Author's Note: All Harry Potter characters belong to J. K. Rowling. But I own all original characters.

Chapter Seven

Waiting

Kathleen agreed to allow Severus to try the potion upon Emily; all they could do now was wait. Neither Kathleen nor Severus spoke of what happened between them, neither one could think what to say about it. But both seemed to be wishing for the other to bring it up, only to know full well that it's not going to happen.

Emily's coma continued for another two days, during this time, Severus kept Kathleen company and would sit by Emily's bedside and watch over the little girl.

Dr Grove hurried into the cafeteria on the third day of Severus giving Emily the potion. Kathleen's head perked up at the sight of the doctor, anxious to hear if it was good news or bad news.

"Emily's starting to use rapid eye movement," said Dr Grove. "She's out of her coma."

Severus looked from the doctor to Kathleen, who simply shot up from her seat and went to follow the doctor. Severus followed, keeping his distance, wanting Kathleen to see her daughter first.

He was soon standing by the doorway, slightly more in the room and watched as Kathleen sat down by her daughter's bed and held on to her hand.

"Emily?" she gently called in a loving voice.

Emily was still stirring and on the brink of opening waking up. Severus edged his way over, Kathleen saw this and nodded that he was able to come over. Severus sat on the chair on the other side of Emily's bed and took the little girl's hand. It was as though she felt him, for she carefully tightened her hand in a soft way around his hand and loosened.

"She knows you're there," said Dr Grove, who saw this from the far corner of the bed.

"Emily," Kathleen gently called. "Come on sweetheart."

Emily's hazel eyes slowly opened up, she blinked a couple of times. She moved her glance over to her mother.

"Hi mum," she spoke in a very, very soft and tired voice.

Kathleen's face lit up and she couldn't help but gently hug her daughter. Emily's eyes closed at the feel of her mother's embrace, it was always a feeling she knew and loved the most. Kathleen pulled away and Emily moved her glance over to Severus, whose hand was still gently holding hers. She smiled just the same; Severus returned this with a smile of his own.

Dr Grove, though she didn't want to break up this happy reunion, stepped forward and said that Emily needed to have some massive check ups by the doctors and she still needed rest. Kathleen and Severus went to walk around the hospital grounds while waiting.

There was a real pregnant silence between them.

"Severus," said Kathleen, breaking the silence. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately."

"You're not the only one," said Severus, admittedly.

Kathleen sighed a little. "I don't know how to say this…"

"Will you go out with me?" Severus quickly asked, cutting her off without thinking.

Kathleen stared at him.

"Funny," she said. "I was going to ask almost the say thing."

"Really?" asked Severus.

Kathleen lowered her glance down to the ground; Severus gently bought her glance back up to his face. Slowly and carefully, their lips untied into a kiss, it was strong and it was tender. It was the beginning of a bond…