"If I agree to this," Danu begins as she warms her hands on the mug of coffee she was clutching tightly and makes her way around the wall of plants still lining her kitchen to face Severus standing between the kitchen and living room. "Where do we begin? I've had a jungle in my kitchen for nearly a week and a half, Bram is chewing on or scratching half of them, and Lorna knocked three over yesterday alone."
"I told you I would construct a greenhouse at your request" Severus replies dryly as he makes his way to the kitchen to pour his own mug of coffee, Danu trails behind him in order to move several tall plants blocking the cupboard where the mugs were held.
"And how long will that take?"
"Two days, perhaps three. No longer than four, I imagine." Severus stifles a yawn and takes a deep gulp of the scalding coffee as he glares down at her over the rim of the mug. Of course, it was not a true glare in his usual sense, just the permanent scowl he had etched onto his face every morning before his first mug of coffee.
"And then what?" Danu asks, pulling a frying pan from the cupboard and placing it on the stove to begin preparing breakfast.
"Then you will move the plants to the greenhouse, and I will supplement your income while they reach maturity. Once matured, I will pay you for what I require. Should you chose to assist me in brewing at any time, or help around the shop, you will be compensated."
"So, the shop is definite then? You're buying it?" Danu asks as she cracks an egg into the frying pan, the sizzle of the eggs touching the hot oil in the pan deafening in the otherwise silent house.
"I am to meet the property owner this morning to see the building in person. Should it be satisfactory, then yes, it is definite. I will purchase the prints for the greenhouse while I am out and begin the assembly this afternoon."
"And what about us?" Danu murmurs, placing the spatula she had been holding to flip the eggs on the side of the counter and turning to face Severus, who was leaning against the island counter watching her cook. Severus raises a brow at her in question before bringing the steaming mug to his lips once more. "What are we?"
"Married, last I checked." Severus retorts, his face clear of any emotion.
"Yes, but are we…you know, together?" Danu furrows her brow and looks into Severus' eyes, part of her terrified that he would say no.
He had stayed there nearly every night for over a month now, minus the four days surrounding their fight prior to Christmas, but that didn't mean anything with Severus. He has proven the act of casual sex was not beneath him, and likely wouldn't even stay had Lorna not begged him to each night. Severus doesn't say a word, only places his mug of coffee on the first clear space he can find and stalks towards her, his dark figure towering over her. Danu finds herself enveloped in his arms before she knows it, the scent of eucalyptus from his morning shower dominating her, he rests his chin on the top of her head before kissing it gently.
"DADDY!" Lorna bellows from upstairs, causing her to jump slightly. "I NEED YOU!"
"I will return in a moment." Severus sighs as he peels himself from her arms. Danu listens as he footsteps echo off of the wooden steps, his voice echoes down the stairs as he scolds Lorna gently. "Lorna, I must remind you once more not to shout throughout the house; it is rude. You will come downstairs and find your mother and I, unless it is a true emergency; and your inability to reach the sink is not one. I truly do not understand how you and your mother can bare brushing your teeth before breakfast."
Danu smiles to herself as she removes the eggs from the frying pan and turns to slice fruit for Lorna. This had been a constant petty argument between the two of them for as long as they had been together. Severus insisting that teeth were meant to be brushed after eating so your food does not taste like toothpaste; Danu insisting that they were meant to be brushed before breakfast so that your food does not taste like stale morning breath.
After helping Lorna dress, brush her hair, and ensuring she was seated safely at the dining table for breakfast, Severus says his goodbyes, buttons the coat she had gotten him for Christmas, and steps out into the blustery winter morning to apparate to town. Danu bundles Lorna in her warmest winter coat before wrapping her in her arms and traveling to Diagon Alley via Floo to formally resign from her job and purchase a birthday gift for Severus.
Danu pops in and out of shops, pulling a very bored Lorna by the hand behind her. Lorna had been insisting that they buy Severus an ugly graphorn stuffy from a street stall, and when Danu informed her that Severus would likely prefer something else, Lorna nearly had a full meltdown, causing Danu to promptly pull her inside of Obscurus Books where she allowed Lorna to choose anything she liked inside for her father, despite the fact that she could not yet read. Lorna eventually settled on an old, leather bound copy of Atlas of Celestial Anomalies by M.P.N. Carneirus because she liked the illustration on the front cover. Somehow, Danu thought that Severus might actually prefer the graphorn stuffy over the book.
Inside of Rosie Lee Teabag, Lorna chooses an Irish breakfast tea, because of the green and silver packaging that she has grown to associate with Severus, while Danu chooses Severus' favorite; cinnamon orange. Lorna scans the wall of quills inside of Scribbulus Writing Implements, her hands on her hips, biting her lower lip in concentration. Danu stands back, a new ledger, a small desk plaque to be inscribed with Severus' name, and a packet of shop receipts under her arm, awaiting Lorna's final decision.
"Learning to write are we?" The shop keeps thick Scottish accent fills the room as she steps around the counter and comes up behind Lorna who was now bouncing from foot to foot in frustration. "The starter quills are over here, nighean dunh."
Danu takes a step forward, her mouth opened slightly to question what exactly it was that the plump, friendly looking witch had called her daughter, when suddenly the woman places a hand on Lorna's shoulder, as if to steer her in the opposite direction. Lorna jerks herself away and stamps her small foot on the ground in protest.
"It's for my daddy for his birthday!" She exclaims. "My name is Lorna, not..ni—"
"It means black-haired girl." The woman smiles down at Lorna before crouching down to meet her eyes. "You have lovely raven black hair."
"Like my daddy!" Lorna smiles excitedly as she twirls a strand of her wavy, jet-black hair around her finger.
More like your grandfather.
Danu thinks to herself before shaking her head slightly. Harry, Ron, Hermione, George, Arthur, Molly, and Phineas had all made comments about just how similar Lorna was to Sirius, a fact that Severus had yet to comment on but was sure to see for himself. She could not imagine that it was at all pleasant for him to see the resemblance plastered onto their daughter's face, yet it had not stopped him from being a wonderful father to her.
Twenty minutes the kind shop keep reaches high above her head, passing down quill after quill for Lorna to examine until finally, on the opposite side of the store from which they started, in the far more expensive area, Lorna settles on one. Lorna, she has decided, has quite the expensive taste. The quill is gorgeous, something similar to what she had seen Severus use in the past as he graded essays and tests in his private chambers late into the night. This one, however, stands proudly, not bent due to years of constant use, its feathers are still intact, and comes with its own stand. It is black, with undertones of emerald when twisted in the light, its feather plucked high up on the vane to make room for an intricate, golden hand piece on the shaft. Lorna runs her fingers over the tuft of feather at the end, smiles, and nods her head. The shop keep assisting her takes her by the hand, leads her to the till, and packages the quill in a sleek black box before quickly inscribing the desk plaque with S. Snape.
"Mister Snape is a valued customer. Very bright man, not much on words though, is he? Haven't seen him in a while though, give him my best, would you." The kind woman beams up at Danu as she places all of her items in a bag and slides it across the glass counter. "I recognize you from the Prophet. Nasty business, just couldn't leave the man alone, could they? This one will be a Slytherin like her dad, I can tell. Knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it."
"Tha—thank you." Danu's cheeks go slightly pink at the thought of anyone recognizing her from The Daily Prophet no less and takes Lorna's hand in hers as she grabs the bag from the counter. "I'll let him know you asked after him. Have a good day."
"Mummy." Lorna begins as they make their way out of Scribbulus Writing Implements and into the snow caked cobblestone street.
"Yes, Lorna?" Danu asks as she drags her towards The Leaky Cauldron to access the Floo back to the cottage.
"Everyone knows daddy." Lorna begins, her small brow scrunched slightly with emotion she was having a hard time processing. "They call him pra—pra—uhh…I don't remember."
"Professor?" Danu asks, stopping under the awning of Eeylops Owl Emporium to squat down to Lorna's level.
"Yeah! Daddy won't tell me why."
"Daddy used to be a professor. That's a teacher, he taught children how to brew potions, like he teaches you now. Do loads of people stop you and Daddy while you are out?"
"Yeah, Daddy goes grumbly and tells me to hurry up and then we leave." Lorna's brow is still scrunched in confusion, Danu can tell she still has questions, but is likely unsure how to formulate them.
"Daddy is a very smart man, he helped a lot of people during a very bad time, but he doesn't like talking about it. That's why he goes grumbly. One day, when you're older, we will help you understand."
The truth was, neither of them discussed how, or when, they would tell Lorna the events of the war, or why Severus was recognized nearly everywhere that he went. They would need to, preferably before she went to Hogwarts and was thrust into a sea of children and professors who may try to single her out for no reason other than her name.
"Mummy." Lorna begins once more as Danu straightens herself once more and takes Lorna's hand to cross the street. "Can we get an owl?"
"Maybe when you're older."
—
Danu watches through the living room window as Severus paces, and cusses, in the snow outside. His hair is a disheveled mess from constantly running his hands through it, snow clings to his shoulders, his wand held out before him in a trembling fist as the greenhouse print levitates at eye level. Severus' reading glasses lie on the kitchen counter, between a staghorn fern growing on a piece of driftwood and a beautiful heptapleurum arboricola in a black nursery pot, which he kept insisting he did not need each time she stuck her head out of the window to offer them to him.
Just then, the kitchen door bursts open to reveal Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, James, and Teddy. She had completely forgotten that she had asked them to come tonight to discuss the details of Rose's memory retrieval, and curses under her breath before plastering on a fake smile and ushering them inside out of the snow. Lorna, who had been coloring quietly before the fire rushes to Teddy and drags him by the hand up the stairs, presumably to retrieve toys.
Harry clasps her shoulder affectionately and walks passed her towards the living room; Ginny and Hermione trailing behind him. Danu watches as Ginny spreads a quilt on the floor, and Harry bends down to plop James onto it before Ginny dumps a bag of stuffies around him. She turns her attention back towards Severus outside in the snow, her hands reach out to push the window opened once more to call him inside, when Ron catches her attention. She hadn't even realized that he did not follow the others into the living room.
"Dad and I can help with that." Ron gestures out the window to Severus with his chin. "Huge pain those prints are. We built one for mum a few years back. A lot easier when you've got more people. By the way, mum gives her best, says she wants to pop in later this week, and sorry about Christmas. We all went to Romania to visit Charlie; it wasn't until we were there that Harry realized he forgot to stop by with your gifts. He's been slammed at work."
Ron bends down and thrusts several packages towards her that she hadn't even realized he had by his feet. The packages are wrapped brightly, red bows atop each of them. She knew without even opening them what was inside; two Weasley sweaters and several tins of homemade sweets. She smiles brightly up at Ron, thankful that Molly obviously didn't hate her if she was making her and Lorna her famous fudge and Weasley sweaters.
"Mum gets this way sometimes, you know that. She never stays angry for long." Ron pats her on the shoulder just as Harry did and makes his way towards the sofa to perch on the arm next to Hermione, who she now realizes is wearing a very large diamond ring on her left finger.
"Danu!" Hermione calls from the sofa, smiling at her. She extends her hand, the diamond in the ring glistening in the firelight. "Ron proposed at Christmas! I wish you had been in Romania with us, it was fascinating, you would have loved it! Anyway, you'll come to the wedding, won't you?"
"Breathe Hermione!" Ron scolds playfully as she slaps his knee.
"I wouldn't miss it." Danu smiles back at her.
"Oh! You just won't believe this!" Hermione nearly jumps from the sofa as she goes into a rant over Ron announcing over Christmas dinner that he would be quitting his job as an Aura to help his brother George re-open his joke shop.
Ron clears his throat halfway through Hermione's second, "I just can't believe it!" sounding more and more like Molly Weasley as she grows older, despite not being related to the woman. James fusses slightly on the floor, Harry dances a small stuffed lamb in front of him and he quiets down just as Teddy and Lorna come barreling down the stairs, arms full of toys, and dumps them on the quilt next to James. The smell of roasted chicken from the oven fills the room, and for a moment she wonders whether or not it will be enough to feed everyone. Danu fills them in on Severus, explains the horde of plants, the need for a greenhouse, and finally, proudly tells them of the apothecary Severus had purchased earlier that morning. He had plans to have it ready to open no later than March, after he had brewed enough potions to have a real inventory.
The kitchen door swings open, Severus kicks the snow from his boots on the side of the house, the sound of the thumps in tune with her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands begin to shake and sweat slightly; all moisture drains from her mouth. She could not be sure why, but she felt incredibly anxious for no reason. She was in her home, safe, surrounded by friends and family, and yet, it didn't feel quite right. Everyone had quieted when Severus opened the door, his head was bent back, looking to be sure he had removed all of the snow from his boots so as to not track it through the house. He hadn't even noticed the home was filled with guests.
"I will do just about anything for a back massa-" Severus begins as he lifts his head to catch sight of half a dozen sets of eyes on him. His cheeks turn a light shade of pink as he sets his jaw, undoubtedly, he had forgotten tonight's plan as well. His voice had been soft, the usual tone he took with her while having a normal conversation. "Excuse me." He announces, his voice changing to the harsh, sonorous tone of Professor Snape.
Hours later, the sun had long set. Lorna and Teddy were asleep in Lorna's bed upstairs, Lorna insisting on Severus reading them to sleep. James was lying among a wall of stuffies before the fire on his quilt. Everyone was fed, had several mugs of tea, and emotions were high. Danu was still, for whatever reason, feeling anxious. Severus sits in a wing back chair, his right leg crossed over his left, the bedroom shoe on his right foot dangling, he would periodically clap it against the sole of his foot in annoyance. Ron kept glancing at it, as if surprised Severus owned something so human. Ginny was rubbing her eyes, dozing slightly against Harry, who kept running his hands through his hair. Hermione was pacing, throwing idea after idea around so fast her words were becoming jumbled. Ron was staring opened mouthed into the fire, he had been unnaturally quiet this afternoon. Danu kept pacing back and forth between the kitchen and living room, impulsively filling everyone's tea until Severus finally gripped her wrist and pulled her down on the arm of the chair he sat on. He glances up at her out of the corner of his eye often, watching her chew on her bottom lip and pick at the skin around her thumb nail before finally covering her hands with one of his own and drawing tight circles on the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb. Ron notices Severus' hand on hers, stares a moment wide eyes, then turns his attention back towards the fire.
"It'll have to be me." Hermione finally announces loudly, causing everyone to look up at her once more. "I'll have to be the one to reverse the memory charm."
"You flatter yourself, Granger." Severus spits, causing Ron to narrow his eyes at him. "The mind is not a toy, not something to go playing with. Unless, of course, you would like Rose to be placed in an asylum for the rest of her life."
"I've done it before you know! On my parents, after the war." Hermione stands taller, defiant against Severus' glare.
"Oh yeah!" Harry and Ron exclaim at once before Ron explains that Hermione had scrubs her parents memory of her prior to the second war and sent them off to Australia for safe keeping until she could restore their memories and bring them back.
"Why you, if you don't mind sharing, Granger?" Severus asks, lifting his mug of tea to his lips.
"Well," Hermione begins, ringing her hands slightly. "You see, you hated Sirius. How do we know you won't unknowingly put some of that hatred onto Rose, too?"
"Because I am in control of my emo—"
A choking sound coming from the floor halts everyone. Time stops, sound leaves her ears as she freezes there, unable to move on the arm of the wing back chair as everyone rushes to James, scooping him from the floor. No one had noticed him wake up, find something on the quilt, and place it in his mouth to choke on. Hs lips begin to turn blue; his eyes roll back in his head as Harry desperately tries to reach whatever is lodged in his throat with his fingers. Hermione and Ron are clutching Ginny. Sound comes back to her, Ginny is screaming, Harry is begging James to breathe, Hermione takes James, lies him across her arm and is patting his back. Severus stands before them, watching calmly, then reaches out and takes the child from Hermione's grasp. He sits on the sofa and places James on his lap, using two fingers, he pushes in the center of his chest several times, pinches his cheeks to open his mouth, and using the same two fingers, pulls a broken yellow crayon from the back of his throat. Severus places the crayon in his pocket, wipes the saliva from his fingers onto his trousers, and stands, holding James slightly upside down against his arm, he gives him several firm claps on the back. James takes a long, sharp breath and then screeches, the color quickly returning to his small face as he pants between cries. Ginny rushes forward and takes him from Severus' grip, pulling him tight against her chest as she sobs. Hermione and Ron surround them, doing their best to console them both.
"Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much." Harry says shakily as he reaches out and shakes Severus' hand firmly.
—
Severus' hands are locked in her hair, his back arched off of the bed. His hollows as he takes long, deep breaths from his mouth. He moans loudly, then brings his fist to his mouth and bites down sharply. Danu looks up from her spot between his legs, smooths one hand up his toned thigh, and tightens her grip on his erection. His eyes roll back in his head as she swipes her tongue on the underside of his shaft as the head presses against the back of her throat. She moans as his fingers flex against her scalp, causing him to stiffen. Three, four pumps and he jerks against her tongue, spilling his salty seed inside of her mouth.
Danu swallows, kisses her way up his body, and nestles herself at his side. He remains locked in the same position; his left leg bent, his right straight, the fist that had been clenched her hair is now clenching the bed sheets, the other remains against his mouth, the red indentations from his teeth quite noticeable against his pale skin.
"Happy birthday, Severus." Danu whispers in his ear as she smooths the hair from his face, causing him to shudder once more before throwing his head back against the pillow. A shuffle and thump from the next room tells them that Lorna is awake, Danu heaves herself from the bed and pulls her nightgown over her head. "Just in time. Stay here, we're making you breakfast in bed."
Danu helps Lorna dress and brush her teeth before heading down to the kitchen, which was finally cleared of plants the day before thanks to Arthur, Ron, Harry, and George (much to Severus' displeasure) helping Severus construct the greenhouse. George kept making joking about lending Severus an ear due to his sour mood and stern face, which only worsened each time he heard Harry and Ron snicker. Finally, George had clapped Severus on the back, nearly knocking him to the ground, and told him not to bother returning his loaned ear, it only slowed him down.
Lorna pulls a stool in front of the stove and takes the spatula Danu passes her. She watches closely as Danu slices the precooked haggis that Severus loved on special occasions and places it on a tray to warm, each of them scrunching their noses in disgust as Danu fries the bacon to go alongside it. Danu then cracks an egg into a frying pan and allows Lorna to pepper it before guiding her hand to flip it, careful not to burst the yolk. All that is left is the toast, which Lorna butters and places on the corner of the plate. Danu helps Lorna from the stool and allows her to walk ahead of her up the stairs.
Severus is propped up in bed, now fully dressed and looking refreshed after sneaking off to have a shower while they cooked below him. Lorna scrambles up the bed and wraps her arms around Severus' neck before settling in beside him as Danu places the tray across his lap.
"Mummy, I want breakfast in bed with Daddy!" Lorna announces as Severus grips his fork.
"Come help me get Daddy's coffee and presents and I'll think about it."
Lorna bolts from the bed, her foot nearly sending the tray flying across the room had Severus not had a firm grasp on it. She remembered now why she had chosen to bring the coffee up separately. Lorna is down the stairs in a flash, gathering Severus' gifts hidden in a cupboard in the kitchen, and scurries back up the stairs with them as Danu plates her breakfast and pours Severus a cup of coffee. Once upstairs, Danu places the second tray across Lorna's lap, passes Severus his coffee, and watches from the doorway as the two enjoy their breakfast.
"That's rotten, Daddy!" Lorna exclaims as Severus slices a bite of haggis with the edge of his fork and brings it to his lips.
"You've not even tasted it to know." Severus feigns offense and waves the empty fork at her before dipping it back in for another bite and offering it to her. "Here, take a bite."
Lorna scrunches her face but leans forward, her eyes wide and boring into Severus' as she opens her mouth and transfers the small bite to her. She chews thoroughly, her eyes still glued to his before swallowing harshly and reaching for her cup of juice on her tray.
"Not so yucky." She says after a large gulp, Severus makes an amused sound in his chest.
—
After gifts are handed out and opened, Severus spends the day puttering around the garden and attic brewing room with Lorna hot on his heels, and finally bedtime and several books read to Lorna, Severus and Danu find themselves sitting alone before the fire, a mug of tea in each of their hands.
"Have you had a nice birthday?" Danu asks as she stretches her legs out and onto the coffee table. Severus grunts in response as he rubs his eye with the back of his finger. "Lorna spent ages picking out that quill. I thought she would drive the shop keep mad before finally settling on one. By the way, she asked after you, I didn't catch her name though."
"Missus Mackenzie. Lovely woman." Severus yawns before reaching into his pocket. "Did you ever learn the date of our initial Fasting?"
"Uh.." Danu wracks her mind before remembering the day she had woke at Spinner's End, the way Dumbledore had held her hand in his and spoke to her so kindly. "Dumbledore told me it had been three days before I woke, so seventh February, right?"
"No. It was ninth January; my thirty-sixth birthday."
"Really?" Danu asks, Severus nods his head somberly. "Why did Dumbledore lie about the date?"
"I won't pretend to know why Albus did half of the things he did. I have something for you."
Severus reaches deep into his pocket and produces a long black box, which he passes to her. Danu looks up at him for a moment, his eyes never leaving the box. Timidly, she opens it, revealing the silver chain with a doe and bat charm he had given her for Christmas what feels like a lifetime ago. She had sold it, two years ago now, to a jewelry shop in Diagon Alley while Severus was away.
"Ho—how?" Danu stammers as she runs her fingers over the cool metal, a tear stinging in her eyes.
"Saw it in the case while I was purchasing Lorna's Christmas gifts." Severus reaches into the box and removes the chain, she watches as he turns it slightly, the firelight glistening off of the polished surface. "Did you ever notice the engravings on the back?"
"Yes. Our initials." Danu mumbles as Severus takes her wrist gently and secures the bracelet to it.
"They will stay intact until neither of us love one another; not even death can remove them."
Danu turns the doe charm, the S on the back gleams in the firelight, darker than she had ever seen it before, the D behind the bat stands just as proudly. A tear streams from her eyes as she slings herself into his arms and breathes in his scent, his heart hammers against his chest as he holds her against him, smoothing his hand down her spine.
"I love you, Severus." Danu mumbles against him as he tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"As do I. More than you will ever know." He holds her there in silence for several moments, the only sound is the crackling of the wood in the hearth. Finally, Severus clears his throat. "Are you prepared for tomorrow?"
"I don't know." Danu admits.
Tomorrow, Her, Harry, and Hermione will be traveling to Surrey to hopefully revive her mother's memory. Her throat constricts at the thought, nervous for the outcome.
"I will be here; Lorna will be here. No matter the outcome, I will take care of you." Severus reminds her, hugging her tight against his chest.
—
Harry and Danu stand before the townhouse on a snow covered street, their hands clasped together, each slick with sweat despite the cold. Hermione had gone ahead of them, caught Rose as she was crossing through an alley alone, snuck up behind her, quickly altered the memory charm, and implanted a fake memory of Rose allowing Sirius to take Danu to raise on his own. Harry and Danu watched form behind a Buick parked on the street as Rose walked out of the alley, a confused look on her face, shaking her head slightly. They watch silently as she climbs the steps to her home, looks around on the street, and enters, closing the door firmly behind her.
Severus moments pass, they pant nervously and wipe their hands own their fronts several times before Hermione rushes towards them and pushes them onto the sidewalk. Harry take a deep breath, she feels his fingers tap her own at her side. Danu opens her hand, allowing him to slip his into hers and squeeze tightly. Together, the two of them climb the slick steps.
"Ready?" Harry asks, his voice cracking slightly.
"Yeah..yeah, I think so." Danu swallows a lump in her throat and flinches slightly as Harry raps on the door twice.
For a moment, she doesn't think Rose will answer. She holds her breath, listening intently for any movement inside. The door swings open, the scent of cinnamon apple air freshener is almost overpowering. Harry gasps slightly before playing it off as a cough. Danu stands there, dumbstruck, her mouth slightly opened, not knowing what to say. Her mother is there, right before her. Her red hair has faded into a soft strawberry blonde, the pieces framing her face are a smooth silver color. Faint crow's feet next to her eyes, and the slight silvering of her hair is the only indication she had aged since the photograph of her and Danu that Sirius carried around had been taken. She was well into her forties, and still breathtaking. Freckles pepper her porcelain skin, her lips are rosy and plump, her cheekbones high and proud. She is short, much like Danu, only a few inches taller. Danu looks down, sees the black pumps on her feet and realizes her mother is actually the same height as her, maybe even a bit shorter.
"Can I help you?" Rose asks, he voice velvety and clear.
"Are—are you Rose?" Harry finally manages as Danu slams her mouth shut.
"Yes, do I know you?"
"My name is Harry, Harry Potter. I'm Lily's son. This," Harry begins, pulling Danu further into the doorway, "Is Danu, your daughter."
Rose freezes, her face blanks and her eyes glaze over. She's going to slam the door in their faces, she can feel it. Danu turns to move, to flee, Harry holds her hand tighter, keeping her at his side. Her heart pounds, her hands tremble, and suddenly, Rose's arms are around her, pulling her into a tight hug. Rose pulls away, clutches Danu's cheeks in her warm, smooth hands, and smiles at her.
"Come in, both of you. Please, come inside." Rose begs, backing away slightly and allowing her and Harry to enter the home they had been staring at for two years.