A Chance at Happiness

34. Madness

Nathan was getting better every day. Severus was always with him for safety reasons but it was obvious that full recovery was already reached.

Bella had returned at Hogwarts, while Severus and Charlotte preferred to stay at Home, so Nathan wouldn't have any contact with his school yet.

Nathan's mood though wasn't at its best.

He was completely unaware of the victims, so it was natural to feel anger and bitterness for the complete absence of his best friend, Devon. He hadn't paid him a single visit. Draco was also away. He hadn 't visited either, except from the only visit he made to the Hospital.

Nathan was asking his Dad but Severus found clever ways to avoid the topic.

Unfortunately Severus never thought the possibility of Nathan sending a letter to Devon.

Nathan not only sent one letter, but he wrote each day to his friend. Some letters were sad, some angry, some happy. It was like a diary.

One evening, during dinner, Nathan asked:

- When will I go back to Hogwarts, Dad ?

Severus thought about it for a moment and decided to answer "Whenever the Healers say that you are ready"

Nathan replied "Good! Schedule an appointment with the Healers then tomorrow or within the week, will you?"

Severus felt the irritation in Nathan's voice "I shall contact them tomorrow" he answered and looked at his son's eyes. Nathan looked back with piercing eyes.

- What's wrong, Nathan ? Charlotte asked her son "You seem a bit distressed, my love"

Nathan didn't answer , he only picked and played with his food, trying hard not to explode.

Severus reached his hand to touch Nathan's arm but Nathan caught the movement

- Don't! he said, more as a command than a show of emotion.

Severus looked at him , emptied his glass of wine, stood up and left the table.

Charlotte looked at both of them with an obvious sadness in her eyes. It was a good thing that Bella was at Hogwarts and she didn't see the whole scene.

Nathan continued to look down at his plate and playing with his food nervously.

- Nathan ? Charlotte said.

He didn't rise his eyes.

- Nathan, I know this is possibly the hardest experience you had in your life, but don't shut me out of it, she said.

Charlotte also stood up and started cleaning.

- I will go to my Room, Mom, he only stated while standing up and leaving too.

Charlotte was relieved that he chose to leave too, because she was free to cry as much as she wished.

Nathan opened the door of his room and closed it, putting a silence spell.

He was so absent minded that only when he heard his father's voice , he realized that his father was actually sitting on his bed, waiting for him.

- Silence spell,  huh ? Severus said.

Nathan was frozen . He thought about it for a moment and then decided to speak the truth.

- I want to cry, he whispered with a trembling voice.

- Fair enough. I want to cry too, Severus told him back.

Nathan stared at his father.

- We could both use some privacy then, he told his father.