Chapter 16
Wednesday, November 14th
After spending a little over a week in the infirmary, Amelia was finally released by Poppy, who wanted to ensure that everything was out of her system. Before leaving, she was given a month's supply of pepper-up potions and a few elixirs to help replenish the nourishment she had lost during her coma. In the following days, she had several visitors come in and out to check up on her. Before she left, Scorpius came and visited her.
"How are you feeling, Amelia?" Scorpius asked with concern.
"I'm feeling much better, thank you for asking. Although I'm still a bit weak, it's nothing compared to how I felt before. What happened while I was away?" Amelia inquired.
"Casey Stone got suspended until further notice. Your dad wanted to expel him and send him straight to Azkaban, but your mum didn't want that. There will be a trial for him soon; your mum is a kinder person than any of us put together. I was rooting for your dad's option of expelling the arse." Scorpius explained. Curious about why her mother had made that decision, Amelia wondered what could have prompted her to be so lenient towards the culprit.
Scorpius examined Amelia with a puzzled expression and inquired, "What could possibly make her not want the harshest punishment for him?" In response, he disclosed, "She believes in granting second chances to people, especially those who are young and susceptible to blunders." Amelia, on the other hand, expressed her apathy towards Stone's punishment,
"As long as I don't have to look at him, I couldn't care less," Scorpius added a tinge of humor to the conversation and shared that Donna Boyd was inconsolable upon hearing that Stone would not return to Hogwarts. Her wailing was so loud that Scorpius' father used a silencing spell to stop her, leading people to nickname her the banshee of Hogwarts.
Scorpius then offered Amelia a pile of parchment, "Teagan meticulously took notes for all your classes, including homework. You also have a few extension dates as per the professors." Amelia was appreciative of the gesture and thanked Scorpius for his help. She acknowledged that she had a lot of catching up to do.
After a brief silence, Scorpius wrapped his arms around Amelia, holding her close to his chest.
"I'm so relieved you're safe. It's been a nightmare for us all. Your father felt guilty for not keeping a closer eye on you. We all missed you dearly." Amelia took solace in Scorpius' comforting embrace, burying her nose in the crease of his neck. She reciprocated his affection.
"I missed you too. During the last few days, I could hear everything people were saying, but I couldn't respond. It was excruciating to be trapped in your own body without communicating."
Severus Snape is standing by the doorway, observing the two people in the room. His eyebrows were raised with curiosity, indicating his interest in the conversation.
"That will be enough, you two," he said, addressing them. His voice was stern yet calm, a reflection of his authority as a respected Headmaster.
Scorpius Malfoy turned to her and asked, "I'll see you later?" His voice was respectful, reflecting the regard he had for his friend.
"Of course," Amelia replied with a nod of his head. Scorpius bowed his head respectfully and left the room.
Severus walked over to the couch where his daughter, Amelia, sat. He sat beside her and asked, "How are you feeling?" His voice was soft and gentle, reflecting his concern for his daughter's well-being.
"A bit tired, but otherwise okay," Amelia replied, reflecting on her fatigue and the emotional toll of the recent events.
"I have a sleeping draught on your nightstand whenever you are ready for bed. You have potions with me first thing tomorrow," he informed Amelia. His voice was authoritative yet reassuring, reflecting his desire to provide Amelia with the best care possible.
"We will not be brewing anything for a while. Right now, it's all lecture," he added. His voice was measured, reflecting his experience as a seasoned professor.
"Dad?" Amelia paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "What will come of Stone?" Her voice was filled with curiosity and concern, reflecting her desire to understand the consequences of recent events.
"Mr. Stone is suspended until further notice. He has a trial date next Friday. The board, your mother, and I will be attending," he explained. His voice was severe, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"If Mum doesn't want him going to Azkaban, what are his options?" Amelia asked. Her voice was tinged with worry, reflecting her concern for the fate of her classmate.
"He may be expelled from Hogwarts with his wand snapped. He could be transferred to Durmstrang or Ilvermorny. Or Merlin forbids it. He may be able to come back. However, he would repeat the first year," Severus replied, his voice reflecting the situation's complexity.
"Daddy, do you believe in second chances?" Amelia asked, her voice filled with curiosity and hope. Severus took a moment to ponder this question before sighing and answering:
"I do; I am living proof that second chances happen." His voice was contemplative, reflecting his own experiences that led him to believe in the power of second chances.
Amelia scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her father's shoulders, and he gently kissed the top of her head. "I missed you, Daddy," she whispered. Her voice was filled with emotion, reflecting her love for her father.
"I missed you too, sweetheart," he replied, his voice reflecting his love for his daughter. He still felt guilty about the entire situation. "I don't blame you, so please don't blame yourself. I know you probably feel guilty about not watching everyone's movements."
"It is my responsibility for my students' safety when brewing potions, Amelia. I should have watched him return to his seat once he placed his vial on my desk." His voice was resolute, reflecting his conviction to take full responsibility for his students' safety.
"You shouldn't have known what he was planning. I should've paid more attention rather than talking to Finn. He needed some clarification on one of the instructions. I tried to help," she said. Her voice was filled with remorse, reflecting her own feelings of guilt.
"We've all made mistakes, but ultimately, Stone caused this accident. I refuse to let it happen again," Severus replied. His voice was determined, reflecting his resolve to ensure the safety of his students.
Amelia wrapped both arms around her father. "It is getting late; you should return to the Slytherin common room. I'm sure your friends are anxiously awaiting your arrival," he suggested. His voice was practical, reflecting his concern for Amelia's well-being.
Reluctantly, she let go and pecked her father's cheek. "Good night, Daddy. I love you," she said. Her voice was filled with love and affection.
"I love you too," he replied, his voice reflecting his pride and love for his daughter.
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Bed Chamber
Severus slinked into bed beside Hermione, who set aside her book and nestled up to her husband. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his bare chest against her skin. With a playful glint in her eye, she ran her fingers through his chest hair, sending shivers down his spine. The anticipation of what was to come made their hearts race as they snuggled closer together, lost in their passion.
"Tonight was a fun night," Hermione spoke.
"Indeed. It's essential to have family time. Especially after everything had happened.
"It never fails that something always happens at Hogwarts. You'd think after all these years, the drama would stop." Hermione chuckled.
"Indeed," Severus murmured. As Hermione's heart pounded in her chest, she sat up slowly and deliberately. She felt excited as she shifted her position and straddled his lap, her gaze locked onto his. The warmth of his body beneath her gave her comfort and security. She couldn't help but feel the anticipation building inside her. Severus placed both hands on her sides, caressing her skin. She kissed him fervently on his lips as he invaded her mouth with his tongue. As he leaned in closer, his hands moved slowly toward the middle of her back, his fingers tracing a path along her spine. She couldn't help but clutch a fist full of his hair, her fingers tangled in the soft strands as she pulled him closer to her. The sensation was overwhelming, and she felt her heart racing as they melted into each other's embrace.
"It's all madness; we have the worst luck." She whispered. The air was thick with tension as the woman spoke in a hushed tone. Severus, understanding the gravity of the situation, responded by gently massaging her back, comforting her in the only way he could. As he did so, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration and self-consciousness, painfully aware that he was still wearing his boxers. Despite the moment's awkwardness, he remained steadfast in his support, ready to do whatever it took to ease her worries.
As she pulled down his boxers, Severus let out a low grunt of discomfort, his body tensing up. "Everything will be alright." He moaned. It's been a while since they've been intimate. Hermione's belly shows a bit more each day, fourteen weeks pregnant. For the first time in almost a month, they made love.
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Saturday, November 17th – Quidditch Field
The moment Amelia stepped back into the classroom to a wave of activity and commotion. The students were busy catching up on missed work and keeping up with current assignments. Despite the chaos, Amelia remained focused and determined to stay on track. She worked diligently to complete her previous assignments on time and made significant progress on her current ones.
Last night, Madam Diggory pulled Amelia aside after class and informed her that there would be a practice session on Saturday morning after breakfast. Amelia's face lit up with excitement as she had eagerly anticipated this moment for weeks. She couldn't wait to practice and hone her skills again. She felt horrible that Quidditch was on the back burner because of the accident. But most of her classmates, even some Gryffindor, understood why it was put on hold. They weren't too happy when they found out that one of their own had decided to kill another student.
"We may still have house rivalries, but it's more for theatrics. We don't condone harm to another student." One Gryffindor boy told her during potions one morning.
It appears that Severus overheard the conversation. However, he made a conscious decision not to respond to it.
Her first practice was as exhilarating as she anticipated. She is a natural on a broom. Their second game will be against Ravenclaw. From what she observed the other day, Ravenclaw's team will be challenging. Jamie Fraser, the Slytherin captain, caught up to Amelia as she returned to the tent to change.
"Aye, lass, Are y'er prepared enough y'er the firs' game?" He asked in his thick Scottish accent. His dark blue eyes scanned Amelia's.
"Yes, I'm about as ready as I'll ever be."
"Given the circumstances, yer duin in mah opinion. Ye catch oan quickly lassie."
"I'm glad to hear it. I just hope I can prove myself."
"Dinnae neit tae worry, A have complete faith i ye. We are already 50 points ahead for the house cup after only playing the first game of the season." Jamie comforted Amelia, reassuring her, "Ye can dae this! Remember, ye are the strongest player on the team. A'm sure ye'll score plenty of points for us this season. Ye have the talent and the skill - just focus on the game and ye'll be sure tae win."
Jamie's encouraging words had a powerful effect on Amelia, and she was determined to make a great showing in the next game.
A/N: I'm so sorry for the super late update! Life has been extremely busy. I hope this makes up for it. As always, I look forward to hearing your reviews.