Chapter 9 – Albus’ visit

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to J.K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.

Thanks a lot to my beta-readers, saiyanwizardgurl and AmyLouise, for correcting my mistakes!

Chapter 9 – Albus' visit

"Awake, my boy?" Albus asked cheerfully. His eyes were twinkling as always.

"What was that about Mr. Weasley? What is he doing in my dungeons, Albus?" Severus asked feverishly.

Albus grinned as he placed potion vials on the side table. "Eavesdropping while feigning sleep, Severus? How very Slytherin." He opened the table's drawer. He took out the thermometer and turned to face Severus, who was now blushing because he realized that he had just admitted to hearing the conversation between Albus and Poppy.

"Open up, child," Albus ordered while moving the thermometer towards Severus' mouth.

"I'm no chi – hmpf!" The thermometer was placed in his mouth before he could finish his sentence.

"For me, you always will be, so get used to it, child ." Albus' eyes were twinkling madly, and he grinned from one ear to the other.

Severus rolled his eyes and then waited for the thermometer to beep. Albus, meanwhile, was moving the headboard so that Severus could sit upright.

When the thermometer beeped, Albus took it out and read the result. "Still a little high, but you seem to be getting better, Severus." When he had noted the result on a clipboard on the night table, he turned back to Severus.

"What do you think about a little journey to the toilet, with help this time?" Albus asked, grinning.

Severus looked around for Poppy, even though he knew she was not there.

Albus chuckled and said, "Poppy gave her okay. You need to see if your legs will support you."

"Okay." With that, Severus swung his legs over the side of the bed. Before he had the chance to stand, Albus laid a hand on his chest.

"First, slippers and a bathrobe. We don't want you to be cold."

When both articles of clothing were on, Albus helped Severus to stand up. He only had to support Severus lightly under one arm.

Albus opened the bathroom door. When Albus did not make a move to let go of his arm, Severus paused in the doorway and looked irritably at Albus.

"What? Do you think I'll let you go in there alone?" Albus asked, acting surprised.

"But, Albus – you cannot – I mean – you – " Severus stuttered, shocked.

"I don't think you have anything I haven't seen before, Severus. And I for one won't risk you hurting yourself if you fall while you are fumbling with your nightshirt alone in there."

"I can manage it alone, Albus!" Severus argued.

"It's simple, Severus. We can go in there together, or we can both go back to your bed and I can relieve you with magic. Which would you prefer?"

"The toilet," Severus mumbled and went into the bathroom.

They went over to the toilet, and when Albus, again, did not make a move to give Severus some privacy, he glared at him. "Couldn't you at least step back a little?"

"And risk your legs giving in and you hitting your head on the toilet bowl? Definitely not, Severus." With that, he reached down for the hem of Severus' nightshirt and lifted it.

"Albus!" Severus shouted, shocked. "I can do this alone."

But the abrupt movement made him feel dizzy, and he swayed a little.

"Oh, yes, I can see that," Albus stated as he strengthened his grip under Severus's arm. He shifted Severus' body so that he leaned against his chest. "I'll hold the nightshirt, and you do the rest. And stop arguing or you won't even manage to relieve yourself before your legs give in."

Red as a tomato, Severus reached for the waistband of his boxer shorts and lowered them. He shifted so that he leaned a little bit in the direction of the toilet and waited for the relief to come. But nothing happened.

"I cannot do this, Albus!" Severus could feel his cheeks burning in embarrassment. This is ridiculous.

"Severus, you just have to relax. You are thinking too much. There is nothing to be embarrassed about." Albus tried to make the situation easier for Severus. He would really like to give Severus more privacy, but he was already leaning against him so heavily and needed so much support that he did not dare to leave him alone.

And then, it finally worked. Severus was relieved beyond imagination. The relieving spells were horrible, and he never had the feeling of being completely empty. Doing it on his own felt like heaven. Even the fact that Albus was standing beside him did not decrease the feeling of relief.

When everything was safely tucked back in, Albus flushed the toilet, never loosening his grip on Severus.

As he stood in front of the sink and washed his hands, Severus noticed his mirror image. I look horrible. No wonder they are all fussing over me. And then his face seemed to swim in the mirror.

"Severus? Are you okay? Severus!" He could hardly hear Albus. His legs gave way, and he felt strong arms catch him.

"Mobilicorpus," Albus whispered and carried Severus to his bed.

Albus was not used to caring for patients, and so he needed much more time to tuck Severus in than Poppy would have.

A vial was placed on Severus' lips, and he swallowed without thinking about it. "That's a good boy. You will feel better soon."

The strengthening potion kicked in fast. The dizziness stopped, and Severus felt refreshed and strong. After a few seconds, he could not even believe that he had just suffered a bout of weakness.

"Better?" Albus asked with a friendly smile on his face.

"Much better. I assume Poppy already knew that this would happen?"

"No, she hoped you would make it without a breakdown, but perhaps she did not account for the time lost in your struggle with me," Albus said, a little amused, as he placed the prop-up table in front of Severus. "She left the potion for any emergency."

Albus placed a plate with fresh bread, some cheese, and salad in front of him.

"And for dessert, we have vanilla pudding with cherries," Albus said joyfully as he placed a small bowl on the table.

When he added a glass of pumpkin juice beside the plate, Severus eyed it closely. He remembered Poppy telling Albus that she had spiked his juice in the afternoon with a Calming Draught. Being drugged without his knowledge was something he really did not like. He sniffed at the juice, and this action did not go unnoticed by Albus.

"There is nothing in there except juice, Severus," Albus assured him. The headmaster then summoned a small table and a chair next to the bed. He sat down to a plate of fresh bread, cold cuts of meat and cheese, as well as a glass of butterbeer and, of course, a bowl of dessert.

"Hmmm, that looks delicious," Albus said dreamily as he sniffed at the scent of the fresh bread.

Severus also could not resist inhaling the wonderful smell. When Albus looked over to him, he had already started to eat. With a satisfied smile, Albus started eating as well.

Severus had eaten half of the meal when he remembered that he had not received an answer to his question about Charlie.

"So what was that about Mr. Weasley, Albus?"

"Charlie?" Albus was a little lost when Severus asked. "Oh right, I wanted to speak with you about the arrangements we have made."

"Arrangements? Why do I have the feeling that I am not going to like it at all?"

"Severus, I will explain everything, but you still have to continue eating," Albus said.

Albus waited until Severus started eating again before he went on. "We asked Charlie to take over your classes and help brew the potions for the hospital."

"Take over my classes?" All color drained from Severus' face and his meal was left untouched. He was shocked. I've been sacked. They replaced me with a Weasley. Panic was rising in Severus' chest.

"Just for the time it takes for you to recover, Severus. You always liked Charlie, if I remember correctly. He was very talented in Potions, and when he heard about your problems, he was more than willing to help out."

"What have you told him? You cannot go around telling anyone that I'm a cripple who is not allowed to make his own decisions." Severus was furious that more people knew about his condition.

"Calm down, Severus," Albus said with a stern voice. "First of all, I did not tell anyone about your condition, and second, you are no helpless cripple. You still can decide for yourself. If you tell me seriously that you want to leave the hospital wing and go on like you did before, I will let you leave. But that would also mean that you have to leave Hogwarts because we will not let you starve yourself and wait for the next breakdown, Severus. Our doors are always open to you whenever you decide to accept help. You can come back whenever you want. No matter when, we will be here to help you. But we won't close our eyes while you refuse to take care of yourself . Do I make myself clear?"

Albus had risen from his seat while talking to Severus. His voice had become more and more severe. He was now leaning slightly over Severus' bed, supporting his weight on both of his hands on the bed near Severus' hip. Severus was shocked. Normally, Albus was the calmest person he knew, and now he was almost shouting at him.

When no reply came, Albus reiterated in the same stern voice, "I asked you a question, Severus. You are no cripple and you still have a choice in the matter. So what is your decision?"

Severus could not look at Albus any longer. The headmaster's eyes were not twinkling, and that meant he was being serious. Of course he did not want to leave the castle! It was his home, and the people here were his family. He thought about what Poppy had whispered about him being like a son to her, and he thought about Minerva, who said she was so scared about his condition.

"I want to stay," he said, still not daring to look the headmaster in the eye.

He felt a hand on his chin, and his head was moved to face the now twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore. "I am very happy about your decision," Albus said, smiling.

"Charlie will take over your Potions classes until Poppy gives her okay for you to teach again. Then it is your decision whether or not you wish to let Charlie teach the lower grades so that you can concentrate on the advanced students and your duties for the Ministry. He could also brew for the hospital wing and help you with the Ministry potions if you so desire, but that is completely your decision, and you should discuss the matter with Charlie. But I want you to think hard about it. You cannot work as much as you have been lately. I have already spoken with the Ministry officials and informed them that you will be unable to fulfill your duties for a few weeks. They understand. You have too many duties with your work as Slytherin Head of House, Potions Master, primary brewer for the hospital wing, and Ministry potions supplier. You really should hand over some of your duties to Charlie. I am sure that you will find a way when you discuss this with him."

"I will, I promise. But when can I leave the hospital, Albus? I do not want to stay here," Severus said, hopeful that Albus would give in and let him recover in his private chambers.

"When Poppy says you can leave, Severus. And that will be when your condition improves and you convince her that you will take care of yourself. So I would suggest you do exactly what she tells you, and we'll start by finishing supper, okay?" Albus cocked an eyebrow in question.

"Okay, but I fear I could never satisfy Poppy," Severus said in resignation.

"Oh, you can, my boy, and you know it!" Albus said as he reclaimed his place at his small table.

And with that they silently finished their meal.