Chapter 26: From Ashes
Soon it was the start of term and Brixton quickly settled into her new routine teaching and loved every second of it. Teaching Potions was all she ever thought it would be and more. She and Severus spent every evening together and he had stopped sleeping in his own quarters altogether. They spent their nights reading together and discussing all manner of things. Severus spent a good deal of time away from Hogwarts working on an "important project". She was never able to get out of him what it was.
Severus slowly opened up more and more. He still tended to be on the quiet side unless Brixton struck up a conversation, but once he got going he had no issues sharing even his deepest thoughts with her. Every weekend Brixton could be found in her favorite place with the thestrals. The couple also made time to go to Hogsmeade frequently to spend time with her friends.
It wasn't without difficulty, but Severus was finally beginning to be comfortable around Brixton's friends. He even made the comment that Harry was much more like his mother than he had ever given him credit for. Bit by bit he seemed to be adjusting to post-war life and was much less sour and more open to new opportunities and friendships.
Several months passed by in this manner and soon it was Spring Holiday again. Severus could hardly believe that they had been dating for a year. On this particular day they were curled up on Brixton's couch. She had her head in his lap and was reading a fascinating article in the Monthly Potioneer about flubberworm farming practices to improve potion efficacy. Severus was stroking her long hair and watching her read. He smiled down and said, "I don't mean to interrupt your reading but there is something I have been wanting to show you for quite some time. Will you accompany me?"
"Anywhere," she replied with a smile.
Severus led Brixton to the Hogwarts gate. He watched her movements as they walked. She no longer had to use cane for her injuries but she did have a bit of a limp that would probably never go away. Once they got to the gate Severus apparated them away.
They appeared with a POP in front of his childhood home on Spinner Street. Severus narrowed his eyes in distaste as he surveyed the bleak dirty street with rows and rows of uniform drab brick houses. Brixton, however, looked cheerful as always as she took the same sights in. He led her up to the house and used a key to open the door. He entered and held the door open for Brixton.
She quickly entered and Severus shut the door behind her. He then flipped on the lights. He watched her face carefully as she looked around. "Sev, where are we?" she asked.
"My childhood home," he said simply.
"It's beautiful," Brixton cooed.
Severus laughed as he looked around the empty home, "You should have seen it before. Every single thing from the ceilings to the floors to every counter is brand new. It was an absolute dump before I started fixing it up."
"Well, you have done a remarkable job. It's perfect," she smiled.
"Ha! Nothing about Spinner Street will ever be perfect, but it is adequate and sold for a handsome figure," he replied.
"But why? You have fixed it up so nicely," Brixton objected.
Severus pulled her in tight and kissed her forehead, "Because you deserve better," he all but whispered against her skin.
"Me? Severus, are you asking me to move in with you?" she asked as she laid her head down on his shoulder.
"Well, you silly woman, we are already inseparable at Hogwarts. It doesn't seem like a far stretch to cohabitate. I know I have a hard time expressing my feelings, but you know I love you. What I really want to ask of you is to be my wife," Severus was so nervous but the words came out with the usual cool drawl.
Brixton gasped and leaned back to stare at her partner. This gave him the time to pull a ring from his pocket. It was an intricate band made of silver flowers with a deep green gem. "Oh, Severus it's beautiful."
"It was my mother's, hence the color. It was her graduation present. My father never got her an engagement ring, so this was the best I have. The tradition of passing on a family heirloom appealed to me. We can get you something else that suits you more if you like. Of course, you haven't given me an answer yet and here I am just babbling on like a dunderheaded boy," he sighed and brushed the hair from his face, clearly flustered.
She shook her head violently, "No, it's perfect and so are you. Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times yes." She put her hands around his face and pulled him in tight for a searing kiss. After pulling away she said, "Now, tell me why you had to sell this place? I see nothing wrong with it. You've made it look beautiful."
Severus sighed, "Because, as you know, this is where I endured countless hours of abuse at the hands of my father. This is where my mother suffered in isolation. I just cannot see myself happy and healthy with you in this awful place. I have something much better in mind. From the ashes of this place we will build something so much better."
Without warning he grabbed her by the wrist and disapparated the two of them. This time when they reappeared they were standing in a beautiful hilly stretch of land with trees offering shade and a creek visible behind a lovely two story brick home.
"Doesn't this seem like a much better place to start our lives together? Luna and her father live within walking distance and the Weasleys of course. I've put in an offer and they are just waiting for your go ahead to sign the papers," he said.
Brixton's hand covered her mouth, "I don't believe it. This is more than I ever hoped to have in my life."
"Oh, come now. I know your father was very wealthy. I know I can't even begin to over anywhere near that kind of lifestyle," he muttered.
She smiled, "You really are a dunderhead. You have so much more to offer me than money. Just the simple fact that you know how much living close to Luna and the Weasleys would mean to me is absolutely everything."
Severus just nodded self-consciously before saying, "Would you like to have a look inside?"
The front door opened up to a spacious kitchen with plenty of room for a large dining table. Severus said, "We can change anything to suit your tastes. I truly want you to be happy here."
Brixton grinned, "What do you think about painting the cabinets black?"
"Oh that's much too far out of my comfort zone," he teased.
They passed a small half bath as he led her trough the kitchen and into a living area that with beautiful hardwood floors. Everything about the home was cozy and in very good repair. Down the hallway was the master bedroom with its own bathroom. Brixton lit up, "Oh, I love the tile! You know how spoiled I have become having my own bathroom at the school."
"Indeed, and the shower has enough room for two," he uttered as he came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and nuzzled into her neck.
"Do behave!" she laughed, "Let's have a look upstairs."
There were three additional rooms upstairs and another bathroom. Brixton lit up when Severus said the thought that one of the rooms would make an excellent library. Then they went to the basement that was perfect for a brewing room and storage. After exploring the entire house he led her to the back of the house that had a lovely porch with a swing and a spacious garden. Severus explained that he would like to build a greenhouse to keep them stocked in potion ingredients.
"Oh, Severus, this is the perfect place to raise children one day," she smiled up at him before pressing her lips to his.
He pulled back slowly and cleared his throat. "Are you absolutely sure that you want to have children… with me?"
"Absolutely, if you don't have any objections that is. I know I want to be a mother, but I don't want to force you into anything either," she said softly.
"It's not that I don't want children, Brixton. It's that I don't know that I am worthy of such," he frowned.
She was unable to resist rolling her eyes dramatically, "Nonsense. You are one of the most confident and formidable men I have ever met. Don't let the idea of having children shake that."
"If you say so," he drawled, "Now come on, I have a final surprise waiting for you. Everyone is gathered at the Weasleys' to celebrate our engagement."
"How thoughtful of you to include all my friends, but how did you know I would say yes?"
"Confident and formidable, remember?" he teased as he put a hand at the small of her back and began walking down the lane.