I AM SO SORRY THAT I HAVEN'T UPDATED SOONER. IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS AND I AM SUCH A BAD PERSON AND I HOPE YOU HAVEN'T GONE AND READ THE OTHER VERSION OF THIS STORY BUT IF YOU DID I DON'T BLAME YOU BECAUSE I'M THE WORST.
Okay that being said, the reason why I haven't updated is that the end of the year is coming and I've been having my finals and I had to really, really pay attention to that.
Anyway, here's the next chapter. It's sort of a filler, but the good news is that there's 4 chapters left before the second part of the story begins.
Well… that's not exactly true. There's kind of 4.5 chapters.
OKAY I WASN'T GONNA TELL YOU THIS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE A SURPRISE BUT SEEING AS I HAVE BEEN ABSENT FOR 84 YEARS, I HAVE TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING ELSE.
I have been working on a chapter, a sort of middle chapter that joins the two parts of the story together (remember Severus/OC – Fred/Another OC on the summary? Well, that's what I mean), that is 100% new. It wasn't on my previous story, so if you have read that one I can tell you that you won't know what happens here. So, there's that.
OH, ALSO THIS!
Someone (Guest) reviewed something supermegacool on the other version of this story, telling me about my use of on and in and if they're reading this, I wanted to say THANK YOU! I do realize my mistakes with the use of on and in and I don't know If I'll ever be able to completely master their use because I can't help but get confused. It has always happened but this time I tried harder to use them correctly, and I'm still trying to learn to not mistake them.
Also everyone who has reviewed on that version who hasn't gotten a shout out because I can't give them one there, here it is! You guys are awesome for reading that story and liking it, and I love you! (But everyone who's reading this story for the first time with this version DON'T GO AND READ IT BECAUSE THIS ONE IS BETTER PLEASE AND THANK YOU).
Okay this author note got out of control but I still have to say the little something I always say:
Welcome Stand for what is right, , Pixie Faolan, XxCherryblossomxX33, maggsPanic, Baka-Beka, Blood Alchemist23, JezabelleLilithJohnson, Swef Elizzy and Alex455! Thanks for following and adding the story to your favorites, it means so much to me.
AND mworth1019 who also reviewed, like Clisaaaa and vampirela69! I love you for taking your time to leave me a review and thank you so much!
*There is a little message after the chapter, if you can read it would be awesome.
XXI
Liberty
It was a bright and sunny April afternoon when Severus and Juliana got married. It was a small ceremony to which only Juliana's closest relatives attended; a private gathering that was what they both desired and needed. On Severus side however, Dumbledore was the only one who knew about it and the only one who was present. He was also the one who was responsible for marrying them.
Cassandra was the chosen one to carry the rings and looked absolutely pleased with herself as she walked to where her parents were with a bright grin on her face. Severus bit back a smile as he leaned down to retrieve them from her, giving her a kiss on the forehead before she ran away to sit on Isabel's lap.
After the ceremony, —where they swore to be together as long as they both loved each other, for better and for worse always trusting each other and never denying each other's help when they needed it, among many other promises— they had a small party where they all danced, laughed and had a lot of fun.
Juliana and Severus decided to have their honeymoon in Paris, and they traveled there the next day. The problem with that was that even if they loved having alone time with each other, not being around Cassandra for long periods of time was not something they enjoyed too much. That's why their final decision was to be alone for a week and a half, and then have Isabel bring Cassie so they could spend the other week and a half together.
They chose to reserve their alone days for mostly romantic evenings instead of visiting the most popular landmarks, seeing as they wanted to do that when Cassie was with them.
"I haven't felt this relaxed since we spent Christmas together when we were in Hogwarts." Severus confessed one night as they walked through the streets hand in hand after having dinner in a beautiful restaurant with tables outside, under the stars.
"Oh, is that so? You were relaxed even with my overbearing relatives?" Juliana teased with a grin. He rolled and then narrowed his eyes playfully at her. Her grin eased into a contented smile as she squeezed his hand and leaned into him with a pleased sigh. He let go of her hand so he could hug her waist, and she mirrored his action.
"Yeah… I know what you meant, though." Juliana finally agreed and a comfortable silence fell over them. After a while she started grinning again for no apparent reason, and when he noticed she didn't stop, he couldn't help but wonder why.
"What are you smiling about?" Severus asked with a laugh and she turned to bury her face on his chest instead of answering. He kissed her hair and she sighed contented again, making him close his eyes and enjoy the small moment.
"Love?" He insisted after a few moments of silence.
"I just love you so much, Severus. And… it's like I can't─ I can't grasp the fact that we're finally together." She answered honestly, looking deeply into his eyes. He found himself overwhelmed with emotion and and leaned down to plant a deep and sweet kiss on her lips. She responded eagerly and pulled him closer, walking backwards until she felt a solid wall colliding with her back. The hands that cupped her face quickly found themselves buried in her hair while hers grabbed his hips, bringing him as close to her body as possible. She let out a small moan and the kiss became much more passionate and frantic, until Severus reluctantly pulled away from her.
"We need to go back to the hotel now." He breathed out and Juliana nodded in agreement. They walked to a dark alley and he saw the world around him become a blur, only to appear on their room a second later. Juliana's lips were on his again before he could even react, and his hands moved to their own accord to her thighs, hoisting her up. She tangled her legs around his waist, moaning loudly when she felt him against her.
Severus carried her to the bed and placed himself perfectly above her, his face merely an inch apart from hers. Juliana's eyes softened as they met his, and she bit her lip before pulling him down to her chest for a moment, burying her hands on his hair when he moved his head so his face was hidden in the crook of her neck.
"Is it really possible for a person to love someone as much as I love you?" He asked to no one, expecting no answer from her, but he got one anyway.
"Oh, yes. And I would know, after all. I believe I love you every bit as much as you love me. Even more, I'd say." She teased and he immediately lifted his head to look at her with raised eyebrows.
"Do you really want to play I love you more now? You know I tend to win, love."
"Not this time. And I love you more." Before he could reply she kissed him, and it proved to be very effective in silencing him completely. After that their clothes began to disappear fast, and Juliana rolled them so she could be on top of him, straddling his waist. When he tried to speak she began leaving a trail of kisses on every single one of his scars, all while telling him how much she loved him and how absolutely gorgeous he was.
He was unable to form even one coherent sentence.
...
Juliana lay naked almost completely on top of Severus, eyes closed and a blissful smile on her face. He rubbed soothing circles on her back with one hand, the other holding tightly one of her own.
"I love you." Severus whispered suddenly a while later and she stilled for a second before moving impossibly fast to straddle him, making him let out a throaty laugh before he sat up so they could hold each other comfortably. He then began kissing her neck while his hips collided with hers; the sounds she was making felt like lovely music to his ears. "I really, really, really love you." Juliana's hands moved to the sides of his face, the tips of her fingers disappearing inside his dark hair, and then brought his head down to kiss him. She twisted her legs around his waist bringing him closer to her silently begging him to give her what she wanted, and finding the same desperate need reflected in his own eyes.
When they finished, they lay on the bed facing each other, their legs tangled. One of Severus' arms was under his head while the other enveloped Juliana's back, pulling her naked chest onto his. His eyes were closed as she lightly caressed his cheek, carefully moving his hair behind his ear. She leaned in slowly and placed a short kiss on his closed lips. A smile appeared in his mouth automatically and he opened one eye just a little bit to look at her.
"Another." Severus whispered, making Juliana laugh. She leaned in to kiss him again but this time he opened his mouth and grabbed the back of her head gently before she pulled back. She smiled and returned the kiss eagerly.
They spent some more time just kissing without saying anything, both of them lost in the feeling of being in each other's arms.
"When did you know you liked me?" Juliana asked him some time later, out of the blue. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"What?"
"Back in school, there has to be a moment when you realized you liked me." Severus frowned and thought for a second.
"Well, do you want to know the moment I knew I liked you or the moment I admitted to myself that I liked you?" She opened her mouth with a surprised smile.
"Both, of course!"
"Well... I admitted to myself that I liked you a less than a week after the first time we were together in the library. But officially, I know I liked you when I saw the first time you were in the Great Hall. Deep down I couldn't believe how beautiful you were." She blushed and hugged him close.
"Aww, I love you." She said, kissing his neck softly.
"When did you know?" Severus asked moments later.
"I knew it the moment I saw you. Hell, I think I knew I was in love with you the moment I saw you." His eyes opened wide.
"What?!" Juliana couldn't help but smile at his disbelief.
"Yeah... I don't know. The moment I laid my eyes upon you I knew there was no one else. It had to be you, I didn't want any other. It had never happened to me before─ love at first sight, I mean. Or whatever that was." She blushed and buried her face on his neck again, smiling. "Whenever I saw you I couldn't help but think about how gorgeous you were and─"
"Juliana, are you serious about this?" Severus asked without emotion in his voice and she looked up with a frown.
"Of course I'm serious. And when I got to know you my feelings for you only became stronger." She said with hard determination in her voice. He stared at her for a few seconds before pulling her on top of him and kissing her with everything he had. Juliana smiled dizzily when they pulled away.
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Severus asked with a small frown, looking as if he really was confused about this, while stroking her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his touch and grinned.
"Just exist, basically." Juliana answered as she moved so her head could rest comfortably in the crook of his neck. He rubbed her back and she closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep.
"I love you so much." He whispered and she hummed.
"I love you too, Severus."
...
Cassandra arrived a few days later in the arms of her grandmother, asleep. Isabel asked them how things were going and their bright smiles were more than enough answer. Juliana carefully tried to wake Cassie up but she didn't want to open her eyes, even if they already knew she was awake.
"Cassie, baby." Severus said sweetly as he put his hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes a bit and threw her arms at him. He smiled and Isabel placed her on his open arms. She hugged his neck and moved her head to rest on his shoulder. She fell asleep again in a minute.
"Well, I have to go now." Isabel said with a happy smile. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday." After giving each one a tight hug, she disappeared.
"You don't know how much I love seeing you both like this." Juliana smiled as a pleased sigh left her lips, looking at Severus with Cassie sleeping in his arms.
"I know how much I love it." He replied looking down at their daughter with a small smile as he rocked her. Cassandra stirred in his arms and opened her eyes slowly.
"Daddy." She said with a sleepy voice. "Food." Severus smiled, knowing exactly what she was asking for. He had begun learning Portuguese, seeing as it was the only language his daughter spoke─ at least for now.
"I'm sure my mom packed her favorite cookies." Juliana said absentmindedly, moving to check the bag Isabel had brought with her. Inside she found Cassie's clothes and shoes, toiletries, her sippy cup and favorite blanket. "Aha!" She said victoriously when she found the package of animal cookies.
"How do you feel about another picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower today?" Severus suggested as he fed Cassie one cookie. Juliana grinned instantly.
"Oh, I feel like absolutely."
...
The remaining days were spent visiting every tourist attractions they found worth seeing. Cassandra ran everywhere, especially if birds were involved. She loved running to them so she could see how they flew away. However, sooner than they would've liked, the trip came to an end, and they had to go back home.
Cassie did not agree with that.
"Mommy! Don't want to." Cassie whined pulling her mother's dress when they were getting their suitcases ready. Juliana rolled her eyes and smiled to Severus, who met her gaze with a poorly hidden smile of his own.
"But we have to go home, baby." She said softly and bent down to pick her up. "We can't stay here forever. Don't you miss grandma?"
"I like here." She said as she started to cry.
"No baby, don't cry." Juliana said as she started rocking her in her arms. Severus quickly walked to them.
"Cassie?" He asked softly. She lifted her head from Juliana's shoulder and looked at him with watery eyes, sniffing. "We have to go back home." He said as he moved a strand of hair behind her ear. She shook her head and buried her face on Juliana's shoulder again.
"Okay, let's try something different. Follow my lead." Juliana said to Severus as she moved to the bed where the suitcases were, putting Cassie down next to them. "Well, I guess we're staying." She said and Cassie looked up immediately. "Too bad we won't see grandma again... but well, at least we're staying here." Severus caught up with her and moved to help her 'unpack'. "I'm really going to miss Teresa, though. Won't you, Severus?" She knew this was a soft spot for Cassie because she adored Teresa. Severus nodded, trying hard not to smile.
"Teresa?" Cassie asked softly.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter. Because we're staying here. Poor Teresa, she will be sad when she knows you don't want to see her anymore." Juliana said dramatically, faking sadness.
"I love Teresa!" Cassie yelled, as outraged as a three year old girl could get.
"Well, I know, but it doesn't matter. Because now we live here and we won't see her or grandma anymore."
"Nooooo!" Cassie cried out.
"No, what?" Juliana asked, feigning confusion.
"I want to go home!" She yelled and Severus bit back a smile.
"Are you sure? Because If you want we can live here now..."
"Home!" She pleaded and Juliana had to bite the inside of her cheek to avoid a huge grin.
"Okay, it's your choice."
"Sure it is." Severus said with a snort and Juliana narrowed her eyes at him. He laughed and lifted his hands in surrender. "I love you!" He said hopefully and Juliana rolled her eyes, shaking her head at both of them before resuming their packing, a small smile on her face.
...
It was past 10 p.m. when they arrived home, so they decided to just put Cassie to bed and announce their arrival to Isabel in the morning. She was already asleep when they got there, so they just cleaned her up and changed her into her pajamas before putting her to bed.
Juliana and Severus were both very tired, not even talking as they got ready to bed themselves. Severus was already falling asleep with Juliana touching the ring on his finger when she finally spoke.
"Love?" She whispered, not wanting to wake him up if he was already sleeping.
"Yes?" He replied, pulling her a little closer to him.
"How are we going to tell Cassie that you're leaving in September?" She asked carefully, moving her head a little so she could see his face. He let out a deep sigh and kissed her neck.
"I believe that if we explain that I need to work, she'll understand. Besides..." He said and moved her so she could face him completely. "I've talked to Dumbledore and I will be able to come home and visit at least four days a week. It also helps that there is a two hour difference between cities, meaning that if I leave at midnight, I will arrive here at 10 p.m. I'd need to be careful with my hours of sleep, however, because I could easily fall into a routine where I don't sleep as much as I need to..." Juliana interrupted his rambling by kissing him deeply. When they pulled apart, he looked confused. "What was that for?"
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Do you know how amazing this is!? I didn't even think that you'd come home ONE day a week and now you're telling me you could be here FOUR days a week? WHAT!?" She was smiling widely, and he couldn't help but smile back at her.
"I didn't want to tell you until I was completely sure. I didn't want to get your hopes up if it ended not happening. But I spent too much time away from you already, Juliana. I don't want us to be separated like that ever again." She kissed him again, this time softly.
"I love you. I love you. I love you." She said between kisses.
"I love you more." He replied with a smirk.
"No you don't." She said as she moved to kiss his neck and he placed his hands on her waist.
"Yes, I do." He said, biting back a groan of pleasure.
"Nope."
"Yes." He moaned when she sucked a sweet spot and Juliana wasn't sure if he was continuing their banter or if he was telling her to keep going. She kept on kissing him anyway.
"How about..." She said as she tangled her hand on his hair, making him lean back, exposing more of his neck to her, "we love each other so much it's silly to think it can be measured?" He grinned.
"Cheesy." She gasped in mock offense and bit his nose. "But I think that's a very accurate description." He cupped her face on his hands and moved her, their foreheads resting against the other and their breaths mixing together.
"You and Cassie are the best things that ever happened to me. What I have, what brings me happiness, I have it because you decided to talk to me, to give me a chance. I can't tell you how thankful I am. I really love you more than life itself, Juliana." Her eyes filled with tears and she closed her eyes.
"I love you more than life itself too, Severus. Forever." They kissed until they fell asleep, each other's arms feeling like their true home.
*Because I have chosen Paris as Severus and Juliana's honeymoon destination, I can't help but feel I have to say something about what's happened in these past days not only there, but also in the rest of the world, like in Beirut. Like it has been happening for a long time in Syria.
In my thoughts are all the lives lost to this pointless war, to all the innocent people suffering because of the greed and selfishness of a few powerful people who can do whatever they wish to get what they want.
When the media has turned the innocent people we've lost into a number- a statistic- again, I'll remember that like every single one of us, they had a life, hopes, and dreams. All those lives, lost for no reason. They hadn't done anything. And they deserve to be remembered as the complex human beings they were, and the complex human beings they should've been.
Please, don't forget them.
