Chapter 4

For Author's Notes, please refer to Ch 1

Method in Madness

Chapter 4

“Madam Pomfrey!” panted Hermione as she burst into the hospital wing. “Is Professor Snape all right? He’s not….” Severus, who had followed her, curled his lips in mild amusement at her inability to pronounce him dead. From the corner of his eye, he scowled as he saw an ethereal Dumbledore approaching him.

“He’s the same, dear,” came Poppy’s even reply.

“Good”, thought Severus, “at least my body’s not slipped into atrophy.”

“It’s unlikely,” said Dumbledore, reading his thoughts. “The potions kept your body alive, aids blood circulation among other things.”

“Headmaster, that’s not important now. I think I’ve upset Miss Granger,” declared Severus irritably wringing his hands.

“Oh, I know!” answered Dumbledore. “It’s apparent in her reactions. Really now, you ought not be playing such tricks. You’re almost as bad as Peeves!”

“I’m not like that meddling disruptive creature!” bellowed Severus before he collected himself. “I was merely concerned for myself,” he continued in a modulated tone, curling his lip in displeasure.

“Fortunately Miss Granger is not privy to your present vituperation or she might give you a tongue lashing of her own,” chuckled Dumbledore. “You know, I felt a tingling in my physical body today. A good omen don’t you think?”

Before Severus could issue a witty reply, Madam Pomprey had closed infirmary door and Hermione scrambled to feverishly feel his pulse and check his breathing. Severus was pleased that the girl was capable of thinking rationally under duress. When Dumbledore saw Hermione’s tears, he wagged a finger at Severus in mock disapproval, mouthing the words, “You’ve made a young lady cry.”

Both men were pleased to see her steady her breathing as she sat down, holding on to Severus’s hand. “You’re not dead! Thank goodness. I know you can hear me. Believe me, I am doing all I can to help you.” She brushed away her tears, “Call me silly girl, stupid girl, insufferable know-it-all, give me an acknowledgement of sorts. My hair doesn’t come undone on its own; it’s too bushy. I’ve tried; I’ve really tried. All sixty potions failed to have their desired consistency and effects. I’m not worthy to be your apprentice; I cannot even help you recover! I’ve lost Professor Vector. I cannot lose another mentor.”

Dumbledore bobbed over to her and tried to comfort though he knew she could not feel his hand on her shoulder, Severus was all the more surprised by Hermione’s gentle hiccupping tears as she kissed his hand and told his apparently sleeping body that she would be content to allow him to verbally abuse her if he came to. “I promise not to retort anymore. I’ll scrub all the cauldrons by hand. I’ll catalogue all your samples in your office. I know…” she paused as she shivered slightly in her seat. “You’re not here alone are you? You’re having an out of body experience, aren’t you? Is it one of our other Professors with you? You’re a good man with a beautiful soul, a just soul. I greatly like you, rather, I…I esteem you. You’re a man who pursues the philosophical virtue of knowledge. A man who thinks like that is not beyond redemption. I’ve even lost Crookshanks, Professor. I know you do think on me as a thinking human being, give me time and I will find a way to help you. I just want to see you walking about being yourself, taking house points and scowling your asperity at the world. Don’t die yet, not yet – if you must, don’t be self-destructive. I know your consciousness is awake, sir, professor, Severus. I’ve proven it by arithmancy. Let me help you, please…”

Severus approached Hermione as Dumbledore floated opposite Hermione as she wiped another onslaught of tears away. He could not deny that having a person shedding tears of concern for him was a novel experience.

“She cannot be serious! Her wits must be diseased!” he uttered to Dumbledore while he moved to stroke her hair. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. I’m tainted and she’s all goodness. She’s being illogical!”

Dumbledore looked askance at his prodigal son and answered, “She will be mad if you don’t stop playing tricks on her.”

“Tricks?” spat Severus in an icy tone as he moved closer to Dumbledore. “I have never encouraged her or any other female. My forte is potions and perhaps the dark arts, not flirtation.”

“She’s no longer a child,” Dumbledore pointed out. “The two of you are more alike than you know, you stubborn fool!”

“Indeed! She’s a hysterical woman who thinks well of me!”

“Clearly,” reasoned Dumbledore calmly, “she is not the only hysterical one here. Excuse me, I think one of my limbs is twitching and Poppy has come. I’ll speak to you again and soon.” With that, he disappeared into the air like a fine mist,

Staring at the spot where Dumbledore had disappeared, Severus weighed his options – ought he make his presence known to the girl? She was a powerful witch to have sensed his spirit. But would it be prudent of him to make his presence known? The silly girl! No, she was not a girl. Her teeth were even, her skin was good and her eyes glowed with compassion and confidence. This was a woman who had the tenacity to take over his duties and look into a cure for him.

“I’m sorry, Severus, I mean, sir, professor,” she sniffed still holding onto his hand and pressing it reverently to her lips. “I’ve become a watering pot. Too much stress and too little sleep and food I suppose. I’ve been tired these days; these two days especially have been very trying. I must be very tired if my handwriting no longer resembles anything I recognise as mine. They look rather like yours. Could be over wrought nerves you would say. Yes, that’s the only rational explanation. I don’t remember reading that a Fissura Anima is capable of exerting influence over external worldly circumstances. At least you’re hanging on to life. Thank you for letting me know. I am glad you trust me.

“I’ve figured out how Professor Dumbledore was able to make such a quick bodily recovery. He has a strong will to live. That coupled with the peripheral blast from the killing curse only ensured that he was knocked out for a but. You should take a leaf from his book and have something to live for. You will scold me for my impertinence, but now, I do not care. You, however”, her voice trailed off momentarily as she stroked his hair. “It’s soft,” she sighed. “You are every bit a hero in spirit and intent and I thank you for helping Harry up to the end. You are, in spite of what you think you are, a good man. Ron, Harry and Fudge couldn’t see it but I can, as can Professors McGongall, Flitwick and Dumbledore and all the other professors, even Remus. I must get back to work; the stasis charm would be wearing off soon. I’ll come again in the evening. Remember, it is not wrong to value life. Sleep well, sweet prince.”

He watched her sweep her robes around herself and caught how much thinner her frame had become. She smiled a little at his sleeping form, kissed him on his forehead and promptly left for the dungeons. Severus knew he was dealing with a formidable witch who had gotten into his private stores, broken his wards and genuinely cared for those she considered her friends. If she was so intent on curing him, he would help her. But he could not do so without first consulting Dumbledore on some matters.