Intoxicated Babbling

Chapter Two

The sound of voices and grinding rocks awoke Snape. He jerked up and had to catch

Potter before the sleeping boy's head hit the ground.

Potter made a contented sound as Snape leaned him against the wall, and then began snoring lightly.

"They're finally here to save you Potter." Snape cast a time telling charm then made a sound of dry amusement. "Six hours with Potter and he's not even dead, I must be loosing my touch," he muttered.

Potter did not stir at the mention of his name. Probably best, Snape mentally mussed.

The anesthetic potion would have worn of by now, the only thing keeping Potter from mountain loads of pain, was unconsciousness. Thinking that the pain from a broken rib might lessen should the boy lay down, Snape moved towards Potter.

Potter made a questioning sound and his eyebrows furrowed as Snape moved him from the wall to the floor.

"I'm just moving you. Go back to sleep," Snape said.

Potter gave a breathy sigh and somehow, Snape found his wrist caught by a cold hand.

Staring at the boy in disbelief and horror, Snape watched as Potter lay on his potion stained hand like it was a pillow.

"I think not," Snape said decisively and tried to tug his hand away.

Then Potter, damn him, had to go and whimper like some kicked puppy.

"Oh grow up!" Snape snapped at the sleeping child. He glanced at the wall of rock. It was the only thing keeping him, and the sight of Potter holding his hand like a beloved teddy bear; from the eyes of his fellow teachers and probably Order members.

With that thought, he tugged sharply. He managed to pull his hand away from where the boy had been holding it, but now Snape now had to deal with the consequences.

Potter frowned as he tightened his hands to find no warmth there. Snape eyed the boy thoughtfully and then the wall of rocks.

He could clearly make out McGonagall's voice now, the worried and annoying voice of Granger reached his ears as well. Wonderful. It seemed the entire castle was here to 'save them'.

Snape decided he preferred the dark, cold tunnel instead.

Potter was still sleeping, but without Snape's presence and body heat, he was shivering.

Not wanting to hear or see McGonagall's or Pomfrey's disapproving words, Snape cast a warming charm-and then transfigured a stone into a small, palm sized teddy bear.

"One word of this," Snape warned the unconscious boy as he placed the bear into the boy's hands; just to give him something to hold to other then his hand. Then he lifted the wool blanket to Potter's chin, no reason for the boy to get hypothermia so close to being rescued.

It sounded like someone was scolding Weasley for something. Snape turned as waited. A few minutes later all the large rocks had been moved-and Potter was still oblivious to it all.

"Harry!" Granger said in a fierce, protective voice. She, Weasley, McGonagall and several others came into the tunnel.

"He's injured Granger, don't touch him. Pomfrey, if you would transport him to the hospital wing..." Snape was cut off by Pomfrey's look.

"I know how to take care of injured children Severus, I want to see if he's fit for transportation first."

"Severus, what happened?" Dumbledore asked from where he suddenly beside him. Snape turned reluctantly away from where Pomfrey was levitating Potter.