Choking Hazards for Children (Open)

[Deleted]

It was unimaginable why purgatives were already out of stock in the nurse's wing. Did students really enjoy putting horridly unhealthy things into their mouths, and then having the total lack of foresight to actually swallow whatever debris they had managed to clumsily snatch?

The answer: yes, apparently.

Severus scowled as he bumped open the door to the Hospital Wing with a shoulder, as his hands were preoccupied with the carrying of a large stock of potions. "Miss Natarly, I have the extra package of supplements you requested." he said, tone long-suffering.

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

NARCISSA HAD BEEN ROAMING THE GROUNDS AS USUAL, SIMPLY SITTING UNDER THE SHADOW OF A GREAT OAK TREE. SHE WAS ADMIRING THE BRILLIANT AUTUMN LEAVES WHEN SOMEONE SNUCK UP BEHIND HER, AIMED THEIR WAND, AND PERFORMED THE CURSE OF THE BOGIES. IT RESULTED IN HER CATCHING A RATHER NASTY COLD, WITH SNIFFLING, HEADACHES, AND SHIVERS. SHE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A CLUE SUCH A CURSE EXISTED - THOUGH SHE WASN'T THE BRIGHTEST WITCH WHEN IT CAME TO ACTUAL CURSES AND THE LIKE, EITHER. SO OFF TO THE HOSPITAL WING SHE WENT.

SHE WAS IMMEDIATELY ESCORTED TO A BED. THE NURSE LOOKED HER OVER QUICKLY, STATING THAT A SIMPLE COUNTER-CURSE NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED AND SHE'D BE FINE. UNFORTUNATELY, CISSA HAD TO WAIT FOR THE NURSE TO TREAT ANOTHER PATIENT, WHO SEEMED TO HAVE SWALLOWED SOMETHING THAT HE SHOULDN'T. SO, SHE WAITED.

CISSA NESTLED HER HEAD INTO THE PILLOW AND CLOSED HER EYES, TAKING IN THE MEDICAL SCENTS AROUND HER. SHE OPENED THEM, NATURALLY, AS THE WING DOOR SWUNG OPEN. THERE SHE SAW A FAMILIAR FACE, AND GREETED HIM WITH A SMALL SMILE.

"HELLO," SHE STOPPED TO COUGH, "SEVERUS."

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

Ah. A housemate. Severus inclined his head automatically. "Narcissa." he greeted, voice droll. A quick checkover reveals reddened eyes and sinuses, wrinkles from the eyes being clenched closed, and a pinched mouth. It's not nearly a pretty picture as she normally is.

Only one proper response, then.

"I almost mistook you for your sister." Snape noted, and places his box of potions on a nearby endtable, then begins to sort through them by type. "Do try to recover soon, then."

A misfile? No, some dunderhead has left a mild . . . ugh.

Snape lifted the pink potion by the ends of his fingertips and flung it into the Potion Disposal Bin.

"I presume you have been the target of some form of mischief, as you seemed well enough the previous day." Snape said, and walked to the sink to wash his hands of even the hint.

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

SHE NODDED SOFTLY IN HIS DIRECTION AS HE SPOKE HER NAME IN THAT ELOQUENT VOICE OF HIS. A SMALL SMILE TUGGED AT HER LIPS, BUT IT DIDN'T LAST LONG AS THE ITCHINESS IN HER THROAT PURSUED HER AND MADE HER COUGH HARD. CISSY ROLLED HER HEAD BACK IN AGONY. IT WASN'T LIKE SHE WAS DYING OR ANYTHING, BUT THE POUNDING HEADACHE IN HER SKULL PAIRED WITH THE ROUGH COUGH MADE HER FEEL LIKE SHE WAS. AFTER HER COUGHING FIT WAS THROUGH, SHE LOOKED BACK TO HIM AND NOTICED HE WAS SPEAKING.

"I ALMOST MISTOOK YOU FOR YOUR SISTER."

EVEN THROUGH HER MUFFLED EARS, SHE HEARD IT CLEAR ENOUGH. SHE WAS TOO BOTHERED BY IT TO EVEN ASK WHICH SISTER HE WAS REFERRING TO, BUT EVEN SO SHE WOULDN'T HAVE MINDED. BOTH SISTERS WERE FIT SLYTHERINS AND BOTH LOVELY AS COULD BE, AS ALL BLACK CHILDREN WERE. NARCISSA LISTENED FURTHER AND HAD TO CONTAIN A GROWL RUMBLING IN HER THROAT. "YES," SHE FINALLY SPAT, THEN TURNED OVER ON HER OTHER SIDE AND CLOSED HER EYES. "A CURSE - THE CURSE OF THE BOGIES," SHE SAID, THEN BEGAN TO BREATHE HEAVILY AS HER CHEST FELT A BIT...TIGHTENED. "SNEAKED UP ON ME AND PERFORMED IT, DUNNO WHO. NOT A GOOD WAY TO PROVE YOU'RE BETTER THAN SOMEONE," SHE MURMURED, TURNING BACK TO LOOK AT HIM. SHE WAS FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO GET COMFORTABLE, WHICH WAS ONLY ENHANCED BY THE UNCOMFORTABLE PAIN SQUEEZING INTO HER UPPER BACK AND NECK.

IF SHE EVER FOUND OUT WHO DID THIS TO HER...DAMN WOULD THEY BE IN A WORLD FULL OF PAIN. AND UNLIKE THEM, SHE'D CONFRONT THEM NOT SNEAK BEHIND THEIR BACK LIKE A COWARD.

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

Snape huffed in displeasure, selecting a single potion from the box and checking it over carefully in case of misfile. The Bogies hex inflicted severe stress on the sinuses, which in turn caused cramps in the neck and shoulders, headaches, and difficulty breathing, all of which appeared to be symptoms Narcissa was currently enjoying. Therefore, the best solution would be . . .

"Moonsbreath potion." Severus murmured aloud, and selected it from the racks in his load. He carried it over to Narcissa, diluted it into a glass of water (half a cup, to be exact, a decent ratio) and offered it to Narcissa. "Drink." he says simply. "Moonsbreath will smooth your breathing and sinuses. The muscle cramps are a secondary symptom so there's little to be done about those, however."

Moonsbreath swept air much more quickly through the nose, mouth, and throat, and was an emergency potion frequently used on choking patients, to allow them to breath past blockages. Incidentally, it made a very good painkiller for respiratory ailments, such as the one Narcissa was currently suffering.

"Did you happen to hear their voice as they cast it at least?" he inquired. "I can't imagine they cast it silently."

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

NARCISSA WATCHED AS SEVERUS DEBATED OVER THE POTIONS, A FEW MORE COUGHS QUIVERED THROUGH HER THROAT. SHE CLUTCHED AT HER HEAD AS IT POUNDED, AND SNIFFLED AGAIN. DAMN. THIS WAS HORRIBLE. SHE SIGHED AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THE BLACK-HAIRED BOY TURNED AROUND WITH A POTION IN HAND. HER EYES LOOKED OVER THE GLASS THAT HE POURED WATER AND THE POTION INTO, OBVIOUSLY DILUTING IT. SHE SAT UP A BIT AND TOOK THE GLASS, SETTING IT AGAINST HER LIPS AND TIPPING IT BACK. THE FLUID RAN DOWN HER THROAT AND TICKLED THE END OF HER TONGUE. IT WASN'T VERY TASTY, BUT IT DID SOOTHE HER THROAT REGARDLESS. ANYTHING WOULD AT THAT POINT.

"THANK YOU, SEVERUS," SHE SAID QUIETLY. CISSY WAS DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT THE PAINS WERE SECONDARY SYMPTOMS - NOTHING TO DO FOR THEM. BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WOULD DISAPPEAR BY MORNING AND SHE COULD AT LEAST SIT UP PROPERLY IN CLASS WITHOUT ACHING. SHE LOOKED DOWN TO THE GLASS AND FINISHED IT OFF, PUTTING THE GLASS ON THE TABLE BESIDE HER BED ONCE THROUGH. SHE TURNED BACK TO HER FRIEND AND SHRUGGED. "YES. IT WAS MALE...SLIGHTLY ROUGH BUT NOT ALL-TOO DEEP EITHER," SHE EXPLAINED, CLOSING HER EYES AND THINKING OF THE INCANTATION. THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER INDICATION AS TO WHO THE PERSON WAS, OTHER THAN THAT VOICE.

"I DO THINK IT SOUNDED FAMILIAR, BUT NOT FAMILIAR ENOUGH FOR ME TO IDENTIFY IT."

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

Severus pursed his lips. "If you wish to pursue the culprit, you could request the use of the Headmaster's pensieve." he said. "With a voice comparison, we might be able to narrow down the possibilities."

Not that, honestly, he believed Dumbledore would do any such thing. The line between Slytherins and the rest of the school was quite clearly drawn, these days.

"For the next couple of days try to travel with a housemate." Severus said unnecessarily. They all knew the rules of Slytherin. "Nott, Greengrass, or your sister. Whichever. I prefer this be the only clean shot anyone gets to take at our house."

The potions disembarked the crate and began to file into the cabinets, Severus's deft hands well-practiced at the task. "Or Lucius, should you be able to stand him." he added, with a thin smile.

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

CISSA SMIRKED. "I THINK YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT MY USE OF THE HEADMASTER'S PENSIEVE WOULD BE...ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE," SHE SAID, SHRUGGING. IT WAS TRUE, THOUGH. SHE WAS SURE THAT THE OTHER PROFESSORS WOULD SIMPLY THINK THAT IT WAS A PRANK THAT WAS TOO INNOCENT TO LOOK INTO, THOUGH CISSY'S CURRENT STATE PROVED OTHERWISE. THE POTION SEEMED TO BE WORKING, THOUGH, BECAUSE HER HEAD WAS FEELING A LITTLE LIGHTER - DEFINITELY A GOOD SIGN.

"I'LL DO THAT, CERTAINLY," NARCISSA NODDED. IT WASN'T LIKE SHE WAS AFRAID OF WHOEVER HAD DONE THIS TO HER, BUT HONESTLY SHE DIDN'T WANT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. BUT EVEN SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE CURSE PLACED ON HER UNTIL THE HEAD NURSE HAD MENTIONED IT, SO THE STUDENT WAS BOUND TO BE OLDER. THAT, OR CISSA WAS JUST STUPID, WHICH SHE OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT. SHE BIT HER LOWER LIP AS SNAPE'S LIPS CURVED AND HE MENTIONED LUCIUS.

SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT LOOK DOWN AT HER TOES AND SMILE, TOO. "I THINK I COULD STAND HIM LONG ENOUGH," CISSY SAID, A BIT QUIETLY BUT WITH UNDERTONES THAT WERE CLEAR AS DAY. LUCIUS MALFOY WAS PRACTICALLY THE PERFECT GUY FOR HER. STRONG, INTELLIGENT, GORGEOUS, PURE-BLOODED, AND SLYTHERIN. HE WAS EVERYTHING SHE'D HOPED FOR, BUT EVERYTHING OTHERS HOPED FOR, AS WELL. CISSY COULD THINK OF MANY GIRLS THAT WERE AFTER HIM, HERSELF INCLUDED. BUT HE WAS JUST SO GRAND THAT SHE'D NEVER REALLY TRIED TO MAKE HER INTENTIONS CLEAR.

BESIDES, LUCIUS WAS BOUND TO BE IN AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE SOON. AND NARCISSA COULD ONLY HOPE HER PARENTS WERE SET ON MAKING IT WITH HER.

BUT, HOPE OFTEN RESULTED IN LET DOWNS, SO CISSY DIDN'T TRY TO RELY ON THAT FOR HER FUTURE. INSTEAD, SHE'D HAVE TO MENTION IT TO DADDY AND SEE IF HE COULD GET HIS BABY GIRL WHAT SHE WANTED. CISSA THRUST THE THOUGHT AWAY AND LOOKED BACK TO SNAPE. "ANY IDEA ON WHEN MY SYMPTOMS WILL BE RID OF COMPLETELY?" SHE ASKED. "THE HEADACHE IS EASING ALREADY."

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

Severus acknowledged the unlikeliness with a hum as he finished his momentary task. "Excellent." he commented. "I think I'll beg his aid, then - I have only time to make sure you return to our common room unmolested."

As interested as Lucius was in ensuring the sanctity of the house of Slytherin, he would hardly have to beg, which suited Severus eminently. And being owed a favor would hardly sting much either, even if it was only implied.

"Over the next ten minutes most everything but the cramping should fade as your sinuses calm." Severus recited automatically, as he glided across the hospital wing to check on the curtained-off beds. He couldn't suppress a vicious grin at Fabian being laid up in one with a Bludger injury. "The cramps will take perhaps half an hour to wear out, but will be gone soon enough."

He glanced back at Narcissa with raised eyebrows. "I'm afraid no class skipping is in the cards for you, dear Black."

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT SMILE AT HER COMPANY. "I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN, SEVERUS. IT'S VERY...THOUGHTFUL OF YOU," NARCISSA SAID IN A VERY LONGING WAY. SNAPE DIDN'T USUALLY EXPRESS PROTECTIVENESS, BUT IT SEEMED THAT HE FELT THAT WAY TOWARD HER. OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST YOUNGER SLYTHERINS IN GENERAL, TO UPHOLD THE SLYTHERIN NAME OF POWER. IT WAS MORE LIKELY TO BE THE LATTER THAT PLAYED ON HIS URGENT MANNER IN HELPING HER STAY PROTECTED, BUT EITHER WAY CISSY FELT IT NICE, SORT OF.

"JUST WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. GREAT," SHE GRINNED. BY THE TIME SHE HURRIED BACK TO THE DUNGEONS AND GOT INTO BED, CISSY WAS SURE SHE'D FEEL WELL ENOUGH TO FALL ASLEEP INSTANTLY AS ALWAYS AND BE COMPLETELY RESTED BY MORNING.

HIS WORDS MADE HER SNICKER. "OH DEAR SEVERUS," SHE BEGAN, ADJUSTING HER POSITION. "DON'T YOU KNOW ME BETTER THAN THAT? I DON'T NEED AN EXCUSE TO SKIP CLASSES - I JUST DO IT," CISSA SAID, HER TONE TURNING TO A WHISPER AT THE WORDS NEAR THE END OF HER SENTENCE. SHE GRINNED SNEAKILY AT HIM AND THEN STRETCHED OUT THE BED, COUGHING. ONCE CALMED, SHE TURNED BACK TO SEVERUS AND POUTED. "WOULD YOU PLEASE WALK WITH ME BACK? YOU DID INSIST MY SAFETY, AFTER ALL," SHE ASKED, A FORGIVING SMILE CURVING HER LIPS. HER POUT WAS FAMOUS IN GETTING HER WHAT SHE WANTED, AND ONLY HOPED IT'D WORK ON A HARD-SHELL LIKE SNAPE. ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT HE PROVIDED DECENT COMPANY, SHE REALLY NEEDED SOMEONE TO ESCORT HER BACK TO THE COMMON ROOM. IT WASN'T LIKE SHE FELT SOMEONE WAS STALKING HER OR ANYTHING, BUT THE EXTRA CERTAINTY OF A SAFE VENTURE WOULD ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH HIS PRESENCE AT HER SIDE.

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

He was not thoughtful. He was sneaky. There was a difference.

"I am well aware of your propensity for doing exactly what you wish, Miss Black." Severus commented, eyebrows arched. "But I hardly think you'll do it right in front of Lucius, should I convince him to escort you in my stead. That would hardly be impressive, now would it?"

Rather pleased with himself, Severus ignored the pout via the simple method of drawing the bed's curtain closed, which was about as close as he ever got to being playful. "I'll do you the favor, as you are markedly better company than Mrs. Crookshanks." Snape replied. "Not that it is much of an achievement to be so. I should probably have higher standards."

Severus sighs, sardonic. "Alas."

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

NARCISSA SHRUGGED AT HIS COMMENTS. "IT DEPENDS ON HIS IDEA OF IMPRESSIVE, I SUPPOSE," SHE ANSWERED SWIFTLY. "BUT STILL, YOU DO REALIZE I'M A PREFECT RIGHT? THERE'S NO WAY I COULD GO WITHOUT CLASS AND NOT BE NOTICED," SHE SAID WITH UNFORTUNATE DISMAY SETTLING ON HER WORDS. SURELY, EVEN IF SHE WEREN'T PREFECT, PEOPLE WOULD NOTICE HER ABSENCE. SHE WAS PRETTY FABULOUS AFTER ALL.

SHE SMILED AT HIM, DESPITE HIS TURN FROM HER. "GOOD," CISSY REPLIED SIMPLY. SHE FIDGETED WITH HER HAIR AND DECIDED TO SIMPLY THROW IT OVER HER SHOULDER, EASIER FOR HER TO ATTEMPT A MASSAGE AT HER ACHING NECK. NARCISSA STROLLED OVER TO THE DOOR OF THE HOSPITAL WING AND LEANED AGAINST THE WALL BESIDE IT, FACING HIM. "READY WHEN YOU ARE," SHE CALLED, SHIFTING HER WEIGHT TO ONE SIDE AND CROSSING HER ARMS OVER HER CHEST. SHE HONESTLY DID FEEL LIKE COLLAPSING, MAYBE JUST STAYING IN THE HOSPITAL WING FOR A WHILE UNTIL SOMEONE CAME ALONG TO CARRY HER BACK TO THE DUNGEONS. SHE WAS LIGHT ENOUGH FOR THAT TO BE A POSSIBILITY.

BUT SHE DID NOT WANT TO STAY THERE ANOTHER MINUTE, ESPECIALLY FROM FEAR OF THE IDEA OF A SICK STUDENT BEING BROUGHT IN. IF NARCISSA HAD TO WITNESS ANY VOMITING OR RISK CATCHING ILL FROM ANOTHER, SHE'D BE NOT ONLY HORRIFIED BUT HORRIFYINGLY PISSED OFF.

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

"That too." Severus noted smugly, as he finished up his rounds and joined Narcissa at the Hospital Wing door. His wand trickled out into his fingers quite naturally and the door swung wide for them. "Come along, we'll find out what ugly duckling was feeling jealous today."

He set a patient pace, not his usual swooping powerwalk, and casually clasped his hands behind himself, wand disappearing into this cloak there. "I don't imagine being Prefect is much entertaining." he asked. "There's much hall-patrolling and confronting to do - sounds rather troublesome."

He'd never tried for Prefect himself on account of it sounding a mighty bother - and the fact it would inevitably force him into yet more conflict with the Marauders, which he already had quite enough of as it is.

[Deleted]

ANOTHER NIGHT SHE SPENDS ALONE

SORRY - I ACCIDENTALLY MODIFIED OVER THIS POST...AGAIN. >.< I'LL TRY AND REWRITE IT LATER.

WITHOUT HIS TOUCH HER SKIN'S SO COLD

template by eliza @ shadowplay

[Deleted]

"You don't intimidate them enough." Severus said simply. "Try going without makeup on your patrols, to make you seem more severe and less girlish. If troublemakers believe they can attack you and get away with it, they most certainly will. As you have seen."

On a gut instinct, he cast hominum revealo - a basic detection spell for other wizards and muggles - and blinked as a blue shimmer appeared directly to his left, right beside Narcissa.

A Disillusionment Charm, then.

Severus immediately dropped a wordless Protego between Narcissa and the prankster, which managed to catch a silver jinx and fling it into the ground - from the looks of it, a Slug-Spitter.
Severus