*Heir to the Serpent Lord*

Chapter 14: Healing the Mind

Slytherin Castle was usually a place of order and control, but lately, the quiet fortress had been filled with uncertainty and unspoken worries. Despite Saber's remarkable progress in his training and the growing respect he commanded among the Death Eaters, the young heir was struggling. The nightmares, the panic attacks, and the weight of his traumatic past were proving difficult to shake, and Voldemort's concern for his son was growing by the day.

Voldemort watched Saber carefully from the shadows, noting the slight tremble in his hands as he practiced his spells, the distant look in his eyes, and the way he tensed at even the slightest sound. The boy was strong—stronger than most—but even the bravest needed help.

That evening, as Saber sat in his room, struggling to eat the small meal prepared for him, Voldemort quietly entered, his expression unusually thoughtful. He watched his son push a piece of bread around his plate, the effort of eating still a challenge despite his best attempts.

"You're doing well, Saber," Voldemort said gently, his presence startling the boy out of his daze. "But I can see how hard this is for you."

Saber looked up, his eyes tired but hopeful. "I'm trying," he said softly, setting his fork down. "I just... I want to feel normal again."

Voldemort nodded, his red eyes filled with a rare kindness. He knew exactly what Saber meant. The trauma Saber had endured was not something that could be fixed with spells or training—it was deeper, and it required a different kind of healing.

"I think it's time we tried something new," Voldemort said, his voice calm but firm. "Something that might help you with the things that magic cannot."

Saber tilted his head, curiosity mixing with apprehension. "What do you mean?"

Voldemort sat beside him, his expression thoughtful. "The Malfoys have arranged for Hadrian to see someone—a mind healer, a therapist. It has helped him more than we could have imagined. I believe it would be good for you to try as well."

Saber's eyes widened slightly. The idea of talking to someone about his nightmares and his fears was both terrifying and oddly comforting. He had heard Hadrian mention his sessions with his therapist and how much they had helped him process his own trauma. Maybe it could help Saber, too.

"Would it really help?" Saber asked hesitantly, still unsure but willing to trust his father's judgment.

Voldemort placed a reassuring hand on Saber's shoulder. "I believe it will. There are some things that even the most powerful magic cannot fix. This... this is something you do not have to face alone."

---

**The Introduction to Healing**

A few days later, the time came for Saber's first session. Voldemort had arranged for the therapist to come to Slytherin Castle—a highly skilled and discreet mind healer who had been working with Hadrian. The therapist, *Healer Thalia Greengrass*, was known for her compassionate approach and her expertise in dealing with trauma, especially in young wizards.

Saber waited anxiously in one of the smaller, more private sitting rooms, his snakes curled protectively around him as always. He fidgeted with the pendant from Sol, feeling the familiar weight against his chest as he tried to steady his nerves.

Voldemort entered the room, leading Thalia inside. She was a middle-aged witch with kind eyes, dressed in simple but elegant robes. Her presence was calm and unassuming, instantly putting Saber slightly at ease.

"Saber, this is Healer Greengrass," Voldemort introduced, his tone gentle but encouraging. "She is here to help you."

Thalia smiled warmly, her demeanor both professional and approachable. "Hello, Saber," she said softly, her voice soothing. "I'm very glad to meet you."

Saber nodded, feeling a little awkward but not entirely uncomfortable. "Hi."

Voldemort gave his son's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "I'll leave you two to talk," he said, his gaze lingering on Saber for a moment longer. "You're in good hands."

Saber watched as his father left the room, leaving him alone with Thalia. He felt a flicker of anxiety, but Thalia's gentle presence quickly eased his worries. She took a seat across from him, her posture relaxed and open.

"There's no pressure here, Saber," Thalia said kindly, noticing the tension in his small frame. "We can go at your pace. You're in control of this conversation, and you can tell me as much or as little as you want."

Saber nodded, still fidgeting with his pendant. "Hadrian sees you, right?"

Thalia smiled softly. "Yes, he does. He's made a lot of progress. And I'm here to help you in the same way, if you'd like."

Saber hesitated, his mind racing with thoughts of everything he had been through. The chains, the cold, the cruelty—it was all still so raw. But something in Thalia's voice, the calmness of her presence, made him want to try.

"I... I have nightmares," Saber began, his voice shaky but determined. "They're really bad, and I feel like I'm still there, with... with the bad people."

Thalia listened carefully, her expression sympathetic but never pitying. "Nightmares can be very hard," she said gently. "But they're not real, even if they feel like it. It's your mind's way of trying to process what you've been through."

Saber nodded, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. "I wake up scared, and I can't breathe. It's like I'm trapped all over again."

Thalia leaned in slightly, her tone reassuring. "It's normal to feel that way, Saber. What you went through was incredibly difficult, and it's okay to still be affected by it. But you are safe now, and I can help you find ways to manage those feelings, to start healing."

Saber wiped at his eyes, feeling a mixture of relief and vulnerability. "I just want it to stop."

"It will," Thalia promised, her voice filled with warmth. "But it takes time, and it takes talking about it. The nightmares may not go away right away, but we can work on them together."

Saber looked at Thalia, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. For the first time, he felt like someone truly understood the weight of what he was carrying. He took a deep breath, the snakes around him tightening their hold in silent support.

"Okay," Saber said, his voice small but resolute. "I want to try."

---

**A New Path to Healing**

The session continued, with Saber slowly opening up about his fears, his anxieties, and the heavy burden of his past. Thalia guided him gently, offering insights and exercises to help him manage his panic attacks and nightmares. She taught him grounding techniques, simple spells to calm his mind, and ways to remind himself that he was safe.

By the end of the session, Saber felt lighter, as if a small part of the darkness that had clung to him for so long had begun to lift. It was only the beginning, but it was a start.

As Thalia prepared to leave, she gave Saber a warm smile. "You did wonderfully today, Saber. I'm proud of you for being brave enough to talk about these things."

Saber nodded, feeling a flicker of pride in himself. "Thank you, Healer Greengrass. I... I feel better already."

Thalia bowed her head slightly. "We'll keep working on it, together. You're not alone in this."

After Thalia left, Voldemort returned, his expression filled with hope as he saw the slight change in his son's demeanor.

"How was it?" Voldemort asked, his voice gentle.

Saber looked up, a small smile breaking through his usually serious expression. "It was... good. Hard, but good."

Voldemort nodded, his heart swelling with pride. "I'm glad. This is just the beginning, Saber, but you're on the right path."

Saber glanced at the door where Thalia had left, feeling a sense of newfound determination. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he had the tools to fight back against his fears.

He was still the Young Master of Slytherin and Pendragon, but today, he had taken an important step toward reclaiming the one thing he thought he had lost forever: his peace of mind.