Broken Chapter Four

Ahhhh, I know the last chapter might have been a little boring. But we can't have an emotional reconciliation if Severus is unconscious now, can we? And anyway, I had to get the rescue out of the way so we can move onto my famous HURT COMFORT, as people keep reminding me...that is what the fic is for, after all!

Thank you for reviewing and reading...now we move into St Mungo's. Any OCs you may spot in this chapter are mine. Anyone else...is not. Shame...could you imagine what I could do to Snape if he was here? *snickers*

Kati is my Dumbledore.


St Mungo's was bustling with people—it was too quick for Dumbledore's liking. The Emergency Ward was quieter, very few people. But still, he needed to sit down...he just wanted to sit and take a moment to realise what exactly was happening here. But before he could even come to terms with the fact that his Severus could actually be alive...he had been snatched away by two doctors and whisked away to another room. He had tried to follow—he couldn't bear to be parted from him again, he needed to be at Severus' side when—if—when he woke up...but two guards had stopped him. "Sorry Sir, you need to stay here."

He had been about to give them a piece of his mind, angry that he was not allowed to see Severus, and not about to take no for an answer. But then Remus had rested a gentle hand on his arm, "Come on Albus, let's sit down." His firm but kind tone cut straight through the haze seeming to mist around Dumbledore, and the much older wizard snapped to attention.

They both sat on stiff and uncomfortable chairs by the window. Albus looked down at his hands, seeing dirt and blood staining the pale skin. It was not his blood. He paused for a moment, seeming lost in thought. Finally, he found the strength to speak. "I can't believe he's..."

Lupin nodded, "I know."

"I thought he was dead..." Dumbledore rested his head in his hands, "Why I am not relieved? Why does this hurt more?"

Lupin pressed a hand to his shoulder, "Because you know that he's been imprisoned. But Albus. He might survive this."

Dumbledore raised his eyes—but his gaze was unseeing. "You did not see him. You did not hear him." The voice in his head. How long had he ignored that? Had it been Severus crying out for help? How could he have ignored that?

Tears burnt his eyes and blurred his vision. "Why didn't he die? Why does this have to happen?"


There was movement at the end of the corridor—Dumbledore spotted a bed being wheeled in the opposite direction to him. His heart clenched—he knew the figure under those blankets. "Severus!" He leapt up with the grace of a man much younger, "I need to...is he going to live?" He cried after the doctor—but the guards simply stopped him again. "He is going to be isolated due to his condition."

"Isolated? Why? He is no threat!" Dumbledore shouted angrily, willing to hex this man into oblivion. "I need to see him."

"Not yet, Sir. I'm sorry, but he cannot be seen by anyone."

Dumbledore turned away, angry eyes meeting Lupin's concerned gaze. Before Dumbledore could react, Lupin had suddenly gasped for breath. "My potion. I forgot to take my potion."

Dumbledore blinked. It was not near the full moon in Remus' cycle, what was he doing?

Lupin stared at him for a moment, "Albus. I need help!" His gaze was direct.

Dumbledore suddenly realised. He whirled to face the guards, "You need to get him some medical attention!" When they did not react, Lupin let out a strangled cry and collapsed to the ground. "Go and find someone before he transforms!"

The guards, beginning to understand, hurried down the corridor. Lupin looked straight up at his friend, "Go on. Go and be with him. I'll tell them you have gone back to Hogwarts."

"Thank you, Remus." Dumbledore whispered gratefully.

Lupin smiled, "Albus. Make sure he survives. For your sake, if no one else's."

Dumbledore nodded, and disappeared in the direction Severus had been taken.


He opened the door and moved in to the small room. It was empty, except for the thin figure lying prostrate and still beneath stark white covers. Light was streaming in through a large window; there was a chair by the bed that Albus felt himself collapse into.

Here, in daylight, he could see the damage. He took a moment to look Snape up and down. There were scars across his face—and underneath, skin that seemed to be healed. Yellowing bruises lined his jawline and throat—and Dumbledore didn't even know how to describe his hands. Twisted and disfigured hardly described it. He felt a stab of pain as he realised how much losing his hands would have hurt the younger wizard. Being able to make Potions and use his fingers was very important to Severus.

He wanted to investigate the remaining wounds, knowing that there would be so many more beneath the white nightshirt and stiff blankets. But at the same time, his friend looked so peaceful. He reached out and gently stroked black hair—it was lank and greasy, unkempt and uncared for. "Oh, Severus..." He realised how lucky he was—"You came back to me." Suddenly happiness relieved the terrible agony of seeing his friend like this, and he wondered just how confused his emotions were. "My dear friend, I will make you better. Now, all you need to do is open you eyes."

The door behind him opened, and there was an exclamation. "Oh!"

Dumbledore frowned, turning to meet the newcomer.

A young woman in a nurse's outfit stood in the doorway. "You shouldn't be in here." She said softly. Her voice was characterised by an American lilt, which added a touch of kindness to her syllables. Dumbledore was struck by the brilliant blue irises accentuating her pretty face—they were similar to his. "I know. I just...I needed to be with him."

She wrung her hands, "I should ask you to leave." Her eyes fell on his hand, still resting against Snape's neck. "But I won't. According to the doctors, he might not have much time left. This might be one of the last times you will see him."

Dumbledore couldn't show how much the words hurt him. He sighed between his teeth, "Oh."

She frowned, "Aren't you Albus Dumbledore?" She asked suddenly, recognising him from the Daily Prophet.

Dumbledore nodded slowly, absorbed back in his young friend. "The one and only." His words were sarcastic—he would never forgive himself if Severus died here. He turned his attention back to the nurse, "And your name?"

"Oh. I'm Nurse Kati. I've been assigned to look after Mister Snape. I hope he gets better for you." Her words were genuine. "From what I've heard, he's been through a rough time."

Dumbledore nodded, "His company would not have been good. What happens now?"

Kati paused for a moment, "Well, we have to wait for him to wake up. It might be soon, it might be a while. Only then can we start to assess the damage—both physical and mental."

Dumbledore's head shot up, "Mental damage?"

Kati looked sad for a moment, "The doctors suggest that there could be something wrong mentally. He hardly responded to any pain in the operating theatre, when they stopped internal bleeding. They don't know what could have happened to him."

Dumbledore tightened his fist, nails digging into his palm, "I will fight to keep him alive."

There was a faint smile on her face, "That's good. He will need the help."

Dumbledore didn't let his gaze leave Snape's pale face, "I love him so much. He has to survive, just for that reason." He paused. "I never told him how much I loved him."

There was silence for a moment.

And then, a soft moan.

Dumbledore stared down at bleary black eyes, that stared up at the ceiling for the briefest of moments, flickered around the room, and then finally focused on Dumbledore's blue gaze.

"Where...am...I?"


Kati, please don't hate me, I hope you like your character. I thought it was perfect for you, and your role is important throughout the next chapters. Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you in a review! SS19 x