The corridor of the castle looked so eerie without students rattling around shouting and running . Without those fits of laughter , the unnatural voices made themselves heard, which alarmed her .
Making rounds afterhours usually bored Seraphina; after all she literally did nothing in those rounds . Sometimes she caught some first-years sneaking out to roam the castle, but she let them go with a mild warning. Those innocent kids never snuck out again .
But no living or dead person bothered her more than the poltergeist Peeves . Pranking , scaring and appearing out of nowhere when she strolled down the corridor were his favorite things to do .
To kill the boredom of these rounds, she mostly listened to songs on her Muggle iPod . But that night her iPod was with George in the hospital wing . Fever had gotten him bed-ridden , so she had given it to him to kill time and boredom while he was lying alone in the hospital wing .
Silently walking down the corridor which lay in dead silence , a sound grabbed her attention . She stood rooted in place, looking for the direction from which the sound was coming . Scanning the corridor, her eyes fell upon the slightly open door of the classroom in front of her . She peeped in from the narrow opening to find her History of Magic teacher, Miss Jane Hudson, sitting on the students bench weeping badly . She huffed, wiping her tears, but they flowed down her cheeks anyway . Her eyes and cheeks were red due to God-knows-how-many hours of crying . Seraphina felt bad for her;, she knew why she was weeping . Because of Batman . But he couldn't be blamed. He loved someone else, and he loved her truly, with loyalty . Seraphina entered the class silently . Tip-toeing towards her teacher, she sat in front of her without the woman noticing . Miss Hudson was too deep in her own sorrows to notice the world around her.
" You know something, Miss Hudson, " softly spoke Seraphina. Her words were no more than a whisper . Miss Jane raised her head, looking at the young Ravenclaw sitting in front of her. Seraphina's voice soothed her.
"Sometimes we think a lot about what we want from life, but life has different plans for us . I know why you are crying, and I won't ask you to not to. After all, you have every right to feel sad and express your emotions ."
Seraphina's black orbs locked on the wrecked face of her professor in front of her . Her eyes conveyed no expression, just her empty orbs looked at Jane . Jane didn't know what she wanted to say , although her eyes said nothing, but still those eyes were warm and welcoming .
" I know what happened between you and Professor Snape. I was there, and I listened to every word . But please don't think I was spying or anything; it's just that I happen to stumble upon the corridor at the same time. I think you don't remember me being there because you were very upset ," Seraphina continued quietly.
Her voice was so soothing to Jane . " I know it's hard for you, and that you love Professor Snape but sometimes… " Seraphina paused . Her mind quibbled on whether she should say what was inside her or not .
" What... what sometimes, Seraphina? " Miss Jane asked desperately .
" Miss Hudson, sometimes it's not necessary that the one we love feels the same for us . Every person in this world loves, but not all get loved back from the person they love . And I know how it feels , it's very hard to move on with that deprived feeling, but we have to, because life doesn't stop because of one person . We can't ignore all those people in our life who just want to see a smile on your face . And maybe, you never know, you might cross paths with someone who loves you so truly that you forget the pain this rejection has given you."
Seraphina's words made an alleviating music with the sound of wind .
" I heard what Professor Snape said to you, and I can tell he wasn't lying. His words came from the depth of his heart, and I felt the gravity of his words. You know, I can say a very good man will surely come in the life of a beautiful witch like you, Miss Hudson ." she continued in her soft whispers.
Tears were no longer flowing down Jane's eyes. Severus was not all over her mind for the first time in a long time . Although what Seraphina had said to her was hard, it was true, after all, and Jane knew that . Severus didn't love her, and she could not do anything about that. She couldn't make him love her anyhow . Maybe what Seraphina had said was right . She felt a warm ray of hope shining within her . Never, even in her most bizarre dream, had Jane thought a student would give her mature advice like that . Seraphina hadn't ignored her and left her to weep, nor did she trash talk about Severus to please her , like her mother would have done . Seraphina had just slipped in the room quietly and told her what she hadn't wanted to hear , ignoring what the facts were. Seraphina hadn't told anyone what happened between Severus and her in the corridor. She hadn't laughed at her or made fun of her. She'd just tried to tell Jane that it was a waste of time being angry with everyone and throwing tantrums for no reason . Jane collected her thoughts enough to ask Seraphina a question .
" Who... was the... one you... loved ?" Jane questioned with a cracking voice .
" Ummmm... just... no one…." Seraphina replied, breaking her eye contact with her professor . Scarlet dusted her cheeks .
" So you... lied to me, " asked Jane .
" No, actually... he is a Muggle, "said Seraphina looking down at her hands ." Alan... his name is Alan. "
By now she was blushing furiously. She never felt comfortable letting people know about Alan.
" A Muggle... ? Are you a Muggle born ?"
" No, I'm a half blood, actually. My mother was an incredible witch and dad was an amazing Muggle ." Sadness came over her face .
" Was… ?" a hesitant question came from Jane .
" They both died, " she said in no more than a whisper .
" I shouldn't have asked; I am really sorry," Jane said in a regretful tone.
" It's not your fault, Professor. You didn't know; how could you? " Seraphina replied in an assuring tone .
" So, was he in your previous school? " Jane asked, trying to change the topic .
" Oh, no , he was not at St. Michael's."
" St. Michael's, I've never heard of such a magical school. " Jane said with a questioning tone, her brows knotted in confusion.
" Oh, it was not a magical school, Professor , it was a Muggle school, " she replied .
" So, where did you study before Hogwarts? You have transferred this year, right? " Jane questioned .
" It's my first time at a magical school, Professor. Actually, I was home schooled for magic by my mother, and I attended a Muggle school on my father's persuasion, " Seraphina replied .
" You were home schooled then also you have remarkably better knowledge than students who have studied here from their first year. I am impressed, Seraphina, " Jane commented .
" My mother was a very good teacher. All credit goes to her, " Seraphina replied with a small smile . It was a sad smile .
" So, he wasn't at your school and he is a Muggle. Then what exactly does he do? " Jane asked. Suddenly her interest in Alan had flourished .
" He is an amazing actor, " Seraphina replied shyly .
They both chatted for an hour before retiring to their respective chambers . Jane found a welcoming warmth in the young Ravenclaw . It was the first time in a long time that she had talked her heart out to someone . The best part of talking to Seraphina was the assurance that she wouldn't judge and gossip about it with her friends .
The following morning, Jane skipped sitting at the Head table, slipping next to Seraphina on the prefects' table for breakfast . Everyone in the Great Hall eyed them, but both the ladies ignored them and talked for the whole breakfast . To everyone's amazement, Professor Jane Hudson's behavior changed . She even greeted Professor Snape cheerfully that morning, which left him baffled . The History of Magic class became more bearable with Jane Hudson in a good mood because that subject itself was deathly boring as it was . What people saw in the Great Hall was enough to tell everyone that it was Seraphina who had lifted the mood of their ill tempered teacher, and everyone was silently thankful to her for that . Severus most of all was thankful to Seraphina because the hateful stares bothered him more than the fact that he was hexed with the Curse of Forbidden Love .
ልረልክ
Early winter had knocked on the doors of Hogwarts . The early morning frost and those spine-chilling winds greeted everyone at Hogwarts with no mercy . Seraphina had stopped slipping out of the castle at night due to the numbing coldness . She used to sneak out of the castle and into the Forbidden Forest at least three times a week to kill the long hours of the night, because lying on her bed reading did not always help her when she couldn't sleep . Sometimes she met the Centaurs , Unicorns , Hippogriffs and many more creatures while she visited . Aslan the Centaur even gave her a ride on his back one time, much to the disapproval of his pack . Aslan always regarded her highly because she saved his life. Seraphina had earned another friend . Soon the disapproval for the friendship of a witch and a Centaur faded away when the pack met Seraphina . Her undeniable warmth and her maturity earned her the centaurs respect .
ልረልክ
One windy day, Seraphina was alone in the library skimming through the books in the restricted section of the library . Professor Flitwick had signed the permission slip even though she hadn't asked him. She just wanted to know what was in those books, and here she was looking for a book to read that night.
" Crimes of Grindelwald "
The title was written on the book with gold that was faded. She dusted the book off as she pulled it out of the shelf. A portrait of a man was printed on it, but something was different about that book. The man on the cover was not moving like it usually did in most of the Magical books . The cover of that book was in the Muggle style . The albino man's one orb was black and the other was light grey, almost whitish in color . Grindelwald , she'd heard that name from her mother once while she was teaching her History of Magic . She took the book with her as she sat on the library table so she could read in silence . One habit of her parents, and even Professor Snape, who had known her for barely a month and a half was . the habit of drifting into another world and loosing track of her surroundings and time when she read . Now, once again she became lost in her book. Someone came and sat in front of her which went unnoticed by her .
" Ahem, " the other occupant of the table cleared his throat to grab her attention , but it went unnoticed again .
" Seraphina , Seraphina , Seraphina, I think you are a little too busy, " the other occupant filled the thick silence of the table with his words .
" OH ! " Seraphina let out a scared cry . She looked up from her book to see the unforgettably irritating smile of Gilderoy Lockhart plastered to his face as he sat in front of her . He was looking at her with his blue orbs .
" Oh, Professor, it's you. You just scared me, " Seraphina said while trying to calm herself.
" I am really sorry to have scared you, Seraphina, " he said, sounding not at all apologetic .
" How can I help you, Professor ?" Seraphina asked because she had no idea of what else should have been said .
" Nothing, I just came around looking for some books and… someone, " he said, winking at her.
" So, did you find your books ?" she asked, having no clue where this conversation was leading .
" No , of course I didn't find my books, but I did find the person I was looking for, " he replied .
" Good , well may I ask who were you looking for, Professor ?" she asked plainly .
" You. "
" Me? I'm sorry, Professor, but why were you looking for me? " she asked , totally baffled by his reply .
" Oh, actually I need some help from you, Seraphina. I heard many students saying you almost live in this library and know this place better than Madam Pince ever could, so I need you to help me with finding these books, " he said.
That smile was still plastered to his face, but his tone sounded serious , which it never did while he taught in class . Actually, saying that he taught in class was an insult to teachers like Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick, who actually taught in class . All that happened in his class was listening to his Lockhart Chronicles from Lockhart himself .
" Ummmm… that's not something I can help with, Professor Lockhart " she said as she shifted uncomfortably on her chair . " Yes, I spend my free time here, but obviously Madam Pince knows it better than I could ever know this place, " she continued , trying to avoid any eye contact with her professor.
His face fell at her answer, but he was quick to plaster the smile back as he said, " But I feel no one can help me better than you, Seraphina, and I thought you wouldn't mind helping your professor. "
" I will still advise you to ask for Madam Pince's help, but I don't mind helping you if you need my help, Professor " she said .
He just wanted her help with some books, that's all , she thought. Denying any further would be disrespectful towards him , after all he was her teacher .
" Ok so let's begin " he said.
She noticed his blue eyes darken, which sent a wave of discomfort in her body, but she waved it off .
They both headed towards the Dark magic section as Lockhart needed books from there . After exploring half the library for his books they were half way down through his list .
" Seraphina, do you know where I can find a book on the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters? " he asked quietly .
Seraphina gave him a confused look . Why the hell on this Earth did Lockhart need a book on Lord Voldemort ?
" Oh, don't worry, you aren't the only one interested in knowing how they all ended, " he chuckled . " I saw you reading the Dark Times of the Dark Lord the other day, " he continued .
" I was more interested in the part where Professor Snape killed him. I still can't believe I met and got a chance to get taught by the brave man who killed Voldemort," she said excitedly .
Lockhart's face dropped yet again . He had written twenty books about his brave adventures, but Seraphina liked the Greasy Git who had only killed The Dark Lord .
" Well, I was about to do so when Professor Snape intruded and took my chance of killing The Dark Lord and adding one more victory over dark magic to my adventures,." he lied with a fake chuckle .
Seraphina gave him a look of complete skepticism. She didn't say a word, but her gestures were enough for Lockhart to know she didn't believed a word he said .
" I can see you don't like those adventure stories in which the brave hero saves the day," Lockhart said, gesturing her towards the book shelf .
" You guessed right, Professor Lockhart. Those stories bore me, " she said casually .
It was Lockhart's chance to pass her a look of complete skepticism .
" Girls your age are crazy for those adventure stories of mine," he exclaimed incredulously .
" I am a bit different - actually a lot different from others, sir. And you know I believe one person alone can't do everything. There are always many people behind the success of a person, " she said casually .
ልረልክ
He decided to stay quiet . One thing was certain to Lockhart , Seraphina was nothing like his fan girls . She didn't believed what she read. She was practical and too mature to be fooled easily . But he felt jealous of that Dungeon Bat because Seraphina liked him, not Lockhart.
ልረልክ
They both were holding books on various topics that Lockhart needed . As they were passing the tall bookshelves that were narrowly stacked close to each other, they heard the sound of moaning. Both gave each other confused looks as they headed towards the second to last book shelf . The moaning sound repeated , this time it was more clear . The sound came form the third to last stack of books . Peeping into the stack, they both saw a Gryffindor girl and a Slytherin boy snogging passionately . Seraphina quicky snapped back , Lockhart was still peeping . A very intimate act was being committed by the other students. It was embarrassing for Seraphina because she was with a teacher and a male teacher at that . She nudged Lockhart lightly and indicated for him to keep walking .
The darkness in his eyes deepened as he gave her a look she couldn't comprehend well . They both walked past the students silently, but their footsteps were heard by the couple who pulled away at the sight of them passing .
The second to last aisle of books was very narrow . Entering it, Seraphina started looking for the book on the Dark Lord, trying to ignore any sort of eye contact with her professor . Scarlet dusted over her cheeks as she was looking for the book . She felt her professor's stare on her . They heard the students' footsteps fade away as the couple ran away from them as fast as possible .
She found the book. Quickly pulling it out, she turned towards her professor whose eyes were still locked on her . Then came the unexpected . Lockhart burst into fits of laughter . She didn't know the reason for his laughter, but she didn't joined him .
" Oh my God... why are you so… embarrassed... they were... snogging around in the library... not you… Seraphina," he managed to speak in between his laughter .
Her face turned a dark shade of scarlet as Lockhart spoke . But he was right. Why was she so embarrassed? She wasn't the one snogging around and getting caught .
" Oh my God, you should have seen their faces, " he laughed .
That made her quake into laughter, too. Yes, the face of the couple was worth remembering: as red as a rose as they straightened their clothes . It surely was a funny sight . Seraphina leaned on a bookshelf laughing, so Lockhart seized the moment and leaned on the bookshelf in front of her . They both laughed like that for some time before composing themselves . They didn't want an angry Madam Pince hovering over their heads all the time when they turned up into the library next .
When their laughter faded and the thick silence of library was back, Seraphina realized one thing. Lockhart was standing less than a foot away from her . She straightened herself, ready to leave the narrow aisle when her arms brushed Lockhart's chest . A weird sensation flowed through her body, but she pushed it aside. They made their way to Madam Pince's desk to get all the books checked out. Seraphina noticed her own book still lying on the table where she'd left it . She stacked it with Lockhart's to get checked out. There were a lot of books he had chosen, so she decided to help him. Seraphina took half the books from him and started walking to his chamber with him . His chamber was large and decorated extravagantly . Just like she had expected from Lockhart, it had large paintings of him posing bravely over a dead werewolf and many more which she didn't even glance at . He invited her in. She denied at first, but he dragged her inside .
" Thanks for helping me, Seraphina," he thanked her .
" No need to thank me, sir, " she replied .
He went in his room and came back out five minutes later with a box in his hand, giving it to Seraphina . Seeing the confused look on her face, he said, "This is the canine of an Albanian werewolf. They are the largest of their kind . While I was in Albania helping those poor villagers who were terrified of him, I heard a tale in which they believed that the canine of a werewolf brings glory to the one possessing it, " he said .
" So … " Seraphina asked still not getting an idea what her professor wanted from her.
" I want you to accept this as a gift of gratitude from me, " he said with a wink .
" That's very sweet of you, Professor, but I can't accept such a precious gift," she said, stretching her hand towards Lockhart to take the box back .
" But why…?" Lockhart said with pretended sadness.
" It's a very precious thing which you have received during one of your quests that you say you did . This is yours," Seraphina said as if stating the obvious .
" Oh, come on, Seraphina. The villagers gifted it to me when I killed that beast for them . They told me that I could give it to someone I cared about and thought about the most . "
Seraphina stood rooted in place after her Professor's words fell on her ears . Ok, now it was time to ask Batman to talk to him . Why the hell did he care for her? She made a decision in her mind . But one question kept bothering her that of all the people who could have cared for her, why it had to be Lockhart .
Lockhart had other thoughts, taking the box from her hand, he opened it. Inside the black box lay a very sharp and big canine which was polished. It shone brightly in the well-lit chamber . It was cast in black metal with gold dusted on it and was fastened to a long black cord. A small cross was also hanging alongside the canine . He took out the pendent and stepped closer to Seraphina . He slipped the long cord over her small head . Adjusting the necklace around her neck, he winked at her .
Seraphina quickly stepped back with a gasped . She started to take it off when Lockhart softly held her hand, stopping her from doing so .
" Seraphina , Seraphina , Seraphina, just accept it because I won't take it back . Just keep it, " he pressed .
" I... I think I should leave now, Professor. See you at dinner . Thanks for the gift, sir. "
She hurried as she ran out of his chamber . Lockhart was being a bit too persuasive, and it didn't feel right to Seraphina .
ልረልክ
Severus sat at the head table with other teachers . Again he found himself searching for Seraphina in the horde of students ,but she wasn't there. The feast had started, yet she was still not in the Hall . It bothered him . But his worrying fell short as he saw her small figure entering the hall . Her silver badge shone brightly against her raven robes, but one thing shone more brightly against her bosom . Silently making her way to the prefects table she slipped down into her seat . Usually she would have glanced at the Head table and would have passed a smile, but today she looked a bit worried to Severus . Her usual warm smile was replaced by an anxious look on her young face .
Mostly all the teachers ate at the Head table except for Jane. She sometimes slipped next to Seraphina for meals when she looked visibly upset . But no one else tried doing so .
Silently, Severus ate his dinner and stole a glance or two at Seraphina .
She was late for dinner, so more than half of the Hall was empty . Sitting alone at the table, she treated herself with the delicacies of the feast, but all seemed tasteless to her .
After the quick and boring dinner, she started her patrolling duty . Halfway through the patrolling, she heard her name being called in the empty, echoing corridor. Headmaster Dumbledore approached her with a rolled parchment in his hand , his eyes twinkling playfully .
" Seraphina, I would like you to do me a favor, " he said .
" Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore? "
" Mind, deliver this parchment to Professor Snape on my behalf, " he said, outstretching his hand with the roll towards her .
" It would be my pleasure to help you, Headmaster. I was already on my way to the dungeons," she said .
" Well, one more thing. This is a very important message, so if he is not there, just enter his chamber and put it on his desk. Could you do that?"
" But I don't know the password of his chamber, " she added .
" Oh, it's Lily . Now, please, deliver it to Severus as soon as you can, " he said .
She reached the dungeon and went straight to Batman's chamber which the Headmaster had told her was at the extreme end of the hallway . She made her way to his chamber easily . A portrait of a man was hung in front of her . He was tall with a muscular build . His long crimson hair fell to his shoulder, and his sapphire eyes looked down at her .
"A student at this hour? Odd, " his husky voice filled the thick silence of the dungeon .
" Actually, Headmaster Dumbledore sent me with a message for Professor Snape. "
He gave her a very disapproving look and said, " Password?"
" Lily, " she said quietly .
The portrait swung open as a small dark hallway appeared behind it . Walking through the entrance hole, she expected the other end to be open like it was in the dormitories, but it had another door at the end of the hall . She softly knocked on it . No reply came from behind the door. She knocked again; this time harder . No reply came from the other side yet again, but the door opened a bit, letting her get a view of the chamber. The interior was just the same as she had visualized . A lot of black with Victorian era furniture , just like him . She stepped in silently, looking for her professor, but there was no sign of the man. She could see two doors across the living room which was most probably likely his private room .
" Professor Snape, " she called for him . Silence. Dead silence in the room . She placed the roll of parchment on his working desk and turned to leave . A creaking sound of a door opening came from behind her back . She turned, expecting her professor to be there . And he was there, but her eyes widened . She looked thunderstruck because what was in front of her eyes was the last thing she could have thought of seeing in the whole world . Her Potions Master stood across the room shirtless with just his trousers on . His right hand was pressing a towel against his left shoulder . The towel was red with his blood . But the towel was the last thing she noticed because she couldn't take her eyes off his bare body . His chest was broad , his torso toned, and his arms muscular . But it was scarred . A lot of scars covered his chest , arms and torso . But then also his body looked good . Actually, even after being covered with scars, his body was attractive . A perfect body .
His reaction was not much different from hers . He was shirtless in front of a student, and of all students, it was Seraphina Barclay . Wow, what luck . Suddenly, the stinging pain disappeared as he stood in front of her, rooted to his place . Both of their minds went numb .
ልረልክ
Severus had been walking down to the dungeons after a long and boring dinner . Alone in the corridor, he headed straight to his chamber when he had felt a stinging pain in his left shoulder , on his torso, and upper back . A very deep gash had appeared on his shoulder which was the only mark visible to him . He'd looked around for the person who had done it, but hadn't seen any sign of any living thing in that gloomy corridor of the dungeons . He had entered his chamber, running straight towards his room. The cut had been deep and painful . A lot of blood had flowed out of the gash, soaking his white-silk shirt and his frock coat . He had thrown them on his armchair as he had searched for something to stop the bleeding. He finally had pressed a towel against the gash, but the bleeding had refused to stop . He had needed his Potions . So, he had opened the door of his room to go to the private potion stock he had kept in his chamber, but outside had stood Seraphina .
What is she doing in my chamber ? he thought
Seraphina's eyes finally fell on the blood-soaked towel so she dared to speak .
" Professor, you are injured. A lot of blood is flowing from your wound. I think you should go to Madam Pomfrey. " She spoke as her eyes locked on his towel .
" What are you doing here, Miss Barclay? " He managed to speak, ignoring her concern .
" Professor, will you let me see how grave the injury is? Maybe I can do something to stop the bleeding." She spoke as if She hadn't heard his words. She took a step towards him .
" I think you shouldn't be in here, Miss Barclay. " He spoke in mock irritation .
She approached him quickly, standing at an approachable distance from her professor. She took the blood-soaked towel in her hand and looked gravely at the deep cut .
" For Merlin's sake, who did that to you, Professor? " She gasped at the sight of the deep gash .
" I don't have any idea, Miss Barclay, " he said in a defeated tone . He knew there was no way she would leave without seeing his wounds fully dressed .
" Professor, do you have Wiggenweld potion with you, because you are in urgent need of it, " she asked reaching hurriedly for the clean handkerchief from her robes, throwing away the blood-soaked towel on the ground . She wiped the extra blood from his gash with her handkerchief carefully .
" Yes, I have that in my stores. I'll get it, " he said, pointing towards the other door .
" No, please let me do it! " she demanded. She ran towards his stores and vanished inside , turning up a couple minutes later.
" Please sit down, Professor. You have lost quite a lot blood; it might cause weakness. " She gestured towards the armchair kept near the darkened fireplace.
Pointing her wand towards the fireplace, she lit the fire and ran to grab some useless things to be transfigured into bandages and cotton . Severus sat there by the fire watching the young girl running around his room asking questions about the worth and usefulness of some stuff . At last, she came with all the required equipment and kneeled down next to his armchair . Wiping the blood away, she poured some Wiggenweld potion on his gash and asked him to gulp down the content of the other vial . She very patiently dressed his shoulder gash and went on doing the same with the other two cuts . After half an hour, all three of his wounds were completely dressed and Seraphina's hands were red with his blood . Something distracted the young Ravenclaw. It was the hideous scar on the left arm of her Potions Master . She didn't questioned him about it .
" Sir, I don't know if I have done it properly. I will still advise you to get them checked by Madam Pomfrey, " she said with her hands placed on her hips as she examined the dressing on his back for the last time .
" I don't want Poppy to haggle me now, Miss Barclay " he said . It wasn't a lie, he hated the train of questions Poppy would launch at him if he would enter the hospital with these many gashes . " And you have done much more than required, Miss Barclay, " he continued .
" Ummmm…" she hummed .
" Then I think I should leave now, Professor, " she announced .
He nodded in agreement .
" But I think you should wash your hands first, " he suggested, pointing towards her red hands. She walked into his room, accepting his suggestion. She didn't want anyone to see her with her hands soaked in blood . She washed them quickly and exited the bathroom.
As she walked towards the gate of the chamber, her eyes fell upon the rolled parchment the Headmaster had given her to deliver on the floor instead of where she'd put it on the table. It had slipped her mind when she had seen her injured professor . Picking it up, she gave it to Batman .
" Headmaster Dumbledore sent this for you. He said it was important, " she said as she was about to vanished into the entrance hole .
" Miss Barclay, " he called for her .
" Yes, Professor, is there anything you need? " she asked, facing him again .
" Thanks, " he said plainly.
" Oh, Professor, there's no need to thank me, " she said .
" No, it is needed. You needn't have done it," he replied weakly .
" Sir, you were injured, and leaving a person injured when I can help them is not what I do, " she said .
" You should go into healing as a career, I should say . You have the patience and skill required for it, and Poppy would be happy to have a student like you as her apprentice, " he said .
" I only have a little knowledge . Well thanks for the advice, Professor, but now I think you should rest," she replied with a concerned tone.
She vanished inside the entrance hole .
Severus was now alone in his chamber like he had always been, but after Seraphina left, it felt empty . He unrolled the parchment she had given him . He identified the curvy calligraphy of Albus .
" I hope she is a good nurse. "
The words danced in front of his eyes . Albus had attacked him , but why? So, that meant he had sent Seraphina deliberately . Oh, Merlin, that old man was inscrutable . Severus growled to himself . Even though he was annoyed, a drowsy feeling crept up on him , so he retired to his bed .