Healing His Heart

Chapter 9

Severus was shocked, "What?"

Helena nodded, "I forgive you Severus, but don't ever do it again."

Severus smiled softly, "I won't, I swear."

Helena smiled, "Come here you git."

Severus laughed and layed down beside her, pulling her body flush to his. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head, "I'm so sorry Lena, I was such an idiot."

Helena smiled, "You're forgiven Severus, oh and please call me Lena more often."

"As long as you call me Sev more often too, you're welcome to use that nickname, I shouldn't have overreacted," he told her.

Helena rested her head on Severus's chest, "I have something that I need to tell you Sev, I can't keep it a secret anymore."

Severus froze, "Is this the part where you tell me that you're married and so we can't be together?"

"No! I- wait, what? You want to be together?" She asked him shocked.

Severus sighed, "I was going to tell you eventually."

Helena sat up and pulled Severus up, she crashed her lips onto his and then said, "That's what I was about to say, I want to be with you Severus!"

Severus grinned and brought his lips to hers, a spark ran through him once more as they silently kissed for a while.

When they finally broke apart they both were grinning like love sick children. Severus trailed his fingers down Helena's back causing the young witch to shiver and laugh.

Severus was still slightly in shock, after thirty-eight years someone was finally returning his feelings, yet he was confused as to why someone as beautiful as Helena would want to be with an old man like him.

"I do not understand Helena," Severus began, folding his hands in his lap.

Helena furrowed her brows, "What don't you understand?"

Severus sighed and ran his hands nervously through his hair, Helena noticed this as sign of nerves and grew even more confused.

Severus blushed and finally said, "I don't understand why someone as young and as beautiful as you would want to be with an old, grumpy man with an abnormally large nose and greasy hair like me."

Helena's jaw dropped at the man's words, she took a deep breath before replying, "You're not old, you're only thirty-eight for heaven sake! I happen to love your hair, it's not greasy for the record, just ridiculously silky. Your nose is perfect, and after spending your whole life in the dark, I think you entitled to being a little grumpy occasionally. I want to be with you Severus because you're the kindest, sweetest and most loyal person I've even met."

Severus considered this for a second before Helena suddenly flung herself into his arms, he laughed and hugged the beautiful witch, "Thank you," he whispered in her ear.

When Helena finally let go of Severus she smiled, "Will you stay with me tonight?"

Severus nodded, "Of course Lena, I just need to go and get clothes from my chambers."

~

That night after a delicious meal of roast pork and vegetables, Severus and Helena were cuddled into each other in the witch's bed.

"Do you need to work on the potion tomorrow?" Severus murmured, as he fought to stay awake.

"Mmm Severus, I was almost asleep," grumbled Helena before continuing, "but no I do not need to work on it."

Severus pulled Helena tighter against his chest and softly kissed the top of her head, "Okay," he replied.

Helena snaked her arms around Severus's bare waist and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

~

Helena groaned as a flailing hand smacked into her face, drawing her from her sleep.

The room was still dark, and it took the witch's eyes a couple of seconds to adjust to what was happening.

Severus was thrashing in his sleep, pained moans escaped his lips before an agonising scream was ripped from his throat.

Helena sat bolt right up in bed and quickly began to attempt to wake the fitful wizard.

"Severus it's okay, you're having a nightmare, I need you to wake up now," Helena said as she gently shook Severus.

Tears streamed down his face and Helena feared what he was dreaming about.

"Please no!" Severus mumbled and his hand came flying out again.

Helena caught his hand and rested her own upon his scarred chest.

"Severus wake up! You're safe here, nothing can hurt you. I'm here, you're okay!" Helena affirmed desperately.

Severus suddenly woke up and pinned Helena to the mattress, his lengthy form leaning over her.

"Severus it's me! It's Helena!" The witch cried out and tried to shove the wizard off her.

Severus stilled, realising what was happening.

"Helena?" He asked, staring down at her as his eyes adjusted to the dark.

Helena nodded, "Yes Severus, it's Helena."

Helena sighed in relief as Severus climbed off her and stepped from the bed. She sat up and went to take his hand and pull him back into bed, but he flinched and screamed, "Don't touch me!"

Helena was shocked, she didn't understand what was happening to the older wizard.

"Severus it's only me, you can trust me remember," she said as she watched him locate his wand and wave it so that he was fully dressed in his day robes.

Helena slipped out of bed and followed after him as he headed for the door, "Where are you going?" She asked him worriedly.

Severus just kept walking and pulled the door shut behind him, leaving a very concerned witch standing in her chambers.

~