Another Hogwarts Mystery

Chapter 25 - Forever Thine, Forever Mine, Forever Us

Snape sank to his knees. He was still covered in Casandra's blood. It was such a hustle around him, but time seemed to have stopped for him. Voices, sounds and distant shrieks filled St. Mungo's. Snape, however, sensed nothing. Everything was dull and happened in slow motion around him. He felt hollowed out. A feeling of complete emptiness. Yet, it wasn't an absence of feeling. There was one feeling left. A feeling that was so intense and painful that not even the strongest curse would be comparable to it. And if Casandra and their unborn child would die, the feeling would increase — although Snape could hardly imagine that this was possible at all.

Hour after hour passed by, but Snape kept his eyes open, staring at the closed door I front of him. Here and there, a nurse came to him, asking whether he needed something. Snape, however, remained silent. The only thing he needed was Casandra. Without her, his life would be use- and senseless.

It was almost morning when the door opened, and a young man approached Snape. Immediately, Snape jumped up, facing the healer who touched his shoulder gently. "You're her spouse?" asked the healer politely. "Not yet. I'm her boyfriend and the father of the unborn child. Are they ok? Please tell me that they are alright!" sighed Snape desperately. Tears were still running down his cheeks, although he wasn't aware that he still had some left. The healer let out a sigh. "She will survive... and your baby, too" Snape wanted to jump in joy but his knees weren't able to carry him any longer. Exhaustedly, he sank to the ground, crying in relief. "Oh Merlin..." he sighed, shaking his head. "Nonetheless," started the healer "she is in a very critical condition. She's lost too much blood. It was almost too late. It will take a while until she will regain consciousness, sir. Keep praying" Snape looked up, drying his tears. "I will wait. I don't care how long it'll take. I will wait" The healer nodded and added "You may go inside to her, but don't be shocked. She looks...well, see it yourself"

Indeed, Casandra looked horrible. She was pale as death and around her throat was a huge bandage. Even though the healer and nurses tried their best to clean Casandra, parts of her were still covered in blood. Snape sat down next to her, reaching for her hand and holding it tightly. After a while and utterly exhausted, he fell asleep and was only awakened by a touch on his shoulder. Snape looked up, still holding Casandra's hand. Dumbledore stood next to him. "She will survive" smiled Snape and Dumbledore nodded in silence, fixing his gaze on Casandra. "Severus, we need to talk about the future" said Dumbledore quietly. "Horace will undertake your courses for the time being and when Miss Clark is back, she will be his student again. I want to make it as easy as possible for the two or three of you" Snape let out a deep sigh. "What about her education in general. She won't be able to take her OWL exams...and what about a place to stay. She can't live on her own and besides that, I won't let her go or live without me. Moreover, what about the baby. She can't quit school and I can't quit my work and—" Snape was extremely out of breath. His mind was overwhelmed with questions about Casandra and their future. Dumbledore raised his hand and gave Snape a smile. "Severus calm down. We'll find a solution for every problem. Miss Clark will stay at Hogwarts. We'll make sure that she'll get a dormitory for herself and the baby. Besides, Madam Pomfrey has offered her help. To answer your question about her education, Miss Clark will of course retake the exams when she is fit and well again"

Snape sighed in relief. "Thank you...for everything" "It's the least I can do" said Dumbledore, smiling at Snape. He made his way out in silence, leaving Snape and Casandra alone.

For the next days, Snape did not leave Casandra's side, waiting for her to wake up. He had almost fallen asleep again and was slumbering slightly when a quiet cough woke him up. The little and thin hand in his was twitching slightly. Immediately, Snape opened his eyes, bending over Casandra. She was babbling a combination of incoherent words, which Snape couldn't understand. Slowly, the words became clearer. "My – baby – my – baby" "Casandra, Casandra, love!" cried Snape, stroking her cheek gently. Several healers and nurses stormed into the room, pushing Snape aside. "Would you please wait outside?" said a nurse, guiding Snape out. "What? No! She's my girlfriend. She's carrying my child inside of her. She's waking up. I won't leave!" cried Snape in disbelief. The nurse looked to the healer in charge. He gave her a swift nod. "Alright. You may stay but don't overwhelm her!" she snapped.