Chapter 8. Friends Are Needed

All characters belong to JK Rowling various publishers, etc. Warner Bros. except for Bronwyn and maybe a few others that will come later.

The next day dawned warm and sunny. Severus hadn't slept much since he had been watching Bronwyn closely all night. She had woken up once during the night complaining of an upset stomach. He had given her a Stomach Soothing potion and the nurse had brought her some crackers and apple juice. He asked her if she had any pain and she said no even though he was pretty sure she wasn't telling him the whole truth.

Healer Morris came in early and checked on her and after running some very detailed scans he asked, "I think you can go home today."

Her eyes lit up and she smiled at him and Severus. "Wait a minute young lady", Gavin said. "I said you could go home, but you have to lie quiet for three days and then we can take off the casts. You must tell your uncle if you are in any pain at all so he will be able to help you. Is that understood?" Bronwyn nodded and smiled looking at Severus expectantly. He smiled at her and said, "Let's have some breakfast first all right? Something light I think."

He looked at Gavin. "Will toast, scrambled eggs, milk and tea be all right?" Gavin nodded and said "that will be perfect. "Let me go put in the order and you can come with me Severus."

Severus nodded, transfiguring his clothes back to his robes, he walked out with Gavin. When they had closed the door he put up a Silencing charm so they could talk privately. He looked at Gavin and said "Is there anything wrong?" Gavin smiled and said "No she seems to be doing just fine but I wanted to tell you what to expect over the next few days and how to deal with it. The casts can be removed and I can give you the charm to do it. They must stay on for at least a day for you can remove them temporarily to add the Relaxation Salve I gave you. Apply it liberally and it will help her to relax. The casts may cause her spasms to increase and you can give her a relaxation potion until then. Do you have a chaise lounge?" Severus nodded. "Good. She can lay on that during the day and you can charm it to float like a stretcher so she can go outside in the garden or downstairs in your house. After the casts come off she can sit in her chair for an hour at a time but use the chaise most for the next month. Oh, and by the way your students can come visit at any time after the third day. That is unless something happens and sets her healing back." He laughed at the long-suffering look on his friends face. "Come, come my friend it won't be that bad. They seem to be nice children and are willing to be friends with your niece. I know she's only five but according to her chart she will be six in August and if you don't have any small children for her to play with she needs your students since your elves would not be the ideal playmates." With that Gavin ordered the breakfast for the two of them adding sausages and tomatoes to Severus's plate. "Oh" he said. "Before I forget until she is sitting upright either you or your elves will have to feed her. Lying down and eating is not easy."

He lifted the Silencing Charm and they went back into the room. Two breakfast trays were waiting on the bedside tables. Bronwyn was trying to reach for hers, but Severus stopped her. Laughing. He said, "I will feed you since lying down and eating isn't easy." He looked at Gavin, who nodded in agreement. "All right you two I'll come back later. I need to visit some sick people." He left closing the door quietly behind him.

Severus placed the trays on the tables and said to Bronwyn "How about starting with some eggs and milk?" Bronwyn smiled and nodded at him and with that they developed a rhythm with both of them taking turns and laughing about how funny it must look. Soon they were both finished and Severus sent the trays back to the kitchen. His Transfigured Bronwyn's nightgown into a purple pair of shorts and a white T-shirt with violets on it. Then he brushed her hair tying it back with purple ribbons and helped her wash her face and brush her teeth. Then he went into the bathroom taking care of his own needs until he heard Gavin come into the room.

After running a few more diagnostics scans, Gavin smiled and said, "Well it looks like you're all ready to go."

Severus shrank their belongings and put them in his robe pocket. He then floated Bronwyn on a stretcher to the Floo, threw in some powder saying," Prince Manor library." He stepped into the Floo with Bronwyn and brought her into the library at home. After removing soot from both of them he took her off the stretcher and laid her on the sofa. Wormwood appeared with a pop greeting them enthusiastically and fussing over Bronwyn.

He then looked at Severus saying, "We found a surprise for you and Mistress Bronwyn." He gestured to two covered pictures over the library fireplace. Severus looked questioningly at his Head elf.

Wormwood said "We found these two portraits in the attic. We brought them down and hung them up. We also added several picture frames in the dining room, music room, your room and Mistress Bronwyn's room."

Severus walked over to the portraits and removed the velvet drapes that covered them. To his utter surprise, they were pictures of his mother and Bronwyn's mother. As he looked at his mother's portrait her eyes opened and she smiled at him saying, "Hello Severus you are looking very well." Being at a loss for words was not something the Potions Master was used to. His mother's picture showed her sitting in a chair wearing the black robes of a Potions Mistress. She was slender and fair with Severus's dark hair and eyes. As he stared at her in shock, she laughed and said, "Are you so surprised that I would have a portrait made and ready for you if you ever needed it?" Severus swallowed quickly and said, "Mum I am very surprised that's all." Eileen Prince-Snape looked just as she had when Severus was much younger and living with Tobias had not worn her down. She laughed as her son tried to pull himself together. She knew he would be in for another shock and said "Go look at the other picture Severus."

Severus walked to the second picture and as he pulled back the drape he saw a picture of his sister Camilla. This was just a bit much, and he sat down on the couch next to Bronwyn. His sister had Bronwyn's dark curly hair and violet eyes. Her robe was the dark blue of a Charms Mistress and she was seated in a library, her wand on the table next to her. Severus's eyes misted over and he smiled at his sister. She smiled back and saw Bronwyn lying on the sofa. "Hello my sweetheart. I hope you and your Uncle are getting along."

Bronwyn's eyes were filled with tears but she nodded and smiled saying "Oh yes! I love it here."

Camilla smiled at her daughter and brother saying "I knew I was right to have her sent to you Severus. I knew that you would see to her needs and take care of her as if she were your own child."

Severus graced her with a small smile. "Of course, she is family and I will guard her for the rest of my life."

Bronwyn was smiling and crying at the same time. "Mummy I've missed you so much!" Seeing that Bronwyn was working herself up into an overexcited state, Severus lifted her up saying, "I think it's time for a young lady to have a nap. There are picture frames in your bedroom so your Grandmother and Mama can see you whenever they like. When you wake up we will have lunch and you can talk to them some more."

Bronwyn was about to object, but she was tired and knew her Uncle was right. She waved goodbye to the portraits and allowed herself to be carried upstairs. Severus laid her gently on her bed, took a fresh nightgown from the wardrobe and changed her into it. He also gave her some Dreamless Sleep and watched her drop quickly to sleep. Then he called Tillie and told her to watch the little girl and let him know if anything was needed.

He walked back to the library looking at the two pictures. Taking a deep breath, he began to explain how he had become Bronwyn's guardian and how her condition was being treated. When he reached the part about Bronwyn's surgery, both his mother and sister looked very pleased. Camilla smiled and said "I'm so glad that something can be done for her. The Wizarding Healers had seemed to be at a loss in Wales and she was glad that Severus had a friend who knew about her child's condition.

Suddenly, she looked thoughtful and said, "Severus is she mind-speaking to you? I noticed she is talking as well." Her brother nodded. "Yes," he said. It seems as she becomes more relaxed her speech improves she has also learned Occlumency and Legilimency and she seems to be a natural in both..." He looked curiously at his sister. "Has she always been able to play music with her mind alone?"

Camilla nodded. "Yes even when she was very small music seemed to fill her. She likes the piano best."

Severus smiled, "Yes I know. She uses Grandmother's piano and I'm thinking of getting it tuned."

"That's a good idea Severus", said Camilla. "She can also read very well and loves to learn anything she can."

Wormwood popped in at that moment. "What does Master Severus wish for lunch?" Severus thought for a moment and said, "I think some soup and sandwiches would be fine and also some ice cream for Mistress Bronwyn. We will be ready to eat in about two hours." Wormwood nodded bowed to the two portraits and popped away.

Severus said in the armchair in front of the portraits. His mother said "What about friends Severus? She does need some." His sister nodded in agreement. "I hope you can find some for her."

Severus sighed. "I have two students who are willing to help with her when I am teaching at Hogwarts. They are both Gryffindor second years a bright Muggleborn witch named Hermione Granger and Lily Evans son Harry Potter."

Both women were shocked. Eileen knew Lily from when she and Severus were much younger and knew her son's fondness for the girl. Camilla knew that her brother loved Lily and was crushed when she married James Potter and devastated when Lily died. It would be interesting to see what would happen if both children became friends with Bronwyn. Camilla said, "Are you going to invite them here Severus?" He nodded. "Healer Morris said her casts could come off in three days. After he checks her, I will invite them."