Chapter 4: I Hate Healers! Part 1

I'm sorry for the delay in posting but over the last few months it seems like everything has happened at once. First my computer died and I lost all my files. Then I had some family issues and health issues. Thank you for all the reviews and all those new readers would've put me on their story alert. Hang in there I will try to post more regularly but I have some health issues coming up that will need to be addressed plus I'm getting over massive writer's block! I appreciate your patience. On with the story!

As Severus was holding Bronwyn and comforting her he realized he had heard her Say "Daddy. As Tillie retrieved a Calming Draft from his personal stores, he sat her on his lap and said, "Little One, I heard you call for your father with your voice. Why won't you use it with me?"

Bronwyn looked at him closely. She seemed to make a decision and said haltingly "I – don't' speak well. People – laughed at me so it just was easier not to talk."

As Tillie returned with the calming draft he stroked her hair and said, "Only ignorant people will laugh, ignore them." He opened the vial and helped her to drink it. She made a face which said everything without words.

"Yes I know it tastes horrible, but it will calm you."

As she relaxed in his arms, he said, "I have called a friend of mine who is a Healer and may be able to help you. Also my employer Headmaster Dumbledore and his wife will be joining us for dinner. Don't worry, you won't be expected to talk, just mind speak to me and I will help you."

Bronwyn looked nervous. "Are they nice? Do you think they will like me?"

Severus smiled at her. "I'm sure they will, they are all very nice especially the Headmaster who is very fond of little girls. Now let's get you ready all right?"

Tillie was running her bath and Severus walked over to the wardrobe carrying her. He opened it and said, "All rights Miss, pick what you would like to wear."

Bronwyn chose a light blue ruffled dress with white socks and white patent leather shoes as well as blue ribbons for her hair.

Tillie popped in saying, "Master Severus your guests will be here soon. I will be getting little Mistress ready while you are getting ready."

She took Bronwyn from Severus and popped away. Severus smiled as he thought about the care Bronwyn would receive while at the Manor. All the elves would see to that. He walked to his own room, showered put on clean robes and instructed Wormwood as to the dinner. He knew the elves would outdo themselves as usual but he wanted them to make sure that Bronwyn's food was cut into bite sized pieces and not too spicy. He also wanted a chocolate cake with cherries for dessert.

As he went upstairs to Bronwyn's room he heard Tillie saying, "Now Little Mistress looks like a proper lady! Master Severus will be so proud!"

"You are right Tillie, she does look like a proper little lady. And very pretty too."

Bronwyn smiled. She really wanted to please Her Uncle, and behave properly at dinner but she was still nervous about feeding herself in front of strangers.

Severus sensed her worry and said, "Bronwyn would you mind if I helped you at the table? I promise no one will laugh."

Bronwyn nodded and Severus smiled at her. "I will be back as soon as the guests arrive"

As he was turning to leave, Wormwood popped in. "Master Severus, Master Headmaster Dumbledore and Mistress McGonagall have arrived. They are waiting in the sitting room."

"Thank you Wormwood. Please inform them I will be with them momentarily."

Wormwood popped out and Severus said, "I will be speaking to them for a few minutes and then I will come and get you all right?"

Bronwyn nodded but still looked very nervous. Severus looked at Tillie. "Please stay with Bronwyn until I return."

Severus went downstairs to the sitting room where Minerva and Albus were sitting. He sat down with a sigh and said, "Albus I'm really at a loss here. I'm not used to little girls especially one so young and with such special needs and talents."

Albus's blue eyes twinkled gently at his young Potions Master. He knew about Bronwyn and a little bit about her physical condition and talent. But he also knew Severus would defend her to the death if he had to. Minerva said, "Where is the we bairn, Severus?"

"She is upstairs with Tillie now and I will bring her down later after I talked to you and Healer Morris. But I want to talk to you about her talents she seems to be a spell singer and even though she cannot speak well she seems to be a telepath."

Albus looked surprised. "Joseph told me of her difficulties but he did not tell me that she was a spell singer. Has she displayed this talent to you?"

"Yes, and it was quite impressive. She was able to play the piano with her mind and it seemed as if a great peace came over me. I have a feeling that if she wanted to she could also do great harm with it if she needed to. Also Albus, Joseph left a letter that you should read."

He handed Albus the letter and watched the Headmaster's face carefully.

Albus finished the letter and handed it back to Severus. He sighed and said, "Yes I knew about Joseph, but because he lived in the Welsh countryside, I had hoped he would be safe from Voldemort, but sadly I was wrong."

Severus watched his employer carefully. He seemed genuinely distressed about Bronwyn's situation and he knew Minerva would take her to her heart immediately.

He said, "I was under the impression that the Welsh Federation of Magic was separate from our Ministry."

Albus nodded. "That is quite true Severus but Joseph made arrangements with our Wizarding Child Services to have her sent to you. The Welsh Federation prizes its independence from us and has its own governing body. However, since your sister was British, Joseph made arrangements through the WCS."

As they were talking, the Floo roared to life and a well-built man with dark curly hair stepped through.

Severus went to greet him. "Gavin it is good to see you although I wish it wasn't under these circumstances."

Gavin smiled and said, "No worries Severus I am glad you think I may be able to help your niece. You say she has Cerebral palsy?"

Severus nodded, "She has difficulty speaking, using her hands and on top of being unable to walk her legs seems to cross each other making it difficult for her to sit properly."

"Yes", Gavin said. "That is quite common. The scissoring you speak of can be fixed with a surgical procedure. Muggles have been using it for years, but since most Wizarding children with cerebral palsy are either given up to orphanages or simply disposed of, we have only been using it for about five years."Severus's eyes blazed. "You mean these children have been discarded simply for having a physical disability? We consider ourselves superior to Muggles but it seems that in cases like this we are extremely ignorant! I'll be damned for before I let anything like that happen to Bronwyn!"

Gavin smiled. He knew his friend would defend this little girl with his life and protect her as much as possible from being hurt.

"Does she have any magic or has she shown any signs of it?" Gavin asked.

"Yes" Severus said "She is a spell singer even though she cannot speak clearly she is able to project music with her mind alone. Her father said she could control people with this ability."

Gavin said, "I'm not surprised. This power is strong in the Welsh Magical community. She will need to be taught to control it."

Changing the subject, Severus said, "Why don't we have dinner and you can meet her? She is very nervous and will probably not speak to you but she does mind speak to me and is a natural Legilimens and Occlumens. I will get her now."

Severus walked upstairs and picked up Bronwyn. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. They are very anxious to meet you."

He carried her downstairs into the sitting room. "Bronwyn this is headmaster Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. They teach at the school I work at."

Minerva smiled and said, "I am very glad to meet you Bronwyn and how pretty you are in that dress and shoes."

Bronwyn looked at her curiously and then looked at Severus saying "Cat?"

Severus smiled. "No she doesn't have a cat" here he looked at Minerva, "but you are close."

"It seems you've been caught out Minerva. Might as well show her what she already knows."

Minerva smiled and quickly changed into her cat Animagus. Bronwyn laughed and clapped trying to reach the tabby cat Minerva looked at Severus as he sat down next to her. Bronwyn petted her gently until Minerva changed back.

Wormwood appeared saying, "Dinner is served."

Severus led his guests into the dining room where the elves had prepared a dinner of chicken breasts stuffed with cheese and spinach. There were also mashed garlic potatoes and hot rolls.

Severus fixed a plate for Bronwyn and began carefully feeding her. She ate with a good appetite and little mess. The dinner conversation was light and pleasant and the cake enjoyed by all.

After dinner Gavin said, "Bronwyn would you mind if I examined you?" She looked fearful and he said, "I promise it won't hurt."

She buried herself into Severus's robes and nodded slowly.

"Let's go upstairs then shall we?"

As they started upstairs Severus said, "Wormwood will serve you refreshments in the sitting room." Albus and Minerva nodded indicating they would be more than happy to wait as long as necessary.

I was going to try and finish this chapter with much more, but this seems to be a good place to stop and since I haven't been writing for a while, it will help me organize the rest of the outline. Hope you enjoyed it and will keep sending reviews and reading it. I am also willing use any suggestions you might have. Take care and I will be updating soon.