From Severus' point of view:
I sat at Minerva's table until Anna carried Karina's sleeping body (the one time when she wasn't talking) away from the table. Once they were gone and folded my arms and glared at Minerva.
"Don't give me that look Severus," she said as she glared right back.
"I think I can give you that look," I told her, "We were supposed to have dinner just the two of us."
"Was it really that bad," she asked me, "Karina seems to love you."
"It was that bad," I told her telling a half truth.
"It wasn't Severus," she said, "I'm glad you came."
I snorted and looked away and I felt her move near me and put her hand on my shoulder.
"I think you should work with the girl," Minerva said.
"I have no interest in working with the child," I told her looking up at the woman who was like a mother to me.
"I saw how you interacted with her Severus," she said, "You would take good care of her and I know she would be good for you."
"You're being ridiculous Minerva," I said snorting again.
"Well it's up to you," she said as she sighed, "I'm glad you came tonight."
"It could have been better," I said and I knew I sounded childish but I didn't care.
"I'll come and see you soon Severus," she said as she smiled at me, "I miss our friendship."
"If you must," I said enjoying our old banter.
I left her rooms and made my way to my rooms. The next couple of days I fell into my old routine of sleeping in late, forcing myself to eat, and reading for the rest of the day. On the third day after my dinner I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to find no one until I looked down to hear a rush of words coming out of a small child.
"Sev-us," Karina said smiling up at me, "It's time we found the kitty."
"Where is your mother?" I asked as I frowned at the girl.
"She is taking a nap," she said as she bit her lip as though she was afraid to get into trouble, "I was too and then I woke up. I wanted to see my friend Sev-us and find the kitty."
"Karina I'm not sure I could help you find the kitty," I told her looking down at her.
"Why Sev-us," she asked looking up at me with her big eyes.
"The cat belongs to the caretaker," I told her, "and I don't know if it's ok for us to play with the cat."
"Oh," she said looking sad for a moment before her face lit up, "Will you play with me Sev-us?"
"Well I don't have any toys," I said, "Did your mother give you permission to come and see me?"
"Yes," she said brightly.
"Karina," I said in a stern tone.
"Well…no," she said looking down, "but Aunt M showed me where you lived and I missed you."
"We should go find your mum," I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Ok Sev-us," she said.
I stepped out the door and sighed. How did I always end up taking her back to her mother I thought.
"Do you know how to get to your rooms?" I asked.
"Yes mum made sure I did when we first came here," she said, "Did you know this place is magical?"
"Yes," I said sighing knowing that she would talk the whole way to her rooms.
"Maybe we can buy a kitty," she said, "and he can live here with you and I can have two friends to visit."
"You have to have your mother's permission first," I said, what am I saying I thought, "and if we get a cat it can stay with you."
"Ok Sev-us," she said while she beamed up at me.
I then felt her slip her hand into mine and I frowned but for some reason didn't shake her hand away. We walked the whole way while she chatted and had her hand in mine. We finally got to the rooms, stopped outside the door, and she looked up at me.
"Do you know your password," I asked.
"Mum told me," She said as her brows furrowed, "it's…it's…"
"Oh good grief," I said before I sighed and knocked on the door.
"We could go have a picnic if mum is still napping," Karina said brightly, "ask for some food from my house elf friend."
"We still need to ask your mother if it's ok," I said sternly, "and you could be in trouble because you came and saw me without her or getting her permission."
"Oh I forgot about that," she said, "You'll still be my friend right?"
"Yes," I said kicking myself mentally for letting the kid get to me.
Just then the door to their rooms opened to find Anna standing there with her curly hair tied back with a few tendrils that became loose, she was also wearing a tight shirt and sweat pants. I swallowed as I took in the sight while Anna looked between me and her daughter.
"Karina what are you doing," she said with a confused look, "I thought you were taking a nap."
"I was mummy," she said fidgeting, "but then I woke up and went to go find my friend Sev-us."
"Oh Karina," Anna said, "What did I say about leaving the rooms without me?"
"Not to do it mummy," Karina said looking down at her feet.
"We will have to miss our time outside today," Anna said.
"Ok mummy," Karina said still looking down at her feet.
"Thank you for your help Severus," Anna said at me.
"You're welcome," I said.
"Would you like to come in for tea," she asked.
I opened my mouth and hesitated unsure if I should accept or not.
"Please Severus," she said, "It's the least I could do since you went out of your way to bring Karina back to me."
"Alright," I said going into their rooms.
I looked around their rooms; it was bright with blue and cream colors around the room. I was ushered to a couch sitting by an area scattered with toys. Anna ordered tea from a house elf while Karina started playing with her toys. I watched the girl while she played with her toys chattering to no one in particular. Anna gave me a weary smile and I then watched her as she picked up things around her rooms. I swallowed again as I saw how her clothes stretched across her body. I tore my eyes away from her not waiting to stare.
"So where did you find her this time?" Anna asked and I looked into her green eyes while Anna finally sat down.
"She came to visit my rooms," I said.
"Minerva must have shown her where those were yesterday," she said running her hand across her face.
"You could always ward your rooms so that way it will alert you if she got out again," I said.
"I could if I could do magic," she said.
"You can't do magic?" I asked.
"No," she said.
"But you are teaching here?" I asked.
"Yes, Muggle Studies," she said.
"How did you find out about wizarding then?" I asked.
"Because my husband was a wizard," she said.
"Was?" I asked, why am I asking her so many questions I thought.
"He passed away during the war just after we had Karina," she said.
"I'm sorry I didn't know," I said feeling jealous that she was married before.
"He was a great man," she said smiling softly, "I wouldn't trade it for anything and now I have a beautiful daughter with him."
"She is a sweet girl," I said looking at the playing Karina.
"She is," Anna said smiling at her daughter, "Do you teach here Severus."
"I used to," I said, "but I needed time off since the war."
"I don't blame you," she smiling, "a lot of people needed time off."
"Sev-us," I felt a little hand tugging at my trouser pant.
"Yes," I said looking down at the little girl.
"Read to me Sev-us," she said.
"Just this one book," I said and she climbed up next to me and handed me her book.
I read the book quietly shifting uncomfortably when she laid her head on my arm.
"Thank you Sev-us," Karina said hugging my side when I finished.
She hopped down and then Anna handed me a cup of tea smiling at me causing my heart to quicken for a moment at her closeness. Anna sat on the couch next to me and continued to make small talk. We talked for nearly an hour before I excused myself to my rooms.
"Can I see my friend Sev-us tomorrow," Karina asked me.
"I suppose," I said, "Only if you are good and you come with your mum to see me."
"Ok Sev-us," she said happily and hugged my leg.
I patted her head awkwardly before I left for my rooms. Over the next couple of days somehow I ended up spending more time with Anna and Karina and not inside my own rooms alone. It felt almost normal, that I should be spending time with them. I actually started liking spending time with Karina. She seems to be the one person who didn't know of my past and liked being around me.
"Severus you don't have to take her for the afternoon," Anna argued one day.
"I don't mind," I said, "She is just going to find me in my rooms anyway and I know how busy the start of the year can be."
"I don't want to be a burden to you," she said looking into my eyes.
"It's not a problem," I said quietly looking away from her eyes when an intense feeling rose in my chest.
"Thank you Severus," she said softly.
"You're welcome," I said.
"I'll be back in a couple of hours and I'll be in my office or the staff lounge if you need me," I nodded and she left.
I sat on the couch glad that the imp was currently sleeping. I sighed resting my head back on the couch wishing that I had brought a book with me while I started to doze off. I then heard crying from the bedroom. I rose and walked towards the bedroom where Karina was sleeping. She was curled up into a ball and crying in her sleep. I walked across her small bedroom frowning at the site of all of the toys across the child's floor.
"Karina," I said once I was by her bed.
She whimpered again and twisted in her sleep.
"Karina," I said my brows furrowed and I felt concern for her.
I gently put my hand on her shoulder and she awoke with a start and began to cry. I let instincts take over and quickly sat on the bed and pulled Karina into my arms which caused her to cling to me.
"Shh," I said, "What happened."
"I had a bad dream," she said sniffing.
"Oh?" I asked.
"There was a scary boy chasing me," she said.
"You know your mother or I wouldn't let anyone do that to you," I said.
"You promise Sev-us," she asked looking up at me with her large eyes.
"I promise," I said.
"You're my best friend," she said hugging me tightly.
I looked down at the child's head feeling something rush into me that I hadn't felt before. A desire to protect her and to be there for her to guide her, and as she fell asleep again I knew that I had to spend more time with the imp. She got me out of my rooms and around people again, even if those people were only herself, Minerva, and Anna.
I thought about Minerva's proposal about watching the child while the school year started. I knew I had to accept it and that Lily would be proud of me for working with Karina. After twenty minutes I heard her breathing even out and I laid her down on her bed and went into the living area where Anna walked in looking exhausted.
"Oh I hate staff meetings," she grumbled as she took her shoes off and left them by the door and looked at me, "How was she?"
"She had a nightmare," I said, "but she just fell back asleep."
"Really?" she asked, "Anytime she has a nightmare I have a hell of a time getting her back to sleep."
"Well she is resting now," I said.
"Good," Anna said smiling at me, "Would you like to eat dinner with us?"
I nodded silently feeling a peace that I hadn't felt in years. We set the table and woke Karina when the time was ready to eat. We ate and I helped cleaned up before reading to Karina and getting her to bed. Just as I was about to leave Anna and I stood by her door making small talk while I started to gain my courage to tell her my desire to help her with Karina.
"I wanted to know if you found any one to watch over Karina while you taught," I asked.
"Minerva said she tried to find someone but was unable to," she said, "I may have to leave her with a house elf."
A rush of guilt ran through me as I thought of saying no to Minerva's proposal to watch over Karina. At least I may care for her now I thought.
"I wouldn't mind watching her while you taught," I said.
"Oh Severus that would be great," she said her face brightened which made me feel happy, "Karina loves you and I know she would be well cared for. Will you come by next Sunday and we can go over some things before the term starts Monday."
I nodded in my agreement before I headed off to my rooms. I smiled to myself as I thought about the new job I would start within the next couple of days.
Please let me know what you think!
