Healing His Heart

Chapter 2

Minerva McGonagall looked up as her office door opened and Argus Filch entered accompanied by a young woman with long brown hair and light blue eyes.

"Ma'am I found this girl walking the corridors, she claims to be here to speak with you," said Filch with his scratchy voice.

Minerva nodded, "Thank you Argus, please leave us," she said to the scruffy looking man.

The women watched Filch leave the room and once they heard the door close Minerva turned to Helena.

Helena stepped forward, "Good morning Headmistress McGonagall, my name is Helena Stephens and I'm a nurse from St Mungo's," she said as she extended her hand towards the older witch.

Minerva shook Helena's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Stephens, and please call me Minerva."

Helena smiled at the grey haired witch, "And please call me Helena."

Minerva nodded and beckoned for Helena to take a seat at her desk before she crossed around to sit on the other side.

"I assume you're here regarding Severus Snape?" Minerva asked as Helena daintily took a seat.

Helena nodded and pulled Severus's chart from her bag, "You're assumption is correct Minerva. I couldn't help but stumble upon Mr Snape's file -"

"Please call him Severus dear, he hates the title Mr Snape," Minerva said kindly.

"Okay. Now as I was saying, I stumbled upon Severus's file last night and read about his condition, it seems as though his doctors are at a standstill regarding a cure for him," Helena said professionally.

Minerva sighed and nodded, "Doctors have been coming and going for the past two months and not one of them has been able to find a cure for poor Severus," she said sadly and almost regretfully.

Helena gave the witch a sad smile, "You care for him don't you?" She asked softly as if not to upset the older woman.

Minerva nodded, "Severus is like a son to me, and seeing him so sick has been extremely hard."

Helena nodded, "Well Minerva, not only am I a nurse, but I am also very skilled a potion making and I have found Severus a potion that will cure him."

The Headmistress's eyes lit up, "Oh Helena thank you! But why have no other doctors picked up on this potion?"

"The potion is very difficult to make and highly dangerous if made incorrectly. However I am certain that I will be able to successfully make this potion and cure Severus," Helena said confidently and with a reassuring smile.

Minerva smiled but then frowned, "Severus has given up on himself, he has become a very bitter and unwelcoming man. I do not think he will take kindly to your proposal."

Helena shook her head, "I have come across many people in my four years of being a nurse, my father was a muggle police officer and my mother is a strict woman, trust me when I say I can handle Severus."

Minerva smiled, "Alright then I believe it's time that you met Severus, and I will also prepare chambers near his for you to stay in."

Minerva and Helena walked through the quiet corridors of Hogwarts and Helena tried to remember the path from the Headmistress's office to Severus's chambers in the dungeons.

Minerva pointed to a wooden door off to the side of the dungeon corridor, "Those are the chambers I will have prepared for you, and these here are Severus's," she said motioning to a wooden door across from Helena's.

Minerva knocked on the door and the two women waited momentarily until the door swung open and Severus Snape came into view.

"Minerva I have told you to leave me to die alone," Severus drawled with his deep, baritone voice.

Minerva pushed past Severus into his chambers and beckoned for Helena to enter.

"Severus, this is Helena Stephens she is a nurse at St Mungo's and she has found you a cure," Minerva stated with a sweeping motion to Helena who was standing up straight beside her.

Severus's black, emotionless eyes flicked to Helena, "And what type of bullshit cure have you come up with girl?" He asked unamused.

"Severus!" Minerva gasped.

Helena stepped forward, "It's quite alright Minerva, I deal with grumpy men like Severus almost every day."

Severus looked taken aback, no one had ever spoken about him like that in front of him before.

Helena turned back to him, her light blue eyes narrowing upon him, "For your information Severus, not only am I a nurse, but I also happen to be so skilled in Potions that I could quite possibly be more adept at Potion making than you."

Severus glared the young witch, "I highly doubt that Miss Stephens."

Helena rolled her eyes, "Minerva you may leave if you wish, I can deal with him from here."

Minerva nodded, "You know where to find me Helena, good luck with him."

Minerva left the room without a second glance at Severus who was still glaring at the young witch standing in front of him.

When the door closed Helena looked back to Severus, "Are you familiar with The Draught of the White Rose?" She asked him still giving him a pointed look.

Severus crossed his arms which Helena couldn't help but notice we quite thin, "Of course I'm familiar with that potion you stupid girl," he snarled.

Helena copied him and crossed her arms, "You can call me all the names you want Severus Snape, but I am the only one who is capable of curing you. So I suggest you cut the crap and show me some respect," she said forcefully.

Severus stepped closer to the witch, "I suggest you watch the tone you use with me, I'm Severus Snape, war hero, finest Potions professor at Hogwarts."

Helena smirked, "You used to be those things, now you're just Severus Snape, the dying man. I can help you change that though, I can cure you Severus, you just have to let me."

The witch never shrank back and secretly Severus was grateful for this as she was his one chance at freedom.

Severus stepped back and nodded, "Alright. Do what you must."

Helena smiled, "Perhaps you could show me to the Potions Labs?"

Severus sighed, "I haven't left these chambers since I returned from St Mungo's, I don't plan on leaving them either. You may use my personal labs, third door down the corridor on the left, the password is libertas mea."

Helena nodded and left Severus in his chambers as she went to start working on the potion. This was going to be a long couple of weeks....

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