Blaze
Chapter 11 of 31
quaffswinegailyWho cares for Severus?
ReviewedBlaze
Disclaimer: Thanks to JKR for the use of her people.
“Fuck, that hurt.” Snape rubbed a prison-grimed hand over the scars on his forearm. So much pain from such a small wound, he thought. Shaking his head, he tried to remember exactly what had happened, but his memory seemed a little hazy.
It burned. Scorching, white-hot pain radiated from the wound. He writhed with agony, clutching his arm.
“Fuck, that hurts,” he moaned.
“He’s waking up, Poppy. Please go and get her.” A slim hand squeezed his. “Hold on, Severus; she’s coming.”
“She?”
“Hush.” A cool hand brushed greasy hair back from his sweating brow.
Cracking open an eye, he discerned a familiar witch’s silhouette against the white glare of the hospital cubicle. He groaned and squeezed his eyes closed again.
“She—”
“Madam Pomfrey has gone to find her. She’ll be here soon.”
“Who?” he whispered.
“Lily. I asked them to bring Lily Evans, to care for you.”
He licked his dry lips. “Lily?”
“I know she was... is the love of your life. I did some research whilst you were unconscious. The old parchments say you must be cared for by your life’s love after the Unicorn’s Blaze in order to start the sealing. Then, when you... um... consummate the relationship, the bond becomes permanent. I will have to go and leave you in Lily’s care.”
“Charmaine, please don’t leave me,” Severus pleaded.
“Hush now. I’m right here, and Lily will be with you soon. She will look after you over the next few days whilst you recuperate.”
“Talk to me until she arrives.” His hoarse voice cracked. “Tell me what happened.”
Charmaine pulled her chair closer to the bed. Taking his hand again, she rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. She ran her free hand up over his forearm. “How is it?”
“It hurts.”
“I know.” She pressed a thumb firmly over the small, argent wound. “This helped before. Does that feel any better?”
A violent shudder passed through him as the searing pain mellowed gradually to gentler heat, which flowed through his whole body. Finally, a warm, honeyed ecstasy shimmered through him.
“Yes,” he moaned. “Feels good.”
“When the unicorn pulled his horn from your arm, I pressed my thumb to the wound straight away. Silver unicorn’s blood mixed with yours and oozed down your arm. It... It scared me.” A soft sob caught at her throat.
“The last time I saw unicorn’s blood was terrible,” explained Charmaine. “The poor creature was dead, and someone had been drinking its blood. We were warned if the blood passes someone’s lips, he will have a cursed, half life. When I saw the unicorn’s blood mingling with yours, I was terrified, thinking you doomed to a cursed life.” She sniffed. “It turns out the Unicorn Blaze is a rare honour. He was blessing you, my friend.”
Wiping the back of her hand under her nose, she continued. “You fell unconscious. Panicking, I flew back to the castle with you. Gods, I thought you were going to die. Don’t do that to me again, Severus,” she whispered, sniffing again.
He lifted a shaking hand, gently running his knuckle across her tear-damp cheek. “I don’t plan to die yet.”
Charmaine snorted hard.
Noticing a handkerchief in her top pocket, he pulled it out. “Here, blow your nose,” he said, holding the hanky out to her. Unexpectedly, she paled and pulled away, avoiding the scrap of cloth.
“No!”
“What’s wrong, Charmaine?”
“I can’t touch it again, now someone has taken it from me. If I do, I will have to leave immediately. It’s a special type of Portkey.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Severus, it’s complicated. You can give it back to me when you need me to leave.”
He folded his fingers tightly around the grubby material and stuffed it deep into his pyjama pocket. “Never.”
Charmaine sighed. “That time will come.”
“In the meantime, you could explain to me what’s so complicated.”
She drew a deep breath. “Fine—”
From beyond the cubicle curtains, footsteps could be heard approaching, along with a girl’s enquiring whisper. “I don’t understand, Professor Dumbledore. What do I have to do?”
“My dear girl, it is quite simple. All you have to do is care for Mister Snape for a couple of days.”
“But I’ve never looked after someone who’s ill before.” Her tone whined slightly.
“He is not sick, Miss Evans. He requires care. Madam Pomfrey will advise you what is required. Come along.”
The curtains were drawn back with a flourish.
“Here we are, Miss Evans.” Professor Dumbledore beamed.
Charmaine gave Severus’s hand a firm squeeze as she rose from the chair at his bedside. Bending over him, she murmured in his ear. “Here she is. I wish you well, Severus. Au revoir, mon ami.”
With her free hand she beckoned Lily forwards. “Come and take this seat, Miss Evans. Severus needs your help. May I suggest—”
“I’ll take my instructions from Madam Pomfrey. Thank you, Mademoiselle.” Lily Evans sat down primly on the hospital chair. A frown flitted across Charmaine’s brow, and her lips pursed a little. Severus lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
She shook her head, so he gave her a brief wave before turning his attention to Lily.
Lily was already making herself busy. “Sit up Severus, so I can plump your pillows; then, we need to talk.”
Charmaine left the ward with a sad smile hovering on her lips and Lily Evans’s bossy instructions ringing in her ears.
Severus smiled shyly at Lily. “Long time, no speak, Lil. How are you?”
“Sev, I’ve missed you, but I’m not sure if I can forgive you for what you said.”
“Lily, it wasn’t my opinion. I was just repeating what Potter said.”
“He told me you’d say that. Why should I believe you?”
“I have known and loved you longer than he has.” He reached for her hand, but she moved just out of range.
“Don’t, Severus.”
He raised his eyes to hers, pleading, but the green eyes looking down on him held little softness. Memories of Charmaine’s warm, brown doe-eyes drifted through his thoughts. His attention wandered away from Lily’s haranguing, and his thumb rubbed absent-mindedly over the worn monogram on the corner of the handkerchief in his pocket.
A/N: Thanks again to sunny33.
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Man's Best Friend
353 Reviews | 7.7/10 Average
Damn so he came back cured of the love that he had,but stilled loved them as a friend.I am not sure I understand how he was cured from being dead...did he not really die cause of the Blaze? I loved the story,felt a little rushed at the end,but it was supposed to be a one shot right!! Great work thanks!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for taking the time to read to the finish and review. I wrote this story three years ago, so perhaps would take more time on the ending now. Maybe one day I'll revisit it.
I think they could have been a triad. Do you ever write those stories? You would write a great one I know!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I haven't yet. Maybe one day.
i like the older Snape and I am sure Hermione does too!!Great story!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
He matures rather well.
If he had lived would Lupin have been thier third? I would like to think so...I LOVE this story!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Perhaps... or maybe not...
i love the way you incorporate canon and fanon!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you very much. I appreciate your reviews.
poor Severus and poor(Hermione?)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Indeed.
I never liked Lily, a real friend would have forgiven!! I hate the fact Severus never recoved from her loss and went to his death alone on a dirty floor...Thank goodness for fan fiction!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fan fiction just lets us explore other options.
i was not expecting the unicorn to hurt our Severus!! I think it is for the good in the long run!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Here's hoping...
Hermione?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Really?
Response from deedeebug95 (Reviewer)
Hahaha!
oMG, this really could have happened this way!! Poor Severus this is breaking my heart
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It's certainly a possibility.
like the start of this!! How dare they shave Severus' hair!!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I know. Oily and lank though it may be at times, we do love his hair.
If the professor knew how the dance went, why would she not be prepared to be kissed by Severus? It seems odd that a professor would dance this dance with a student. Obviously she has some kind of magical sight that Severus can pick up on when he touches her. Legilimins? Could they have gotten away with a kiss on the cheek? She should chastise Snotter for trapping her and Severus and taunting him right in front of a teacher. I know I need to just buck and deal with the tragedy that is Silly Lily Evens the idiot girl who has no ability to judge character and Severus Snape. I still don't like it though. F the Gryffindors. I hates them all!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm sure they woudn't have let them go with just a kiss on the cheek.
Lily is such a little airheaded dolt! She has no common sense! She knows Severus better than that! She should know he wouldn't say such a thing! And that Snotter deserves to be killed by Voldemort. The world is better off without his kind of riff raff. I know that sounds stinky, but I'm a fat, greyheaded, crotchety and cantankerous old broad so I get to say things like that. "That little whiper snaper probably smokes dope like all them other little pimply faced reprobates! All those young people are are on dope, damn it!" That's the mood I'm in and it's late. So I'd better go to bed before I do or say anything else antisocial. If you knew the week I've been having you'd understand. Some little wanker stole my car and got it impounded for driving with no licence and for possession. He also just happens to be married to my idiot, enabling daughter who makes excuses for the little A-hole. I have no idea who raised these damn kids of mine! Just freeking kill me now before I ever have to live with with any of the ungrateful leeches. I'll have bed sores and a wet diaper all the time. I could totally kick that drunk, skinny little ass of his if I wanted to, you know... he's a little putz and I weigh more than he does. All I have to do is knock him down and sit on his face until he suffocates. He just better hope I don't cough, sneeze or laugh while I'm at it! Oops! it's too late. There I went and said something else antisocial. Somebody make me go to bed! I have to work tomorrow so I can buy diapers and wipes for my spawn's babies.If you have to have kids, for the love of god don't have girls! Drama Drama Drama! I'm just warning you now. Kids are over freeking rated. It's time for sleeping pills. I can't believe how late it is and I'm still up bitching... Now you know why I read Harry Potter fan fiction. In my head magic is fixing everything right now and Snape thinks I am the sexiest thing he's ever seen!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I hope this manages to take you away from real life dramas, if only for a short time.
What special gift does she have? Oooooo, I know! She must be a werewolf! No wait. She does't smell of dog. But maybe she just knows how to keep the smell away. Hmmmmm. Touching Snape's face would have been OK if he had been a 4th grader but, teenager? Does she uderstand teenage male hormone function? Or should I call it a disorder? Just kidding. When I was a girl I didn't know what not to do around boys. I don't think I got wise until my mid 30's. I'm thinking she must be at least that old, however or she wouldn't have been thinking the things she was thinking. Women at the bottom of the hill wouldn't notice such attributes. Interesting.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Teenage male hormones... does anyone understand them?
Hmmmm. She wants to let Severus know that Lupin is a Werewolf? I sincerely hope she isn't the one behind the prank that almost killed the young Severus. Why would Dumbledore want the two boys to work together? Training them for something? Are you saying that the speech on the first day of potions isn't Severus Snape's original work? I am very surprised he would use someone elses speech, but I guess if she turns out to be someone he truely admires I suppose he might use it to honor her. Maybe it caught his interest so well that it inspired him for life and he uses it hoping to inspire other young people the way he was. I guess we will find out. Black is such an arse! No wait, worse, he's a vulgar dick head. I take it we won't be super attached to Sirius Black in this story. That's fine with me. I read for the love of Severus Snape and the love of Snape/Granger romance.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Hopefully all will become clearer as the story moves on.
Bummer! They shaved his beautiful long black hair. Hasn't the poor man suffered enough assault to his dignity? I wonder why they let him out of Azkaban for the funeral? Is it to humiliate him? Is he out of Azkaban but under house arrest with guards? It must be shocking to Hermione to see Snape sobbing. I guess you'll tell us how he survived the war. An ausicious beginning!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
This has got to be one of the most gorgeous convoluted twisty exciting mind bending epic stories I've ever read!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I'm delighted you enjoyed this and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.
I started reading this just before bed time, telling myself that I'd only read a chapter or two then off to bed... its now 5:30AM and I just finished! I just couldnt stop reading! I loved it. I really enjoyed every word! Great job and I look forward to reading more from you!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm absolutely delighted. Thank you very much. Now, go and get some sleep!
What a fun roller coaster! Thanks for posting it where we can read it.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
You're most welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for taking the time to stop and leave a review.
Charming story! I've definitely never read anything like it. I love the Portkey idea, and how the story flowed between the past and the present. Thanks.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks for reviewing. This was my first ever long fic. I hope you enjoyed it.
I'm not sure if I loved the story more or the A/N! Fabulous write;)
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Thanks very much. I really appreciate your review. A/N: must remember to give everyone squishy hugs for reviewing...
Thank you for a happy ending - Severus & Hermione wedded, and Remus brought back, as well as Remus finding another special person to love and share/continue a new life with! I can't believe you intended this first to be only a one shot - thank Merlin's Beard that you got carried away or we all would never have had this wonderful, creative adventure in our ff lives - big heartfelt thanks! Looking forward to more of your multi-chaptered works as well as all others!
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
It was a one shot, but the darned thing wouldn't lie down. Normally I struggle to string more than a couple of words together, so this was a bit of a one off. Thanks very much for your encouragement. Cheers, qwg
Ah-ah, Quaffie. I told you quite a few chapters back that you couldn't kill off Remus and you told me to get some new specs or something of that ilk because your prologue dictated that the lovely werewolf had shuffled off his mortal coil or pelt or whatever. Hmmmph. I'd like you to know lassie that I have 20-20 vision....and hindsight and can see through walls too. I enjoyed this ending but I secretly thought that Remus was going to end up with Harry. No??? Anyway thank you for a wonderful story. I have thoroughly enjoyed both Remus and Severus' and indeed our banter over the last few months and look forward to hearing from you again in the near future. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxxx.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Fie on you, and your xray, 3D, perception... glasses... thingies. It was very tempting to set Remus up with Harry, or in a threesome, but Jo was looking a bit left out. And being a true Aussie sheila used to wrangling crocs and dingoes, I reckoned she'd be able to manage his scrawny, flea-bitten hide.And the bloomin' happy ending fairy took over...I'm away to sink into the slough of despond, or onto the couch, or anywhere out of this infernal summer heat. Thanks for all your edifying reviews.Cheers, qwg
So glad this was more than a one shot! I've loved every minute of it. I'm really loving this unicorn magic. You should explore it more in future stories. Beautifully written and one of my favorite fics.
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
I'm very glad you liked it. The story just kept expanding - in some part due to sunny33, who read the original, and never made a comment, but the look on her face just said 'crap ending, write some more' - so I did (but not exactly what she wanted).As for more unicorns - not sure if I trust the mutant horse much - we'll wait and see.Thanks for all your lovely reviews.Cheers, qwg
Yay for you! Your first long fic and it went out on top. This was an even better ending than expected. I have to have my happy ending, always, and I knew you would let Severus and Hermione end in that fashion, but I was so pleased to find that they were able to have their friend back, even if it was through a portrait. THEN, you went and did one better by bringing him back for real. I, for one, am pleased that this one-shot got carried away. Feel free to let that happen again ...
Response from quaffswinegaily (Author of A Man's Best Friend)
Darn! The happy ending fairy got a bit over exuberant, didn't she? I'll have to go and think up something evil she can't tamper with. I hope you enjoyed the read. Really, it shouldn't have worked - a story about a time travelling poisoner, a dead werewolf and a hard drinking wizard with memory defecit. What a load of tosh!Thanks for all your wonderful reviews, they are much appreciated.Cheers, qwg