HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 144 Endurance

Upon returning to Hogwarts, Severus immediately went back to the cellars, not even bothering to report to Dumbledore. Emeric must have done something, otherwise his pain level wouldn't be so low.

Meanwhile, Emeric was in his bedroom, his arm covered in blood from his own bite. He could bear the excruciating pain of the first bite, having been hit once before, but things went wrong when the second bite landed on Severus. Emeric was in so much pain that his vision went black.

He was trembling all over, unable to even pick up the painkillers, and instinctively bit his arm to distract himself. After enduring the excruciating pain, he was too weak to continue and simply lay motionless on the bed.

He felt a little better later and tried to get up to treat his wounds and take another painkiller, but then he was overcome by dizziness. The nauseating feeling of his memories being dredged up made it impossible for him to get up. He could only put Severus's shirt on his face, trying to dispel the nausea with the scent of his beloved.

Blood flowed down the teeth marks on his arm onto the bed, but he didn't have the strength to care. He just hoped that Severus would come back slowly, preferably after the painkillers had taken effect, otherwise he would be exposed immediately.

Fortunately, he signed the contract, so the pain fell on him instead. Emeric was glad that he had tricked Severus into signing the contract with him, otherwise Severus would be the one in pain now, having to endure the pain while dealing with Voldemort. Just thinking about it was exhausting.

"Bang."

When he heard the cellar door being slammed shut, Emeric quickly pulled the covers over himself and pretended to be asleep, trying to fool Severus.

But Emeric forgot that Severus also had a keen sense of smell; almost the instant he entered the bedroom, he smelled blood.

He walked to the bedside and lifted the blanket. The bloodstains on Emeric's arm were not hidden at all. He took out a bottle of hemostatic agent and fed it to Emeric, his movements gentle but his face full of anger.

"What did you do? Change it back." Severus said as he fed him painkillers. The lingering pain in his body was like growing pains, which he could bear without the medicine.

"I didn't do anything, Severus, don't ask." Emeric hugged Severus's waist and changed the subject. "When I'm not in pain anymore, I'll make some soup and noodles. You didn't eat much for dinner, you must be hungry now."

"Stop with the nonsense, get it back right now."

"I won't let you feel any pain. The pain you feel should be just enough for you to fake. Otherwise, I wouldn't want you to feel even this little bit of pain."

Severus let out a breath. He didn't want to argue with this madman. It was the first time he'd ever heard of someone so eager to share his pain, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.

Just as the two were at an impasse, Dumbledore's voice came from the living room.

"Severus, are you alright? Do you need me to get your medicine?" Dumbledore knocked on the bedroom door. In the past, Severus would come back trembling in pain and wouldn't have the strength to take painkillers.

"No need, wait a moment, I'll be right there." After the painkillers on Emeric took effect, the two left the bedroom to see Dumbledore.

"I forgot about Ellie. No wonder you didn't want my help. But Ellie, what happened to your arm? Why are there teeth marks?"

"I bit him, is there a problem?" In order to avoid Dumbledore noticing anything, Severus simply admitted that he bit him to distract himself.

"I'm sorry, Severus, but can you tell me now what Voldemort is going to do today?" Dumbledore handed Emeric a bottle of healing potion to clean up the teeth marks.

"He didn't do anything, just announced his return. I reckon there will be trouble outside starting tomorrow."

"This is not good news, but we can prepare in advance." Dumbledore's face showed worry. "I'll be going now, you all get some rest."

He went back to Gellert to discuss countermeasures, hoping that the saints might be willing to help protect the people.

As soon as Dumbledore left, Emeric collapsed into Severus's arms. Painkillers could only relieve the pain, not eliminate the nausea from Legilimency. He could barely suppress the churning in his stomach with the help of Severus's fragrance.

Emeric took out a mint and put it in his mouth. After eating several, he finally felt better. He got up and prepared to go to the kitchen to make a midnight snack. Severus hadn't eaten much for dinner and must be hungry now.

"Don't go, you can skip a meal." Seeing Emeric get up, Severus hugged him, feeling a mix of love and hate for the little rascal.

"Then ask Fufu to make two bowls of noodles. I'm so hungry because of the pain."

"Can."

He gently patted Emeric's back, comforting him like he had when they were children. The little rascal did this because he loved him, preferring to suffer the pain himself rather than let him endure any more.

"Severus, can you kiss me, like when we were little, just a kiss on the forehead?"

"Smack." The man, his ears red, lowered his head and kissed Emeric, something he rarely did. Emeric was completely overjoyed, and the smile on his face didn't fade until the late-night snack arrived.

"Have a meal."

Severus found a reason to push Emeric away, and the two sat down facing each other. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the sound of them eating noodles.

It was already 2 a.m. when Severus finished washing up and lay down in bed. He instinctively hugged Emeric. He hadn't turned him into a cat today because he was afraid Emeric would get a fever in the middle of the night or have nightmares that he wouldn't be able to tell.

The two slept in until they naturally woke up the next day. Because of what happened yesterday, Dumbledore announced that today was a holiday, so they were able to get enough sleep.

"Severus, you're awake."

The two were very close; Severus could feel Emeric's breath as he spoke, so close that if he moved, they would kiss.

Severus quickly threw off the covers and sat up. Seeing Emeric's eyes so early in the morning made his heart ache; it was beating too fast.