Chapter 32
You look at your reflection in the vanity mirror, brushing through your hair with your brush roughly. Severus tsks behind you, stepping up and taking the brush from your hand and brushing it through your hair gently, his hands steady and gentle.
“What are your plans for today?” He asks quietly, setting the brush down on the vanity as he finishes and sitting on the bed behind you.
You twist your detangled hair into a braid and toss it over your shoulder as you stand up, straightening your dark green sweater and brushing invisible lint from your jeans.
“I think I need to meet with Daisy,” You mutter. “I really messed up with her and I just–I’m really hoping she’ll forgive me.”
Severus smiles at you, hooking his fingers through your belt loops and pulling you between his legs.
“Of course, she will forgive you,” He replies, his dark eyes staring into yours. “What happened wasn’t your fault. She’ll understand.”
You nod, the knot in your stomach twisting uncomfortably.
“I hope so.” You breathe, sighing quietly. “What are you two up to today?”
Severus turns to the floor where Nova plays with wooden blocks, cooing contently.
“I think we’ll play up here for a while,” Severus says with a small smile. “And perhaps go for a walk a bit later.”
You smile, tracing your fingers along Severus’ jawline.
“A short walk, right?” You tell him, tilting his face to make his eyes meet yours.
He rolls his eyes, the small smile staying on his lips.
“Yes, ma’am.” He mutters, pulling you down to press a soft kiss to your lips, laughing gently as he does.
You laugh too as you pull away, reaching for Nova and kissing her cheeks.
“Have a good day with your daddy, my darling,” You tell her. “Mummy will be home soon.”
You place Nova in Severus’ lap, kissing him again quickly.
“I love you.” You tell him, looking into his eyes, your stomach fluttering nervously at the thought of leaving his side for the first time in weeks. “Please call for me if you need me.”
Severus nods, his face growing serious, trying to show you that he understands your anxiety.
“I swear it, my love.” He replies. “I love you dearly.”
You smile at him as you step into the fireplace, dropping your handful of Floo Powder and appearing in the Potion’s Classroom below. You straighten your sweater and dust off the powder as you quickly walk through the halls of the school, setting your sights toward Hogsmeade.
You step into Madame Rosmerta’s tavern, your heart dropping slightly when you find your usual booth empty. You slide into the seat, nervously bouncing your legs against the palms of your hands under the table as your eyes remain trained on the door.
Tears start to spring to your eyes as the minutes tick by, the door never opening as your eyes flit between the door and the clock on the wall.
Breathe. Severus whispers into your mind. She’ll be there.
You nod to yourself, taking a steadying breath.
Then, at last, the bell over the door rang again. You look up, immediately locking eyes with Daisy as she walks into the room. Her face remains stoic as she walks across the floor and slides into the booth across from you.
“Thank you for coming,” You breathe, setting your hands on the table. “I was worried you'd changed your mind.”
She takes a deep breath, fidgeting with her engagement ring.
“I got stuck at work.” She says quietly.
You nod, relieved that she wasn’t battling whether or not to stand you up. You sit in a moment of tense silence, looking at each other.
“Look, Daisy, I’m–”
“It wasn’t your fault. I should’ve–”
You both pause, looking at each other and starting to laugh as you speak over each other.
“I’m so sorry.” You tell her, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand. “I was horrible to all of you.”
Daisy squeezes your hand back, shaking her head.
“I should’ve known something was wrong,” She replies. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. Professor McGonagall told Charlie a little bit of what happened… Did Severus really die?”
Your blood turns icy, and you squeeze her hand harder as you fight to push the memories away.
“Yes.” You nod your head slowly. “I had to… bring him back.”
Daisy’s face turns sympathetic as her thumb rubs against the back of your hand.
“I wish I’d been here for you.” She whispers.
You shake your head.
“I wish I’d been there for you.” You reply quietly. “You’re getting married in a month, and I haven’t been any help at all. I hope you found a better maid of honor.”
Daisy laughs outright now.
“You’re joking, right?” She asks breathlessly. “I have exactly one other friend, and he’s the groom.”
You laugh in response, your chest already feeling lighter.
“You can’t get rid of me that quickly, I’m afraid.” Daisy murmurs, smiling at you reassuringly.
You smile back at her.
“I’m really happy to hear that.” You answer. “I’ve really missed you.”
Daisy grins.
“I missed you too.” She says, reaching into her bag and dumping an array of papers, fabrics, and pictures onto the table. “Now we have to work double time, let’s get moving, Mrs. Snape.”
You laugh, nodding as you spread out the papers on the table in front of you. You spend hours finalizing plans and selecting colors, food, and music. You can’t help but hold Daisy a little tighter when she hugs you goodbye at the door, just happy to at last be back with your best friend.
“Are you busy tonight?” Daisy asks as she leans away. “Charlie misses you too. I told him I’d ask if you and Severus want to meet for dinner.”
You smile widely, nodding your head.
“I’d love that.” You reply. “I’ll go tell Severus and meet you back here soon.”
Daisy squeals excitedly, kissing your cheek as she rushes down the street with her bag. You smile to yourself the whole walk back to Hogwarts, quietly making your way up to your apartment. When you step through the fireplace, you find Severus and Nova to be curled up together on the bed, fast asleep.
You quietly step out of your shoes, sliding into the bed beside them and wrapping them both in your arms. They remain asleep for awhile more, but Severus’ eyes flutter open shortly.
“Hell,o my darling,” Severus says with a sleepy smile, his finger reaching out to twist a strand of your hair around it. “How did it go?”
You smile, leaning into his touch.
“It went well, " you answer. "The wedding is officially planned, and I finally did my maid of honor duties.”
Severus chuckles lowly, nodding as his hand leaves your hair and rests on your hip.
“Can’t wait to see your dress.” He murmurs, a sly smile on his lips.
You cup his face with your hand gently.
“Mm.” You muse. “Well, I can show you one tonight if you’ll come to dinner with Daisy and Charlie.”
He smiles again, tilting his head.
“Am I allowed to stray that far from the castle?” He asks mockingly.
You roll your eyes, your thumb running a gentle line along his cheek.
“Not with that attitude you aren’t.” You mutter, biting back a smile.
He chuckles lowly again, the sound reverberating in your chest familiarly.
“I’d be honored to accompany you.” He says after a moment. “Minerva has been practically begging for time with this little one anyway.” He gestures to Nova as she begins to stir softly.
You brush your fingers through her dark curls, smiling at her as her eyes blink open and look up to see you.
“Good morning, my love.” You tell her softly. “Did you have fun with daddy?”
She coos in response, reaching for you. You pull her onto your chest, scooting across the bed to snuggle closer to Severus as she snuggles against you.
The three of you get ready together in the small apartment. You change into a form-fitting grey sweater dress and knee-length boots, twirling your braid into a bun at the nape of your neck as you apply silver eyeshadow and soft lipstick.
Severus wears a black sweater and jeans, brushing his hair back with his fingers as he ties the laces to his shoes. You dress Nova in a dark green dress and white tights, gathering her curls into a ponytail at the top of her head before securing a white bow into her hair.
You pick her up, looking into the mirror as Severus comes to stand behind you.
“Not a bad looking family, if I say so myself.” He says softly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to your neck.
You laugh, nodding in agreement as the three of you make your way to Professor McGonagall’s office. She meets you at the door, eyes sparkling as she reaches for Nova.
“Well, don’t you all look nice!” She exclaims, tracing her fingers along Nova’s bow for a moment. “Thank you for bringing my little doll over to visit.”
She rubs the tip of her nose against Nova’s, and Nova giggles excitedly. You and Severus say goodbye to them both, and he takes your hand as you walk out of the castle and into the forest on the way to Hogsmeade.
“Are you feeling alright?” You ask as you walk, squeezing his hand gently.
Severus nods.
“Better every day,” He replies. “I think… I think it’s finally starting to go away--the Darkness that was left behind.”
You smile up at him, pulling him closer as you continue to walk down the path.
“I’m glad to hear that.” You tell him, holding his forearm with your other hand.
He rubs small circles along your hand with his thumb as you step onto the cobblestone street.
That dress fits you… exceedingly well. Severus murmurs into your mind, the echo of a dark laugh following his words.
Heat rises in your cheeks as you look up at him, and he shrugs nonchalantly, though a hint of a mischievous smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
You walk into the restaurant and pick a table in the back, finding yourselves there earlier than anticipated.
Severus stands after a moment, looking at you with a strange expression as he walks down the short hallway to the bathrooms.
Count to 30 and then meet me. He pushes to you, and your heart begins to beat wildly in response.
You do as he says, trying to look casual as you stand and walk to the bathroom at the end of the hallway. The door is unlocked as you turn the handle, and Severus waits for you inside.
He smiles seductively as you enter the room, immediately crossing the floor and pushing you back against the heavy wooden door. It shuts behind you, and he locks it a moment later before his hands settle on your hips.
“Mrs. Snape,” He breathes against the skin of your neck. “How naughty of you to join me.”
You laugh breathlessly, your fingers twisting into his hair.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” You whisper against his lips. “But I like it.”
“The only thing that’s gotten into me is how much I’ve missed you.” He whispers back, grazing your bottom lip with his teeth.
***smut warning***
He laughs darkly before hoisting you up and carrying you to the bathroom sink, setting you down on it as he kisses you deeply. He moves quickly down your body until he’s kneeling before you, looking up at you through his lashes as he spreads your knees apart.
You gasp as his fingers slide slowly up your skin, hooking around your underwear and pulling it off, balling it in his fist before sliding it into his back pocket.
He pulls your dress up as he ducks his head forward, licking a tentative stripe along the apex of your body. You gasp, your eyes rolling back in your head as your fingers twist into his hair.
His tongue slides further into you, his pace gradually quickening as your breathing speeds with it.
“Severus–” You breathe, your voice hardly more than a whisper as you try to contain your volume in the bathroom.
He doesn’t stop until you’re left shuddering against him, his tongue finally slowing as he stands, undoing his belt and sliding down his pants. Your hand immediately wraps around his hard, impressive length, moving it up and down as he groans softly.
“I need you.” He murmurs, one of his hands wrapping around the back of your neck as the other pulls at your hip.
He enters you slowly, but begins to pump himself in and out of you quickly. His pace only hastens as he inches closer and closer to release, pulling you along with him as he moans in your ear.
“Y/N I’m going to—”
“Come for me.” You cut him off, looking up into his surprised expression as he pumps into you once more, exploding at last as he does.
He leans forward as his breath comes in uneven bursts, resting his forehead against yours as he slowly continues to move in and out of you.
“I love you.” He breathes, his eyes shut as he breathes you in. “I love you so much.”
You laugh softly as he pulls out, cleaning both of you off with paper towels before redressing himself and handing you your underwear from his pocket.
“I love you more.” You reply, sliding down from the sink and stepping into your underwear.
Severus chuckles lowly.
“I don’t know about all that.” He replies.
You roll your eyes, reaching up to pull him into another soft kiss.
***smut over***
“Now you count to 30.” You murmur against his lips, winking as you step out of the bathroom.
You adjust your dress as you walk down the small hallway, relieved to find Daisy and Charlie just entering the restaurant as you make it back to the table. You wave them over, and they smile as they walk toward you.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Charlie says, wrapping you in a tight hug.
You hug him back, resting your cheek on his shoulder.
“Me too.” You answer. “It’s been too long.”
You hug Daisy as well, and Severus joins the party moments later. Everyone slides into the booth, and Severus sets his hand on your thigh under the table as you order drinks.
“Your cheeks are rather flushed,” Daisy says after a moment, her eyebrows furrowing as she looks at you. “Are you feeling alright?”
You and Severus fight off a laugh as you nod.
“Yes, my dress is just a bit thicker than I was expecting.” You answer smoothly. “I suppose I’m a little warm.”
Daisy laughs, nodding with understanding.
Liar. Severus pushes to you, playfully.
Shush. You push back as Charlie begins to talk about his latest project. This is your doing, after all.
A laugh echoes down the bond, and you lean against Severus as you look across the table at two of your favorite people in the world. Your heart swells in your chest when you realize that, for the first time in a long time, you feel completely at peace.