Perfect Way to Start the Day

The next morning when Aurora woke up, she felt well rested and more content than she had ever felt before. A few quiet moments later, she blinked owlishly while stretching her back. The strong arms wrapped around her waist made her smile widen as they pulled her even closer to the warm body sleeping next to her. She slowly rolled onto her side so she could face Severus. His face was relaxed, and his breathing was even. He looked positively peaceful as he slept.

Aurora couldn't hold back her wicked side any longer. Sneakily, she raised a hand and gently trailed her finger down his face. He responded instantly by grabbing her wrist and effectively ceasing her actions. His dark eyes opened before he leveled a half-hearted glare at her. She grinned in response.

"Sorry, couldn't resist," Aurora said. She immediately shrieked in surprise when he pulled her towards him. He had used so much force that she ended up lying on top of him. He raised an eyebrow at her as if challenging her to say something. She drew in a breath and lightly kissed his lips, though. It didn't take long before their kiss deepened.

"Um . . . Mummy, Daddy," a soft voice said hesitantly from the doorway a few seconds later.

"Yes, Angel?" Severus replied in his familiar calm manner. His dark eyes stared at Aurora who was desperately wishing she were elsewhere.

"Can I go upstairs with Grandpa?"

"For breakfast in the Great Hall?" responded Severus.

"Yup, Grandpa says the elves outdid themselves this morning, and that there are stacks of pancakes that are this big. This big, Daddy, can you believe it? Oh and there's supposed to be a new flavor of juice this morning. The elves came up with it, and it's supposed to be even yummier than pumpkin juice, but I haven't really had it yet so I guess I won't know if it's yummier or not, but Grandpa says the elves are wonderful cooks so I guess I can believe that because nobody is as smart as Grandpa. Right, Daddy? Well, maybe you are . . . and maybe Mummy too, but Grandpa's like this really cool wizard who can—"

"Go."

"Thank you, Daddy."

Sounds of happy humming then slowly retreated as Angel skipped away from her parents' bedroom. Severus caught the soft sigh of relief from Aurora, which made him chuckle. While it was embarrassing that their daughter caught them, he knew that it didn't even compare to what he'd feel if it had been Albus or Minerva.

"I doubt she even realized, Aurora. In case you did not, she was rather excited about breakfast. I take it that is another trait she gets from your side?" Aurora instantly gave him a piercing glare. "I only meant her . . . chipper side," he clarified. "After all, I doubt there was ever a Prince who acted like a . . . Hufflepuff and lived to tell the tale."

"I'll have you know that every single member of my family was in Slytherin. There's not a single Hufflepuff in my tree on both sides."

"Then your sister did not even act like her growing up?"

"No. Jezzie was more . . . quiet."

"I see. Then perhaps we should rethink the guardianship." At the sight of Aurora's look, he sighed. "Well, Albus does tend to drive anyone into Hufflepuff tendencies."

"He's a Gryffindor, though."

"Who eats anything that is 100% sugar," he drawled. "If this is how our daughter acts without sugar, I'd hate to see her on it." He couldn't hold back the chill as visions danced around his head of his little girl bouncing around. "Perhaps we should dress and head upstairs." He sighed as he motioned towards her that he wanted to get up. Seconds later, Aurora slowly rolled over onto her side of the bed.

"Why?" she asked as he slowly got out of bed.

"Didn't you hear your daughter, Aurora? There are stacks of pancakes this big," he replied jokingly, exaggerating the height with his hands. He quietly chuckled when a pillow flew towards him.

"She's your daughter too, Severus."

"I'll believe that when I see her do something that's like me and not like her crazy mother." He quickly ducked into the bathroom right as a blasting curse headed for him. Loud laughter erupted then from the other side of the door.