Professor McGonagall arrived shortly after Dumbledore and Natalia entered the hospital wing. Beside her was a pair of jolly brown eyes adorned with great bushy golden brows, which were complimented by a headful of unruly golden curls. The face that held these features was creased with every kind of wrinkle born from bursts of laughter. The man that stood next to the professor was a good torso taller than her, his massive limbs dwarfing the strict posture of the witch next to him. Warmth permeated the room as he entered, filling every heart with a sense of ease and calm. The great man beamed when he saw Dumbledore.
"Albus!" he cried, the delight in his rich voice filling the room like chocolate fudge fills one's mouth.
Asklepios threw his arms around Dumbledore, drawing him into a warm embrace.
"It has been too long, old friend, far too long." the great wizard said, sharing the same joy in seeing the master healer once again.
Asklepios turned to Natalia, peering down at her with his wizened eyes.
"I presume this is the young lady that did the deed."
Natalia blushed, embarrassed at being discovered. The golden man smiled warmly before reassuring her.
"Don't you worry, my dear. These things do happen, or else the world would have no use for me anymore."
He strode heavily over to the bed where the Potions Master lay. The Healer frowned upon seeing his disfigured body.
"Well, you did quite a job on him, all right. Nothing too serious though." he added with mirth in his voice.
Grasping Snape's frail wrist tightly, Asklepios closed his eyes. The massive heart that resided in his chest gave off a faint glow that intensified with each beat. The power that pulsated in his golden veins surged forth into the professor's veins, making their heartbeats synchronize. The Potions Master's ragged breaths slowly evened out to the deep lulled sighs of a sleeping child. The glow from the healing master's heart traveled into Snape's body until a warm golden orb encased the professor. Asklepios withdrew his arm and opened his eyes. The room was filled with a caramel scent after the ritual was done. The large man stepped away from the bed, turning to the Headmaster.
"Severus should be well by dawn." he said in a deep velvety voice, "Make sure that he gets plenty of rest after his bones have mended."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"I have no doubt that he will protest a great deal on that method of treatment." the Headmaster said lightly, "But I will see to it that he gets proper rest." His smile broadened as he asked, "Won't you stay for supper with us?"
The Healer's face lit up, becoming nearly as bright as the sun.
"I would never turn down an invitation to a Hogwarts feast."
The students whispered in fascination of the brawny character that sat next to Dumbledore, nearly as big as Hagrid.
"You know, some people think he's a god." George said in a very Hermione-like tone.
"Asklepios?" Natalia inquired.
"That's what they say. I doubt it though. A god wouldn't be that…jolly."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh? And how would you know?"
"Well, aren't gods always vengeful and bitter, or something like that?"
Natalia smiled at her bickering friends, happy that she had found a new family at Hogwarts.
Draco sat in a chair next to Snape's bed. Upon hearing of the Potions Master's accident, Lucius Malfoy instructed his son to watch Snape's condition until he came to the professor's aid. The young Malfoy sat in the Infirmary with the glow from the orb casting a strange light onto his face. He rubbed his eyes wearily. Terrible dreams plagued his nights while he treaded through each day in a remorseful disposition. The only time he had felt any tranquility was when he had confided in the girl. Natalia…the name lingered in his mind longer than it should have. He wondered what she was doing right now. He looked up to check on Snape's condition again and found himself faced with a pair of intense green eyes.
"Natalia."
The word slipped from his mouth before his mind could stop it. She looked at him with a worried expression clouding her face.
"You look as if you have not slept for days, Draco."
How he delighted in hearing his name come from her lips, but he bit back the newfound joy with guilt. He knew that his involvement with her would only lead her closer to the Dark Lord. He cast his eyes down and said dejectedly,
"Don't show me pity, Lady Slytherin. It only humiliates me more than you already have."
The girl looked at him in surprise. Natalia narrowed her eyes. She knew that she had been wrong to think that a Malfoy could have a heart. He did not even recognize genuine concern when it was laid out so obviously in front of him.
"I do not understand." she said, sounding more hurt than she wanted to.
Draco grimaced. He wanted nothing more than to tell her how much her concern meant to him, but knew he could not. He bitterly went on, each word leaving a tear in his conscience.
"Your family detests mine. I know that very well, but you do not have to go out of your way to mock me." His eyes hardened even though his heart clenched with regret as he spit out his harsh words.
"You may be the heir of Slytherin, Natalia, but you are no better than the cold brat your Mother has raised you to be."
Natalia's breathing stopped completely. She could not believe the sudden change in him. The note of apology, the flowers – they were all just a setup for this. The moments in which she stared at Draco with raw disbelief and hurt tormented him with more guilt than he could bear.
A loud knock on the doorframe broke the thick silence. A smooth, articulated voice sank into the air.
"Draco, I see you have done as I have instructed."
The man that came with the voice made just as much of an impression as his tone did. A pair of clear pale blue eyes complimented his refined facial features, ending it all in a strong jaw line. His sinewy body was fitted snugly into tailored robes that clung to him like a second skin. White-blond hair flowed past his shoulders, tapering off at mid-back. A straight chiseled nose lay atop a pair of perfectly curled lips. As his elegant legs carried him gracefully across the room, his eyes fell on the girl sitting across from his son. His delicate nostrils flared slightly at the beauty of the girl. His lips parted, taking her jasmine scent onto the tip of his tongue, allowing it to linger there for a moment before he swallowed it into his memory.
"Aurelia," he said, almost in a purr, "Every time I see you, you get younger and more beautiful. Even Paris could not deny Troy from you now."
He lowered his lips onto her hand, delighting in the tender flesh of the girl before raising his eyes to hers again. The girl blushed faintly.
"I am not Aurelia. I am her daughter, Natalia."
Lucius Malfoy raised an eyebrow in surprise. He tilted his head, peering closely at the girl's face. No, she is definitely not Aurelia, he thought, No, she is far more exquisite. She has an innocence and purity about her that is most…delicious. He smiled slyly before saying,
"My apologies, Natalia. It seems your Mother has passed all of her best traits down to you."
Draco's mind filled with anger and frustration as he watched his Father's actions towards Natalia.
"Father," he said in a strained voice, "Perhaps you should turn your attentions to Professor Snape."
After taking one more hungry gaze at Natalia, Lucius tore his eyes away and turned to his son. He took a slender vial out of his robes with a beautifully gloved hand.
"This," he said, looking expectantly at Draco, "Is to be given to Severus. It will restore his health completely after his bones mend. This way," he turned to look at the unconscious Potions Master, "He can go right back to work like he wants to." He smiled secretively and turned back to Draco.
"I expect that you will not disappoint me." He laid his eyes on Natalia once again. "May I have the honor of your company in my walk out?"
As much as she desperately wanted to decline, she could not find a way of doing so without seeming rude.
"Of course." she whispered, barely audible.
Lucius slipped his hand into hers and took her arm.
"Your Father never told me that he kept two of the three Graces to himself." His eyes glimmered at her. "Although I would expect much discord to break out if he did tell."
Before he left the castle, he drew Natalia closer to him, his warm breath tingling her ear.
"Perhaps in a couple years you would enjoy such discord."
His lips grazed the tender flesh behind her ear before he pulled away. Taking her hand, he traced the outline of her fingers, enjoying the pulsing of her veins beneath his lips.
"Until the next time we meet, Natalia."
She shuddered at the sound of his voice saying her name. The man made her spine prickle against her stomach. She felt like screaming and throwing up from disgust as she staggered back to her chambers, not noticing the guilt-ridden eyes that watched her from the shadows.
