Experiments

When Severus woke the next morning, it was to find a breakfast tray and a vial of pain potion floating by his bed. He downed the potion and thoughtfully munched on his toast while he mulled over recent events.

Having the girl there really had been a blessing, after all. It meant regular meals and some improvement in his health. The dehumidifier and Blood-Replenishing Potion had both noticeably improved his condition. Strokes of genius, really. He certainly wouldn't have thought of them himself. And irritating as she had been as a student, Severus appreciated her quick mind and work ethic. She said she thought herself on the right track to finding the source of his ailment, and he believed her. He wouldn't have felt comfortable saying as much to her, but she might well be the best possible person to have there helping him.

But why was she there? She had come seeking use of a Floo after some unpleasant event between her and Weasley, but she'd stayed after learning that he did not have one, and several days later she was still there. Why was an attractive and talented young witch not only willingly staying in his house, but spending all her time trying to help him? Him, of all people. He wasn't exactly attractive and there was no denying that he was an unpleasant person. He didn't understand it at all.

Hermione was adding stain to a fourth slide when the charmed stairs to the laboratory creaked into motion again.

"Professor! You're up and about!"

"Anything else obvious you'd like to point out?" He paused a moment. "I seem to be having one of my better days." He limped over to the bench where her cauldrons sat and peered into them. "What have you found?"

She scrambled to join him. "I've run every test for toxins that I know and several that I found in your library. They've all come up negative. All the ingredients seemed fresh, but I could have been mistaken…"

"Doubtful. I have been careful about maintaining my stores."

She nodded, still looking nervous. "There was one thing…"

"Do tell."

"Your blood doesn't look quite right under a microscope. I don't pretend to be an expert on the composition of blood, but the cell types don't seem to be in the usual proportion. I've prepared several slides now to make sure it wasn't a fluke. They're all the same."

He looked curious. "Let me take a look." He peered through the microscope, and indeed something wasn't quite normal. "That isn't typical. You are correct. But if nothing showed up as toxins, then it must be something originating from my own body."

"Oh my God." Hermione was frozen wide-eyed. "I think… What if… Why didn't I consider that before?" She turned and sprinted up the moving stairs. Above him Severus could hear her pounding up the stairs to the second floor.