Chapter Fifteen

Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Potions classroom after dinner

In preparation for his detention, Casey walked nervously to Potion's. As a result, he had difficulty eating dinner. As he approaches his impending detention, the only light he has is provided by candles. He turned the corner and stared at the professor's door as the candle's light flickered. He knocked three times. Waiting for a response, he felt his heart pounding. As he contemplated the potential consequences of what the professor might do to him, he was overcome with fear. Within a few seconds, the door creaked open, accompanied by a low grumbling from inside. Casey was met with a stern look from the professor, and he was immediately filled with dread.

"Enter." He heard Headmaster Snape. Slowly, he turned the doorknob, making an unclicking sound as he slowly opened the door. Peering into the classroom he sees Headmaster Snape sitting at his desk with a quill in his hand, writing on parchment. He slowly stepped into the classroom, his heart pounding, a cold sweat forming on his palms. He nervously looked around, taking in the sight of the wooden desks, the coldly lit torches, and the smell of the headmaster's office. He swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry as he nervously waited for the headmaster to address him.

"G-good evening, Professor Snape." He whispered, closing the door behind him. He felt like his feet were glued to the ground, unable to move. There was a long-drawn-out silence and all he could hear was the clock ticking behind him. 'Tick...tick... tick…. As his palms clammed, he tried to move closer, whipping the sweat off his pants. He felt a chill go down his spine as he slowly dragged his feet forward, desperately hoping that Snape hadn't heard the loud ticking of the clock.

In a hushed but terrifying tone, Severus said: "Mr. Stone." He continues to scribble on the parchment of paper without looking up at the student. Casey couldn't speak. He kept his eyes on the professor, who was still writing. After what felt like an eternity, Severus finally looked up. His eyes were cold and piercing. Casey knew he was in trouble, and it wasn't just because of his fumbling around in class earlier today.

"It has been brought to my attention that you and Ms. Snape had a…. disagreement." He then decided to look back at the first year. Casey gulped. He knew there was no escape this time. He could feel a lump in his throat, but he managed to keep his composure and brace himself for the punishment that was to come.

"Well?"

"Y-yes sir." Casey stuttered.

"I was also informed that you and several students were out past curfew and engaged in a duel." He scanned Casey's face. It appears he held his breath but nodded in response. Severus stood up from his desk and closed the gap between them. Anger toward the first year could be seen in his normally expressionless face. Casey stepped back but eventually ran into the wall on the other side of the classroom. Severus leaned in close to Casey, his face inches away from the student's. "This is a serious matter," he said in a low, eerily calm voice. "You will be punished accordingly. If my suspicions are true."

"Look at me, boy," Severus demanded. Nervously Casey locked eyes with the headmaster.

"Legilimens" Severus cast. He broke through the boy's barrier easily. Flashes of him and Amelia dueling. He could sense the boy's hatred for her, but he could also feel something else. 'Did he feel more for her?' Severus asked. The scene moved to the day of the incident; Casey picked up an ingredient that he couldn't quite tell and headed toward the front of the classroom.

Picking up his finished vial he walked past Amelia to put the completed assignment on his desk. Turning around, the boy skimmed the room to make sure no one was watching him. Inching closer, making sure that Amelia wasn't paying attention and still chatting with Finn, he quickly tossed the ingredient into her cauldron and swiftly moved to his seat at the back of the class. As Severus leaves the boy's mind abruptly, he holds him up on the wall and hoists him at eye level with his fists. The stone wall scratched Casey's back causing him to whimper. It took all Severus' strength not to murder the boy in front of him. Severus glared at the boy, his face contorted with rage.

"How dare you sabotage my daughter's work? Furthermore, you attempted murder. If she dies you have murdered her. As of this moment, you are no longer a Hogwarts student. Pack your bags, Stone. I will notify the ministry and your parents." Severus paused momentarily before continuing:

"Congratulations, you may be the youngest member to grace the walls of Azkaban." The headmaster's words were like a hammer on an anvil, pounding out a sentence that could not be reversed. With each strike, the sentence became more and more solid, until it was set in stone.

"I—I'm so—sorry." Stone hung his head in shame, feeling guilt and remorse for his actions. He looked up at the headmaster, unsure of what the future held. He knew there was no turning back.

"Your apology is ineffective. Your stupidity may cost my daughter her life because you thought it prudent to feel superior. I will have someone escort you back home until further notice. Get. Out." He fumed. He let go of Casey's shirt, falling to the ground. Visibly shaking he scampered away from the headmaster. Remembering what Hermione said about his health, he seized the vial and swallowed the green substance immediately. He rushed to his storage closet and chugged a calming draught as well. As soon as he feels the effects of the potions, he can control his breathing. He knew he needed to relax and calm himself down before he did anything else. He had to notify Hermione at once, allowing himself a few more deep breaths, he summoned a patronus and sent it to Minerva giving her instructions to meet him in his office as soon as possible. He exited his classroom and made his way up to his bed chamber where he knew Hermione was at.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

Headmaster's Bed Chamber

Upon entering the room, the man swiftly tossed his black cloak onto the chair and extended his hand towards Hermione. As she grasped his hand, she was instantly embraced by her husband in a tight hug, so intense that it almost seemed capable of shattering bones. Hermione clung to his back, inhaling deeply the scent of peppermint and sandalwood, which emanated from him.

"My beloved, is everything alright?" She gazed at him with a worried expression, her eyes reflecting genuine concern. Slowly, she withdrew one arm and reached out to stroke his cheek with her right hand. Her touch was gentle and soothing. As Severus leaned in, he pressed a tender kiss to the palm of her hand. His tense features softened to her comforting touch. His heart was heavy with longing for her embrace and the reassurance of her whispered words. With a gaze fixed on her, he sought comfort and solace in her loving presence.

"It was Stone who sabotaged her work." He spoke. Hermione gasped.

"W—what?" Her voice trembled.

"As of this moment, he is no longer a Hogwarts student. I have asked Minerva to meet us in my office to update her on the situation. I will ask her to escort him home." Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Never in her life would she think a first year would do such harm to someone else.

"I—I don't want him sent to Azkaban," Hermione whispered. Severus tensed. Hermione understood how serious the situation was, but she couldn't bring herself to condemn a child to such a harsh punishment, especially when it was his first offense. She pleaded for a more lenient punishment, hoping that Minerva could escort him home and ensure he received the help and guidance he needed.

"Why ever not?! He tried to kill our daughter, or have you forgotten?" Severus is trying to keep his composure. He is physically and mentally exhausted. Severus is trying to make sense of her sudden change in attitude. He can't believe that she is so willing to forgive him despite what he did to their daughter.

"No, Severus. People make mistakes. Children will do things without considering serious repercussions." Hermione said. This is similar to the saying, "To err is human, to forgive is divine." Severus was struggling to understand why Hermione was so willing to forgive him after he made such a grave mistake, and this saying is a perfect reminder that while mistakes are inevitable, the true act of kindness and love is to be able to forgive.

"You have a kinder heart than I. Still, I will notify the ministry and hold a meeting with the school board to determine our next course of action. I will not allow Mr. Stone in the same building as Amelia." Severus put his foot down on that notion.

"I can understand that" Hermione answered. He was alerted by the wards that someone was standing in front of his office.

"Minerva is here, we must meet with her." Severus kissed her brow, moving his hand to the small of her back, he steered her with him.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

Headmaster's Office

Severus and Hermione met Minerva in his office. The ever so elegant Minerva had a bit of a scowl on her face when she was awoken by Severus' patronus. She was in no mood after she had her evening tea in preparation for bed.

"Severus…what is the meaning of this meeting at an ungodly hour?" Minerva scorned. There were only two women in Severus' life that he was truly afraid of pissing off, is Minerva and his wife. Maybe Poppy when she's irritated to no end.

"My apologies for disrupting your beauty sleep, Minerva. However, there has been improvement in the investigation on my daughter's situation." He informed her.

"That required interrupting my once peaceful evening?"

"Yes, it does. Mr. Stone had received a detention with me this evening and I interrogated him with his interactions with Amelia. Using legilimency, I managed to gain the information I needed to secure my suspicions." He paused. Minerva eyed him curiously.

"It was in fact, Casey Stone that sabotaged Amelia's potion." Severus finished. Minerva's body became stiff.

"No, it…couldn't be." In sheer shock.

"It is, indeed. As former Deputy Headmistress, I ask if you would be able to escort him back home? In Hermione's current condition it is not advisable for her to travel." Severus asked. With his wand, he summoned a sealed envelope and placed it in Minerva's hand.

"Very well. I will give them this letter explaining why he is home. I'm assuming you're going to expel the lad?" Minerva asked.

"I do not wish for him to be sent to Azkaban, as much as it displeases me that a child could do this to another human being, I do not wish for his life to be ruined and discarded by the hands of dementors or a life behind bars." Hermione interrupted. Minerva's eyes widened in wonder.

"You have a kind heart Hermione."

"Not that he would do this, but if Alex ever did something like this, when he was eleven, I would hope for similar treatment." Severus growled, knowing full well that Alex would never stoop that low, regardless of his feelings toward someone.

"I understand. I will collect Casey from Gryffindor tower. I am doing this as a favor for you, Hermione, although I am considerably older than you, I wouldn't jeopardize your baby, traveling when your health is at risk." Minerva embraced her, wrapping her arms around her cub.

"Everything is going to be okay, my lioness." Minerva placed a motherly kiss on her head as Hermione squeezed her tighter. Silent tears falling down her cheeks.

"I wish this was all a dream." She hiccupped. Severus observed the interaction, agreeing full heartedly.

"Thank you, Minerva." Severus said. Breaking apart from the embrace, Minerva moved over to Severus and hugged him as well. Not use to being embraced by anyone else other than Hermione, he stiffened, eventually wrapping his arms around her as well.

"You're welcome, son." Severus felt a wave of emotion rushing through his body. As a boy, his parents weren't there. Being abused by his father when his mother died when he was young, never knew what it was like to be loved by a mother. But now, he had two strong ladies that considered him their son. He's immensely proud to call them family.

"Thank you." Severus pecked the side of Minerva's cheek. Minerva gave them a curt nod before exiting the office to fetch Casey Stone. Severus enveloped Hermione, tucking her head underneath his chin. Her cheek pressed firmly against his chest. Listening to the sound of his heartbeat, she sighed.

"It is getting late, love. We should get some rest." Hermione whispered. Severus nodded in agreement before letting her guide them to their bedroom.

HGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSSHGSS

Sunday, November 4th, 2018

Hospital Wing

The last few days have been chaotic. Felix, Thomas, and Donna immediately knew that their friend is no longer attending the school. At least for the time being. Although, they don't really know why. Thomas noticed that Casey's belongings were missing from the now neatly made bed. Rumors are now flying about the school, but no one really knew the truth with the exception of Scorpius, and the Snapes. Hermione is grading third year papers while Severus is visiting Amelia in the hospital wing. Sitting in a chair, facing the entrance, he clasps her hands into his. Gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.

"Amelia…It's been almost a week without your presence. We're doing everything we can. Poppy thinks the tainted potion is almost out of your system. We miss you sweetheart." His voice was shaking. Amelia on the other hand, notices a very thin stream of light, brushing against her eyelids. She wants to wake up. She can hear her father talking to her. Before, it was all muffled, and even two days, or she thinks two days ago, she couldn't hear anything. The feel of her daddy's thumb gently touching her, she wants to let him know that she can hear him. That she can feel him. She's more coherent than before. Maybe, just maybe she is getting better. Whatever Madam Pompfry is doing, is working. She doesn't really remember much but it feels like a lifetime. Like she's trapped in her own body, and she can't escape. She wants to scream out his name. 'DADDY!' She calls out to him.

"You have to get better, love. You're my little girl. Stone is gone. You don't have to worry about him bullying you or harming you. I know the truth now." Amelia can hear his pleas. Her little heart breaks for her father. At least, it's progress and that she is aware of what's going on. The poison is almost gone, at least that's what she is thinking. She can hear her father, and other people around her better than before when she thought she might've just died and in some kind of limbo. She didn't realize how much time had passed since the incident.

"I've held off Quidditch practices for all houses. In lieu of events, I did not want you being taken off the team. I know how much that would devastate you. Madam Diggory agreed with me and held off assigning anyone else to your position." Severus said to her. This made Amelia happy. She was excited to be apart of the Quidditch team, and to have it suddenly yanked away crushed her. 'Come on….body…let me see him. I want him to know that I am listening. That I can hear what he's saying and that I AM getting better. Merlin… please.' With all of her might, she tried to squeeze his hand. She didn't feel like she accomplished that much. However, she kept trying.

An hour or so later, Severus didn't move from his spot next to Amelia. He did eventually bring out 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard.' And read that to her. The sound of her father's voice is soothing. She doesn't remember the last time her father read to her. Once he finished reading, he placed the book down on the table beside him. Scooting his chair closer, he clasps her hands into his. Gently kissing her knuckles. She tries to speak again.

'Daddy…daddy…. I'm here….' She repeated herself over and over again. She felt him squeeze her hand again.

"D-daddy…" She spoke, her eyes began to flutter. Her voice was barely audible. Severus' eyes snapped toward her. Not believing what he heard.

"D-daddy…I—I'm here." She spoke again. Severus was at a loss for what to do. He let out the breath that he was holding, and he burst into tears of joy.

"Thank Merlin." Severus cried. Suddenly, all the emotions and stress that he had kept hidden began flowing out. Grasping her hand, lowering his head to rest upon his daughter's side, he sobbed. Amelia had never in her life seen her father cry, she held onto him as tightly as she could, despite feeling extremely weak.

A/N: Yay! She's awake! Please let me know what you think! Reviews are appreciated.