Aella woke from yet another nightmare, this time though Severus wasn't around to help calm her. He was doing his rounds throughout the castle. She gripped her elbows when she noticed something warm drip down her arm. Somehow she had managed to scratch herself in her sleep. Aella groaned before waving her hand over her arm and healing herself. She got up grabbing her forest green dressing gown with silver snakes and roses embroidered on it. As she left the bedroom she swung it around her shoulders slipping it on.
As she made her way through the castle she tried to think of where Severus might be when it hit her, when he finished his rounds he always went to the Astronomy Tower for a smoke. She raced there, once at the top she stopped to catch her breath.
"Parvulus, what is wrong?" Came the deep baritone voice of the man she had been searching for. She rushed to his side clutching to the back of his frock coat trembling. He noticed the hastily healed scratches on her arms
"You had another nightmare didn't you, little one?" He whispered in her ear. All she could do was nod, words escaped her. He sighed, flicking the end of his cigarette off the Tower's edge. "Come, let's get you back to bed. We have a big day tomorrow." He half carried her until she almost collapsed when he scooped her up in his arms bridal style and was just passing the Great Hall when a voice came from behind him.
"Severus, I needed…" Minerva stopped mid-sentence as Severus turned around, a frightened Aelladora gripping the front of his robes tightly whimpering softly. "What's wrong with her?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
"If you must know, the poor girl suffers nightmares. I, unfortunately, was on my rounds tonight when she had one. Aella came to find me, it's odd, to be honest Minerva. I've never had someone look up to me, or even trust me enough to want to be near me. It's refreshing to have someone who's not terrified of me." The whole time his gaze never left the trembling woman in his arms a softness in his eyes Minerva had never seen before.
"I will let you get her back to bed, good luck Severus." Minerva walked away smiling to herself, maybe the woman was good for him to hell with Albus and his meddling. Minerva had never seen him care for someone the way he does for Aelladora. At least not since Lily Evans. They had truly formed a close friendship in the last four months of her being here. Just as Minerva was turning the corner she stopped and listened to the conversation the two young adults were having.
"Sev, when will these stop?" Aella whimpered burying her head into his chest taking in the calming scent that was his.
"In time my dear, we will get you through this." He pressed his lips to hers giving her a soft kiss. "I promise I will get you through this." He whispered before continuing to his chambers and laying her on his bed where he knew his scent would keep her calm. He smiled at the sight of her curling up around one of his pillows. He took his billowing cloak and laid it on top of her tucking in the sides around her, chuckling when her small hand snatched it out of his hands and buried her face in his cloak. "Sweet dreams Amica mea*."
He had to go check on her Christmas present he had been keeping in his office. Severus was nervous to leave her alone again, in case she had another. 'Think Severus, who do you trust that could watch her?' He smiled and threw floo powder in the fireplace. A few seconds later Minerva's face showed in the green flames.
"Minerva, I hate to ask this of you but would you be willing to come through?" He asked her, slight color tinting his cheeks.
"Of course, Severus give me a moment." She smiled. It had been a long time since he looked so sheepishly at her.
A few minutes later Minerva stepped through the flames. "Now, what seems to be the trouble?"
Severus looked down at his feet not used to asking for help but he was afraid for Aella's safety which was a new feeling all of its own. Minerva could see the inner conflict he was having.
"Severus, what's wrong?" Minerva placed a hand on his shoulder getting him to look back up at her.
"Aella is sleeping on my bed, my scent calms the little witch." He smiled at the thought. "I got something for her for Christmas and I have to go check on it to make sure it's warm and fed. I just need someone to stay with her in case she wakes from another nightmare. Also, Albus has been known to drop in uninvited and make veiled threats or accusations towards her." He was scared for the witch and had only just recently admitted to himself he was undeniably in love with the witch.
Minerva smiled knowing the young man didn't wear his heart on his sleeve but there was something about this girl that had his heart wrapped around her finger and she didn't even realize it yet. "Go check on her gift. I will make tea, when you return we can talk more."
Severus looked at her with so much gratitude it almost made her cry. He swept out of the room to his office, she looked puzzled as he didn't have his billowing frock cape with him.
Minerva went to check on the young girl in his bed. A smile lit up her face when she saw where the billowing cape was, he had wrapped it around her tucking her in. Aella curled her fingers around the cloak bringing it to her nose and shivering in her sleep, whispering a single word. "Onyx" Minerva looked confused as she had heard the name in passing between Severus and Albus. Shaking her head she went to the small kitchenette and began to make some tea.
Severus had made it to his office looking at the tiny black dragon snake he had gotten Aella for Christmas hoping that if he wasn't beside her this companion could bring her some calm she so desperately needed. He had also arranged it with Azkaban for her to be able to spend time with her mother.
He walked over to the snake opening its enclosure. "Hey, little one, how are you today?" He smiled thinking about that wonderful night when Aella let slip that if she ever got a companion she wanted a Dragon snake. When he asked her why she said it was the closest to a dragon she would ever own and the color reminded her of his eyes and hair.
"How about we get you fed?" As he said this the snake curled around his wrist laying its head between his thumb and pointer finger. He chuckled at how docile the snake was; it would be perfect for Aella.
He heard a knock on his office door as he was about to sit down. He let out a growl and marched over to the door swinging it open to reveal Albus Dumbledore. Severus glared at the old man.
"What do you want?" He growled while still petting the snake around his wrist which was now hissing at the man. He raised an eyebrow that maybe the snake would be more than just a companion for Aella.
"I was curious as to why you weren't on your rounds…" Albus looked at the hissing snake around Severus' wrist.
"If you must know, I finished my rounds thirty minutes ago. I was checking on a Christmas present I bought my apprentice to help her anxiety." Severus brought the hissing snake to his chest to help calm it. Surprisingly it worked. The snake rubbed its head against his robes and calmed down. "Well that's interesting," he whispered.
"I was just making sure she wasn't distracting you from your duty to the school and to me," Albus said in a slightly menacing way.
"Leave the woman out of it Albus. Is it because I'm finally finding peace? Is that it? Is it because Lily Potter no longer traps me? What do you want?" Severus stepped forward. "Did you really think a ghost of someone I thought I was in love with, in my youth was going to trap me forever?"
Albus looked shocked he hadn't expected Severus to move on, it wasn't in his plan. 'This girl is messing everything up she has to go' Albus thought to himself.
"You lay one hand on her, cause any harm to befall on her and mark my words Albus you will be finding a new potions professor and spy!" Severus snarled at him. Albus turned around and started to walk out the door.
"You've grown fond of the girl I see." He said before closing the door. Severus went wide-eyed before quickly apologizing to the snake, placing it back in its enclosure, placing a few baby mice in the cage.
"Eat up little one your mistress will be holding you tomorrow." Severus flicked his hand and the candles went out. He rushed down the hall to his chambers seeing the door open. He gasped and ran in to see Minerva was guarding his door against Albus. Severus saw red and shifted to his wolf form snarling fur bristling. He charged the old man getting in between him and the two of the women he cared most for.
He was nose to nose with Albus. 'GET OUT NOW!' His lips curled up around his fangs. He was done. This woman had captured his cold heart and he wouldn't let anyone hurt her. He stepped towards Albus, 'GET. OUT!' He could hear shuffling in the bedroom and whimpering. He growled at Albus before rushing past Minerva who looked wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before her.
His wolf knew something he didn't know about the girl. He jumped up onto the bed curling defensively around the young woman. Aella gripped his fur, the whimpering calming down.
"Onyx, is that you?" she whispered as she awoke to the commotion happening. She was greeted by the black wolf she had seen in the forest and had come to love. She took his muzzle in her hands. "It is really you, what are you doing here love?" she whispered, hugging the wolf to her.
Albus and Minerva watched, shocked that Severus was letting his wolf be touched so intimately, let alone being calmed by her touch. Aella felt fur give way to black robes and arms wrap around her.
"Sweet Aiyanna, we meet at last. Amica mea." He whispered in her ear for only her to hear. She gasped looking up, before reaching a hand to his cheek.
"Severus?!" Aella was startled by Albus' voice as she turned to see him and Minerva standing there. Minerva had a smile on her face whereas Albus had a dark fury around him. She shifted closer to Severus.
"Make him leave, please?" She pleaded with silver eyes full of fear. Severus growled as he got up, laying the young woman back down under his cloak.
"I told you to leave Albus. Now go! Minerva, you're more than welcome to stay if you wish but he leaves." Severus' expression softened towards Minerva as he spoke.
"No need, Severus, I will escort our dear Headmaster out so you two can discuss things." Minerva had a feeling they had only let their wolves meet but the human counterparts had no idea until now. Severus nodded before sweeping back protectively over the woman in his bed.
"Sev?" Aella whimpered, raising her hands to his chest. He wrapped her in his arms as he sat on the bed, holding her tight to him.
"I thought I was about to lose you. Merlin, I was so scared. I've never felt like this, at least not for a very long time." He whispered in her black curls. "I'm glad I followed my instincts and had Minerva in here watching over you as you slept."
She lifted her head up leaning her forehead against his smiling face and looked into his eyes. "I guess the secrets are out huh?"
He quickly wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer before moving her hair away from his mark. Dipping his head he licked it slowly, chuckling at the soft moan that escaped her lips. "Mine," his deep voice rumbling softly in her ear.
"Yours, love" She mewled, regaining some sense she raised her hands to his cheeks staring into his beautiful obsidian eyes, "Took us long enough to figure it out huh?" She whispered.
"Too long my dear, too long." He murmured softly back before capturing her lips in a soft kiss pouring all his feelings towards her into it while laying her back on the bed. Aella moaned, wrapping her slender fingers through his soft inky black hair.
He released her lips when they couldn't breathe slowly, trailing kisses down her neck to his mark, a small tribal wolf howling. He smiled before nipping at it, chuckling when her body arched up into his. "Not tonight, little one. Soon but not tonight." He whispered huskily into her ear knowing what she wanted.
He flipped them so he was laying on his back with her curled up on his chest. Trailing soft touches up and down her back as he sang her to sleep with his deep baritone voice. He smiled as he looked down, he was content, happy even. She chose him and wanted to be with him. He would protect her with his life if that's what it took. The thoughts swirling in his head as he succumbed to the most peaceful sleep either of them had gotten in a while.
The next morning he woke up first silently sliding out of bed walking around in his black joggers. He went to make them coffee as he was going to have to tell her about the trip they were making today. He smiled when he noticed Minerva had brought the snake's enclosure and wrapped it carefully, setting up a small tree and decorating it with green and silver. He also noticed a small box in the shape of a necklace. He smiled realizing what the woman had done.
Aella whimpered as she woke up to an empty bed. Getting up she walked out to the living room gasping at the sight of the tree and the presents. "Severus?" She whispered, pulling his frock closer around herself.
He smiled and placed a cup of coffee in her hands just how she liked it with just a splash of cream. "Happy Yule, my sweet Aiyana, Amica mea" He placed a kiss on her cheek smiling at the gasp that escaped her lips.
"Last night wasn't a wonderful dream?" She turned in his arms, placing one hand on his cheek and the other holding her coffee. He shook his head smiling down at her.
"No, it wasn't a dream, little one." He tilted her chin up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Definitely not a dream Aiyana" She smiled and kissed him back.
"Good, because I would have cried if it had been." She turned around looking at the gifts, he chuckled as her eyes sparkled at the big one.
"Let's open them, then I have a special treat for you." He whispered, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. She smiled up at him. He sat her down on the couch, before carrying the large present over to her smirking knowing she was going to love it. "Open this one first." He sat next to her as she started unwrapping the terrarium that held her new familiar.
She looked down at the little dragon snake who had slithered up the side to see her. "Severus?" Her voice became emotional as he leaned closer to help her shaking hands undo the top so the snake could climb up onto her wrist. He brought her hand closer to her chest and the little snake gave her chin a tongue flick before rubbing its head against her chin.
"You asked for only two things for Yule, and I'm not one to say I'll do something and then not do it. So, I found this little fella at the magical menagerie. The owner said no one wanted him because no one knows how large they get. As Dragon snakes don't do well in captivity, she reassured me this guy here is about nine months old and prefers to sleep next to someone as opposed to his terrarium. I thought it would be perfect in case you awaken from a nightmare and I'm not here, he will be." He spoke softly in her ear holding both her and the little snake close to him.
"He's beautiful Sev," She smiled down at the little snake giving her tongue flicks and nuzzles. "I shall name him Ásjá*."
"Another Norse name like our ravens, what does our newest pet child's name mean?" He asked softly as if on cue Vísindi and Gørsimi cawed together from their perch.
"Exactly the reason you got him for my love. His name means protection in Norse*." She smiled up at him, leaning her head back against his bare chest.
"There are more gifts to open my dear." He whispered, getting her attention. He chuckled before summoning the small box to him and handing it to her. He took Ásjá from her hands so she could open it. It had taken him a long time to find the photo but he hoped she loved it.
"Sev?" She looked confused as she opened the small box and gasped in shock.
Inside lay a golden circular locket with an emerald green background. Raised in gold detail were flower petal details; the middle flower petals each had three little Garnets in the corners.
He chuckled softly. "Open it dear." He whispered softly in her ear, smirking at her body's reaction.
She slowly opened the locket and what she saw made tears form in her silver eyes. Inside were two moving pictures one was just after she was born her mother smiling down at her. The second was at her thirteenth birthday before her world crumbled the same proud smile on her mothers face while she hugged her. She held the locket close to her chest crying softly, she spun around in his arms wrapping her arms around his neck burying her fingers into his hair she pressed her lips to his. "Thank you. Thank you so much." She whispered.
He sat shocked for a second before wrapping the hand not holding Ásjá around her waist holding her close while she cried softly. "You're most welcome, Amica mea. Though I have one last surprise for you that requires you to get dressed." He smirked at the confused look on her face. "I'm not saying where but it's been in the works for awhile. I will get our newest little one set up as I don't think where we are going is going to be good for him." As he spoke he took the locket and fastened it around her neck humming softly in her ear in hopes of calming her slightly.
Aella wiped her eyes and gave him one last kiss on the cheek before going to her room and grabbing a change of clothes, nothing fancy. It was the same outfit she had shown up at Hogwarts with five months ago. Throwing her Denim jacket over the black crop top she let out an irritated sigh when she looked at her hair. She walked out of the bathroom to see Severus putting Ásjá in his terrarium.
"Sev, do you think you can do something with this?" She gestured irritatingly to her mess of black curls. He nodded, gesturing for her to sit in front of her vanity. In no time he had her hair tamed and braided up into a rose bun.
"We ready my dear?" He asked, she took a deep breath putting all her trust in him at that moment and nodded. Severus took her hand and together they walked out of the castle hand in hand.
It took an apparition and a portkey to get where Severus had planned to take her. Aella looked up and gasped at the sight of all the dementors. She looked further and saw Azkaban in the distance. She turned to Severus, tears starting to form.
"When? How? Oh Sev, thank you!" She threw her arms around him crying softly tears of joy. Severus smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I started getting this set up back in September when you first mentioned missing her and asked what she was like. How, well that was a bit trickier but I just got the letter last week approving the visit for three hours because you haven't seen her since you were thirteen. I really wanted to make sure I was able to make this happen for you today." He explained quietly to her.
"Thank you so much my love." She beamed up at him as they wrapped a hand around her stomach.
"Aella, remember when I said I would love and protect all three of you?" He asked softly reaching under her chin lifting her beautifully flushed face up to his. She nodded remembering that day very clearly. "I don't remember the last time I was as happy as you make me. When I could let my guard down completely and let someone see my emotions and not have to wonder if they would use it against me. I honestly can not recall the last time someone willingly touched me as you do. Amica mea I love you with all my heart and soul." Aella's tears started streaming down her face again as she met his obsidian eyes with wet silver ones.
"I love you too, Severus. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together." She whispered.
"How about we go see your mother for the first time in years, love?" He suggested, she nodded and they made their way into the visitor's station.
After about thirty minutes they were escorted to a chamber whereupon entering Aella gasped at the sight of her mother.
"Mama?" Aella's voice cracked slightly at the sight of her mother. Bellatrix's once beautiful black curls were now matted, her high cheekbones sunken in and her nails looked like claws. Aella rushed to her mother's side, hugging her tightly.
"A-aella? W-what are you doing here?" Bella stuttered her voice cracking from obvious unuse.
"Severus arranged it for me to be able to visit you today. Happy Yule mama I brought you something." Severus raised an eyebrow at her words as she didn't know about this meeting, to begin with before realizing what she had done with the necklace he had gotten made for her.
Aella had used a duplication spell on the locket to make her mother an exact copy and had quickly wrapped it after Severus told her where they were going. She pulled the carefully wrapped gift out of her cloak and handed it to Bellatrix.
"My sweet filia* you didn't have to," Bella whispered, taking the package with shaking hands. She carefully unwrapped it while Aella produced a brush out of thin air and began brushing her mother's matted curls. "Filia, what is this?" Bella's voice cracked with emotions.
"It's a locket mama, open it," Aella whispered, still trying to get the mats out gently.
Bella opened the locket and gasped looking at Severus shocked. "When did you do this?"
Severus smiled genuinely which caught Bella off guard, "I had that custom made for your daughter as a Yule present. I didn't realize she had duplicated it while getting ready after I told her we were coming here to see you. How did you know it was me that made it anyway?" Bella smirked looking between him and her daughter.
"You were the only one I allowed in the delivery room when I gave birth to her. Who else would have this specific picture, Severus? Besides, is there something you two would like to tell me?" She smirked as both of them went beet red.
Severus cleared his throat and tugged at the white dress shirt he had on, "Bella, I love your daughter. Over the last four years, we formed a close friendship. After she graduated, both interested in potions, she decided to travel the world and learn different techniques. I accepted her application as my apprentice this year. Over the last four months that friendship blossomed into loving her. I love her smile, the way she lights up the room when she walks in. She is the light in my darkness. Aelladora is probably the only intellectual witch in this world who could hold an argument with me over ingredients and techniques to help those hit with a cruciatus curse in front of Albus Dumbledore and not care. That is why I love her, she challenges me and even at my worst she doesn't back down or give in, she bites back." Severus looked up from Bella into Aella's eyes. She had tears streaming down her cheeks but a smile on her face. He got up and walked around Bella to Aella cupping her cheeks drying the tears whispering "Parvulus es amatur, I will tell you that till the day I die." He pressed his lips to hers in a soft and loving kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I assume Lucius already knows Severus?" Bella asked, grinning so happy for her baby girl, all grown up.
"Yes, he was the one that actually pointed it out and almost smacked me over the head. He had tried matching her but I guess Aella here told him off in a way that gave herself away more than she knew." Severus wrapped his arms around Aella's waist, "Parvulus, did you really tell your father, oh what was it, ahh and I quote. 'That not one of these dunderheaded fools, would ever match you intellectually. If you couldn't have a partner that challenged you every day intellectually, one that wouldn't make you a housewife. Oh, what was the other word… a broodmare, You would rather die single.' I knew exactly who you were thinking of when he told me that. Now, what I'm curious to know is was that conversation after you came back from traveling or is it why you left?"
Aella blushed, "It was… why I left." Aella turned around not ready to admit she had loved him a lot longer than in the last four months or that she ran away from home to be free for a while.
Severus raised an eyebrow at her actions, there was something she wasn't saying. He went to open his mouth but Bellatrix sensing her daughter's emotions beat him to it.
"Filia, is there something you need to explain?" Bella smirked, feeling there was more to her daughter's answer.
"I don't know where to begin." Aella sighed as she finished brushing her mother's hair. She moved over to the only window in the room.
"I find at the beginning helpful, love," Severus spoke softly to her.
Aella blushed while looking out the window wondering what he would think of her once he knew how long she harbored feelings for him. "Papa wanted to find me a match right after graduation. All I wanted was to look into a career in potions, I knew I wanted to travel. So when he kept pushing I got upset and told him exactly what he told Severus." Aella took a breath and continued
"I don't want to be a simple housewife, yeah I've dreamed of children but I want a career something I know could support that dream. Unfortunately most of the matches he came up with all told me during the first meeting the same. I would be seen not heard, I was to be the perfect housewife and it didn't matter what I wanted there would be no career only children to take care of like a good little pureblood witch should do. I couldn't handle it." She wiped a tear that had traveled down her cheek. She turned and looked towards Severus.
"I told him I was going to travel for a while and find myself, he didn't like it but there wasn't much he could do as I was an adult. So when I traveled I was grateful for the raven you gave me. The friendship we built over the last four years meant everything to me." Aella looked to the ground, blushing slightly.
"You fought Lucius hard because your heart already belonged to Severus, you just didn't know it my dear Aella. Am I wrong?" Bella smiled knowingly at her daughter.
"That's just it mama I think I did know it and I wasn't sure what to do so I ran away from my problems. I just needed to find myself. I wanted to grow up before marriage or a long-term relationship. Was I wrong, probably I broke many hearts along the way every guy I was with wanted more than I could give. My heart was spoken for when I returned and you accepted my apprenticeship I was trying to hide my feelings unless you made the first move. Then I met your wolf and realized your scent is my Amortentia." Aella was bright red by the end of her speech.
Severus walked over to Aella. He reached out to cup her chin bringing her eyes up to meet his. "I had a feeling in your letters there was more to your traveling. I don't mind when your feelings start. What matters is that we feel the same about each other." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. Aella placed her hands on his chest pulling him closer.
Bellatrix grinned knowing her little girl was in good hands with the potions professor, she cleared her throat gaining their attention.
"I love that my baby girl has found someone who values her for herself, but how about we spend some time catching up? I've missed so much of her life." She smiled when the two adults turned towards her both flushed in the face.
For the next two hours, they did just that. Aella was so happy she got to see her mother after so long she sat at her feet and laid her head on Bella's knee. Severus smiled and he was ecstatic that Aelladora was so happy to spend time with her mom. They even told her about the pregnancy and that they were expecting twins but they hadn't found out the genders yet.
When the guards came to take Bellatrix back to her cell Aella clung to her mother crying.
"My little filia, don't cry, I will see you again soon. Severus will set it up again okay?" Bella stroked her daughter's back trying to hold in her own tears. She locked eyes with Severus and he nodded.
"Come on love you have to let go. I will do everything in my power to get another visit set up. We have to go see your father for dinner." Severus whispered in her ear, rubbing his hands up and down her arms as she let go of her mother.
"I love you, mama, I'll see you again I promise," Aelladora whispered as she buried her head into Severus' chest trying to hold back her tears. Bellatrix kissed the top of Aella's head.
"Take care of her Severus, and I apologize for doubting your allegiance." She spoke softly before turning around allowing the guards to put handcuffs on her wrists and take her back to her cell.
Aella broke down after her mother was out of her sight, all he could do was hold her and wait for her to calm down.
"We will see her again paulo amores* I will do everything in my power to make it happen." Severus expressed softly in her ear.
Aella nodded, "Let's go see papa and auntie Cissa." She wiped her tears away trying to look strong. Severus knew she needed to see her mother but now he wondered what set back this had caused in her progress of healing.
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Aella was in her bedroom at the Manor getting ready for dinner. She had a white dress that had a corset with blue roses, long see-through flowing sleeves the dress itself stopped mid-thigh. She felt almost like a fairy.
Narcissa knocked on her niece's door to see if she needed help getting ready for dinner. A frantic yelp could be heard from the other side of the door. She opened the door to see her niece struggling to tie the back of the corset. Narcissa chuckled, "Would you like some help dear?"
Aella turned her head to see her aunt and nodded, "I can't get it tight enough to stay up!" she let out the frustrated sigh she had been holding trying to struggle to get the damn thing tied.
Narcissa let out a soft laugh, "These aren't typically worn when someone is four months pregnant but we might be able to make it work since your bump isn't showing too much. Usually, these things take two people to tie little dove. May I ask why this dress? I thought you didn't like it and that's why you never wore it."
"It wasn't that I didn't like it aunty it's that I never had someone to wear it for," Aella whispered her cheeks glowing crimson.
"Well let's get you dolled up for Severus now shall we?" Narcissa smiled as she tied the corset and did Aella's hair and makeup.
Severus was having a firewhiskey with Lucius listening to him whine about Draco being outdone by a muggle-born in grades. He watched Narcissa breeze down the stairs and appear next to Lucius.
"Gentlemen, we have a young lady to welcome." She nodded towards the top of the staircase and Severus' jaw dropped.
Aella was nervous to come down the stairs. She watched her aunt breeze down them but didn't think she would look as elegant as her aunt Cissa. She took a deep breath and took it slowly one step at a time. She caught Severus' stunned expression and realised she was standing in the middle of the staircase. She took a deep breath, relaxed and slowly started to descend the stairs with a smile on her face keeping Severus' gaze. Narcissa nudged Lucius and nodded to Severus's expression, they both smirked knowing the young man was besotted with Aelladora and vice versa.
Severus walked over to the bottom of the stairs meeting Aella and held out his arm. Smiling, she wrapped her small hand in the crook of his elbow. Leaning over he whispered, "You look absolutely stunning paulo amores." He grinned at the cute blush that spread across her slightly freckled cheeks.
"Dinner will be in an hour. Lucius and I are going to the library. Would you two care to join us?" Narcissa asked with a smile.
"I was actually going to show Severus the grand piano papa bought for me. I believe my guitar was brought here with my overnight bag, correct?" Aella looked up at Severus as he nodded. "Then we will be in my music room." She steered him away from her grinning father and aunt.
"Is it just me or did they bet on us?" Severus whispered once they were out of ear shot.
"They did, I assume they are betting on Draco getting over himself and admitting he likes that muggleborn witch Granger too. I wouldn't put it past them, they've been scheming about my love life ever since I returned and refused to see or talk to any of the prospective husbands they tried." Aella turned her head and muttered, "They weren't you."
Severus stopped, turning to her he cupped her cheeks in his soft hands "My sweet parvulus, I'm so glad you wrote to me and let me get to know the real you. You laid yourself bare to me when you trusted men very little. You have put all your trust in me and I will cherish that until the day I pass on from this world. I'm not going anywhere but by your side. I love you, and I know you have a hard time trusting but you can trust me when I say this." He pressed his lips to hers in a loving, tender kiss. Aella melted into his arms feeling safe completely for the first time. They pulled away, smiling as she pulled him towards her music room.
"This is it, are you sure you know how to play the piano?" She smirked as she grabbed her guitar strumming a few strings before nodding in satisfaction.
"Yes dear, I can play the piano, what song?" He chuckled as he sat down gently tapping a few keys.
"Say you won't let go." She grinned. He smiled and turned to start the first few notes listening to her hum before her voice started singing accompanied by her guitar.
"I met you in the dark, you lit me up / You made me feel as though I was enough / We danced the night away, we drank too much / I held your hair back when / You were throwing up" She took a breath looking at him to continue. Neither realised that Lucius and Narcissa had followed them and were standing outside the open door grinning at the pair.
"Then you smiled over your shoulder / For a minute, I was stone-cold sober / I pulled you closer to my chest / And you asked me to stay over / I said, I already told ya / I think that you should get some rest" His deep baritone voice made her melt slightly as they looked at each other she had pulled a chair up next to him their notes on the two different instruments intertwining like their voices as they sang together.
"I knew I loved you then / But you'd never know / 'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go / I know I needed you / But I never showed / But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old / Just say you won't let go / Just say you won't let go" They were in a trance as he started up again.
"I'll wake you up with some breakfast in bed /I'll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head / And I'll take the kids to school / Wave them goodbye / And I'll thank my lucky stars for that night / When you looked over your shoulder / For a minute, I forget that I'm older / I wanna dance with you right now / Oh, and you look as beautiful as ever / And I swear that everyday you'll get better / You make me feel this way somehow" He kissed her forehead without missing any keys as their voices intertwined again.
"I'm so in love with you / And I hope you know / Darling, your love is more than worth its weight in gold / We've come so far, my dear / Look how we've grown / And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old / Just say you won't let go / Just say you won't let go" Aella dropped her voice to barely a whisper but he still heard her. Long slender fingers running over the keys of the piano.
"I wanna live with you / Even when we're ghosts / 'Cause you were always there for me when I needed you most / I'm gonna love you 'til / My lungs give out / I promise 'til death we part like in our vows / So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows'' Silver met obsidian their voices blending together like they were made for each other. Narcissa had tears in her eyes and Lucius was looking at his daughter proud she felt safe enough to share this safe space with someone other than himself.
"That it's just you and me 'til we're grey and old / Just say you won't let go / Just say you won't let go / Just say you won't let go / Oh, just say you won't let go" The pair was breathless by the end lost in each others eyes. She reached over brushing his onyx hair out of his face. His hand came up and cupped hers pressing his cheek into the warmth she provided.
"Till we're grey and old huh, I love the sound of that paulo amores." He whispered, afraid to break the spell they were trapped in.
"Me too, my love." She whispered back smiling. The sound of clapping broke the spell and they both jumped out of their skin.
"I believe that was an utterly magical performance, little dove but it's time for dinner." Narcissa remarked smiling at the two blushing adults holding hands the pair followed Lucius and Narcissa to the dining room. Dinner was quiet, just occasional small talk. Lucius and Severus excused themselves after it was over. Aella went up to bed the next day they would be returning to Hogwarts and she just wanted to have a peaceful night. She curled up in the bed with a book until Severus came back to her. They talked for a bit before she yawned, signalling it was time for sleep. Severus tucked her into his chest holding her firmly so she didn't have any nightmares.
Once she was asleep he whispered, "Forever and always will never be long enough my dear." He followed her in a dreamless sleep.
Translations:
Ásjá: (f Norse raven names *same with Vísindi and Gørsimi*) Old norse for Protection
Filia: Latin for Daughter; child
Paulo amores: Latin for Little love