A Chance at Happiness

46. Saying Goodbye

When Nathan returned Home with Severus, they all stood up from their surprise. It was more than obvious that they didn't expect him to come back.

Bella was so angry that she approached her father and started hitting him.

Severus grabbed her hands gently, stopping her from doing further harm to him.

Nathan was silent.

Draco hugged Astoria.

They all felt like they were playing a role in a play which ends with tears.

When Bella calmed down, Severus kneeled in front of her and asked her for forgiveness.

- Never. Never ever. I hate you. You left us. You abandoned us. And Mom died. You were nowhere to be found. I will never forgive you. She rushed to her room, with Astoria following her.

- Bella is just upset, Father. Don't take anything seriously, Nathan addressed him in a calm way.

- Where is Charlotte ? Is she here ?

- She is dead, my Boy, Albus said.

- Don't say that. You don't know that. Have you seen her ? Severus retorted.

- I have, Father. And Draco has. She is gone.

Severus denial to accept the truth was more than obvious.

- I want to see her myself.

- You will, Sev. Her body will be transferred and tonight, you will see her at St. Mungo's if you wish, Draco informed him with a cold , distant voice.

Severus's gaze dropped to the floor.

- I finally lost her, and it is all my fault, isn't it ?

- No, my Boy, you didn't know that she suffered from a weak heart, Or did you? Albus voice was compassionate.

- I had absolutely no idea. But this doesn't change the fact that my stupid insecurities caused her actual death.

- Don't blame yourself. Don't! I blamed myself for my son's loss. I blamed Albus. I even blamed you , but then I saw the truth. It was no one else's fault but Professor's Kim, who also died.

Severus was silent, as if ready to explode in a minute.

- Father, would you like to go and rest a bit ? Nathan asked him.

- No.

- I do.

- Go and rest then.

Nathan nodded and left.

He would take a bath first to relax. He was exhausted from all the stress of whether or not they would be able to find his father.

He ran the water and filled the tub. He stripped down and entered the warm water.

- I would go with my son, if I were you, Severus. Draco proposed.

- He needs some privacy.

- Indeed, but he is tired, he is sad, he just lost his Mom and he definitely needs his Dad, he elaborated.

Severus nodded and left to go to his son.

He knocked on the door but no sound came back.

"He is probably asleep right now" he thought.

He opened the door slightly and peeked his head in. No sign of Nathan.

He entered the room and noticed that the bathroom door was closed.