Voices were breaking through the quiet darkness. Severus couldn't make the voices out, but knew they were familiar.
"I think he's waking! Someone get the healer!"
Severus' eyes felt very heavy. He contemplated on whether or not to just fall back into his sleep, or whatever it was he had just awoke from.
"Severus", a voice said softly. "Severus, can you hear me?"
Severus immediately recognized Hermione's voice. He could feel his eyes starting to flutter open and he tried to lift his hand in the direction of Hermione's voice.
"No, love don't move. Just open your eyes if you can."
As Severus' eyes continued to flutter open he could hear a loud beeping. It actually sounded as if there were two, one echoing off the other. His vision blurred for a minute, until it fully adjusted. Hermione sat on the side of his bed, leaning over him. He could make out his mother, Albus, Lucius and a few others in the background.
Hermione obviously had a distressed look on her face. But, she sighed in relief when Severus met her gaze. Severus' mind was still slightly hazed over, he couldn't remember what happened or how he ended up in, what he assumed, was St. Mungo's.
"Severus, can you hear me", Hermione asked concerned, after noticing the blank look on Severus' face.
"Yes", he responded hoarsely, after a moment. "What happened?"
The room seemed to became dead silent. Hermione glanced at the others and then back to Severus.
"You don't remember anything?"
"I....I don't know", Severus said closing his eyes, trying to clear his mind.
What had happened? What was he missing? Everyone in the room seemed to be completely silent and on edge, from what he could make out. Severus remembered having to rush to headquarters with Hermione and Addison. But, why? Was there some kind of attack on them? No, that didn't seem quite right. Maybe there were still death eaters on the lose? No, that wasn't right either. Voldemort's downfall was years ago. But, death eater sounded right, that had something to do with this. But, where was Abby in all of this. He didn't remember Abby going to headquarters with them.
Abby!
Severus' eyes shot open and he started pulling on the bed rail, trying to pull himself up.
"Severus, lay back down!" Hermione said urgently.
"Abby! Abby!" Severus said trying to pull himself up, but was unsuccessful. He hadn't realized how tired and drained he was until he tried getting up.
"Severus calm down", Lucius said rushing to help Hermione get Severus back into bed. Severus had one leg off the bed and his hands were gripping Hermione's shoulders.
"No, I need to get Abby", Severus said quickly, but then he stopped. It seemed as if an important thought popped into his head. "She..Abby..she..she's...She's dead!" Severus started to sob and fell heavily into Hermione's lap.
The beeping sound was going crazy now. It was beeping so fast Severus couldn't keep up with it.
"Severus, calm down and listen to me", Hermione said softly wrapping her arms around him.
Four healers rushed in, two headed for Severus'.
"Out of the way, he needs to be sedated", one of the healers said quickly.
"No! He's been sedated enough. Severus will never be able to stay conscious if you don't let me explain things to him!" Hermione almost bellowed.
"Do you hear the machines, their hearts are racing! It's not good for either of them!" The healer spat back.
"He just became fully conscious and believes his daughter is dead! What did you expect!" Eileen spat, pushing the healer away from Severus and Hermione.
"Severus look", Lucius said quickly, Severus could hear him pulling the curtain away from his bed.
Severus was letting all their words sink in. The healers had said their heart beats and his mother had said he believed his daughter was dead.
"Severus", Hermione said softly, turning his chin away from her chest, where he had buried his face. "Abby's still alive, look." Severus turned his head to see Abby laying in the bed about ten feet away from him. Two healers were trying to check her over but Talon and Fawks wouldn't let them near her.
Severus let out a sigh and tears starting gushing out of his eyes.
"Severus I need you to listen to me", Hermione continued in her soft voice. "You must stay calm. Abby seems to be feeding off your emotions. Anytime you have been anything but calm, her heart starts racing and she doesn't calm down until you do."
Severus watched Talon and Fawks, it almost seemed like they were conversing with their eyes. Fawks nodded to Talon and then flew over to Severus, landing on his shoulder. Fawks nuzzled at the back of Severus' neck and relief rushed through his' body. Severus relaxed into Hermione, his heart beat and breathing slowed down.
The healers looked extremely irritated as both Severus' and Abby's heart monitors slowed down. One healer signaled to the others and they left the room.
"Lets get you back in bed, Severus", Hermione said softly. Lucius helped Hermione get Severus back in bed. Fawks sat beside Severus' head, on his pillow, going into a deep sleep. Talon was doing the same, but sat on Abby's chest.
"Why are we hooked to muggle medical machines?" Severus asked calmly, but watching Abby. "Abby has a gray color to her skin. Are you sure she's....." Severus cut himself off, Fawks nuzzled to the side of his face, in his sleep, making Severus calm down again.
"Abby is still alive Severus. One of the beeping sounds you hear is her heart beat. We'll explain everything." Hermione said, taking his hand into hers.
Eileen, Albus, Lucius, and Narcissa sat down in chairs next to Severus' bed.
"We will go inform everyone at the order that Severus is awake", Harry said quietly, as him and Draco left the room.
"Do you remember everything, Severus? The trail?" Lucius asked softly, his arm around Narcissa.
"Yes, I remember it all. Someone hit Abby with a hex and she.. she.." Severus closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure. "The last thing I remember was Talon."
"Talon saved Abby's life", Albus commented, as he stroked Eileen's hand. Severus looked to Hermione and she continued on with the story.
"When Abby...stopped breathing....she was wrapped in your arms. Talon flew over and wrapped his wings around your upper body, covering Abby as well. We couldn't see exactly what Talon was doing, but you let out this horrible scream Severus. It literally silenced the entire room. When Talon unwrapped the two of you, neither one of you were moving. I thought you were dead......." Hermione stopped abruptly.
Severus reached up and put his hand on Hermione's face, her eyes closed and she covered his hand with hers. "I've missed your touch, Severus."
"Abby let out a whimper, after we had rushed over to the two of you", Hermione continued. "The both of you were barely breathing. We rushed the two of you to St. Mungo's, but they were at a lose of what to do. The head of the healer department, Derick Bronson, you will meet him later tonight, said that it appeared Talon drained you of your magic, rushing it into Abby and saving her life. But, he couldn't risk doing any magic or medical procedures on either of you because no one is familiar enough with a Phoenix's magic. He didn't want to endanger either of your lives, more then they already were."
"So, someone borrowed these two heart monitors from a muggle hospital, so they could at least monitor your heart activity and breathing. For the first couple of days there wasn't any change in either yours or Abby's health. Talon had followed us to St. Mungo's and Fawks had appeared about an hour later."
"Wait, how long have I been unconscious", Severus said cutting in.
"A week."
Severus nodded.
"On the third day, your heart rate starting going crazy. And, oddly enough, so was Abby's. Once we calmed you down, Abby calmed down. It went on like that for the rest of that day and into the next. The following day you started thrashing around on the bed and your heart rate was going crazy. Abby's was as well, her lips starting turning blue and her skin had gone clammy. Talon and Fawks started squawking and flying circles around the room. Healer Bronson decided he would have to sedate you, there was no way around it. He did and you calmed right down, so did Abby."
"Why is Abby reacting to my emotions", Severus asked tiredly.
"It would appear that the your magical transfer into Abby's has affected her. So far, we know that she senses any emotions that you have. It's unclear as to if she has obtained any further powers or abilities from this", Albus said softly.
"Have I lost my magical ability", Severus said, starting to become tense.
"We don't know, love", Eileen replied softly.
Severus got a horrified look on his face and stuck his hand out, his wand came zooming out of Hermione's pocket.
"I still have them", Severus said, then groaned. His head was swimming.
"Severus, you're still weak. You shouldn't have done that", Hermione said rubbing his face.
"I just needed to make sure."
Hermione nodded, "About two days ago, your eyes began to flutter and you were reacting to our voices. Healer Bronson said you just needed some time, but you would wake."
"Has Abby woke yet?"
"No, so far she has only been reacting to your emotional outbursts. The healers say she will need more time. She was very badly in juried before the hex even hit her, you saw her condition at the trial."
Severus nodded and turned his head, watching Abby. "Does she have a muggle cast on her arm? Why didn't the arm get healed with Talon's magic."
"Remember how badly her arm looked Severus, it was completely limp. You saw her memories of Fenrir breaking it, healing it, then rebreaking it again. That injured her bones and joints badly. Talon and Fawks did allow the healers to try to repair her arm. They were able to heal all the bones, but they are still very fragile. One wrong touch could rebrake the bones. So, Healer Bronson thought a muggle cast would work with protecting the bones. He said it should be able to come off by the end of summer."
"Who hexed Abby in the trial room?" Severus asked abruptly.
"It was Graham Greyback, he put a glamor charm on himself and was at the trial the entire time."
"I will kill that boy!" Severus said scowling.
"Severus stay calm. Remember Abby feels everything you do. Graham has already been taken care of."
"What do you mean?"
Lucius turned to Severus, "Graham was caught immediately after the hex left his wand. He had his trial the very same day, not even enough time to send him to Azkaban. Abby's memories were enough to convict him of murdering his mother, and kidnapping, assaulting, and attempting to murder Abby. Graham received the dementors kiss two days later, he's dead."
"What about Fenrir?"
"He's still on the loose". Hermione told Severus.
"What! We have to get out of here, he could be coming after Abby any moment! And, where's Addison!" Severus said trying to get out of the bed again.
"Severus, calm down, calm down", Hermione said pushing him back into the bed. Lucius and Albus got up and helped Hermione restrain him.
"We have taken safety precautions", Albus told Severus.
Fawks nudged Severus' check, causing him to relax.
Hermione softly stroked Severus' cheek, "There are Aurors all over this hospital, Severus. There are four right outside the door. Six more are stationed throughout this floor. An anti-apparition spell has been set in the hospital. If someone were to apparate here, it would take them outside to a specific area, where there are fifteen Aurors stationed. The floo has been set up so that anyone that floo's here will be taken to a specific room, where there are another fifteen Aurors."
"Addison is with my parents, Abby's other grandparents, and Molly and Arthur. They are all at headquarters, safe. There are ten Aurors at headquarters as well, just in case. Kingsley has a good two hundred Auror's searching everywhere possible for Fenrir. We are safe from him, for now."
Severus nodded, his eyes were starting to feel heavy again.
"I want to go sit with Abby." His eyes were beginning to flutter shut.
"Rest first Severus, you will have more energy after you get some sleep."
Two days had passed since Severus had first woke up. He wasn't fully recovered, but he was getting there. His weakness and tiredness caused him to do a lot of sleeping. When he had woke up the second time, Severus insisted on getting out of bed and going over to Abby. He hadn't moved from her bed since.
Severus made Hermione enlarge the bed and he refused to leave it once he laid down with Abby. The main healers weren't to happy about this, but Healer Bronson didn't see a problem with it. Abby seemed to be progressing and with Severus in such close contact with her, it seemed to help.
It had been a week since Severus had woke up. Abby showed no more signs of improvement and no signs of waking.
"Why isn't she waking!" Severus bellowed when Healer Bronson walked into the room.
"Calm yourself Mr. Snape, I don't know why she isn't waking up yet. We have to give her some time, her body must not be ready yet."
"Damn it!" Severus said agitated and walking to the window. Abby's heart rate started to speed up.
"Severus, calm down love", Hermione said approaching him and wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him softly. Lucius had sat down next to Abby and starting murmuring loving words to her.
"I just want her to wake up, so I know she's ok", Severus whispered weakly.
"I know love, we all do. Talon and Fawks have been leaving the hospital for periods of time and Albus said thats a good sign. Just give her some time."
Severus was waking up from a nap when he heard a few giggling whispers.
"The next thing I knew, Albus' beard turned blue", Eileen said, suppressing a giggle.
Hermione snorted, "And your sure Addison did it?"
"Yes. Addison has been very upset lately, especially when he's tired. He was fussy and starting to cry when Albus' beard turned blue. He just misses you and Severus."
"I know, I feel so horrible. I haven't been able to spend much time with him since everything happened."
"That's why I brought him here to see you. I thought that would calm him down."
Hermione nodded and cradled Addison in her arm, he was peering up at her and cooing.
"I've been a horrible mother to you, my love", Hermione spoke softly to Addison.
Severus' heart sank as he opened his eyes and looked at Hermione's face. He hadn't realized how much strain had been put on her. She looked extremely tired and worn.
"Oh! You stop that!", Eileen said putting her arm around Hermione. "You are a wonderful wife and mother. You have so much your trying to hold together right now and your doing a better job than I would. My Severus would have fallen to pieces by now if it weren't for you. Abby has taken right to you Hermione. You are what kept those two from killing each other this entire time. And Addison just loves his mummy. I've seen you with him and you're just wonderful, love. Don't let all of this deter you. We just have to get this family back together."
Hermione nodded, then gasped when two arms circled her waist. Severus had gotten up in the middle of Eileen speaking and walked over to them.
"I will go sit with Abby and let you two have some time together and with Addison", Eileen said walking over to Abby's bed and sitting down on the edge of it.
Severus sat in a chair and pulled Hermione into his lap, Addison was still cradled in her arms.
"Don't you ever say or even think you are a horrible mother. You're the best Hermione, not only to Addison but to Abby too. You helped her through a lot this last year, not many people would do that for a child that isn't their own", Severus said stroking Hermione's cheek and looking lovingly into her eyes.
"Yes, but look where it has gotten us", Hermione said gesturing around the room with her eyes.
"This is not your fault, love. This is a combination of my stupidity and those Greyback idiots. Like my mother said, you are the only reason Abby and I didn't kill each other over this last year. You held us together longer then should have been possible."
Hermione sighed and rested her head on Severus' chest. Addison was flailing his arms and cooing.
"Look how happy Addison is to us, we must be doing something right", Severus said smiling down at the two of them. Hermione looked up at Severus and smiled.
"Abby, Abby can you hear me!" Eileen said excitedly.
Severus and Hermione's heads both shot over into Eileen and Abby's direction. Abby was clutching onto Eileen's fingers and her eyes were fluttering. Severus and Hermione both shot out of the chair and rushed to the bed.
"Abby", Severus said softly, placing a hand on her cheek.
Abby's heart rate started to get a little faster, Eileen and Hermione looked at Severus.
"It's not me."
"I will go get Healer Bronson", Hermione said, rushing out the door, Addison still clutched in her arms.
"Abby, can you open your eyes", Severus asked softly.
A whimper escaped Abby's lips. Healer Bronson and Hermione rushed back into the room.
"I need you to step away from the bed", Healer Bronson said to Severus and Eileen quickly. "Just for a moment."
Severus hesitated, but moved to the other side of the bed so he could still be next to Abby.
"She won't let go of my fingers", Eileen said raising her hand up to show the healer.
"Abigail, I'm healer Bronson. I know your probably in some pain, but if you don't open your eyes I can't give you a potion for it. Can you open your eyes for me?"
Abby whimpered again, but her eyes started to flutter faster. It took a moment but her eyes started to slowly slide open.
"That's very good Abigail. Now, I'm going to sit you up slightly, let me know if you feel any pain." Healer Bronson sat Abby up, she groaned and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Are you in pain Abby?"
She shook her head no but then nodded yes.
"Dizzy", she gasped.
"Yes that's normal. Just give it a moment, the dizziness will pass." Healer Bronson pulled the head of the bed up and leaned Abby against it. Severus sat down on the edge of the bed.
Abby opened her eyes and looked around at Severus, Hermione, Eileen, and Healer Bronson. Her eyes stopped for a moment on Addison before she winced and grabbed her left arm, that was still in a muggle cast.
"I have a few potions I need you to take. But, I need to know where you're feeling pain."
Abby's eyes were still darting around to the people in the room.
"Abigail, I need you to try and focus."
Her eyes were still darting around. Severus reached up and cupped her chin, bringing her face in his direction.
"Where does it hurt, love", Severus asked softly.
"Mmy arm and head", Abby stuttered.
Healer Bronson nodded and uncorked the vials, pressing them to Abby's lips.
"These are going to make you fall asleep."
Abby nodded and drank the potions, falling into a deep sleep.
"She'll wake up again, right?" Severus asked worriedly.
"Yes, she's just sleeping right now. Abigail's physical pain should be manageable when she wakes up again. She should only have pain in her arm, until it heals. Now, for what she's going through emotionally, I can't judge that."
Severus sighed and put his face in his hands, letting the tears fall.
Hermione went over and hugged him tightly.
"I'm going to take Addison back to headquarters and inform everyone that Abby is awake."
-review please!!!! I see a lot of people are reading this story but I'm only getting a few reviews. Thank you to my faithful reviewers!