A/N: Hi guys! Here is Chapter Seven. I know, it's taking long for updates, and I am sorry. When we get past this part, I should be able to continue. Writer's block is no fun. Anyways, here you are. Enjoy, and please check out my other stories, if you'd like. :)
Chapter Seven: One Small Step
In the middle of the night, Snape was awoke to the sound of whimpering and movement. Jumping up and drawing his wand, he peered over towards the sound and relaxed slightly.
Snape pocked his wand and moved over to the bed where he had slept next to all night. He peered at the whimpering form of Sarah, and he frowned.
"Ms. Wells," he said. "Are you injured?"
There's was no response.
"Ms. Wells."
No response.
Upon closer examination, Snape could see that she was asleep. He sighed. Nightmare. The girl was having a nightmare. As he watched, she flinched in her sleep and she cried out.
"What on Earth is going on?" Madam Pomfrey asked, rushing out of her office in a nightgown. She looked down at the sleeping child. She looked at Snape, who shrugged.
Kneeling down next to the bed, Snape spoke to the girl in a voice no one had ever heard, apart from the matron.
"Sarah," he said, voice soft. "Sarah, child. Wake up. It is a dream. No one will hurt you. You are safe. Wake up."
Slowly, whimpering, Sarah stirred again, and opened her eyes. She was shaking and breathing heavily.
"Sorry."
The word was so soft, Snape may not have heard it, had he not been so close. He looked at the girl surprised. She had spoken.
"For what?" he asked. "You did nothing wrong."
Sarah merely shook her head. "I woke you up."
"You were frightened," Snape said. "Do not apologize for something that could not be helped, child. Do you care to talk about the dream?"
Sarah shook her head.
"Fair enough," Snape said. "Very well. You may return to sleep. I will be here, should you need me."
Madam Pomfrey looked at Snape, surprised, a knowing glint in her eyes, before she quietly left the rom. She looked back at Snape, then entered her office and shut the door.
Sighing, Snape made sure Sarah was tucked in, before resuming his place in the chair as before.
She was so much like him. More than he would like to admit. She, like him, had had a rough life before school. She, like him, had nightmares, just as bad, if not, worse. She, like him, needed help. She, like him, was a broken child. But she, unlike him, would have someone there to help her and show her guidance as well as kindness.
God the child was abused beyond belief. And she had hid it well. Snape had not seen her in pain. Or if he had, he had dismissed it at the time. No more. He would keep a very close eye on the girl. He would know if she were hurt, he hoped.
And boy was she stubborn. Not wanting to talk about something like that was understandable, but still. He knew he had to get it out of her one way or another. She needed to say what happened, otherwise, nothing could be done. She would not be removed from the home, and the abuse would continue.
No, Snape vowed. He would not let that happen. Even if he had to use Legilimency. He would get the information he needed one way or another. It was important.
Sighing, Snape settled into a more comfortable position in the chair. This was going to be a long night, and he knew it.
Sarah woke once more in the early morning hours. Snape stirred, and cracked his neck, as he heard movement. He stood and walked over to the bed.
"Again, child?" he murmured softly. "Was it the same dream?"
Sarah nodded.
"Do you wish to talk about it?"
Sarah shook her head.
"It will make you feel better." It would also give him some information at least.
Sarah sighed.
"Was it who hurt you?"
She nodded.
"Were they hurting you in the dream?"
Sarah nodded once more.
"Was it a man or woman?" Snape asked, pulling the chair right next to the child's bed.
Sarah's eyes filled with tears.
"Child," Snape said gently. "If you tell me what happened, I will be able to remove you from the home. You will not get hurt, I promise. You will be safe and whoever hurt you, will be unable to do so again."
Sarah turned away, unsure. She couldn't tell. She just couldn't. She would get hurt if she did so.
"Sarah." The name felt unfamiliar on Snape's lips. He was used to calling the children by their last names. But he had to get through to her some how. "Trust me."
Sarah shook her head, and lay there. After a few minutes, she turned to face her professor.
"Man."
Snape nodded. Finally. She trusted him. Maybe not entirely, but enough to tell him the gender of the abuser. Good. It was one small step that would lead to an even bigger revelation. Progress was being mad.