Forever Yours

20. Vial

Severus kept a tight hold on Lucy's limp body all the way to the fourth floor.  Dumbledore was walking in front of him and Minerva was behind him.  They all carried worried expressions on their faces.

Dumbledore opened the dors to the Hospital Wing with such force when they arrived there that they slammed against the wall, warranting a light scream from behind the curtain at the end  of the row of empty beds.  Severus was glad no one else was in there.  He wanted Madame Pomfrey's full attention on Lucy.  She peeked out from behind the curtains cautiously, unsure if she wanted to see what was going on outside of her little cubby hole.  She was surprised to see the Headmaster, Deputy Headmistress, and Severus Snape walking in the through the doorway.  Severus had a woman she had never seen before in his arms.  She thought that was strange.

"Evening, Poppy," Albus greeted her.  "We had a bit of an incident at our ball, on to which if I remember correctly, you were invited."

She stared at him blankly, a serious look on her face.  "I can't dance.  Who's the girl?"

Severus hurried to the bed nearest to Madame Pomfrey's quarters and laid Lucy down.  The woman rushed over and immediately began to take a look at her.

"The girl is Lucy Dawson.  She's a...friend," Severus told her.  "She has had black outs before.  She's taking a tonic for it, but I'm afraid I don't know what kind."

"The two of you are close then?" she asked.

"Yes.  Can you help her?"

"I'll do all I can, but if this is just a black out, then there won't be much I will be able to do but wait till she comes out of it I'm afraid."  She sighed and started to pull tools out of the bedside table.  She took out her wand and gave it a wave to pull a curtain around her bed for privacy.  "I'm going to have to check her out fully before I can give you any kind of information."

Severus took a step back.  He was having trouble deciding whether he wanted to stay or go.  He couldn't stand seeing Lucy lying there like that.  He felt so...helpless.  He bit his lower lip in frustration and balled his fists at his sides.

"She's going to be okay, Severus," Albus said, sliding his hand onto his shoulder comfortingly.

"She has to be," he muttered.

"She seems like a strong girl," Minerva added.  "I'm sure she's fine."

Severus nodded silently.  He appreciated the encouraging thoughts from his colleagues even though it was beginning to seem more and more like Lucy wasn't okay at all.  What could be causing these frequent black outs?  There had to be something causing them.

"Why don't you go and get into your normal clothes, Severus," Albus suggested.  "I'm sure you will want to stay with her tonight if she remains unconscious."

It wasn't a question, merely a suggestion, and Severus nodded his head once again.  He took one last look at the closed curtain and fled the scene.  Once he was safely outside the Hospital Wing's double doors he collapsed against the wall, burying his face in his hands.  Quiet sobs escaped him and he had no idea what had brought it on.  Lucy wasn't hurt, only passed out.  But he knew her condition wasn't what was bothering him.  It was the fact that she had been acting funny all night long, giving him flattering compliments (even more than usual) and glances that had literally taken his breath at one point.  And when he kissed her, she had kissed him back like she wanted him to do it all along.  It wasn't the reaction he had been expecting when he gave in to temptation.  It puzzzled him and the fact that he had let himself succumb to the desire his heart was screaming was even worse.  He loved her and he had basically told her as much.  Severus would rather not have had himself emotionally exposed.  It made him vulnerable and he didn't fancy being vulnerable.  He took a deep breath and gathered himself back together, wiping his cheeks until there wasn't the slightest trace that he had ever shed a tear, and continued on his journey to the Dungeons.