Severus' point of view:

I watched Anna carrying Karina who was dozing on her shoulder. I continued to stare even after they had turned down the corridor. I didn't know why I did it. Eventually, I shut the door and returned to my seat. I looked into the fire as I thought about the previous days and week's events. I had developed a deep connection with Karina, and it felt as though she were my own child.

I loved taking care of her every day, making sure she ate healthy, helping her learn (even though she often asked many questions), and I even loved playing with her. These fatherly feelings weren't something I expected to feel ever in my life. I enjoyed them though; I felt like I was getting to live a life I hadn't expected for myself.

I thought of where she had kissed me; obviously the bond was there for her too. I smiled at the thought. It was nice to be close to someone, even if it was a child.

Then there was Anna. I didn't know what to think of her. She was attractive, I couldn't deny it. As a man, I was bound to notice. She also captured my attention tonight with our conversations. We had many things in common, and like with Karina, I felt completely comfortable being myself around her.

I went to bed as the fired died out. Hours later, I woke up, a deep headache ran through my head and the left side of my neck. I clutched the sheets in my fist and curled up in a ball as the pain throbbed.

I gritted my teeth wishing there was something I could do for the pain, but nothing I tried had working to get rid of the pain completely. I used my wand to get extinguish the light in the room which helped a little. I curled up further and tried to fall asleep. I slept on and off for a couple of hours until the pain went down to a dull throb.

I decided to order some tea and soup from the house elves. If I tried to chew on anything, the pain would flair up for hours, making me miss out on work tomorrow. I almost stopped in my tracks. I realized I would miss working with the little imp if I were sick. I shook my head and ignored my feelings as I ordered my dinner, giving the house elves strict instruction to not apparate into my rooms, as the loud noise would make my symptoms worse.

I ate quietly, and I heard the door opened and I looked up in surprise. Anna was standing there looking at me shyly.

"One of the house elves told me you were sick," she whispered softly. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, and she entered the door, closing the door behind her slowly.

"I brought you an ice pack," she said quietly. "I used to get migraines when I was younger, and I thought this may help."

She sat next to me and held out the ice pack. I looked at her blankly unsure of what to do with it.

"Here," she said, putting it on the side of my face. "You'll have to hold it there."

I put my hand on top of hers, the cold helped but I couldn't concentrate on that. I focused on how my hand felt. It was small and warm, and I wanted to hold onto hand forever. I wasn't sure what'd happened if I didn't. After a few moments she moved her hand away, I frowned I almost wished she hadn't. I looked at her eyes but briefly, looked away as I held the ice pack. The pain went down further.

"Is it working?" she asked, and I nodded. "Good, you can keep that one then. I have a fridge in my room that I keep it in when I'm not using it although I am sure you can just refreeze it with magic."

"Thank you," I whispered.
"You're welcome, Severus," she said, smiling at me. "Will you be alright to work tomorrow?"

"Yes," I said, my voice sounded gruff. "It usually only lasts a day and will be gone by morning."

"Good," she said. "I know a little girl that would be upset if she didn't get to see her Severus."

I smiled at the thought.

"I'll let you get some more rest," Anna said.

"Thank you," I whispered again.

"You're welcome." She smiled at me, and I felt a warm feeling spread across my chest as I watched her leave.

I used the ice pack on and off throughout the day before going to bed. Just as I said, my headache was gone before morning, much to my relief. I needed to get to work with Karina.

The next morning, I went to Anna and Karina's rooms at my usual time. I woke Karina up for breakfast and sat her on my lap to eat together. Mornings were the one time when she was quiet. Anna came out and said goodbye to Karina and me.

"I'm going to take her to my rooms while she sleeps this afternoon," I told Anna before she left. "There are some potions I've agreed in making and I have a small lab set up there."

"All right," Anna said. "Just make sure to bring my daughter back.

Karina and I went by our usual routine for the day, but we ate lunch in my rooms so I could put her down for her nap right after we were finished. As soon as she was asleep, I went into my lab. I prepped to make several cough, flu, and cold potions that the school would need. About this time of year, students would start to become sick, so Poppy asked me to make some for her.

Half way through making the potions, I took a quick break and ordered tea. After using the lavatory, I went back into my lab to see Karina standing on her toes trying to reach up to touch one of the cauldrons. For a moment, I stood in surprise. Why hadn't I warded this room to alert me if she was to go into the room? Why hadn't I thought to tell her about potions safety?

"Karina what are you doing in here," I asked in a loud stern voice.

Karina looked at me in shock before looking down at her feet.

"You should not be in here," I said angrily.

"I'm sorry, Sev-us," she said as her little shoulders started to shake.

I opened and closed my mouth. She was crying. I didn't mean to make her cry. When I taught, I found some sick, twisted pleasure when I made my students cry. Now I felt guilt and shame as I watched this little girl cry. Without thinking, I stepped up to her, knelt, and pulled her into my arms.

"Karina," I said, pulling away and tilting her chin up. "I am sorry I made you cry. There are some things in here that if you touched them they can hurt you and I was scared that you were about to do that."

"I'm sorry," she said as several large crocodile tears slide down her face.

"It's all right just please don't come in here without me here," I said. "I don't want to see you hurt."

"Okay, Sev-us," she said, hugging me again.

I hugged her back and sighed.

"Do we have to tell, Mummy?" she asked, her voice muffled in my robes.

"No." I touched her curly hair as I stood up.

"Thank you, Sev-us," she said.

"Welcome," I muttered. "Would you like to help me with my potions?"

The little girl nodded. "Why are we making potions?"

"They are going to help make people feel better when they sick," I told her, setting her down on a stool.

"Like from sneezing?" she asked.

"Yes, and coughing and throwing up." I picked up my knife to cut up witch hazel.

"I threw up one time. It was awful," she said seriously.

"I can imagine."

"And you were sick when the yucky snake bite you." Karina smiled up at me.

"This is true."

"But you got better because you were supposed to take care of me."

I didn't know what to say. I swallowed as I focused on chopping meticulously.

"What are you cutting up?" she asked.

"Witch hazel."

"Why?"

"It helps clean up your nose." I put some pieces in the cauldron.

"Oh, I have to tell Mummy. Is it slimy?"

"No. It's dry. Feel." I held up a piece.

She touched it with her tiny fingers. "Oh, why is it dry, Sev-us?"

"Just because."

"Did God make it that way?"

"I suppose." I put the rest of the cut up hazel into the cauldron and grabbed some ground up newts.

We continued with the potions, her asking me many questions. I even let her stir while I held her and guided her hand. When we were finished, I taught her how to clean and put away the potions tools.

"I have so much fun, Sev-us," Karina said as we walked back to Anna and Karina's rooms.

"You did a good job being safe today," I told her as I held her hand. "Do you remember my safety rules?"

"Yes. Never go in without my Sev-us!" she claimed.

"And?" I prompted.

"Always watch what you're doing." She grinned at me. "Is that right, Sev-us?"

"Good girl."

"When I'm as old as you, will I still have to make potions without you?" she asked, scrunching up her face.

I laughed. "Yes. I'll make sure you know everything so you can do it yourself."

"Wow. I'll be just as smart as you, Sev-us!"

"You already are."

"I can't wait to tell Mummy. Do think she'll be proud of me?"

"I'm sure she will."

"May I help you make a potion tomorrow?" she asked as I muttered the password to her rooms.

"I'm sure I can think of something for us to make."

"Hey, do doctors need our help, Sev-us?"

"No, just Madame Pomfrey, okay?"
"Oh, man!"

"But maybe one day you can grow up to help doctors by making potions."

"Oh, wow. I'd be a big girl to help them, Sev-us!"

"Yes you would."

She giggled while we played until Anna came home. I left them to go to my rooms since they were going to eat in the Great Hall. Reflecting on my day teaching Karina about potions, I had confidence that she'd do well in the subject when it was time for her to start school. Pride rose in my chest at the thought that I would teach all she'd need to know.

That night I went to sleep early, but I was woken by a clearly upset Minerva knocking at my door.

"What is it?" I asked glaring down at her.

"Karina is sick and asking for you," she said.

"Let me change."

I flew to my room and quickly put on the first robes I found, and I returned to the door.

"Lead the way," I said following her.

Kind of a cliffhanger and please let me know what you think.