From Severus' point of view:
I sat at Minerva's table until Anna carried Karina's sleeping body (the one time when she wasn't talking) away from the table. Once they were gone and folded my arms and glared at Minerva.
"Don't give me that look, Severus," she said as she glared right back.
"I think I can give you that look," I told her. "We were supposed to have dinner just the two of us."
"Was it really that bad," she asked me. "Karina seems to love you."
"It was that bad," I told her telling a half truth.
I didn't want to be around people. I just wanted to be left alone, which terrified me.
"It wasn't Severus," she said. "I'm glad you came."
I snorted and looked away and I felt her move near me and put her hand on my shoulder.
"I think you should work with Karina," Minerva said.
"I have no interest in working with the child." I looked up at the woman who was like a mother to me.
"I saw how you interacted with her, Severus," she said. "You would take good care of her, and I know she would be good for you."
"You're being ridiculous, Minerva," I growled at her.
"Well it's up to you," she said as she sighed. "I'm glad you came tonight."
"It could have been better," I said, folding my arms and looking away. I knew I sounded childish but I didn't care.
"I'll come and see you soon, Severus," she said as she smiled at me. "I miss our friendship."
"If you must," I said, enjoying our old banter.
I left her rooms and made my way to my own. The next couple of days I fell into my old routine of sleeping in late, forcing myself to get up, shower, eat, and read for the rest of the day. On the third day after my dinner I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to find no one until I looked down to hear a rush of words coming out of a small child.
"Sev-us," Karina said smiling up at me. "It's time we found the kitty."
"Where is your mother?" I asked as I frowned at the girl.
"She is taking a nap," she said as she bit her lip as though she was afraid to get into trouble. "I was too, but then I woke up. I wanted to see my friend Sev-us and find the kitty."
"Karina, I'm not sure I could help you find the kitty."
"Why Sev-us," she asked looking up at me with her big eyes that seemed to see right through me.
"The cat belongs to the caretaker," I told her, "and I don't know if it's okay for us to play with the cat."
"Oh," she said, looking sad for a moment before her face lit up. "Will you play with me Sev-us?"
"Well, I don't have any toys," I said. "Did your mother give you permission to come and see me?"
"Yes," she said brightly.
"Karina," I said in a stern tone.
"Well…no," she said looking down, "but Aunt M showed me where you lived, and I missed you."
"We should go find your mum," I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Okay, Sev-us," she said.
I stepped out the door and sighed. How did I always end up taking her back to her mother? I thought.
"Do you know how to get to your rooms?" I asked.
"Yes. Mum made sure I did when we first came here," she said. "Did you know this place is magical?"
"Yes," I grumbled.
"Maybe we can buy a kitty," she said, "and he can live here with you and I can have two friends to visit."
"You have to have your mother's permission first," I said. What am I saying? I thought. "If we get a cat it can stay with you."
"Okay, Sev-us," she said while she beamed up at me.
I then felt her slip her hand into mine and I frowned but for some reason didn't shake her hand away. We walked the whole way while she chatted and held my hand. We finally got to the rooms, stopped outside the door, and she looked up at me.
"Do you know your password," I asked.
"Mum told me," She said as her brows furrowed. "It's…it's…"
"Oh good grief," I said before I sighed and knocked on the door.
"We could go have a picnic if mum is still napping," Karina said brightly, "and ask for some food from my house elf friend."
"We still need to ask your mother if it's okay," I said sternly. "You could be in trouble because you came and saw me without her or getting her permission."
"Oh I forgot about that," she said, "You'll still be my friend right?"
"Yes," I said, kicking myself mentally for letting the kid get to me.
Just then the door to their rooms opened to find Anna standing there with her curly, black hair tied back with a few tendrils that became loose, she was also wearing a tight shirt and sweat pants. She had an hour glad figure that I wanted to run my hands over. I swallowed as I took in the sight while Anna looked between me and her daughter.
"Karina what are you doing?" she asked with a confused look. "I thought you were taking a nap."
"I was, Mummy," she said, fidgeting, "but then I woke up and went to go find my friend Sev-us."
"Oh Karina," Anna said. "What did I say about leaving the rooms without me?"
"Not to do it, Mummy," Karina said, looking down at her feet.
"We will have to miss our time outside today," Anna said.
"Okay, Mummy," Karina said still looking down at her feet.
"Thank you for your help, Severus," Anna said at me.
"You're welcome," I replied.
"Would you like to come in for tea?" she asked.
I opened my mouth and hesitated unsure if I should accept or not.
"Please, Severus," she said. Her brown eyes were similar to her daughter's, and they held my attention. "It's the least I could do since you went out of your way to bring Karina back to me."
"All right," I said going into their rooms.
I looked around their rooms; it was bright with blue and cream colors around the room. I was ushered to a couch sitting by an area scattered with toys. Anna ordered tea from a house elf while Karina started playing with her toys. I watched the girl while she played, chattering to no one in particular. Anna gave me a weary smile and I then watched her as she picked up things around her rooms. I swallowed again as I saw how her clothes stretched across her body. I tore my eyes away from her not waiting to be caught staring like some dirty old man.
"So where did you find her this time?" Anna asked and I looked into her brown eyes while Anna finally sat down.
"She came to visit my rooms," I said.
"Minerva must have shown her where those were yesterday," she said, running her hand across her face.
"You could always ward your rooms so that way it will alert you if she got out again," I said.
"I could if I could do magic," she said.
"You can't do magic?" I asked.
"No," she said. "I'm a Muggle."
"But you are teaching here?" I asked.
"Yes, Muggle Studies," she said.
"How did you find out about wizarding then?" I asked.
"Because my husband was a wizard," she said.
"Was?" I asked. Why am I asking her so many questions, I thought.
"He passed away during the war just after we had Karina," she said.
"I'm sorry I didn't know," I said, feeling jealous that she was married before.
"He was a great man," she said, smiling sadly. "I wouldn't trade it for anything, and he gave me my daughter. I had something to fight for after he passed."
"She is a sweet girl," I said, looking at the playing Karina.
"She is," Anna said smiling at her daughter. "What did you teach here?"
"Potions," I said, "but I needed time off since the war."
"I don't blame you." She smiled at me, making my heart leap. "A lot of people needed time off."
"Sev-us?" I felt a little hand tugging at my trouser pant.
"Yes," I said looking down at the little girl.
"Read to me, Sev-us," she said.
"Just this one book," I said and she climbed up next to me and handed me her book.
I read the book quietly shifting uncomfortably when she laid her head on my arm.
"Thank you, Sev-us," Karina said hugging my side when I finished.
She hopped down and then Anna handed me a cup of tea smiling at me causing my heart to quicken for a moment at her closeness. Anna sat on the couch next to me and continued to make small talk. We talked for nearly an hour before I excused myself to my rooms.
"Can I see my friend Sev-us tomorrow?" Karina asked me.
"I suppose," I said, without really thinking. "Only if you are good and you come with your mum to see me."
"Okay, Sev-us," she said happily and hugged my leg.
I patted her head awkwardly before I left for my rooms. Over the next couple of days somehow I ended up spending more time with Anna and Karina instead of confining myself to my rooms. It felt almost normal, that I should be spending time with them. I actually started liking spending time with Karina. She seems to be the one person who didn't know of my past and liked being around me.
"Severus, you don't have to take Karina for the afternoon," Anna argued when I offered to take her for the afternoon.
"I don't mind," I said. "She is just going to find me in my rooms anyway, and I know how busy the start of the year can be."
"I don't want to be a burden to you," she said, looking into my eyes.
"It's not a problem," I said quietly, looking away from her eyes when an intense feeling rose in my chest.
"Thank you, Severus," she said gently.
"You're welcome."
"I'll be back in a couple of hours, and I'll if you need me I'll be in my office," I nodded as she left.
I sat on the couch glad that the imp was currently sleeping. I sighed resting my head back on the couch wishing that I had brought a book with me while. My gaze went to the fire that was burning low before I started to doze off.
When crying came from the bedroom, I rose and walked towards it, where Karina was sleeping. She was curled up into a ball and crying in her sleep. I walked across her small bedroom frowning at the site of all of the toys across the child's floor.
"Karina," I said once I was by her bed.
She whimpered again, turning over while the blankets became twisted around her.
"Karina," I repeated; my brows furrowed and I felt concern for her. She was usually a happy child that didn't cry often.
I gently put my hand on her shoulder and she awoke with a start and began to cry. Instincts took over and I quickly sat on the bed and pulled Karina into my arms, and she clung to me.
"Shh," I said, surprised by the sound of my voice. It sounded soft, somehow. "What happened?"
"I had a bad dream," she said, sniffing.
"Oh?" I asked.
"There was a scary boy chasing me," she admitted, a few tears leaking down her cheeks.
"You know your mother or I wouldn't let anyone do that to you." An uncomfortable burning settled in my chest, making me ache.
"You promise, Sev-us," she asked, looking up at me with her large eyes.
"I promise."
"You're my best friend," she said, hugging me tightly.
I looked down at the child's head feeling something rush into me that I hadn't felt before. A desire to protect her and to be there for her to guide her, and as she fell asleep again I knew that I had to spend more time with the imp. She got me out of my rooms and around people again, even if those people were only herself, Minerva, and Anna.
I thought about Minerva's proposal about watching the child while the school year started. I knew I had to accept it and that Lily would be proud of me for working with Karina. I studied her little face. Her eyelashes were long, and her curls felt soft as I brushed some hair out of her face. She sighed in contentment as she hugged me tighter. Rocking my body, she eventually fell asleep.
She actually trusts me, I thought. I doubt I'd be able to fall asleep with another person in the room.
Awe shook me to the core as I held the child in my arms. Swallowing, I put her back in bed. Walking out to the living room, unable to wrap my mind around my swirling emotions, I sat heavily in the armed chair. A moment later, Anna came into the room.
"Oh I hate staff meetings," she grumbled, kicking off her shoes, and sat heavily in the armed chair across from me. "How was she?"
"She had a nightmare," I said, "but she just fell back asleep."
"Really?" He eyebrows shot up. "Anytime she has a nightmare, I have a hell of a time getting her back to sleep."
"Well she is resting now," I said.
"Good," Anna said, and a peace settled over my chest as I watched her.
"Oh I so appreciate your help, Severus." A large smile crossed her beautiful face. "Karina doesn't stop talking about you when you leave."
"Does she ever stop talking?" I asked dryly.
"Well, no." Anna laughed. "Would you eat dinner with us? I don't feel like eating in the Great Hall, and I know a little girl who'd be thrilled to eat with her Sev-us."
I swallowed hard as I nodded. Her Severus. No one had ever called me theirs before, not even Lily.
"Yes," I replied softly.
"Help me set the table?" she asked, standing.
"No house elves to do it?" I asked, standing.
"No." She laughed again, making my heart jump. "Sometimes, I prefer to do it the Muggle way, and sometimes I even cook dinner myself."
"Of course."
"Here are the plates," she said after bending down to get some from the cupboard in her modest kitchen.
"Thank you."
"Mummy, you're home!" Karina's voice yelled out.
I paused by the table to see Karina running toward Anna's open arms. Ignoring my feelings for the two women, I continued to set the table as Karina rushed to tell Anna about our afternoon.
"And I took a nap like a good girl, Mummy," Karina added.
"Good, sweetie." Anna kissed Karina's head. "Will you help us set the table?"
"Oh, Sev-us it eating with us?" Karina asked.
"Yes, sweetie." Anna grinned at me as she pulled three forks out of the drawer. "Put these on the table."
Karina held the three forks and placed each on by a plate. A brief smile crossed my face as she stood on her toes and stuck out her tongue in contraction while she helped us. Throughout dinner, Anna and Karina talked, well mostly Karina asked questions. A feeling of contentment ran through me, and I knew I was stuck. I had to watch Karina. Kicking myself for my weak resolve breaking, I helped clean up from dinner and put Karina to bed.
"Thank you for dinner, Anna," I said as we walked to her door.
"Oh, no problem, Severus." Anna gave me another smile, making my stomach flop.
"I wanted to know if you found any one to watch over Karina while you taught," I asked.
"Minerva said she tried to find someone but was unable to," she said, biting her lip. "I may have to leave her with a house elf."
A rush of guilt ran through me as I thought of saying no to Minerva's proposal to watch over Karina. At least I may care for her now I thought.
"I wouldn't mind watching her," I said.
"Oh, Severus, that would be great," she said and her face brightened. "Karina loves you, and I know she would be well cared for. Will you come by next Sunday and we can go over some things before the term starts Monday?"
I nodded in my agreement before I headed off to my rooms. I smiled to myself as I thought about the new job I would start within the next couple of days.
Please let me know what you think!