A Chance at Happiness

32. Hopes

More than a month has passed , but nothing had changed.

Nathan was still in critical condition. He didn't show any signs of improvement at all, which was actually a bad thing.

Severus was starting to feel despair. Staying at the hospital at all times was really intense for him. He was also feeling extremely guilty for his son's situation. If he has insisted with Albus, then he wouldn't have left and none of this would have happened. 20 students died because of an incompetent professor, including his best friend's son and best friend of Nathan, Devon. Draco had visited him in the Hospital, completely devastated by his son loss. He was even more stressed with Nathan, of course.

- Prof. Snape, we need to talk in private, Healer Delmont asked him.

Severus nodded and followed the Healer.

- Professor, as you are aware, your son is in critical condition for more than 1 month. I need to present to you our options here.

- We keep walking and hope for the best, Severus answered.

- Well, not exactly Sir. Let me explain. Since Nathan has shown absolutely no improvement, we give him another month. After that, we need to free him. It is against our Law to keep him deliberately in such a state. We have to let him go.

- What the hell are you talking about ? Severus started shouting. This is MY son. MY SON and I decide whether or not we continue. Who are you to tell me that we will let him go ? I won't let him go. He is mine, MINE!

- Professor, calm down. You don't understand. Even if Nathan comes back to us...

- DON'T YOU DARE !

- PROFESSOR! Do you wish your son to come back as a LIVING DEAD ? the Healer started to shout as well.

Severus stood still for a moment. He was definitely angry but the Healer was right. A son as talented as Nathan to be unable to speak, walk, use the bathroom, express his feelings . that would be pure torture for Nathan and of course for the rest of the family.

Severus shook his head and left the office to go next to Nathan.

Two days later, in the middle of the night, the alarm woke him up.

He stood up in seconds, as the room also started to fill with Healers and Nurses.

"We are losing him, quick!"

"Ennervate him!"

Severus was in a panic.... and he did the first thing he came to his mind.

"Let ME THROUGH! Let ME TALK TO HIM" he screamed and approached his son.

Carefully, he took Nathan's sleeping head in both his arms.

He stated shouting to his son

- NATHAN! COME BACK TO ME NOW SON. TRY HARDER! DON'T LEAVE LIKE THAT! COME BACK TO ME NOW! TRY NATHAN! OPEN YOUR EYES! TRY HARDER! I AM HERE AND I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE WITH YOU! DON'T LEAVE ME! GO AWAY FROM THE DARKNESS! NATHAN OPEN YOUR EYES! OPEN THEM ! OPEN THEM AND LOOK AT ME! IT'S DAD! NATHAN , LOOK AT ME! "

Nathan would not respond of course and Severus was in such despaired that he screamed "LOOK AT YOUR DAD ! LOOK AT ME!"

Nathan's eyes started moving a bit

Severus smiled and turned to the Healers "He moved his eyes. HE MOVED HIS EYES".

"It's because he is leaving now, Professor" one of the Healers responded softly.

Severus panicked and started to cry. He brought his son's head on his chest. It was pointless to be afraid of hurting him further, since the end had actually come.