Chap. 3
The first week of school went as usual. First years getting lost and older kids with free periods messing around in the hallways. Every day this week Severus and Michaela would talk during meals and whenever they had free time, even taking walks throughout the grounds. At dinner, Michaela wasn't there. Severus, figuring she might have gotten lost, went looking for her. As he was looking down one hallway he heard the faint sound of music. Not knowing where it was coming from, he curiously followed the sound. As he approached the choir room he could hear the music becoming louder. It wasn't just any music, it was the sound of a lovely girls voice accompanied by a piano. He quietly opened the door to the choir room and slid into the corner. Michaela was singing and playing piano. Severus kept quiet but thought to himself, She's beautiful and talented and I'm- nothing. A greasy haired, big nose..nothing. When the beautiful sound stopped Severus applauded. Michaela, startled, whipped around so fast she fell off the piano seat. Severus ran to her aid and helped her get back to her feet. "I apologize I did not mean to startle you. I noticed you weren't at dinner so I was worried and came looking for you and heard your beautiful singing and had to come in-" Severus was worried she was hurt. "It's okay, I just didn't realize I had an audience. I'm a bit clumsy too as you can see." She smiled and laughed as Severus helped her up. As they stood up their eyes met, still holding hands. Michaela's freckled face turned a dark shade of red and Severus couldn't help but smile, turning red himself. "I-uh- Thank you." She said, grinning. "Would you mind taking a walk?" asked Severus. "I actually need to call home and check in with my family. Their muggles you see they don't use owl." Severus heart sunk. He was thinking about telling her about his feelings for her. "But, you could come up to my room and I could make you some tea if you'd like?" She offered. "I'd love to." replied Severus and they headed up to her room.
"Yes mom, everything is fine. I'm doing great!..what? sorry i was pouring tea for someone..he's a teacher here too..MOM!..okay..I love you too.. bye." Michaela hung up the muggle phone. "What was that all about?" asked Severus. Michaela smiled, sitting in the chair across from him. "My mom is just obsessed with the idea of me finding a guy and getting married and when i mentioned you here she got excited." Michaela took a sip of tea. "She wants grandchildren." Severus shifted in his seat. "Do you ever want to get married and have children one day?" Severus toyed at the idea in his head of marrying and having children of his own, hoping his kids wouldn't have his nose. "Yeah of course! I just haven't had much luck with dating I guess." Michaela looked sad. "What's the matter?" Severus asked in a concerning voice. Michaela had watery eyes. "My last boyfriend beat me. Before we dated he was fine but once we were dating for awhile he started abusing me." Severus could feel anger boiling up inside him. Why would anyone dare hit her? His fists clenched. She must have noticed him getting angry. "Sev?" What did she just call me? "Are you okay?" Michaela reached out and gently grabbed his hands. "What did you call me?" He said as he calmed down moving the abusive ex to the back burner of his mind. "I called you Sev, If you prefer me not to I won't." She said still holding his hands. "No..It's fine. It's just- no one has called me that in..in a long time." He squeezed her hands. She smiled, "Well, I'm bringing it back. I like it. Sev."