"She thinks she can just leave us," Rheia gazed up at the statue. "But its not that easy, we can't just let her go. Kalliope is needed here."
Her attendants remained by the walls, silent.
"She must come back, that is all there is to it. We are running out of time... we must regain power if we are to survive, and she has the strength we need. Sophia..." Rheia examined her thoughts closely, "the girl I am not so concerned about, she is not the one we need. It is Kalliope that is needed. She will return."
"I don't know what you think you were doing child! Honestly, never seen the like before..." Madame Pomphrey pressed her lips together into a thin disapproving line. "And Severus, I don't know what you were thinking; you obviously haven't been watching her as closely as you should have."
Severus wasn't given a chance to reply before Poppy continued her tirade.
"I have seen you in here too many times this year young lady, I'm beginning to think I should get you your own personal bed, perhaps add a Snape family ward in the hospital wing?"
"I'm sorry," Dierna mumbled, looking down at her lap.
Poppy snorted, "Sorry indeed, had this gone much further we would have been dealing with a serious eating disorder. When was the last time you had a decent meal?"
Dierna shrugged.
"Hmpf! Probably been the same amount of time since you had a good nights sleep. Am I right?"
Dierna slowly nodded.
"Drink this," Madame Pomphrey thrust a vial at Dierna, who recognized the sleeping potion and hurried to down it. She wasn't sure how much lecturing she could take, and from the look her father was giving her she didn't doubt he was only waiting his turn.
"She's out cold," Morgan said as she ran the back of her hand across her daughter's cheek.
"Yes, and I need you out of here now," Poppy turned to Severus with an impatient glare.
Severus matched it with his darkest scowl, "this is my daughter, what gives you the right to..."
"And I need to examine her, and the poor girl would not be thrilled to know that you hung around while I had her shirt off. Now out with you!" Poppy pushed him away from the bed and pulled the curtains tightly around him.
"Bloody woman," Severus muttered. He paced back and forth across the hospital wing waiting to see what Poppy had to say. "Well?" he turned to face his wife expectantly as she came out from behind the curtains.
Morgan shook her head, "we have got to do something with that child. I can't believe how thin she's gotten, there was hardly anything there to begin with... she's suffering Sev, and I don't know what to do for her." She tried to blink away tears.
"Shhh... we'll figure out something."
"Sev, please do something," Morgan wrapped her arms around his waist, "she's so much closer to you than she is to me. Maybe she'll listen to you."
"I doubt it. She's also just as stubborn as I am which means she has a tendency not to listen to me."
Morgan tilted her head up, "I trust you Sev, do what you have to."
"It's not that simple Remus! Yes I am on your side completely, but that doesn't mean I can betray him completely either."
"You know everything that goes on Eric, why can't you tell us what he's doing?"
"Dammit, he's still my nephew after all!"
"Who is your nephew?"
"Zach, didn't see you standing there boy," Eric attempted as much of a smile as his distorted face would allow.
"I was under the impression that I was your only family," Zach glared at his grandfather, "and now I find that I've been lied to. Who is your nephew? I have every right to know who my family is."
"Zach, it's not that simple..." Eric began.
"Tell me."
Remus quietly slipped out of the room as grandson and grandfather glared at each other.
"You don't want to know."
"Tell me."
"My sister married a muggle by the name of Riddle. Voldemort is my nephew Zach, I'm sorry you had to find out. I wanted to spare you the pain of that knowledge. Merlin knows you put up with enough from me, you didn't need that on top of it all."
"So, are you going to do it?"
"You think it will really work?"
"Of course!" Olivia insisted. She had been left in Kamen's care while their parent's stayed with Dierna, "it's the coolest idea ever! If boys weren't so icky I'd want one to do it for me."
"I am not 'icky' thank you very much, its you girls that have cooties."
"Do not!" Olivia told him indignantly.
"Well, as long as you think it will work... but you have to come with me for moral support. I'm not used to doing this thing in front of the entire student body."
"You'll be awesome!"
"Well at least the kid will think I'm amazing no matter how bad this goes," Kamen mumbled as he picked up the guitar he had borrowed from Eva. He strode down the hallway towards the Great Hall with Olivia trotting along beside him. He left her sitting with Nimue and her friends at the Gryffindor table as he continued on towards the Ravenclaw table.
He came up behind Celeste, who didn't see him and knelt down on one knee. He settled the guitar on his knee and softly strummed the strings as he sang in a rich baritone that very few knew he possessed
I can't fight this feeling any longer,
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow,
What started out as friendship has grown stronger,
I only wish I had the strength to let it show,
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever,
I say there is no reason for my fear,
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together,
You give my life direction, You make everything so clear,
And even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight,
You're a candle in the window on a cold dark winter's night,
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might,
And I can't fight this feeling any more,
I've forgotten what I started fighting for,
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars forever,
'Cause I can't fight this feeling any more,
I've forgotten what I started fighting for,
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crashing through your door,
Baby I can't fight this feeling anymore...
Celeste had turned around, her eyes enormous, as Kamen started to sing. She had been seeing him on and off for most of the term. But had gotten fed up about a month ago and told him they were finished, for good. Now she was barely aware of the fact that a silence gradually fell over the Great Hall and curious students turned to watch what was happening.
"I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. I know I haven't always treated you right, but I'm going to change that." There was a look of steely determination in his eyes, "yes, when it started out I was looking to use you. But that was before I realized how amazing you are. Be my girl again Celeste, for real this time. Please?"
Celeste slowly shook her head, "I don't know how I could refuse that..."
"Then don't say no, go out with him!" some random Hufflepuff shouted, breaking the quiet.
Celeste giggled, "You're too much Kamen, I never know what to expect from you. Fine, I'll be your girlfriend again."
Kamen smiled as he took her hand, "Good, 'cause I would hate to think that I made a complete fool out of myself in front of the whole school for nothing."
"So... there's a school ball coming up..."
Kamen grinned wider, "I know, but I can't take you. When you dumped me I asked someone else to go, just as a friend. And it would be incredibly rude of me to back out now. Do you understand?"
Celeste frowned, "but..."
"I promise you, nothing more than a friend. And plan on me stealing you away for at least half the dances."
"Fine, but if there is anymore funny business from you..."
"Don't worry, there won't be."
"Zach, are you alright?" Eva tentatively as she came up behind him, "you weren't at dinner... was machst du so traurig?"
"It's nothing..."
"Please Zach, you can talk to me. I thought we had something..."
"I don't know how you could still be able to see me the same way if I told you, my family... I can't stand who they are."
"Do you think so little of yourself Zach that you can't even accept yourself? Do you think so little of me that you believe I would judge you by circumstances you can't control? I love you Zach, I would never try to hurt you, and I don't like to see you hurt yourself this way."
"I've always thought that my grandfather was the worst it could get. I realized tonight that I was wrong, it gets much worse... I'm related to Voldemort."
"Oh Zach... how could you think that would change the way I think about you?"
Zach turned and punched the wall, "because I'm related to the most evil wizard to ever live," his voice broke as he sank down to kneel on the floor.
Eva crouched down next to him, her arms going around his neck, "he may be your family, but he does not dictate who you are. My family is not so wonderful either, perhaps just as evil as yours, ja?"
"You don't have an evil bone in your body, how could you..."
"My family fought for Grindelwald and for Voldemort the first time around. Not something I publicly advertise... I think perhaps I have just as many..." she frowned, "what is your saying? Bones in the cabinet?"
Zach managed a small smile, "skeletons in the closet?"
"Ja, that one."
"Guess we have something else in common, fighting for the side of good when our families have been on the side of evil."
Severus sat by his daughter's bed in the hospital wing waiting for the potion Poppy had given her to wear off. Morgan trusted him to deal with their daughter when she was in this delicate condition, knowing full well how bad he was at handling female emotions. He decided to handle this the best way he knew how.
The only problem was he had no idea if it was the best way for his daughter. Emotions were not his forte. Morgan knew that and yet she had thrust this on him. From what he could discern Dierna had built up a number of walls around herself that needed to be brought down before she could cope with all her emotions. If his methods ended up causing more damage he had every intention of blaming it on his wife.
He loved his wife dearly, but she refused to do anything that might hurt their children. Even though it might be in their best interest.
"It's about time you work up," he said, a bit on the sharp side, as Dierna finally opened her eyes. "Do you feel any better?"
Dierna sat up, leaning against the pillows, "yeah... I guess so."
"Good, because we have some things to talk about."
Dierna eyed her father warily. She wasn't put off by his harsh tone. She was used to it. Even when he was acting his most concerned and loving he could come off cold. But this was different; this was the harsh exterior he used with his students, "what are we talking about?"
"Several things that you are going to change. First, you need to stop being so selfish..."
"What are you talking about?!" Dierna sounded hurt, "I am not..."
"Do not interrupt me again," Severus snarled, "yes you have been incredibly selfish. You have been wallowing in your own grief, giving no thought to others. I know very well that Stefan's mother has asked you several times to come see her, she cares about you a great deal. But you have refused. You have been damn near starving yourself and going without sleep because you are too much of a coward to deal with your own feelings. Where is that Gryffindor bravery now?"
"Stop... please..." Dierna was starting to look thoroughly miserable.
"Why? Because you are finally starting to realize how disgracefully you have been acting? Well I am not done yet," he place his hands on the bed, one on either side of his daughter, so he could lean over her, "you have caused your friends a great deal of worry over the way you have been acting, not to mention your mother and me. It stops now Adelaide. You are going to stop thinking only about yourself and start paying attention to the people around you. And you..."
"I've only..."
"I told you not to interrupt me," Severus hissed. He sat back eyeing his daughter carefully, she was very close to breaking. "As I was saying..."
"I'm not listening to you!"
Severus raised his hand, and for the second time in her life, Dierna felt it connect with her cheek.
"I hate you..." Dierna whispered hoarsely as tears filled her eyes. She balled up her fists and tried to fight her father off as he moved to hold her in his arms. But he easily deflected her feeble attempts and gathered her close to him. When she realized how useless her attempts to get away were she collapsed against him, sobbing.
"Hate me all you want child, but you have to stop hating yourself," Severus' voice had lost its hard edge. "You cannot go on like this, and I am not going to sit by and wait until you do something to hurt yourself."
Dierna's breathing had grown irregular, and she was gasping for air as sobs continued to all but choke her.
"Take deep breaths child, you do not need to make yourself sick," Severus directed firmly. She continued to cry against his shoulder for a long time. He held onto his daughter until she had regained control of herself and released her so that she could lay back against the pillows again when she calmed down a bit. "Now, tell me why you have been acting so destructively these past weeks. I will sit here all night if I have to, but you are going to give me some answers young lady."
"So..."
"Yes?"
"You thinking about leaving me yet?"
Kalliope laughed, "not a chance, you're stuck with me now wizard."
"You know, we're married now, it would be entirely appropriate for you to call me by my name and not 'wizard'" Remus teased.
"But I like calling you wizard..." Kalliope shot back, as she sat up from where she had been laying on their bed to kiss her husband.
"'You ask how many kisses of yours,
Kalliope, are enough and more for me.
As many as the number of Libyan sands...
Or as many as the stars that, when night is still,
Gaze at the secret loves of men.'" Remus recited, a rather silly grin in place on his face.
"Are you spouting Roman poetry to me for a reason wizard?"
"I figured it was appropriate..." Remus drawled lazily as he ran his hand through Kalliope's dark hair.
"You turning into a hopeless romantic on me now?"
"Actually no, now that you've finally married me I suppose I can stop trying." Remus didn't have a chance to duck before he was walloped with a pillow.
"Well?" Severus handed Dierna his handkerchief and waited while she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
"I miss Stefan. And I hate him for leaving me. And I miss him... and I hate him..." her voice broke, "and I hate myself for hating him..."
"You have to stop doing this to yourself child. I know you loved him," and Severus would never let his daughter know how much it took for him to admit that, she was his little girl and shouldn't know love like that yet, "but you can't let this," he hooked his finger around the chain at her neck, which held the ring from Stefan, "run your life."
"I'll try."
Severus frowned, that wasn't quite what he wanted to hear, but he supposed it would have to do for now. He was still searching for the right thing to say when he noticed movement at the door. "You," he looked over to where Olivia was hovering at the entrance to the hospital wing, "come here, I have a job for you."
"You should have seen what Kamen did at dinner!" Olivia said as she bounded over.
"Hmmm... well I am sure I will hear about it later," Severus said, not sure that he really wanted to hear about it. He lifted Olivia up on the bed and set her next to Dierna. "You are going to sit here while I go eat something and make sure something is sent up for your sister," he looked at Olivia seriously. "Now you take this," he reached into his robes and pulled out his pocket watch, "if she tries to leave the hospital wing or does not eat her dinner you turn this knob here, and I will come right back here to deal with her. I am leaving you in charge."
"'k..." Olivia turned the watch over in her hands.
"Be careful with that," Severus admonished, "your mother gave it to me and I am rather attached to it."
Olivia cradled the watch in her hands, feeling very proud to be left with something so special, and to be left in charge.
"Been busy?"
"Ja, but its good to be busy."
Zach smiled, "it is good to be busy," being busy kept one's mind off of one's family, which was very good when your family was as bad as his.
"Did you need something Zach?" Eva looked at him quizzically, "not that I'm not pleased to see you, but... well..."
"I'm sorry; I know you need to get back to work. So do I. But I did have something to ask you," Zach picked up a vile from Eva's work table, looking at it with interest. "The thing is, I've somehow been talked into being a chaperone for the ball this weekend, and I don't want to go alone."
"Are you asking me to the dance?" Eva grinned as she retrieved the vile from Zach's hand.
"Yes."
"And with about as much tact as a 15 year old nonetheless," her smile was positively devilish.
"Well, if you don't want to go..."
"Don't be silly, of course I want to go with you," Eva suddenly turned shy again, and tried to hide behind her curtain of blond hair, "I would love to."
"Did she behave herself?" Severus asked Olivia when he returned from dinner. He had heard all about Kamen's performance and only due to Morgan's intervention had not disowned the boy.
"Yes," Olivia said, nodding solemnly.
"Watch please."
Olivia, with one last longing look, handed over the pocket watch, she had enjoyed being in charge of it.
"Why don't you head down and start getting ready for bed," Severus said to Olivia.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
Olivia managed a scowl worthy of a Snape and stomped out of the hospital wing.
"What is this?" Severus asked, as silent tears started to stream down Dierna's face, "still feeling sorry for yourself?"
"No, just realizing how wrapped up in myself I've been... and feeling bad about it. Did you mean it when you said I was selfish?"
"When have I ever told you something that I did not mean?" Severus noticed the haunted look in his daughter's eyes and decided to change the subject, "do you have any plans for the ball yet?"
"I'm not going."
Severus frowned, "why not?"
"Why do you think?" Dierna snapped.
"Do not use that tone of voice when you speak to me young lady. Just because you are upset does not mean you can speak to me like that."
Dierna scowled at the blanket across her lap, "I'm fine."
Her attendants remained by the walls, silent.
"She must come back, that is all there is to it. We are running out of time... we must regain power if we are to survive, and she has the strength we need. Sophia..." Rheia examined her thoughts closely, "the girl I am not so concerned about, she is not the one we need. It is Kalliope that is needed. She will return."
"I don't know what you think you were doing child! Honestly, never seen the like before..." Madame Pomphrey pressed her lips together into a thin disapproving line. "And Severus, I don't know what you were thinking; you obviously haven't been watching her as closely as you should have."
Severus wasn't given a chance to reply before Poppy continued her tirade.
"I have seen you in here too many times this year young lady, I'm beginning to think I should get you your own personal bed, perhaps add a Snape family ward in the hospital wing?"
"I'm sorry," Dierna mumbled, looking down at her lap.
Poppy snorted, "Sorry indeed, had this gone much further we would have been dealing with a serious eating disorder. When was the last time you had a decent meal?"
Dierna shrugged.
"Hmpf! Probably been the same amount of time since you had a good nights sleep. Am I right?"
Dierna slowly nodded.
"Drink this," Madame Pomphrey thrust a vial at Dierna, who recognized the sleeping potion and hurried to down it. She wasn't sure how much lecturing she could take, and from the look her father was giving her she didn't doubt he was only waiting his turn.
"She's out cold," Morgan said as she ran the back of her hand across her daughter's cheek.
"Yes, and I need you out of here now," Poppy turned to Severus with an impatient glare.
Severus matched it with his darkest scowl, "this is my daughter, what gives you the right to..."
"And I need to examine her, and the poor girl would not be thrilled to know that you hung around while I had her shirt off. Now out with you!" Poppy pushed him away from the bed and pulled the curtains tightly around him.
"Bloody woman," Severus muttered. He paced back and forth across the hospital wing waiting to see what Poppy had to say. "Well?" he turned to face his wife expectantly as she came out from behind the curtains.
Morgan shook her head, "we have got to do something with that child. I can't believe how thin she's gotten, there was hardly anything there to begin with... she's suffering Sev, and I don't know what to do for her." She tried to blink away tears.
"Shhh... we'll figure out something."
"Sev, please do something," Morgan wrapped her arms around his waist, "she's so much closer to you than she is to me. Maybe she'll listen to you."
"I doubt it. She's also just as stubborn as I am which means she has a tendency not to listen to me."
Morgan tilted her head up, "I trust you Sev, do what you have to."
"It's not that simple Remus! Yes I am on your side completely, but that doesn't mean I can betray him completely either."
"You know everything that goes on Eric, why can't you tell us what he's doing?"
"Dammit, he's still my nephew after all!"
"Who is your nephew?"
"Zach, didn't see you standing there boy," Eric attempted as much of a smile as his distorted face would allow.
"I was under the impression that I was your only family," Zach glared at his grandfather, "and now I find that I've been lied to. Who is your nephew? I have every right to know who my family is."
"Zach, it's not that simple..." Eric began.
"Tell me."
Remus quietly slipped out of the room as grandson and grandfather glared at each other.
"You don't want to know."
"Tell me."
"My sister married a muggle by the name of Riddle. Voldemort is my nephew Zach, I'm sorry you had to find out. I wanted to spare you the pain of that knowledge. Merlin knows you put up with enough from me, you didn't need that on top of it all."
"So, are you going to do it?"
"You think it will really work?"
"Of course!" Olivia insisted. She had been left in Kamen's care while their parent's stayed with Dierna, "it's the coolest idea ever! If boys weren't so icky I'd want one to do it for me."
"I am not 'icky' thank you very much, its you girls that have cooties."
"Do not!" Olivia told him indignantly.
"Well, as long as you think it will work... but you have to come with me for moral support. I'm not used to doing this thing in front of the entire student body."
"You'll be awesome!"
"Well at least the kid will think I'm amazing no matter how bad this goes," Kamen mumbled as he picked up the guitar he had borrowed from Eva. He strode down the hallway towards the Great Hall with Olivia trotting along beside him. He left her sitting with Nimue and her friends at the Gryffindor table as he continued on towards the Ravenclaw table.
He came up behind Celeste, who didn't see him and knelt down on one knee. He settled the guitar on his knee and softly strummed the strings as he sang in a rich baritone that very few knew he possessed
I can't fight this feeling any longer,
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow,
What started out as friendship has grown stronger,
I only wish I had the strength to let it show,
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever,
I say there is no reason for my fear,
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together,
You give my life direction, You make everything so clear,
And even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight,
You're a candle in the window on a cold dark winter's night,
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might,
And I can't fight this feeling any more,
I've forgotten what I started fighting for,
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars forever,
'Cause I can't fight this feeling any more,
I've forgotten what I started fighting for,
And if I have to crawl upon the floor,
Come crashing through your door,
Baby I can't fight this feeling anymore...
Celeste had turned around, her eyes enormous, as Kamen started to sing. She had been seeing him on and off for most of the term. But had gotten fed up about a month ago and told him they were finished, for good. Now she was barely aware of the fact that a silence gradually fell over the Great Hall and curious students turned to watch what was happening.
"I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. I know I haven't always treated you right, but I'm going to change that." There was a look of steely determination in his eyes, "yes, when it started out I was looking to use you. But that was before I realized how amazing you are. Be my girl again Celeste, for real this time. Please?"
Celeste slowly shook her head, "I don't know how I could refuse that..."
"Then don't say no, go out with him!" some random Hufflepuff shouted, breaking the quiet.
Celeste giggled, "You're too much Kamen, I never know what to expect from you. Fine, I'll be your girlfriend again."
Kamen smiled as he took her hand, "Good, 'cause I would hate to think that I made a complete fool out of myself in front of the whole school for nothing."
"So... there's a school ball coming up..."
Kamen grinned wider, "I know, but I can't take you. When you dumped me I asked someone else to go, just as a friend. And it would be incredibly rude of me to back out now. Do you understand?"
Celeste frowned, "but..."
"I promise you, nothing more than a friend. And plan on me stealing you away for at least half the dances."
"Fine, but if there is anymore funny business from you..."
"Don't worry, there won't be."
"Zach, are you alright?" Eva tentatively as she came up behind him, "you weren't at dinner... was machst du so traurig?"
"It's nothing..."
"Please Zach, you can talk to me. I thought we had something..."
"I don't know how you could still be able to see me the same way if I told you, my family... I can't stand who they are."
"Do you think so little of yourself Zach that you can't even accept yourself? Do you think so little of me that you believe I would judge you by circumstances you can't control? I love you Zach, I would never try to hurt you, and I don't like to see you hurt yourself this way."
"I've always thought that my grandfather was the worst it could get. I realized tonight that I was wrong, it gets much worse... I'm related to Voldemort."
"Oh Zach... how could you think that would change the way I think about you?"
Zach turned and punched the wall, "because I'm related to the most evil wizard to ever live," his voice broke as he sank down to kneel on the floor.
Eva crouched down next to him, her arms going around his neck, "he may be your family, but he does not dictate who you are. My family is not so wonderful either, perhaps just as evil as yours, ja?"
"You don't have an evil bone in your body, how could you..."
"My family fought for Grindelwald and for Voldemort the first time around. Not something I publicly advertise... I think perhaps I have just as many..." she frowned, "what is your saying? Bones in the cabinet?"
Zach managed a small smile, "skeletons in the closet?"
"Ja, that one."
"Guess we have something else in common, fighting for the side of good when our families have been on the side of evil."
Severus sat by his daughter's bed in the hospital wing waiting for the potion Poppy had given her to wear off. Morgan trusted him to deal with their daughter when she was in this delicate condition, knowing full well how bad he was at handling female emotions. He decided to handle this the best way he knew how.
The only problem was he had no idea if it was the best way for his daughter. Emotions were not his forte. Morgan knew that and yet she had thrust this on him. From what he could discern Dierna had built up a number of walls around herself that needed to be brought down before she could cope with all her emotions. If his methods ended up causing more damage he had every intention of blaming it on his wife.
He loved his wife dearly, but she refused to do anything that might hurt their children. Even though it might be in their best interest.
"It's about time you work up," he said, a bit on the sharp side, as Dierna finally opened her eyes. "Do you feel any better?"
Dierna sat up, leaning against the pillows, "yeah... I guess so."
"Good, because we have some things to talk about."
Dierna eyed her father warily. She wasn't put off by his harsh tone. She was used to it. Even when he was acting his most concerned and loving he could come off cold. But this was different; this was the harsh exterior he used with his students, "what are we talking about?"
"Several things that you are going to change. First, you need to stop being so selfish..."
"What are you talking about?!" Dierna sounded hurt, "I am not..."
"Do not interrupt me again," Severus snarled, "yes you have been incredibly selfish. You have been wallowing in your own grief, giving no thought to others. I know very well that Stefan's mother has asked you several times to come see her, she cares about you a great deal. But you have refused. You have been damn near starving yourself and going without sleep because you are too much of a coward to deal with your own feelings. Where is that Gryffindor bravery now?"
"Stop... please..." Dierna was starting to look thoroughly miserable.
"Why? Because you are finally starting to realize how disgracefully you have been acting? Well I am not done yet," he place his hands on the bed, one on either side of his daughter, so he could lean over her, "you have caused your friends a great deal of worry over the way you have been acting, not to mention your mother and me. It stops now Adelaide. You are going to stop thinking only about yourself and start paying attention to the people around you. And you..."
"I've only..."
"I told you not to interrupt me," Severus hissed. He sat back eyeing his daughter carefully, she was very close to breaking. "As I was saying..."
"I'm not listening to you!"
Severus raised his hand, and for the second time in her life, Dierna felt it connect with her cheek.
"I hate you..." Dierna whispered hoarsely as tears filled her eyes. She balled up her fists and tried to fight her father off as he moved to hold her in his arms. But he easily deflected her feeble attempts and gathered her close to him. When she realized how useless her attempts to get away were she collapsed against him, sobbing.
"Hate me all you want child, but you have to stop hating yourself," Severus' voice had lost its hard edge. "You cannot go on like this, and I am not going to sit by and wait until you do something to hurt yourself."
Dierna's breathing had grown irregular, and she was gasping for air as sobs continued to all but choke her.
"Take deep breaths child, you do not need to make yourself sick," Severus directed firmly. She continued to cry against his shoulder for a long time. He held onto his daughter until she had regained control of herself and released her so that she could lay back against the pillows again when she calmed down a bit. "Now, tell me why you have been acting so destructively these past weeks. I will sit here all night if I have to, but you are going to give me some answers young lady."
"So..."
"Yes?"
"You thinking about leaving me yet?"
Kalliope laughed, "not a chance, you're stuck with me now wizard."
"You know, we're married now, it would be entirely appropriate for you to call me by my name and not 'wizard'" Remus teased.
"But I like calling you wizard..." Kalliope shot back, as she sat up from where she had been laying on their bed to kiss her husband.
"'You ask how many kisses of yours,
Kalliope, are enough and more for me.
As many as the number of Libyan sands...
Or as many as the stars that, when night is still,
Gaze at the secret loves of men.'" Remus recited, a rather silly grin in place on his face.
"Are you spouting Roman poetry to me for a reason wizard?"
"I figured it was appropriate..." Remus drawled lazily as he ran his hand through Kalliope's dark hair.
"You turning into a hopeless romantic on me now?"
"Actually no, now that you've finally married me I suppose I can stop trying." Remus didn't have a chance to duck before he was walloped with a pillow.
"Well?" Severus handed Dierna his handkerchief and waited while she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
"I miss Stefan. And I hate him for leaving me. And I miss him... and I hate him..." her voice broke, "and I hate myself for hating him..."
"You have to stop doing this to yourself child. I know you loved him," and Severus would never let his daughter know how much it took for him to admit that, she was his little girl and shouldn't know love like that yet, "but you can't let this," he hooked his finger around the chain at her neck, which held the ring from Stefan, "run your life."
"I'll try."
Severus frowned, that wasn't quite what he wanted to hear, but he supposed it would have to do for now. He was still searching for the right thing to say when he noticed movement at the door. "You," he looked over to where Olivia was hovering at the entrance to the hospital wing, "come here, I have a job for you."
"You should have seen what Kamen did at dinner!" Olivia said as she bounded over.
"Hmmm... well I am sure I will hear about it later," Severus said, not sure that he really wanted to hear about it. He lifted Olivia up on the bed and set her next to Dierna. "You are going to sit here while I go eat something and make sure something is sent up for your sister," he looked at Olivia seriously. "Now you take this," he reached into his robes and pulled out his pocket watch, "if she tries to leave the hospital wing or does not eat her dinner you turn this knob here, and I will come right back here to deal with her. I am leaving you in charge."
"'k..." Olivia turned the watch over in her hands.
"Be careful with that," Severus admonished, "your mother gave it to me and I am rather attached to it."
Olivia cradled the watch in her hands, feeling very proud to be left with something so special, and to be left in charge.
"Been busy?"
"Ja, but its good to be busy."
Zach smiled, "it is good to be busy," being busy kept one's mind off of one's family, which was very good when your family was as bad as his.
"Did you need something Zach?" Eva looked at him quizzically, "not that I'm not pleased to see you, but... well..."
"I'm sorry; I know you need to get back to work. So do I. But I did have something to ask you," Zach picked up a vile from Eva's work table, looking at it with interest. "The thing is, I've somehow been talked into being a chaperone for the ball this weekend, and I don't want to go alone."
"Are you asking me to the dance?" Eva grinned as she retrieved the vile from Zach's hand.
"Yes."
"And with about as much tact as a 15 year old nonetheless," her smile was positively devilish.
"Well, if you don't want to go..."
"Don't be silly, of course I want to go with you," Eva suddenly turned shy again, and tried to hide behind her curtain of blond hair, "I would love to."
"Did she behave herself?" Severus asked Olivia when he returned from dinner. He had heard all about Kamen's performance and only due to Morgan's intervention had not disowned the boy.
"Yes," Olivia said, nodding solemnly.
"Watch please."
Olivia, with one last longing look, handed over the pocket watch, she had enjoyed being in charge of it.
"Why don't you head down and start getting ready for bed," Severus said to Olivia.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
Olivia managed a scowl worthy of a Snape and stomped out of the hospital wing.
"What is this?" Severus asked, as silent tears started to stream down Dierna's face, "still feeling sorry for yourself?"
"No, just realizing how wrapped up in myself I've been... and feeling bad about it. Did you mean it when you said I was selfish?"
"When have I ever told you something that I did not mean?" Severus noticed the haunted look in his daughter's eyes and decided to change the subject, "do you have any plans for the ball yet?"
"I'm not going."
Severus frowned, "why not?"
"Why do you think?" Dierna snapped.
"Do not use that tone of voice when you speak to me young lady. Just because you are upset does not mean you can speak to me like that."
Dierna scowled at the blanket across her lap, "I'm fine."