"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 6 Visiting Snape, and Harry's Secret Plans
A/N: The usual disclaimers apply. Thank you all for reading and for reviewing.
The closer they got to Professor Snape's office, the stronger the unusual odors got. Harry also thought it felt a bit warmer than it usually did in the dungeons. When they arrived at the office Professor Dumbledore knocked firmly on the door, but there was no reaction to his knocking. He tried again, but this time the headmaster knocked with a great deal of urgency. Suddenly, the door was flung open and before them stood an extremely exhausted, maniacal looking Professor Snape.
"What do you want?" he asked roughly.
Then he realized who was standing at the door.
"Oh, Headmaster, I, uh, I'm very busy. Come in," said Snape.
Harry was amazed at everything he saw. There were piles of potion ingredients everywhere, there was a huge bubbling cauldron on the hearth, and Professor Snape had his face buried in the largest book Harry had ever seen. Harry also noticed that it must have been a hundred and twenty degrees in the office.
Harry had never seen Professor Snape quite in the state he was right now. He looked absolutely exhausted, there were dark circles under his eyes, and he hadn't shaved, as his face was covered with dark stubble. He'd always seen the potions master in his customary black robes, but now he was down to only an undershirt and trousers. Harry was completely stunned.
All these years of hating Snape, not trusting him, and thinking he still supported Voldemort, made Harry feel a bit ashamed. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes that Professor Snape was working himself into a state of exhaustion to save Hermione, the one he always called an insufferable know-it-all. It was then that Harry realized everything the headmaster had said about Professor Snape was true.
Harry was just awestruck at how hard the potions master was working. He was in constant motion. He would add ingredients, stir the potion clockwise, check the time, prepare more ingredients, stir counter-clockwise. He was surprised that Snape just didn't collapse.
Seeing them still standing there, watching him, Snape said,
"You'll excuse me if I don't fix some tea and crumpets, and stop for a little chat. As you can see I still have a great deal to do, and time seems to be getting shorter than expected. I've been in touch with Miss Grangers' Healers and I know her condition is worsening, but I'm still confident I will be able to complete the potion in time, though it will be close."
Professor Snape realized that Harry's gaze had been locked on him for some time. This made him feel uncomfortable, although he didn't know why.
Looking at Harry, he asked, "Potter is there something I can do for you? I'm quite busy as you know. I don't have time to waste."
Still gazing at Snape, Harry asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Professor Snape was completely caught off guard by this request. He had started to answer back with one of his usual sarcastic remarks, but he caught himself before he said it. He didn't know if it was the sincerity in the offer, or the pain in Harry's face, but something made him alter his reply.
In a voice very unlike the usual Snape, he answered,
"Mr. Potter, that will not be necessary. The potion is going well, and will be ready on time. You have my word. Your time would be best spent at St. Mungos."
Snape checked the time once more and added some more ingredients. After adding these last ingredients, he walked back over to them saying,
"If you have finished with me, I'll get on with my work. Good day, gentlemen."
Snape then stalked off to stir the potion again. They left the potions master to finish his work.
While heading away from the dungeons, Harry thought of something that had completely slipped his mind. With all of his concern for Hermione, he had completely forgotten about her parents. He felt ashamed of himself again. How was she going to cope with being an orphan? Unlike Harry, who was very young when his parents died, Hermione has many years of memories growing up with a loving family. This will be devastating to her, but no matter how bad it may be Harry will do everything in his power to help her get through this.
"Professor, where are Hermione's parents?" asked Harry.
The headmaster answered, "They are at St. Mungos, Harry."
"What's going to happen to them? They will eventually be missed in the Muggle world and there will be questions. What about their private affairs?" enquired Harry.
"The Ministry of Magic has already taken care of quite a bit of their private affairs. Of course we couldn't say anything to the Muggle authorities, without risking exposure of our world, but their personal affairs were pretty much in order. They left Miss Granger a modest inheritance and when she is better she can decide what she wants to do with it. Until then, we will put it in an account at Gringotts. The remaining question is about their final resting place. We can't just go out into the Muggle world with two bodies and try to make funeral arrangements. There would be too many questions," explained the headmaster.
"Professor, the funeral arrangements are what I was concerned about. If it's okay, I would like to make a suggestion?" said Harry.
As they walked on to the main entrance, Dumbledore listened to Harry's ideas. When he had finished explaining his plan, the headmaster knew Harry had the only appropriate solution.
"Harry, you are quite right and I personally will see that your plans get started on immediately. For now, you should get back to the hospital and see how Miss Granger is doing," said Professor Dumbledore.
They continued on to the headmaster's office, where Harry used the Floo network to get back to St. Mungos. After Harry was gone, Professor Dumbledore started his own journey to put Harry's plans into motion.