Chapter 10 -Severus arrives

Morning had come and Jannet had everything packed and ready to put into the car which was now sitting in the driveway, ready and waiting after being overhauled in the shop.

"Katrina, are you sure you have everything you wanted to take?"

"Yes mother, I have." Katrina had woke up early, feeling nauseous, as the sun came up, and wisely she ate some dry crackers.

She had heard her mother moving around in her room, getting ready so she got herself up and dressed herself in her favourite denims with a baseball cap on her bare head.

They ate a light breakfst and, after the dishes were washed, they loaded up the car and were off.

The time had come for Severus to leave for the seashore. He had changed into muggle clothes and double-checked his backpack, before he left his quarters and locked the doors for the summer with the charm 'Colloportus'. He proceeded to Minerva's Study where she and Albus were waiting to see him off to the shore.

Minerva told him that she and Albus would be going over to the orphanage later to see Tommy and not to worry. Albus told him to keep in contact by owl with regard to Katrina's well-being.

Severus thanked both Albus and Minerva and promised to keep in touch, then got out the floo powder and, striding over to Minerva's fireplace, he flooed to the Leaky Cauldron then out to the muggle world.

Katrina and Jannet arrived at the boarding house and the car was unpacked. The landlady, Francis Ruth Malloy was a large, cheerful woman who gave them two of the nicest rooms she had, on the main floor, facing the seashore. She understood that one of the rooms was for a male cousin named Severus Snape, who was going to help Jannet look after her daughter. The landlady knew that Katrina had just come off chemotherapy and tried her best to not show the shock of seeing Katrina's weakened condition.

Francis had a couple of regular boarders who greeted Jannet and Katrina in a friendly manner and made them welcome. Gerry was a character who called himself a beach bum who liked to patrol the beach with a metal detector. He was actuallly a retired London bus driver. The other was Robert who liked to fish off the pier. He had been a sailor and was also a retiree. After they greeted the new arrivals the two were on their way.

After they got settled in their room, Katrina went out to the large porch and looked around.

She watched gaily-dressed people wandering around, obviously enjoying themselves. Fishing boats were coming in and out from the pier sea gulls were flying around, above the happy scene. She felt happy. Today she wanted to just watch the scene from the porch. She dozed off for a little while, as the day got warmer. Jannet came out and checked on her, several times. Katrina woke up, after an hour or so and took her meds that her mother gave her, with water.

The afternoon wore on and Katrina saw, in the distance a tall figure with shoulder length black hair, come striding along. He looked familiar, Katrina recognized him-- Severus had made it! Katrina moved off the porch and walked as fast as she dared, toward him.

There were some people going by who smiled at the child's obvious delight at seeing the tall man and his reaction as he gently picked her up and held her close.

They hugged each other while standing there under the sunny sky. He set her down and, as she took his hand, they walked up toward the boarding house.

Jannet noticed Katrina wasn't on the porch and quickly came out. Soon she could see Severus and Katrina walking up the street. Katrina was obviously talking a blue streak as Severus was looking down at her. It was very obvious how much affection there was between these two.

"Mom, Severus is here!" Katrina announced in excited tones when she spotted her mother standing on the porch watching them.

"So I see!" Jannet called back ' "I am glad you made it, Severus! I believe Katrina was actually out on the porch purposely looking for you."

Katrina blushed and leaned against Severus who looked down at her fondly and ran his hand over her baseball cap.

Francis came out when she heard them"--You must be Severus Snape!"

"Yes I am, I take it my cousin had already informed you of my coming."

"Most certainly, I was expecting you and I have your room ready, I do hope you like it," as she showed the room to him.

Severus approved the room and took his backpack in and set it on the floor near the bed.

He came out and asked where he could get cleaned up and he was promptly shown where to go.

Afterwards, Katrina and Jannet walked with Severus for a little while, around the little town and observed how bright and cheerful it was.

People who were strolling around saw a small girl, very thin and pale, dressed in denim, with her bald head covered with a ball cap and her hand holding onto the hand of a tall hook -nosed man with shoulder- length black hair,.dressed in black. The lady in a light summer dress, who bore a slight resemblance to the man was walking on the other side of the little girl and holding her other hand.

They came back to the boarding house and Katrina was a little tired as that was more walking than she had done in a while. They sat out on the porch. Katrina asked about Tommy and was told that he was back at the orphanage and also that Albus and Minerva were going to see him there.

Katrina said she had written a letter to him, this afternoon while waiting on the porch but she didn't have an address. Happy to help Severus gave her the address.

Katrina took the letter she had written and added a postscript to let Tommy know that Severus had arrived and had told her about his visitors. She wished him well, then folded the letter, placed it in the envelope, sealed it and placed a stamp on it ready to mail.

Severus told her he would take it quickly to the mailbox. He picked up the envelope and took it down the block to the mailbox he had noticed on his way to the boarding house. He came back to find the two regular guests, Gerry and Robert had returned from their excursions. There were introductions and Gerry showed Katrina the coins and stuff that his metal detector had picked up. Robert had caught some fish which he took inside to the landlady.

Every one got up and went inside to the cool living- room and sat down. Katrina snuggled up beside Severus and he put his arm around the frail little girl.

They talked together until Mrs. Malloy called them for supper- which was consumed with enthusiasm. Katrina enjoyed eating her supper even if she couldn't eat a lot.It was heartily agreed that. Mrs. Malloy was a very good cook.