those quaint Muggle customs," Fudge said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Father Nikolski said, and extended his hand.

Fudge lightly clasped it with his own. "Likewise, I'm sure. Well," he said, turning to Dumbledore, "I'm afraid I must be off. I'll let you know as soon as Black is in our custody."

Without sparing Lupin or Pomfrey a glance, the minister swept out of the room.

"Unbearable oaf!" Pomfrey said. "Albus, if you let that man in here again, so help me-"

"I'll yank his head off myself," Lupin said.

"That won't be necessary, I assure you. Leave him to me," Dumbledore said.

"Madam Pomfrey, Severus is waking," Father Nikolski said. All talk of Fudge ceased and everyone converged around the bed.

Severus was indeed stirring. Then his eyelids fluttered and he drew in a sharp breath.

"Don't move, dear," Pomfrey said. "I won't be able to give you more potions for another couple of hours. Just stay still."

The Potions Master's throat worked and he moaned.

"Child, what is hurting you?" Father Nikolski said.

"D- Draco... is... is he..."

"He's sleeping," Dumbledore said. "The boy is fine, Severus. He'll be up and about in a little while, no doubt."

Severus's face crumpled. "Albus..."

"Shhh, there, there, lad. It's going to be all right."

"Sirius, mustn't-"

"Don't you worry about him," Lupin said, eyes flashing. "He'll get his."

"N- no, mustn't... harm," Severus said, and his chest hitched painfully.

"Enough talking for now, child," Father Nikolski said. He took the icon of Extreme Humility from the bedside table and brought it to Severus's lips, then touched his forehead with it. "Peace be with you."

The Potions Master's features relaxed.

"Yes, my joy, very good. When you are better, we shall discuss all these things that trouble you, but for now, you must sleep a little more," Father Nikolski said.

"Yes, Father..."

"Rest in the Lord, Severus. I will be here with you."

Moments later, Severus drifted off.

"He is most, most vulnerable in this state," the priest said. "He must not be upset. Madam Pomfrey is of the same opinion, I believe?"

"I can't begin to tell you how refreshing it is to hear such sensible words around here," Pomfrey said.

Dumbledore nodded. "Volatile discussions will be held in my office from now on, particularly those relating to Sirius."

"Agreed," Lupin said.

****

Classes were cancelled for the rest of the week and the students confined to their Common Rooms, except during mealtimes, while the majority of the teachers patrolled the halls and Dumbledore strengthened the wards. Aurors could be seen stalking the grounds outside Hogwarts day and night. All the students could talk about was Professor Snape and the horrible things that had been done to him, and Sirius Black, who was the cause of the heightened security measures.

In Gryffindor Tower, Ron, Hermione and Harry spent most of their time gazing into space, unable to think of anything but their broken Potions Master, lying naked on a hospital bed and covered with blood. Draco Malfoy, who'd been sent to stay with the Gryffindors when he was well enough to leave the Hospital Wing, barely spoke. Many Slytherins viewed him and his Head of House as traitors, and while the Gryffindors acknowledged between themselves that Draco had changed a lot since their professor's conversion, no one besides Hermione and Neville made much of an attempt to befriend him.

The Headmaster had told everyone during breakfast earlier in the week that the Potions Master had been treated with very complex charms and that his recovery would be long and arduous, but that students would be able to visit him as soon as the situation was under control.

Then, after dinner on Friday afternoon, the Headmaster stood, and everyone grew quiet.

"Children, Sirius Black has been apprehended."

Whoops and cheers echoed across the Great Hall, though Harry paled at Dumbledore's words.

"Lessons will therefore resume starting Monday-"

The sounds of celebration turned into a collective groan.

"... and while Professor Snape is still too weak to receive visitors, Madam Pomfrey will be accepting any gifts you wish to give him. Professor Lupin will be taking over potions for the rest of the year. And now, I suggest you all go outside for some fresh air before it gets dark."

The students, who'd been cooped up in the castle all week, did not need to be told twice, and streamed out of the Great Hall amidst laughter and chattering.

However, Harry did not budge from his seat and stared at his plate with unseeing eyes.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Neville said.

"Come on, mate, what do you say we do a bit of flying?" Ron said.

"I'm not in the mood," Harry said. "You go."

"This isn't about Sirius, is it?" Hermione said. "After what he did to Professor Sn-"

"I know what he did, and I don't want to talk about it!" Harry said, getting up abruptly.

Then Draco opened his mouth for the first time in days.

"If you'd been there when they drove the nails through Professor Snape's hands, you wouldn't be pining for your precious godfather, Potter."

Harry glared at him. "Shut up. Just shut up, Malfoy."

"Your problem is that you spend too much time feeling sorry for yourself."

"We don't need any lectures from you," Ron said. "Let's go, Harry."

"Look, fighting isn't going to solve anything. Professor -Brother Severus would be really hurt if he heard you, because of his faith," Hermione said. She leafed through a small book. "Here, listen. 'This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.'"

"Where did you get that?" Draco said, touching the book.

"Father Nikolski gave it to me."

"Maybe he has another one..." The Slytherin looked at Harry. "I think she's right. For the professor's sake, we should make an effort not to rile each other, at least."

"Fine," Harry finally said, and left with Ron in tow.

"Not bad for a first step, I suppose," Hermione said.

"I just don't understand how he can put Black on such a pedestal," Draco said.

"He hasn't got anyone else," Neville said.

"I don't have anybody either," Draco said with a scowl. Then his expression softened. "No, that's not true. I have Brother Severus now."

"Well, children, aren't you going to stretch your wings a little? The sun is shining and it's lovely outside," the Headmaster said, approaching the three students. He was accompanied by Lupin, who winked at them.

"Headmaster, where is Father Nikolski? I'd like to ask him for something," Draco said.

"He's with Professor Snape," Dumbledore said. "Tell me what you want, and I'll let him know."

"Draco would like to have a copy of this book," Hermione said, and showed it to the Headmaster.

"Ah, the holy text. I'll be sure to tell him."

"Is Professor Snape... will we be able to see him soon?" Draco said. Without warning, tears filled his eyes. "When I left the Hospital Wing, he wasn't awake. He- he looked so ill." It had been right after the Potions Master's hands and feet were repaired by the healer from St. Mungo's, a delicate intervention which had taken several hours.

"I know, Draco. That sort of spellwork is very draining on the patient, but Professor Snape is improving slowly," Dumbledore said. "Perhaps tomorrow I can organize a trip to Hogsmeade, and you can buy him a present. Unless I'm mistaken, there's a Russian shop tucked between The Tealeaf Parlor and Fleabitten's Old Curiosity Shop in one of the back alleys somewhere."

Draco began to smile, but it quickly faded. "I don't have any money, now that..." I don't have a family anymore.

"No need to worry about such things, lad," Dumbledore said. "You have an account at Gringotts, Severus made arrangements for you before... what happened."

Draco gaped at the Headmaster.

"What sort of things would Professor Snape like?" Neville said.

"Icons," Hermione said. "And, let's see... books, of course..."

"Father Nikolski would have a few suggestions, I'm sure," Lupin said.

"Can we go see him now?" Draco said. "I'd really like to get something special for Professor Snape, Headmaster."

Dumbledore stroked his beard in a mock pensive gesture. "Well, I suppose we can make a small exception... Professor Lupin and I were on our way to the Hospital Wing. If you three promise to be very quiet, you can come with us."

"We promise," Draco said.

"Yes, sir," Neville said. "Not a sound."

"Come along, then."

When they entered the ward, Father Nikolski was seated at Severus's bedside, reading from a thick, gold-trimmed book, and Madam Pomfrey was busy going through her stock of potions. The visitors' soft footsteps made her look up from her work and the second she saw the children, a deep frown creased her brow.

"It's all right, Poppy," the Headmaster said. "We won't disturb your patient. Draco simply has a request for Father Nikolski."

"Five minutes, then out," Pomfrey said, wagging her finger at the students.

Draco didn't appear to have heard the mediwitch; he was staring at his Head of House. "Professor," he murmured.

Severus's complexion was almost identical to that of the sheets that draped his immobile form. In stark contrast were the ragged crimson lines that marred his forehead. His cheeks were slightly sunken, and his hands, which were folded across his chest, were completely wrapped in bandages.

"He's so pale," Hermione said.

"Remember what I told you earlier. The procedure that was required to treat his wounds put a lot of strain on his system, and it wasn't possible to wait for him to regain some of his strength before the healer went ahead, otherwise the damage might have been permanent."

"But he doesn't look like he's improved at all, and it's been a week," Draco said. "I don't understand. He looks even worse."

"Though it may not seem so, he is doing well," Father Nikolski said, rising. "Once he is conscious, and eating again, you will soon be reassured."

-----

End of part five.