Severus could only grab a couple of hours of sleep after he arrived home. Despite his attempts at using his Occlumency skills, his mind was still turbulent. Maybe he did need to talk to Kate. Maybe it would help.
He only got a couple of hours sleep. When he awoke it was still dark outside. He showered and dressed quickly. He had something small to eat and then picked up something to read while he waited at the hospital. After gulping down an Energy Potion, he secured his cloak around him before Apparating to St. Mungo's.
Snape sat in a chair at the foot of Kate's bed, his book resting open in his lap. He had been idly flicking through it for the past two hours, but he hadn't taken anything in. He eventually snapped it shut. He stared moodily ahead of him. He was soon jolted back to his present situation as he heard a small sigh from the bed.
Snape stood by Kate's bed as she began to stir. His expression said all that needed to be said. Despite the fact that he had gone over what he could say many times in his mind, there was still a deep-rooted fear threatening him. He could easily recognise it as a fear of failure.
He dimmed the lamps as Kate's eyes began to flicker open. "Katharine, do you recognise me?"
"Professor Snape..." Kate's voice was no more than a whisper. She was still half-asleep. "Where am I?"
"You're in St. Mungo's, Katharine." Snape was beginning to wonder if he should call a nurse.
"Why?" Kate asked the question he had been dreading. Severus knew that he was soon going to have to tell her. He had never been good at these emotional scenes.
"I think we should wait until you are more awake until I tell you. There is a lot for you to take in. I should get a nurse now."
A few minutes later, he returned, along with a young witch. Kate was soon comfortably settled against soft fluffy pillows. "Let us know if you want or need anything, Professor." Snape nodded a thank you to the young witch as she left the room.
"Professor, are you going to tell me why I am here?"
"Yes, Katharine, I am. I gave my word to Professor Dumbledore, and I am giving my word to you that I will tell you everything I can. But, first, I must ask you to do something. I must ask you to tell me something.
"What, Professor?" There was a knowing fear in Kate's voice.
"I must ask that you tell me as much as you can remember of what happened before you woke up here. I know that it will not be easy, but I am sure that you know it is something you must do. It will be painful, I understand that, but you are safe now."
For a few minutes, Kate was somewhat lost for words. She knew that people were of course going to be gentle with her- she was lying in a hospital bed- but, of all the people that she knew, she had never, ever thought that Severus Snape would be standing by her bed talking softly and gently to her. Eventually, once she had gathered her thoughts, she spilled out everything that she could remember. Once she had finished, she paused for a moment, then asked a question. "Professor, will you answer my questions if you can?"
"Of course, Katharine. I gave you my word."
"Thank you, Professor." Kate's voice had faded to nothing more than a faint whisper. "When can I see my parents?" The question seemed sudden.
"When you first went missing, Katharine, your parents went into hiding. They were scared, especially as Elizabeth had been killed a week before. Professor Dumbledore has gone to get them; even with news of your rescue it will take time." The expression on Kate's face made Severus feel as though he was breaking her heart.
"Can I see Molly Weasley? Please, Professor, I just need to see another familiar face..." A tear trickled down Kate's cheek. "Please."
Severus took a moment to think. To hell with what Dumbledore had said. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise." He tried to smile reassuringly as he left the room.
Kate sank into her pillows as Snape left the room. She sighed deeply. She couldn't understand why Severus Snape, of all people, had been waiting by her bedside when she had come round. Molly Weasley she would have expected, but not Snape. And where was all this compassion coming from? Going by his usual standards, he was being extremely over-emotional.
She felt extremely confused, on top of all the soreness, the aching muscles and scared feelings. She closed her eyes tightly, shutting out the colours so she could stare into blackness. After several long minutes, Kate drifted into a deep sleep.
