Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews! They really inspire me to keep hunting and pecking at this keyboard.
My Beloved Child Chapter 4
Poppy had ordered the headmaster out of the infirmary several hours ago to get some rest. She was so shocked to have him see her providing comfort to her patient in such a way she inadvertently laid Severus' medical file beside the package. She motioned for him to wait outside.
"Albus, he is not to be disturbed. The more he sleeps now the better he will heal." the mediwitch said quietly as she pulled the door closed behind her. "And you were suppose to go rest yourself. Obviously by the dark circles under your eyes you have not heeded my advice.
"Poppy, I have no intention of disturbing his rest. I just wish to see how he is and perhaps sit with him a bit. That is, if I have your permission…" his sad blue eyes pleaded. "I really could not rest knowing he was in such a state."
The old matron hesitated before replying, trying to gauge his sincerity. "Very well. One hour, I need to fetch a potion for him from his chambers. BUT if you wake him or upset him in any way I will-"
"You will curse me into a toad and feed me to the giant squid, I know." He smiled meekly. "You have my word, Madame that I shall be as quiet as a church mouse"
She glared at him. How dare he play Slytherin withher! She opened the door and allowed him past, noting the chart by the bed she gave a little crafty smile. What an interesting hour it would be, she thought. Serves him right, the manipulative bastd. Let's see how he likes being maneuvered. The only way to beat a Slytherin was to be a Slytherin.
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Dumbledore could not resist the temptation to "peek" into the rather thick medical file. Stepping to the door he glanced around to make sure he was truly alone. He carefully grasped the folder and flipped to Severus' first year. There was the usually first year hexes and pranks that most children encountered at first. Then he returned from winter break with a dislocated right shoulder and a greenstick fracture of his left wrist. He had sat in class for two days before he sought assistance or-more likely-was forced by Professor McGonagall to "either return with his essay or a medical waiver." Had Poppy reported this to him? He could not recall. Certainly this was a case of abuse. The headmaster very much doubted that the boy had received these injuries from "tripping over a chair."
He continued to examine the documents before him growing more outraged by the moment. Frostbitten fingers because the child lacked proper attire during second year. A "prank" by the Marauders that landed him in the hospital wing unconscious for three days?? What ever could he had done to deserve that. It was not uncommon for students, especially from rival houses to jinx each other. In fact it happened so frequently that as long as no one was being seriously injured the staff had been told-by him- to ignore it. The children were always trying to one up themselves. But they also tended to work this out for themselves without adult intervention. But he could not imagine Severus outwardly provoking four students for a prank. Oh, he would retaliate to be sure. He was such a proud, stubborn boy. But to be terrorized to the point of requiring medical attention on average of three times a school year was the fault of a staff which by their silence condoned these acts. How had this child suffered because he had refused to believe his Gryffindor could be bullies.
The detail in the file grew more and more grim with each passing year. The loss of his friendship with Lily, his mother's death, and then the Shrieking Shack incident had finally broken him. He had suffered horrific nightmares according to Poppy's notes but had developed a tolerance to the standard Dreamless Sleep Potion. That was odd, the only way to develop a tolerance was to over medicate …Oh! He had no where left to turn. He took the Dark Mark before graduation at the age of seventeen. A baby being led by wolves.
His eyes held no twinkle now as he closed and replaced the file on the bed stand; he could read no more. A tear trickled down his cheek as he gazed at the sleeping wizard. He bent forward to adjust the blankets noticing the non regulation sleep clothes. He gave a half smile knowing they must have been Poppy's doing. Then a sad thought struck him- was the child here often enough to require him own pajamas and private room? Merlin, I hope not. OhChild, I am so sorry to have failed you! I will find a way to set this right.
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A full day passed before the youth showed signs of waking. A weary Poppy had fretted and fussed over the boy wondering if St. Mungo's would not have been a better option. She had opted to treat him because she knew he would have been comforted being in familiar surroundings, though he would never let on. Yet every hour he did not awaken stressed the mediwitch.
Dumbledore returned to the hospital wing after managing a fitful two hour nap. He was not very proud of himself at the moment. Despite the guilt he felt for his past actions, he could not believe that the child had stood and lied to his face without being detected. He had begun instruction in Legitemency and occlusion shortly after he came to him for help and found him to have natural talent. He had been a quick study at the art after a particularly disturbing memory came up. He had tried to ask after it but the boy just shut down that night and refused to speak of it. Nor did you push him on it he reminded himself even though the potion master had seemed…shaken.
He found Poppy in her office staring at the wall. As he entered, she turned to him with tears in her eyes before quickly scrubbing them away.
"He is not…" the blue eyes grew wide at the implication.
"No, look," she motioned towards the wall.
The headmaster stepped closer realizing that he could see through the wall. It was a one-way mirror. Had this always been here, he did not know.
The young raven haired wizard had obviously just awoken and was staring at the ceiling. No doubt either trying to puzzle out why he was in the infirmary or how he had gotten there. The later being more likely. He instinctively went for his wand wincing as he reached for it off the bed side table. He spied a small brightly wrapped silver parcel beside his wand. Had that been there the whole time?
Severus raised his wand to check for curses and then he did something unnatural for him; he smiled. A true genuine smile as he began unwrapping the gift.
"I have never seen him smile, Poppy." he stated, eyeing her suspiciously. There must be a story behind that present.
"Oh, very well if you must know, everything, Albus it is a tradition of sorts that I do only with him. When ever he has ended up my wing that is. He doesn't know it is me and I don't mean for him to discover the truth. He would never accept them if he knew who gave them. His first year I tried to give him something out right and he politely returned it, saying he could not accept charity. He was only eleven and already so distrustful of a kindness! I had promised Eileen that I would look after him. So when he needed a new pair of gloves, or a few sickles for Hogsmeade weekends he found them here.
He glanced through the window to see the teen lovingly cupping the gift to his chest like a child would snuggle a teddy bear. As he viewed these few unguarded moments that that was the real Severus Snape he was watching, not the death Eater, nor the spy, but the child. He vowed that he would work to see that face again and not from behind a mirror.
"You needn't carry this burden alone, Poppy" he whispered, unsure if his vice would carry. "I have much to atone for with that one. And I will do all in my pow-
The matron interjected "No!"
"I'll not allow you to soothe you guilty conscience at his expense." she rounded on him like a mother grizzly, "He has had enough. You keep your schemes and manipulations away from that child."
"Poppy, I swear to you I have no intention of harming him further. I really had no inkling of what was occurring."
"You did not because you chose to ignore the proof before your eyes. You don't fool me Albus Dumbledore; if he could bring down You-Know-Who you would gladly hand him the sword of Godric Gryffindor and wish him well! All in the name of the greater good, but what of it when we lose one such as him. He is a brilliant boy who would have made a great healer had he had the right influence. "
"Poppy, you know me well." he finally conceded, looking shamefaced. "But my intentions are pure where he is concerned."
"I hope so because if that child breaks there will be no one to pick up the pieces. St. Mungo's will be the only option for him then" the matron added, her voice cracking with emotion as she continued, "He doesn't even trust me completely. He only comes when he must. And I have certainly never given him cause to doubt my intentions."
"Tread carefully, Albus, he does not need your pity. He will hate you for it." she said as she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Thank you, Poppy, I shall proceed cautiously." he assured her quietly as he watched Severus take a bite of a black licorice wand. Hmm, I will have to keep those on hand in my office. Merlin knows lemon drops repulse him.
A raised wand rested on his sleeve causing him to look up at the matron. "You had better or I will forget my healer's oath long enough to cast a Kidney Stone Curse on you. Muggle men claim it is in the same class as child birthing where pain is concerned, and I will enjoy it."
Oh yes, now I understand the Muggle phase, "Hell hath no fury like a women scorned." he registered before she shrieked again this time not directed at him.
"Oh, no Severus Snape, you will not leave that bed" the overprotective witch bustled out of her office to the next room in full battle mode. The headmaster was tempted to remain and discreetly watch the proceedings but he felt his assistance would be required, by the boy at least. So he found himself two steps behind Poppy. No wonder the child refused to come to the hospital wing of his own volition.
"Severus Tobias Snape, you set one toe out of that bed and I will cast a full body bind and confiscate your wand!" the mediwitch threatened as her patient tried to rise.
I ended this a little sooner than I would have liked. I personally hate to read stories that have a two month break between chapters. Spanks for sure next chapter. Reviews make me write fasterJ . Oh you have no idea where this is going do you? I may have to put up additional warnings.