Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter 1

Summary:

My Name is Alice Mc.Garden and I just woke up ?

Chapter 1

A few days had passed since the woman's awakening and her urgent admission to the infirmary. The head nurse of the school had postponed her own vacation to closely monitor the new patient. Of course, she had called in a few colleagues from St. Mungo's for their opinions on the woman's condition, but after conducting their examinations, they returned to their work, leaving Poppy Pomfrey alone at the patient's bedside.

The worried nurse had declined all visitors during these days, keeping the few who knew about the situation informed of the woman's health. She hinted that things would likely improve with less disruption from impromptu questions and external agitation.

Unfortunately for the kind nurse, the headmaster was a stubborn man. Albus Dumbledore visited the infirmary several times a day, seeking updates on the patient's recovery. This day was no exception, as Dumbledore knocked on the infirmary door once more, hoping he wouldn't be turned away again.

Pomfrey opened the door, her irritation barely hidden, and began what she hoped would be a brief conversation.

"Albus. I never thought I'd have to repeat myself so many times, especially not to a grown man like you."

"Well, it seems that a certain level of concern has returned me to my youth," Dumbledore replied with a gentle smile. "Forgive me, Poppy. I simply wish to know more. Myself and others, of course, are eagerly awaiting more detailed news than 'she'll be better soon.'"

"Things are progressing, Albus. I'm sorry I can't grant your request to speak with her yet, but it's for her recovery that I—"

She didn't have time to finish her explanation, as she was interrupted by a faint, quiet voice from within the room.

"What are you doing? By Merlin's beard, get back to bed immediately!" Pomfrey exclaimed, letting go of the door and rushing into the room.

Perhaps it wasn't very honorable of Dumbledore to take advantage of this distraction to enter, but he thought that ensuring the situation himself was far more comforting than waiting indefinitely for good news.

He stepped inside and noticed that the patient had gotten out of bed and was trying to make her way toward the door, but Pomfrey intercepted her and guided her back to her bed.

"Pomfrey... I think I'm quite capable," the young woman said, seeming breathless but pressing on with her plea, "capable enough to make my own decisions... I just... I just need to speak to..."

She noticed the headmaster standing nearby and gently sat back on her bed, pushed down by the nurse.

"I was certain I heard you, Dumbledore..."

He observed her for a moment, taking in her condition for the first time since she was rushed to the infirmary. A certain veil of sadness crossed his gaze. His memories, sometimes distorted by age, had taught him to be cautious about how he remembered things—or people... But he was sure that this young woman in front of him was very different from the one he had left... many years ago...

But instead of succumbing to sorrow and comparing what was no longer there, he chose to focus on the present and the future. And if his loyal nurse had assured him that things would improve, he had to believe it and let time heal the wounds... or at least, here... a battered body.

"Hello, Alice..." he said with a smile.

"Hello, Albus..." she replied, returning a small smile.

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