Chapter 5
You work for the rest of the week, teaching your first real lesson to your classes and finding yourself growing more and more comfortable as you speak in front of the students. You walk around the room as the Gryffindor and Slytherin students finish their potions, looking over their shoulders as they drop ingredients into their cauldrons and double check their books to make sure they’re doing it correctly.
“Be careful when you stir in the Fluxweed.” You say, stopping a student as he starts to toss it into the cauldron. “If the leaves break away from the stem, it’s properties are weakened.”
He smiles at you as he nods, carefully setting the rest of the sprig into the potion before his partner stirs it gently. You continue to walk around the room as students finish, grading their potions and marking it in your scroll.
You dismiss the students as they finish, and finally the last students leave the room. You look over their grades before going up to the apartment, smiling at Severus as he looks up at you from the floor.
“Look darling, mummy’s home.” He says to Nova, turning her to face you.
You smile at them both as you sit beside them on the ground, wrapping her in your arms as she crawls over to you. Severus kisses your forehead as you lean against him, wrapping his arm around your shoulders.
“How did it go today?” He asks, looking at you with his dark eyes.
You set Nova back on the floor and she continues to crawl over your lap and Severus’, cooing contently as she does.
“It went well I think, almost every pair successfully made their Herbicide potions.” You answer, smiling up at him.
He kisses the top of your head, smiling back at you.
“They have a good teacher, of course they did.” He answers, squeezing your shoulders gently.
You laugh, nuzzling against him closer.
“We’re supposed to meet Daisy and Charlie for the Quidditch game this afternoon.” You tell him, brushing your fingers through Nova’s curls as she plays.
He nods, standing up and adjusting his robes in the mirror.
“I asked Kneti to come for Nova.” He says, buttoning his top button. “I think it might be a bit much for her at the pitch.”
You nod, scooping her into your arms as you stand up.
“I’m going to take her to Hogsmeade to meet Daisy for lunch, but we’ll be back when your classes end.” You tell him, looking at him in the reflection of the mirror.
He turns to face you, nodding as he steps closer, kissing you softly before kissing Nova on the forehead.
“Have fun love, I’ll see you later.” He says, running a finger along the side of your face.
You nod, smiling back at him before taking Nova and leaving the room. You walk down the halls, going to the Courtyard to where you decided to meet Daisy. She sits on the edge of the fountain, standing and smiling at you as you walk closer.
She immediately takes Nova out of your arms, kissing her cheeks and making her laugh as you start to walk down the path towards Hogsmeade. You make your way to Madame Rosmerta’s, finding a table and ordering lunch.
“Are you excited to start wedding planning?” You ask, taking a drink from your glass as you look across the table at Daisy.
She smiles at you, nodding as she does.
“Yes!” She says happily. “I can’t wait to go dress shopping and pick colors and flowers and—well everything!”
You laugh, trying to imagine what kind of dress she would wear. You talk at the table for hours, coming up with different ideas as you eat and brainstorming different places to hold the ceremony and reception.
You leave as students start to flood the tables dressed in their house clothing and Quidditch face paint, walking back on the path towards the castle as leaves crunch under your feet.
“I’ll meet you at the pitch, I have to go back to the inn to change!” Daisy says, turning around when you reach the Courtyard.
She hands you Nova, holding her hand a moment longer before kissing it softly and leaving. You take her back to the classroom, stepping into the fireplace and taking her upstairs with you.
Severus shrugs out of his robes as you step into the room, and you smile at him as you set Nova into her crib. You change too, trading your skirt and blouse for jeans and a dark green, Slytherin shirt.
“Ah, ah, ah.” You say, taking the shirt Severus is trying to put on out of his hands before pushing another one into his grasp. “You said you’d wear it.”
He groans under his breath as he puts the shirt you handed him on, a dark green Slytherin shirt, identical to yours.
“So now we’re one of those matching couples?” He asks, pulling you beside him to look at your reflections in the mirror.
You laugh as you rest your hand on his chest, watching as the diamond on your finger sparkles against the dark fabric of his shirt.
“Looks like we are.” You answer, stepping in front of him and looking up into his eyes. “And you look so good in it too.”
He raises his eyebrows, smirking down at you.
“You are so lucky that I love you.” He mutters, his hands resting on your hips as he pulls you closer. “Because matching is really lame.”
He laughs lowly as he leans down to kiss you, and you laugh as well as your fingers twist into his soft hair. Quiet footsteps beside you send you pulling away, and you look over to find Kneti stepping through the fireplace, looking up at you with wide eyes.
You smile up at Severus, winking at him as you wipe your lipstick from his mouth.
“We’ll be late for the game.” You tell him, stepping towards the crib. “Goodnight my darling, I love you.”
You kiss the tip of Nova’s nose, and she presses her small hand against your cheek for a moment before you step away. Severus steps up to her next, kissing her forehead as he tells her goodnight as well.
“Thank you Kneti.” You tell the small elf as you step into the fireplace. “We’ll be home as soon as the game is over.”
She smiles at you, nodding as she walks over to the crib. Severus takes your hand as you walk down the hall, meeting Charlie and Daisy in the flood of students making their way to the pitch.
Daisy loops her arm through yours as her hand stays locked in Charlies. You find your way to the stands, and together, you sit amongst the sea of red, blue, green, and yellow robes. The game begins soon after you arrive, and everyone stays standing and cheering as the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students fly out on their brooms to start the game.
Severus loops his arm around your waist as you watch the game, and you lean against him, smiling up at him as you do. A young Gryffindor player loops through one of the hoops, and the stadium erupts in cheers.
But suddenly, an even louder sound comes from the castle behind you. The stands shake as another loud bang comes from the castle, an explosion rocking the stadium as smoke rises from the school.
Your heart freezes in your chest as cheers of excitement turn to screams of horror. Your eyes find Severus’, finding his face to be just as shocked and pale as you imagine yours is.
“Nova.” You breathe, and he nods, taking your hand and dragging you through the frantic crowd, out of the stands and towards the smoking castle.
You run as fast as your legs will take you, Severus’ hand staying locked in yours as he runs just as fast beside you. You step through the doors into the main hallway as another explosion shakes the very foundation of the school.
Severus grabs your hand tighter, pulling you closer as a chunk of debris falls from the ceiling. Your breathing comes in jagged gasps as you look up at him, and he shakes his head, simply pulling you in a run again towards the dungeon.
You make it to the classroom before another explosion sounds, further away this time, and you step into the fireplace with your heart hammering wildly against your chest.
Finally, you step into the apartment, looking around for Nova. Kneti’s small feet stick out from the other side of the bed, and you run to her.
A small scream escapes your lips as you find her, her eyes wide in fear as her body lies completely still, frozen in death from a strike of the killing curse. You dare to drag your gaze to the crib, finding your worst fear to be a reality.
You fall to your knees as sobs rip through your chest, as Severus stares into the empty crib.