AN: I apologize so much for the long wait on this chapter I had quite a few things pop up in real life that made it difficult to write between February and now. Without further adieu, I present Chapter Eight and hope you enjoy it.
Songs used: We Danced Anyway Deanna Carter (1996)
The day after Yule found Severus and Aella lying on her bed looking over baby names. Past Black names like how Aella's name came about, past Prince and Malfoy names.
"I can't figure it out. Nothing feels right, Severus," Aella growled, annoyed that they were four months in and had no idea what the babies were gender-wise because Poppy wouldn't tell them. She said it would be revealed on her birthday, and they had no names figured out.
Severus chuckled, kissing her forehead before moving, so he was just above her stomach. "You two got mommy all in a twist. We can't wait to meet you, little ones." He rubbed her belly while talking and kissed it. Aella ran a hand through his hair, smiling softly at him.
A silver Phoenix swept through her window and hovered over the two. They groaned in exasperation as they heard Albus Dumbledore's voice from the bird.
"Severus, I hate to interrupt you and your apprentice's holiday, but there was a situation at school, and we could use your advice." After the message was given, the bird disappeared.
"Well, I guess we should let papa and aunty know we won't be having breakfast here." Aella sighed in frustration about their vacation being ruined.
"We better get going. I guarantee it is part of the dunderheaded trio of his." Severus growled. Aella giggled, kissing his cheek before rolling out of bed and throwing a robe on before proceeding to find her father and aunt.
Before leaving, they talked with her father and aunt. "We are having a gender reveal on my birthday; although we don't have a choice, Poppy and Minnie won't tell us what the twins are, so it's been hard coming up with names," Aella explained sadly.
"Little pup, whatever you and Severus come up with when it feels right, go with it. Don't get bogged down by family names." Lucius hugged his daughter, kissing her forehead. "We will be there for your birthday, and you just focus on feeling better." He added before sending them through the floo.
Albus was waiting for them in their quarters. Severus entered first; he growled at the older man's presence before helping Aella out of the floo. She stepped behind Severus; she discreetly placed a glamour back over her stomach using her nonverbal, wandless magic.
"What are you doing here, Albus?" Severus growled, keeping Aella behind him.
"There was a situation in the hospital wing, and I needed you. So I came here to wait for you to get back." Albus had a look in his eye Aella hadn't seen since her sixth year when she gasped, reaching for Severus' hand and gripping it tightly.
"We will be there in a minute. You can leave now, Albus." Severus clipped back sharply, squeezing her hand in reassurance. Albus nodded and left.
"We really have to change the password to Fenrir's portrait, Severus. I don't like that he can come and go as he pleases. What if when the twins arrive, he just pops in unannounced?" Aella's voice shook with fear.
He took her face in his hands, rubbing circles on her cheeks, "I will change the password. It unnerves me as well what could happen to the three of you while I'm gone. Now let us go see what the old fool wants so we can get back to relaxing; I have a surprise for you today anyway." He winked at her as he headed out of the portrait. They changed the password with Fenrir before heading off to the hospital wing. As they walked in, Poppy rushed to their side.
"What are you doing here," She looked around making sure no one could hear her. "She should be resting!" Severus just raised an eyebrow at her as if to say 'I know we were trying to.' Poppy just sighed. "Well once this is all taken care of I'd like to do a scan on you dear make sure everything is fine." Aella nodded in agreement looking up at Severus who still had a hand around her waist.
"Come by our chambers later Poppy, I need to see what was so important it couldn't wait until the break was over. Albus is damn lucky we hadn't left Malfoy Manor yet." He growled wanting to just get this over with and bring Aella to meet his mother.
Poppy smirked and pointed to the bed furthest down with a curtain wrapped around it, "Go check it out I'm sure you will at least get a chuckle before you realize why the student is like they are. Meanwhile, I'm taking this young lady back to your chambers and off her feet."
Severus tightened his grip protectively on Aella's waist. Aella placed a hand on his chest to calm him down.
"Sev we changed the password, I'll be ok poppy can run her scans and then we can leave to enjoy the rest of our break in peace." She threw a glare at Albus, before returning her soft silver gaze back to him. "Go find out why he called us away from breakfast." She cupped his cheek with her hand while kissing his other cheek. Severus closed his eyes, relaxing to her touch never noticing that the person he was there to see had visitors who saw him. He placed a hand over hers smiling down at her.
"Make sure you get some rest, little witch." He chuckled at her pout, before kissing her forehead and making his way over to the last bed disappearing behind the curtains.
Aella sighed but allowed Poppy to guide her out and walk with her back to their chambers. "What was so important it couldn't wait until the break was over?" She spoke her frustration showing in her voice.
"It was actually pretty funny, but I'll let Severus tell you I think he may actually be impressed by the student." Poppy chuckled while getting Aella situated on the bed. "Now you are about seventeen weeks along dear. I am just going to check to make sure everything is developing as it should." Just as Poppy was about to perform her scan a loud slam and swearing could be heard coming from the sitting room.
Aella rolled her eyes nodding to Poppy to go ahead and perform the scan. Poppy chuckled knowing the man would calm down once he saw her resting. After a few moments, the scans showed the twins growing and perfectly healthy. Although Aella was frustrated about having to wait another month to know the genders of the twins, she was very happy that they were developing and healthy.
"Try to take it easy the rest of the break dear. Minerva and I will keep Albus from disturbing the both of you." Poppy gave Aella a kiss on the forehead and left. Aella sighed before pulling her shirt back down over her bump before heading out to the seething man she knew to be standing by the fireplace.
"Sev, what happened?" she spoke softly running fingers through the soft raven-coloured locks that framed his face.
"It would seem that Miss. Granger has not only managed to produce a perfect polyjuice potion but also managed to turn herself into a half-black cat half human-like creature…" Severus broke off chuckling, reaching up and cupping Aella's cheek. "A second-year muggle-born student created a perfect polyjuice potion love. I'm just in a bit of shock."
" A perfect polyjuice potion?!" Aella was shocked. "Severus, that's amazing, imagine what she could do under the right circumstances, with the right teacher?" A huge grin appeared on her face, proud of the little girl. Severus watched her silver eyes shift from shock to pride, he kissed her forehead.
"We will give her extra lessons alongside Draco. Once she's back to normal for now I want you to write up some lesson plans for her homework after we get back from winter break. Now I have a surprise for you, let's get out of here." He beamed down at her with a nearly blinding smile. All she could do was nod her head and let him lead her towards the fireplace.
"Prince Manor!" He shouted, throwing the floo powder into the fire.
As she blinked the soot out of her eyes and looked around she gasped dashing over to the window. The sitting room overlooked the crystal blue waters of the sea below them. She looked back grinning at Severus. "Where are we?" Her silver eyes almost glowed in happiness.
"Prince Manor is located on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea called Malta." Came an older feminine voice at the doorway to where they were. "Severus, I got your letter though I was expecting you hours ago. What delayed you son?"
Aella squeaked and ran over to Severus' side hiding her body behind him and barely peeking out from behind his cloak. He chuckled. "My dear Aelladora, this is Eileen Prince. My lovely mother. As for your question, mother two words Albus Dumbledore." He hissed the name.
Eileen raised a thin silver brow at the young woman hiding behind her son's cloak shaking like a leaf. "My dear, I will not hurt you. You are well protected in this home. Come closer let me get a better look at you little dove." Eileen saw the reactions in Aella and knew exactly how to approach the young woman she could so clearly see her son was madly in love with if his protective stance in front of her said anything.
Aella looked wide-eyed up to Severus and he nodded, smiling warmly at her. "It's ok love, my mother will not hurt you." He ran a hand through her curls and watched as she relaxed into his touch.
"I apologize, Madame Prince," Aella responded so quietly it made Eileen smile softly.
"Eileen will do just fine. Severus, would you be a dear and make some peppermint tea and the item you inquired about is in your room." Eileen spoke softly so as to not startle the already scared young woman. Severus nodded while he led Aella over to a couch and made his way to the kitchen.
Aella sat awkwardly on the couch trying to make herself seem small so as to not attract too much attention. She didn't know this woman and was on the fence about trusting her.
"There's no need to be so tense, my dear, there's nothing here that will hurt you," Eileen softly spoke.
Aella looked up with soft silver eyes. She saw complete understanding reflected back to her in the same onyx color she was so used to seeing every day. She gave Eileen a small smile.
"I'm sorry, everything right now is so stressful with Albus breathing down our necks." She stopped not sure what or how much Severus had told his mother about their relationship or even if he had told her about the twins. Just like that as if her thoughts called him to her Severus appeared with a tray of tea in one hand his other putting something in his pocket.
"Mother, this is Aelladora Black. The apprentice I told you about." He set the tray down grabbing two cups passing one to Eileen and bringing the other to Aella he ran a hand through her hair. "It's okay Darling you can tell her our news." He whispered in her ear reading her expression.
"Well, I'm currently seventeen weeks pregnant with twins." Aella drew strength from Severus being near her and the security he brought.
Eileen's eyes lit up once she heard twins, "This is such a lovely surprise! My darling son not only has a lovely woman, but she's carrying his children?! You should have told me sooner!" She said, excitement filling each word she spoke. She excitedly clapped her hands together before reaching for her teacup.
Aella let a small whimper before scooting closer to Severus surprised by the excitement. She was getting better at trusting people but she had been really shaken up by Albus waiting in their quarters this morning.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm a little overexcited, aren't I?" Eileen asked, watching Aella's reaction to her surprise.
Severus shook his head. "We returned to the castle this morning to find Albus waiting in our chambers and it has left her unnerved, to say the least. We even had to change the password." He then had an idea that might calm her down and relax her. "Mother, do you still have my piano?" Aella perked up at the mention of possibly hearing him sing again.
"Of course, dear follow me I placed it in the ballroom." Eileen raised an eyebrow at Aella's excitement but just smiled and led them to the ballroom. "I can leave if you want,"
Severus shook his head handing Aella a guitar. "No, she will be fine." He grazed her cheek with his long fingertips, It's just you and I, my love.
Aella nodded strumming a few strings before sitting in the chair he had conjured for her facing the piano and losing herself in his gorgeous obsidian colored eyes. Confidence swelled in her as she started strumming the guitar humming so he could pick up the keys on the piano.
"The summer air was heavy and sweet / You and I on a crowded street / There was music everywhere / I can see us there / In a happy little foreign town / Where the stars hung upside down / Far, far away / I remember you were laughing / We were so in love," The carefree smile he loved so much stretched across her face as her pitch got higher and stronger. He knew playing the guitar helped soothe her nerves and if he was honest with himself he loved listening to her sing.
"And the band played / Songs that we had never heard / But we danced anyway / We never understood the words / We just sang oh / La la la la la la la la / And we danced anyway," Aella felt the joy inside her as she continued to strum the guitar her eyes never left his. It was like they were in their own little bubble when they played together.
"Well they say you can't go back / But baby I don't believe that / Come on and dance with me / Well maybe if I hold you close / Baby we could just let go / We'll come back around / You remember we were laughing / So in love / And the band played / Songs that we had never heard / But we danced anyway / We never understood the words / We just sang oh / La la la la la la la la / And we danced anyway" Severus paused on the piano watching Aella close her eyes and relax into the guitar solo. He grinned boyishly at his mother proud of the little witch carrying his children beside him. He knelt down on one knee in front of her knowing she wouldn't open her eyes until she was done.
"You remember we were laughing / We were so in love / We were so in love / And the band played songs that we had never heard / But we danced anyway / Never understood the words / We just sang oh / La la la la la la la la / La la la la oh ohhhhh / Ohhhh ohhhh / And we danced anyway / (Ohh we were dancing ohh) / Ooohhhhhh / We danced anyway / (Ohh we were dancing ohh)"
Aella opened her eyes and gasped gently setting the guitar down tears starting to form in her eyes. He took her left hand in his.
"Aelladora, you have brought me such joy over these last four years first with your friendship, then with your love. Something I never thought I needed until you came along. My sweet little witch, you are everything I never imagined I could ever have." Severus took a deep breath staring up into her misty moonlight colored irises. His right hand reached up and swept the midnight curls out of her face to trail down her cheek, his thumb resting on her cheekbone.
"Anybody can buy flowers, candy, and jewelry, there's no love in that. The truly romantic things in life are those little things you do every day to show you care, and that you're thinking of them. It's going out of your way to make them happy." He lifted her hand up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the palm of her hand.
"The way I hold you close to me when I know you are scared, or how you save the last pumpkin pastry for me. The random sight of Vísindi with a note that says 'I love you', or 'I miss you'. The way I stop to give you a kiss when I'm passing by. It's dedicating your favorite song to you, letting you eat my Honeyduke's chocolates; telling you your beautiful, even when you're running around in my joggers; your hair in a ponytail and no makeup." He reached into his pocket never breaking eye contact with her.
"My dear sweet Aiyanna, It's putting my research aside so you can tell me all about your day, and you laughing at my jokes even the really lame ones. It's slow dancing in the kitchen and kissing in the rain. Romance isn't about buying, it's about giving. True romance is in the gestures." He opened the box to show her a beautiful engagement ring.
The ring was made of black gold in the middle a beautiful emerald surrounded by tiny emeralds. On either side of the centrepiece were two flowers an emerald in the center of each. Aella covered her mouth as she gasped.
"Aella, I want to spend forever with you. My soul mate, my little witch, will you marry me?" He whispered to her. She threw her arms around his neck nodding her head yes while weeping on his shoulder. "Little witch, you have made me the happiest wizard in the world." He whispered as he lifted her in the air twirling her in a circle grinning at the sweet melodic laughter that came from her lips. Her silver eyes were glowing with happiness.
"Severus, I will marry you. You are my best friend and most trusted confidant. I could not think of another I would rather marry than you!" Aella spoke softly lifting her right hand up to caress his cheek. "I love you."
He leaned into her touch before placing the ring on her left ring finger. "And I love you, my dear."
"OH, Merlin! Sev you're getting married, and going to be a father!" Eileen shouted excitedly clapping her hands, joy showing in her eyes. "There's so much to do, so much to plan!" Severus and Aella chuckled at each other as they watched Eileen pace excitedly mumbling about nursery and wedding details.
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New years came faster than either had anticipated. They had invited Lucius and Narcissa to join them at Prince Manor to plan the wedding together with Eileen and the five adults enjoyed the free quietness around them.
Aelladora was reminiscing about everything that took place over the last week and how happy and carefree Severus seemed versus when they were within the confines of the castle. It was like an entirely different man emerged. It had her thinking about whether they should stay there or travel back and forth.
Eileen and she had decided to keep the nursery there so that the twins would be safe no matter what. Aella didn't trust that Albus wouldn't find a way to get into their chambers. She was currently sitting outside on the balcony that connected to her and Severus' room working on lesson plans for Draco and Hermione. Her long black curls were brushed and braided thanks to Severus. She smiled it had become their morning ritual they'd get up and take their showers. Then he would sit her down to brush and braid her hair.
The dress she was wearing was a purplish-blue, with see-thru sleeves and embroidered colorful flowers all over it. She was even happier now that she didn't have to hide the growing bump of their twins. Aella sighed thinking about her friends some were still in school but more of her partner in crime. Hoping he was okay wherever he was.
"What's on your mind Parvulus?" Severus had come out of the bedroom wearing only the black swim trunks he had thrown on earlier that morning to use the indoor pool the manor had. She lost her train of thought as she watched the water droplets fall from his hair and make their way slowly down his tan chest. "Love?" Severus was waving a hand in front of her face smirking at where her thoughts had gone.
"I was just thinking of where Vlad has been these last four years. I miss my friend and wish I could share our news with him." Aella's cheeks were bright red trying to shake her head from where her thoughts had led her. He just smirked and sauntered over to her placing a hand on either side of her chair. He bent down and whispered in her ear.
"My dear, I'm afraid to say that not only do your thoughts betray you," He paused reaching up with his left hand trailing a finger softly down her cheek chuckling at the tremors that shook her body, and the soft mewl that escaped her mouth. "But your body does as well."
She let out a soft whimper when he pulled away before hearing the knock on their door. He had already started for it, giving her time to cool off from his teasing. She sighed looking back out at the beautiful sea below her wishing suddenly that they didn't have to go back. That they could just stay here and be happy in their little bubble of paradise. She leaned on the wall of the balcony her dress billowing around her in the gentle breeze. Arms gently wrapped around her, and his wonderful scent sent her into a state of calm. She lifted her head to stare into obsidian eyes staring down at her in adoration.
"We have to go back don't we Severus?" She asked with a sad sigh.
"Unfortunately my little witch, we do." He agreed softly.
"Why can't we just stay here. I feel safer here than I do around him. I don't want to go back Sev." She turned and buried her face in his chest shaking in the fear already taking over at the thought of even being near the headmaster who constantly threatened her.
Severus ran his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion. Trying to find a solution to help her keep her sanity and not stress her more.
"Might I make a suggestion my son?" Eileen who had been talking to him prior had stepped closer to the two. "You could both return each night after your rounds, and on the weekends. It would make her feel safer. Once the twins are born she can stay here with me until she's ready to return to finish her apprenticeship by then the babies will have been weaned and on solids, I could care for them during the day until you both return at night." She smiled at her son and the small witch he held so carefully in his arms. He truly was a completely different man than his father had ever been.
Severus thought about it for a moment. "Would you be willing to allow Poppy and Minerva to come over when they wish? They've grown attached to Aella and myself." Aella's head shot up with surprise that he was considering it for not only her sake but for their twins as well.
Eileen nodded, "I don't see why not having them here while she's on maternity leave wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Then I don't see why that would be an issue I myself would prefer it actually." Severus looked down at Aella. "Would that bring peace to the sea of turmoil in your mind love?" Aella nodded.
"Then let us return and deliver the news to Albus that we will not be staying overnight anymore." Severus hugged her close whispering in her ear "I will always protect the ones I love." Aella wrapped her arms around him they just stood there for a moment.
"We should go, the train will be arriving soon." She said in a soft voice. Severus nodded in agreement they both gave Eileen a hug thanking her for the enjoyable and relaxing vacation and promising to return as soon as their rounds were done.
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At the feast that night she kept her head down and tried to enjoy her pumpkin pasties but the nausea of her morning sickness was making it difficult. Severus and Minerva both gave her a concerned look when she pushed her half-eaten plate of food away.
"What is it my dear?" Minerva asked quietly. Aella shook her head and just discreetly rubbed her stomach grimacing at the nausea threatening to overtake her.
"Sev, can we go home?" She asked tugging on his sleeve slightly. Severus nodded before turning to Albus.
'Do we even have to tell him?' Her panicked voice came across his thoughts and he paused. They really didn't have to share all of the detail with Albus. He nodded his head slightly in her direction, she sighed standing up and waiting for him.
"Albus, Aelladora and I have something we need to discuss with you in private." Severus gave Albus a stern look that meant he wasn't budging on the issue. Albus just nodded and the two men stood up.
"Is everything well Severus?" He asked in a fatherly tone that had Severus sneering before gently taking Aella's hand and ushering her slowly to the teacher's entrance to the Great Hall.
"We will discuss in your office Albus, not before," Severus growled slightly. They walked in silence to the griffin statue that sprang to the side as Albus led them up.
"Now what's this about you two?" Albus spoke as he sat behind his desk folding his hands under his chin.
"Aelladora and I will no longer be residing in the castle after our rounds are complete. It's not a subject up for debate Old Man!" Severus ended with a growl as Albus was about to protest. "You caused this when you entered our chambers without permission. Aella doesn't feel safe around you, and I don't blame her." Aella had moved closer to Severus as he wrapped a hand around her waist.
"You are a teacher here at this school you are supposed to be here at all times." Albus' blue eyes lost their twinkle in his anger.
"I may be a teacher here, but I'm not required to become virtually a prisoner Albus. I have let you dictate a lot of my life over the past eleven years. My relationship with Aelladora and her safety are not one of them!" Severus had stepped fully in front of Aella at this point her hands clenched the back of his robes in fear.
"Now Severus be reas.." Albus started to shout before he was cut off by an animalistic snarl.
"Reasonable?! Reasonable Albus?! I have for eleven years! Eleven god damn years. You want to keep up appearances that's on you. I will not be a slave to your every whim and fancy anymore." Aella whimpered feeling Severus' rage, at the sound of his mate, he calmed slightly.
"You can't leave I won't let either of you leave at night." Albus tried to keep what tiny hold he had on Severus but even he could see it was waning.
"That's quite enough Albus Dumbledore!" Aella jumped not having heard the door open to reveal a very pissed-off Minerva and Poppy.
Tears were running down Aella's face as she didn't believe she and Severus would be allowed to leave. Poppy rushed over to her taking her hand and guiding her and Severus out the door nodding to Minerva.
"You two head home for the night and Severus I will get Lucius to visit you two and take the week off. This has been enough stress on her." Minerva saw him start to protest. She waved a hand dismissively. "I will cover your classes, there is no argument take your woman home and get her rested. I will be along shortly after I deal with Albus." Severus sighed and nodded to the woman he came to view as a second mother to him.
As the three of them were walking down the stairs leading out they could hear Minerva scolding Albus and things crashing. They reached Severus and Aella's chambers and went through the floo. Severus carried her up to their bedroom and laid the exhausted witch on the bed before stepping aside for Poppy.
"Make sure she and the twins are alright Poppy. I must go inform my mother of our arrival." He pleaded with the older nurse as she nodded and shooed him out the door.