Emexyinia Snape and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter Fan-fiction)

Chapter 8: Be Strong For the Both of Us

Chapter 8: Be Strong for the Both of Us

“You trusted me to take care of him.”

Emma was sitting in her father’s office, across the desk from him. Her voice was small—smaller than Snape had ever heard it before—and sounded more like that of a little child than of his daughter.

“For the hundredth time, Emma, I don’t blame you. What he did was his own choice. It was a terrible choice, one that no one should make, but his choice nonetheless.”

“He was only fifteen,” Emma whispered. “Fifteen years old, and he killed himself.”

“He had no family left. He did it out of desperation.”

“I should have seen the signs. I should have realized what he was going to do.”

“No one foresaw this, Emma. Not even the other teachers.”

“I blame myself, no matter what you say.”

Snape stared at his daughter.

“You carry the weight of too many people’s emotions on your shoulders, Emma. It’s going to crush you one day.”

“Well until then, I will carry them with pride.”

Snape sighed.

“This was a tragedy. Something awful that should not have happened. But—alas— it has, and there is no changing the course of the past. Will you be alright to leave my office on your own?” Snape asked.

“I’ve to go retrieve Draco from the hospital wing. His head hit the floor hard when he fainted. I will be alright on my own.”

Emma could have told her father about the information she had gathered from the Slytherin girls, but it just wasn’t a good time. Emma stood up from her chair, nodded to her father, and left his office.

“Hello, Miss Snape,” Madame Pomfrey greeted her. “Draco is waiting for you.”

Madame Pomfrey looked frazzled and tired. The dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. She led Emma over to Draco’s bed. Emma could tell he had been crying. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. Madame Pomfrey had removed his jacket and vest.

“I want to go home, Emma. I don’t want to stay at school.”

His voice was so hoarse and broken, Emma could barely recognize it as belonging to him. She smoothed his hair back with her hand and kissed him on the forehead.

“I know, love. I know. Tomorrow we can go home.”

Emma took him by the hand and stood up.

“He should be alright. He may have a slight concussion, but he is fine to leave,” Madame Pomfrey told Emma.

“Thank you, Poppy,” said Emma to her.

Emma led Draco out of the hospital wing.

“Can we go to bed?” Draco asked.

“Yes, dear. We can go straight to bed.”

***

            Emma was finishing packing her things to go to Malfoy Manor for the weekend. Draco was sitting on the windowsill in their bedroom, staring out the window.

            “I have to go talk to my father. I will be back in a few minutes. Be ready when I get back,” Emma said. Draco nodded but didn’t say anything in response. Seeing what Selwyn had done had a profound impact on Draco. He wasn’t the same anymore. This had changed him completely. He had barely spoken at all since the discovery of Selwyn’s body.