Chapter 11: The Invitation

Thena awoke the next morning, trapped in the sheets that felt glued to her body. She was surprised to find that she was entirely drenched in sweat, which now left her cold and shaking. She felt disoriented- how long had she been sleeping? The qualities of yesterday were distant from her mind. Had she really spent the entirety of it in her bed?

Thena anxiously lep out of her bed and towards her window, fruitlessly searching for some kind of clue for what day it was. She needed help. Instantly Snape popped into her suggestive mind. She waved away the notion as quickly as it appeared. Why was his presence, yet again there, in her thoughts? He would not, or rather should not, be the one to turn to.

Minerva. She needed to see Minerva.

She went into her washroom, almost startled by her own appearance. She looked unwell; her pale skin, a hue of green….her youthful complexion, was now dull and exhausted. She scowled in the mirror and found that her expression was callous. With great discomfort and defeat, she avoided her observation and started to bathe. She quickly dressed without the slightest consideration, refusing to look into the mirror again, and left.

"You look rather ill today, Darling." A painted man said as she made her way down the familiar hallway towards Minerva. "Is there anything I can do for you?" He was stationary in the painting, plume in hand. "Professor Acorm, Translation of Magic," the painting's description said.

"Thank you, but no," Thena said, slightly more annoyed than usual. She was used to the paintings calling out to her, but she refused to call back to their frequent mockery of her appearance or suggestive comments. She quickened her pace, trying to avoid the few students that had this hour off of classes.

"You still manage to look just as beautiful." The painting called after her.

She stopped at Minerva's door and awaited a response.

The Headmistress was seated at her desk, distractedly scribbling something. "Yes?" Minerva mumbled, before quickly looking up to see Thena there. Her complexion changed instantly from focused to now warmth and with familiarity. Upon seeing this kindness, Thena felt a tightness in her chest and an urge to cry in Minerva's arms.

"Thena, my Dear, are you well?" Minerva leaped from her desk and took Thena's arm in her's, leading her over to a seat.

"I…." Thena swallowed her tears, took a deep breath and continued. "How long have I been away?"

"Two days."

She couldn't help, but gasp. Minerva seemed to read her guilt instantly.

"It's quite alright my Dear. You didn't miss much." The woman's smiled warmly, yet her eyes were desperately searching Thena. Thena couldn't meet her gaze.

"But the students.."

"The students and facility, alike, get sick. It's quite alright, Dear. Severus explained to me the symptoms of your work together. He and I both agree that your work together takes precedence over...all else. Especially since it was one of Dumbledore's last orders."

"What do you mean, Minerva?"

"Severus says that your body should learn to tolerate the magic soon and you won't feel such effects…"

"I mean 'Dumbledore's last order'."

"Yes, well." Minerva stumbled and let out a breath before continuing. It seemed she was being extremely cautious with her next few words. "Dumbledore ordered both Severus and you here this year and because he was perhaps the most magnificent wizard of our time, I don't think anything he did or continues to do, is of coincidence."

"Dumbledore ordered us here…"

"Correct. This is why I reached out to you when I did. Dumbledore knew his fate and made arrangements to follow his death. He wanted you to return to the magic world this year, to not only help the students and professors of Hogwarts but to rejoin your rightful place here."

"My place here…" Thena stared into the space in front of her blankly.

"Yes. Albus, and frankly I, agree, that you were meant to do exceptional things, Thena. It is one of the biggest faults...one of the biggest travesties that the Ministry chose to abuse what could have been something that worked to their advantage. This is why Dumbledore had no choice to do what he did. But now that you are no longer in his protection and in immediate threat...you are here to explore your gift."

"Minerva, did you know my mother?"

Minerva looked gravely. "I sadly did not. I know a few things about her, one of those things being, she loved you more than anything. She's the one who sought out Dumbledore, did you know? After you were under Ministry custody."

"Henry," Thena answered in response. "I tried to kill him".

Minerva nodded. "The Ministry thought that you were a criminal. Imagine that...a 4-year-old attempted murderer. Your mother asked Albus for his help and influence. He took one look at you and knew you were no criminal and that this crime had no ill intention. He talked the Ministry into releasing you back into your parent's care after promising to look closely after you."

"I saw him kill my mother, six years before he did it." Thena voice came out in a harsh whisper. She felt her throat closing.

Minerva's eyes widened taking in this seemingly new information.

"But why was Severus ordered here?"

"His order is a little more contingent." Minerva moved to close her office door. "I do not know the reasoning behind it, but Severus is under a vex…"

Thena's head was spinning, by the time she left Minerva's office. She felt overwhelmed with all this information about Dumbledore's last orders and Severus's Vex. Even though the two didn't relate, Thena felt uneasy accepting that they had nothing to do with one another. She also felt uncomfortable with the amount of information she didn't have. Her father must have known about her attempt to murder Henry. He must have known about the affair. Why didn't he say anything? What was the 'rightful place' Dumbledore thought she belonged in? If Dumbledore let her keep her memory and magic, where would she be now?

Thena felt dizzy and drained after leaving Minerva's. She knew this was due to not eating or drinking anything in two days, but she couldn't muster up enough energy to go to The Great Hall to get something. Or see someone. She decided to return back to her quarters for now it was nearly midday, and perhaps attend dinner. The only energy she had right now seemed reserved for resting.

The walls started spinning around her the closer she came to her room. If only she could open the door quick enough.

"Madam Abbott." She heard curtly behind her as soon as she turned the knob. As she whipped around surprised to see Severus, her body felt the consequence immediately. She could not greet him, but flung open the door and ran to the bath as she became ill...her body disposing of nothing, but clear liquid. She stared at the remnants in the water, hoping this was all a dream. She was then shocked to see Severus's boots in the corner of her eye. He was standing in the doorway, no doubt, watching her...probably sneering.

Thena said nothing and now felt nothing. She continued to stare ahead. She could feel his gaze but dared not to meet it. She wasn't sure what he wanted, but she stayed in her humility. Thena felt the warmth of his body towering over her. He seemed to hesitate for what felt like an eternity. Then she felt one finger then two, then both of his hands move from her shoulder to her hair. He pulled the hair that was glued to her cheeks from the tears that must have fallen during the convulsion, gently...gingerly. Almost like a mother, Thena imagined, would do.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…" She heard the words escape from her mouth. Severus's hands remained and he continued to caress her neck and cheeks with his fingertips. As she heard no response, she turned around and looked up to meet his gaze. His hands left her, but he held her gaze. Severus looked almost like a different person in that instant. His eyes seemed far away peering at her like she was a distant, untouchable dream...or memory. His face had softened, almost seeming like a shell to the feeling that now existed there, but Thena couldn't depict this. As Severus became present, he removed his hands from her relatively quickly.

"Nothing is wrong with you." He cleared his throat. "It seems your tolerance to the promis potion is relatively...low. I thought I'd bring you this." He reached into his coat pocket and took out a small vile.

Thena grew annoyed. Severus's pity seemed short-lived. She didn't want an explanation but felt the need for his touch again- the comfort and the compassion. She felt behind her for the wall to aid her to stand upright; to finally get off of the bathroom floor. She was surprised to see that he grabbed her arm and offered his, to help her stand.

"Thank you." She murmured.

She led him to her bedside and sat down with defeat, "what is it?"

"My own mixture." Severus pulled out his wand and started whispering incantations. A deep stein appeared, the contents within it bubbling and producing clear steam. The stein levitated to her and she reached out for it cautiously. He took a dropper from the vile and emptied it into the beverage. "It should help."

Thena took the levitating stein and held it to her lips. She breathed the steam in. It smelled of a cave, the warm air tickling her tired senses. She sipped the elixir. It tasted a bit like black licorice and warm spice, something familiar- but much like all of Thena's memories, distant from her.

"Thank you Severus."

He walked towards the door.

"I know you continue to help me only out of your sense of duty to Minerva. I just want you to know, I have been a half of a person most of my adult life..not remembering anything, not knowing why I have the feelings or opinions I do...Not knowing exactly who I am...And I know you don't care…" She swallowed "I just want you to know how much I appreciate your help and time."

Thena felt tears come to her eyes. She had no idea why so much emotion was coming to the surface now and in front of the very person, who deserved to see it the least. Pridefully, she would not release them until hearing the door close after him. It didn't close...at least not right away…

"Very well, Madam Abbott. I would like to continue our sessions once you feel well. We should try our efforts at as much as possible before the holidays."