The Redemption of Severus Snape

Part 13

There was no time to argue as Lindsay needed medical treatment. Hagrid carried her to the hospital wing as fast as he could. She'd just begun to cough up blood as he arrived and left her in Madame Pomfrey's care. "Was a baby Acromantula," said Hagrid, barely able to catch his breath. "Bit 'er by acciden', too young teh know better."

Madame Pomfrey gave Lindsay a vial of general spider anti-venom and called for Snape. He would need to brew a batch of Acromantula anti-venom. The anti-venom for this species was unstable and didn't keep for more than a few weeks. It was rarely needed and, therefore, deemed not cost effective to keep it on hand. "That'll slow the effects until Professor Snape can brew the proper potion for her." She cleared the fluid from Lindsay's lungs and put her into a deep sleep. She would remain stable until the proper anti-venom could be administered.

Snape was asleep and didn't appreciate being jolted awake by Madame Pomfrey's voice urgently requesting his assistance. He didn't answer her; he rose, dressed, and began brewing. This potion required a certain level of expertise, but it didn't take very long to brew. He arrived in the hospital wing twenty minutes later with a fizzing, bubbling potion in hand. Both Professors Sprout and McGonagall had arrived within seconds of hearing Pomfrey's emergency call. Hagrid stood a little distance away looking doleful and periodically wiped his eyes with his shirt-sleeve. McGonagall paced pensively, and Sprout sat next to Lindsay patting her hand and petting her face.

This was no time to be concerned with politeness. Madame Pomfrey quickly took the potion from Snape's hand and returned immediately to her patient. She conjured a clear tube that extended down Lindsay's throat. Madame Pomfrey held a small funnel and slowly poured the fizzy potion down Lindsay's throat. It was a tediously slow procedure because of Lindsay's unconscious state. Once finished, Pomfrey flicked her wand and both the tube and its funnel disappeared. She set the goblet aside and checked Lindsay's' vitals.

"You arrived just in time, Hagrid," said Pomfrey as she straightened up. "She'll be alright in a few days. Thank you, Professor Snape. I'll be needing two more doses for her; the next must be administered in four hours."

"I made a small cauldron full. I'll bring it to you."

Dumbledore arrived just behind Flitwick. Neither had the chance to ask anything as Hagrid blurted, "It was my fault! I shouldn' a took 'er wi' me to the forest!" He became so emotional that he wasn't able to speak coherently. Pomfrey shushed him and continued in his stead.

"Miss Gray's been bitten by a juvenile Acromantula. She has a very deep bite wound on her leg. Hagrid arrived just as her internal organs began to break down into jelly. She's very lucky that it was a juvenile, or she'd be in much worse condition. I'll keep her asleep for another twenty-four hours. She'll be right as rain in a few days."

"It was an unfortunate accident, to be sure," said Dumbledore to Hagrid.

"There's nothing more to be done," said Pomfrey. "You may visit her when she wakes, but for now, I must ask you all to leave."

Neville was the first visitor that Lindsay received after she woke. She was still groggy from medication and Madame Pomfrey hadn't let her out of bed yet. Neville sat on her bed and read to her from a gardening magazine. There were loads of pictures of fabulous gardens.

"I really like that one, Neville. I think I'd like something like that in my garden."

"It'd have to be very large," replied Neville.

"Oh, it is. I have loads of space. You should come and see it sometime. Right now it's so dreary and empty. Maybe you could tell me what to plant in it?"

"I'd love too. I'll visit first thing when school lets out, after I visit my Gran, of course." Neville looked more closely at the photo in the magazine. "I've never planned a garden that big."

"Maybe we can talk Professor Sprout into helping us. The three of us will have a blast."

"Am I invited?" Remus bent down and kissed her cheek. He had a tattered book in his hand, which he offered to her.

"You don't need an invitation. My home is always open to you." She thanked him for the book and lifted it to read the title. "Ooo, poetry, how romantic." Neville blushed and looked from Lupin to Lindsay. "Just teasing, Neville," said Lindsay. "You can relax. There's nothing to gossip about, I promise you."

Neville rose and handed Lindsay the magazine. "I've got to go anyway. I've got studying."

Remus smiled and his eyes twinkled with devilment. "That rumor will be all over the school within the hour."

"Neville's tightlipped, Remus. He won't say anything." She thumbed through the book, squinting a bit. "Thank you for this. I don't recognize any of the authors."

"They're not Muggles."

"Oh, well that explains the unfamiliar meter." She closed the book and set it down. "I'll have to read it later. The painkillers haven't worn off. My eyes are still a little blurry."