Chapter 9

A/N: Another short chapter - I'm hoping to get the next one up in a couple of days. Thanks for continuing to review - I really appreciate each and every one!

Finally, thanks to my friend Atuliel (a.k.a. dajem) for the very lovely poster she made me for this story!

Chapter 9

While they waited for Severus to return, Dumbledore supported Minerva's head as she sipped the tea he had brewed for her. He propped pillows behind her back and head to help her sit up, and, using his wand, he levitated her from the bed while a house-elf changed her sheets. Feeling mildly embarrassed - even though with magic, it shouldn't have seemed as personal as it did - he said, "We can also change your nightgown for you, if you like."

Something he had done must have helped, because her breathing sounded less labored than it had moments ago when she answered. "No, that's all right. How did you know to check on me?" The house-elf immediately disappeared, likely back to the kitchens.

"Hermione was worried and apparently mentioned it to Severus. He came to check on you, and when he got no answer, he came to see me."

She gave a wheezy chuckle. "I'm surprised he didn't just Floo me to see what I was doing. Or use a password or something."

"He didn't want to invade your privacy, he said."

She looked surprised. "When has rudeness ever stopped Severus before?" She paused to cough, then took a sip of her tea. "I thought rudeness was a point of pride for him."

"It is odd, isn't it?" Dumbledore mused thoughtfully. "I thought the same thing myself. And he seems genuinely concerned about you, as well."

"Well, in his own way, Severus considers me a friend."

"Yes, but he doesn't normally allow that to show, does he? And another thing – since when does he consult me when he could just as easily take care of things himself?"

"As you say, Albus, it's odd." She took a deep breath, which triggered a coughing fit, and then sipped some more tea. "He's been spending a lot of time with Hermione lately, so perhaps her sweet nature is rubbing off on him."

"Do you think so?" Dumbledore asked. "I know they've been taking meals together, but I assumed that was just because he was tutoring her in something or other."

"I don't think so," Minerva replied. "Their demeanor doesn't suggest business. It's more like a friendship."

Any reply Dumbledore might have made was forestalled by the return of the wizard under discussion.

This time, he used the Floo network to enter the room. Brushing himself off, he said, "Forgive the method of entry. I didn't think you'd mind, since you were expecting me."

"No, that's all right," Minerva replied. "I appreciate your speed in returning."

He handed her a bottle. "Two tablespoons now and one tablespoon twice a day until the day after your symptoms are completely gone." He gave her what Dumbledore recognized as his most intimidating look. "Completely gone, Minerva. If that runs out before they're gone, you must either ask me for more or make more yourself."

"Yes, of course," Minerva replied. "Thank you, Severus." The men both watched while she took the two tablespoons and then set the bottle on her nightstand.

"And you will do nothing but rest for at least two days," Severus decreed, in a voice that brooked no argument, then frowned. "Perhaps you should go to the infirmary. Poppy will ensure that you don't overdo." Dumbledore had intended to demand the same thing; he was fascinated by the fact that Severus beat him to the punch. Had she been feeling herself, Dumbledore was sure Minerva would have protested Severus's highhandedness.

Now, though, all she said was, "No, no, that's not necessary," as forcefully as she could manage in her weakened state. "I already feel much better. I can conjure or summon anything I need."

Severus looked at her skeptically. "I realize the potion is magic, Minerva, but it's not quite that fast-acting." Dumbledore was shocked. Had Severus just made a joke – a sarcastic one, perhaps, but he did seem to be trying to use humor ...?

Minerva waved a hand dismissively. "I'll be fine."

"Nevertheless," Dumbledore finally interjected. "You will stay on bed rest for at least two days – more if you don't improve significantly in that time. Someone will be checking on you twice a day until you're back to full health. And if you don't answer a knock in a reasonable time, we will not hesitate to let ourselves in by any means expedient."

She nodded, acknowledging the necessity for such a proviso. After all, if they hadn't let themselves in today, she might well have died.

Dumbledore pushed himself to his feet, saying, "We'll leave you to rest, now, Minerva. We'll see you later."

They let themselves out, and Dumbledore couldn't resist prodding Severus, just a little. "I hear you've been spending time with Hermione Granger. Are you tutoring her?"

"Not tutoring, no," Severus said tersely, looking uncomfortable.

"No?" Dumbledore asked. "How delightful."

Severus frowned, looking nonplussed. "Delightful?" he echoed. "What's delightful about it?"

"It's delightful that you're developing a friendship with her. Her other friends are no longer here, you know," he added confidentially.

Severus's frown deepened. "She needs a higher quality of friends," he muttered darkly.

Dumbledore was fascinated to find that Severus's new attitude toward Hermione, and even toward Minerva and himself, did not appear to extend to Harry Potter or any of Harry's other friends.

"Well, it's nice that you're taking her under your wing," Dumbledore said.

"I haven't," Severus insisted, still looking uncomfortable. "She's just a tolerable mealtime companion, and she's a helpful recipe tester for my new text."

And with that, Severus stalked off toward his lab, effectively ending the discussion.

Hermione paced the lab, unable to focus on anything. Severus had hurried in, grabbed a potion, and then used the Floo network to leave, barely saying a word, beyond, "Minerva is ill and needs a potion. I'll be back shortly." She could only assume this meant he was seriously concerned about Minerva, and she restrained the urge to pepper him with questions about her mentor's condition.

Anyway, she wasn't yet comfortable enough to start digging through Severus's supplies to try to find the ingredients for the potion she was supposed to be making today. So she waited, she paced, and then she waited and paced some more. She thought about leaving – it felt a little strange to be alone in Severus's lab, even with his explicit permission. But she didn't want to wait any longer than necessary to find out what was going on.

It seemed like forever before he finally returned, this time through the door. She asked, "Is Minerva all right?"

"She'll be fine, despite her foolishness." He didn't look at her – he was too busy trying to brush the remainder of the ashes from his clothing. Which seemed strange, since his black clothing didn't really show dirt.

"Foolishness?" Hermione asked. She had never thought of Minerva as foolish.

"Yes, foolishness. She was ill already last night, but she didn't make or ask for a potion, and then she woke up too ill to do anything about it. If you hadn't sent me over there, the outcome might have been very unfortunate."

"You mean – she might have died?" Hermione was horrified. She felt tears well up in her eyes. His tone had been so brusque that she somehow knew he was extremely worried. "What's wrong with her?"

"She seems to have some sort of flu, possibly with pneumonia." He glanced at her, saw a tear spill over. "Stop worrying. She'll be fine. She was already looking improved when I returned, and she's agreed to have someone check on her twice a day. She'll be fine," he reiterated.

Hermione hastily wiped her eyes. "I know. I was just thinking of what might have happened. I can't imagine Hogwarts without her."

He sighed. "Well, don't, then. She'll be fine. Now, what have you been doing while I've been gone?"

She felt a blush creep up her face, "Oh ... well, um ... if you want the truth ..."

He gave her a dark look. "Always," he said emphatically.

"Well ... mostly just pacing and worrying."

"Why?" he asked grumpily. "You said you trust me. We agreed that I would see to Minerva and I did. So why were you still worrying?"

She didn't want him to think she didn't trust him. "I do trust you, Severus." He looked at her skeptically. "I do," she said again. "It's just hard to not know what's happening. And what if you got there too late to do anything? And you seemed so worried when you came to get the potion."

"Still, the distraction of work would be welcome, I would think."

He sounded less annoyed, now, so she gave him a tiny grin. "Well, I don't know your thoughts on the matter, but I always thought it might be dangerous to brew potions without one's full attention. I suspect you might be a bit miffed if I blew up the lab or something."

His lip twitched, and she thought he might be just a little bit amused. "Well, perhaps it's best that you worry and pace, if that's the alternative."

Her grin widened. "Glad we're in agreement."

He glanced at the clock. "There's plenty of time, if you still want to make the Shielding Serum."

She said, "Sure. What ingredients do I need?"

He began gathering them, and this time, he didn't go back to his own work. Instead, they worked together, alternately chatting companionably and falling into comfortable silences, as they assembled the potion.