A/N: I feel like I only apologize for being late on my updates, but I can't help it, I had completely lost my inspiration and was totally blocked, so I'll try to make the most of it while my muses are around.

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Still at your side - 6

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MM - POV

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Since Ross was born, that steady routine I was used to had completely been disturbed, but there was still one thing I kept holding to: my weekly walk down the lake on Wednesday afternoons.

I had found it to be the best way to make little Robert Ross have his nap while I had a little time away from the busy schedules of the school, if I was lucky, he would fell asleep quickly and give me some time to sit down and read for a couple hours. That day I already knew I wouldn't, because Poppy was going to join us.

Between all that was going on with me and Severus, and the first flu season, it seemed like if we hadn't talked for weeks and time past quickly as we catched up on the recent events of our lives. Of course, I didn't tell her everything going on in mine, I hated having to lie to Poppy but, I knew which would be her reaction if she learned what I was doing, and there was no need to worry her.

As we passed through the large rock near the lake I remembered the day I catched Severus spying on me, and I couldn't help but laugh on my own. Who would have imagined that day that we would end up together, with a baby and about to get married. As happiness filled my lungs a strong pain suddenly paralyzed my left arm and if it hadn't been for Poppy's quick reaction, I would have dropped Ross to the ground.

"Min, are you ok?" she asked as the pain ceased leaving a burning sensation on my skin.

"I'm fine," I lied, "Poppy would you mind looking after Ross for a moment, I just remembered there's something I had to tell Severus..."

"Of course, sweetheart, go ahead."

As I walked away, I pulled the sleeve of my dress up and saw the mark on my forearm shining like red-hot iron.

I went to find Severus in the dungeons. I had never interrupted a class of his, so when he saw me at the door he rushed outside like if there was fire in the corridor.

"What's the matter? Where's Ross?"

"Ross is ok," I assure, "it's just that..." I hesitated, maybe I could not tell him.

"What?" he insisted impatiently and I just rolled the sleeve up again and showed him.

"It burned like hell," I said as he takes my wrist and caresses the mark with his hand cooling the heat.

"He has summoned you," he explains with concern, knowing much more about what that meant than I did, "You must attend his call," he stared at me and raised a hand to put a flock of my hair behind my ear, "on your own," he concluded.

"I can't go alone," I said begging with my eyes that he came with me.

"You must, and you shall not show him you fear."

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TO BE CONTINUED...