Chapter 4
Severus Snape moved with measured steps through the sterile corridors of St. Anna’s Hospital, his demeanor as cold and inscrutable as ever. Yet, behind his stern facade lay a well of empathy, an aspect of his character he kept hidden beneath layers of bitterness and resentment. Today, he found himself in the Intensive Care Unit, where the most critical cases were housed, a place where life and death hung in precarious balance.
The soft hum of medical equipment filled the air as Severus approached the bed of his youngest patient, a small figure shrouded in blankets, her delicate features marred by bruises and scars. A Four-year-old girl, had been brought in just a few days prior, a victim of unspeakable cruelty and neglect.
As Severus began his examination, his skilled hands moved with precision, gentle yet firm as he tended to her wounds. With each touch, he murmured soothing words, his voice a low, comforting rumble that filled the sterile room.
"There now, little one," he spoke softly, his words a blend of reassurance and determination. "You're safe here. No harm will come to you."
The little girl lay still upon the bed, her wide eyes fixed upon Severus, a mixture of fear and uncertainty dancing within their depths. She made no sound, her voice stolen by the trauma she had endured, her tiny frame trembling beneath the weight of her suffering.
"There, that's better," he murmured, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he finished dressing Gilda's wounds. "You're a brave one, aren't you?"
The child remained silent, her eyes darting nervously around the room, her small hands clutching the edges of the blanket as if seeking solace in its comforting embrace. Yet, despite her silence, Severus sensed a connection forming between them, a bond forged in the crucible of pain and compassion.
"You've been through a great deal, haven't you?" he continued, his voice gentle yet firm. "But you're not alone, little one. I'm here to help you, to make sure you never have to suffer like this again."
Severus reached out a hand, his touch light as a feather as he brushed a stray lock of hair from the girl‘s forehead. "Trust me, sweet heart" he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "I promise to keep you safe."