Healing His Heart

Chapter 11

Sunlight streamed through the windows of Minerva McGonagall's office, the older witch looked upon the grassy hills that seemed to sparkle with fresh dew from the night before.

She turned as a knock sounded on her office door and she strode across her large office and opened the door to find her old Potions Master accompanied by his doctor who she suspected was a little more than that to him now based on the closeness between them.

"Good morning Severus, Helena, what can I do for you?" Minerva smiled as she noticed the pair's entwined hands.

Helena blushed when she noticed where Minerva's gaze rested, but she did not let go of her wizard's hand.

Severus looked between the two witches and gave his young witch's hand a squeeze before he turned to the Headmistress, "We thought we would stop and tell you that we are venturing to Hogsmeade today. Do you need us to pick up anything for you?"

Minerva turned her soft blue eyes to his and smiled endearingly, "Some Sherbet Lemons from Honeydukes would be appreciated Severus, if it's no trouble."

Severus rolled his eyes at the mention of Sherbet Lemons, he had thought his days of being offered the blasted sweets had ended with Dumbledore, but here was one of his closest friends bringing them back into the school.

"You're becoming like Albus in your old age Minerva, him and those bloody sweets. But no, of course it isn't any trouble," Severus said with an incline of his head.

Helena had remained silent at the wizard's side through the exchange, her hand entwined in his much larger and calloused hand. Severus looked down upon his silent witch and then turned back to Minerva, "We'll be off then Minerva, we shall see you this afternoon."

With that, Severus turned from the cheery Headmistress and lead his witch from the office and down the stairs. Once Severus heard the gargoyle set back in place, he turned to Helena and smirked, "You were awfully quiet up there. You're not embarrassed of me are you, my love?"

Helena felt a blush creeping up her neck as the tall wizard gazed down upon her with his obsidian eyes, "N-no of course not Severus!" exclaimed the blushing witch as she firmly shook her head.

Severus chuckled softly over how flustered the young witch was, he stooped down and brushed his lips against hers, "Then whatever was the matter?" Severus asked curiously, his left eyebrow raised and his head cocked to the side.

Helena was still blushing madly when she replied, "It's just... I've um never been in a relationship before and I really don't know how to act when someone finds out."

Severus sighed and wrapped his arms around the small witch's waist, "We'll figure it out together, but for now let's go and have some fun."

Helena nodded and kissed the velvety lips of the dark wizard, "Of course Severus, but if you begin to get tired you must tell me at once."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Yes ma'am."

Helena laughed as Severus took hold of her hand and lead her down to the main gates of Hogwarts. Along the way they admired the progress of the rebuilding, it was almost complete and ready for when the school reopened on September first.

"Severus, Minerva told me that she's hoping you will resume your position as Headmaster once the school reopens. Will you be filling her request?" Helena asked as they walked along the newly repaired bridge that lead to the gates.

Severus shook his head, "No, I will be resuming my position as Head of Slytherin house and I will be filling the role of Deputy Headmaster and I will also resume making potions for the Infirmary."

Helena sighed, "I feel bad for accepting the position of Potions Mistress and taking that from you. I can always teach another subject if you wish to return as Potions Master."

Severus halted and rested his hands on the witch's waist, "And let your talents go to waste, absolutely not! Besides, I taught in that position for fifteen years and it is time for someone new to take over, someone like the bright, beautiful witch standing in front of me."

Helena smiled up at Severus, "Thank you Severus."

Severus nodded and took her hand in his once more and they continued their journey to Hogsmeade.

~

When they arrived that found that the streets were fairly busy for only nine o'clock in the morning, but Helena supposed that it was because they no longer had to live in fear of Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

"Would you like to go and get coffee my love?" Severus asked her, breaking her thoughts.

Helena nodded and the made their way to Madam Puddifoot's tea shop where they selected a table near the window and ordered a latte each.

As they sipped their coffee, Helena couldn't help but stress over what she was going to wear when she started teaching at Hogwarts. When she worked as a nurse she just wore the nurse's uniform, but Hogwarts staff didn't have a uniform. She had also only met Minerva and Severus, so she was unsure of how the rest of the staff dressed.

Severus watched the witch silently sip her coffee and sensed that something was preoccupying her mind, he reached out his hand and turned her face towards him.

"What's going on inside that beautiful mind of yours?" He asked her, breaking her from her thoughts once more.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to wear once I start teaching," she admitted with a sigh.

Severus smirked, "Well as long as it isn't what you were wearing that morning in my chambers when you first arrived then it doesn't really matter."

Helena glared at him, not finding his statement to be funny like he had intended. Seeing the icy glare that the witch had set upon him Severus sighed.

"The older staff wear long robes, but you can wear something more comfortable and mugglish if you wish," he said as he sipped his coffee.

Helena still wasn't settled by this and so Severus drained the rest of his coffee and stood, "Alright, we're going to London where you can shop until you're happy, okay?"

Helena shook her head, "Severus you still have poison running through your veins, and-"

The witch fell silent as Severus held up his hand and said, "I am fine Helena, now finish your coffee so that we can go."

 

Helena huffed and finished her coffee and then stood also, "To London I guess."