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Silvia Greyback: thank you for your three reviews! (Assuming the three reviews come from the same person and not three different Silvia Greybacks lol) You are a ray of sunshine, honestly. As for writing fanfiction with Luna, I'm so flattered that you think I'd be good at it! But I don't know if I'd be able to do her wonderful character justice! She's so amazing, I've often found myself thinking about stories with her, but writing her is another matter entirely. However I do not say I never will; it could happen. Also: The Unexpected is possibly the best fanfic you've read? I'm dead. Happiness has KILLED ME. Thank you so much for your kind words!
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So here's the next chapter!
XXII
Overcome
When the day came for Severus to leave for Hogwarts, Cassandra cried nonstop for hours. She didn't want her father to leave her, scared that she might spent as much time without him as she did before she met him for the first time. After a while, however, and with many reassuring words from both of her parents that he was indeed coming back─ several times a week─ she finally understood that this was something that had to happen.
Because Severus was going to travel to Hogwarts by portkey, they all got together on the backyard to say goodbye.
"Daddy, don't go. Stay and play with me." Cassie pleaded from her place beside Juliana. Her eyes were red and puffy but she already had stopped crying. Severus kneeled in front of her and she placed herself in his arms immediately.
"You know I have to go, my love. Daddy has to work." Severus cooed, caressing her hair. "But I will come and see you often, and we will play together. Would you like that?" Cassie nodded and hugged him tightly.
"I love you daddy."
"I love you too, darling." He replied with a sigh and stood up with Cassie on his arms. Juliana wasn't crying, but it was clear that she was sad as well.
"Please, for everything that is good in this world, find a way to install a phone in your room. I have to talk to you every day." She ordered, getting a loving smile and a nod in response before he hugged her close with his free arm.
"I will, love. Don't worry about it." He paused and sighed again. "I have to go. I love you." He kissed her on the lips and Cassie on her forehead, before placing her on her mother's waiting arms.
Severus looked down at the artifact that in a few seconds would take him away from his family, not being able to contain the slight disdain that marred his expression. He shook his head to erase those thoughts and looked up again. The image in front of him made the smile return to his face: his wife waving at him with their daughter in her arms. Their daughter, who had his hair and his eyes, and loved him as much as he loved her.
Before he was able to think anything else he felt the familiar sensation that came when you travelled by portkey, and moments later he stood in front of Hogwarts' gate. The sigh that came out of his mouth was involuntary, and grabbing the silver locket he kept in his pocket tightly, he made his way inside.
...
Severus kept his word and by nightfall of the first day, he had already installed a phone in his room. It was, of course, magically changed so it only worked to call Juliana and as far as telephone lines went, did not exist at all.
He placed it on his bedside table, ready to be used before he went to sleep every night. The first time he called, he only had to wait two rings before she picked up.
"Love?" Juliana asked softly. Severus could hear the contained excitement in her voice.
"How did you know it was me?" He asked as he went under the covers.
"I always know." She answered and he knew she was smirking.
"I know you do, love. How's Cassie?"
"She's already asleep. We went to the park today. She was running and jumping everywhere. She was so tired." Severus smiled and shook his head at the mental image. "How are you? The kids arrive there tomorrow, right?" He sighed and remained silent for a moment.
"I'm okay. But I really miss you both. Yeah, the kids arrive tomorrow. I'm not very excited about it." Juliana's shoulders fell at his admission and she decided she had to change the subject quickly.
"We miss you too, love. And I really wish you were here in our bed with me..." She breathed out teasingly.
"Juliana." Severus warned, but did not dare to stop what she was doing.
"What? I just miss the way your body feels against mine... kissing you, touching you, all of you—" Severus interrupted her with a loud groan.
"Keep going." He moaned and she bit her lip, her own hand going under the sheets.
"Severus. Do you know what I'm doing right know? I bet you can imagine… God, I love the sounds you make." She said huskily and smiled when another loud groan was heard on the other side of the line. "What are you doing there, love? Are you doing what I think you're doing? Are you—" He interrupted her again, and she could hear he was panting.
"Yes, yes. I need you, I wish you were here. I am so close..."
"Do it for me, Severus." Juliana said in a low voice and smiled when all she could hear where moans and heavy breathing. He came down from his high while she waited patiently for him to be ready to talk again.
"Merlin, Juliana." Severus panted. "That was half as good as the real thing but... I don't even know─ just─ thank you, love."
"Anything for you, Severus. I love you."
"I..." He panted again. "...love you too. So much."
"Whenever you need to relax quickly... you know who to call." She said playfully and he laughed out loud before muttering Scourgify under his breath.
"Yeah, I do. I have to go, love. I need to get some sleep before tomorrow."
"Oh my God, yes! It's already 1 a.m. there!" She cried out worriedly. "What are you doing up so late?"
"I was just finishing my class plans. I am the head of the Slytherin house after all." He muttered and she didn't miss the dejected tone of his voice.
"What's wrong?" Juliana questioned. Severus sighed before answering.
"It's just─" He considered not telling her that something was wrong for a moment, but that never worked out for either of them. Also, he really wanted to hear her comforting voice. "I'm 22, Juliana. How am I supposed to control a class of 17 years old teenagers when I'm just barely older than them? How can I hope to be taken seriously?"
"Oh, darling." She murmured lovingly. "Why didn't you tell me sooner you felt that way? We could've talked it through and I could've helped you."
"I know, but I didn't want to worry you. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It's okay." She took a deep breath. "Look, Severus. I don't know how you will take this advice but… I think you need to make them respect you, any way you can. You need them to see that you are the authority in the classroom and you won't tolerate anything else but their best. Yes, you are 22. But you also are─ and you know me well enough to know I would never say this to try and make you feel bad about it─ a rumored Death Eater. " She heard him sigh. "I'm sorry, love. Am I being too harsh? I didn't want to make you upset."
"No. You weren't. You're right. And after all, I have a reputation to build. Dumbledore told me so today." He rubbed his forehead.
"What? What did he tell you?" Juliana asked with a frown.
"Umm... Dumbledore said that people need to know that I don't want to be here, and that I can't stand anyone. He said that it will be helpful for me when─ well… when he comes back." Juliana closed her eyes and took a calming breath.
"Yeah... I suppose he has a point. But... don't lose yourself in the process, okay, love? Always remember who you are. You are a good man, Severus. Never forget that."
"Thank you, Juliana. I love you."
"I love you too, Severus. Take care of yourself for me, yeah? Goodbye."
"Bye, and tell Cassie I love her."
"I will. Bye."
Even though they were separated by an ocean and thousands of miles, they remained awake for the exact same period of time, staring at their respective telephones thinking about each other until sleep claimed them both and they were finally able to fall asleep.
