Ch 1

Sinead had a full week and half before classes were due to start. She was given staff quarters in the same hallway as Severus and Albus had even created a doorway between their rooms. Since it was the end of the summer Sinead gave Max and Sarah some time off to relax before the extremely busy time started for all of them. Severus offered to give Sinead his lesson plans from the previous year but she decided to start from scratch.

"I hope you're not going to do the hands on approach you use with your apprentices." Severus said as they sat in his quarters each working on their lessons.

"How you underestimate me…. I think my apprentices are doing quite well. This is after all the way I learned to brew." She chuckled giving him a look. "Come observe one of my classes the first week and see my methods in action." She said grinning at him.

"I might take you up on that. But Sinead, you are not like most wizards. You are quick to learn and most do not have the natural talent you have. "

Sinead put her parchments on a table.

"Done for the first month of classes." She said standing to stretch.

"There is no way you are done." He said grabbing the parchment to look it over. After a few moments he said nothing and Sinead grinned.

"See, you don't need to worry. I'll be fine." She said pulling the parchment out of his hand and tossing it on the table before climbing on his lap. "I like this." She said with a grin. "I know once the term starts we won't have much time."

"Sinead, as much as I enjoy this when the students return we must be very discreet. There are several students whose fathers are Death Eaters and I-" Sinead silenced him with a kiss.

They spent most of the time before the term started locked away in their rooms only leaving to join the other staff for dinner and to check in on the shop. The day before the term started Sinead went to Diagon Alley with Maggie to pick up some teaching robes she had ordered. Sophia and Tonks were going to meet them for dinner and a drink when they were done with work.

"This is so exciting." Maggie said as she convinced Sinead to try on a few maid of honor dress robes since she finally picked out the colors for the wedding pale blue and yellow.

"There is no way I'm wearing yellow again, it was the color of my dress for Sophia and Trent's wedding."

"I know that, you look amazing in blue."

Madam Malkin agreed and started pulling out designs for pale blue dress robes none of which Maggie approved of. After paying for the teaching robes Sinead picked up some ingredients that she ordered in a shop and the two women headed to a muggle department store to look at gowns. There was several Sinead liked but it was getting late so the women headed to meet Sophia and Tonks.

Diner was at a muggle restaurant that they had stumbled upon during one of their outings and after Maggie dragged them all back to the department store to see Sinead in the gowns. The first was a strapless gown that had a princess fit with a bit of sparkles at the hem and under the bust. The second dress was a fitted gown that was mostly lace. Sophia hated the dress and that one was put of the running. The third dress was knee length and was sleeveless. This was Sinead's least favorite and she mentioned that it was also out of the running. The fourth dress was a bit darker then the others and it had a sparkly halter top.

"That's it." Sophia said with a grin as Tonks nodded.

"I knew it! This is the dress." Maggie said jumping up and hugging her friend as Sophia and Tonks followed suit. "Now we all have outfits for the wedding. I helped Tonks and Sophia find an outfit while you've been busy this week." Maggie said giving her friend a wink.

"Just think in a little over a month you are going to be married." Sinead said wiping at her cheeks. Sinead bought the gown and the women returned to Sinead's house for a few drinks. It was late when Sinead stumbled through the floo network that went into her room at Hogwarts. She giggled as she pulled off her shoes and as she was about to fall someone caught her.

"It seems that you enjoyed yourself." Severus said as Sinead smirked.

"Yes, us ladies always have an enjoyable night when we are out. Sophia has taken the lead for Maggie's bachelorette party, that's why I'm so late."

"I should be concerned then." Severus said with a frown. He did not think much of the Italian witch who was married to Trent. "I wonder how Trent and Bill can stand whose two women. Caleb is ok as far as children are concerned-"

"Severus, you know how I hate it when you speak ill of my friends." Sinead said with a frown.

"Sorry, I'm not as social as you are." Severus said quickly. "Sinead, everyone who meets you likes you. I was never that lucky. I never had a large group of friends who would do anything for me. You and Albus are the only two people I can talk to and Albus just wants to hear about what is going on with the Death Eaters." Sinead stifled a yawn.

"You need your rest, tomorrow is the big day." Severus said starting to return to his room.

"Your not going to stay?"

"I have some last minute-" Severus paused seeing Sinead pout. "I'll stay."

"Good." Sinead said her smile returning.

The next morning Sinead woke up to find herself alone and it being later than she thought. After quickly getting ready for the day she hurried up to the great hall to see the staff finishing up breakfast.

"Ms. O'Neil, I feared you wouldn't be joining us." Albus said as Sinead

turned a light shade of red.

"My friends kept me late last night. Maggie and her wedding plans, she is still making decisions." Sinead said quickly as Minerva and Poppy started firing off questions about the wedding as Severus frowned. He and Albus finished up eating and left the Great Hall as the women continued to talk.

After breakfast Sinead made her way down to the labs to speak to Horace. By the time Sinead finished in the labs it was time to make her way to the Great Hall to greet the students.

*note- this used to be chapter 38 of Stay