Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter 16 part 2

It was Remus Lupin who entered first, looking initially worried and hesitant, but when he saw Alice sitting up and smiling, he exhaled loudly, a sign that the tension had lifted.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Alice replied, her voice still slightly shaky. She glanced at her arm, which had been carefully bandaged earlier, and decided to remove the dressing to inspect the severity of the injury. When she uncovered the scars, her expression hardened for a moment, surprised by the extent of the damage. But there was no panic or fear in her eyes.

The scars that adorned her arm were deep and wide. The first, starting on the back of her hand, extended up to her wrist. The next two, partially overlapping along her forearm and elbow, formed a winding trail of indelible marks. The last, larger and more striking, stretched above her elbow, running along her arm and stopping just below her shoulder.

Severus approached, a look of sorrow etched on his face. He was about to explain that the lack of dittany had prevented complete and final healing, but she spoke first.
"It's not a big deal."
"A few scars won't diminish Alice's charm," added Remus, trying to lighten the mood with his reassuring tone. "They've never diminished anyone's charm, for that matter."

Alice looked up at him, a faint smile forming on her lips despite the gravity of the moment.
"Thank you, Remus."

But before she could say anything more, a familiar voice rang out, followed by another characteristic burst of laughter.

"Scars..." George began.
"Dashing!" Fred chimed in, their synchronization as flawless as ever. The twins were there, their heads poking through the slightly open door, mischievous grins plastered across their faces.

"Fred! George!" Molly scolded from the other side of the door, her voice carrying the weight of her exasperation. It was clear that the twins' noise had disrupted the tranquility of the room.

"We just wanted to check in and reassure Harry!" exclaimed Fred, his voice full of mischief.
"He was so worried that he refused to let us open the presents without her!" added George, feigning innocence.

The atmosphere, tense a moment ago, lightened slightly, though the lingering unease was still palpable. The twins, with their lighthearted comments and comical interruptions, had brought a breath of fresh air, even if the smiles in the room were tinged with persistent concern.

Alice turned to Remus, a look of understanding in her eyes. "Remus, could you please go fetch Harry?" she asked softly, her voice calm but firm. She knew that Harry probably needed to see her, to reassure himself that everything was truly fine, despite what he might be feeling.

Remus nodded without hesitation and headed for the door. But he reentered almost immediately, this time followed by several others. Sirius walked in alongside Nymphadora and Kingsley, who had just arrived.

"Sorry, Alice," began Remus, his intense gaze locking with hers, "but explanations to the Order are needed before..."

"No, I have a right to know too, and enough is enough," Harry said firmly, entering the room and brushing past the older adults' attempts to dissuade him. He refused to stay on the sidelines while the atmosphere remained so tense, especially when it concerned his friend Alice.

"Alice, before we go any further, I need to tell you something... I'm sorry, I..." Remus began, his voice hesitant and his throat tight. He knew the secrets had to be revealed but struggled to find the right words.

"The kids already know everything," interrupted Sirius, speaking before Remus could finish, his impatience evident as he broke the silence that had settled over the room.