First Year: Chapter 2

First Years: Empathic
Disclaimer: I don’t Own Harry Potter but I will Use them.

For the next few days both father and daughter kept the child asleep in hopes that said child's father would soon return to help the boy make a full recovery. However, at the end of every day the disappointment in one Severus Snape climbed higher and higher. Finally three days after his departure a letter presented itself with the seal of Hogwarts on the back and Tom knew who it was from. Stepping into the back room he opened it with a hesitant feeling of hope that was only squashed down by the contents. The inside contained bundle of money that would take care of the month’s stay and then a letter. One that was impersonal and not something he would ever show the child.

Shaking his head he folded it and placed it back in the envelope, moving back to the front of the bar he slipped the letter into his pocket. Pulling out a piece of parchment, ink, and a quill and letting the thoughts, that the letter had brought, along with the events of the past few days flow onto it. Once completed he folded and pulled an envelope and then labeling it for Hogwarts he put it in the ‘To be sent’ pile. That night he closed down the bar early and headed up to the child’s room where he had slept that first night with his daughter, handing said daughter the letter he sat on the bed with a sigh.

“I got this, this morning.” Feeling the wards twist and turn to allow Severus through he got up and pulled Laila in for a hug. “He’s here I better go talk to him, I’m afraid I lost it a little in the letter I sent him. Do you think I should allow him to see the boy.”

“Xavier is asleep and will remain so he won’t know that his father is here and the only one it will hurt is Severus. Go speak to him.” She said as she took her father’s seat on the bed, pulling the envelope open and pulling out the letter so she could read and understand her father’s anger but knew that she would still let the man see his own son. Who was starting to toss in his sleep, she moved to grab his hand and rubbed seeing the child’s face moved and scrunched. Sighing she started singing, these nightmares had been more and more frequent.

Tom headed downstairs towards where Severus had popped into, he had no intention of allowing that man to just walk out again. Walking into the entry way of the stairs and moved into the bar’s seating, staying there he just watched the man. Noticing that the normally stoic man was quickly losing his composure Tom decided it was now or never to let in to him.

“So you save his life, then the next morning you just leave, you don’t talk to him you don’t let him know you’re going to be there for him but instead you leave early so there is no way for him to be up and stumble across you, then you send me one letter in the three days and all you do is tell me how to care for the boy, which by the way I do know how to do, thank you.” Once he was done he took a deep breath and studied Severus again as he took in this information. His hand trembling as he ran it through his hair, his footing shifting from one or the other, his breathing heavy and his eyes focused on Tom.

“Tom I just want to see that he’s alright…Please. I-I didn't mean...” Severus was begging, something he wasn’t used to doing willingly.

“The boy is being kept asleep so stay however long you want.” Tom sigh, he couldn’t deny what was obviously a father in distress. Turning slightly to the side and letting Severus pass him and head towards the stairs, fallowing him so that even if he did try to leave he wouldn’t be able to. As they reached the door they heard Laila’s voice floating out of from the other side of the door.

“The poor child must be having a nightmare Laila’s singing is the only thing that calms him.” Tom then stepped to the door and opened it staying back and allowing Severus to step in first. Severus took the first step then faltered his mind not wanting to process the information his head dropping slightly. Then gathering his strength he stepped over the threshold holding his breath he looked at the bed seeing the pale form of his son. Leaning against the wall he watched as his sons face relaxed having been previously scrunched in pain. Laila a women he remembered from school stood and moved towards her father and they both left closing the door behind them. The click of the door brought him to his senses and he moved from the wall and towards the bed, sliding down to a sitting position.

He felt the tears slid from his eyes, he hadn’t cried since his beloved Lily’s death and here he was crying because he had not bothered to show his son that he would just have to wait until The Dark Lord was no more than he would have him to himself. Reaching up and running a hand through his son’s hair then down his cheeks.

“I am sorry my son…Please forgive me I had thought you would reject me after your mother…I didn’t want to lose you so soon after finding you and it seems… It seems I have done nothing to earn your forgiveness when it is all I wish.” Dropping his head to the boys shirt, one that was the same as the shirt he wore that night, his hand fisting in the cloth and the lock that he so faithfully checked and rechecked to make sure it would hold in huge emotional stress, caved and all of his emotions broke free.

“It’s okay dad I forgive you.” Xavier’s hand came to his head as his eyes fought to open and finally opening to see the startled expression. Severus’ eyes flew open at his sons murmur, moving his head and looked at his son reaching his hand to the child’s face he looked on in confusion.

“How…They lied to me” Standing quickly he strode to the door and flung it open making the other two outside jump in surprise. “What are you playing at. He’s awake.”

“Laila…?” Tom’s eyes stayed on Severus no matter how much he trusted the man he was wary of what he would do.

“I don’t know how this is possible he was given the potion at the same time and was nowhere near becoming tolerant.” She pushed past Severus and stepped into the room going into Medi-witch mode. Immediately heading to the bed pushing the child down onto the bed gently. “I don’t know how you could be fighting this but you need to relax and not push yourself.” Doing a couple of diagnostic charms to see how the potion was being affected to find that the boy’s body showed no signs of having a potion. “How is this possible it should have taken effect.” The child deciding to give them a break as his father might leave him if he didn’t tell him.

“I think I can help.” He gained their attention with those words, attempting to sit back up this time managing it before Laila took notice he smiled when he heard her sigh. “I’m Empathic.” He stayed quite letting them digest what he said seeing the confusion coming across his father’s face he knew that he wouldn’t ask so he decided to enlighten everyone. “Some potions don’t work when strong emotions get involved, and the potion goes on hold so under scans it show that there is no potion and as soon as the emotions run out and dull down the potion will take effect and I will be back to being passed out.” Soon he moaned and then placed a hand on his head, as Severus noticed this he stepped forward and sat on the bed reaching forward he grabbed the boys hand and removed it from his head rubbing the boys temples.

“You should lay back son. You will only make it worse.” The others smiling at the father son moment before leaving the room to let them continue on. Suddenly feeling a little self conscious Xavier looked down and started fiddling with the bottom of his shirt. Severus reached over and placed his hands onto Xavier’s effectively stopping the child’s nervous habit.

“I must apologize my child.” Severus grabbed his sons hand and rubbed circles into it.

“Why…Because of mom, she wanted you to pick me… To get to me before they did…I knew that she probably wasn’t going to make it…we had an argument right before the attack…I had asked about you again and she wasn’t feeling very good but I pushed it anyway…I wanted to know at least something before Hogwarts but then she told me I wasn’t going because it was too dangerous.” Xavier bowed his head as the tears flowed from his eyes he didn’t know if he was crying from his own pain or his father’s needing comfort and not thinking of the consequences he crawled into his father’s lap and felt his arms come around him.

“Listen to me son, I won’t be able to come back it will draw too much attention to you, The Dark Lord is slowly on his down word spiral and I will not lose you.” He said wrapping his arms around him holding him tightly. “I will be back as soon as I can to get you but until then I want you do as Tom tells you and give no trouble.” Dropping his head to rest against Xavier’s he allowed himself to relax.

“I understand dad.” The child curled further into his father’s chest enjoying the feeling of pride, love, and peace. “Can you promise me something.” He added as he looked into his father’s eyes not wanting to ever let go.

“And what’s that.” Wanting to promise his son anything.

“Don’t leave me.” Tears filling his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his neck. Sighing Severus pulled the child even closer to him. Xavier felt the regret, fear, and longing coming off from his father and he started shaking.

“I wish I could Xavier but this is war and I walk a very fine line at any moment I could parish I am not above the victims that are taken from this war I myself could become one.” Before he could finish however the boy’s body shuddered and a sob broke free and then he burst out.

“No…no…no… promise me right now dad. I can’t…I can’t lose you to. Please daddy don’t leave me.” Pulling Xavier as close as he could he started rocking to calm him, he had always wanted a child and then to hear them call him daddy and he never wanted to leave him but at that moment he felt the stinging pain in his arm and he stiffened.

“I can’t make a promise I can’t keep and I won’t. No I don’t have the time for you to interrupt me. I will however make sure you are never alone. It may not be me who comes to get you but it will be someone you can trust okay?” Severus picked the boys chin up and moved to kiss his forehead and wipe away the tears. “That is what I promise you. Now I have to go always know that I love you my son.” Placing Xavier on the bed he stood and walked to the door. Before he could open it however he heard his son call out.

“Daddy?” Xavier had slide off the bed and was now standing not that far from him. Walking to him he knelt down so he was eye level with Xavier.

“What is it son?” Xavier wrapped his arms around his shoulders and held him close before whispering.

“Be careful please.” Nodding Severus stood and helped Xavier to the bed, tucking him in he smiled and kissed his forehead once more. “Sleep” He then turned and headed to the door opening and stepping out he sigh as he closed the door. Looking over at the two people who where staring at him as he sagged against the door. “I have been summoned and must leave please take care of him.” After their nods he moved off to the stairs and down them to the apparition point taking a deep breath and headed off to the meeting he knew he would be punished for being late but he honestly couldn’t bring himself to care.