Severus Snape's Sister

XXI. Restore

Natasha Prince

Natasha sent Neville an owl asking what he was doing for New Years. He replied that he was spending it with his parents. Natasha asked if she could come. He said he'd like that. So, she was at St. Mungos on New Years Eve.

She sat next to Neville in between his parents. She sat closer to his dad. "Neville, I've been thinking ...what if I could heal them? At least somewhat?"

He looked at her carefully. "Would you try?"

"Of course. Who should I start with?"

"Start with my mom. She's a bit better so it might prove possible."

"Alright. Mrs. Longbottom, I'm going to try and restore you to who you were before. Hold still. Neville, take her hand." Neville squeezed her hand, and Natasha laid her hands over Mrs. Longbottom's heart. She prayed to Apollo as she'd never prayed before. Her fingers became sunlight and started to burn. Mrs. Longbottom didn't react to the heat so Natasha decided she must not feel it. She continued, and her insides started to feel warm. She had to shut her eyes because of the light. She felt like she had a high fever but continued.

"Neville?" Mrs. Longbottom asked. Natasha tried to step back, but she stumbled. Neville held his arms out and caught her. He eased her into the chair. She felt her head droop and blinked her eyes over and over.

"It's okay, mum," Neville said with tears in his eyes.

"I'm so proud of you." She held her son close, and tears slid down her nose. "Thank you, Natasha. Thank you."

"Not," she swallowed hard. Her mouth was completely dry. "a problem. Neville, water please," she choked out. He handed her a cup. She drank it all. "I'll try to help him in a moment." She breathed slowly and deeply.

"It's alright if you don't yet. Don't hurt yourself. Draco will kill me if anything happens to you," he fretted.

"I'm fine," she muttered and drug herself up. She knew she hardly was, but she wasn't going to die. Pass out, possibly. Die, not likely. "Mr. Longbottom? Are you ready?" She turned back to the other Longbottoms. "Take his hands."

She put her hands over his heart. She prayed to Apollo with even more emotion. "Dad, please. I know I'm not Will, but let me help. I know it's possible now. Once more. Just one more time, father. Just once. Don't let me die, but don't let me fail. Please let me succeed. Give me strength. Give me power. Please, father. Please," she murmured in Ancient Greek.

Power flowed from inside of her. She felt her energy duplicate and move through her fingers to his heart. She could feel it move through his body. She felt like she was on fire, but good fire. Comforting campfire fire. Warm cozy fire. She felt like she wasn't inside her own body anymore; like she watching someone else or remembering this.

"Honey? Neville?" Natasha didn't even attempt to step back. She fell. Her eyes slipped closed as she heard Neville yelling to her, yelling for Healers. She knew she wasn't going to die. She was sure. Her body fell asleep and so did she.

Draco Malfoy

Draco sat next to Natasha in St. Mungos. Her hair fell in her face. He reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. Scorpius and Albus begged to come when he told the Potters where he was going. He allowed them so they sat on her other side. They stared down at her sleeping figure distressed. His fingers lingered in her hair.