Chapter 10
She Grows
The months flew by as Estacia grew. The first few nights back at the flat were trying for the new mother and father, as it would be for any new parent. Dumbledoor had insisted that Mia would not be returning to classes for the remainder of the year. "Estacia is simply more important, now, Mia," he had told her pointedly. She hadn't needed telling twice.
Being the diligent mamma that she was, Mia had decided that breastfeeding was the only way to go. Not only did it provide nutrients that couldn't be got from formula, but it also provided quality time with Estacia that Mia felt was priceless. Each time Severus watched the pair, whether at feeding, playing, or simply sleeping, his heart was warmed anew. It had been hard to do, but after the second night he had convinced Mia that Estacia needed to learn that mamma couldn't always be available, and that it would be better for her to sleep in her own crib than cradled protectively in Mia's arms. "What if you roll over on her, after all," he had said as his final argument. This has brought laughter to each of their faces, and Mia had finally consented to getting the baby used to her crib. She insisted, however that for now the crib be in the same room as she and Severus. He had given in, deciding that compromise was better than nothing.
Mia was relieved when Severus demonstrated that he was just as willing to get up and tend to the baby as she was. No matter what the time of night, if Estacia cried and Mia answered, Severus was at her side. It was undeniable that Estacia had inherited Snape's black hair - a thick tuft of it had been growing since the day she was born. He sneered whenever Mia suggested that it looked like Potter's untidy mass. She had, on the other hand, been blessed with Mia's ice blue eyes, which gave her a truly striking countenance. She commanded attention from anyone who saw her.
Smudge had been jealous of the new addition at first, especially before Estacia had been transplanted to her crib. Up until that point she had been occupying what Smudge thought was rightfully her territory at Mia's side as she slept. The kitten had adjusted, however, when she realized that she was always invited to playtime, and that she was equally as important as the new baby.
The couple had discussed preparing their meals in their flat for the obvious convenience it would bring, but decided against it. "It would only separate us from the others," Mia had protested. "And we don't want to be grouped with Sybill Trelawney, now do we?" And so, each morning, afternoon, and evening, the trio made their way down to the Great Hall. The presence of a baby at meals hadn't been readily accepted by everyone. The sound of an infant who did not want what she was being fed could be quite unnerving at times. However, nearly everyone loved Estacia dearly, and when they really examined it, they would rather have dealt with the baby screaming during meals than not seeing the Snapes . In truth, Mia's students missed her exceedingly, and so did the professors. It was hard to find time to make their way up to the flat, as most were almost always teaching or learning, respectively. Of course, Mia did not keep the baby locked in the tower all day. She could frequently
be seen strolling Estacia through the gardens and grounds, introducing her to Hagrid, Fang, the giant squid, and the smell of Professor Sprout's roses, among other things.
One day, while playing along the lake, a truly amazing phenomenon bestowed itself upon the group of Mia, Estacia, Hagrid, Smudge (who had taken to following Mia wherever she and the baby went), and Dumbledoor (who had been named godfather of the baby). The company had been sitting beside the lake, enjoying a picnic while Severus was finishing up the last of his classes for the day, and feeding bits of muffin and crumpet to the giant squid. Without warning, Estacia had picked up her mother's wand and produced a shower of golden sparks upon the adults. Each of them being far too amazed to stop her, they gawked as she giggled zealously and levitated Smudge about six inches off the ground. Mia had carefully intervened, taking control of the wand and landing Smudge, (who was none too impressed) back on all fours. She then looked, wide eyed and open mouthed, to Hagrid and Dumbledoor. Dumbledoor smiled from Estacia to Mia and then said, in answer to Mia's unspoken question, "She
grows."
She Grows
The months flew by as Estacia grew. The first few nights back at the flat were trying for the new mother and father, as it would be for any new parent. Dumbledoor had insisted that Mia would not be returning to classes for the remainder of the year. "Estacia is simply more important, now, Mia," he had told her pointedly. She hadn't needed telling twice.
Being the diligent mamma that she was, Mia had decided that breastfeeding was the only way to go. Not only did it provide nutrients that couldn't be got from formula, but it also provided quality time with Estacia that Mia felt was priceless. Each time Severus watched the pair, whether at feeding, playing, or simply sleeping, his heart was warmed anew. It had been hard to do, but after the second night he had convinced Mia that Estacia needed to learn that mamma couldn't always be available, and that it would be better for her to sleep in her own crib than cradled protectively in Mia's arms. "What if you roll over on her, after all," he had said as his final argument. This has brought laughter to each of their faces, and Mia had finally consented to getting the baby used to her crib. She insisted, however that for now the crib be in the same room as she and Severus. He had given in, deciding that compromise was better than nothing.
Mia was relieved when Severus demonstrated that he was just as willing to get up and tend to the baby as she was. No matter what the time of night, if Estacia cried and Mia answered, Severus was at her side. It was undeniable that Estacia had inherited Snape's black hair - a thick tuft of it had been growing since the day she was born. He sneered whenever Mia suggested that it looked like Potter's untidy mass. She had, on the other hand, been blessed with Mia's ice blue eyes, which gave her a truly striking countenance. She commanded attention from anyone who saw her.
Smudge had been jealous of the new addition at first, especially before Estacia had been transplanted to her crib. Up until that point she had been occupying what Smudge thought was rightfully her territory at Mia's side as she slept. The kitten had adjusted, however, when she realized that she was always invited to playtime, and that she was equally as important as the new baby.
The couple had discussed preparing their meals in their flat for the obvious convenience it would bring, but decided against it. "It would only separate us from the others," Mia had protested. "And we don't want to be grouped with Sybill Trelawney, now do we?" And so, each morning, afternoon, and evening, the trio made their way down to the Great Hall. The presence of a baby at meals hadn't been readily accepted by everyone. The sound of an infant who did not want what she was being fed could be quite unnerving at times. However, nearly everyone loved Estacia dearly, and when they really examined it, they would rather have dealt with the baby screaming during meals than not seeing the Snapes . In truth, Mia's students missed her exceedingly, and so did the professors. It was hard to find time to make their way up to the flat, as most were almost always teaching or learning, respectively. Of course, Mia did not keep the baby locked in the tower all day. She could frequently
be seen strolling Estacia through the gardens and grounds, introducing her to Hagrid, Fang, the giant squid, and the smell of Professor Sprout's roses, among other things.
One day, while playing along the lake, a truly amazing phenomenon bestowed itself upon the group of Mia, Estacia, Hagrid, Smudge (who had taken to following Mia wherever she and the baby went), and Dumbledoor (who had been named godfather of the baby). The company had been sitting beside the lake, enjoying a picnic while Severus was finishing up the last of his classes for the day, and feeding bits of muffin and crumpet to the giant squid. Without warning, Estacia had picked up her mother's wand and produced a shower of golden sparks upon the adults. Each of them being far too amazed to stop her, they gawked as she giggled zealously and levitated Smudge about six inches off the ground. Mia had carefully intervened, taking control of the wand and landing Smudge, (who was none too impressed) back on all fours. She then looked, wide eyed and open mouthed, to Hagrid and Dumbledoor. Dumbledoor smiled from Estacia to Mia and then said, in answer to Mia's unspoken question, "She
grows."