All characters still belong to JK.
A/N: Thanks to my lovely reviewers—notwritten, duj, Terrihomeschools, sad clown, Looks Far Woman, GregoryHouseAddict, Hermione09Weasley, and MaritimeStars. You all keep me going!
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Severus is gone, he's taken Inanna to my mother's house, but he promised he'd come right back. Waiting for him seems like an eternity, however. I know he'll make every effort to get back as quickly as possible. He'll probably aparate or something, but I wish he were here.
My roommate is an elderly lady who was asleep when I came in, and is still asleep. I don't know what she has or why she's here. I almost wish she would wake up, though, just so I'd have somebody to talk to. Even if she were mean or senile, she'd be company.
I'm dressed in a hospital gown. Even in the wizarding world, hospital gowns are hideous. In fact, I'll bet wizard and muggle hospitals all use the same laundry service. Then for some reason the though of wizard/muggle laundry cracks me up, and I start to giggle.
I wish I had something to do. I turn on the radio, but very low, and listen to the Wizard Wireless Network, but it's just some political talk show, so I turn it off. I had enough of politics after the War. I wish I'd asked Severus to stop by our flat so he could bring me some books to read. And my hairbrush. And some other little things I'd like to have near me. When he comes, I'll give him a list.
I haven't seen any healers or medi-witches since I was admitted. The thought makes me a little mad. I thought I had to have all these tests? That's what Dr. Bella said. But nobody has been in. Everybody's forgotten about me.
Oh, no. Now I'm starting to feel sorry for myself. Now I'm starting to cry. I can feel the tears coming, first one, then another. I grab a hankie from the box at my bed, and try to compose myself, but it's no use. I'm crying and I can't stop. I'm scared, I'm all alone, nobody has come in to see me. I miss Severus. I miss Inanna.
I cry myself to sleep.
I'm awakened by the sensation of lips brushing against my temple. I open my eyes and Severus is there. I sit up and throw my arms around him. He holds me close and I feel better.
But before we have a chance to talk, a medi-witch comes in carrying a vile-smelling potion in a goblet. It even has smoke coming out of the top of it. I eye her warily, hoping that disgusting drink is for my roommate. No such luck.
"Swallow it down, every drop," she commands.
"Why? What does it do?"
"It's for your tests tomorrow," she replies, not at all put out by my question, but not to be got around, either. "This potion, in combination with the wand tests and charm tests, will help pinpoint a diagnosis. Drink," she commands inexorably.
I drink it. It doesn't actually taste as bad as it smells, but it's still pretty bad. I want to wash my mouth out with water afterward.
"No water for a half hour. But then after that I'll bring you your dinner tray." She bustles out, then brings back another potion, one that smells very sweet. But that's for my roommate--of course. The medi-witch pulls the curtain around her bed, and I can hear the sounds of her taking care of the old lady.
"Did you break the news to Mum gently?" I ask my husband quietly, not wanting to be overheard.
"No, I made the news sound as frightening as I could."
"Aw Severus, you know what I mean. And besides, you're not always very tactful."
"I tell it like it is."
"True, but you could be a bit more gentle sometimes. If somebody had to tell you bad new about Inanna, how would you want to hear it?"
"In as few words as possible."
I sigh. Severus really wouldn't want people to mince words with him.
"But your mother's going to come visit you tomorrow," he adds.
I smile. That makes me happy. "How did Inanna do, being left with Mum?"
"She was fine. I think you're more upset than she is."
"I know, but I've never been apart from her overnight since she was born. You won't leave me, will you? You'll stay tonight, right?"
"I'll stay as long as you need me," he replies as he puts his arms around me again.