Chapter 18
You walk through the halls alone as you search for Severus. The sun bleeds through the windows as it begins to set, and you let the heat from it’s rays soak into you as you turn down the hall towards the dungeon.
Dumbledore, crosses your path, nodding his head to you in greeting.
“I trust everything went smoothly?” He asks, looking into your eyes.
You nod, looking back at him.
“She’s off on her next adventure.” You say simply, smiling slightly.
He smiles too, nodding again.
“Yes, yes.” He tells you. “Sometimes the best thing is to start a new path.”
You nod in agreement, smiling down at your shoes.
“Do you think she meant it?” You ask quietly. “All the stuff about protecting me.”
Dumbledore thinks for a moment, stroking his long, white beard with one hand as he does.
“I do believe that.” He says in a soft tone. “People change, you know. Severus once had to play that part.”
You nod again, pushing a pulse of love to Severus through the bond. Dumbledore tells you goodnight, smiling at you before he walks away. You continue your way down the hall, drawing nearer to Severus with every step.
You hear his deep baritone voice as it spills down the hall as you approach the door, and you stand outside for a moment listening as he hums a gentle melody. You smile to yourself as you push the door open, looking into the classroom.
Severus stands near the fireplace, the flickering light dancing along his stark cheekbones as he rocks Nova in his arms. He continues the melody quietly, swaying back and forth to the song as she sleeps comfortably with her cheek pressed against his chest.
You let the door shut quietly behind you as you walk across the floor towards them, and Severus turns to face you, a smile cutting across his face as his melody dies out.
“Don’t stop on account of me.” You whisper, reaching them and running your fingers through Nova’s hair.
He chuckles lowly, continuing his gentle hum as he extinguishes the fire, shifting Nova to one arm and taking your hand with the other. He leads you to the fireplace, and you use the Floo Powder to transport yourselves to the apartment above.
His beautiful song fills the apartment as he carries Nova to her crib, setting her into the bed and covering her with a blanket Molly had made for her.
“Are you alright?” He asks quietly, turning to face you.
You nod, reaching up and wrapping your arms around the back of his neck. He smiles, setting his hands on your waist as he starts to sway with you. His humming resumes as he dances you around the room, slowly and quietly in the fading light spilling through the stained-glass window.
Severus’ lips find their way down your neck, kissing gently along your skin as he continues to hum, swaying you slowly back and forth near the foot of the bed. His arms secure you tighter as he dips you down, his teeth biting gently just above your collarbone.
***smut warning***
You gasp lightly, your fingers twisting into his hair as he sits you up straight again. His lips find yours as he pushes you backwards gently, laying you down onto the bed. He climbs onto the bed on top of you, his hands sitting on either side of your head as he holds himself up.
“I missed you.” He breathes. “Quit leaving.”
You laugh softly, looking up into his dark eyes.
“Deal.” You reply, brushing his silky black hair away from his face.
He smiles down at you, bringing his lips back to yours as he does. Your hands slip under the hem of his shirt, sliding slowly up his pale, smooth chest. His hips grind slowly against yours in rhythm with his kiss.
His hand slides down your body, caressing your curves softly until he gently parts your legs. You gasp as his fingers slide up your thigh, pushing into you with carefully measured pressure.
He smirks as you writhe beneath him, varying his speed and pressure against you. Your nails rake down his back as he continues, quiet moans escaping your lips as he does. He sits up then, undoing the buckle of his pants and pulling them down before lining himself up with your body.
He looks into your eyes, groaning lowly as he presses into you slowly. You take his face between your hands as he slowly moves back out, sliding them to his hair as he pushes himself back into you.
“I—” Severus groans, “I love you.”
You pull at his hair, dragging him down closer to yourself.
“I love you too.” You breathe, crushing your lips to his.
Suddenly, you push against him, flipping him onto his back on the bed, staring up at you with wide eyes. You climb over him, aligning yourself back against him as you slowly lower yourself down onto him.
Your hands rest on his chest as you move up and down, and moments later you feel your body tighten against his. He moans lowly, pushing back into you once more as he finishes as well.
You collapse onto the bed beside him, and Severus wraps his arms around your body as he kisses gently along your neck.
***smut over***
His breath sends goosebumps along your skin as he whispers to you gently until you fall asleep.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
You wake the next morning to Nova’s soft cooing, and you climb out of bed to take her out of her crib. She smiles up at you widely, reaching up to press her small hands against your face.
Severus rolls over in the bed, looking over at you with tired eyes and a soft smile.
“Go back to sleep, love.” You tell him, leaning over him and pressing a kiss against his forehead. “I’ve got her.”
He nods, falling back asleep quickly. You take Nova into the bathroom with you, showering with her before you dress the both of you. You take her down to the dining hall, hoping you’ll run into Daisy and Charlie soon.
You take your food out to the courtyard with you, sitting on the bench and eating in the cool morning air. Nova giggles as she eats with you, and you take her back into your arms as you throw the trash in the bin.
You decide that you probably have a better shot of running into Daisy and Charlie in Hogsmeade, and you make your way down the path to the small town. Luckily, Daisy and Charlie are sitting outside of a café, talking together as they finish drinking their coffees.
“Hey!!” Daisy shouts as she sees you, waving you over.
You smile, walking over to their table and sitting in the empty chair.
“What’re you guys doing here?” Daisy asks, taking Nova from your arms.
You laugh, looking out at the town as people pass.
“We were looking for you.” You answer, smiling at Daisy. “Someone has a wedding to plan.”
Daisy’s eyes widen as a squeal escapes her lips.
“Wedding planning!!” She exclaims. “I’ve been waiting for you, I swear I haven’t done a thing!”
You laugh, reaching over and setting your hand on hers.
“I’ll be at the school, I have a meeting with Kettleburn.” Charlie says, laughing as he stands up. “Have fun guys.”
He squeezes your shoulder once before pressing a kiss against Daisy’s forehead.
“Ready?” You ask her, standing up as well.
She smiles, shifting to balance Nova on her hip.
“Beyond ready!!” She answers, looping her other arm through yours as you make your way down the street.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Hi!! I'm sorry I took so long to update, I've been going through some things! I hope you're all still enjoying this story, I'm not giving up on it! 🖤