"I was so afraid that... I thought you would die," the blond Slytherin said.

"It was not God's will." Severus released Draco, leaned back against the seat slowly and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Sir? Did I hurt you?" Draco asked.

"No, no, I'm only a bit tired."

"Let us return to the hospital wing, Severus," Father Nikolski said. "Madame Pomfrey would not be pleased if your energies were depleted now that you have only just begun to feel better. Here, I shall help you to stand."

The Potions Master nodded, but a slight gasp escaped him when he tried to rise.

"Child, what is the matter?" Father Nikolski said, putting his hand on Severus's shoulder.

"My feet are hurting. I must have overestimated my strength."

"It is my fault, Severus. Ah, your Madame Pomfrey will surely scold me."

"I'm fine, it isn't so bad... Help me, Father, I'll try again."

"I will carry you, child, it is not a great distance, and we cannot risk you injuring yourself further."

Severus opened his mouth as if to protest, then simply said, "Yes, Father."

The students watched, with no small amount of wonder, their docile Potions Master allowing himself to be lifted up in the priest's arms. By the time they all reached the castle doors, he had fallen asleep.

"Maybe there's something wrong with him?" Draco asked Father Nikolski.

"Do not worry, child. It was a benefit that he leave the infirmary for a little while, to be refreshed. He will sleep now, and feel stronger when he awakes."

Draco nodded.

"He is looking a lot better," Harry said.

"I bet he'll be teaching us again in no time," Neville said.

"That'll be nice," Hermione said. "Professor Lupin is a good teacher, but... We're rather behind on the material we were supposed to cover."

Ron groaned and she rolled her eyes.

They had arrived at the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey hurried out of her office towards them, her brow furrowed in a deep frown.

"Out, out!" she said, shooing the children with her hand.

The student wisely retreated from the room.

"Father, where were you? What happened?"

"Forgive me, Madame Pomfrey. We only went for a walk, and Severus became tired," the priest said, and lowered the Potions Master upon a bed.

She waved her wand over Severus's slumbering form and seemed less irate. "He is very calm. And he does have a bit of color in his cheeks."

Father Nikolski smiled. "He was most happy to be outside, even if it was brief. We did not think it would be harmful, on the contrary. It was mild, and Severus was gazing out of the window... You were absent, so we could not ask, and it did not occur to me, you see, that you would be grieved. You have forgiven me for my foolishness?"

"Of course, Father, of course. But please let me know next time you decide to go on an excursion."

"You have my word."

"It seems you and Severus gave Madame Pomfrey a bit of a fright, Father Nikolski?" Dumbledore said, entering the Hospital Wing.

"I fear it is true," Father Nikolski said. "Something is the matter, Headmaster Dumbledore?"

The aging wizard approached the bed and, sighing, he stroked Severus's cheek. "Sirius Black has been condemned to life in Azkaban."

"Ah. The one who betrayed Severus... May God have mercy on him."

"No..." Severus whispered, his eyes still closed. "Albus, don't let them..."

"Child, go back to sleep," Father Nikolski said. He removed the scarf from around his charge's neck. "I am making you comfortable. Do not fret."

"Father... No one deserve such a harsh punishment."

"He hardly got what he deserved," Pomfrey said. "He should have been sentenced to the Kiss, though I suppose a lifetime in Azkaban might be worse." She emptied a vial into a glass and raised him slightly with her arm beneath his shoulder. "Now I won't have you losing any needed sleep over that wretched man. Drink this, Severus."

"Poppy is right, my boy... Rest. There is nothing anyone can do for Sirius," Dumbledore said, and sighed again. "It was too late a long time ago."

Severus whispered, "No," and his features relaxed in sleep.

----

A few days later, the Potions Master was sitting in his dungeons, praying, when a soft knock at the door interrupted his contemplation.

"Who is it?" he said.

"It is Father Nikolski, child."

Severus rose, his long monastic veil flowing behind him. "Come in, Father."

"Sit, my dearest Severus," the priest said upon entering the dimly lit room. "I have not disturbed you, I hope?"

"It is always a blessing to see you, Father."

Father Nikolski bent down and kissed Severus on the cheeks.

The Potions Master indicated the chair next to his. "Please, Father, join me. Would you like to have some tea?"

"I am quite well, dearest child. I wished to speak to you about several important matters."

Severus inclined his head.

"I shall be returning to the monastery soon. It grieves me to leave you, but the time has come for me to go back. I have been thinking, Severus... About the students, and your school. They should not be without the sort of guidance you could give them if you became a priest, yes?"

After a moment, Severus said, "I will obey you in this as in all other things. May God make me worthy of the tasks with which He will entrust me."

The priest smiled. "You have proved yourself to be worthy in every way. Many of the young ones will benefit from your service, such as Draco Malfoy. You know he has been reading the Scriptures."

Severus's eyes warmed. "He is being healed of many evil memories. I have my heart set on caring for him, and protecting him and all of the children at Hogwarts."

"You will be an excellent spiritual father, without a doubt. We will have the ceremony as soon as possible."

Severus leaned back against the chair and exhaled slowly.

"Something is troubling you, my joy?"

"No, Father, it's just... I've been blessed beyond imagination."

"Indeed, Severus. You have even been granted to be a Confessor, praise be to God. Continue to strive as you have, and pray without ceasing."

"Father... When I almost died, I..." Severus's voice dropped to a trembling murmur. "I had a heavenly vision... I saw our Lord Jesus Christ, who was... gazing at me with infinite love and compassion. It was unlike anything I had ever known, perfect, absolute love... I felt my heart burst into flames of rapture..." He could no longer go on, and shook.

Father Nikolski reached over to him and gently squeezed his hand. "I am so happy, dearest child, that such consolation was bestowed upon you after all you have suffered. Be at peace... Be calm."

They sat together in silence for a while, then Severus said, "Father, I want to visit Sirius Black in Azkaban."

"That is very good, only wait a little longer. It will be difficult. Always go to this place accompanied by Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Yes, Father." He paused. "You know all there is to know about me; I concealed nothing from you and confessed every one of my misdeeds prior to my baptism and Christmation. I very much want to make amends to Sirius for my hatred of him..."

"Peace, peace," Father Nikolski said, squeezing Severus's hand again. "The Lord knows the desire of your heart, and nothing is impossible to Him. Consider all that He has done for you. Amazing things."

The Potions Master lowered his eyes. "May He grant that I spend the rest of my life in repentance."

"Amen, dear Severus. Now, I believe it is time for dinner. Let us go together to the Great Hall."

----

Severus and Father Nikolski stood face to face in the Headmaster's office, the priest's suitcase on the floor next to the fireplace. Only the day before, the Potions Master had been ordained, and he could still hear the words that had been loudly proclaimed by Bishop Seraphim, who had come to Hogwarts to perform the small ceremony: axios, axios, axios! He is worthy! It had made his heart leap inside his chest.

"I will miss you, my beloved child," Father Nikolski said, embracing Severus. "May God bless you and keep you always and forever, and grant you strength for the times ahead."

"Thank you, Father... I'll miss you too, more than I can say. Please, pray for me and the children."

----

My dearest ones, do forgive the delay. I have been quite busy because of Lumos, Prophecy, and... Well, things are more hectic for me nowadays, I fear. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness.

Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor