The owl swooped down to drop a message in front of her as she ate breakfast. It wasn't Amber – in fact, it was no owl she had ever seen before. The letter slid down the table a little way, and Sprout passed it back.
"Someone's popular," she smiled. Kaira smiled back. Sprout had been such a good friend since she had been disillusioned with Snape's friendship.
"So I am," she replied, opening the letter with some curiosity.
Dear Ms Elmsford,
I apologise for contacting you about a matter that I am sure is very painful for you to think of, but I feel that I ought to bring it to your attention.
Your father has been a patient of mine for some years and had been in a stable, if seemingly permanent, condition. Yesterday, however, he suffered a stroke, which has much affected his condition. It is my opinion that he will not recover. He has been asking for you since he regained consciousness. I understand that you have had no contact with him since he has been in my care, but I hope that you will now consider visiting him. It may be your last chance, I am sorry to say.
Yours Sincerely
Dr U. Joliffe (mediwitch, St Mungo's)
"Kaira, my dear, what is the matter?" Sprout asked, as she read the letter. She had evidently gone pale.
"I'm sorry, I must go," she said, getting up and fleeing the hall. She felt Snape's eyes stare at her for a moment, and then she was gone.
"Oh dear," said Sprout. "I wonder what was in that letter? I hope it wasn't terrible news."
Kaira ran blindly back to her rooms. She had persuaded herself that her father was dead, that she would never have to see him again, but the letter had shocked her to her core. He was still alive and in St Mungo's. He didn't deserve such care. He should have been sent to Azkaban, never mind the information he had given. Never mind his mental state. He should be dead.
There was a knock at her door.
"Yes?"
"It's me, dear, Sprout," a voice called. "I was just wondering if you were alright."
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright, dear. Call me if you need anything."
She wasn't going, of course. The merest suggestion was ridiculous. There was no way she was going to visit him. Ever. Not even if he begged for her to come.
There was a second knock at her door.
"Yes?" she said with an edge worthy of Snape.
"Let me in, Kaira," commanded Dumbledore gently.
"Why?"
"Because I want you too."
She shook her head and went to open the door.
"My dear, you've been crying. Something has clearly upset you. What is it?"
She mutely held out the letter. Dumbledore read it quickly.
"I see. You have been reminded of something you want to forget." She started crying again. He put an arm around her shoulders and sat her down. "Now, you need some nice, sweet tea," he beamed, as if everything was normal. "Good tea is a cure for most things."
He waved his wand and a small, fluorescent pink tea set appeared in front of her.
"That's not right," he frowned. He banished it with another wave and retrieved a yellow stripy mug full of nice, sweet tea. She drank it in spite of herself.
"Now. Why don't go give it a go, my dear?"
"You mean go and see him?" Kaira stared at the Headmaster in disbelief.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to remember what it was like! Being a child, in his power... I don't want to remember him."
"I know, child, but you can't avoid him forever. If you go and see him, he may lose some of his power over you. You may be able to move on, to stop caring."
"I don't think I can do it,"
"You can. And if you feel as if there is too little a reward for too great a pain, there is something else that this meeting may provide."
"And what's that? He has nothing I could possibly want!"
"He could tell you about Severus." Before she could speak, he cut her off. "I know you're going to say you don't care, but I know better. Your father can tell you things that Severus would never talk to anyone about. There are certain things he will not tell even me." Dumbledore got up to leave. "Think on it, my dear. I really think you should go."