Floating

Floating

Hungry and concerned, Severus was waiting for his wife. There was not a sound from the kitchen or the sitting room! Where was she? Confined to his bed, he alternately became anxious and angry until the alarm announced her arrival and the door opened.

Minutes later, Ginny was stroking his limbs with cool, tender hands, whispering, "How are you now? Hurting? I'll use a bit of neutral oil on those parts Draco touched so unthinkingly. Just babbling so that you're pre-warned. In case you can hear me," she added with doubt in her voice.

Soon he relaxed under her soothing administrations. Her care went far beyond his medical need, or indeed anything he deserved. It was effectively melting his shell of coldness. The scented oil stimulated his senses, and Severus had to remind himself that he'd better not succumb to an illusion that just could not be true.

"You'll have soup again tonight...what else could it be." She sighed. "I hope some new spices give you some variation, and I put in buckwheat flour for a change. We'll open one eye at a time again so they don't dry out."

As on all these days, eating was a slow-going process for Severus. The broth-based soup tasted of beef, tomato, onions and basil today, and it was thicker than before; almost a porridge. Again, she provided huge amounts that she re-warmed twice in between.

"I've talked a bit to one of the neighbours, Maud, a girl about my age who lives in number seven. She seems rather nice, but a little lonely. She said she had noticed you and Draco running. Some of the others have, too. Now, she was irritated that I was living with you, because the street has decided you are gay!" She giggled, and Severus found for once that he didn't mind this girlish streak. "Well, you two don't pass for relatives, so this was the first idea they came up with, I assume. She was shopping, like me, and she showed me a really nice Pakistani shop that sells vegetables and Asian food for about half the price of the supermarket. The shop is run by a real shop owner and has always some relative as an assistant...nice people. Reminded me of Diagon Alley. Some customers reminded me of the Patils; you know, the women dress differently. And each came with lots of kids." She halted for a moment. "Some of the English women passing by stared at them disapprovingly. I wonder if that is how Mum sometimes felt."

After a moment of silence, she added hesitantly, "Maud showed me a different way back. It is shorter, only a footpath in parts, but it passes through a rather dingy street."

Severus' mind jumped in alarm, but his uncooperative body showed nothing of it. This road went along an abandoned mill where a gang of the local Muggle youths gathered. They were a frustrated, hot-tempered lot, not motivated to seek their ways into a brighter future. He had a hard time hiding the fact from his master. If he knew about this group, they would soon find themselves recruited to his services. Severus would either get the unwanted new task himself or, and this was equally unwanted, he would get nosy Death Eater neighbours entrusted with this task. How was he to make sure Ginevra would not use this path again? The best way to hide these hooligans from the Dark Lord was hiding them from every Death Eater's mind, too.

Lost in these thoughts, Severus did not pay attention to the rest of her talk. The weight of his stomach pressed him reassuringly into the mattress, but it wobbled dangerously as she turned him a little to the side before she left.

Severus noted with satisfaction that she hadn't used her wand for warming up the food just adequately; Moody must have trained them well. He felt drowsy like a contented infant, but would be ravenous again within hours. He'd be longing for breakfast once again. Severus abandoned the negative thoughts, reminding himself that he did not have any better idea how she could keep him well fed. The girl was already nursing, cooking and cleaning around the clock. He'd eat his tongue before asking her to make five or six meals a day. Well, she could drop the onions!

:*:*:*:

Her light steps returned. Severus expectantly wondered which book she might be carrying and imagined how her voice would convey her surprise at what she read. She had started reading the different people in their own tone of voice, using a low rumble for older men and nattering when women exchanged gossip. Would he ever be able to read the books again with a different image in his mind? How would she react when the good guy suddenly turned out to be in league with the other side?

Instead of reading to him, however, she hummed and hawed uncharacteristically. All right, you're bored and you'd rather spend the evening on your own. Just spit it out, Severus thought. I'll survive.

Ginny drew a deep breath, stared at a spot on the floor and told him in one rapid flow, "It has long been dark outside; it is about seven o'clock. We have three hours left. I'm really not feeling good about putting you through this, but Draco said it might be very bad if we don't."

What it? A deadline in three hours? She cannot believe I could ...

Ginny took another breath and stated more matter-of-factly, "Me for one, I can do without extra pain. I've been researching all day; we'll manage."

Fury filled Severus, making him waver in his recent decision to accept the young witch into his life. Are you going to pet and grope around my privates and degrade me to a love machine? A non-functioning one, mind you! You'll waste your energy, and simultaneously you're going to break again what has healed. Excellent, just what I need.

"Maybe the Dark Lord would not punish you given your state, but I have no idea how the spell works."

The dratted charm must sense physical inabilities. Probably nothing will happen. Just take your hands off and leave me alone!

"Now, here is a powerful tissue fortifier that was always in Bill's first-aid kit from Egypt. The Order produces it now as well. It will coat your own body tissue, but hardly heal it; therefore, you shouldn't drink this regularly, but it helps temporarily. It will last for two to five hours, your book says, depending on the damage it needs to cover. This is why I selected it. You'll drink it now. Here we go."

And Severus drank, for she made him swallow. Admittedly, she was a bit more thoughtful than he had feared. He drank more, recognising the specific taste of smoked African elephant ear. A strong tissue fortifier, that one, and thankfully it was correctly brewed! All right, chit, you didn't bugger it up. If you now kindly enough let this potion distribute over my whole body, it will probably support my stamina once I am aroused. But how do you want to make this happen? By smiling at me and talking sweet nothings?

Having set down the empty beaker, Ginny merely looked at him for a while. "An hour's wait to let it spread and work, they write."

Being able to read a book and a clock doesn't exactly qualify for a mediwitch! I might not die immediately, but your groping will still not be crowned with success. At least you will not tear me apart, and I probably should be relieved you had that much foresight. Kindly leave me alone to gather my wits how I can provide for your amusement.

Ginny massaged his lower abdomen. "Now, let's get the er... normal body functions out of our way. Will you relax? I know you can control it a bit! You've started blinking as well... Come on, love, it is fine... Get it all out..."

Severus hoped his body wasn't showing the hot blush he felt as her coaxing once again achieved its goal. He inwardly flinched at the noises and was glad he could not see the container she carried out. How he hated being manipulated!

:*:*:*:

Eyes closed, Severus was left alone. The infuriating prospect of her manipulating his body in THAT way was disgusting. Severus couldn't do anything about what was going to happen...or not happen. With some luck, I'll just fall asleep. You would not even know, girl.

The potion was being given time to do its job, and when Ginny returned from the bathroom, Severus could bring a little tension to his biceps. This exciting news had thoroughly ruined his resolution to fall asleep.

She apparently set the three candles up in mid-air and extinguished all other light. "Now, we'll see, and you will feel... I hope."

Oh, sure, be my guest!

She straddled his chest and moved a pillow behind his head to have him look at her. With all four fingers of each hand, she moved onto his scalp, had them perform circles, loops and figures, finding spots to press that had him forget everything around. Severus could not understand exactly what she was aiming for, but together with the artificial tissue-cover, her massage felt encouraging, relaxing and something more.

I might benefit from the stimulation after all?

Slowly progressing, she drew patterns on his bare shoulders and chest, completely ignoring the criss-crossing scars, where the sensors in the skin could be anything between hypersensitive or non-existent, depending on the weather and the magic exercised in proximity. Tonight, they eased under her massage, and Severus with them.

When she finally teased his nipples till they were hard, Severus looked directly into her face, not only because it was the only place he could look at, but because it kept him spellbound. Her hair was still damp from the shower, her forehead and eyes relaxed, but watchful, and her cheeks shone rosily.

Such devotion, such care for my body...does she mean it after all? Why are women so difficult to interpret?

When she removed her hands, he wanted to groan in disappointment, but he couldn't. She undressed them both fully now and cast warming spells on them both. This time, thankfully, she was using her wand.

Again, her fingers went to his scalp and massaged his forehead, leaving Severus an interesting view indeed. Then her thumbnails drew along his nostrils until finally her flat thumbs moved in a circle around them. She looked into his eye. "I must pay attention not to touch your lips. You know that." Her thumbs carefully went under his nostrils.

Severus felt her fingers scratch over his growing beard. For all the care she had given him, she had not attempted to shave him.

He smelled a breeze of eucalyptus and maybe horseradish opening his nostrils wide. Breathing was so much easier now, and he tried with all his mind to inhale deeply. A tiny smell of patchouli, cloves and sandalwood reached his nose, and wasn't there ylang ylang as well?

Ginny moved down and sat on his thighs. With some cream or oil that he could not see, she massaged his member, rejoicing and encouraging. Not long and he felt blood gathering and hardening it. Oh, it felt good; it felt quite genuine, even though his brains did not want to believe it. Ah, she did find interesting places to tease it. How on earth has she managed that?

To his frustration, she stopped and moved a pillow under his buttock. "Adds some stability," she explained, caressing him. She set his feet a little apart and moved his right hand to the side as well. Indeed, this did put him into a much better position.

"Draco said your left hand will awake first. So you might feel most in your left hand." With these words, she picked it up and used a rather sloppy gluing spell to fix it on her left breast. Rocking down again, she sat on him and started moving over him.

Gradually, she wound herself up, re-gluing Severus' hand to her right breast at some point and closing his already burning eye to open the other one. After a moment of disorientation, he noticed that her movements made his left hand follow with a delay, actually stroking her. She rocked and caressed him in turns, and Severus tried to squeeze by himself, but wasn't sure if he achieved anything. For sure he felt her hard nipple. Whatever she was doing, she reached her goal of arousing him. His breath came heavily now, a sensation he had not had in days.

Hold it, girl, pay attention to just how much you achieve!

Wait a moment, did she get this far indeed?

Eventually, Ginny bent down again, seeing and stroking him. "Gods, Severus, you're wonderful. Oh, I so love it," she gasped, finally lowering herself over him. Ah. She was soft and warm and so lovely as she rode him to get her satisfaction and his as well.

Severus' body jerked up once, and he heard himself grunt. These were first signs of life after their master's wrath had hit him, and he did not care for the pain that accompanied them. His body was functioning. There was hope.

Smiling, Ginny covered both their sweaty bodies with the duvet. "Nox."

She arranged for him to lie a little on his right side with his knees bent. She closed his eye and finally, making them spoon, she let his left hand hang loosely over her stomach in the same way they had laid after all their proper love makings. That's three or four times out of how many? Severus berated himself.

:*:*:*:

Severus awoke in the dark and registered regular breathing at his side. His memory of the evening returned with a bang.

He replayed the whole event in his mind. How endearing she had looked enjoying herself with him. Her eyes had been wide open and even without active Legilimency, Severus was quite certain there was nothing false in them. Whatever it was it that made her keep the distance, it was not repulsion. She had done what she thought right and she had succeeded without humiliating him. It was about time that he asked her for the reason why she behaved so oddly at times. He would do so as soon as he could master his voice. If only the bloody spell would wear off soon.

Her tissue fortifier had done wonders. Vessels, cell walls and membranes would have torn beyond repair when his damaged body had snapped up. She had chosen it well. Too bad, that this variant wore off so rapidly, leaving no actual healing behind. His left hand felt much less cottoned, and he would so have liked to stroke her, just the tiniest bit... it worked! He was able to move his fingers!

For a while, he stroked her bare belly where his hand suspended from the wrist just to feel the sensation. She gave a soft moan and relaxed, making Severus aware that he was actually touching her, caressing her. Encouraged by the fact that she did feel him and did not jump away, he grew bolder. Slowly, to not wake her, he moved his hand over her body in caterpillar manners. Twice it fell in the process, but finally he was where he wanted to be: on her right breast. Her firm, small, juvenile breast that he had just started to get to know. Slowly, he stroked over its softness, enjoying his tiny bit of freedom, as much as her reaction. She still slept, but her breath came deeper now, and then she stirred and stretched herself. "Hmm, Severus!"

Slowly and softly, he continued. She groaned and stretched lightly under his arm that fell limply down. He had to caterpillar up again until he found the rounded flesh. So sweet!

With a gasp, she woke up and probably realized what she had been dreaming. "I'm sorry, love. I don't want to disturb you." Helpless as he was, he had to let her go back to her makeshift bed in the living room.

An hour later, Severus still lay wide awake. It occurred to him only then, that she could very well have moaned another man's name. But she had not! I've been a fool!

:*:*:*:

The alarm announced the arrival of Draco when Ginny was about to empty the chamber pot and bottle in mid-morning. "Just a moment, please wait, Draco," she shouted through the entrance door to stall him.

Severus' ears drummed at the assault with noise, making him realise just how quietly she seemed to be talking and moving about all times. But this moment of physical pain was easier to bear than imagining Draco seeing...

When Ginny opened the entrance door, Draco entered with concern. He verified several times that she seemed indeed well.

"Oh, stop it, we are fine. Come in to greet Severus," Ginny finally called for manners.

"Did you... uh... manage?" Draco asked, sniffing the air.

You're searching for Ludwig's Lust, Severus reasoned. Ha, you won't find any trace!

"Yes, Draco, we did. Stop worrying. We'll be clear until Monday." Her answer came dismissively.

With an inward smirk, Severus noticed that the bewilderment did not leave Draco's voice, even when he now asked for their everyday routine. Yes, he was told, Severus' general muscle tension had improved, but she didn't mention his left hand at all. Had she not noticed it, or was she not willing to share this news? She went on with Severus' skin, and how thin he was, then asked Draco what strengthening food he could imagine.

"What kind of food? I don't know."

"Have the elves always come up with something?"

"Yea, I suppose. I've really never paid attention. Just fill him up, I guess."

"I hope I never end up depending on your care, Draco Malfoy. Would you suggest using a funnel? What diameter?" Severus smirked inwardly, deeply regretting that he could not turn his head to see Draco's face.

The young people left the bedroom after Ginny had gently closed her husband's eye and stroked his cheek. "Have a rest, Severus."

:*:*:*:

Outside, Draco told Ginny a little bit of what was going on in the field. He had evidence that Charlie Weasley had been involved in a skirmish. "I cannot possibly ask myself through your family, but they had to admit that 'the blasted dragon-lover' got the better of them." It wasn't much, considering, but it produced a smile on Ginny's exhausted face.

With trepidation, Ginny asked him about Hermione, and Draco informed her that she had not been participating in open operations. "That's a relief. She is better around an abundance of books anyway, researching, drawing conclusions and maybe scheming and plotting." Ginny glanced fleetingly at all the shelves surrounding her. Seizing a chance to get another piece into the puzzle, she went on. "But, Draco, I've been thinking about the time that you captured me. You were supposed to go for her, and surely there were plans on what would happen. You caught me instead, and everybody seemed so utterly unprepared."

Draco's face turned to stone and looked distant, but Ginny pressed on. "I stayed here undisturbed for four days. You cannot make me believe that this would have happened to Hermione, too."

"Would you have wanted to meet our master earlier than that?"

"I've said nothing like that. But you were at a loss with what to do with me. There was no bed, cell or anything prepared for me. You had to rearrange your actual work..."

"We managed, didn't we?" Draco asked sharply.

"Yes, you did, and very well. I needed the time, too, but..."

With finality in his voice, Draco cut her short. "Fine that we agree. Do you wish me to help with something in the house?"

"Don't change the topic, Draco Malfoy! Why did I not simply get the very same treatment that would have awaited Hermione?" Draco's eyes were cold as steel when they bored into hers. Most carefully, Ginny asked, "What would they have done with her?"

"Be glad you were spared her fate."

"What, Draco?"

"You don't want to know."

"You've said that before."

"This is different. I don't know myself what happens when a couple misses the obligation other than that it is painful. This time, I know." His voice became softer, and he looked at her. "Ginny, please. You're under enough stress as it is. I'm amazed. Let me help you where I can and not destroy you. Please understand."

"Draco! I see right through you, and... oh, Merlin! No!" Without a warning, her stomach heaved up her little breakfast and showered his soft, silvery robe, the exquisitely silk-embroidered waistcoat, his tailor-made alpaca pleated trousers and the elegant, pitch-black, dragon-calf boots with it, before she bolted on to the bathroom.

Draco swore at his own fault, shrugged out of the smelly robe and had Banished it before he knew what had hit him. He gained his self-control then and cast elementary cleansing spells over himself and the floor before he rushed to follow her, throwing his waistcoat into the tub. Shirt-sleeved, he supported her forehead, speaking gently to her as she bent over the sink and rinsed her mouth and nose with chilly water.

When she looked up to thank him, Draco turned around and swallowed at the pile of washing in the tub, but didn't say a word about it. When Ginny's retching turned into sobs, he gently held her.

"Ginny, calm down. Gra- she is now so well protected that we don't even get the same task anymore. I do believe that our master has given up this plan."

"Are you sure? I don't want to hear a lie."

"I suppose. Severus never lied to you about his influence and knowledge or the lack thereof. I can tell you that the Dark Lord had been asking about her even after we had you. Our people kept reporting that the Order has her under uncompromising protection. He has stopped asking as of recently, so I deduce that he has given up on the idea. Trust that we would not act differently than we did last time."

"Thank you. Maybe you were right that I didn't want to know, but I've been having too much time to think."

They turned their attention to domestic matters. Draco insisted that the pile of washing went with him before they proceeded towards the kitchen.

:*:*:*:

A sharp sound and Ginevra's strict voice woke Severus up. "How dare you, Draco." What can have put her in such a rage? "I can't believe you suggested such a thing!" She sounded angrier than Severus had ever heard her since she had come into his house.

"Look. It is just an offer out of your desperate position, Ginny!" Draco hissed insistently. "Do you know how bad I feel about this? I wished there was another way. I want to rectify something. I certainly don't want to imply..."

She must have composed herself, for she spoke slowly, but she sounded even firmer now. "All right Draco. It might be a way out for some, but I won't think of it." Severus strained to hear her next sentence, but when it was said, his chest churned, and he almost wished he had missed it. "It would break the last thread to Severus that I might still have."

Draco's voice was hard and provocative when he replied, "I don't see much that could still be destroyed." When Ginevra didn't respond, the boy huffed and said, "Then don't. I will leave you now." Severus heard clothes rustle and finally the door open and close.

For a long time, the young witch paced the floor, stepping determinedly in her anger and making him angry, too. What has the boy suggested? Has he badgered her? Eventually, her steps faltered, and silence fell. He did not hear anything from her, no steps, no sound. Severus' mind was racing. What is going on? Has Draco offended my wife?

After long minutes, she poked her head in, speaking in a soft voice that, however, seemed to cost her much concentration, "It is almost lunchtime, and for once we have rather fine winter weather outside. Let me tuck you in and open the window for a while before we eat."

Severus revelled in the fresh, midwinter scent. For a moment, the sun was strong enough to cast shadows of the bare twigs of the tree on the wall opposite the window. One of the few positive memories from his childhood was about climbing the tree, enjoying the freshly plucked apples. It had been a Muggle experience, and so Tobias Snape had not interfered. Ginevra did not even know their little back garden. He would have to show it to her as soon as he was able to.

First, however, he would have to make up with her, try to re-arrange an understanding between them that he had so foolishly broken. He sincerely wanted to treat her with the respect she deserved, although it could never undo all the harm he had done. He would strive to honour her, maybe come to love her, even if she could probably not reciprocate such feelings anymore.

"All right then. Guess what, you'll have soup today!" Ginny announced with overdrawn, ironical joy that did not allow Severus to analyse her actual state of mind. "Chicken-curry, this time." She was hovering a tray with food beside her. She placed it on the chest of drawers, pushed the window almost closed, warmed Severus' shoulders and arranged for him to assume a half-sitting position.

One of his eyes was opened and directed to her. A shelf was quickly emptied from books, and with a deep frown on her face, she Transfigured it into a makeshift table over the bed. She declared, "I'll be rude today, Severus. I'll eat first. It is too hot for you yet. You can enjoy the smell first. Hopefully it makes you really greedy, for there is a lot of it."

Severus watched her eating and looked at her worn features. Her eyes had been dark-rimmed already for days. She could not get enough sleep, what with all the turning him around every other hour and cleaning him all too many times. So he was glad to see that she tucked in heartily. He wished to inhale the smell deftly, but even deepening his breathing was out of his control. How could he make her use the ointment for under the nostrils again? Maybe I can catch her eyes long enough to allow Legilimency? But she had not attempted it before, why would she do so today? For the first days, Severus had been thankful she had not pried into his mind, for it was straining and would have been most painful to his sensitive eyes. Today, he would have endured any pain if only she would contact him in the way she could.

The soup was creamy and delicious. Every now and then she added mashed chutney to the spoon, and she allowed him a moment more to taste it. True to her word, she had made a lot, and his empty stomach gladly welcomed it. Dessert was a fruit salad for her and a corresponding fruity drink for him. She took care that he had each mouthful on his tongue for a while before she made him swallow, although she probably did not know that he indeed smelled and tasted what she fed him. She spent the time in case it actually made a difference for him.

She locked her eyes with his open one a few times, but too short for him to have a chance to break through to her. Severus wanted to scream out in protest when she closed his itchy eyes again, but he could not.

:*:*:*:

Paul Nott and one of his charges visited them to make a report on the Crimson-Orb curse. They asked Ginny about Severus' progress, and then took all kinds of strange measurements. She could not tell them more than his other injuries have healed. "I am still waiting for a reaction," she admitted.

The young man's face looked indifferent as he noted, "Interesting. Do you think he might be permanently damaged, sir?" Ginny blanched and nearly missed the table with her hand as she tried to stabilise herself.

Paul Nott chastised his companion for his inconsiderate behaviour and did his best to convince Ginny, his warm hand on her shoulder stabilising her. "Mrs Snape, listen. Our master needs Severus," he reasoned, speaking in a rational tone. "He has always put great hopes and responsibilities into him and now into your marriage. Yet, his magical powers are... impressive. He might have overdone it, yes, but not to such an extent. We are here to assess the effects of the curse. Why would he bother, if he had abandoned your husband?"

Unable to even verbally protest, Severus was completely at their mercy as they manhandled his uncooperative body, tilting and turning him, taking temperature and the acidity of his skin at places he would never even display to Madam Pomfrey. Thankfully, Paul had sent the girl out before the humiliating procedure, and he put a foot down when the young upstart wanted to be extra-thorough.

Severus swore sweet revenge at the greenhorn's audacious prodding with his wand and his enthusiastic declaration. "This is most remarkable, sir. His magic has retreated to the magical nodes."

They left with an encouraging remark to Ginny, but her face hardly cleared up. Feeling stronger every day, Severus wished hard he was able to wipe away her desperation, but he could not.

:*:*:*:

Propped against two pillows, Severus enjoyed his near-upright position. Even if he could only stare into the direction his nose already pointed to, the sight was more interesting than from any lying position. Since the window was wide open, Ginny had tucked him in very carefully indeed and not at all realised his paltry attempts to move his left hand and fingers or his right toes.

Eventually, she drew the curtains closed, cursing herself for not heeding his potentially still hurting eyes. Severus was well aware of her daily routine and found that she had every right to see a bit of the nice day. He had enjoyed it more than suffered from the headache due to the light.

She explained that she would be gone for quite a while to care for dinner and his ointments. Severus sighed inwardly. He was causing her a lot of work. She cupped his cheeks, fingers deep into his greasy hair, and stroked his upper arms before she made him slip under the duvet again without looking at his left hand where his fingers made minute moves.

When would she realise he could move it? Would she come up with a code to communicate with him? What would he want to tell her? That he was sorry. That she did a wonderful job with him and need not worry. That he wanted to hug her, caress her. No, he reminded himself. Don't get your hopes up. She will hardly appreciate it.

If she did not ask him the right questions, he could hardly form a message in finger movements. In no ways could he ask her to use Legilimency on him.

For hours his thoughts seemed to circle around this problem. Consequently, he did not get a proper rest and was less and less able to create images he wanted her to see.

Bouts of shivers ran through his body, weakening his senses. Then again he felt hot, and sweat pearled down his temples. In his lucid moments, he faced different sides of the room, and he might have felt cold, damp cloth cover his forehead or calves. To his frustration, she never popped in while he was awake. When would this end?

:*:*:*:

"getting worse... nights' massage... oil with hop..."

"move left arm... right arm... not yet. Strange, actually... I had thought..."

:*:*:*:

Severus woke up properly after the sun had already set. His eyes were closed...damn. She must have been in the room a few times, but he had missed it. He felt very warm; his skin was not aching, but damp, and considering his huge lunch, he wasn't full at all.

Swearing would have been a relief now. He had missed her administration of the oil! The one moment where she certainly looked over all his body and would have felt the tiniest of movements. He had missed the best chance to move his foot or hand in her hands! Vaguely, he recalled now how she had asked for it. In his fatigue he had not reacted. Damn again.

Despite the soothing smell of the oil, he tried to stay awake now. Would there still be an occasion to contact her tonight? Would she slide in under the cover with him like she had done last night? Fat chance!

Ginny appeared after he had been lying awake for what must have been ages. She brought him a big bowl filled with porridge and a carrot mousse. Her own dinner was on a small plate, and Severus thought it was far too little to keep her strong.

She sat reading for him afterwards. Joyful as it was, he would have preferred being unpacked and examined.

Eventually, she left to return with his toothbrush. Avoiding any direct skin contact with his lips, she gingerly manoeuvred it inside and brushed around. "I thought you would need it after the chocolate drink, but this really isn't worth much. Hermione would be shocked. Can't be helped; you'll have to do it extra carefully again once you can." After brushing through his hair, she bade him good night and left for her own bed, leaving a frustrated man behind.

He was not any more successful the following day.

:*:*:*:

:*:*:*:

I'm forever grateful for the help I received from Hollimel99 and Jingjingchiquita. You're the best!