I Do Not Own Harry Potter.

Severus had asked the Headmaster to inform Saveage of Eva's condition as soon as the girl had been taken to the wizarding hospital. Unfortunately, Saveage had reacted just as Severus thought she would. She had practically hexed the older man to get permission to see her daughter. Severus had expected no less and did not envy the old wizard his situation.

She had ranted and raved about how she had entrusted Eva's life to Hogwarts and now look where she was. Dumbledore, of course, had felt responsible in some way, but Severus knew that this was more his own fault than the Headmaster's. Saveage had been allowed to see her daughter on Monday. She'd fussed over her daughter's prone form and then cried for an hour as Severus held her that night.

"Has this ever happened before?" he asked her.

"No, Father never hexed her with anything like this in his training. At least, not that I know of. She's been sick before, but that was only the mild things like colds and coughs. For the most part, she's been the picture of health. It's so . . . so . . . I don't know what it is, but I don't feel like that's my daughter in that bed. She's so cold and pale."

"I know, Sage, I know. We just have to hope that her natural abilities are working, even if we can't see it."

Saveage had stayed in Severus' arms all that night. She had only been able to come one day. It would have been too dangerous for her to be seen there too often. The Dark Lord had spies even in St. Mungo's and the staff had been told that she was there to visit a close friend of the family. The Ministry, now working closely with Dumbledore, had not allowed anything to be printed about the death of Aurelius and Alethea Nocturino and so no one really knew what had happened in late August. Eva was in complete isolation in her room at St. Mungo's; only a limited number of staff was allowed to take care of her, and those people, including the healer attending her, all had direct ties to the Order.

Saveage had tried to convince Dumbledore to allow her to stay there while Eva was sick. She swore not leave the room until Eva was ready to leave. Dumbledore, however, kept his reason and, even though he hated having to separate them at this difficult time, he had done what he thought best for their safety and sent Saveage back to Number Twelve. He had promised to give her daily reports of how Eva was faring, and that had placated her somewhat.

Severus had received a note from Dumbledore that day at school about Draco and Narcissa Malfoy visiting Eva and he'd been concerned. Severus had never known just where Narcissa's loyalties had fallen. She really did love her husband, although Severus had never understood why. He guessed it was something akin to the reason that Saveage loved him, even with all his faults and less than perfect looks.

Dumbledore had also expressed some disquiet over the visit, but his unease was over Draco. The Headmaster did not know what the boy's feelings were concerning his father. He had been rather upset when he got news of his father's arrest and sentence to Azkaban. The boy's loyalty to his father's Lord was in question and his close ties to Eva posed a great concern.

Severus had convinced the Headmaster that Draco was no threat to Eva. The older wizard still had his doubts, but had bowed to Severus' rights as Eva's father. Severus, himself, had some doubts about Draco Malfoy's loyalties to the Dark Lord, but he knew where the boy stood when it came to Eva. He knew Draco would do what ever he could to keep her safe and close to him.

Saveage had told Severus, during her visit to Hogwarts, about the marriage arrangement that Lucius had been pressuring her to approve. The elder Malfoy had always intimidated Saveage and she had given him a vague and indefinite answer, which Lucius had effectively taken as a 'yes'. What Lucius thought of as 'yes', Draco did, too, and knew about this semi-agreement and had been treating Eva as his property since he spotted her on her first day of school. Severus had only come to that realization after Saveage had explained. He'd given Draco a bit of a hard time when he was with Eva for a while, just so the boy would know that he was watching.

Severus and Saveage had talked to Eva on Monday night at the hospital. It had soothed both of their worries to be able to speak to her, even if she did not respond. Saveage had fallen asleep on the bed, her head on Eva's stomach. When daylight came, she had to make a hasty retreat, before anyone saw her and reported to some gossip magazine that she had stayed all night at the hospital. Severus watched her go and went back to Hogwarts soon after, but not before checking on Eva one last time. As he left instructions to be notified immediately if there was any change, he could not help but wonder if she would need to be moved to the ward for permanent spell damage.

Draco had walked through the week impatiently, waiting for Friday to come. He had written his mother Monday morning and asked her to write Dumbledore for permission to visit Eva at St. Mungo's. She'd written back that same day and had told him all was arranged for the trip on Friday and that she was going with him.

Draco smiled at the memory of the letter. He had looked at it for an hour, not just because of knowing he would soon see Eva, but because his mother had written it. He remembered receiving her first letter to Hogwarts; he still had it in fact. He loved looking at her writing, it was very feminine and reminded him of her with its natural grace and flow, and he loved all the treats she would send him from home. She had somehow known that he missed being at Malfoy Manor.

Narcissa had asked about Saveage's condition after learning of her daughter's injury. Draco didn't know what to say and so just wrote his mother that he was pleased about the arrangements and that he had not heard anything about his Auntie Saveage even knowing that Eva was hurt.

"It was strange," thought Draco. He had never known Saveage and Eva to be apart for so long. Draco wondered if Saveage was at the hospital as he re-read the letter before posting it. They were more like sisters sometimes, than mother and daughter. They had often dragged Narcissa into their little circle, too. Not that she had ever complained. Mrs. Malfoy had always come home tired after a day with the Misses Nocturino, but she had a happiness about her that made Draco wonder if she ever wished she'd had a daughter of her own.

He forced himself out of his musings and back to the subject at hand. He was in his Arithmancy class with Ravenclaws and it was his last class today. He and Eva had this class together and had partnered on many occasions, but he was now stuck with Pansy Parkinson. She had doubled her efforts to get in his jeans since the Yule Ball.

He forced himself to work as amiably and quickly as he could, focusing on the knowledge that tomorrow, Friday, he would be going with his mother to London. The class period was soon over and he dashed out of the classroom. He made for the Slytherin dungeons and was surprised to find Professor Snape waiting for him in his dormitory.

"Is there something I can help you with, Professor?" asked Draco.

"I received an owl from your mother stating that you two are going to be visiting Eva tomorrow," he said.

"Yes, sir. She has already arranged everything with the Headmaster."

"I am aware of that, Mr. Malfoy. I just wanted to make sure that you will not be doing anything rash while you are in her room."

"I wouldn't think of doing anything of the sort," said Draco. At least, not while you're in the room, he thought.

"Good to know." The professor began to walk towards the door. He stopped as he was about to open it. "I noticed your gift when I arrived at her room Monday. You might want to tone it down a bit. Potter may not have as much gold as you, but you'll run through your inheritance if you keep going at this rate."

"I'll keep that in mind, sir," said Draco.

Severus walked back to his office and sat looking at the chair where Eva usually sat when she came. It amazed him to no end, how much he had grown to care for her. He had stayed by her side at St. Mungo's all night on Sunday. He returned for breakfast at Hogwarts and taught his classes. He'd taken whatever marking he could carry in his case and had gone right back to her private room at the wizarding hospital.

He had been surprised on Wednesday when he walked into the room and found Eva's eyes open, staring blankly at the ceiling. He'd immediately called for the nurse. The woman had checked Eva thoroughly and sighed in satisfaction.

"Her vital signs are strong and steady. She seems to be on her way to recovery. I don't know why her eyes are open, though. I will alert the healer-on-call and he'll be better able to assess the situation." She bustled quickly out of the room.

Severus sat by the bed and held Eva's hand in his left and placed his right atop her head. He smoothed back her hair and began his nightly one-sided conversation, just as he and Saveage had done on Monday.

"You've missed quite a lot in your classes, Eva. Your professors have been putting aside your assignments and they will expect you to complete them when you return." He smiled and ran a finger down her nose; it was exactly like her mother's. "Don't worry about Potions, though; I know your Professor well and I'm sure I can convince him to be lenient with you. Your Housemates have expressed some concern for you. Of course, most of the ones who have asked after you were the boys."

The healer cleared his throat behind Severus and waited for the man sitting by the bed to turn around. "It's good to talk to her, Professor Snape. Most times they show no sign of reaction, but we've had quite a few patients wake up and say that they had heard everything that was going on." He had reached the bed and was examining Eva's eyes as he spoke.

"Her pupils are responding to light." He checked her pulse. "Her pulse is strong and steady." He placed the tip of his wand on her side and waited. "There seems to be no internal organ damage or bleeding." He put his wand back on his pocket and looked at Eva with confusion. She seemed to be in perfect health.

"Is there something about your daughter that you have not mentioned, Professor? Any medical condition she's been prone to?" asked the healer.

Severus looked up and covered his annoyance with a blank countenance. "She's been the picture of health. This is the first time I've seen her like this."

The healer nodded. "Well, the only thing she seems to need is rest." He motioned for the nurse to follow him. "Goodnight, Professor. Please alert us if you feel there is a change."

"Of course, thank you."

Severus sat back down on the chair and held Eva's hand in both of his. She had her fingernails painted emerald green and Severus knew it was because of Potter. She'd been miserable since just after the Yule Ball. It was apparent that Eva had quite strong feelings for Potter. He laid his head on the bed, atop the hands that held hers. "Maybe this is my fault," he mused. "If I had not forbidden Potter to see you, you probably would not have been with Draco on Sunday. I'm so sorry, Darling. I wanted to keep you from danger so much that I may have put you straight in front of it."

Severus stood and looked straight into the blank eyes of his daughter. "Please, Eva, come back to me. I can't promise you the world, but I will try harder. Just fight for me; fight to come back." Severus waited for a response, but nothing came.

He took out the papers he had brought with him and began to read through them, commenting every now and then to Eva. He finished quickly and walked back to the bed; some time during the conversation, Eva had closed her eyes.

He'd gone through the week like he was on automatic pilot. He was just as nasty to his students as he usually was, though he did not have the energy to deduct as many points as he habitually did. Many students decided he was losing his touch now that he had a daughter. Some students had even tried to get away with things they would normally have never dared to try while he was in his class. To their chagrin, they had learned he was tired, but not blind.

He was praying for Friday to come so he would be able to just take a couple of changes of robes to St. Mungo's and just camp out in her room for the weekend. He did not mind having Narcissa there for the day. He had heard Eva's stories about how much she and her Aunt Nary would do together. Severus had found it hard to picture Narcissa Malfoy, one of the most formal women he had met, shopping at a Muggle mall with Saveage and Eva in tow. Then again, he had known Narcissa in school and she had always been a bit of a party girl, so it would follow that she would 'let loose,' as they say, when Lucius was not looking. He just hoped that at this point in time Lucius wasn't somehow watching.

Severus had asked the Headmaster to find someone to teach his last class, since he wanted to get to the hospital early and spend as much time with Eva as he could this weekend. He had given the Headmaster the next batch of Wolfsbane Potion that he had prepared for Remus Lupin, as today was to be the full moon. He gathered Draco from his class and went out to the front of the school to await Narcissa's arrival. They only had to wait a few minutes before seeing her form approaching from the school gates.

Severus helped Draco with the bag that he'd packed for the weekend, and set a quick pace to meet Narcissa.

"Draco, Darling, are you all right?" asked Narcissa. Draco seemed rather pale to her.

"I'm alright, Mum. I'll feel better when I see Eva."

Narcissa nodded and put a hand on his arm. She turned to the Professor. "Hello, Severus. I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances."

"Thank you, Narcissa. I trust that you are ready to leave immediately?"

"Yes, of course." She turned indicating that she would follow him.

Severus took a quick and direct route to the post office in Hogsmeade. He had secured a Portkey to London yesterday and was in a hurry to get to St. Mungo's. He was glad to see that he had made it in plenty of time before the key was ready and turned to his two guests.

"I just wanted to make sure that you both understand the seriousness of Eva's condition. She has not responded to anyone since her arrival at the hospital and we are not sure when she will."

"Is that normal, Severus? Has the healer had experience in this kind of situation before?" asked Narcissa. Her questions and tone were a bit harsher than she normally would have used, but she had a deep affection for the girl in the hospital.

"I don't know if it's normal, but then Eva is not a normal girl, is she?" Severus was referring to her Healing abilities. "I have asked the healer and he said that Professor McGonagall was in the same condition for near a month when this happened to her, so he is hoping that because Eva is younger she will be out of this sleep-like condition in a week or so."

Draco had just been listening, and storing the information that the adults were giving him. The feeling in the pit of his stomach just grew heavier, as the feeling of guilt that he'd been carrying around through the previous week increased. He held onto the Portkey and the whole way to London, he kept seeing the look of pain on Eva's face just before she fell to the ground.

He was not prepared for the sight of Eva on the bed, still as pale as she had been at the beginning of the week. He felt his breathing tighten as he walked towards her. He cradled her hand and felt that it was cold to the touch. He looked at her face and wished as hard as he could for her eyes to open. It didn't happen. He closed his eyes and wished with every fiber of his being for her eyes to open and for her to just jump out of the bed and challenge him to a snowball fight; but again it didn't happen.

He lifted the hand in his own and brought it to his lips. "I'm so sorry, Rave. I'm so sorry." A sob broke through and he dropped his head on top of her hand on the bed. He felt his mother's hand on his shoulder and moved one of the hands that was holding Eva's to his shoulder and took a hold of hers.

He stayed that way for at least five minutes before looking up at Eva again. "I'm sorry, Rave. Please wake up. I swear I'll do whatever you want. I'll be nice to Potter, just please wake up."

Severus had watched Draco with something akin to astonishment. The boy had never shown any emotion other than hatred and coldness since he began at Hogwarts, but since Eva had arrived he had been nothing short of gentlemanly with her. It seemed that he had taken the supposed agreement between Lucius and Saveage to heart and was in love with Eva.

Narcissa moved to the other side of the bed and placed a hand on Eva's head. "She looks so peaceful," whispered the blonde.

"Can she hear us?" asked Draco.

"The healer believes she can," answered Severus.

Draco sighed and pulled up a chair. "You've missed a lot of school, Rave. The professors have been setting aside your assignments, so you'll have plenty of work to make-up. Don't worry too much, though, I can help you when you get back. If you don't get back soon, Granger might move back onto the head of our year."

"Speaking of Granger, Parkinson has taken your little sabbatical as an opportunity to resume her fun. I'm sure Granger's wishing she hadn't interfered between us." Draco chuckled. He was about to continue with his talk, but Narcissa interrupted.

"What do you mean, 'interfered' with you? Did you have something to do with this?"

Severus got out of his chair in the far corner of the room. "I'm sorry, Narcissa. It is my fault that you do not know the whole story of what happened on Sunday. As Draco's Head of House, I should have written you a letter explaining the situation." He motioned for her to have a seat in one of the chairs adjacent the bed.

"From what I have gathered, from the stories of the students involved, Draco and Eva were having some sort of disagreement or discussion and something he did warranted Harry Potter's attention. Potter and two of his friends drew their wands, as did Draco and two of his friends, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, and they all cast Stunning Spells. Unfortunately, Eva did not want an altercation to happen and she got in the path of all six Stunners."

Narcissa had grown paler as the story wore on. She could not believe her ears. She knew that Draco was not the kindest of souls, he was being so heavily influenced by his father, but for him to do something like this to the one friend he had known for most of his life! She turned a murderous glare on her son, who was intelligent enough to look ashamed of his actions.

"You're the reason she's in here?" she asked.

"Narcissa," began Severus. "Although I believe that Draco has a lecture coming to him, and I will not stop you from giving it, I would be much obliged if you left the room. I do not want Eva to hear anything that might upset her, if she can hear us."

"Of course." Narcissa stood from her chair and walked over to her son. He was now taller than she was, but he knew just how powerful a witch he was dealing with. "Come, Draco," she hissed.

Draco stood from the chair he was sitting in and walked in front of his mother. He cast one last look at Eva before stepping out into the corridor. Narcissa had not raised her voice, she had not even hinted at a punishment for him. She just looked at him with sadness and disappointment evident on her face.

"I hoped your father's influence on you was not this deep, Draco. Had I known that you had tried to force yourself on her, I would never have allowed you to come."

"But, Mum. . ."

"Silence! I will not hear excuses! You were going to hurt the one person you have known for your entire life, and use a Stunning Spell on someone; whether or not that person was your best friend is besides the point." Narcissa covered her face with her hands and shook her head. Her thoughts were so jumbled and she was so shocked at what her son had almost done, that she could not speak. "I don't think I've ever been so disappointed with you, son."

"I'm really sorry, Mum; you have to believe me. I didn't see her come towards us until it was too late. I would have taken all the spells on myself if I had known this would happen."

Narcissa sighed and looked at her son. "I have no doubt that you would have, but you didn't. Understand something, Draco," Narcissa took her son's face into her hands and looked him straight in the eye. "Your actions are what have caused this. I hope you remember the way she looks on that bed for the rest of your life. If your father had ever cared about people half as much as I know you do, I'm sure he would be with us now."

The mention of his father made Draco feel ashamed. He knew just how much Narcissa had to put up with when he was around. "I'm sorry Mum. I do understand."

"I love you, Draco, and it's only because I love you that I would mention your father. You may be his son, but I refuse to believe you are his replica."

"Thank you, Mum."

They returned to the room, but this time Draco just sat by Eva's bed and held her hand, Narcissa watching with a keen eye the whole time. Around eight o'clock the nurse brought in three food trays. Narcissa tried to look appreciative, but could not help the shudder that ran through her at the sight of the food. Fortunately, the nurse understood.

"It's hospital food, Ma'am. I don't think anyone likes it," she said.

Narcissa did not touch her food; she just went over to stand by Eva. Severus had been reading to her from a book he said Eva liked very much. It was written by a Muggle, of all people, but Narcissa was surprised that she was being drawn in. This Tolkien fellow sure knew how to write.

Narcissa looked over at Severus and Draco eating their dinner and smiled. She placed her blonde head next to Eva's raven one and draped her arm across her waist. "Do you remember when you turned thirteen and Draco and I visited for the summer break? That was a fun time, wasn't it?"

The two men at the other side of the room listened intently while eating. "Your grandmother had convinced your grandfather to take Draco on a tour of Muggle London so he could see how they live. It was a nice excuse to get them out of the house. Do you remember what we did that weekend?"

Narcissa lifted her head and looked right at Eva. Her eyes were still closed, but she appeared to be regaining some of her color. "It's amazing how childish two grown women can be when they're alone and allowed to act as they please. Especially when you were there to egg them on. Do you think the house elves still remember the sight of the three of us streaking across the lawns?" Narcissa laughed, but her eyes were filled with tears.

"I'll do it again, Eva, if you'll wake up." A sob tore from her throat. "Please, baby girl, please come back."

Draco walked to his mother's side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The woman cried over the girl and tears fell onto the sheets. Draco tried to move his mother to chair by the bed, but she refused to move.

Instead, she continued talking to her. "I remember this one time when you and Draco were just babies; you were both still in diapers, actually. It was a fine summer day and I had gone to your house to spend the day with your mother. You and Draco were sitting in the parlour playing with your toys when your grandfather stormed into the house. You started crying because he was screaming at the house elves and he could be heard all the way into the parlour. Your mother tried to calm him down, but she ended up screaming at him too. When I turned from where I was listening at the door, Draco had his hand on yours and he was patting it, as if he were comforting you. I have always believed that day was when your friendship began."

Severus listened to that story and could not help the little smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was not difficult to imagine Eva as a child, but Draco as a toddler was a bit impossible. Especially, the picture of Draco that Narcissa was painting.

Narcissa continued telling Eva stories about her and Draco, as well as stories about Saveage and herself, some of which made Severus force a cough in order to hide his laugh. It was dark out when Draco and Narcissa were taking their leave.

"Thank you for allowing us to come, Severus," said Narcissa.

"I'm glad that you made the effort. I'm sure Eva knows you were here."

"Is there anyway I can stay, Mum? I can sleep on the chair," said Draco.

"No, Draco. We will be back in the morning; there is no need for you to . . ."

Narcissa had been looking at Draco when she was explaining, and a bright light caught her eye. Severus looked over to where she was staring, as did Draco.

The light of the full moon had reached Eva's bed and it seemed to envelop her in brightness. A glow had begun right around her belly button and began to spread over her body, until it completely surrounded her. The trio looked on in shocked amazement as her body was lifted off the bed. Her hair hung down and skimmed over the pillow from where she was suspended in mid-air.

It was an amazing sight to behold. Eva stayed suspended for a few minutes, until the light began to fade. As she began her descent to the bed, her breathing became louder, almost a rasp. When she hit the bed her head was thrown back in pain and the scream she let out was what brought back her father to reality. He was quickly at her side and holding her hand.

"Eva, what's wrong? What hurts?"

"My chest . . . burning . . . " She let out a piteous moan. "Daddy," she whinged in pain.

"Draco, get the healer," ordered Severus.

Narcissa was rather shocked at what she had seen. Saveage had never told her that Eva was an Energy Healer; Draco had never told her that Eva was an Energy Healer. She walked back to the bed and stood next to Severus. Eva's head was buried in his shoulder and she was crying piteously as her father rocked her. Narcissa simply placed her hand on Eva's head and tried to whisper words of encouragement.

The healer ran into the room and took in the sight before him. He was glad that the girl had finally regained consciousness, but he had never heard of someone being in pain after they had been hit with a Stunning Spell. He knew right away that Professor Snape had, indeed, been hiding something from him. His first priority was to relieve Eva's pain.

"Here, Professor, give her this. It's just a simple Pain Potion. It will make her comfortable enough for me to examine her."

Severus pulled Eva's head back a little. "Here, Darling, drink this. It will help with the pain." Eva tried to put her head back to its former position, but Narcissa was now holding her chin firm. "I promise, you'll feel better as soon as you drink this." He tipped the vial of potion into Eva's slightly parted lips.

Draco watched as the three adults tended to Eva. His mind understood that she was now awake; she was on her way to returning to normal. His heart, however, could not get past the image of her floating off the bed and then screaming in pain. That scream; if he lived to be three hundred, he would never forget that scream. He had been the cause of it; he'd caused her this pain and he knew he'd never forget it.