Healing His Heart

Chapter 5

A week later Severus Snape was sitting in his armchair with a glass of Firewhiskey and a worn leather bound potions book, although he couldn't focus on what he was reading as his mind kept drifting to the conversation he'd had with his psychologist that morning.

For the first time in two months he had actually shared some of his thoughts and his psychologist had said that it was evident he was finally making progress.

Severus sighed and set down his glass and book and slowly stood up so that he didn't trigger any pain. Severus then slowly made his way over to his chamber doors and sighed, he was finally ready to leave his chambers.

Severus pulled the door open and slowly stepped out, the corridors looked the exact same as the dungeons had been left untouched during the battle. Severus slowly made his way down to the Potions labs where a least expecting Helena was checking on the his cure.

Helena looked up as the door to the lab opened, she was shocked to see Severus enter and slowly approach the bench she was working at.

"I was speaking to my psychologist earlier," Severus said as he lent against the bench, the image of grace.

Helena smiled and stood up straight, "That's excellent Severus, you have made so much progress in the week that I have been here."

Severus smiled softly, "I believe that is thanks to you Helena," he said to her.

Helena shook her head and patted his black clad shoulder, "No Severus, you didn't have to let me help you, you made that decision."

Severus laughed softly, "You were very adamant and may I add, a little scary when you first showed up here."

Helena sighed and ran her hands through her hair, "I couldn't just let you die Severus. I - I couldn't live with myself if I did."

Severus sighed and hesitantly reached out to stroke Helena's face, "Are you okay Helena? You've been acting strange since last Wednesday just after you left me to shower. Is it about your attire when you came in? I swear I didn't see anything," Severus said reassuringly.

Helena shook her head and pressed her cheek against his palm, "It's not that."

Severus frowned, "What then Helena? You asked me to trust you and I do. Now I'm asking you to trust me. What happened to make you become so quiet and dare I say, upset?"

The young witch sighed and stepped back to lean against the bench, "Dr Benson paid me a visit when I was here on Wednesday morning. He was beyond mad when he discovered I had taken your chart and come here. I talked him down and he said that I would receive no interference in my work to cure you. He did however terminate my employment at St Mungo's."

Severus was taken aback, he was unaware that the witch had sacrificed so much to save him, "You shouldn't have bothered with me. This is all my fault."

Helena shook her head, "No, this is not your fault Severus. My father was a muggle police officer, he went to work every day to save people. After he died I decided that I wanted to save people too, and I get to do that with you."

Severus didn't know what to say to her, she was so kind and so selfless. So Severus did the only thing he could think of and pulled Helena into a hug.

Severus's chest was warm against Helena's cheek as she rested against him, "Thank you Severus, this is the first hug I've had in eight years."

Severus smiled, "This is the first hug I've had in probably twenty-five years."

Helena gasped but didn't let go of him, "Well I'm going to make sure it isn't your last."

The two friends remained hugging for another couple of minutes before Helena pulled away, "Severus, will you join me in the library?"

Severus shook his head, "I'm not yet comfortable going that far, I don't know if I'm ready to see the destruction caused by the war."

Helena nodded, "I understand Severus, at least let me accompany you back to your chambers, they're on the way to the library."

Severus nodded and Helena held out her arm for him to take, he was still not used to all the walking and standing around so he was a little weary.

When they arrived at Severus's chambers Severus turned to Helena, "It's getting late, maybe you should go to bed rather than roam the corridors in the dark."

Helena smiled, "I think you're right."

Severus smirked at her, "Of course I'm right, I'm Severus Snape, highly esteemed Potions Master."

Helena shrugged, "Almost."

Severus chuckled and hugged her, "Goodnight Helena."

"Goodnight Severus," she responded as she pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.

Helena turned and crossed the corridor and stepped into her chambers, leaving a bewildered Severus standing in his doorway.

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A/N: Sorry for the late upload! I'm currently unwell and so I am a little behind this week.