Shadow & Love

24* Fight and Fortune

"The pulse is regular. A sudden feeling of faintness perhaps," suggested Madam Pomfrey briskly and added with an icy look of reproach, "I'm not surprised in Scott's very state and with that extra work —"

"Are you sure it's not bad?" said Severus quietly, lips pressed firmly together forming a thin sallow line. Leonor's face was colourless, her skin cool and translucent, dark curls framing chin and eyes. She looked like Snow White and Severus couldn't explain why that muggle tale pierced his mind since he lifted Leonor from the floor to the bed.

Madam Pomfrey shrugged disapprovingly, "Give some time for recovery. I suggest contacting St. Mungo' if Ms Scott doesn't wake up in one hour or two or if you want proof about the unborn life. If you don't mind, brew a strong tea or coffee and use a reanimation spell. I return to the hospital wing now; injured students wait for my attention too."

The headmasters' jaw twitched by the mention of the students; he knew that especially the youngest got their fair share from the Carrows daily.

The matron turned with a glower spotting the most unusual picture of Severus Snape, embracing and comforting a baby. His lips rested against the soft hair of the little head; two arms enveloped around the small girl. Poppy heard only the rumours about the healer's daughter. Strangely enough she recalled that the baby quietened surprisingly fast after she arrived in Snape's study as if that harsh and cruel man were no stranger. For a tiny moment she thought that Snape looked equally miserable as Scott, though standing upright and conscious. Then she put that idea quickly aside. He looked already ill as a boy, a person that chose the darkness to exist. Snape murdered Dumbledore ruthlessly and lifted no finger to stop the Carrows. Everything appeared fishy. What if Snape used Scott to spy on the Hogwarts staff and students? Poppy rushed confused away and thrust some Floo Powder into the flames and disappeared. It was awkward in between Dumbledore's old stuff; the times changed meanwhile so profoundly.

XXX

Severus kissed Leonor's temple. He whispered 'wake up' against her ear, caressing the earlobe gently. A mug of her favourite tea — Elderberries with a mix of Oriental herbs — waited on the nightstand. A light rosy colour tinted Leonor's cheek again and it gave hope. The smelling bottle with lavender and rosemary oil helped nothing to pump more life to the fragile soul. He waited.

"Wake up," repeated Severus louder, distraught, annoyed, impatient, still kneeling before Dumbledore's four-poster bed. A feeling of madness clenched his stomach.

"I promised to keep you safe and I do not fail," he shouted now, squeezing Leonor's slim hands desperately. When she didn't move, he drew his wand, hesitating to use it, and then he heard a faint whisper.

"Why are you shouting to my ear? I'm not deaf."

Severus only gazed at the moving witch like seeing a ghost. He forgot to say something, just watched when Leonor opened the dark eyes and sat carefully upright.

"Did I fall asleep in your office?" asked Leonor, still befuddled and recognizing the surroundings slowly, the darkness outside and Eileen who slept again happily after a fruit purée from Hattie.

"How do you feel?" asked Severus, deep lines edged his forehead.

Leonor hesitated as if she didn't know an enough answer to a simple question. Then she suggested, "Powerless. I'm thirsty."

Severus took the mug from the bedside table. "Drink that."

After taking a large swig of tea, she said, "You look ghastly, Severus. What have I missed?"

"You fainted; Poppy found nothing serious. You've been passed out for more than two hours. Though, you look better now than when I found you." Severus caressed Leonor's cheeks gently. "Can you please check if the baby is alright too? Poppy was a bit edgy about that."