The Long Road
It has just struck me that I have written over ninety stories about THESE IDIOTS. *Gets emotional* I love them so much. Thank you so much for sticking with me and listening my little tales for so long - roll on the big 100! 100 stories in two years.
The phrase 'get a life' seems relevant here…
Much love, always. ~ SS19
Chapter Four:
"How about I let you have a few moments together?" Poppy murmured, watching as Albus recovered himself and leaned closer to Severus, stroking his hair gently. "Please, Poppy. I just want…" He trailed off and shook his head instead. Poppy simply smiled and closed the door behind her. Albus propped himself up on one hand and examined Severus who still seemed to be sleeping. "I'm here, my boy. I will fix you. I will make you better." He wanted, so badly, to take Severus' hand and squeeze the fingers and show him - but Poppy had suggested he wouldn't be able to feel his hands, so it would be pointless. He continued to stroke the black strands of hair, ignoring how they stuck to his fingers - it was Severus - no matter how many pieces of him were missing or damaged, it was still him - and Albus would make him better. He would put Severus back together and help him. "I have missed you so much…" He whispered.
Severus stirred slightly. Albus smiled at him more fully, moving his fingers to Severus' forehead, missing the bruising across his hairline and smoothing the lines creased his brow when Severus frowned and turned his head to one side. Albus felt the relief bloom in his chest but he stayed still, despite the sudden need to sweep Severus into his arms and hold him tight. "Come back to me, my boy, just for a moment."
Severus' eyes flickered open and he winced. Albus looked into those dark irises and knew that still, Severus could not see him - but he was there. "Do you know I'm here? It's real - it's not a dream…" Severus turned slightly at the sound of Albus' voice and Albus let his hand fall away, staying in eye contact with those eyes. He wanted to examine the emotions that lay there, but there seemed to be very little - the eyes were almost empty - as if Severus was too tired to express anything, or to feel anything. But perhaps he was just so weak - and Albus could help him with that. "Hello." He greeted softly, and it seemed that he could have a conversation. Severus tried to respond, he saw that, but nothing came out of vocal chords that were too raw to even produce a whisper. Albus held up a hand to stop him, realised Severus could not see, and instead spoke, "It's fine. Don't try to answer - there will be time enough for that - as long as you know that I am here, Severus, that is all that matters to me." He paused, "I thought you were dead - long gone - but here you are. You can get better, you can fight. I know it. You are so brave, Severus. I am so proud of you."
And he was proud - he was proud that Severus had defied Voldemort and remained alive and had fought long enough for Albus to find him - "You should never have been there - I should have stopped you." Being confronted with Severus now made him feel so terribly guilty - he wanted to turn back the clock and prevent him from going that night and force him to stay. "I could have lost you - but you are alive." He was still struggling to accept that fact. "What can I tell you?" Black irises still open, lingering near his face, so Albus knew he was listening. "Voldemort is dead. Harry and I. We killed him - it was a few days ago now, but he is definitely dead. Then we came to rescue you. Nymphadora and Remus are having a child together - did you know that? I don't remember how long ago they announced the news - but it must be quite soon. I've always noticed a romance budding between Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger − as you suggested so many years ago now! You always were right about these things." He trailed off, "I am so glad you are here with me." He murmured softly, knowing he was probably rambling but seeming desperate to tell Severus everything - to fill the silence - to let him hear his voice so he knew he was safe - "Severus." He paused, "Do you know what the first thing a wizard does in the morning?"
The shadow of a frown on that face he knew so well and had not forgotten.
"He wakes up." Albus half laughed at his own joke, reflecting on a time when Severus had not been a prisoner and they had shared many conversations designed to see who could laugh first - it was one of the quirks of their friendship and Severus was, admittedly, very good at making Albus laugh. Albus tried again, "Which magical beast can jump higher than the Hogwarts Express?" Another pause, and then Albus answered, "Any, the Hogwarts Express can't jump…"
He saw, for a second, the tiniest smile on Severus' lips and knew then that Severus, his Severus, lingered amongst the broken bones and bruises and wounds. "How about this one - you'll like this one - how do you keep a wizard in suspense?" He lingered longest on this question, letting his hand stroke Severus' forehead again. "Oh, I'll tell you tomorrow…" He smiled and Severus did so too, showing his slightly crooked teeth that Albus had come to adore, "I win - I made you laugh." Albus murmured gently, his voice crumpling slightly.
Severus' eyes continued to watch him and Albus was under the distinct impression Severus could 'see' him - there was something sparkling now in those black eyes - "Don't. You'll start me off - don't you think I have shed enough tears for you, Severus Snape?"
Severus turned his face away for a moment, and closed his eyes - but Albus still saw the tear slip from underneath his eyelashes and he swept it away with one finger. "Severus doesn't cry, remember? If he cries, he gets a hug, and he doesn't ever want a hug."
Severus turned back to look at him and his eyes were still sparkling and tears were still leaking and Albus suddenly knew what to do. He leant forward and gathered Severus into his arms - hugging him - and Severus stirred just slightly - almost…
Almost as if he was trying to hug Albus back.
This made me cry for the tenth time today. ~ SS19
