Past problems
Time seemed to speed by and before Sky knew it the 31st had come and all the professors were back in the castle. The staff was all gathered in the staff room and Sky was making her way there deep in conversation with Professor Flitwick over the usefulness of the hovering charm and the possibilities of using the charm in a team activity.
“ I’m telling you professor the possibility is something that can be applied to the fifth years and up it will challenge them to be used to multicasting and working together.” Sky said passionately.
Flitwick chuckled and nodded his head “ It has been a thought to try with students but, with the professors that have been in the defense position I never felt that they were attentive enough to watch for an accident to happen. The thought of what the Gryffindors and Slytherins would have done under Lockhart's supervision, well Poppy would have been very busy.” He said, shaking his head while opening the door.
Sky chuckled and nodded her head imagining the “dragon lady” of the hospital ripping a new hole in Lockhart.
“ A sight to see though when poppy…”
“ When Poppy does what Ms. Dumonte?” The voice of the person of topic interrupted.
Smiling at having been caught Sky looked up from Flitwick pausing slightly at the audience that had stopped talking to listen to her response. Shocked charcoal black eyes meeting her Hazel eyes caused her to falter slightly before looking away. Swallowing a sneer, Sky smiled brightly and chuckled.
“ Why the thought of you tearing Gilderoy Lockhart a new one if a fight were to happen in his class.” She says smiling even bigger when Poppy huffs and crosses her arms.
“ Well let us be lucky that he has since been released from tutelage.” Poppy grumbled. The rest of the staff nodded in agreement and chuckled. Everyone made their way to a table placed near the far section for the room.
Once everyone had seated, Manerva cleared her throat and turned to Sky. “ Ms. Dumonte allow me to introduce you to the rest of our faculty.” She introduced the faculty as they each nodded as their name was said. When Manerva said Severus’ name, Sky hardly looked at him before looking at Professor Hootch and resuming the polite nod and smile. The slight snub was hardly noticed except by McGonagall who was watching their interaction with sharp eyes. After the introductions and the meal finished everyone began to head to their quarters.
Sky knew Severus was behind her and was closing distance. The hand that grasped her arm didn't surprise her but the wand at Severus’ throat surely surprised him. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t hex you black and blue Mr. Snape.” she hissed at him. Anger filled Hazel eyes met Charcoal eyes that reflected the same look.
“Because hexing me would make you no better than the dunderheads that I have to teach in two days.” was his response. “Why did you come here Ms. Dumonte what could have possibly been going on in that brain of yours to come here?” he demanded with an emphasis to her name, his grip tightening slightly.
Sky shook his hand off and stepped back a sneer gracing her face. “ I don't see how anything I do is your business, Mr. Snape. As I recall you saying, any communication between the two of us was over seven years ago just after we finished our potions masteries.” Sky glared and turned around. “ Do us both a favor Mr. Snape, stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.” She declared as she entered her quarters and let the door close with a resounding click.
Taking a deep breath Sky sighed, running a hand through her hair releasing her blond curls from the clasp that held them away from her face. Rubbing her face a little roughly she made her way over to her desk determined to finish reading the lesson plans that the previous professors so far the only one that wasn't worth looking over was Lockharts the other three had good bases and with a few tweaks, Sky was able to incorporate the lessons with hers and submit them to the Headmaster and had received approval already. After a while of reading the same line three times, Sky set the page down. A quick look at the clock hanging on the wall showed that it was close to midnight and she needed to get to bed if she was going to be any help setting up for the students to arrive the next day. Groaning as she stood arms over her head in a satisfying stretch she made her way to her bed and went about her nightly routine pulling her curls into a bun and slipping beneath the heated covers. It wasn't long before she slipped into the arms of Morpheus.
***
The dream, well more of a memory Sky found herself in, was one that she seemed to find herself in more often than she'd like. The vast gardens of Malfoy manor were lit with fairy lights, the guest mingled with each other and soon quieted down as violins started and everyone turned to watch as the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle at the very end was Sky on the arm of Lucius Malfoy and young Draco on her other side the family resemblance easily noted by aristocratic features the high cheekbones and slim nose and similar smiles graced their faces but that was the only thing similar to them as Skys’ softer face and curvy build showed the Dumonte blood. Where Lucius’ hair was pale blonde Skys’ hair was more honey where his was straight hers outside of the elegant updo was a curly mess on most days. His eyes like chipped ice, hers like grass, and the sky meeting in a swirling mess all centered around a golden sun. Where Lucius was smiling and meeting the crowd's eyes, Skys were locked on charcoal eyes. Butterflies had erupted in her stomach and a blush erupted over her cheeks. Those eyes had always stolen her breath and tonight they seemed to steal her breath and looked to never give it back. He stood before her small smile on his lips, dark hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. His robes accentuated the muscles that were normally hidden under his potions robes and his hands normally stained by ingredients held out to her were stain-free and hardly calloused.
The voice of the high priest shook her from thoughts of the man before her. “Lords and Ladies alike, today we are gathered to witness the union of these two before me blessed by Frigga herself.” He says strongly looking at the guest and then the two before him. “ Here before me Lord Severus Tobias Prince and Lady Skyler Amethyst Malfoy stand ready to embark on the journey of love and acceptance.” He turned to Sky “ Do you Lady Malfoy promise to love and cherish Lord Prince through sickness and health, from this life till the hands of death himself comes for you?” He asked keeping eye contact with her.
“ I, Lady Malfoy, do so promise to love Lord Prince through sickness and health till the hands of death come for me.” She said meeting Severus’ eyes without any hesitance. The priest nods and turns to Severus. “ And do you Lord Prince promise to love and cherish Lady Malfoy through sickness and health, from this life till the hands of death himself come for you?” He asks again, making eye contact with him. Severus swallows and looks to Sky, the hope and love gathered on her face, then looking to the crowd that has gathered before them before looking to the hand clasped in his before letting go “ No.” Is all he says stepping back from the altar and meeting the priest's eyes.
The priest looks back shocked before nodding and clearing his throat. “Then before those gathered here, I deem this union over, may lady magic guide you on your next adventure Lord Prince.” He said before shifting his eyes to the young lady before him. So silent were her cries that if not for the subtle shaking of her shoulders and the tears streaming from her eyes he would have thought she was a statue. A handkerchief was handed to her as Lucius spoke to the crowd letting them know of the food placed in the ballroom and thanks that were given for attending that night. He made his way to his cousin tucking a finger under her chin.
“ Be strong my little bird,” he murmured, lightly dabbing her eyes and kissing her forehead, Narcissa his lovely wife next to her holding her hand tightly and back straight as she watched Severus Prince head for the main gate and leave. Young Draco stood next to his mother, handheld in hers, face unreadable but eyes slightly watery for his favorite Aunt and the pain she hides from the guest.
After another moment to gather herself, she nods to her cousin and turns to the priest. “Thank you High Priest for your attendance today and I offer apologies for the failure of a union today but may I ask one last request from you today?” She says voice clear and void of any emotion.
“ Of course, young one, how may I help you?” The elder wizard asks.
“ I ask that you pray for Severus that he finds what he truly needs in his life.” She says and then bows to the wizard before leaving for the ballroom.
The high priest hums to himself as he watches the young witch leave before looking to the darkened sky above him hands out before him palms up and murmurs a quiet for both wizard and witch to find each other when they are both needed for the other once again. A tingle passing through his palms to his core lets him know that Lady magic had heard his prayer and then he vanished.