Blaze

Disclaimer: Thanks to JKR for the use of her people.

"Fuck, that hurt." Snape rubbed a prison-grimed hand over the scars on his forearm. So much pain from such a small wound, he thought. Shaking his head, he tried to remember exactly what had happened, but his memory seemed a little hazy.

It burned. Scorching, white-hot pain radiated from the wound. He writhed with agony, clutching his arm.

"Fuck, that hurts," he moaned.

"He's waking up, Poppy. Please go and get her." A slim hand squeezed his. "Hold on, Severus; she's coming."

"She?"

"Hush." A cool hand brushed greasy hair back from his sweating brow.

Cracking open an eye, he discerned a familiar witch's silhouette against the white glare of the hospital cubicle. He groaned and squeezed his eyes closed again.

"She—"

"Madam Pomfrey has gone to find her. She'll be here soon."

"Who?" he whispered.

"Lily. I asked them to bring Lily Evans, to care for you."

He licked his dry lips. "Lily?"

"I know she was... is the love of your life. I did some research whilst you were unconscious. The old parchments say you must be cared for by your life's love after the Unicorn's Blaze in order to start the sealing. Then, when you... um... consummate the relationship, the bond becomes permanent. I will have to go and leave you in Lily's care."

"Charmaine, please don't leave me," Severus pleaded.

"Hush now. I'm right here, and Lily will be with you soon. She will look after you over the next few days whilst you recuperate."

"Talk to me until she arrives." His hoarse voice cracked. "Tell me what happened."

Charmaine pulled her chair closer to the bed. Taking his hand again, she rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. She ran her free hand up over his forearm. "How is it?"

"It hurts."

"I know." She pressed a thumb firmly over the small, argent wound. "This helped before. Does that feel any better?"

A violent shudder passed through him as the searing pain mellowed gradually to gentler heat, which flowed through his whole body. Finally, a warm, honeyed ecstasy shimmered through him.

"Yes," he moaned. "Feels good."

"When the unicorn pulled his horn from your arm, I pressed my thumb to the wound straight away. Silver unicorn's blood mixed with yours and oozed down your arm. It... It scared me." A soft sob caught at her throat.

"The last time I saw unicorn's blood was terrible," explained Charmaine. "The poor creature was dead, and someone had been drinking its blood. We were warned if the blood passes someone's lips, he will have a cursed, half life. When I saw the unicorn's blood mingling with yours, I was terrified, thinking you doomed to a cursed life." She sniffed. "It turns out the Unicorn Blaze is a rare honour. He was blessing you, my friend."

Wiping the back of her hand under her nose, she continued. "You fell unconscious. Panicking, I flew back to the castle with you. Gods, I thought you were going to die. Don't do that to me again, Severus," she whispered, sniffing again.

He lifted a shaking hand, gently running his knuckle across her tear-damp cheek. "I don't plan to die yet."

Charmaine snorted hard.

Noticing a handkerchief in her top pocket, he pulled it out. "Here, blow your nose," he said, holding the hanky out to her. Unexpectedly, she paled and pulled away, avoiding the scrap of cloth.

"No!"

"What's wrong, Charmaine?"

"I can't touch it again, now someone has taken it from me. If I do, I will have to leave immediately. It's a special type of Portkey."

"I don't understand."

"Severus, it's complicated. You can give it back to me when you need me to leave."

He folded his fingers tightly around the grubby material and stuffed it deep into his pyjama pocket. "Never."

Charmaine sighed. "That time will come."

"In the meantime, you could explain to me what's so complicated."

She drew a deep breath. "Fine—"

From beyond the cubicle curtains, footsteps could be heard approaching, along with a girl's enquiring whisper. "I don't understand, Professor Dumbledore. What do I have to do?"

"My dear girl, it is quite simple. All you have to do is care for Mister Snape for a couple of days."

"But I've never looked after someone who's ill before." Her tone whined slightly.

"He is not sick, Miss Evans. He requires care. Madam Pomfrey will advise you what is required. Come along."

The curtains were drawn back with a flourish.

"Here we are, Miss Evans." Professor Dumbledore beamed.

Charmaine gave Severus's hand a firm squeeze as she rose from the chair at his bedside. Bending over him, she murmured in his ear. "Here she is. I wish you well, Severus. Au revoir, mon ami."

With her free hand she beckoned Lily forwards. "Come and take this seat, Miss Evans. Severus needs your help. May I suggest—"

"I'll take my instructions from Madam Pomfrey. Thank you, Mademoiselle." Lily Evans sat down primly on the hospital chair. A frown flitted across Charmaine's brow and her lips pursed a little. Severus lifted an eyebrow questioningly. She shook her head, so he gave her a brief wave before turning his attention to Lily.

Lily was already making herself busy. "Sit up Severus, so I can plump your pillows, then we need to talk."

Charmaine left the ward with a sad smile hovering on her lips and Lily Evans's bossy instructions ringing in her ears.

Severus smiled shyly at Lily. "Long time, no speak, Lil. How are you?"

"Sev, I've missed you, but I'm not sure if I can forgive you for what you said."

"Lily, it wasn't my opinion. I was just repeating what Potter said."

"He told me you'd say that. Why should I believe you?"

"I have known, and loved you, longer than he has." He reached for her hand, but she moved just out of range.

"Don't, Severus."

He raised his eyes to hers, pleading, but the green eyes looking down on him held little softness. Memories of Charmaine's warm, brown doe-eyes drifted through his thoughts. His attention wandered away from Lily's haranguing, and his thumb rubbed absent-mindedly over the worn monogram on the corner of the handkerchief in his pocket.