It was a few days later that Severus was called to Grimmauld Place. He had had a restless night, and receiving a fire-call from headquarters that early in the morning was not how Severus wanted to start the day. He was just sitting down with the morning paper when the fireplace flared, requesting that he come.

As he stepped out of the diminishing green flames, Severus found himself surrounded by complete chaos.

No, not chaos. Children. Severus hated children. Particularly those with red hair.

“Out of my way, Weasleys!”

“Greasy git,” Ron muttered under his breath as Severus glided through the crowd.

Hermione elbowed him painfully in the ribs. “Ow! What was that for, `Mione?”

“He’s a professor, Ron.”

“So? It’s not like he heard me.”

“I hear everything, Weasley. However I have better things to do during my summer than chastise someone else’s irritating spawn.”

Ron just shrugged at the patronizing look Hermione threw him as Severus slipped out of sight.

“What? It’s not my fault the guy’s a jerk.”

“Ronald! Shut up!”

Stupid children.

Severus continued through the house until he reached the kitchen. Lupin was seated at the head of the table. Potter sat next to him, a bowl of porridge and a piece of toast in front of him.

Albus and Poppy were there as well, standing at the opposite end of the room. Severus made his way over to them.

“Why are Potter’s friends all stuffed into the library? Why are they not here with him?”

“Poppy thought it was prudent that we saw him first, Severus.”

“Did something happen?”

The medi-witch explained. “Remus summoned me earlier. Harry had a rough night, and after Albus shared his concerns with me, I thought it might not be the best thing to have his friends fluttering around him until we know for certain what is going on.”

Severus nodded in agreement. He glanced over at the boy. He wasn’t eating the food, just pushing the porridge around. Looking closer at his face, Severus saw dark smudges under his eyes, giving the illusion of recently healed bruises. Severus sat down at the table on the other side of Lupin.

The boy was exhausted. He looked like he was about to fall straight into his bowl.

“When was the last time you slept, Potter?”

Regardless of how horrible the rest of him looked, Potter’s eyes still shone strongly as they snapped up to look at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Sleep, Potter. When was the last time?”

“Monday.” Potter looked back down at his untouched food.

Severus glanced up. “It is only Tuesday. Why is he so exhausted?”

Lupin looked like he was about to lay a hand on his arm, but decided against it. Smart move. “Last Monday, Severus.”

He stood up and returned to Poppy and Albus. “If the boy is incapable of sleeping through the night on his own, why have you not given him a sleeping potion?”

“He refused to take it, just like before. I don’t know why he is being so stubborn.”

“Humph. Just like his father.” Severus whirled around as Harry let out a laugh. “Something amusing?”

“No.” he let out another small chuckle before standing up and heading out of the room.

“Harry! Come back. You didn’t eat anything.”

Potter ignored Lupin and kept walking.

“Great, Severus! I finally got him to come downstairs and you drive him back to his room. Just perfect!”

“Oh calm down, Lupin. I’m sure he’ll come back down soon.”

But he didn’t. The four of them waited a half hour before Albus decided it was time to go up to him. Not that everyone should go up, of course, just Severus. It was to be his punishment.

All right, maybe not. Albus had wanted him to try and assess the boy again.

“Potter.” He rapped sharply on the door. “Potter, open up.” No one answered him, but Severus had expected that. What he hadn’t expected was to find Potter sprawled unconscious on the floor of his room when Severus rushed in, intending to intimidate. He stopped short as he saw the figure laying there. Shit.

“Poppy!”

He knelt next to the boy and gently rolled him onto his back. His face was covered with a sheen of sweat and he was cold to the touch. Severus reached out placing two fingers against his neck. The pulse was thready and weak, but it was a pulse. Thank God. Albus wasn’t going to kill him. He was about to let out a sigh of relief when a hand reached out and grabbed his robes, pulling him down.

“Dammit, Potter!” He hadn’t seen the boy open his eyes. “What happened?”

The boy didn’t say anything, just tightened his hold until Severus’ robes were twisted in a death grip. Severus reached to try and release the boy’s clenched fingers, but Potter’s other hand reached out, joining the other that was entwined in the black fabric.

“Potter, what—“

Desperation shone out of the green eyes. “Please…” It came out in a strangled whisper. His whole body shook as he pulled on the robes. Severus couldn’t get him off. The harder he strained, the harder Potter held on.

“Poppy! Now!”

Suddenly the boy went slack and Severus fell back from the unexpected release. As he stared, the boy started to shake. Severus didn’t know what to do. Footsteps thundered on the stairs as the convulsions reached their peak and then, suddenly, stopped. Once again, Potter stared up at him.

Severus hissed at him. “What the hell was that, Potter? What is wrong with you?”

Potter didn’t answer him and by that time Lupin, Poppy and Albus had rushed into the room.

“What is it? What happened?”

“I found Potter unconscious.” Severus pulled himself up from the floor. Potter was attempting the same thing. Poppy was trying to keep him down, but the boy was fighting her.

“Harry?”

“It was nothing, Remus. I was tired. I just didn’t make it to the bed on time.” He brushed off Poppy’s wandering hands. “I’m fine.”

“Yes, Potter, just `fine`. And I’ll bet it’s quite common that people who are `fine` just fall to the floor and start convulsing.”

“Harry, you had a seizure?”

“Yes, Poppy, he did.”

“No, I didn’t!” Harry had managed to push the nurse off long enough to jump up and head for the door. Severus looked at him warily. The boy didn’t even sway on his feet. He quickly went through what had just happened. A horrible thought passed through his head.

“Then what do you call thrashing about on the floor like you were possessed?”

“Severus…” Albus’ tone had a bit of a warning to it.

Harry paused on his way out and let out a small chuckle. He turned around and made his way to stand directly in front of Snape. “Is that it then? You think I’m possessed?” he continued, now laughing openly.

Severus looked away from the boy and instead met the worried gaze of the headmaster. He received a silent nod instructing him what to do. “Yes.”

The boy had barely a second’s warning before Severus grabbed his arms and glared straight into his eyes. The laughter died on his lips as Severus crashed into his mind.

They stood like that for a long time. When Harry’s legs started to buckle under the weight of the attack, Albus reached out and laid a hand on Severus’ shoulder. Severus ignored him. He would figure this out. He was close, so close. Just a little further…