Chapter 1
Despite the school being in such a state after 'the Battle of Hogwarts' (as it's now been dubbed), the atmosphere there is overwhelmingly positive. Of the students who fought in the battle and survived, most have stayed behind to help rebuild the school. There's been a strange feeling running through the wizarding community over the past week, a combination of mourning for the loved ones who have lost their lives, and an extraordinary lightness at the long-fought war being over at last.
Most of the classrooms have been converted into makeshift hospital wards. A few rooms have been reserved to be used as a temporary morgue for those who couldn't be saved, while their family members arrange memorial services and come collect the bodies. Poppy and Aurora have been put in charge of overseeing operations of a team of the best healers and medi-witches and -wizards from across the country, and even a few trainee healers, who have all volunteered to help their former school in its time of need.
Aurora has been working without pause since the battle. She walks into her office, bends down by her desk and opens the drawer. Her hand shaking slightly, she brings out the nearly empty vial of Invigoration Draught. There's only about 10 hours worth left in the bottle, and she wonders how she's going to get some more when this has run out.
"You've been avoiding me." She nearly jumps out of her skin and straightens, to see Severus standing at the door, supporting himself against the doorframe.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on bed rest for at least another week!" she exclaims.
"So you do know I'm still alive," he drawls, slurring his words slightly. She hides the vial in her sleeve and walks towards him as he stumbles slightly. He grabs her shoulder and she takes his elbow, steadying him. This is the closest they've been since she found him in the shack all those weeks ago now, and meeting his eyes brings up emotions which she isn't ready to deal with yet.
"Go and lie down, Severus," she snaps, making to pull away, but he grabs hold of her arm.
"You didn't visit," he says, and she can hear the anger creeping up into his voice. "You didn't ONCE think to walk past my ward. I had to check with that idiot Winston or Watson or whatever his name is that you hadn't DIED."
"I was busy," she replies, through gritted teeth, though even as she speaks, she knows he's right, that she should have gone to see him. But he's not the only one who is allowed to be upset. She's angry too. "Do you know how many people have suffered minor to serious injuries in this time? And how many of them are kids? I've had to make sure they're all receiving the care they require. The world doesn't revolve around you, Severus. I visited while you needed me, but Theseus is your assigned mediwizard-"
"I always need you!" Her heart skips a beat. He doesn't mean it the way she wants him to mean it, but she does know that she is one of the few people he considers a friend. She is determined not to meet his eyes again. She can feel his gaze burning her skin as she stares fixedly at a spot just behind his shoulder, before he suddenly seems to snap of his rage and realise how hard he's gripping her. He loosens his hold, but doesn't let go, drawing his hand down her arm and towards her wrist. She can't help it, she looks up into his eyes again. There's a softness there, so different from his usual intensity that she is taken aback, her own anger dissipating.
As his fingers encircle her wrist, they make contact with the almost empty vial of Invigoration Draught which she's hidden there. Before she can react, in a swift movement he's pulled the vial out from her sleeve. He examines the contents for a few seconds before looking back towards her with a frown. Oh Merlin.
"How much of this have you taken in the past week?" he asks, pulling his hand back as she reaches for the vial. "Have you slept at all?"
"Look, I know my limits, alright?" she says, not mentioning that she has far exceeded them today alone. "And besides, I'm the Healer, not you, so if you could just –"
"Healer Wilson," Severus interrupts loudly, looking out the door. She's doomed. "Could you come in here a minute?"
Theseus walks in, looking alarmed. "Professor Snape, you actually remembered my name? Are you alright? And why are you out of bed? Hi, Rora."
"Yes, Theseus, could you just escort Professor Snape back to his bed? I think –"
"Healer Wilson, since you are a medical professional," Severus interrupts again, glancing at her through the corner of his eyes, "I wonder if you could tell me the maximum recommended dosage of Invigoration Draught?"
"Err.." Theseus gives her a confused look. "Yeah sure. I'd say one drop every 4 hours for a day, and really no more than 2 days in a month. Not even that if it can be avoided."
"Thank you, Wilson. And what could happen if someone takes it continuously for a week?" Severus asks, pointedly, holding the vial up and staring at her, the anger back in his voice. Theseus finally puts two and two together and his jaw drops open.
"Rora, what is wrong with you? The whole week? Do you know how dangerous that is?" Theseus asks her.
"Look, Theseus, we were short-staffed already, alright?" she says, though the argument is a weak one. She herself made the rota for the other Healers and Medi-witches and wizards, she could easily have added herself to it.
"If you have no concern for your own well-being, then so be it," Severus sounds furious now, "but if you think you were doing your patients and colleagues a favour, then you are wrong. You know very well that continued usage for 3 days has been shown to significantly reduce alertness, and a week? I'm not even sure it's ever been tested for that long. A single mistake and not only would you lose your medical license but also you would hurt these patients you care so much for. It was careless and stupid." He's gone full teacher on her now, and she closes her eyes, feeling like a small child being berated. Even Theseus seems taken aback, but clears his throat.
"He's right, Rora. Look, is your patient list on your desk? I'll divide it between myself and the others. You need to take some time off. Rest and plenty of fluids, please. And the same for you, Professor," Theseus says, trying to sound firm but clearly a little shaken at Severus' tone. "Come, I'll take you back to your room."
"Thank you, Wilson, but I think your workload has just increased. I'm sure Healer Sinistra can assist me this once," Severus replies. His voice is much calmer now, with a hint of satisfaction that peeves her, and she knows he probably has that stupid smug smirk on his face, but she knows he is right.
"Yeah, I'll help Severus to his quarters," she says, albeit reluctantly. "Thank you, Theseus. And I'm sorry, I meant well."
"Yes, yes, off with both of you now. I'll take care of things here." Theseus waves his hands to usher them both out of the door and heads to the desk. Aurora walks towards the door to hold it open, and turns back to see Severus slowly dragging himself towards her. He's clearly in more pain than he wants to let on. He stops when he gets to her side.
"After you," he says, with a little cough. She almost lets her ego get the better of her, but then decides against it and grabs his arm to loop it around her shoulder. She can feel his gaze on her as they head towards his ward, but he says nothing. He winces as she helps him sit on the bed and she gives him a glass of water.
"You are an idiot. If I see you out of this bed again in the next week, I'll personally tie you down. Oh, stop smiling." He doesn't.
She supports his back with one hand and holds his hand with the other, and helps him slowly lie down. His hand remains locked tightly around hers, and she doesn't draw it away either.
"No more Invigoration Draught. And take proper breaks," he says. She nods, and he releases a deep breath before closing his eyes and letting go of her hand. She's almost at the door when she hears a quiet voice behind her. "You are welcome to stay."
She turns back around, to see him watching her again. There's no expectation there, and she knows already that there's no way she's going to be able to refuse him. Some things never change. She locks the door behind her with a flick of her wrist, before heading back towards the bed. As she sinks into bed next to him, his warm shoulder brushing against hers, she can't help but think how natural this feels.
"Why didn't you visit me?" he asks, quietly.
"Can we sleep?" she responds, closing her eyes and rolling to face away from him. It's cruel, she heard the vulnerability in his voice but she's too tired for this. He releases a small sigh.
"Of course," he says, softly. "Not the most comfortable bed but it does the -" She falls asleep almost instantly.