My Beloved Child-Chapter 6
Seeing the boy deflate before his eyes he pushed him down to sit on the bed. As if on queue a brief knock was heard as Poppy reentered the room carrying a tray of what looked to be soup and a pain potion. Now he would be made to eat, could this day get any worse the Potion Master wondered.
Little did he know how worse it was going to be until Dumbledore came to retrieve him after dinner and actually carried him through the floo like some toddler after he was given the potion so he had no hope of objecting.
Yet, that was not the worst of it!
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As the headmaster settled the boy into his bed a flash of red and gold streaked by, landing on the headboard.
"Ah, Fawkes, I see you remember Severus here." the majestic bird lowered his head in a welcoming trill.
"We will have to be patient with this one." he murmured to his familiar. "He has had many trials in his young life; he will not trust readily. But we must persevere, I sense he has much to give he only needs to learn how to receive. It will not be easy, my pet, but we must choose to do what is right, rather than what is easy. He has been hurt so and by no one more than me I'm afraid," he whispered sadly.
"Watch over him, my pet," he uttered as he tucked the blanket around the dark haired wizard. "I have work to attend to." he stands over the bed for a moment before exiting his personal chambers leaving the door ajar. He sighs as he pulls the door almost closed; he couldn't fathom why he has allowed himself to care. It had been over a century since he had sincerely felt affection for any child. Yes, he was the headmaster in charge of thousands of students, but they all had families. He was only an authority figure to them; someone to rely on in times of trouble. His job was to teach them no more no less. He favored some, but did they ever return his regard. No, not since his beloved-no I must not remember. He was alone just like the young one who slumbered in the next room.
Fawkes left his perch and settled on the pillow below him. He trilled softly as he rested his head against the boys' ebony hair. Picking at a stray lock, the phoenix began a song that sounded very much like a lullaby. It had the desire affect as the tension in the young wizard faded.
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Severus awoke sluggishly, the potion still coursing through his system to the rhythmic ticking of an old Muggle grandfather clock. He did not know where he was and would have panicked had his hand not grazed his wand beneath his pillow. He pushed back the forest green duvet that warmed his body to get a better look at his surroundings.
A huge four poster mahogany bed dominated the left corner of the bedchamber. It was intricately carved with the Lion Heart Crest. No doubt an heirloom from King Arthur's time. Ruby red curtains with gold trim hung loosely about the pillars. Gryffindor colors. Perhaps I have died and gone to hell. It was certainly warm enough with a gently fire shimmering like fall leaves from a ivory carved fireplace. A perch stood just under a gothic arced window streaming with a soft sunlit glow.
His fingers moved to his neck to feel for a pulse. No he was not dead. If this was hell he would certainly not feel so comfortable, protected, or …safe? He relaxed for a moment looking at the small alcove his bed lay in. The ceiling had been charmed to show cumulus clouds floating against a cerulean blue sky.
Shaking his head, he wondered if he had indulged in a bottle or two of fire whiskey to kill the emotional pain that permeated his soul after a Death Eater revival. Had he been drunk? He felt a little too content and clear headed without the staggering hangovers for that to be true. The pressure in his bladder interrupted his thoughts as he sough out the loo. There were three doors, he opted to try the closest closed door.
He grimaced as he tried to get to his feet. His ribs and abdomen screamed in agony with each jarring step he took. After what seemed like an eternity, he made it thankfully to the restroom. His immediate needs seen to he inhaled a swallow breath and gritted his teeth for the ten foot journey back to bed. He was half way there when a soft pop startled him.
Whipping his wand out by pure instinct, he sent off a curse to who ever was behind him. He lost his balance, clutch his side as he went down, he found himself on the floor. His wand was a few feet away but the burning ache in his side would not let him move.
A door slammed and the annoyed voice of the headmaster had him scrambling to get to his feet, but he could not. He was as helpless as a newborn. "Severus Tobias Snape what are you doing out of that bed? And why are my bed curtains on fire?" Piercing blue eyes filled with disappointment and confusion locked with defiant black orbs before Severus dropped his head panting from the pain. A quick flick of the elder wand had the room put to rights again.
"Twinkle, are you alright?" he asked in a softer voice as he turned to the small creature cowering behind him fearfully. His ears dropped as he wrung his hands against his neat tea towel. Soft amber eyes peered from behind the headmasters blue silk robes to examine the young master. "Twinkle is terribly sorry Great Master Dumbledore. You is so kind to bes asking after me. Twinkle is doing likes you says and checking on the young master-I be upsetting him- he is cursing me! I's must be punished, should I iron my toes or-"
"Twinkle, that will not be necessary. I forbid you to punish yourself, you have done nothing to be reprimanded for. Perhaps you would bring some tea and soup for Severus in an hours time. I should like to discuss some things with our young master Severus." his voice had started out kindly but by the end his voice had a steely edge.
"Oh Yes! Headmaster, anything for you!" the little elf practically danced as he disapparated with a snap of his fingers.
The older wizard then turned his attention to the boy crumbled on the ground. "Give me your hand, my boy, so I may help you up," he extended his hand before the younger wizard. "Come on, child, take it. You need help."
"I am NOT your boy!" the teen spat. "I don't want your help! He tried to rise on his own again, but could not.
"Alright, child, if you refuse my hand then I shall carry you like a five year old," he bent down placing one arm under his knees and the other behind his back before lifting him. "You foolish little boy, your bleeding again!" he would have liked to throttle the stubborn boy for leaving his bed after he had been warned not to. Disobedient, willful child…how dare he frighten my house elf like that and injure himself in the process.
"PUT ME DOWN! I am NOT a child, " the dark haired wizard struggled weakly to be set free.
The headmaster replied, "Perhaps if you would cease acting like a defiant toddler I may be inclined to believe you. Now lets see what kind of damage you have caused this time." he placed him gently back in bed and reached to pull up his shirt top.
"NO!" he yelled, as his hands prevented the shirt from being removed.
"Are you this much trouble for Madame Pomfrey? Now remove your hands, I need to heal you. You don't want to remain in pain, do you? " he asked in a calmer voice, silently counting to ten.
"I can heal myself, I don't need your help," The teen insisted, trying to scoot as far from the elder wizard as possible.
A brief wrestling match ensued as the older wizard sought to pull up his shirt and the teen fought to be free. It ended with the teen being pinned on his side over the his lap with Severus' back pressed tightly into the headmaster as he sat on the bed. All the while amidst protests and epithets that were not fit to repeat. Two swift, hard swats got the boys attention. "First, young man, we will heal your wounds, then we will discuss your attitude."
"Ah, there is dark magic in this wound no wonder it is not healing correctly. Not that you've given it much chance either, my boy. Hold still as I repair this and siphon out the poison" the boy had begun to struggle once more.
"Either you will remain still or I will send for Poppy and I assure you she will be very vexed that you have undid all of her hard work. Nor do I wish her to cast an unforgivable on me for allowing you to injure yourself further. Continue this tantrum and I will take my chances. You might be released before summer holidays if she has her way. So child what will it be?" he inquired of the squirming youth in his lap.
When the boy ceased his struggles, the headmaster instructed," you may squeeze my had if you wish, this may hurt a bit, steady now." With that the headmaster raised his wand and began an incantation Severus had never heard before as a sudden pressure pushed his insides together. He yelped as he dug his hands into the soft, silky material before him. This hurt! He was so going to curse McNair the next time he saw him for this.
"There, now that should heal nicely. Good boy. I knew you would see reason eventually " the white haired wizard said as he carefully rolled the teen belly down across his knees. He patted his back for a moment before resting his palm on Severus' right thigh.
"Now I believe we will discuss your attitude problem." he said in a firm voice.
"You had better let me go or I'll curse you in your sleep, old man." the teen threatened.
"Be careful, little boy. You are in no position to threaten me. I have the upper hand here. You are out of control and it is my job to rein you in," the powerful wizard warned. "Besides I believe this position is quite conducive to a discussion of the rules you will be following whilst in my care."
"You don't give a dam about me. You just don't want to lose your spy! Well I quit so you will release me, NOW!" he shouted, squirming to get free again.
"You are so very wrong, my dear boy, I care more than you know. And I intend for you to feel how much."
TBC…
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