Snake Boy

14 - Black

After a quick Enervate, Lucius and Severus made their way to the infirmary where Poppy had already arrived and already confirmed Oma's pregnancy. Tom kindly served as a translator between the girl and the Malfoys while the Medi-Witch conducted scans on Harry.

After confirming Severus' findings there as well she turned to Black.

The ex-con was suffering from prolonged starvation and dehydration, not to mention exhaustion. There were numerous lacerations and abrasions, many of which were festering. He had severe frostbite on his hands, feet and face as well as a raging case of pneumonia.

Severus had administered as many potions and healing spells as he was able to last night. Poppy seemed satisfied with Black's progress and after casting a few higher level healing spells, handed Severus a list of potions to administer to the man as well as what he could and could not eat.

"Well I'm off gentlemen, it's Gryffindor verses Slytherin today and I've got to prep the hospital wing for them."

"Still at each others throats, eh?" Severus asked.

"You know it will never change Sev. It's a little better since Draco was pulled out but Weasley feels the need to pummel any Slytherin within reach and with Dumbledore's support to boot."

"How is Sinistra handling it?"

"As best she can with the old man out maneuvering her at every turn. The little beast only winds up serving one out of every five detentions she gives him – Dumbledore sees to that. She'll never be the Head of House you were Sev."

The Potion's Master nodded sadly. He had retired from teaching a year after Tom's resurrection, ostensibly for health reason, but in truth so he could monitor the Dark Lord more closely.

During one of Tom's manic fits he'd escaped from his heavily warded chambers and dodged the house elves, finally managing to floo into Severus' quarters at Hogwarts. Severus had been in class at the time and had not known, so the crazed man had had two unsupervised hours loose in the school.

In that time Tom had, unbeknownst to Severus, managed to release the basilisk trapped in the Chamber of Secrets and start a three month reign of terror. Dumbledore had used the basilisk's presence to scare off many of the 'undesirable' students from the school, namely the half bloods and muggle-borns.

Ironically it had been a muggle-born, Hermione Granger, who had figured out that the monster was a basilisk and how it was traveling about the school. When no one would believe her she had tracked down the Chamber of Secrets and confronted the beast when it emerged again. The feisty second year had given as good as she had gotten and managed to mortally wound the creature before succumbing to her own wounds.

Ron Weasley had come across the unconscious Witch and the still twitching serpent. The arrogant red head had somehow concocted a rather weak story downplaying Hermione's actions and taking all the credit. In the end the boy had made it look like Hermione had almost gotten him killed with her 'need to show everyone else up,' as he put it.

The poor girl had transferred to an American School of Magic as soon as she was well enough to leave the hospital wing. She had been a thorn in his side but a brilliant and good hearted girl. He hoped her new school would wash away the taint Hogwarts had most assuredly left on her.

Snape blinked. The infirmary had emptied while he had been lost in his memories. Noting it was mid-afternoon, he rose and went about stripping Black down. The man was filthy and cleaning charms could only do so much.

He sucked in a breath. Knowing the man had been starving and seeing it were two different things entirely. He thought he could count every bone and there were scars everywhere. Black's skin was decorated by various symbols – Severus traced his long fingers over a few. The ex-con must have gone to a Summoner; the glyphs were demonic spells. He could identify a few; one was to prevent him from being magically tracked while another was the equivalent of a notice-me-not charm. He had no idea what the others were.

Gently he messaged the frostbitten hands and feet, relieved to see the black flesh starting to return to a healthy pink color. He found himself happy that he would not be forced to amputate a hand or foot and wondered at himself. This man had tried to kill him. This man, whose naked flesh lay so weak and defenseless under his hands, had made his seven years as a Hogwarts student a living hell with the taunts, the beatings, and the humiliating pranks.

Sirius had been loyal to Dumbledore by all accounts but he'd apparently killed his 'friend' Peter Pettigrew and a number of muggles on a busy street. He must have discovered that Peter had been the one to reveal the Potter's location to the Dark Lord but Severus wondered if Black knew that Peter had been following Dumbledore's orders that fateful night.

But what about the muggles? Had James' death broken his feeble mind even before exposure to Azkaban?

"Sev'rus?"

"Yes Black, it is me."

The Potion's Master set the rag aside. Using fresh water, a bowl and cup he began to wash the convict's ratty black hair.

"Was Harry here?"

He generously lathered the matted mess in his hands.

"Yes, he's gone now to speak with his adopted family."

"Tha's nice."

Black was clearly still not in his right mind.

Severus rinsed the soap out and then re-soaped the mass. This time the water was clear when he rinsed.

"Why're you washin' my hair Sev?"

"If I'm to tend you Sirius, I'll not have you smelling like something that died last week." He found he could not use his normal cutting tone of voice on the delirious man.

"Okay."

Gently Severus moved Sirius' head back down on the table and cast a quiet drying charm.

"I'm going to move you to a new bed now," he murmured.

"'kay."

Casting a levitation charm he gently moved the naked man onto a clean bed – the House Elves would clean up the mess on the other later. He spread a soft sheet over Black, leaving his feet and hands exposed. A quick warming charm on the exposed flesh would speed the healing process.

"You should sleep now Sirius."

"Wait Sev."

Severus sighed, this man caused too many conflicting emotions in him.

"What is it Black."

The convict's eyes were closed.

"Wanted to 'pologize to you...for school...thought if you hated me I wouldn't want you any more."

"What!" Severus was rather shocked.

The corner of Sirius' mouth quirked.

"Couldn't be a Gryffin-queer in Dumbledore's perfect world you know."

The Potion's Master ran a gentle finger down Black's cheek.

"Yes, I know. All too well."

"So...I'm sorry Sev."

"Me too Sirius, me too."