Severus woke with a groan, knowing instantly that the ache in his joints had nothing to do with his advancing years. While it was always common that the new school year brought sickness back with it, Severus took great care to avoid catching anything from his charges. Usually, his care was rewarded with a clean bill of health, even as his fellow members of staff complained of sniffles and aches. Apparently, this year, his luck had run out. He had been up late into the night helping Poppy with students in the infirmary while watching over a batch of Pepperup Potion, and his immune system had no doubt been weakened by the potion used to remove his Dark Mark.

Glancing at the clock on his bedside table, Severus thought briefly about turning over and going back to sleep but realised that with half the staff under the weather already, his chances of getting a competent substitute for his second year's class would be low. And while the thought of Longbottom blowing up another cauldron while under Gilderoy Lockhart's not-so-watchful eye did give him a thrill of satisfaction, knowing that he would have to deal with the fallout once he recovered was enough to motivate him to leave his bed and retrieve his dressing gown.

His first stop was through to his private Potions lab, where he had left the supply of Pepperup Potion to be delivered to the infirmary. Removing a vial and breaking the seal, he quickly drained it, wincing as the steam ran out of his ears. If he did indeed have the flu, the Potion would not cure it, but it would at least keep him hale enough to last through the morning's classes. Grabbing a piece of parchment, he quickly penned a letter to Lupin, asking that he send Muggle cold and flu tablets through with great haste. Severus had found in the past that the best combination was to use both Magical and Muggle means of controlling the symptoms, since the different methods focused on different outcomes. He called for Trixie, knowing that she wouldn't mind a quick trip off campus.

"Master Snape called Trixie?" She said after she appeared at his side.

"Yes, please deliver this to Remus Lupin. He is staying at the farm at the moment. If he asks you to return, do so," Severus said, passing over the letter. Trixie took it immediately, but paused as she looked at Severus properly.

"Master Snape is sick. Does Master Snape wish for Trixie to inform Professor Dumbledore that he will not be teaching today, sir?" Trixie asked.

"No, I will be fine to teach. Just deliver the letter to Lupin and he'll do the rest," Severus said. Trixie looked at him doubtfully for a moment before nodding.

"Yes Master Snape, sir," she replied before Apparating out of the lab. Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache come on even through the effects of the Pepperup Potion. And it wasn't even breakfast yet. Sighing, he returned to his bedroom to shower and change before facing the pandemonium that was the Great Hall at breakfast time.

Thirty minutes later, Severus was regretting not staying in bed.

"If you are ill, the last thing you need is to be teaching right now. Not to mention that I don't need to explain to you that these viruses spread, which means you're only risking your students getting sick as well." Minerva fixed him with a reproachful glare before continuing, "If you're going to insist on teaching though, you may want to eat something, unless you plan on surviving on stubbornness alone."

Severus glared back at her as she held the plate of toast under his nose. "Minerva, I am a thirty-three-year-old man, I hardly need you mothering me. It is fortunate today that I only have my morning classes before the weekend and the infirmary stores of Pepperup have already been replenished. I have been in much worse condition while standing in front of a classroom before and I have no doubt I will do so again. So if you would please desist from treating me like an errant child?" Severus snapped, pushing the toast away.

"Only if you desist in acting like one," Minerva replied sharply. It was at that moment that the Headmaster cleared his throat, drawing their attention to the audience they were gathering among the students. Severus looked away, ignoring the flush that rose on his cheeks at being caught behaving so immaturely.

"I will rest after classes, Minerva. I have taken a Potion and I am sourcing Muggle medicine from Lupin as well. If I need to end class early, I'll be sure to give your Gryffindors a heart attack by doing so," Severus explained.

Minerva was still eyeing him doubtfully but she nodded in acceptance. "We already have enough teachers down and out without the Heads of Houses falling ill as well, Severus. If you rest before you get any sicker, you may escape the worst of it."

"I will endeavour to do so. After all, with Professor Sinistra ill, it would mean that you would have to take over my House duties with the Slytherins, and it would be woefully unkind of me to leave you to that fate," Severus said with a smirk, standing up as Minerva snorted into her coffee.

"It would indeed, Severus Snape. However, I do believe that given I am Deputy Headmistress of this entire school and all of the students within it, that I would be able to manage not to let Slytherin implode on itself for a few days, if you need them." Severus bowed his head in acknowledgement of the other and set off around the Head table.

There were a few empty places at the Slytherin table for students still recovering in the infirmary under Madame Pomfrey's watchful eye, but the rest of his House had indeed noticed his conversation with Minerva. He looked down the table to where Harry sat with his friends, narrowing his eyes in suspicion at the warm jumper that Harry wore under his school robes. The weather for the start of the year had been warm and most students had even removed their robe and were eating breakfast in the uniform from underneath instead. Harry should have been baking in the layers that he was wearing. His focus was broken momentarily as he caught a whiff of the food laid out on the House table, causing his stomach to lurch. He turned away from the offending items quickly, pretending that something at the Ravenclaw table had caught his eye. It wouldn't do for the students to realise he wasn't feeling his best. It wouldn't do at all.

Once he was sure that the nausea was only momentary, he continued on down the table, running an eye over every student to make sure they had eaten and that none of them showed signs of illness. He heard a few suspicious sneezes and stopped to check in with the student, all the while making his way down to where his son wasn't eating.

"Good morning, Harry," Severus said from far enough back that Harry had a chance to hear him coming. Harry flinched anyway but he recovered quickly and smiled up at Severus. Severus frowned at the glaze in Harry's eyes, holding his hand up slowly to rest it gently against Harry's forehead. There was definite heat under his hand and Severus sighed. "I take it that you're not feeling 100% this morning?"

"Nuh uh," Harry said, shaking his head. Behind Harry's back, Theodore was feigning gagging.

"Indeed. And the reason you have not yet attended the infirmary?" Severus asked, raising his eyebrows as Harry looked away.

"I didn't feel that bad before breakfast. I was going to go after class. I just don't feel hungry, mostly," Harry answered. Severus winced internally in sympathy. Of course, Harry wouldn't just get a cold. In fact, one of them had quite possibly given the flu to the other.

"If you can eat a plain piece of toast, then you can attend class and go to the infirmary after class. Though why you are so determined to go to class when you're sick is beyond me," Severus decreed. Harry glared back at his plate before nodding with determination. "If you throw up, then you go straight to the infirmary."

"I actually like Potions class," Harry replied, pulling his piece of toast apart with his hands.

"I beg your pardon?" Severus asked, feeling as though the comment had been a little random.

"The reason I want to go to class when I'm sick, it's because I actually like Potions class," Harry explained.

Severus sighed and gave Harry an affectionately exasperated look. "I am aware, Harry. I am also aware that now that you are allowed, or even expected, to perform and participate to your full potential, you are quite an enthusiastic student. But the pursuit of knowledge or occupation should not come at the price of your health. Which is why you had better hurry up and finish that piece of toast, if you are still determined to attend class."

Harry gave him a bashful smile and put a small piece of toast in his mouth. Severus' eyes narrowed when Harry paled even more but after taking a breath, Harry began to chew and then swallowed with a triumphant look. "Delicious," Harry commented.

Severus was saved having to reply as Theodore burst into laughter next to Harry.

"I will see you both in class," Severus said as he walked away, heading out of the Great Hall and down into the cool of the dungeons. What was normally a comforting coolness today crawled across his skin like ice, and he turned away from the Potions classroom to fetch a jumper from his quarters to wear under his teaching robes. Even the thick wool did little to protect against the cold and he resigned himself to a very long Potions class.

Returning to the Potions classroom, he unlocked the door and entered, leaving it open so that Miss Granger could follow him through instead of sitting in the corridor as she had been. She was alone, and given the fact that Severus could see that she was wearing a second jumper under her school robes, Severus strongly suspected he knew why.

He followed her as she sat down on a stool behind the desk closest to the door. "Miss Granger, are you well?"

When she looked up to answer his questions, Severus could see dark circles under her eyes, as if under her eyes were dusted with a dark eyeshadow. "Not really, Professor. I feel a bit sick to the stomach, actually."

"And the reason why you have not attended the infirmary for treatment instead of coming to class?"

"Because when we read about Pepperup Potion, it said that is was used to treat colds, not flu, sir," Miss Granger answered respectfully.

"It is used to cure colds, but it can still alleviate the symptoms of the flu. And of course, you were acting on the assumption that there wasn't another potion that could cure you. A Stomach Soother may be the only thing you need if it's only your stomach that's upset, and you've had those before so you know that they exist and more importantly, that they work," Severus lectured.

"Oh, yes, I forgot about that," she admitted, blushing.

"Indeed. In that case, you should adjourn to the infirmary, where Madame Pomfrey can treat you."

The Gryffindor girl looked at the door and then up at him in a slightly pleading way. "Please sir, can I stay here for a little longer and then go?" Severus was about to snap at her in annoyance when she continued, "Only, I feel a little weak and a little bit dizzy too."

"When was the last time you drank? And what was it and how much?" Severus asked, drawing his wand in preparation to conjure her water.

"I've been trying to sip water all through the night. I had some at breakfast too but the smells were just a bit much," she answered.

"And have you been throwing up? Or had any diarrhoea?" Severus ignored the way the girl blushed when he asked. As a teacher and a Potions Master, he had plenty of experience with both.

"I threw up a couple of times last night," Miss Granger said after a pause.

Severus gave her a hard look. "It may be dehydration or it may be the fatigue caused by your body attempting to heal itself. You can rest here in the classroom until you feel able and then you are to go straight to Madame Pomfrey," Severus told her while placing a glass of water in front of her. "And keep sipping that while you rest."

She nodded and picked up the glass, having a careful sip just as Harry and Theodore entered, followed by the Longbottom boy. It was obvious from the worried look on Longbottom's face that he knew Granger was ill.

Severus turned away from Harry and his friends as other students began entering the Potions classroom. The sound of their voices echoed off the stone walls of the dungeon and Severus felt a spike of pain behind his right eye in response.

"Silence!" Severus snapped as they all took their seats, ignoring the way Harry sunk in his seat at the sharpness of his voice. The order had quick effect as the second year students fell silent and turned their eyes on Severus.

"Today you will be brewing on your own instead of in pairs and I expect that you will be so very focused on your Potions that you will find little need to talk. Instructions are on the board; begin," Severus recited, flicking his wand at the board to make the Potion of the day appear. While the bustle of movement as students rushed to begin their Potions was still as aggravating as their chatter, Severus bit his tongue to prevent himself from snapping again. Unless he wanted to stick them all to their chairs there wasn't much he could do about the sound.

His headache steadily worsened as the class continued but it was obvious that the students were being very careful not to upset him by mishandling their Potion. In the end, he had directed Theodore to accompany Granger to the infirmary, as her colour worsened rather than improved. He had to admit a small bit of concern for the girl; there wasn't much that Poppy Pomfrey couldn't fix but the poor girl had obviously caught a rather strong strain of the bug.

By the end of class, Severus knew that he would also have to seek out the Mediwitch's treatment. Even though he was perfectly capable of brewing a stronger pain relief potion to banish the ever-tightening band of pain in his head, it was school protocol that teachers were treated by Madame Pomfrey so that it could be recorded and so that they could be replaced by a substitute while under the influence of anything that could affect their judgement.

"Harry, stay after class," he instructed as the bell rang, much too loudly.

Harry looked at him in confusion but walked over to his desk while the other students exited the room. Severus flicked his wand in rapid succession to clean up the Potions samples and his papers, then looked up at Harry. "You're not in trouble," Severus said when he noticed Harry hugging his body with arms.

"I didn't think so," Harry answered. "I feel really yuck," he added in a very young voice.

"Then it appears it is a good thing we are both going to the infirmary," Severus said, walking around the desk. He put his hand between Harry's shoulder blade to guide him towards the door and was mildly surprised when the pre-teen turned and hugged him instead. Severus hugged him back, planting a quick kiss on Harry's hair. "It's your own fault, you know. If you'd just gone to the infirmary, you'd probably be all better by now," Severus scolded lightly.

"You didn't go to the infirmary," Harry pointed out.

"I am an adult. Not only am I fully capable of making my own decisions about my health but I have responsibilities that mean I'm not always able to cater to my health. In other words, enjoy being able to miss class when you're sick while you can," Severus said, directing Harry out of the room again. Harry finally started moving in the right direction, making Severus nearly sigh in relief. The trip between the dungeons and the infirmary was thankfully short and uneventful.

The usually empty infirmary was now nearly full to the brim with both students and staff who were still in the care of Madame Pomfrey. Severus could see where temporary walls had been erected to give the staff some privacy from their students. He silently thanked his lucky stars that he would not have to use such facilities, since he knew that Madame Pomfrey would be fine with him hiding in his quarters with his pain potion. Since Harry wasn't horrible sick and would probably just have to sleep it off once he'd seen the nurse, Severus had already decided to ask Poppy to let Harry stay in their quarters. Harry had reported lost time to him another two times since mid-September and Severus was worried that the extra stress of being ill would trigger another episode.

"Severus, how can I help? Oh, Harry, have you fallen prey to the flu as well?" Poppy asked as she came up to them, wiping her hands on her apron as she walked up to them.

"Hey, Dad's sick too," Harry protested. Poppy's eyes widened in surprise and then she smirked at Severus, who was busy glaring at his cheeky brat of a son.

"Is he now?" Poppy asked.

"Yes, I am feeling under the weather. I have treated all my other symptoms prior to teaching my class today but I have a migraine which requires a pain potion to properly treat and I thought I should let you know before I imbibed," Severus drawled.

Poppy smiled at him indulgently and said, "I suppose there is no way I could convince you to allow me to examine you?"

"No, there isn't. I am quite capable of diagnosing a simple flu virus. On that note, how fares Miss Granger?" Severus replied.

"As you suspected, she has the flu but she was a bit dehydrated and I'm definitely keeping her overnight for observation," Poppy reported. When she looked at the worried expression on Harry's face, she continued, "I have full confidence that she will be just fine in a few days."

"That is good. Harry has similar symptoms but not the same strength. He managed to eat dry toast for breakfast and to my knowledge, hasn't vomited last night or today. While I have insisted that he attends the infirmary for assessment, since I am going to be confined to my quarters recovering for the next couple of days, if you are amenable, Harry has my permission to recover in our quarters," Severus explained for Poppy's benefit. He just avoided rolling his eyes at the way Harry lit up at the unexpected concession.

"Is that all I need to know, Harry? Because I need to know everything about how you're feeling before I can be sure I'm giving you the right treatment," Poppy asked, directing her attention to her younger patient.

"Yeah, I just mainly feel sick and tired and a little achy," Harry answered. He looked up at Severus uncertainly and Severus realised that Harry thought he should mention the time gaps he'd had. Severus shook his head minutely, resolving to tell Poppy after she was finished tending to half the castle.

"Okay, well that means the best treatment for you both is a lot of rest and fluids. Take Pepper-Up if you start feeling extremely ill again and take painkillers as you need them. Stomach Soothers will help with nausea. I will come down to check on you tomorrow morning," Poppy decided.

Severus sighed with relief at the idea of finally taking a pain killer for his headache and nodded his thanks. "You don't need to come check on us, I will come here and let you know how we fare. Save you leaving the infirmary."

Poppy opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by one of the students calling her name urgently. She looked back at Severus and he smirked at her in response. She waved them both out of the infirmary as she beelined for her patient.

Once they were out of the infirmary, Severus took the lead, heading back down to the dungeons. Since rest was the only possible cure, Severus wanted to get his young son to bed as soon as possible.

The next day, Severus was making himself a cup of lemon and honey tea when he heard the sound of the Floo from the other room. Picking up his cup and breathing in the sweet yet citrus-y smell, he walked into the lounge room and smiled tiredly at Poppy as she looked up from spelling her robes clean.

"Good morning, Poppy," Severus said, wincing at the rasp in his voice. He took a quick sip of the tea he held, relishing the way it soothed his throat.

"Good morning. How are you and Harry faring this morning?" she asked, glancing towards the hallway in the direction of where Severus knew Harry was still fast asleep.

"Harry is asleep but when I checked on him last, he didn't seem to be suffering too much. He hasn't thrown up, though he was reluctant to eat last night. As for myself, I am obviously still feeling the effect of the virus, but I intend to rest as much as possible today." Severus' voice caught and he coughed to clear it. "But I wanted to talk to you about something while you're here."

"That's good timing; I have something I need to discuss with you as well," Poppy replied. Severus gestured to the couch to invite her to sit down and took his own seat in the armchair. "Have you spoken to young Master Malfoy recently?"

Severus looked at Poppy in concern then nodded. "We are still having our meetings fortnightly and he hasn't mentioned anything amiss. Did he come to you for a medical issue?"

"He did. He said that he was having headaches, but more concerning, he mentioned that he was losing time, and that there had been a couple of times when he couldn't remember getting from one place to another," Poppy explained. Severus gave her an open look of shock, thinking immediately of Harry's similar complaint. Poppy continued, "There could be many reasons for the blackouts, so I'd firstly like your permission to take him off grounds to see a Healer who specialises in this. And, of course, I'd like to talk to Mrs Malfoy about the implications as well."

"Of course," Severus answered. He paused before adding, "You may need to take Harry as well."

Poppy looked over towards the hallway again with concern. "Is Harry complaining of the same thing?"

"At least four times since the start of term," Severus confirmed. "I've known for around a month and instructed him that he is to inform me immediately if any such episodes happen again. I am yet to make any solid connections in terms of when the episodes are happening and since he showed no other symptoms, I didn't want to force him to attend the Hospital Wing for investigation.

Poppy's scandalised look told Severus that he was in for a lecture in the near future. "Severus, that could have been dangerous, he could have something serious happening, both of them could."

"Yes, I do understand that Poppy, I was taking a calculated risk because of Harry's aversion to treatment by medical professionals and was concerned that the stress of a medical investigation would actually trigger more episodes," Severus snapped.

Poppy raised her eyebrow at him, making Severus flinch internally. After a moment, though, she sighed. "It would have been much safer to discuss it with me immediately, Severus. However, I think I'll leave this to another time. I'll arrange for Harry to attend the appointment with Draco and give them both an examination to see if I can find any cause. It would probably be best to investigate their dorm as well, since it's starting to sound like it could be environmental. If any of the other Second Year boys get sick, then we may have to relocate them temporarily, just in case." Poppy had gone into full tactical mode and Severus just nodded along.

"I will attend the appointment with the boys as well, since Harry will most likely only attend under protest," Severus said.

Poppy nodded her agreement. "In the meantime, Harry can continue talking to you about this, as long as you inform me of any developments."

"Of course, Poppy. I would never intentionally let him be hurt, you know that," Severus said, feeling defensive still.

Poppy smiled at him. "Of course, I do, Severus. And now, I think I will leave you to rest, since it's obvious your throat is hurting you."

Severus scowled at her and she laughed at him. He stood up as she moved over to the fireplace, inclining his head in farewell as she bade him goodbye and moved through the Floo.

It was only now that he sat back down in the armchair and thought about the implications. Two sick boys in the same year, both with a mysterious illness, was practically unheard of. And the fact that both boys were in some way related to Severus himself and there was more unknown about the situation than facts. While he had told Poppy that he didn't see any connections between Harry's episodes, it didn't pass his notice that Harry's episode had most definitely not happened in the dorms; they had all happened while Harry was out of the dorms, near the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Perhaps it was something that idiot Lockhart was keeping in his classroom?