Two hours later, Lupin, Black, and Dumbledore all watched as Poppy administered the antidote potion to Evangeline. The mediwitch gave her some by mouth, and then applied some in ointment form directly to the site of the wound. It had a dramatic effect on the wound, immediately easing the burning pain, and causing the wound to drain and begin to heal, much to the profound relief of everyone.
Evangeline immediately began to feel better, but she was still very weak. The young witch fell quickly into a much calmer sleep than any she'd had since she fell ill. Her fever broke quickly, too. She slept that night, and most of the next two days, peacefully, and everyone around her was immensely relieved.
Late in the afternoon of the second day, Poppy once more checked the bandage on her back. It pleased her to see how well the awful wound was healing. A couple more days would see the end of it at this rate. Content with the progress Evangeline was making, she gave her patient another dose of potion orally and left her in the comforting care of Minerva McGonagall.
Around 9:30 that evening, Evangeline awoke from another long sleep and finding herself alone, called out to see if there was anyone around. McGonagall came running into the room, anxious to help her if she needed anything. "Evangeline, dear, are you all right? What can I get for you?"
A still rather exhausted Evangeline smiled a weak smile. "I'm fine, Minerva. I'm just stiff and sore from lying here for so long. Could I get up and use the bathroom and change my nightgown?"
McGonagall smiled a relieved smile. It was so good to see such improvement. "Yes, Evangeline. I'm sure that would make you feel better. Where can I find a new gown?"
Evangeline hesitated. "I took most of my things with me to the cottage. What happened to them?"
That was unfortunate, thought McGonagall as she heaved a sigh. "The cottage was burned to the ground, dear. I'm afraid that everything you had there was destroyed. Did you leave any of your things here at Hogwarts? When we moved you down here from the infirmary, Poppy and I found the gown you're wearing, hanging in the bathroom. We figured it was yours. It didn't look to be Severus' color."
Evangeline smiled at the thought. "No. You're quite right about that. I do have another one that I leave here. It's in the top drawer of that dresser against the wall."
McGonagall opened the drawer and removed an ivory silk negligee. "It's lovely, dear."
Evangeline smiled fondly. "It's Severus' favorite."
McGonagall blushed faintly. "I can see why. Does it come with a wrap?"
Evangeline blushed, too. "Too revealing, Minerva?"
"Perhaps for public viewing, Evangeline." McGonagall laid the gown on the bed and checked the bathroom coming back out with a green silk bathrobe in her hands. "Perhaps we can pair it with this for company. Here, let me help you, dear." Quickly she hung the robe over her arm and bent to help Evangeline crawl out of bed.
The paralysis had still not worn off completely, so Evangeline was continuing to have a bit of trouble walking. Add that to the weakness left over from fighting so hard for her life, and a trip to the bathroom tired her out greatly. However, with McGonagall's help, she changed and washed, and felt much better. McGonagall left her perched on the couch next to the bathroom door while she magically changed the sheets on the bed.
"Does Severus own any sheets that aren't black silk?" McGonagall asked thoughtfully.
Evangeline smiled. "I believe he has some black cotton ones somewhere, possibly even a set of white ones. I suppose the house elves would know. Severus isn't much for bright colors."
McGonagall snorted. "No. He certainly isn't."
As McGonagall was helping Evangeline cross the room back to the bed, the door unexpectedly opened, and Snape himself walked in. He looked extremely tired and pale but didn't seem to be injured in any way. Both women reacted with pleased surprise to see him return. Evangeline turned towards him and pulled away from McGonagall's grasp.
"Severus!" she exclaimed happily, took two stiff halting steps towards him, then lost her balance and fell.
Snape leaped forward and caught her just before she hit the floor. Then he sat there on the floor with her while she clutched him tightly and began to cry. "Oh, Severus, thank god, you're all right! I was so worried about you."
He enfolded her gently in his arms and held her close. For a brief moment he indulged in the sheer joy of being back here and having her safely in his arms again, something he'd been dreaming about, for some time. Then he reached up and smoothed her hair off her forehead, smiling down into her eyes. "I'm fine, Evangeline. I've been worried about you." He glanced briefly up at the watching McGonagall before returning his concerned gaze to Evangeline. "How are you feeling?"
Evangeline smiled at him, so thankful for his safe return. "Better, now that you're here."
Snape examined her closely, taking in the dark circles under her eyes, her thinness, and her obvious difficulty walking. Although, she was hopefully on the road to recovery, he could see from her frail and weakened condition that she'd been in very bad shape. It alarmed him to think that he'd probably come very close to losing her this time. Once more he lifted his eyes to McGonagall seeking reassurance. "Poppy got my message?"
The tall witch nodded solemnly. "Yes. That message was a lifesaver. Once we knew what the poison was, Poppy and Albus were able to brew up the antidote we needed. Evangeline is recovering from the Devil's Foot poisoning and a slowly retreating creeping paralysis. She'll be fine, Severus, but it will take a few more days. Your presence should help."
He nodded in relief and turned his attention back to Evangeline. "Let's put you back to bed, shall we?"
Snape got up off the floor and helped Evangeline to her feet. Then he picked her up in his arms, frowning slightly at how insubstantial she felt, and carried her over to the bed. Where he tucked her in carefully. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.
McGonagall laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see you safely back, Severus. I'll just leave the two of you alone." But to her surprise Snape shook his head and looked up at her.
"No, Minerva. I need you to stay. I came directly here as soon as I returned, to check on Evangeline. Now that I can see for myself that she's all right, I need to go talk to Albus. It's vitally important that I see him tonight."
McGonagall felt a small shiver of fear run through her. She'd been afraid that Snape's prolonged absence meant trouble for them all. "What's happened?"
Snape sighed. "Nothing yet, but there's much to be done over the next two days in order to avoid a disaster." Lifting a hand, he turned to Evangeline and caressed her cheek gently. "I have to leave you again for awhile, my Angel. It's very important, or I wouldn't go. I'll probably be quite busy over the next couple of days. I'll see you as often as I can. I promise. When this is over, we'll spend much more time together. You just rest and recover, all right?"
She nodded, drinking him in with her eyes. "Please, don't put yourself in any more danger, Severus."
He embraced her again and kissed her lovingly. "No more than is absolutely necessary, Evangeline. Please don't worry, everything will be fine."