This is from Severus' point of view:
I watched Annie carrying Karina who was asleep on her shoulder. I continued to watch even after they had turned down the corridor. I didn't know why I did it. I eventually shut the door and returned to my seat. I looked into the fire as I thought about the previous days and week's events. I had developed a deep connection with Karina and it felt as though she were my own child.
I loved taking care of her every day. Making sure she ate healthy, helping her learn (even though she often asked many questions), and I even loved helping her play with things. These fatherly feelings weren't something I expected to feel ever in my life. I enjoyed them though; I felt like I was getting to live a life I hadn't expected myself to live.
I thought of where she had kissed me, obviously the bond was there for her too. I smiled at the thought. It was nice to be close to someone even if it was a child.
Then there was Annie. I didn't know what to think of her. She was attractive, I couldn't deny that and as I man I was bound to notice that. What surprised me was how our conversation reminded me of the ones I had with Lily in the early stages of our friendship. It made me ache for Lily. Annie, though, had captured my attention tonight with our conversations. We had many things in common and like with Karina I felt completely comfortable being myself around her.
I went to bed as the fired died out. The next time I woke up dread filling me. I was sick because of the bite, again. I usually got a headache on the entire left side of my head and pain extended down the left side of my face and neck. It was a good think it was Sunday and I didn't have to work. I clutched the sheets in my fist and curled up in a ball as I felt a wave of pain rack through my left side.
I gritted my teeth wishing there was something I could do for the pain but nothing I tried had working to get rid of the pain completely. I used my wand to get extinguish the light in the room which helped a little. I curled up further and tried to fall asleep. I slept on and off for a couple of hours until the pain went down to a dull throb.
I decided to order some tea and soup from the house elves, trying to chew anything would make the pain flair up again causing me to miss out on my work tomorrow. I almost stopped in my tracks. I realized I would miss working with the little imp if I were sick. I shook my head and ordered my dinner and let the house elf not to apparate into my rooms which would cause my head ache to return.
I ate quietly and I heard the door opened and I looked up in surprise. Annie was standing there looking at me wearily.
"One of the house elves told me you were sick," she whispered softly, "Can I come in?"
I nodded and she entered the door and closed it quietly behind her.
"I brought you an ice pack," she said quietly, "I used to get migraines when I was younger and I thought this may help."
She sat next to me and held out the ice pack. I looked at her blankly unsure of what to do with it.
"Here," she said putting it on the side of my face, "You'll have to hold it there."
I put my hand on top of hers, the cold helped but I couldn't focus on that. I focused on how my hand felt against hers. After a few moments she moved her hand away, I frowned I almost wished she hadn't. I looked at her eyes but briefly looked away as I held the ice pack. It was helping a lot.
"Is it working?" she asked and I nodded, "Good, you can keep that one then. I have a fridge in my room that I keep it in when I'm not using it although I am sure you can just refreeze it with magic."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"You're welcome Severus," she said smiling at me, "will you be alright to work tomorrow?"
"Yes," I said, "It usually only lasts a day and it will be gone by morning."
"Good," she said, "I know a little girl that would be upset if she didn't get to see her Severus."
I smiled at the thought.
"I'll let you get some more rest," Annie said.
"Thank you," I whispered again.
"You're welcome," she said smiling at me and I felt a warm feeling spread across my chest as I watched her leave.
The next morning I went to Annie and Karina's rooms at my usual time. I woke Karina up for breakfast and set her sleepy body at the kitchen table. Mornings were the one time when she was quiet. Annie came out and said goodbye to Karina and me.
"I'm going to take her to my rooms while she sleeps this afternoon," I told Annie before she left, "There are some potions I've agreed in making and I have a small lab set up there."
"Alright," Annie said giving me a quick smile before she left for the day.
Karina and I went by our usual routine for the day and at nap time we went to my rooms where I let her sleep in the extra bedroom before I went to work in my lab. Half way through making the potions I took a quick break and ordered tea from the house elves. I went back into my lab to see Karina standing on her toes trying to reach for something. I became angry quickly. I was mad that she had come in here without permission. I was mad that I did not tell her not to come in here or at least teach her not to touch potions that were being made, something that most wizarding children knew.
"Karina what are you doing in here," I asked in a loud stern voice.
Karina looked at me in shock before looking down at her feet.
"You should not be in here," I said angrily.
"I'm sorry Sev-us," she said as her little shoulders started to shake.
I opened and closed my mouth. She was crying. I had wanted to scare her a little so that way she would realize that she shouldn't be in here without me but I didn't want to scare her so bad that she would cry. Without thinking I knelt in front of her and held her in my arms as she sobbed.
"Karina," I said pulling away and tilting her chin up, "I am sorry I made you cry. There are some things in here that if you touched them they can hurt you and I was scared that you were about to do that."
"I'm sorry," she said as several large crocodile tears slide down her face.
"It's alright just please don't come in here without me here," I said, "I don't want to see you hurt."
"Ok Sev-us," she said hugging me again.
I hugged her back and sighed.
"Do we have to tell mummy?" she asked her voice muffled in my robes.
"No," I told her.
"Thank you Sev-us," she said.
"Welcome," I muttered, "Would you like to help me with my potions?"
The little girl nodded and I carefully showed her what I was doing. We worked to complete the potions before I took her back to her rooms. That night I went to sleep early but I was woken by a clearly upset Minerva knocking at my door.
"What is it?" I asked glaring down at her.
"Karina is sick and asking for you," she said.
"Let me change," I said not anyone to see me in my nightwear.
"Lead the way," I said following her.
Kind of a cliffhanger and please let me know what you think.
