Fragile
The room was quiet as Severus walked through the door. Irlynn lay motionless in the bed by the wall. He stood still for a moment, just watching her chest rise and fall. It was the only visible sign that she was still alive. After making sure the door was closed behind him, Severus sat down at Irlynn's side. He didn't care much for hospitals. They made him uneasy but his daughter needed to be here. Her life depended on this place and so he pushed aside his doubts to be strong for her. She looked frighteningly pale even though she'd been regaining strength every day. He reached out to take her hand in his and her body stilled in her sleep. He ran a thumb over the soft skin of his hand, letting her know he was there with her. Irlynn's lips parted briefly and whisper escaped them.
"Dad." Snape had to bite back a response. He knew trying to engage her would hinder the healing process and he wasn't sure what to say to her. He knew he would need to inform her of her parents' deaths eventually. Irlynn's head lulled to one side as if she was trying to see him through closed eyes and Snape couldn't take it. He let her hand go and stood up. With quick steps he moved away. Just before he left the room, he turned to look at her one more time.
"Forgive me." With that he left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. He was hit with the harsh light of the corridor and took a moment to adjust. He wound his way through the heart of St. Mungo's until he'd reached the exit. He promptly apparated from the spot, returning to Spinner's End.
Severus paced back and forth in his sitting room, mentally berating himself for leaving Irlynn alone. Something in the way she'd moved her head, the effort it took reminded him of his mother and it shook him to the core of his being. She was the reason he disliked hospitals. It had unnerved him to see his mother so helpless. Waves of guilt had kept him awake when he was younger, when his mother had been ill. Now, those same waves kept him up at night, fearing for his child.
Far from Severus' worried mind, Harry lay in the Hospital Wing of Hogwarts, recovering from his own encounter with Voldemort. He'd been resting comfortably for the last day or so but was not well enough to have visitors. Hermione and Ron stood anxiously outside the doors to the Hospital Wing, hoping that today might be the day. Dumbledore approached them and gave them a smile.
"How is he, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"I believe you may be able to see him today." Both Gryffindors' eyes lit up.
"What about Irlynn?" Dumbledore's face fell at the mention of Harry's sister.
"Her injuries are far more serious. I'm afraid she's been taken to St. Mungo's." Hermione paled.
"What happened? Is she…she'll recover won't she? Harry would never forgive himself if she didn't."
"Ms. McQuillen's fate is uncertain. However, the mediwitches at St. Mungo's are doing all they can for her and I am confident in their abilities. However, I would ask that you do not discuss this with Mr. Potter."
"Yes, Sir." Just then the door opened and Madam Pomfrey stuck her head out.
"Alright you two. In you go. Don't stay too long. He's just woken up." Ron walked into the room, Hermione hot on his heels. They found Harry propped up on pillows in a bed in the far corner of the room.
"Hey, mate," Ron greeted. Harry blinked a few times but smiled wearily at his friends. This felt like it was a yearly occurrence, ending up in the Hospital Wing at the end of term.
"Hi."
"How are you feeling?" Hermione questioned, pulling a chair next to the bed.
"I'm ok. My head hurts but I think I'll be alright. I've been sleeping mostly."
"What happened?" Harry looked at the redhead and shook his head slightly.
"It's still sort of a blur. The Order was there….and…I was fighting Voldemort. Then…" He stopped, trying to recall what had happened.
"I don't really remember."
"That's alright, Harry. I'm sure it will come back to you," Hermione tried to reassure him. Harry just nodded, catching sight of Dumbledore moving towards them.
"How are you today Harry?"
"I'm feeling better, Sir."
"Good. Madam Pomfrey thinks you can return to your dormitory this evening." Harry smiled. He really didn't like the Hospital Wing. It reminded him of Voldemort. The room fell silent and Harry toyed with the corner of the blanket on the bed. Hermione, sensing that Dumbledore wanted to be alone with Harry, stood up and started for the door.
"Ronald, come on. We should go. Madam Pomfrey said we couldn't stay long."
"Oh, uh right. See you later, Harry." Harry watched his friends go as Dumbledore sat down next to the bed.
"What do you remember about what happened?"
"Not much. I remember fighting Voldemort and then it's all a blur."
"It's not surprising. It was a traumatic event you suffered, Harry."
"What…did happen, Sir?"
"Voldemort took over your body. He controlled you for a brief time." Harry visibly shuddered with disgust and loathing.
"No wonder I don't remember."
"You fought him off, Harry. It took a great deal of strength and power but you did it, without any help from those around you." Dumbledore sounded pleased with Harry's actions.
"Um…thank you, Sir." Harry stared at his hands. He wanted to ask about Irlynn. He hadn't seen her in the Hospital Wing. Then again, he wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep. For all he knew, she'd been released and had just been too busy to come visit him. Dumbledore seemed to sense the question brooding in the forefront of Harry's mind and stood up.
"Get some rest Harry. I will see you tomorrow." Before Harry could even open his mouth to speak, Dumbledore had gone from the room. He lay back against the pillows and sighed.
Dumbledore made his way down to Snape's office to find it empty. The Headmaster checked the hearth. It was cold. Snape hadn't been there in a while. He made hiss way as quickly as he could to the staff lounge. He found Minerva grading papers.
"Minerva, have you seen Severus today?"
"No. I'd expect he'd be at St. Mungo's. He's certainly dedicated. Something I wouldn't have expected from him." Dumbledore nodded and walked back out. Something in the back of his mind told him that Snape was not at St. Mungo's. Moments later, he'd returned to his office and gathered his travelling cloak.
By the time he arrived outside the house on Spinner's End, Severus was well into the bottle of brandy. He heard the knock on the door and ignored it. The knocking persisted and with a mutter under his breath he answered the door. When he found Dumbledore standing on the other side, he just stepped back. Albus took stock of Severus. He could tell the man had been drinking before he even saw the bottle and snifter on the table.
"Are you alright, Severus?" Snape didn't respond. He simply poured himself another glass and tossed it back.
"How is Irlynn doing?" Snape knew that Dumbledore would keep pestering him until he answered.
"It is a slow recovery." Dumbledore sat down next to the former Death Eater but said nothing more.
"I should have known he would go after her, use her."
"You did what you could, Severus."
"I'm her father damn it. It's my responsibility to protect her." Dumbledore opened his mouth to offer some piece of guidance or sympathy but stopped himself. Severus didn't want sympathy. He wanted to be left alone. The two men sat without speaking for some time until finally Dumbledore stood.
"You should be with her when she wakes up. She'll need a familiar face." With that, he left Snape to his brandy. Snape looked at the spot where the Headmaster had just been and nearly missed pouring himself another drink. Perhaps Dumbledore was right. He needed to start acting like a father. He was all Irlynn had left now that Victoria and William were dead. He set the snifter down, still brimming with alcohol and retrieved his travelling cloak. Wordlessly he returned to St. Mungo's. Visiting hours were long over by now but no one stopped him. He pushed the door to Irlynn's room open and slipped inside. She still appeared to be asleep as he sat down in the chair.
"I'll be here when you wake up," he whispered. He brushed a few auburn waves from her forehead. She looked so fragile laying there, her pale skin against the crisp white hospital sheets. He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. He knew this was going to be hard recovery for both of them. There was so much she didn't know and so much he wasn't prepared for.