Time as a Healer

A/N: Minor tearfulness alert.



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Hermione awoke in a white room, in a white bed and covered with white bed linen, with a pounding pain in her head and an ache in her stomach. She put her hand down to stroke her belly and felt…nothing. In panic, she tried to sit up but was forced to lie back down by a firm hand on her shoulder.



‘Try and stay calm… I’ll go and get the Medi-witch.’ It was Ginny. Hermione closed her eyes tightly and small wet tears leaked for the corners of her eyes.



Ginny came back into the room quickly, followed by an elderly witch with grey hair fastened tightly in a bun. She came to the side of the bed and looked down at Hermione who was wiping the tears away with the back of her hand.



‘I’m Matilda, Miss Granger. How are you feeling?’ She smiled kindly at her.



‘Sore… my baby…’ she sobbed.



‘I have sent one of the healers to the nursery, Miss Granger, do not distress yourself. Your baby is fine, you will meet him shortly.’



‘Him? But…how? I was only 5 months … I don’t understand…’ She mumbled, staring in confusion between Ginny and Matilda, both of them looking at her with soft caring smiles.



‘You are a witch, Hermione, in a magical hospital. We can alter a pregnancy when the situation requires it. You were is distress and so was your baby. We escalated your gestation period and your child was born this morning.’



‘Oh gods…’ Hermione gasped in shock. ‘I can’t believe it… was I unconscious? I have no memory of giving birth….’ She wept a little. She felt cheated.



Ginny took her hand in hers softly. ‘You were unconscious, Hermione. But I stayed in the room. I have the memory for you for when you are well enough to see it.’



‘Ah, here he is!’ Matilda smiled as another lady walked into the room, carrying a tightly wrapped bundle in her arms.



Hermione sat up and pushed herself back onto the pillows, holding her arms out a little in awe.



The healer smiled at her. ‘Congratulations, Miss Granger, he’s a handsome wee fellow with a very good set of lungs!’ She handed him to her.



Hermione pushed the blanket away from his face slightly and he opened his eyes to stare at her. They were black and glittering and just like his father’s. Hermione smiled and wept at the same time as she gazed at her son for the first time. His head was covered with a smattering of black hair, his mouth serious.



‘Hello Sam.’ she whispered softly, kissing his tiny forehead and stroking his cheek with her finger.



Matilda and the Healer smiled, their eyes a little wet as they slipped quietly out of the room. Ginny sat down beside Hermione and smiled at her.



‘Isn’t he wonderful?’ She grinned at her. Hermione’s amber eyes looked up and she grinned back.



‘Yes, he is…sorry, no girlfriend for James.’



Ginny laughed softly. ‘Next time, perhaps.’



Hermione looked up at her. ‘That’s doubtful. How is Severus?’



Ginny shook her head sadly. ‘He was interviewed by the Minister under Veritaserum and was pardoned, but after that he cut off all contact.. He’s not responding to anyone’s owls. All I know is, he’s gone back to his house in Spinner’s End.’



‘He’s stubborn sometimes. How long have I been here?’ Hermione murmured, looking down at Sam with a soft dreamy smile on her face.



‘You were unconscious for a month, Hermione.’ Ginny whispered. ‘They kept you like that because of Sam, they wanted to be sure he could survive the acceleration process.’



‘A month? And no-one has had contact with Severus in all of that time?’ Her face went pale.



Ginny shook her head. ‘No.’



‘I need to se Harry. Now.’



****



‘Happy Birthday to me….’ He slurred, ‘Happy Fucking Birthday to me….’ He took a deep slug from the bottle in his hand. ‘Happy Birthday you sad old bastard….’ The bottle fell from his hand and rolled onto the floor, joining the others. ‘Happy, Sodding, Fucking, Miserable Birthday ….to me…’ he hiccoughed.



Severus lay sprawled on his couch, his eyes red rimmed and bloodshot, more than two weeks growth of stubble on his face. His hair was lanky and greasy through lack of washing; his shirt was stained, although if you had asked him, he wouldn’t remember what he had been eating that could cause such a mess.



‘Aldo…’ he muttered.



Aldo appeared wearily in front of Severus. ‘Master…’ He didn’t bother bowing. Severus was too pissed to notice anything and had been for over a week.



‘Get me…



…Another bottle of Firewhisky…. Yes, Master…’ Aldo rolled his eyes to the ceiling and tramped into the kitchen to the crate he had stacked on the table.



Aldo grabbed the bottle and walked back into the lounge, handing the bottle to Severus. His eyes were closed but his hand grabbed the neck of the bottle and unscrewed the cap with practiced fingers.



A tap was heard at the window and Aldo automatically went to open it. A small screech owl hopped inside with a scroll attached to it.



‘Master has a letter.’ Aldo murmured and unfastened it quickly from the owls’ leg.



‘Read it to me…’ he slurred softly ‘perhaps it is a birthday greeting….’ He laughed mirthlessly.



‘Master…’ Aldo frowned at the scroll. ‘It is indeed a personal letter, Sir.’ He didn’t want to read this and wished desperately that Severus were sober enough to read it himself or drunk enough not to care.



‘Go on Aldo…don’t keep me in suspense…’ he said dryly.



‘This letter is from Harry Potter, Sir.’ Aldo paused and coughed slightly.



‘Read it Aldo… or I will hex you so fast your silly pointed ears will be all that is left of you…’ Severus sat upright, his interest piqued a little.



‘Of course, Master. Mr Potter writes:



“Dear Severus, There is an urgent matter I need to discuss with you regarding Hermione Granger. You may not be aware that she has been a patient at St. Mungo’s since the night at Malfoy Manor. Her and her baby have been gravely ill and it is imperative that I speak to you as soon as possible. Please, Severus…it is important.



You can reach me in Grimmauld Place.



Your friend Harry”



That is all, Master’. Aldo bowed a little as he saw Severus’s eyes harden and look at him.



‘Give it here.’ He held out a shaky hand and re-read Harry’s words. So she had been in the hospital all of that time. He thought she was just avoiding him. He took a long, slow breath.



‘Aldo… in my Potions’ cabinet… the green phial, quickly…’ He whispered.



Aldo looked briefly at him and a flash of concern passed over him. He had seen many faces of Severus Snape, but never this one. He walked over to the potions cabinet and found the green phial. He all but ran back to Severus and handed it to him. Severus unstoppered the phial and drank it in one. Immediately, he began to sober up and felt slightly ashamed as the room came into clearer focus. He was living like a pig.



Severus looked at the house elf askance. ‘Thank you, Aldo…’ He murmured.



Aldo blanched and scuttled into the kitchen. Master was obviously unwell.







***



ah bless.... R & R, please....