Chapter 3 – The story continues

Aurora

Hagrid clumsily dropped Severus' limp body on to one of the beds in the hospital ward. The metal frame shook and creaked from the force and the poor potions master groaned from being roughly handled but remained unconscious. Madam Pomfrey shooed him out, "Off you go, and take that animal with you," she ordered waving her hand at both the caretaker and his large dog Fang. She grasped Severus' chin between her petite fingers and turned his head from side to side. 'His complexion is rather pallid,' she said to Dumbledore who was also present, along with Professor McGonagall.

"Is there anything we can do to assist you Madam Pomfrey?" Dumbledore asked leaning forward to get a better look at Severus and then gasped when he saw his leg.

"Thank you Headmaster, but I can take it from here.' She wrapped a Velcro cuff around each of Severus' wrists and then did the same to his ankles.

''Is that really necessary?' Restraining him like that?" Aurora asked anxiously, glancing at Severus who looked so pale.

"I need to remove the arrow shafts, but before I can do that I will need to make an incision, and he will most likely be rather disagreeable." She talked whilst she work, moving swiftly but with an elegance. The nurse cut through the leg of Severus' trousers, with a steam of magic that shone from the tip of her wand, revealing the full extent of the wound.

"Oh my!" It was all too much for Professor McGonagall. She put a hand to her face and looked away when she saw the green ooze bubble from the pasty white leg.

"I think perhaps I should escort Minerva up to my office for a nice of cup of tea," he put an arm around her shoulder and led her away, "and perhaps a rich tea biscuit." Aurora nodded and flashed him a smile, trying her best not to show how worried she felt.

"You may not wish to see this my dear." Madam Pomfrey advised. Aurora felt partially to blame for the current situation, and felt she needed to stay. She shook her head. She was going to stay. "Well don't say I didn't warn you."

Aurora watched as the nurse made an incision at either side of the first wooden arrow shaft. She placed a knee on the bed, gripped the arrow and pulled. Severus's eyelids shot open and he tried to sit up. The sound that left his lips was blood curdling. He thrashed frantically, begging for it to stop, for the pain to be over."Oh Sev, please-"

"-ahhh it hurts. Release me! Please release me!"

There was a squelch and then a pop as the suction released. The thin bolt slid out revealing a rather unusual looking arrowhead. She wanted to say it was fancy and ornate but the spiralled head was clearly there to hinder any attempt to remove it. A greasy film laced the tip. Aurora could see wispy black swirls moving within the dark green liquid that dripped on to the crisp white bed sheet.

"The first one is out; now let's see about removing the second one." Madam Pomfrey, despite her professionalism, was clearly affected by the way Severus howled. She placed a hand on Severus' shoulder and gently pressed him back down in to the bed. 'I think we ought to sedate him. Now that I've seen the spiralled design of the arrow head, I think a different approach will be required to remove the second one."

Aurora grasped Severus' shackled hand in hers; and was surprised when he squeezed it tightly. "Oh Sevvy," she choked back the lump in her throat, "Be strong, and brave, the pain will be over soon."

"Rora-," he tried, his fingers splayed; hand reaching for her. The sedative worked quickly and he was out before he could say anymore.

Aurora brushed his black hair out of his face with her fingers. He had the potential to be handsome; if he took pride in his appearance which he rarely did. His hair was always lank and greasy, and he rarely smiled. She leaned over the bed and planted a kiss on his cheek; but went bright red when she realised Madam Pomfrey was watching.

She gave Aurora a forced smile; clearly feeling uncomfortable. "I'd better get on with tackling the remaining arrow."

Aurora watched as the nurse rolled up her sleeves. Instead of cutting the flesh around the arrow, she grasped hold of the shaft and twisted. She stopped to check that Severus was indeed unconscious and satisfied he was, she continued to unscrew the bolt from his leg. With the final twist she pulled it free. Aurora sighed in relief and realised she was still holding Severus' hand; his knuckles were white from her tight grip. She massaged the blood back in to his fingers stroked his face again. She allowed herself a small smile.

Madam Pomfrey had set about cleaning the wound. "I'll repair the bones, but without getting the poison analysed I can't say what lasting affect it may have on his leg."

"Would you have any objection to me staying with him; until he wakes?" Aurora stroked Severus' face, enjoying how peaceful he was asleep.

"He'll be asleep 'till morning, and when he wakes he'll most likely be disorientated. I gave him a strong dose of sedative."

"I'll stay for a short while." Aurora dragged a chair over and sat besides Severus whilst he slept.

"Very well. I'll be back to check on him in an hour." Madam Pomfrey gather up her supplies and with her free hand she pulled the curtain around the bed to give them some privacy.

Aurora sighed and gazed at Severus. He looked so peaceful; and it was such a rare opportunity to spend a moment in his company that didn't lead to a disagreement of some sort. It wasn't that she didn't care for him, because she did, she cared for him deeply. It was the fact that he couldn't just be pleasant, he had to make cutting remarks and snub her when she required his help. Then there was the way he thought it was appropriate to suddenly proposed marriage. It wasn't how she would have expected a marriage proposal to come; she thought it would be romantic and there would be a beautiful setting and perhaps romantic music. It was, however, the only proposal she had ever had. Ronan's proposal was more an arrangement between his parents and her own. It was what both families expected; and although she hadn't refused his offer – she hadn't accepted it either. Ronon's father was furious and her own mother wasn't speaking to her. Aurora had often thought about writing home and telling her parents about Severus but she never really knew what to say, and she didn't think her father would approve. Her mother would most likely call for her to be whisked off to St Mungos, because surely she must be insane to choose Severus over Ronon. Had she chosen Severus though? Or had she just become accustomed to the daily routine of their interactions; their little spats, and their silent smirks when one of them had a run of bad luck.

Aurora stood from her seat and peered around the curtain; satisfied no one was around she returned to Severus' side. She leaned in close and whispered in to his ear. "Despite what you may think, I do care deeply for you Severus. However, you really ought to reconsider the way in which you conduct your marriage proposals." She smiled and pressed her mouth to his planting a delicate kiss on his pale lips. To her horror he grasped the sides of her face with both of his hands and kissed her passionately. The kiss was so deep that it took her breath away. It only lasted a few moments, and his hands returned to his sides and he became motionless again. His eyes lids, however, remained partially opened as if watching her. Aurora's heart pounded against her ribs; she held a hand to her chest as if to prevent it from bursting out.

"Merlin's beard!" she said when she got her breath back. "Severus, I hope for your sake you aren't pretending to be asleep." She shook him gently which caused him to groan. He was indeed asleep which meant he had been asleep when he kissed her. She grit her teeth; instantly feeling awful for causing him further pain.

She decided it was time to return to her chambers. She parted the curtains with one hand, and glanced back at Severus observing his calm expression. He looked peaceful, and knowing he was in good hands she would be able to sleep tonight. She made her way out of the hospital ward, her shoes click-clacking along the floor polished stone floor, and waved goodbye to Madam Pomfrey before hurrying back to her chambers.

A smirk formed on Severus's lips.