Jade and Pearls
Chapter 4: Preparations
Severus found that as long as he did not move too quickly and got plenty of rest, he could function semi normally. He was frustrated because he was not able to do anywhere near what he was usually capable of doing. Normally, his day would begin at around 5 am with him rising immediately, and then going for a run about the Hogwarts grounds. He would then return to his quarters, take a shower and dress, and then go over his schedule. He would read until 7:45 and then head to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Now, however, he could not seem to drag himself out of bed before 8 am and he spent about an hour just waking up, showering and dressing himself. He ended up being late to breakfast each time and it just threw his whole body off. The worst of it was the headmaster had put a baby watcher charm on him, to monitor his movements to ensure that he did not overtax himself. It was completely humiliating. At least he would be able to get away for a while when he went to get his kids.
His kids. That topic had bounced around his mind continuously over the past few days. He loved them so much it hurt and would do anything to protect them. When they had been born a little over 16 years ago, he had been so happy. He recalled his shock when the doctor laid two little bundles in his arms. Twins. A week after their birth Florence had been killed, leaving him a widower and his children without a mother. Between feigning servitude to the Dark Lord and his work for the Order, he did not have the time to care for two infants, so he had sent them to live with his mother-in-law in New York City. He visited when he could, and after the fall of Voldemort, went to stay with them for a year. He had not believed that Voldemort was really dead, and still worried about his children's safety because of the death eaters running around. The whole thing was complicated and as it ended up, he came to teach at Hogwarts as a favor for Dumbledore, the children remaining in the United States, and they began to attend school in San Francisco, at the Institute. He went back every summer so they could be together. He really didn't want them to attend Hogwarts. The education was not as good as that of the US and the British Ministry was far too involved in the mechanics of everything. Now to keep his children safe, they would have to come here.
He could feel the beginnings of a headache as he thought about all this. Maybe he should lie down for a bit before dinner. Yes, that was an excellent plan, he thought, as he lay down on top of the covers and snuggled up to a pillow. He would only rest his eyes for a moment, and then get back to work; he still had so much to do before he brought his children to the school.
ooO0Ooo
When Severus awoke several hours later, he realized that he wasn't alone. He turned his head until he was looking directly into the headmaster's twinkling eyes. "Don't you ever knock?" Severus grumbled sleepily as he slowly sat up.
"Oh I did, several times actually. You could sleep through an atomic explosion."
"A what?" Severus asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Muggle technology," the headmaster said, waving his hand dismissively. "I brought the transfer forms for you to sign," indicating a sheaf of parchment on the bedside table; he continued, "You can give them back to me tomorrow at breakfast. Good evening." And he left the room.
Severus blinked a few times, trying to wake up. Realizing that he would require something, preferably that contained caffeine, he called down to the kitchens for some coffee. He managed to finish the paperwork within a half hour, and three hours later, he had his chambers arranged in a satisfactory manner, now equipped to handle two additional occupants. He fell asleep around midnight, quite satisfied with the days work and ready to be reunited with his children.
(End of Chapter)
