This is from Anna's point of view:

I sighed as I walked into my rooms after my first day of teaching. I enjoyed teaching but I also felt exhausted. After toeing off my shoes, I rubbed my aching feet. Listening for my daughter, I heard her play with Severus in her room. Her voice chatted away while he answered her in calm tones. I smiled at the sound; he was perfect with her.

When Minerva first told me about Severus working with Karina I was a little apprehensive. I remember hearing stories about how he was before and during the war. The man I knew, or heard rumors about, wasn't the man I met. He wasn't an awful man who tried to terrorize others, and was gentle and kind with Karina. I had to admit he was quiet and shut off, but I felt that I could become friends with him.

I quickly showered, releasing the tension I had after standing all day. I mentally went through the things I'd need to do in order to be ready to teach the next day, what I'd do to change my plans with my new groups. After I showered, I pulled on sweats and a t-shirt that reminded me of home, clothes that felt normal.

As I walked into Karina's room I had to stop myself from laughing at the site I saw. Severus sat in one of her child's sized chairs, clearly too small for him, as they pretended to have tea. He held a pink tea cup and has his pinky stuck out. His face turned slightly red. It was enduring.

"Hi, Mummy," Karina said. "We were just having tea."

"Were you now?" I asked, and Karina nodded. "You have about an hour to play before we go to dinner, all right."

"Oh good," she said. "Will my Sev-us friend come with us?"

"I don't know," I said. "Why don't you ask him?"

"Sev-us, will you come and eat with us in the magic room?" she asked Severus seriously, and I smiled at her.

"I do not think I could make it tonight," Severus said, and her face fell. "Maybe someday I can make it."

"Good," she said. "Will you play with me until it's time to go to the magic room?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Would you mind watching her for about an hour so I can do some grading?" I asked Severus, thinking of all of the work I had to do.

"Grading on the first day you are tough," he said smirking slightly. "I would give them an assignment to work on to turn in for the next class."

"I got advice from someone who used to teach here," I said, flirting him a little before turning out the door. "Maybe he could help me fine tune my teaching skills."

When I was done grading, I stacked my graded work into neat piles and put away a few odds and ends. Walking back to my rooms, I went to my bedroom to change into my robes. I grumbled as I pulled on the hot material, wishing I could go in my Muggle clothes. I was hoping that Minerva would allow me wear Muggle clothing; it'd be good for the children to be reminded of what I really was. After putting on flats, I turned to leave my room.

"You need to put on your jacket, Karina," Severus said, his voice coming from the living room.

"Why, Sev-us?" Karina asked.

"Because the castle can get cold at night," Severus replied.

I smiled when I stepped into the living room Severus was helping Karina with her jacket.

"Sev-us, please go to dinner with us," Karina asked.

"I'm sorry, I can't."

"I'll miss you," Karina said, tears filling her eyes.

"You'll see me tomorrow." Severus looked surprised when tears rolled down her cheeks. "Come now, Karina. I'll be here to eat breakfast and lunch with you."

"Promise, Sev-us?"

"I promise." Severus gave her a soft smile

There is something handsome about him when he smiles, I thought, surprising myself. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind.

"Karina, we need to get going. Severus is busy tonight," I said, walking over to my daughter.

"Okay, Mummy," Karina said in a sad voice. "I need to give Sev-us a goodbye hug."

She hugged Severus tightly, and he slowly put his arms around her as if he didn't know how to accept a hug.

"I'll see you both tomorrow," Severus said, quickly pulling away from Karina.

"Good night, Severus," I said.

"Bye, Sev-us," Karina yelled.

"Good night," Severus replied as he left the rooms.

Karina and I ate dinner in the Great Hall. Karina sat on Minerva's lap, talking the whole time. I barely paid attention as I ate.

An hour and a half later, I brushed my hair out, pulled on some pajamas, and crawled into bed. I pulled my sheets and blankets over me but it didn't bring me any warmth. The nights were the hardest part for me still since Alex left us. I always missed having his arms around me. He had always teased me about trying to steal his warmth.

I felt stupid because it had been years, years since he had passed away and here I was still missing him as if he had just left yesterday. I wrapped my arms around myself as I felt the tears fill my eyes as I imagined him here with me while he held me in his arms. It was the only way I could fall asleep anymore. The next morning I woke up still feeling tired, but I made myself get up and shower before putting on my wizarding robes. I went out to the living area to find Severus sitting reading the paper. The previous day I had given him the password to the rooms to make it easier especially since he would be coming over every day.

"Morning," I said, smiling at him.

"Morning." He nodded at me.

"You're here early," I said.

"Thought maybe she'd be up and you could use extra help so you wouldn't be late for class," he said.

"She should be up soon. Did you eat breakfast?"

"I haven't," he admitted.

I quickly ordered breakfast, too nervous to go to the Great Hall (even though it was my second day), and looked over my notes for teaching that day while waiting for breakfast. I would have first, third, and fifth year Hufflepuff and Gryffindor groups today which I didn't think would be too tough. Breakfast came; Severus and I started to eat quietly before we heard the sound of little feet coming down the hall.

"Sev-us," Karina said loudly before going to sit on his lap.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched my daughter as she ate off of Severus' plate and I tried to hide my smile. She seemed to break his tough exterior.

"I'll see you two later this afternoon," I said, standing and placing my dishes on the tray.

"I'll clean everything up," Severus offered.

"Thank you, Severus." I smiled at him.

"Mummy, I'm going to make you a picture!" Karina declared.

"Oh, that would be nice." I kissed her cheek. "I'll see you later tonight."

After teaching, I went straight to my office to finish my grading of my assessment on my students' knowledge of Muggle life.

Muggles often need help doing the basic chores. They are unable to do dishes, do laundry, or clean their houses without the aid of magical help. This makes them less than wizards.

What that the- I thought. Maybe I should show people how I clean.

After an hour (and better papers than the one of my ignorant student), I went to my rooms.

"Mummy!" Karina said, smiling and got up and gave me a hug. "I want to show you the picture I made for you."

She grabbed my hand and dragged me into her room. On her bed was a picture.

"Here it is, Mummy!" She handed me it.

There were two stick figures, which I assumed as my daughter and myself, surrounded by flowers. The flowers' stems were wiggling.

"Sev-us made the flowers move for me, Mummy!" she said.

"Did you tell him thank you?" I asked, smiling at the picture.

"Yes, Mummy," she said, smiling at me.

"Good." I kissed her cheeks. "Are you ready for dinner?"

"Yes," she said.

"Then go wash your hands, and I'll go put your picture up."

"Okay, Mummy!" She ran off.

I walked into the living room where Severus stood.

"Thank you for the picture," I said.

"You're welcome," he said quietly. "I don't know if you've seen it before, but Karina showed signs of magic today."

"I've seen it before," I said, "and it's part of the reason I took the job. I'd her to know about her magical heritage since her father …. since her father can't be here."

"Of course." He nodded. "I'll be here first thing tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," I told him, watching him walk out the door.

The week progressed and I fell into a routine. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge of Muggles and sharing my first hand experience with the students. It seemed that having my experience made if more real for some of the students, like they had a face to put with how Muggles lived. There were several students, however, I got the feeling that they weren't crazy about being in my class or that Hogwarts was now making students take at least Muggle Studies for at least one year.

On Saturday I was glad to get a little more sleep before my daughter woke me so we could have breakfast. Together we walked to the Great Hall to have breakfast.

After breakfast I took Karina outside to enjoy the sunny day (perhaps one of the last sunny days before it became cold) to help her burn off some energy. We held hands as we walked towards the pond where we found ducks that entertained Karina for some time. At lunch time, we walked back towards the castle for lunch but before we got to the Great Hall, but Karina came up with an idea about eating somewhere else.

"Can we have lunch with Sev-us?" she asked looking up at me with big eyes.

"I don't know, sweetheart," I said, hesitating.

"Please, Mummy," she said, tugging at the sleeve of my robe. "He's my friend and I want to have lunch with him."

"I guess we can ask," I said, sighing knowing that she wouldn't let up.

As we walked I thought about how quickly Karina seemed to be attached to Severus. I hoped that he felt the same and that he wouldn't mind an unexpected visit. We knocked on the door to his rooms when we reached them and I could feel Karina's excitement as we waited for her 'friend'. The door soon opened to reveal Severus wearing, much to my surprise Muggle clothing. I quickly tore my eyes from his lean, muscular body to look up at his face.

"Sev-us," Karina said throwing herself at his legs. "We want to have lunch with you!"

"Do you now?" he said dryly, raising an eyebrow at me.

"It was her idea," I admitted.

"I guess I can't say no to her then," Severus said, ushering us into his rooms.

The living room was decorated with dark colors and had several chairs and a couch all seated looking at the fireplace in the room. Karina and I sat down on the couch while Severus ordered food from a house elf before sitting in a chair next to the couch. Much to my surprise Karina slid off of the couch the moment Severus sat and got up on his lap. Lunch came quickly and Karina continued to sit on Severus' lap and talk up a storm as usual.

"Sev-us?" Karina asked, her eyebrows knotted together after we finished our meal.

"Yes," he said quietly looking at her.

"Where did you get that," she said her hand touching his neck where there were two puncture wounds.

I felt my face flush as I feared his reaction. I had heard about the attack that Severus had during the final battle and that nearly killed him.

"Karina, that isn't an appropriate question to ask," I said trying to quiet my daughter.

"No it's okay," Severus said. "I don't mind. I got bit by a snake a few years ago and got sick."

"Oh, no, Sev-us," she said, looking up at him with her big eyes before whispering. "Does it still hurt?"

"Sometimes," he admitted.

She then leaned up and kissed his throat.

"It's all better now," she said.

"Thank you," he said.

After that Karina talked up a storm again about normal child things before she fell asleep. Severus took her into the spare room with a bed in it where she could sleep. I stood up near the fireplace until he came back.

"I'm sorry about her asking you that," I said as he came to stand beside me.

"It's no problem," he said. "She … she doesn't bother me like others do."

"I've noticed that," I said honestly. "She is quite fond of you, Severus."

"She is the one person that doesn't judge me for my past," he said.

"I'm sorry if I ever came off as being judgmental," I said, thinking about our first meeting and fears I had about him watching my daughter.

"It's no problem," he said, looking into my eyes. "You trust me now, which is more than I can say for most."

I looked into his dark eyes getting lost in them before sitting into one of the chairs while Severus sat across from me.

"Are classes going well?" he asked me as if he wanted to start conversation.

"They are yes," I said. "I enjoy teaching them. It seems students like learning about Muggles from someone who has actual firsthand experience being one."

"Are any of the students giving you trouble," he asked me.

"No," I said, "but I'm sure some of them could."

"They could," he said in agreement. "Be careful."

"I will," I said, smiling at him. "I'm sure it will not be as bad as it was during the war though."

"That maybe true," he said. "That may be true."

For the next hour we talked about little things as we got to know each other. We both loved to read, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out he'd read many of my favorites.

"I'll have to lend you some," I said eagerly, leaning forward. "I'm sure you'll enjoy 'Pride and Prejudice'."

"I'm sure I will." He took a sip of tea. "Have you read any Wizarding books?"

"I can't say I have," I admitted. "My late husband wasn't much of a reader, so he didn't introduce any to me."

"Follow me." Severus stood, and copied him, walking faster to keep up with his long strides.

In another spare room, he had three walls lined with bookshelves filled with books.

"Oh, you have so many books," I said walking over to read the titles on the opposite walls.

"You're welcome to check them out anytime," Severus said, stepping up to me, and pulled a book off the shelf. "I believe Karina would enjoy this one."

The title read 'Beadle the Bard'.

"Thank you, Severus." I smiled up at him.

"You're welcome." He gave me a small smile back.

I looked for twenty minutes, finding a few books. I put them near Severus' door so I'd remember to bring them. I picked up one, and curled up in a seat to read, immersing myself in the story.

After an hour of reading, Karina came out her hair tousled with sleep. As much as I loved spending time with my daughter, I enjoyed talking with Severus. I often didn't get to spend time with other adults talking since I had my daughter and Alex had passed. Severus was an interesting man. There was something about him that fascinated me. I sighed knowing we had to get back to our rooms especially since I had some grading and planning to do.

"We had better get back to our rooms, sweetie," I said scooping her up in my arms.

"Okay, Mummy," she said, laying her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you for lunch, Severus," I said.

"No problem," he said, looking into my eyes and holding me there.

"I'll see you on Monday?" I asked, breaking eye contact after a couple of moments.

"Yes," he said as he walked us to the door.

As I walked back to our rooms I thought of how much I didn't know about Severus and how much I wanted to get to know the man now. I hadn't wanted to get to know a man since I'd met Alex, and I didn't know how to feel about it either.

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