I don't make money or anything from this story. J. has all the credit for making up the magical world that I am manipulating to my own purposes.
"Baby... scoot over."
"Five more minutes." she muttered, tightening her pillow to her.
"Elizabeth, come on love. Move over."
She shook her head, burrowing herself more into her pillow.
"I'm going to be late for my first class."
This was able to get through her foggy brain and she opened her eyes. She gasped, finding it was Severus she was holding and not a pillow. He smirked, as she scooted as far away from him as possible on the bed. He sat up, stretching and Elizabeth felt her face go hot. He also slept without a shirt on. She looked away from him and scooted more into her blankets. Heavens above, they even smelled like him!
"Melee and Theo are still sleeping. Minerva will come to watch them after breakfast. There shouldn't be any problems."
She looked at him. "You're leaving me with the kids?"
He nodded, pulling on a shirt. Elizabeth blushed, adverting her eyes as he continued to dress.
"It'll only be a half hour at the most Elizabeth. The kids are asleep and shouldn't wake up for another hour or so. You'll be fine."
The bed dipped and she watched him pull his shoes on before she glanced at the clock.
"Do you usually get up at this time?" she asked, not wanting silence to fall around them. He shook his head.
"We usually get up an hour or more before now." he stood, straightening his robes, his body facing her. "I didn't want to wake you."
She felt her face blush at the thought of sleeping on him while he was awake.
"We get up at the same time then?" she asked. He shook his head, getting a comb off the vanity table and running it through his hair.
"I wake up first. You usually get up while I'm still in my shower."
His tone and manner was so casual, as for him this was an every day occurrence. Elizabeth however, felt like her face couldn't get any hotter and her thoughts any clearer. She sifted in bed.
"What else is there to our routine." Despite feeling embarrassed, he was her husband and she was curious to how she lived her life with this man. As his wife.
He turned to her, observing her before he sat on the foot of the bed.
"We both get dressed for the day. Sometimes we might have grading that needs to be finished or lesson plans. Albus sometimes has a staff meeting before breakfast. We go to breakfast together while Dobby keeps an ear out for the kids. I have a first morning class that you walk with me to. Then you come here and get the kids dressed. After my class is over, I come here to be the with kids while you go to your first class. We both have classes for the rest of the day so Minerva watches the kids. Sometimes Dobby will, if she needs to substitute a class. The kids prefer Albus though because he keeps sweets in his pockets for them to steal. He watches them with Minerva on Friday nights."
Silence fell around them and she could only nod.
"We do something on Friday's don't we?" she questioned. Severus nodded.
"It's our 'date' night, so to speak."
"So to speak?" she raised a brow. He grinned.
"We usually don't go anywhere. It's more Albus and Minerva getting the kids to themselves for the night while you and I... read."
He quickly stood.
"I'm late Elizabeth. We'll finish this later."
And he was gone. Elizabeth blinked. Why had he acted like that? What was he going to say? She was pretty sure he wasn't tell her the whole truth by saying they spent their Friday's reading. Elizabeth got out of bed and undressed to shower. As the hot water pounded on her, she rolled her head forward, closing her eyes. She braced herself against the shower wall.
She wanted so much to remember. To not feel so, lost. She wanted her life back. She wanted to be able to remember Severus, Melee and Theo. She wanted to remember all the aspects of her life. Of her life as a wife, mother and professor at Hogwarts. After her shower she walked into the bedroom in her bathrobe. Elizabeth combed her hair before she sat on the bed. Fatigue overcame her and she curled up on the bed to only rest her eyes a minute.
"No Severus, stop it!" shouted Elizabeth, curling her body into a tight ball. Severus was grinning boldly as he moved over her, his fingers tickling her. Laughing and giggling together, Elizabeth squirmed beneath him, her face red and her cheeks sore from smiling and laughing so hard.
"I can't breathe!"
Severus pulled away smiling, moving her to lie in his arms and they entwined their bodies close. Elizabeth smile softened as she looked up at him. He gently tucked a curl behind her ear.
"I love you."
She tightened her hold on him. "I love you Severus."
Elizabeth opened her eyes wide before sitting up. Their bedroom was dim and a quick look at the clock told her she had slept the whole day away. Next to the clock on the bedside table was a note. Picking it up she read,
Elizabeth -Thought it best to let you rest. Severus and the kids are having dinner in the Great Hall tonight. If you are up to it, you are welcome to join us. Dinner is till 7:30. Love - Minerva.
Elizabeth looked at the clock before she got up to dress. There was still time to go to the Great Hall. She frowned, pulling on a dress. Where was the Great Hall?
With the help of Headless Nick, Elizabeth made it to the hall by 6:40. Pushing the doors opened, she stopped when all eyes seem to turn to look at her. Elizabeth wasn't nervous being in front of people but all those eyes unnerved her. She blinked when Severus stood from where he sat at the Teachers table. Beside him was Melee and Theo in Minerva's arms. Severus gracefully moved around the table and down towards her.
Students were whispering to each other and dinner was back to it's chatter when the potion master reached his wife. He gave her a small smile.
"It's nice to see you. Come. Join us." he offered her his arm which she took after only a small hesitation. Severus gently led her between the tables.
"Welcome back professor!"
"Glad to see you!"
"Are you going to be teaching soon!"
"I love that dress!"
Elizabeth sent Severus a nervous look as many students acknowledged her or waved. Severus patted her hand before leading her to must be her chair. He held it while she sat. Melee was quick to turn to her mother.
"Mummy guess what? You slept all day!" she smiled. Elizabeth still felt uneasy around the little one but a part of her knew, just knew that this was her child.
"I know little one. I... I was very tired."
Melee nodded before she put herself in Elizabeth's lap. Severus opened his mouth but Elizabeth shook her head at him.
"It's alright Severus."
He nodded once before turning to Theo who was reaching for Severus's spoon.
"What did you do today Melee?" asked Elizabeth, slightly nervous. Melee was clearly comfortable with her, snuggled up in her arms and carefully eating her greens.
"Grandma helped me with my letters and we colored pictures. Daddy made them move too!"
"Did he?"
The little girl nodded. "Yes. He turned my picture of Princess real!"
"Princess?"
Severus leaned over to her.
"Melee likes princesses and pink at the moment. She only draws princesses."
Elizabeth met his eyes before he pulled away, helping Minerva as Theo had spilled his cup of juice all over her. There was a loud banging of the door and Elizabeth snapped her head up, seeing the students hurrying inside.
Even in the Great Hall, the early rain falling could be heard loudly. Elizabeth watched the enchanted ceiling, as rain poured and flashes of lighting could be seen. There was a roll of thunder as the last first year was sorted, followed by loud bangs.
"Welcome students to another year at Hogwarts," smiled Albus standing. "I have been asked to remind you of the new rules regarding what isn't allowed in the corridors or between classes. Please see Mr. Filch on that matter. Also a reminder that the Forbidden Forest is off limits, to the entire student body. As some of you know, last term a few teachers left for retirement. Please join me in welcoming the newest member to our staff, Professor Season."
The hall filled with clapping and Elizabeth nodded her head to the students. The headmaster continued.
"I would also like to remind the Prefects to escorted the new first years to their common rooms after the feast. As that is all, dig in!"
Food appeared on the tables and the room buzzed with chatter and dishes clicking. The headmaster turned to Elizabeth who was sitting beside him on his left.
"Welcome Elizabeth. I am sorry I was unable to chat with you before now."
"That's alright headmaster." she smiled.
"It's Albus my dear. Have you met much of the staff yet?"
"Only Poppy and Madam Price. Minerva of course already showed me my classroom and apartment."
"Yes. Well allow me to introduce you to our own potion master. After tonight's feast your usual seat will be the one next to his." Albus straightened, turning to his right. Elizabeth leaned slightly forward before she blinked. "Severus Snape, allow me to introduce our new Defense teacher, Elizabeth Season. You will find she is fully capable for her position. Elizabeth, Severus Snape, potion master and potion teacher here at Hogwarts."
Elizabeth blinked, as the dark eyes that held hers seemed to send ice right through her. The man sneered.
"Yet another soon to be failure to the DADA class legacy. I pity you professor for your career to end this shortly in life." his voice was like silk and despite the coldness of his words, it warmed her deep inside her stomach.
"Elizabeth? Are you alright?"
She blinked turning to the witch who sat beside her before she nodded.
"Yes. Yes I'm alright. Thank you Poppy."
Severus and Poppy both looked at each other before to Elizabeth. Her eyes widened before she looked again at the medi witch.
"I remember you." she whispered. Poppy smiled, taking her hand.
"Have you remembered much else yet dear?"
She shook her head and the older woman patted her hand.
"It will come dear. It will come in due time."
"Thank you." she replied softly before Melee called her for her attention again, asking her to help cut up her dinner.
This one was went over my 2,000 word limit but only by 35 words! So I don't feel guilty about it. Also I didn't think there was any good place to end it and Elizabeth's memories are important to keep in context.
Review! Please! There is so many talented people out there and I can only learn from you! :o)