Healing His Heart

Chapter 3

Severus Snape sat in his armchair in front of the fireplace thinking about the young witch who had burst into his life saying she could cure him.

He had hoped his whole life to be free and now he had that chance yet the woman who gave him that chance he had treated so awfully.

His thoughts were broken when his chamber doors open and the same woman that occupied his thoughts entered.

"Miss Stephens, how did the potion go?" Severus asked her as pleasantly as possible.

"You're being awfully polite for someone who was snapping like an alligator like two hours ago," Helena said skeptically and she crossed through Severus's chambers and sat on the sofa across from him.

"I'm trying to apologise here, can you please not go into attack mode?" Severus snapped.

"There's Mr Snappy. Also Severus, for future reference an apology normally starts with the words 'I'm sorry'," Helena said jokingly but then straightened, "Also you haven't seen my attack mode and nor would you want to," she added seriously.

Severus nodded, "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier Miss Stephens. I have barely spoken to anyone in two months and I'm still trying to get used to the fact that there is finally a cure for me."

Helena stood up and went to crouch beside Severus's armchair, "I forgive you Severus, I understand that your life has changed drastically many times in the past two months," Helena reached out her hand to tuck Severus's hair behind his ear but he flinched when her hand approached his face.

Helena kept moving her hand towards him, "Hush Severus, I would never hurt you," she said as she gently brushed his long, greasy hair behind his ear.

"I'm here to help you Severus, you do not need to be afraid of me, ever. Now to answer your original question, the potion is brewing very well so far. It will take roughly a month to make which means you're going to be stuck with me for a while so can you please try to trust me?" Helena asked as she caressed Severus's cheek bone which had become horribly prominent due to his awful diet.

Severus sighed, "I struggle to trust people because in my life I have met many people who have had hidden intentions. There's something about you though that makes me trust you, please don't betray me," he finished softly.

Helena pulled her hand back and placed it gently on his bony knee, "I won't betray you Severus. Now will you please allow me to stay for dinner? I have read and also can see right now that you have allowed yourself to become unhealthily thin."

Severus shrugged, "I didn't see the point in staying in shape when I was just going to die anyway," he said carelessly.

Helena stood up as her knees were beginning to cramp and Severus seemed to shrink back a little as she stood over him causing her to sigh, "Severus what did I just say about you trusting me? I promised you that I will never hurt you and I will honour that promise."

Severus nodded and stood up, a little too quickly however because he gasped as pain shot through his back. Helena quickly moved to support him before he fell to the ground, "Take it easy Severus, the poison and your lack of movement these past months is affecting your muscles," she said calmly as she helped him to stand.

"I live in constant pain Miss Stephens, you do not need to tell me anything I don't already know," Severus said through gritted teeth as he fought past the pain.

Helena sighed and flicked her wand, a pain potion flew into her free hand and she uncorked it and gently pressed it against Severus's lips, "Drink this, it will help."

Severus drank the potion and sighed in relief, "Thank you," he said softly.

Helena nodded and lead him over to the dining table where she then helped him slowly sit down, "Now, how do we get food around here?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Helena blushed, "I didn't attend Hogwarts, at Castelobruxo we rang a bell and a house elf would appear," she said as if she were embarrassed.

Severus nodded, "Right, sorry I forgot. Elly!"

A little house elf dressed in a floral dress appeared, "What can Elly get you Master Snape?" She asked happily.

Helena grinned at her happiness, at Castelobruxo the house elves had often been sarcastic.

"Elly this is Miss Stephens, she will is new to Hogwarts," Severus said softly as he motioned to Helena who was sitting across from him.

Elly smiled at the witch, "Elly is happy to meet you Miss Stephens."

Helena smiled and shook her little hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you Elly, and please call me Helena."

Elly nodded and then looked to Severus, "Elly would you please make us some of you delicious pasta?" He asked her softly.

The house elf nodded and then disappeared, Severus turned to Helena, "You went to attended Castelobruxo, isn't that in South America?" He asked her with great interest.

Helena nodded, "My mother is Hispanic. I was born in Guatemala and then moved overseas to Bristol with my father who was English. When he died I went back to Guatemala."

"I'm sorry to hear about your father, how did he die if you don't mind me asking?" Severus asked as he looked at the witch.

Helena sighed, "He was a muggle and worked as a police officer, he was shot at work one day."

Sensing she didn't want to share anymore Severus said, "You don't have to share anymore if you don't want."

~

After dinner Helena helped Severus to his bedroom and turned her back while he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed and pulled the covers over his bare chest.

When she heard he was settled Helena turned around, "Now remember, if you need me my chambers are directly across from yours."

Severus nodded, "Thank you Miss Stephens, goodnight," he said watching her.

Helena smiled, "Sleep well Severus."

Helena left Severus's chambers and went to hers which had been cleaned for her. Realising she hadn't packed any of her belongings, Helena stripped down to her knickers and slipped under her blankets.

It felt odd to be completely topless in bed but she found it to uncomfortable to sleep in a bra. Helena rolled over and drifted off to sleep knowing tomorrow would be another long day.

~