Healing 3/4
Title: Healing Chapter 3: Hogwarts in Trouble part 1
Rating : G
Author: sheankelor (Ree)
Word Count:11740
AN: This story mentions different disorders. I am friends with people who have three of the issues mentioned. One who has suffered with the specific desease and two who suffer symptoms of the others. So, please do not go into what I have left out. The lack of information was not intended to be a slight or insult to anyone. The fourth is completely a figment of my imagination. So is my description of the Muggle care system described here. It is based loosely on things I know of, but I cannot guarantee that they apply to the UK system.
Thank you for taking the time to try this. This bunny would not leave me alone...it has been patiently waiting since last October.
Thanks to SuNoYo for taking time out to beta this one. I truly appreciate it.
Disclaimer:None of the characters nor the universe are mine. They are JK Rowlings instead. I found a LEGO Harry and LEGO Snape and started playing.
Summary: Two curses started it all. Severus and Minerva lost so much to them and Hogwarts lost both of them. But now something else has come along. Will that allow all of them to heal? No pairings. EWE
Hogwarts in Trouble
Payne waited until everyone had left for the train station before he took himself off to Hogwarts. He appeared in elven waiting area and looked about. This was his first time coming here, though he had heard about the process from other elves. The day of the children’s arrival was a time when the student’s house elves could come and make sure that the school elves knew about the needs their particular charge.
Standing up against the wall, Payne listened to elves explaining that their charge could only have a certain type of duvet or they would never be able to sleep, that their charge hated lavender scent soap, or they couldn’t fold their own clothes. Another set was talking about midnight snacks that had to be served in a particular order. Payne couldn’t help but be proud, if a bit envious, of the tolerant and indulgent looks on the Hogwarts elves’ faces.
Moving about, he hoped to find an elf that was willing to listen and take him seriously. He spotted a green-eyed female that no one else was talking to. Deciding to get this over with, he approached her. “Good morning.”
The elf’s green eyes narrowed as her ears lifted slightly. “Good morning.”
“My name is Payne and I was told that this is the place I need to be to explain the special needs of my students coming to Hogwarts. May I address them to you?”
“Who are Payne’s students and what are the students’ issues? Terra will listen.” Terra studied the elf a bit harder, there was something familiar about him.
Payne dismissed her almost condescending tone. It was to be expected with the needs he heard earlier. “Timothy and Elenora Fen. They are twins who shall be first years. Timothy is the one that you need to watch out for the most. He has memory problems and for the first several weeks he will be lost in the castle. If there are passwords that change, he will not remember them.”
Terra’s disinterest melted away and she focused intently on the other elf. This was a child who was going to truly need the elves’ help. “So, the elves will need to make sure Timothy can enter the common rooms and watch Timothy to know where Timothy is.”
Payne nodded. “Elenora should not have any real special issues unless something happens to Timothy. Then she needs to be watched for any unusual behavior. If this happens, then their guardians need to be informed immediately.”
“Timothy and Elenora’s guardians are?”
“Master Severus Snape and Mistress Minerva McGonagall.” Payne stopped as Terra’s eyes widened with recognition.
“Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall are back?” Terra fairly vibrated with excitement. That was what was familiar about this elf, he was touched by Master Snape’s magic.
Payne studied her for a moment. “You know them?”
“Terra is a dungeon elf and has served Professor Snape for years. Professor McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress.”
Payne gestured to a quiet side of the room and filled her in on the condition of his masters. Terra reassured him that she and the others would take special care of Tim and Nora.
(Ô.Õ)
Nora trudged slowly down the hallway taking as much time as she possibly could away form Professor Binns’ class. She had found the furthest bathroom on the same floor from his classroom just to wake herself up. The splash of water on her face helped a bit, but on her return she received a wake-up call she could have done without.
“Tim!” Nora rushed over to the stumbling form of her brother as he stepped off the stairs. “What happened?”
Her eyes ran over the shaking, potion-covered body, trying to see where she could touch to help him. Fear started clawing its way through her stomach. Pushing it away the best she could, she focused on Tim.
“Ex-exp-explo-sion... In-fir-ma-ry.” Tim answer was barely a whisper as he gasped and shuddered.
Nora gave up on finding a safe place to hold, wrapped an arm about Tim and rushed as fast she could to get them to the Infirmary. She didn’t hear the slight pop that sounded behind them.
(Ô.Õ)
After settling her brother on a bed, Nora looked about for the healer. No one was in sight. Flying to the Nurse’s office door, she pounded on it, hoping that Madam Greene would be in there. When she received no answer, she spun about, her eyes searching every nook and cranny for someone to help.
She couldn’t help her gasp when the Infirmary doors opened. Disappointment crashed through her when it wasn’t Madam Greene. Instead it was Madam Weasley. Grabbing hold of her hope, she rushed over to the apprentice healer.
“Madam Weasley! Tim - he had an accident... potions...” Without thinking, Nora grabbed the redhead’s robes and tugged her over to Tim’s bed.
Rose Weasley had rushed to the Infirmary when a house elf found her and told her that she was needed immediately. She stared at the small boy covered in a thick purple paste from head to toe. It was obvious where his hands had come up to cover his face because that was the only clean spot on the boy’s upper body. A panicking feeling crawled up her spine. She did not know how to treat this! Not even how to determine where to begin!
The elf should have found Madam Greene. ‘Maybe they couldn’t find her either.’ Her frustrations at the Healer boiled deep in her gut. Greene was supposed to be training her, but seemed to spend more time outside the Infirmary than inside, and she, Rose, might as well be a ghost with the amount of attention was directed towards her. She had repeatedly brought it to the Headmaster’s attention, but her complaints were brushed aside. And now, for the first time, she was faced with a possible life threatening situation that she had no idea how to use common sense to get through.
“Miss...” She looked at the young lady whose hands were also covered in purple paste. A quick glance at her robe showed small purple patches on it as well.
“Fen, Elenora Fen. This is my brother, Timothy Fen.”
Rose found that keeping a confident face was difficult as bright blue eyes searched it. “Is your home connected to the floo?” Since she was an apprentice healer, Rose needed Greene’s or a guardian’s permission to send a child to St. Mungo’s, and she didn’t have time to have this approved by the Headmaster either, no matter that he demanded to be alerted before contacting a guardian.
Nora nodded quickly. “It is. Do you want me to call them?”
Rose grabbed a handful of floo powder, and tossed it into the fire place for the girl. She had no idea how the purple paste would react to the powder.
Nora knelt in front of the green flames, glad that Aunt Min had taught them how to use this. “Spinner’s End.” She watched as the flames showed her her living room. “Aunt Min! Uncle Toby! Payne! I need help... Tim.. Tim....”
Payne’s face appeared in the flames. “Mistress Nora, what has happened?”
“It’s Tim - he had a potions accident! The healer isn’t here... and Madam Weasley asked me to-”
Payne brushed off her words. “I will get Master Toby. Wait here.”
Nora sat back on her heels and looked up into barely calm face above her. “Uncle Toby will know what to do. He is a Potions Master.”
For the first time since she had seen her patient, Rose felt as if this might turn out all right.
“Nora!” Severus searched the flames, looking for his ward’s face.
“Uncle Toby!” Nora almost dove into the flames, Rose’s hand on her shoulder held her back.
“What happened?” Severus noticed the potion covering on her outstretched hands. The back of his mind started analyzing what it could be.
“It’s Tim. I found him coming up the stairs covered in this.” Nora held her hands so that he could see them better. “But the healer isn’t here!”
Severus looked over at Payne. “Get Min in here now, we are going to Hogwarts.”
The house elf disappeared, and he heard Min rushing from the kitchen. “Tim is hurt, we are going to floo into the Infirmary.”
Severus turned back to floo. “Nora, back up. Min and I are coming through.”
Rose’s eyes widened as Nora moved back taking her with her. She tried to tell them that there was no way that the two could floo through, but the words faded when two figures stepped out of the flames. Deciding that she would report the breach later, she moved on to what was more pressing at that moment. “Sir, Ma’am I need your permission to send these two to St. Mungo’s.”
Severus was grateful that Nora had supported him long enough for him to get his cane on the ground and to catch his balance. “Thank you Miss Weasley, but I will handle this. They will not need to go to St. Mungo’s.”
Brushing by the redhead, he headed straight to where he could see Tim was sitting. “Nora, over here now.” Looking into the purple framed face, Severus searched the scared blue eyes. “It will be fine, Tim.”
Tim nodded slightly. “You’re here, Uncle Toby, of course it’ll be. Aunt Min can help Nora, so everything will be fine.”
Severus pulled his potion kit out of his bag. Taking one look at the purple potion he compressed his lips together as he mentally ran through all the first year potions and what mistake would cause this mess. Identifying it, he took out a vial. “Nora, use this to wash you hands. Use the sink in the back left hand corner.”
Turning slightly, Severus smirked lightly at the uncertain look on Miss Weasley’s face. “Miss Weasley, I require a large basin filled with clean water immediately.”
Rose summoned the basin and filled it. While she was handing it to the man, she voiced her concern. “You know what you’re doing?”
Minerva patted her shoulder. “Toby has been handling potions accidents for years. You can trust him.”
Severus flicked his wand and closed off the bed area. “Miss Weasley if you wish to learn how to handle this type of emergency, get in here.”
Rose stepped in the now private area. If Toby Fen wanted to teach her, she was willing to learn.
Severus set the basin down on the bed and added half a vial of neutralizer into the water. Conjuring up a flannel, he started coating every place the potion had touched.
Minerva turned towards where Nora stood worrying an empty vial between her hands. “Toby, do you want to check Nora before she heads back to class?”
“Continue as we were doing, I’ll be right back.” The curtain moved just enough to let Severus out. Pulling his wand, he ran a quick diagnostic check over Nora. Looking her in the eyes he could see the anxiety building up. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “Tim will be fine. Between you and Miss Weasley, I was able to get here in time to prevent irreversible damage from occurring. Now, you need to head back to class.”
“It’s just the History of Magic, and I’ve told you how boring that is. Can’t I stay?” Nora looked from Aunt Min and Uncle Toby, hope shining in her eyes.
“No, you cannot.” He watched for any signs of her anxiety coming back. Not seeing it, he looked over at Minerva. “Min, take her to class, I have to get back to Tim.” Severus squeezed Nora’s shoulder before going back behind the curtains.
Minerva brushed a hand down the front of her robe and patted her hair to make sure it was in place. “Come on, Nora. You know that Tim will be fine with Toby.”
“Yes, Aunt Min.” Nora followed behind her Aunt to a class she was dreadfully late returning to.
Minerva watched Nora carefully the entire way to Binns’ class. When they arrived, she was relatively certain that Nora wasn’t going to have a relapse.
It wasn’t until they were just outside the door that Nora realized that she didn’t have a pass from the Infirmary. “Aunt Min, I need to get a pass. I am terribly late back.”
Minerva sighed and stepped through the door, shooing Nora in with her.
Binns looked over at the opening of his door. “Ah, Professor McGonagall, how can I help you?”
Minerva swept a look over the sleeping students. “Elenora was in the Infirmary after escorting another student there, Professor.”
The ghostly eyes drifted over to his wayward student. “Thank you for escorting her back to class.”
Minerva nodded to both him and a gaping Nora before she left.
(Ô.Õ)
While Minerva was out of the Infirmary Severus and Rose finished up with Tim. Dosing the boy with a sleeping potion, Severus stepped out of the curtained area with Miss Weasley at his heels.
Rose looked back at the sleeping boy one last time before she let the curtain fall closed. Turning her brown eyes to the man who was currently leaning on a cane while packing a potions case, she knew she had to thank him. This was the first time this entire school year that she learned something. How to handle potions accidents was not covered in the Healer Basic Training classes, they expected you to learn things like this from your mentor.
“Master Fen?”
Severus smirked at the hesitant tone in her voice. Making a quick decision, he turned to face her, tucking his potions case into his bag. “My name is Toby Snape.”
Rose blinked for a moment as she wondered if he could be related to the Professor Snape her Mum and Dad talked about. “My apologies, Master Snape. I wanted to thank you for your help today. Is there anything I need to watch for, or any other potions that I need to give him later?”
Severus looked down at the girl for a long moment before answering. “Watch for his skin to start blistering. A simple Blister- Ease Paste will be all right to put on it if it does. Keep him sleeping until tomorrow morning.” He paused for a moment and looked around the Infirmary before returning his gaze back to her. “Where is the Healer, Miss Weasley?”
Rose compressed her lips tightly together as she considered how to answer. “I do not know where Madam Greene is. She was supposed to be here while I was running a missive to the Herbology teacher.”
Severus barely kept himself from raising an eyebrow at that. Why would the apprentice be running errands that an elf could easily do? “How often does this occur?”
‘How much should I say? If a parent complains then something may be done.’ Nodding to herself, Rose looked him squarely in the eyes. “More often than not. Most of the time Madam Greene is just isn’t here.” Even as the words left her mouth, the Infirmary doors opened.
Percy Weasley frowned as he walked into the Infirmary. He had stopped by to see how Rose was doing and was not expecting her to be talking to someone else. Stopping just behind his niece, he blinked as he tried to understand what he was seeing. Severus Snape was standing there in the Infirmary, leaning on a cane, talking to Rose.
As he started to speak, dark eyes met his and demanded that he stay quiet. Nodding slightly, he moved so that Rose could see him.
“Deputy Headmaster,” Rose squeaked a bit because she knew she was going to be in trouble. “I don’t know how Master Toby Snape was able to come through the floo, but we’re lucky he was.”
Percy concluded that all those years working in the Ministry or facing the pranks from his brothers allowed him to keep a straight face when she called Professor Snape ‘Toby’. Then it registered that he had come through the floo.
“Master Snape, I fear you shall have to report to the Headmaster since you are in the school.” Percy did his best to convey that he really was sorry and that he would not give anything away that Snape didn’t want. He wouldn’t even mention the man’s ability to pass through warded floos.
Severus smirked at Percy letting the young man know that he understood his message. “That is fine, Deputy Headmaster Weasley. I wished to discuss with him the lack of medical care and the lack concern by the Potions Professor that I have seen. My ward, Timothy Fen, was very fortunate today.”
‘His ward?’ Percy blanched at the icy glare that rested on him. He knew that Snape was partially blaming him for what happened. “If you would please bring this to his attention, I would appreciate it. Shall we walk that way, sir?”
After a moment taking stock of himself, Severus walked to the Infirmary doors. Percy caught up with him as he walked into the hallway.
Percy cast a sideways glance over at the man who was one of the most formidable people he had ever met. Garnering the courage that had placed him into the house of the lion, he started to talk. “Sir, I don’t know how much you know about what has happened to the school since the Final Battle.”
Severus looked down at the redhead. “The Prophet states that some believe that the quality of education had gone downhill.”
“And they are right. Very down hill. The students are barely getting Acceptables in their exams. A number don’t even succeed in that. The Headmaster refuses to see that the problem is that he is hiring teachers that are his friends instead of ones that are highly qualified. I am only here because two years ago the Ministry and the Board placed me here to teach Ancient Runes. The Board made me Deputy against the Headmaster’s wish. Accidents are rife in all classes that have practicals. You were witness to the issue with the Infirmary today. Madam Greene is absent more than she is present. But the Headmaster isn’t listening to either Rose or myself about the problem.” Percy stopped and looked at the older man. “If you, as a guardian, complain maybe it will make a difference.”
Severus contemplated the serious face before him. “I have no qualms bringing this to his attention, but I do not wish my previous titles to be used. I shall be Toby Snape, understood?”
Percy’s shoulders sagged in relief. “What about the portraits, sir?”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “Leave them to me.”
As they continued down the hall, Severus noticed that Weasley was lost deep in thought and was continually shooting quick glances at him. “What else do you want from me, Weasley?”
Percy stepped off the stairs and straightened his shoulders. “I want your help, sir. There has to be some way that you know of that can help these students achieve what they need, or at least to make it through their career here.”
Severus narrowed his eyes as he continued down the hall. “Where are most of the accidents occurring, and what are the teachers truly like?”
“Potions has the most accidents,” Percy caught Snape’s nod before he continued. “then come DADA, Transfigurations and Charms. The others have less permanent accidents. I think the Herbology Professor is worth keeping around, but she needs to learn more about the British plants and she needs to be stricter. The Defense Professor goes both ways. Some days I think he’s worth it and other days I think that a seventh year from your time could take him out without a thought. Transfigurations and Charms, he paused for a moment as he thought about what he wanted to say. “They mollycoddle the students.” He snorted a laugh. “Actually Mum would be a better teacher for both subjects.”
Severus felt his brow rise of its own accord. He knew that Molly had taught the Weasley children before they came to Hogwarts, and she was obviously a good teacher due to the honors they achieved. But to say that she could teach Charms and Transfigurations better than two masters of the subject was telling.
“The first thing is to lower the accident rates in at least Potions and to get these students thinking again.” Severus stopped just outside the Headmaster’s door. His legs were warning him that all those stairs had not been a wise idea, no matter how much Weasley had humored him by taking them slowly. Reaching into his bag, he found and took a draught of his potion. “You must follow my lead. If you can do that, then I will attempt to help. Meet me tonight after curfew at the Hog’s Head. Is Aberforth still the proprietor?”
“He is. I’ll be there.” Percy spoke the password and they both headed up to the office. When they reached the upper door, he was surprised when Snape strode through.
As soon as Severus passed through the door, he cast a warning look at all the portraits, one they knew well. “Headmaster Moreau, I demand that you inform me what action will be taken against Madam Greene and Professor Belcourt.”
Severus caught sight of the brightly twinkling blue eyes behind the Frenchman’s head. A quick narrowing of his eyes warned Albus not to say anything.
The dark-haired Headmaster shot out of his seat, his answer almost indistinguishable due to his thick French accent. “Who are you and why should I take action?”
Percy moved across the room to stand to the side of the Headmaster’s desk. He noticed that Snape was leaning on his cane. It seemed to be part of the effect that he was trying to achieve, but Percy wondered if he actually needed to.
Severus leveled a death glare on the man. “Your Potions Professor sent my ward out of his classroom to find his own way to the Infirmary while covered in the residue of a potions accident. And then your healer was not there to take care of this issue when he arrived. If my other ward had not summoned me at the request of the apprentice healer, then who knows how long this accident would have been left untreated.”
Marius Moreau suppressed a shudder at the glare that was resting on him. How dare this man come in here and speak to him in such tones? “It was obviously not a threatening issue, and I doubt that your presence was truly necessary.”
Severus scowled, fighting the urge to hex the man where he stood. “My ward suffered a class three potions accident and your incompetent professor thought that he was safe enough to traverse the halls, not caring what would happen to him much less who else would be contaminated by this.”
Percy’s eyes widened just a bit as he tried to think of what needed to be done to the path from the Potions classroom to the Infirmary.
Severus noticed that Weasley understood his warning. “The apprentice healer called me to gain my permission to send my ward to St. Mungo’s as she had no way of contacting your healer, and has not been trained in how to handle this issue. I have rectified the last part.”
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in as he took a moment to enjoy the gleeful expression that was on more than one of the portraits’ faces. “So, I ask you once again, what consequences will these two face for the wilful and harmful neglect that they have directed towards my ward?”
Headmaster Moreau shifted his attention to the redheaded thorn in his side that had come in with the man. “Professor Weasley, what do you know of this?”
Percy glanced over at Snape before answering. The look the man gave him told him he needed to speak the truth. It was at that moment, Percy realized how well Professor Snape had trained them to recognize his expressions. Even after all these years, he understood. “I stopped by the Infirmary to check on Madam Greene and Miss Weasley. When I arrived, Master Snape was already in the room and had treated his ward, Timothy Fen. As he was a guardian on campus, I brought him here to you.”
“Mr. Fen cannot have been in that much danger if you, Master Snape, could treat him.” Moreau jumped at the snort that came from one of the portraits.
“The man knows enough to class the accident level, he would know enough to treat it.”
Moreau glared at the Headmistress’ portrait that had spoken up. He wanted to call her out, but even after six years, he had yet to learn anyone’s names but Dumbledore’s. Turning back to the irate guardian, he folded his arms and smiled. “There isn’t much I can do at this moment. I will file your complaint and place it with their records.”
A quick look at Albus’ portrait told Severus that this was normal. His voice dropped to a deadly tone. “A small comment placed in their file? That is all?”
Moreau nodded. “That is all for the time being.”
Severus leaned forward, resting one hand on the Headmaster’s desk while the other held his cane. “I am withdrawing both my wards from their Potions class. As permitted by the by-laws of this school, I will provide them with a private tutor for the subject. The school will provide a location for this tutor to teach.” He turned to Weasley. “Deputy Headmaster, you will inform both Timothy and Elenora Fen that they are not to attend Professor Belcourt’s class. They shall have a different instructor by by their next Potions lesson.”
“You... you can’t do that!” Moreau stormed around his desk. “You cannot send a private tutor to this school just because your ward had an accident!”
Dumbledore that answered him. “He is in his right. The by-laws allow a guardian to withdraw a student from a class as long as they are willing to provide the student with comparable or better instruction on the material. The school must provide a location for this instruction to occur if the child has sustained an injury in the class in question.”
Moreau glared at the portrait. “Fine. Weasley you are in charge of this tutor.”
Percy kept the smile off his face. “Yes, sir. Master Snape, if you would ask the tutor to see me when they arrive at the school. Do you know what day I should expect them?”
Severus recalled both schedules. “The day after tomorrow. They will meet you in the front hall during the first class.”
Percy nodded. “I’ll see them then.”
Severus turned his attention back to the Headmaster. “I hope that your other instructors are not as lacking as the one for your Potions class.”
Turning about carefully, Severus headed out the door and rode the staircase down. Stepping off, he found a small alcove to stop in. Leaning against the wall, he tried to psych himself up to face the stairs. He was considering sliding down the rail with a cushioning charm at the bottom when a pop next to him drew his attention. “Terra?”
“Headmaster Snape, sir. Terra is here to help.” The green eyed elf smiled.
“Not Headmaster, you know that. Just Master Snape.” Severus waited until she begrudgingly nodded. “What are you here to help with?” He didn’t bother to ask how she knew he was in the castle.
Terra looked at his cane and then reached a hand towards him. “Terra is here to take Master Snape to the Infirmary.”
Severus studied her for a moment, before accepting her hand. It was his first experience with house elf apparation. They reappeared in an alcove near the Infirmary doors.
“Thank you, Terra.” Severus sent a small smile towards the elf.
“Terra is glad to help. Is Master Snape coming back to the school?”
Severus smirked. “Yes, I am going to be tutoring Potions.”
Terra’s green eyes widened. “Master Snape is coming back to the dungeons? Terra must tell Ignis and Aqua to prepare your rooms. Does Master Snape need ingredients moved?”
Severus shook his head. “No, the ingredients stay with the current professor. But if you could make sure that the storeroom of cauldrons that I repaired is still there, they may be placed on the shelves in the room.”
Terra’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “They are still there, Master Snape. They will be placed on the shelves. Does Master Snape want the ingredients that Professor Belcourt says are of no use?”
“No use? Why are they here?”
“Other Potion Professors order them, and Professor Belcourt order different ones.”
Severus raised an eyebrow before nodding. “Move them and I will see what use I have for them.”
“At once Master Snape.” Terra popped away.
Resting a moment longer, Severus headed into the Infirmary. “Min, it is time to go.”
Minerva looked up from where she was sitting by Timothy’s side. “Toby, do you have some of that Blister- Ease Paste? I don’t feel confident with the one here.”
Severus pulled a small container out and handed it to Miss Weasley. “You should use this the moment the skin seems to raise up.”
Rose took the paste and set it on her patient’s bedside table. “I will. Thank you for your help Master Snape.”
Severus nodded once before heading for the floo. It only took a moment to be home. Payne prevented him from falling and he was very grateful for his chair. He needed to rest up so he was able to meet Weasley that evening.
(Ô.Õ)
Severus settled gingerly onto the seat at Hog’s Head, and handed his own mug to Alberforth.
The old man gave him a patented Dumbledore smile before handing it back full of fire whiskey. “Good to see you walking about Snape. How did you pull that off?”
Severus took a swallow of his drink. “Potion. The one I asked them to stick me to a chair and let me brew when I was first cursed.”
“McGonagall?” Aberforth wiped the table off as he talked.
“Doing better. I was finally able to make a potion to help her. Took a couple of brats to get us to the point that we could do so.” Severus smirked at the memory of Tim and Nora when they first met them.
“Brats do have a way of doing the impossible don’t they. What happened to them?”
“I adopted them and they are currently attending Hogwarts.”
Aberforth scowled. “The Headmasters after you left have been ruining the school. My brother may have been many things, but he could run the school successfully. Trained you and McGonagall up right to take it, too. The folks that they’ve had in there are not worth the mud on the floor here. It’s been getting worse and worse for years, but this newest one... he is the worst. Running the school into the ground. Might as well leave the kids on the train for all they’re learning.”
Severus frowned. “That is what Professor Weasley indicated. He is supposed to be meeting me here tonight.”
“Are you going to be the Headmaster again?”
“No, I am going to tutor my wards in Potions, and anyone else who wants to learn them. It is a starting point.”
Aberforth frowned for a moment before grinning. “Get them realizing that they can learn and teach them how to ask the right questions. A good idea that.”
Severus nodded as he spotted Weasley standing behind Aberforth his eyes wide with realization. “And then you can see which teachers will rise to the occasion. If they don’t, then they aren’t worth keeping. If they do, then they have a chance of succeeding and teaching right.”
“So, how are you going to tutor more than your wards?” Percy slid into the other chair at the table. He barely kept from cringing at Snape’s ‘you didn’t do your homework’ look.
“Professor Weasley, the by-law that I am using to allow me to tutor my wards requires that a letter be sent to the guardian of every student in their year group informing them of my presence. They are allowed to decided if they wish their child to be placed into my tutoring class for a nominal fee. They must also provide ingredients to be used, unless there is an outside source willing to donate them to the school. They cannot be provided out of school inventory. This letter needs to be sent out tomorrow or else the by-law is broken.”
Percy frowned slightly “This will bring it to the other parents attention that there is another option available to them. Do I need to name the Potions Master who is tutoring?”
Severus shook his head no.
“Do you wish your old classroom and office back?”
“If it is available.”
“Completely. I’ll have the elves clean it up for you.” Percy smiled.
Severus took a sip of his drink. “'Is the school really as poorly off as Aberforth is making it out to be?”
“It is. What happened in the Infirmary is unfortunately a normal occurrence, as well as the severely injured heading there unescorted. The Headmaster hasn’t gone over safety procedures since I have been here, and Professor Aguillard, the Herbology Professor whose been there longer than the Headmaster, says he never has. She is afraid to rock the boat since Moreau retains professors based on how much he likes them, not how well they perform. I have no idea where Madam Greene vanishes off to, but I know that she isn’t on school grounds.”
Aberforth snorted. “She certainly isn’t. She’s down at MacGiven’s Books making out with the shop boy there, or having a drink here with him. She complains about the quality of the drink, but doesn’t want to be seen at the Broomsticks. I used to send up a report to the school to let them know she was here and not there. Nothing came of it.”
Severus thought for a moment. “We need to see exactly what we are dealing with. You haven’t seen the teachers try, but you have seen some potential in a few of them. Madam Greene just needs to move here so that she can be replaced. I do not think Miss Weasley is ready to take over the Infirmary on her own.”
Percy shook his head quickly. “Rose just took up healing. She has been indecisive as to what she wanted to do. She worked at George’s shop while she was making up her mind. She isn’t confident enough, nor is she supported enough to gain that confidence.”
Severus nodded. “Right now, it is a wait and see what happens.”
“We shall keep our eyes peeled. Thank you Master Snape for your help.” Percy stood up. “I should head back and get those letters moving. See you soon.”
Severus nodded. “Until then Professor Weasley.”
(Ô.Õ)
Severus apparated to the gates of Hogwarts and walked through. Neither he nor Minerva understood how they were able to floo into the Infirmary since the wards should have kept them out. He was going to test the floo in his office when he left today.
A pop sounded next to him. “Master Snape, sir, Ignis is here to take Master Snape to the school.”
Severus frowned down at the small elf. “I am capable of making my way to the school. I am not completely useless.”
Ignis folded his arms and glared. “Ignis did not say Master Snape was useless. Master Snape needs to accept help so sir can berate students later. Ignis, Aqua and Terra are going to help Master Snape even when Master Snape growls and yells. Ignis, Aqua and Terra are used to it.”
Severus closed his eyes briefly. Yes, Payne did remind him forcefully of those three. Only a direct and thoroughly worded order would stop them when they decided to do something. If the house elves were Sorted, those three would be the most Slytherin-like Hufflepuffs that ever existed.
Opening his eyes, he admitted that one thing he had learned over the years was to accept help, but on his own terms. He pinned the elf with a serious look. “You three can help me, but I insist on doing what I can.”
Ignis nodded, his ears flapping in time with his head. “Ignis will now take Master Snape to the entry hall. The classroom and office are prepared.”
Severus held a hand to Ignis and shortly found himself just outside the main doors.
Ignis shot the Potions Master a quick look. “Ignis thought that Master Snape would want to walk through the doors.”
“You were correct, thank you Ignis.” Severus nodded to the small elf before opening the doors and entering the hall. He heard Ignis leave. Severus was sure he would see the elf again in the dungeons.
Percy rushed down the steps, it was never a good thing to keep Snape waiting. A quick look about the hallway made him pale. Snape was waiting for him near the dungeon stairs. Refusing to act like a student, he walked calmly over to the waiting man. “Master Snape.”
“Professor Weasley. My rooms are in order and my wards know to expect me?” Severus did his best not to grin as the color seeped back into Weasley’s face.
Percy nodded. “Mr. Fen won’t be able to join you today. Madam Greene insists that he needed to stay in the Infirmary one more day as she was uncertain about the potions used to treat him.”
“And what was Miss Weasley’s stance on the matter?” Severus’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
Percy gestured for Snape to proceed him down the stairs. “Rose said that he was fit to leave yesterday at lunch time. She was slightly worried that he was mumbling something about purple now the color for what not to do, but he seemed fine physically.”
Severus made a mental note of the color choice. “So, I will see him next class. He does have access to all his books and missing work?”
Percy laughed. “Of course he does. He asked for them and his sister brought them to him. Refreshing to see since most of the students that are up there seem to take it as time off.”
Severus smirked. “My first class will be right after lunch?”
“Yes, it will. I’ve had no responses to the letters.” Percy’s feet led him to Snape’s classroom and office out of habit.
“That was to be expected. They will have to think about it.” Severus stopped at his old classroom’s door. “I shall be brewing in my classroom.”
Percy stopped next to him. “Of course. Should I send lunch to your office or will you be coming to the Great Hall to eat?”
“I’ll be eating here. I’ll call a house elf when I am ready.” Severus opened the door and illuminated the space behind it.
Pewter cauldrons gleamed on the shelves near the back sinks and the rest of the room looked as if he had never left it.
Percy blinked at the sight and grinned. Some things never changed. “Oh, sir, you have the right to deduct house points and assign your students detentions, but only the ones that are signed up to be with you.”
The grin that graced the older man’s face almost made Percy scared. Almost.
Rating : G
Author: sheankelor (Ree)
Word Count:11740
AN: This story mentions different disorders. I am friends with people who have three of the issues mentioned. One who has suffered with the specific desease and two who suffer symptoms of the others. So, please do not go into what I have left out. The lack of information was not intended to be a slight or insult to anyone. The fourth is completely a figment of my imagination. So is my description of the Muggle care system described here. It is based loosely on things I know of, but I cannot guarantee that they apply to the UK system.
Thank you for taking the time to try this. This bunny would not leave me alone...it has been patiently waiting since last October.
Thanks to SuNoYo for taking time out to beta this one. I truly appreciate it.
Disclaimer:None of the characters nor the universe are mine. They are JK Rowlings instead. I found a LEGO Harry and LEGO Snape and started playing.
Summary: Two curses started it all. Severus and Minerva lost so much to them and Hogwarts lost both of them. But now something else has come along. Will that allow all of them to heal? No pairings. EWE
Hogwarts in Trouble
Payne waited until everyone had left for the train station before he took himself off to Hogwarts. He appeared in elven waiting area and looked about. This was his first time coming here, though he had heard about the process from other elves. The day of the children’s arrival was a time when the student’s house elves could come and make sure that the school elves knew about the needs their particular charge.
Standing up against the wall, Payne listened to elves explaining that their charge could only have a certain type of duvet or they would never be able to sleep, that their charge hated lavender scent soap, or they couldn’t fold their own clothes. Another set was talking about midnight snacks that had to be served in a particular order. Payne couldn’t help but be proud, if a bit envious, of the tolerant and indulgent looks on the Hogwarts elves’ faces.
Moving about, he hoped to find an elf that was willing to listen and take him seriously. He spotted a green-eyed female that no one else was talking to. Deciding to get this over with, he approached her. “Good morning.”
The elf’s green eyes narrowed as her ears lifted slightly. “Good morning.”
“My name is Payne and I was told that this is the place I need to be to explain the special needs of my students coming to Hogwarts. May I address them to you?”
“Who are Payne’s students and what are the students’ issues? Terra will listen.” Terra studied the elf a bit harder, there was something familiar about him.
Payne dismissed her almost condescending tone. It was to be expected with the needs he heard earlier. “Timothy and Elenora Fen. They are twins who shall be first years. Timothy is the one that you need to watch out for the most. He has memory problems and for the first several weeks he will be lost in the castle. If there are passwords that change, he will not remember them.”
Terra’s disinterest melted away and she focused intently on the other elf. This was a child who was going to truly need the elves’ help. “So, the elves will need to make sure Timothy can enter the common rooms and watch Timothy to know where Timothy is.”
Payne nodded. “Elenora should not have any real special issues unless something happens to Timothy. Then she needs to be watched for any unusual behavior. If this happens, then their guardians need to be informed immediately.”
“Timothy and Elenora’s guardians are?”
“Master Severus Snape and Mistress Minerva McGonagall.” Payne stopped as Terra’s eyes widened with recognition.
“Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall are back?” Terra fairly vibrated with excitement. That was what was familiar about this elf, he was touched by Master Snape’s magic.
Payne studied her for a moment. “You know them?”
“Terra is a dungeon elf and has served Professor Snape for years. Professor McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress.”
Payne gestured to a quiet side of the room and filled her in on the condition of his masters. Terra reassured him that she and the others would take special care of Tim and Nora.
(Ô.Õ)
Nora trudged slowly down the hallway taking as much time as she possibly could away form Professor Binns’ class. She had found the furthest bathroom on the same floor from his classroom just to wake herself up. The splash of water on her face helped a bit, but on her return she received a wake-up call she could have done without.
“Tim!” Nora rushed over to the stumbling form of her brother as he stepped off the stairs. “What happened?”
Her eyes ran over the shaking, potion-covered body, trying to see where she could touch to help him. Fear started clawing its way through her stomach. Pushing it away the best she could, she focused on Tim.
“Ex-exp-explo-sion... In-fir-ma-ry.” Tim answer was barely a whisper as he gasped and shuddered.
Nora gave up on finding a safe place to hold, wrapped an arm about Tim and rushed as fast she could to get them to the Infirmary. She didn’t hear the slight pop that sounded behind them.
(Ô.Õ)
After settling her brother on a bed, Nora looked about for the healer. No one was in sight. Flying to the Nurse’s office door, she pounded on it, hoping that Madam Greene would be in there. When she received no answer, she spun about, her eyes searching every nook and cranny for someone to help.
She couldn’t help her gasp when the Infirmary doors opened. Disappointment crashed through her when it wasn’t Madam Greene. Instead it was Madam Weasley. Grabbing hold of her hope, she rushed over to the apprentice healer.
“Madam Weasley! Tim - he had an accident... potions...” Without thinking, Nora grabbed the redhead’s robes and tugged her over to Tim’s bed.
Rose Weasley had rushed to the Infirmary when a house elf found her and told her that she was needed immediately. She stared at the small boy covered in a thick purple paste from head to toe. It was obvious where his hands had come up to cover his face because that was the only clean spot on the boy’s upper body. A panicking feeling crawled up her spine. She did not know how to treat this! Not even how to determine where to begin!
The elf should have found Madam Greene. ‘Maybe they couldn’t find her either.’ Her frustrations at the Healer boiled deep in her gut. Greene was supposed to be training her, but seemed to spend more time outside the Infirmary than inside, and she, Rose, might as well be a ghost with the amount of attention was directed towards her. She had repeatedly brought it to the Headmaster’s attention, but her complaints were brushed aside. And now, for the first time, she was faced with a possible life threatening situation that she had no idea how to use common sense to get through.
“Miss...” She looked at the young lady whose hands were also covered in purple paste. A quick glance at her robe showed small purple patches on it as well.
“Fen, Elenora Fen. This is my brother, Timothy Fen.”
Rose found that keeping a confident face was difficult as bright blue eyes searched it. “Is your home connected to the floo?” Since she was an apprentice healer, Rose needed Greene’s or a guardian’s permission to send a child to St. Mungo’s, and she didn’t have time to have this approved by the Headmaster either, no matter that he demanded to be alerted before contacting a guardian.
Nora nodded quickly. “It is. Do you want me to call them?”
Rose grabbed a handful of floo powder, and tossed it into the fire place for the girl. She had no idea how the purple paste would react to the powder.
Nora knelt in front of the green flames, glad that Aunt Min had taught them how to use this. “Spinner’s End.” She watched as the flames showed her her living room. “Aunt Min! Uncle Toby! Payne! I need help... Tim.. Tim....”
Payne’s face appeared in the flames. “Mistress Nora, what has happened?”
“It’s Tim - he had a potions accident! The healer isn’t here... and Madam Weasley asked me to-”
Payne brushed off her words. “I will get Master Toby. Wait here.”
Nora sat back on her heels and looked up into barely calm face above her. “Uncle Toby will know what to do. He is a Potions Master.”
For the first time since she had seen her patient, Rose felt as if this might turn out all right.
“Nora!” Severus searched the flames, looking for his ward’s face.
“Uncle Toby!” Nora almost dove into the flames, Rose’s hand on her shoulder held her back.
“What happened?” Severus noticed the potion covering on her outstretched hands. The back of his mind started analyzing what it could be.
“It’s Tim. I found him coming up the stairs covered in this.” Nora held her hands so that he could see them better. “But the healer isn’t here!”
Severus looked over at Payne. “Get Min in here now, we are going to Hogwarts.”
The house elf disappeared, and he heard Min rushing from the kitchen. “Tim is hurt, we are going to floo into the Infirmary.”
Severus turned back to floo. “Nora, back up. Min and I are coming through.”
Rose’s eyes widened as Nora moved back taking her with her. She tried to tell them that there was no way that the two could floo through, but the words faded when two figures stepped out of the flames. Deciding that she would report the breach later, she moved on to what was more pressing at that moment. “Sir, Ma’am I need your permission to send these two to St. Mungo’s.”
Severus was grateful that Nora had supported him long enough for him to get his cane on the ground and to catch his balance. “Thank you Miss Weasley, but I will handle this. They will not need to go to St. Mungo’s.”
Brushing by the redhead, he headed straight to where he could see Tim was sitting. “Nora, over here now.” Looking into the purple framed face, Severus searched the scared blue eyes. “It will be fine, Tim.”
Tim nodded slightly. “You’re here, Uncle Toby, of course it’ll be. Aunt Min can help Nora, so everything will be fine.”
Severus pulled his potion kit out of his bag. Taking one look at the purple potion he compressed his lips together as he mentally ran through all the first year potions and what mistake would cause this mess. Identifying it, he took out a vial. “Nora, use this to wash you hands. Use the sink in the back left hand corner.”
Turning slightly, Severus smirked lightly at the uncertain look on Miss Weasley’s face. “Miss Weasley, I require a large basin filled with clean water immediately.”
Rose summoned the basin and filled it. While she was handing it to the man, she voiced her concern. “You know what you’re doing?”
Minerva patted her shoulder. “Toby has been handling potions accidents for years. You can trust him.”
Severus flicked his wand and closed off the bed area. “Miss Weasley if you wish to learn how to handle this type of emergency, get in here.”
Rose stepped in the now private area. If Toby Fen wanted to teach her, she was willing to learn.
Severus set the basin down on the bed and added half a vial of neutralizer into the water. Conjuring up a flannel, he started coating every place the potion had touched.
Minerva turned towards where Nora stood worrying an empty vial between her hands. “Toby, do you want to check Nora before she heads back to class?”
“Continue as we were doing, I’ll be right back.” The curtain moved just enough to let Severus out. Pulling his wand, he ran a quick diagnostic check over Nora. Looking her in the eyes he could see the anxiety building up. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “Tim will be fine. Between you and Miss Weasley, I was able to get here in time to prevent irreversible damage from occurring. Now, you need to head back to class.”
“It’s just the History of Magic, and I’ve told you how boring that is. Can’t I stay?” Nora looked from Aunt Min and Uncle Toby, hope shining in her eyes.
“No, you cannot.” He watched for any signs of her anxiety coming back. Not seeing it, he looked over at Minerva. “Min, take her to class, I have to get back to Tim.” Severus squeezed Nora’s shoulder before going back behind the curtains.
Minerva brushed a hand down the front of her robe and patted her hair to make sure it was in place. “Come on, Nora. You know that Tim will be fine with Toby.”
“Yes, Aunt Min.” Nora followed behind her Aunt to a class she was dreadfully late returning to.
Minerva watched Nora carefully the entire way to Binns’ class. When they arrived, she was relatively certain that Nora wasn’t going to have a relapse.
It wasn’t until they were just outside the door that Nora realized that she didn’t have a pass from the Infirmary. “Aunt Min, I need to get a pass. I am terribly late back.”
Minerva sighed and stepped through the door, shooing Nora in with her.
Binns looked over at the opening of his door. “Ah, Professor McGonagall, how can I help you?”
Minerva swept a look over the sleeping students. “Elenora was in the Infirmary after escorting another student there, Professor.”
The ghostly eyes drifted over to his wayward student. “Thank you for escorting her back to class.”
Minerva nodded to both him and a gaping Nora before she left.
(Ô.Õ)
While Minerva was out of the Infirmary Severus and Rose finished up with Tim. Dosing the boy with a sleeping potion, Severus stepped out of the curtained area with Miss Weasley at his heels.
Rose looked back at the sleeping boy one last time before she let the curtain fall closed. Turning her brown eyes to the man who was currently leaning on a cane while packing a potions case, she knew she had to thank him. This was the first time this entire school year that she learned something. How to handle potions accidents was not covered in the Healer Basic Training classes, they expected you to learn things like this from your mentor.
“Master Fen?”
Severus smirked at the hesitant tone in her voice. Making a quick decision, he turned to face her, tucking his potions case into his bag. “My name is Toby Snape.”
Rose blinked for a moment as she wondered if he could be related to the Professor Snape her Mum and Dad talked about. “My apologies, Master Snape. I wanted to thank you for your help today. Is there anything I need to watch for, or any other potions that I need to give him later?”
Severus looked down at the girl for a long moment before answering. “Watch for his skin to start blistering. A simple Blister- Ease Paste will be all right to put on it if it does. Keep him sleeping until tomorrow morning.” He paused for a moment and looked around the Infirmary before returning his gaze back to her. “Where is the Healer, Miss Weasley?”
Rose compressed her lips tightly together as she considered how to answer. “I do not know where Madam Greene is. She was supposed to be here while I was running a missive to the Herbology teacher.”
Severus barely kept himself from raising an eyebrow at that. Why would the apprentice be running errands that an elf could easily do? “How often does this occur?”
‘How much should I say? If a parent complains then something may be done.’ Nodding to herself, Rose looked him squarely in the eyes. “More often than not. Most of the time Madam Greene is just isn’t here.” Even as the words left her mouth, the Infirmary doors opened.
Percy Weasley frowned as he walked into the Infirmary. He had stopped by to see how Rose was doing and was not expecting her to be talking to someone else. Stopping just behind his niece, he blinked as he tried to understand what he was seeing. Severus Snape was standing there in the Infirmary, leaning on a cane, talking to Rose.
As he started to speak, dark eyes met his and demanded that he stay quiet. Nodding slightly, he moved so that Rose could see him.
“Deputy Headmaster,” Rose squeaked a bit because she knew she was going to be in trouble. “I don’t know how Master Toby Snape was able to come through the floo, but we’re lucky he was.”
Percy concluded that all those years working in the Ministry or facing the pranks from his brothers allowed him to keep a straight face when she called Professor Snape ‘Toby’. Then it registered that he had come through the floo.
“Master Snape, I fear you shall have to report to the Headmaster since you are in the school.” Percy did his best to convey that he really was sorry and that he would not give anything away that Snape didn’t want. He wouldn’t even mention the man’s ability to pass through warded floos.
Severus smirked at Percy letting the young man know that he understood his message. “That is fine, Deputy Headmaster Weasley. I wished to discuss with him the lack of medical care and the lack concern by the Potions Professor that I have seen. My ward, Timothy Fen, was very fortunate today.”
‘His ward?’ Percy blanched at the icy glare that rested on him. He knew that Snape was partially blaming him for what happened. “If you would please bring this to his attention, I would appreciate it. Shall we walk that way, sir?”
After a moment taking stock of himself, Severus walked to the Infirmary doors. Percy caught up with him as he walked into the hallway.
Percy cast a sideways glance over at the man who was one of the most formidable people he had ever met. Garnering the courage that had placed him into the house of the lion, he started to talk. “Sir, I don’t know how much you know about what has happened to the school since the Final Battle.”
Severus looked down at the redhead. “The Prophet states that some believe that the quality of education had gone downhill.”
“And they are right. Very down hill. The students are barely getting Acceptables in their exams. A number don’t even succeed in that. The Headmaster refuses to see that the problem is that he is hiring teachers that are his friends instead of ones that are highly qualified. I am only here because two years ago the Ministry and the Board placed me here to teach Ancient Runes. The Board made me Deputy against the Headmaster’s wish. Accidents are rife in all classes that have practicals. You were witness to the issue with the Infirmary today. Madam Greene is absent more than she is present. But the Headmaster isn’t listening to either Rose or myself about the problem.” Percy stopped and looked at the older man. “If you, as a guardian, complain maybe it will make a difference.”
Severus contemplated the serious face before him. “I have no qualms bringing this to his attention, but I do not wish my previous titles to be used. I shall be Toby Snape, understood?”
Percy’s shoulders sagged in relief. “What about the portraits, sir?”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “Leave them to me.”
As they continued down the hall, Severus noticed that Weasley was lost deep in thought and was continually shooting quick glances at him. “What else do you want from me, Weasley?”
Percy stepped off the stairs and straightened his shoulders. “I want your help, sir. There has to be some way that you know of that can help these students achieve what they need, or at least to make it through their career here.”
Severus narrowed his eyes as he continued down the hall. “Where are most of the accidents occurring, and what are the teachers truly like?”
“Potions has the most accidents,” Percy caught Snape’s nod before he continued. “then come DADA, Transfigurations and Charms. The others have less permanent accidents. I think the Herbology Professor is worth keeping around, but she needs to learn more about the British plants and she needs to be stricter. The Defense Professor goes both ways. Some days I think he’s worth it and other days I think that a seventh year from your time could take him out without a thought. Transfigurations and Charms, he paused for a moment as he thought about what he wanted to say. “They mollycoddle the students.” He snorted a laugh. “Actually Mum would be a better teacher for both subjects.”
Severus felt his brow rise of its own accord. He knew that Molly had taught the Weasley children before they came to Hogwarts, and she was obviously a good teacher due to the honors they achieved. But to say that she could teach Charms and Transfigurations better than two masters of the subject was telling.
“The first thing is to lower the accident rates in at least Potions and to get these students thinking again.” Severus stopped just outside the Headmaster’s door. His legs were warning him that all those stairs had not been a wise idea, no matter how much Weasley had humored him by taking them slowly. Reaching into his bag, he found and took a draught of his potion. “You must follow my lead. If you can do that, then I will attempt to help. Meet me tonight after curfew at the Hog’s Head. Is Aberforth still the proprietor?”
“He is. I’ll be there.” Percy spoke the password and they both headed up to the office. When they reached the upper door, he was surprised when Snape strode through.
As soon as Severus passed through the door, he cast a warning look at all the portraits, one they knew well. “Headmaster Moreau, I demand that you inform me what action will be taken against Madam Greene and Professor Belcourt.”
Severus caught sight of the brightly twinkling blue eyes behind the Frenchman’s head. A quick narrowing of his eyes warned Albus not to say anything.
The dark-haired Headmaster shot out of his seat, his answer almost indistinguishable due to his thick French accent. “Who are you and why should I take action?”
Percy moved across the room to stand to the side of the Headmaster’s desk. He noticed that Snape was leaning on his cane. It seemed to be part of the effect that he was trying to achieve, but Percy wondered if he actually needed to.
Severus leveled a death glare on the man. “Your Potions Professor sent my ward out of his classroom to find his own way to the Infirmary while covered in the residue of a potions accident. And then your healer was not there to take care of this issue when he arrived. If my other ward had not summoned me at the request of the apprentice healer, then who knows how long this accident would have been left untreated.”
Marius Moreau suppressed a shudder at the glare that was resting on him. How dare this man come in here and speak to him in such tones? “It was obviously not a threatening issue, and I doubt that your presence was truly necessary.”
Severus scowled, fighting the urge to hex the man where he stood. “My ward suffered a class three potions accident and your incompetent professor thought that he was safe enough to traverse the halls, not caring what would happen to him much less who else would be contaminated by this.”
Percy’s eyes widened just a bit as he tried to think of what needed to be done to the path from the Potions classroom to the Infirmary.
Severus noticed that Weasley understood his warning. “The apprentice healer called me to gain my permission to send my ward to St. Mungo’s as she had no way of contacting your healer, and has not been trained in how to handle this issue. I have rectified the last part.”
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in as he took a moment to enjoy the gleeful expression that was on more than one of the portraits’ faces. “So, I ask you once again, what consequences will these two face for the wilful and harmful neglect that they have directed towards my ward?”
Headmaster Moreau shifted his attention to the redheaded thorn in his side that had come in with the man. “Professor Weasley, what do you know of this?”
Percy glanced over at Snape before answering. The look the man gave him told him he needed to speak the truth. It was at that moment, Percy realized how well Professor Snape had trained them to recognize his expressions. Even after all these years, he understood. “I stopped by the Infirmary to check on Madam Greene and Miss Weasley. When I arrived, Master Snape was already in the room and had treated his ward, Timothy Fen. As he was a guardian on campus, I brought him here to you.”
“Mr. Fen cannot have been in that much danger if you, Master Snape, could treat him.” Moreau jumped at the snort that came from one of the portraits.
“The man knows enough to class the accident level, he would know enough to treat it.”
Moreau glared at the Headmistress’ portrait that had spoken up. He wanted to call her out, but even after six years, he had yet to learn anyone’s names but Dumbledore’s. Turning back to the irate guardian, he folded his arms and smiled. “There isn’t much I can do at this moment. I will file your complaint and place it with their records.”
A quick look at Albus’ portrait told Severus that this was normal. His voice dropped to a deadly tone. “A small comment placed in their file? That is all?”
Moreau nodded. “That is all for the time being.”
Severus leaned forward, resting one hand on the Headmaster’s desk while the other held his cane. “I am withdrawing both my wards from their Potions class. As permitted by the by-laws of this school, I will provide them with a private tutor for the subject. The school will provide a location for this tutor to teach.” He turned to Weasley. “Deputy Headmaster, you will inform both Timothy and Elenora Fen that they are not to attend Professor Belcourt’s class. They shall have a different instructor by by their next Potions lesson.”
“You... you can’t do that!” Moreau stormed around his desk. “You cannot send a private tutor to this school just because your ward had an accident!”
Dumbledore that answered him. “He is in his right. The by-laws allow a guardian to withdraw a student from a class as long as they are willing to provide the student with comparable or better instruction on the material. The school must provide a location for this instruction to occur if the child has sustained an injury in the class in question.”
Moreau glared at the portrait. “Fine. Weasley you are in charge of this tutor.”
Percy kept the smile off his face. “Yes, sir. Master Snape, if you would ask the tutor to see me when they arrive at the school. Do you know what day I should expect them?”
Severus recalled both schedules. “The day after tomorrow. They will meet you in the front hall during the first class.”
Percy nodded. “I’ll see them then.”
Severus turned his attention back to the Headmaster. “I hope that your other instructors are not as lacking as the one for your Potions class.”
Turning about carefully, Severus headed out the door and rode the staircase down. Stepping off, he found a small alcove to stop in. Leaning against the wall, he tried to psych himself up to face the stairs. He was considering sliding down the rail with a cushioning charm at the bottom when a pop next to him drew his attention. “Terra?”
“Headmaster Snape, sir. Terra is here to help.” The green eyed elf smiled.
“Not Headmaster, you know that. Just Master Snape.” Severus waited until she begrudgingly nodded. “What are you here to help with?” He didn’t bother to ask how she knew he was in the castle.
Terra looked at his cane and then reached a hand towards him. “Terra is here to take Master Snape to the Infirmary.”
Severus studied her for a moment, before accepting her hand. It was his first experience with house elf apparation. They reappeared in an alcove near the Infirmary doors.
“Thank you, Terra.” Severus sent a small smile towards the elf.
“Terra is glad to help. Is Master Snape coming back to the school?”
Severus smirked. “Yes, I am going to be tutoring Potions.”
Terra’s green eyes widened. “Master Snape is coming back to the dungeons? Terra must tell Ignis and Aqua to prepare your rooms. Does Master Snape need ingredients moved?”
Severus shook his head. “No, the ingredients stay with the current professor. But if you could make sure that the storeroom of cauldrons that I repaired is still there, they may be placed on the shelves in the room.”
Terra’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “They are still there, Master Snape. They will be placed on the shelves. Does Master Snape want the ingredients that Professor Belcourt says are of no use?”
“No use? Why are they here?”
“Other Potion Professors order them, and Professor Belcourt order different ones.”
Severus raised an eyebrow before nodding. “Move them and I will see what use I have for them.”
“At once Master Snape.” Terra popped away.
Resting a moment longer, Severus headed into the Infirmary. “Min, it is time to go.”
Minerva looked up from where she was sitting by Timothy’s side. “Toby, do you have some of that Blister- Ease Paste? I don’t feel confident with the one here.”
Severus pulled a small container out and handed it to Miss Weasley. “You should use this the moment the skin seems to raise up.”
Rose took the paste and set it on her patient’s bedside table. “I will. Thank you for your help Master Snape.”
Severus nodded once before heading for the floo. It only took a moment to be home. Payne prevented him from falling and he was very grateful for his chair. He needed to rest up so he was able to meet Weasley that evening.
(Ô.Õ)
Severus settled gingerly onto the seat at Hog’s Head, and handed his own mug to Alberforth.
The old man gave him a patented Dumbledore smile before handing it back full of fire whiskey. “Good to see you walking about Snape. How did you pull that off?”
Severus took a swallow of his drink. “Potion. The one I asked them to stick me to a chair and let me brew when I was first cursed.”
“McGonagall?” Aberforth wiped the table off as he talked.
“Doing better. I was finally able to make a potion to help her. Took a couple of brats to get us to the point that we could do so.” Severus smirked at the memory of Tim and Nora when they first met them.
“Brats do have a way of doing the impossible don’t they. What happened to them?”
“I adopted them and they are currently attending Hogwarts.”
Aberforth scowled. “The Headmasters after you left have been ruining the school. My brother may have been many things, but he could run the school successfully. Trained you and McGonagall up right to take it, too. The folks that they’ve had in there are not worth the mud on the floor here. It’s been getting worse and worse for years, but this newest one... he is the worst. Running the school into the ground. Might as well leave the kids on the train for all they’re learning.”
Severus frowned. “That is what Professor Weasley indicated. He is supposed to be meeting me here tonight.”
“Are you going to be the Headmaster again?”
“No, I am going to tutor my wards in Potions, and anyone else who wants to learn them. It is a starting point.”
Aberforth frowned for a moment before grinning. “Get them realizing that they can learn and teach them how to ask the right questions. A good idea that.”
Severus nodded as he spotted Weasley standing behind Aberforth his eyes wide with realization. “And then you can see which teachers will rise to the occasion. If they don’t, then they aren’t worth keeping. If they do, then they have a chance of succeeding and teaching right.”
“So, how are you going to tutor more than your wards?” Percy slid into the other chair at the table. He barely kept from cringing at Snape’s ‘you didn’t do your homework’ look.
“Professor Weasley, the by-law that I am using to allow me to tutor my wards requires that a letter be sent to the guardian of every student in their year group informing them of my presence. They are allowed to decided if they wish their child to be placed into my tutoring class for a nominal fee. They must also provide ingredients to be used, unless there is an outside source willing to donate them to the school. They cannot be provided out of school inventory. This letter needs to be sent out tomorrow or else the by-law is broken.”
Percy frowned slightly “This will bring it to the other parents attention that there is another option available to them. Do I need to name the Potions Master who is tutoring?”
Severus shook his head no.
“Do you wish your old classroom and office back?”
“If it is available.”
“Completely. I’ll have the elves clean it up for you.” Percy smiled.
Severus took a sip of his drink. “'Is the school really as poorly off as Aberforth is making it out to be?”
“It is. What happened in the Infirmary is unfortunately a normal occurrence, as well as the severely injured heading there unescorted. The Headmaster hasn’t gone over safety procedures since I have been here, and Professor Aguillard, the Herbology Professor whose been there longer than the Headmaster, says he never has. She is afraid to rock the boat since Moreau retains professors based on how much he likes them, not how well they perform. I have no idea where Madam Greene vanishes off to, but I know that she isn’t on school grounds.”
Aberforth snorted. “She certainly isn’t. She’s down at MacGiven’s Books making out with the shop boy there, or having a drink here with him. She complains about the quality of the drink, but doesn’t want to be seen at the Broomsticks. I used to send up a report to the school to let them know she was here and not there. Nothing came of it.”
Severus thought for a moment. “We need to see exactly what we are dealing with. You haven’t seen the teachers try, but you have seen some potential in a few of them. Madam Greene just needs to move here so that she can be replaced. I do not think Miss Weasley is ready to take over the Infirmary on her own.”
Percy shook his head quickly. “Rose just took up healing. She has been indecisive as to what she wanted to do. She worked at George’s shop while she was making up her mind. She isn’t confident enough, nor is she supported enough to gain that confidence.”
Severus nodded. “Right now, it is a wait and see what happens.”
“We shall keep our eyes peeled. Thank you Master Snape for your help.” Percy stood up. “I should head back and get those letters moving. See you soon.”
Severus nodded. “Until then Professor Weasley.”
(Ô.Õ)
Severus apparated to the gates of Hogwarts and walked through. Neither he nor Minerva understood how they were able to floo into the Infirmary since the wards should have kept them out. He was going to test the floo in his office when he left today.
A pop sounded next to him. “Master Snape, sir, Ignis is here to take Master Snape to the school.”
Severus frowned down at the small elf. “I am capable of making my way to the school. I am not completely useless.”
Ignis folded his arms and glared. “Ignis did not say Master Snape was useless. Master Snape needs to accept help so sir can berate students later. Ignis, Aqua and Terra are going to help Master Snape even when Master Snape growls and yells. Ignis, Aqua and Terra are used to it.”
Severus closed his eyes briefly. Yes, Payne did remind him forcefully of those three. Only a direct and thoroughly worded order would stop them when they decided to do something. If the house elves were Sorted, those three would be the most Slytherin-like Hufflepuffs that ever existed.
Opening his eyes, he admitted that one thing he had learned over the years was to accept help, but on his own terms. He pinned the elf with a serious look. “You three can help me, but I insist on doing what I can.”
Ignis nodded, his ears flapping in time with his head. “Ignis will now take Master Snape to the entry hall. The classroom and office are prepared.”
Severus held a hand to Ignis and shortly found himself just outside the main doors.
Ignis shot the Potions Master a quick look. “Ignis thought that Master Snape would want to walk through the doors.”
“You were correct, thank you Ignis.” Severus nodded to the small elf before opening the doors and entering the hall. He heard Ignis leave. Severus was sure he would see the elf again in the dungeons.
Percy rushed down the steps, it was never a good thing to keep Snape waiting. A quick look about the hallway made him pale. Snape was waiting for him near the dungeon stairs. Refusing to act like a student, he walked calmly over to the waiting man. “Master Snape.”
“Professor Weasley. My rooms are in order and my wards know to expect me?” Severus did his best not to grin as the color seeped back into Weasley’s face.
Percy nodded. “Mr. Fen won’t be able to join you today. Madam Greene insists that he needed to stay in the Infirmary one more day as she was uncertain about the potions used to treat him.”
“And what was Miss Weasley’s stance on the matter?” Severus’ eyes narrowed dangerously.
Percy gestured for Snape to proceed him down the stairs. “Rose said that he was fit to leave yesterday at lunch time. She was slightly worried that he was mumbling something about purple now the color for what not to do, but he seemed fine physically.”
Severus made a mental note of the color choice. “So, I will see him next class. He does have access to all his books and missing work?”
Percy laughed. “Of course he does. He asked for them and his sister brought them to him. Refreshing to see since most of the students that are up there seem to take it as time off.”
Severus smirked. “My first class will be right after lunch?”
“Yes, it will. I’ve had no responses to the letters.” Percy’s feet led him to Snape’s classroom and office out of habit.
“That was to be expected. They will have to think about it.” Severus stopped at his old classroom’s door. “I shall be brewing in my classroom.”
Percy stopped next to him. “Of course. Should I send lunch to your office or will you be coming to the Great Hall to eat?”
“I’ll be eating here. I’ll call a house elf when I am ready.” Severus opened the door and illuminated the space behind it.
Pewter cauldrons gleamed on the shelves near the back sinks and the rest of the room looked as if he had never left it.
Percy blinked at the sight and grinned. Some things never changed. “Oh, sir, you have the right to deduct house points and assign your students detentions, but only the ones that are signed up to be with you.”
The grin that graced the older man’s face almost made Percy scared. Almost.