A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment #8 – Criminology - Task #3 - Acting Recklessly:Write about someone taking an unjustified risk.

Writing Club April

Disney Challenge: . "And for that one moment, everything was perfect … And then that moment ended."

Lizzy's Loft: 6 - (trait) Hero

Word Count: 624

The loud obnoxious beeping the smoke alarm filled air. Severus shook his head and opened the door to let out a billow of smoke. Hermione had apparently been trying to cook again. He wondered why she couldn't just listen and stay out of the kitchen.

"Hermione!" he yelled, taking several quick steps towards the kitchen. Hermione stumbled out coughing Severus merely raised his wand and cast a bubble head charm over her before entering the kitchen and starting to put out the fire.

It had spread from the stove onto the wall, and had nearly engulfed his kitchen by this point. Hermione was right behind him, almost trying to push past him. He could see panic in her eyes. For a moment he was confused what was so important for her run back into a burning room. That question was answered nearly instantly.

"Mummy!" Rose's voice screamed from under the table. Severus' eyes widened. Within seconds he was under the table, arms wrapped around his daughter. She clung to his cloak as he put a bubble head charm on her also. Her shirt was dark with soot, and her face was smeared with tears. Severus felt his heart stop for a second. The idea that Rose could have been hurt had never occurred to him.

He handed Rose to Hermione and finished putting the fire out. He surveyed the damage to his kitchen. The one wall was a complete loss. The wallpaper had started peeling off, leaving huge splotches of the paint beneath. The table was scorched. The stove was beyond repair, and recognition. The ove door was open and Severus could see the remains of something on a flat sheet. He had a feeling the strange black shapes might have been Hermione's attempt at cookies.

Severus exited the kitchen into the sitting room. Hermione and Rose were sitting on the floor by the sofa. The charms were gone and both of them seemed alright.

"What happened?" he asked, once he had finished thoroughly examining the pair. Rose spoke up.

"I wanted cookies like G'ama Weasley makes and Mum said she knew how to bake them. Then the stove caught on fire. Mummy tried to put it out and the wand turned into a mouse and squeaked," Rose answered, slightly clinging to Hermione. Severus turned to his wife.

"Hermione."

"Molly gave me her recipe last weekend. I thought, maybe I could get it right? I know I usually end up burning everything, but Molly showed me how to bake them, and maybe knowing how she did it, I could... get it right?" she suggested. "I put the batter in the oven, and for that one moment, everything was perfect … And then that moment ended. The next thing I knew, the kitchen was on fire. I tried to get Rose out, but the fire flared and I couldn't get to the door."

Severus stared at her for a moment before sweeping both his witches into a tight hug.

"I don't know what went wrong," Hermione said softly. "And apparently George managed to switch my wand for a fake one at some point," she added, looking at the drops of melted rubber on her jumper.

"I will have a word with him. Right now, I am just glad neither of you were hurt," Severus replied, kissing Hermione's forehead and then Rose's.

"Go get changed from those clothes while I see if I can salvage any of the kitchen. If not, we'll get take out for dinner," he added. Hermione nodded as her and Rose headed to their rooms. Severus shook his head wondering how the brightest witch he'd ever known was completely unable to cook or bake anything without somehow setting his house on fire?