"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 3 About Snape, Will He Help?
A/N: First things first, I own none of these characters unfortunately. They belong to J K Rowling. Next I would like to apologize for taking a bit longer than I had planned to update. Work and preparing for Christmas is getting very hectic. Because of this I'm going to post the next two chapters. It may be awhile before I can update until things calm down from the holidays. I hope you enjoy them. Everyone have a safe and happy Christmas. And thanks to all who read, and read and review.
The headmaster swiftly made his way down towards the dungeon area of the castle. He quickly arrived at the office of the potions master of Hogwarts, Severus Snape. The headmaster knocked on the door, but there was no reaction to his request for entry. He knocked again, a little more forcefully. This time he had success as the door to the office flew open. Professor Snape stood there growling,
"Who dares bother…"
Professor Snape realized who was standing at the door and gained his composure.
"Headmaster, I, uh, students have been harassing me about their exam grades and I'm not even through grading all of them. Ungrateful little brats," said Snape.
Professor Dumbledore spoke softly, "Severus, I wonder if I might have a word with you?"
"Certainly Headmaster, but just for a moment, I still have many exams to grade," said Snape.
"Severus, are you aware of a disturbance in Diagon Alley earlier today?" asked Dumbledore.
"No sir, I've been in my office all day grading exams. What happened?" inquired Snape.
The headmaster gave Snape a quick briefing on what happened.
"It seems that Luciuss Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange ambushed one of our students while she was visiting Diagon Alley with her parents. They stunned her and killed her parents. They then carried her to Knockturn Alley where both of them tortured her with the Cruciatus Curse. If it hadn't been for Nymphadora Tonks and Alastor Moody being nearby, I dare say what may have happened to our student. But, as fortunate as we were to have our best Aurors there, our student has been gravely injured. The Healers at St. Mungos have told me that their potions are not strong enough to repair the most serious internal injuries. They also said if this situation cannot be countered, our student will die and another innocent life will be lost. Severus, I know you don't want us to lose another innocent life."
Professor Snape had gone paler than he usually was as he listened to the headmaster. He thought to himself. When is this going to stop? Enough innocent people have died. When is the death going to stop?
Professor Snape was brought back from his thoughts by the headmaster's last words.
"No Headmaster, there has been too much death. But what do I have to do with this?" asked Professor Snape.
"The Healers say their potions are not strong enough to counteract the internal injuries of our student. Because the Death Eaters acted together in applying the curse, the damage is too severe. I wish for you to research your vast knowledge and potions library for something that will save our student," said Professor Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, who was the student that was attacked?" inquired Professor Snape.
The headmaster looked Professor Snape very sternly in the eye and answered.
"Should who it is make any difference, Severus? It happens to be Hermione Granger. She is the brightest witch of our age Severus. She doesn't deserve this. I know she is a close friend of Mr. Potter, but that shouldn't make any difference. I know you detest Harry for something his father did to you many years ago, before Harry was even born. It's true he has traits similar to his father, but he has some of his own. He came to me in his fifth year, very troubled at something he had seen in a pensieve."
Snape opened his mouth to say something, but the headmaster put up his hand and he remained silent.
The headmaster continued, "Even though Harry dislikes you, and you haven't given him reason not to, he was truly bothered by the way his father treated you and regardless of what you think, I am the only one he has ever mentioned this to. He has never told anyone what he saw that day. Also, I realize when Voldemort was alive and his supporters were everywhere, you had a certain appearance to maintain for your own safety. I know you have had to maintain it for years, but Voldemort is gone now, his supporters all but wiped out. Appearances may not be as important as they use to be. You should also know, that witch you always call an insufferable know-it -all, defends you anytime someone doubts your sincerity about rejoining our side. Severus, don't condemn Miss Granger to death over something that happened years ago, that she and Mr. Potter had nothing to do with."
Professor Snape just stood there staring at the headmaster, taking in everything he had said. Finally, with a troubled look on his face, Professor Snape spoke,
"Headmaster, I know of a few potions that may be of use. I will need to check some information first, and see if I have all the proper ingredients that would be needed. Also, would it be possible for me to talk to the Healers working with Miss Granger? I will need to see what they have already used."
"By all mean Severus. When would you like to talk to the Healers?" asked the headmaster.
"If her condition is as severe as you say it is I'll need to do this as soon as possible," said the potions master.
"Very well, I will accompany you to St. Mungos right now," said Professor Dumbledore.
They immediately left Professor Snape's office.
Harry and Ron had been sitting by Hermione's bed for nearly two hours. They were both hoping she would stir a little bit, but she never moved. The only people they had seen was the occasional Healer coming by with a potion for Hermione. At least her breathing sounded better than it had when they first arrived.
They were startled by a soft rapping on the door. Looking around they saw Professor Dumbledore quietly slip into the room.
He quickly approached them and said, "Harry, Ron, I have someone I have brought with me who has agreed to help Miss Granger, but, I must remind you, regardless of how you feel about him, he is here to help. He is also one of your teachers, and will be shown all due respect as such."
Harry and Ron looked confused, however, Harry had a bad feeling about this. He hoped he was wrong. The headmaster went back to the door and opened it. Unfortunately, Harry was right about his feeling. Into the room came Professor Snape.
Ron had a disgusted look on his face, but said nothing, however, Harry had stood up, facing Professor Snape, as if to protect the helpless Hermione from him.
"Harry!" said the headmaster firmly.
Harry immediately looked at Professor Dumbledore. He couldn't remember ever being addressed this strongly by the headmaster. He relaxed and returned to looking at Hermione. Just then Chief Healer Osbourne entered the room and began conferring with Professor Snape as they looked over several papers and charts.
Professor Dumbledore addressed the two boys, "Would both of you mind coming with me, I need to talk to you. Professor Snape has business to attend to with Healer Osbourne."
"Professor, I don't want to leave Hermione alone with Snape," said Harry.
"That's Professor Snape, Harry," said the headmaster firmly.
"Mind your attitude, Potter, or I'll change my mind about helping your cause," said Snape coldly.
Before Harry could answer back Dumbledore spoke, "Harry, Ron, come with me now!"
They followed the headmaster to the conference room they had used earlier in the day. Once inside, he shut and locked the door. He produced his wand, aimed it at the door and said,
"Collorportus!"
The door sealed itself.
Dumbledore explained to them that the room was now sealed so no one could enter or hear what was said.
"Now, listen to what I have to say. I'm only going to say this once. Professor Snape is here voluntarily to help Miss Granger. The Healers have told me, that while they have taken care of Hermione's minor injuries, they are having serious problems trying to treat the more severe internal injuries. Their potions are not strong enough to counteract the damage caused by the Cruciatus Curse. Because Malfoy and Lestrange combined their efforts to produce the curse, the damage is more severe and resistant to the healing potions. I have asked Professor Snape to use his vast knowledge to see if he can help Hermione. If he cannot help her she will die," explained the headmaster.
Harry's very soul went cold at the headmaster's last words. She just couldn't die, not now. Voldemort was gone, they could finally share their feelings for each other. He hated Snape, but if there was a chance at this point, he didn't care where help came from, as long as Hermione would be okay.
Harry looked at the headmaster and asked softly, "Does Professor Snape think he can help Hermione?"
"Yes, he does. He just needs to make some minor calculations and double check to see that he has all the proper ingredients," replied the headmaster.
For the first time, Harry felt as if there was a little hope. He knew he didn't care for Snape, but he knew the potions master was very good at what he did.
Professor Dumbledore addressed them again.
"What I'm about to tell you now, cannot leave this room. You can never tell anyone. I know you think Professor Snape is a very horrible person, but you need to understand why he acts this way. It's true, in the early days of Voldemort, Professor Snape was one of his supporters, but as time went by, he sincerely recognized his error in judgment. After some of his own personal tragedies I will not go into, he returned to our side wanting to destroy Lord Voldemort. At great personal risk he volunteered to return and become a spy for our side. To do this, he had to constantly keep up the appearance that would be expected of him by Voldemort and his supporters. He had to do it for so many years it has become second nature. If Voldemort or his supporters had even suspected Professor Snape was a spy, he would have surely faced a horrible, agonizing death. For years he had to act this way, never knowing if he was being watched. Voldemort had his own large network of spies. Because he's been doing it for so long, he can't just shut it off. In truth, it is a sad situation, because Professor Snape may never know his true self again."
Harry and Ron sat there in utter amazement. How could someone alter their life so much, for such a long period of time, and in such a dangerous situation, to help others?
After a few moments, Professor Dumbledore spoke, "I think we can return to Miss Granger's room, and see what Severus can do for us."
The headmaster unsealed the room and they headed back to Hermione's room. As they entered, Professor Snape was still conferring with Healer Osbourne. Professor Snape looked up as they entered.
"Headmaster, may I have a word?" asked the potions master.
"Certainly, Severus," answered Dumbledore.
Snape glanced at the two boys.
"Could we talk outside, Headmaster?" inquired Snape.
"Very well, Severus," replied Dumbledore.
The headmaster knew Ron and Harry wanted to know what was going on. He looked at them and gave them a wink as he accompanied Professor Snape outside. They took up their usual spots beside Hermione's bed and hoped Professor Snape would be able to help.
"Headmaster, I believe I will be able to prepare a potion that will work. The key element though is time. It should take about two days to prepare and the Healers are only giving Miss Granger not much more than three days, unless there is some kind of turnaround. I am leaving now to start preparation. I hope it will be in time," said Snape.
He immediately turned and left the Headmaster.