AN: I figured we could all use some fluff after the election. Here's my attempt to bring a little joy into the world.
Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
For the first time in years, Rose did not rush to the fireplace to greet Severus when he returned home from work.
It was a fact he had little time to dwell upon. The second he stepped through the fireplace, Victor almost knocked him over with an enthusiastic hug. Violet toddled behind him, her arms outstretched.
"Dad! Dad!" Victor was practically jumping, dirtying his shirt with soot. "Guess who got a hundred on all his tests today?"
"Dada," Violet grabbed his other leg and exposed her baby teeth. Her purple dress soon became gray from all the soot.
Severus tapped his cheek and twisted his lips. "I don't know. Could it be Violet?"
She laughed as she clung to his leg.
"No," Victor released him and laughed. "Violet doesn't take tests."
"She doesn't?"
"No," Victor chuckled. "Toddlers can't take tests, at least not ones in maths and spelling like I do."
"So they can't," Severus picked up Violet before she could dirty her dress any more. "What other child of mine could have gotten a hundred in maths and spelling though?"
"Me!" Victor cheered.
"Congratulations." Severus hugged Victor with his free hand. "You are a brilliant son who works hard and never gives up. I'm lucky to be your father."
"Thank you," Victor beamed.
"You should be very proud of Victor," Hermione entered the room. "He studied very hard for his grades. He's more than earned his high marks."
"I know how amazing my son is," He kissed Victor's head before turning to Hermione. "Where's Rose?"
"Here."
Severus' stomach sank as she trudged into the room, her head bowed, hands behind her back. Victor stepped away from his father, his previous joy evaporated.
"Rose," his voice was soft as he put down Violet, who was now frowning. "What happened?"
"Nothing," she muttered before standing in front of him the same way he had stood in front of his disappointed mother.
He knelt down and put a hand on her shoulder. "What is wrong?"
She shrugged and fought the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Victor, why don't you and Violet go help me get ready for dinner?" Hermione gestured for them to follow her."Both of you need to clean your robes anyway."
"Fine," Victor glanced down and gave Rose a quick hug. "It's okay. You'll do better next time."
"Easy for you to say," the tears now flowed. "You get a hundreds on everything. I can't get even one."
"That isn't true. You got a hundred on potions. I didn't get one on potions," Victor answered. "So I don't get them on everything and you don't never get them."
"Potions is the only thing I'm good at."
"No, you are good at many things," Severus answered.
"No I'm not, not like I want to be!" Her voice cracked.
"Rose, what happened?"
Hermione gestured for Victor to follow her. After giving Rose one last rub on the back, he did so.
"Rose, what happened?" Severus' voice was gentle.
She mumbled something.
"I'm sorry, I could not hear you."
"I failed my spelling test!" More tears fell."It doesn't matter what I say or do, I keep failing those tests. I study and I study and I study, and I still fail!"
"I know spelling is difficult…"
"And it's stupid!" Rose made two fists. "I can just use a spell check spell for everything, so it doesn't even matter if I know how to spell. All spelling tests do is make me look stupid."
"You are not stupid."
"I feel stupid."
"That isn't true. You aren't stupid. In fact, you are one of the most intelligent witches I have ever met."
"Then why can't I stop misspelling things?" She spat. "I hate spelling. Why can't I just stop spelling and do something I'm good at?"
"Because you need to be able write well enough to have your potions articles published."
The second the words left his mouth, he realized he had offered little comfort. Instead, Rose went white as her lower lip quivered.
"You mean I can't do potions without knowing how to spell?" She shook.
"Of course you can do potions without knowing how to spell," Severus replied in a gentle voice."You have a natural aptitude for it. When we brew, you ask excellent questions, and you are getting better at cutting ingredients. You will make an excellent potions mistress one day."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, you already excel at potions. There's no reason to think you won't get better."
She sniffed. "See, I don't need to spell."
"No, because spelling is an important skill if you want to communicate all the wonderful things you're doing and all the amazing cures you've created," He argued.
"So if I'm bad at spelling, I can't be good at potions."
"No," he shook his head. "You are already good at potions and will only get better. Struggling in one area does not mean you will struggle in every area."
"So I don't need to spell?"
He took a deep breath. "You need to try to spell. I know if you continue to try, you will one day succeed."
"You always say that, but I'm not getting any better at it," Rose sniffed. "I try and try and try, and I never get better. I'm tired of trying."
"I know," Severus embraced her. "I know you are."
"I just want to be good at spelling tests like Victor is. I can do everything else he can, and I can explain potions better than him. Still, I can't spell like he can. Even Scorpius spells better than me. He won a spelling bee, and I couldn't even make it into one. Everyone can spell except for me."
"I know it feels that way," he embraced her tighter. "But I assure you, many people struggle to spell."
"I'm tired of being terrible at it." She embraced him. "I just want to be good at it so I can stop failing. I'm tired of being bad."
"I know you are frustrated," he massaged her as his cape became moist. "Still, you need to understand something."
"What?" She snorted.
He released her and met her eyes. "Just because you struggle with something doesn't mean you're a bad person, or that you'll always be bad at that skill. It just means you have to work harder to achieve your goals. I know that's difficult, but I also know you are determined and resilient. You will find a way to excel at spelling."
"Do you think so?"
"I know so."
She gave him a half grin.
"Also, you are an amazing daughter. You are a wonderful person. Having a difficult time spelling does not reflect your worth or your character," Severus continued.
"It doesn't?"
"No, it doesn't."
"Thank you," she choked.
"I love you." He kissed her cheek. "I'm going to help you in any way I can."
"Promise?" She squeaked.
"I promise," he answered, noting the gray soot from the fireplace was all over her black dress. "Why don't we clean up before dinner?"
"Okay," she answered. "We're having eggplant parmesan."
"That sounds excellent."
She shrugged. "I guess so."
He frowned. "I thought you liked eggplant parmesan."
"I do, but I'm not hungry.
"I know, but you should try to eat anyway"
"Fine."
He kissed her forehead, hoping he could convey his love and faith in her.
"I'm running out of options," Hermione slumped onto the bed. "No matter what method I try, what game I play, or what book I use, Rose isn't progressing in her spelling. She's making the same mistakes. After every spelling lesson, she walks away angry because she doesn't understand it."
"I know it's frustrating, but there is nothing to worry about," Severus began putting on his night shirt. "Rose is taking her own time learning spelling. Eventually, she will master it."
"I don't know how much longer we can wait for 'eventually.'"
Severus swallowed.
"Right now, she's becoming frustrated and shutting down," Hermione answered. "She believes she's going to fail, so she's given up on even trying. If there's a word that's difficult, she sputters and yells that she can't do it. Nothing I say or do will convince her that she will one day learn how to spell."
"That isn't like Rose," Severus turned to Hermione and continued buttoning up his nightshirt. "She doesn't give up easily, nor does she shy away from challenges."
"No, it is unusual for her to act this way. Still, spelling feels like a challenge she can't conquer," Hermione's voice softened. "I'm worried about the toll this is taking on her self-esteem."
"I've spoken with her, and I think she understands that her self-worth shouldn't be tied to a spelling test."
"I know, but it's going to take more than a few pep talks to build her confidence in spelling."
"Love, you can't rush these things. She will learn to spell in her own time."
"I know that in theory, but," Hermione exhaled. "You know what teaching is like, how frustrating it is for a student not to understand the material, how they begin to lash out when they don't understand a subject and find it useless."
Severus furrowed his eyebrows. "Rose isn't giving you the kind of trouble my students gave me, is she?"
"No, absolutely not," Hermione replied. "She would never steal potions ingredients or set anyone's robes on fire."
"I would hope not anyway."
"Still, I'm worried that with her mounting frustrations she'll give up on herself."
"You won't let her do that."
"No, but it could happen if she sees spelling as irrelevant, boring, and useless."
"Unfortunately for her, spelling is anything but that."
"I know. I try to tell her that but," there was a gleam in Hermione's eyes. "She isn't responding to me because in these situations, she responds better to you."
"That isn't true," Severus approached her. "She responds equally well to you as she does to me."
"Under most circumstances I would agree. Still when it comes to how an education can influence a career, she is much more likely to listen to you."
"I fear I'm at a loss for how to help then. I tried to explain to her how spelling helps with potions. It only made her fear that she couldn't do potions if she couldn't spell." Severus shook his head.
"I'm sure you put that fear to rest."
"I did, perhaps too well," her exhaled. "Rose told me just before bed she was going to hire someone to write her articles for her."
"I hope you told her that isn't advisable," she replied.
"I decided that discussion was best left for the morning." He sat beside her.
"Good," she answered. "Still, I think you can find a way to make spelling enjoyable for her."
"How? You're the one who knows all the tricks of educating children in an enjoyable way. All I know how to do is yell at children and intimidate them into compliance."
"That is a load of thestral dung and you know it. You haven't so much looked at our children cross-eyed. I have never heard you raise your voice to them or make them feel anything less than wanted."
"That is because they are easy to love."
"I know, and because of that you know how to teach them."
"They are easy to teach." Severus put his hands on his lap. "Our children are quick studies. They are by far the most brilliant and enjoyable students I have ever had."
"And you know how to bring out their brilliance."
"I don't know about that but," his eyes grew. "I do have a few tricks up my sleeve, ones I may be able to try."
"You do?"
"Indeed," he held her hand. "If you will allow me to take Rose to the apothecary on Saturday, I think I can help make learning spelling a little easier on everyone. Raquel is taking the day off, so I'll be able to implement my plan without getting in her way. I can't promise Rose will win a spelling bee in the near future, but I think she won't be so insistent that spelling is useless after spending a day seeing why it is important."
She squeezed his hand. "I think spending some father/daughter time with her is a brilliant idea."
"It's easy to come up with brilliant ideas when you have a brilliant wife by your side."
In response, Hermione captured Severus' lips. He held her closer, hoping his plan worked.
Rose hadn't expected her father to invite her to his apothecary on Saturday. It was a pleasant treat though. As excited as Victor and Violet were to go to the zoo, she'd rather learn more about potions than see a wolf. If she never saw another wolf she would be a very happy nine year old.
This day promised to be a good one, an even better one than the other times she'd gone to the apothecary. Her dad agreed to give her a fun fact about each potion she may not know in exchange for one small favor.
Little did she know that favor was spelling.
"Now you must be careful how much peppermint oil you put in a calming draught," Severus began. "Otherwise, you can cause a burning sensation in someone's mouth and make their eyes water. You would not want that to occur, would you?"
"No," Rose sat beside him on a wooden stool at the counter. "That would mean people weren't calm anymore, and they may not buy your potions."
"Exactly," Severus held out his hand, collecting the customer's coins. "Now, how do you spelling calming?"
Rose's eyes grew as her body ran cold.
Severus cast a muffliato. "You will be fine, Little One. The customer won't hear you. Could you please tell me how to spell 'calming?'"
Her voice was quiet. "I don't want to spell."
"I know, but you promised you would do me one favor in exchange for a potions fact. I have kept my end of the bargain. Now you must keep yours."
Rose took a deep breath. The last thing she ever wanted was to break a promise to her dad. As much as she hated spelling, he wasn't wrong in saying she'd promised to do it.
"Please spell 'calming.'"
"Uh," she squirmed. "Does it start with a k?"
"You are correct in that k makes a kuh sound, but another letter does too," he began making change. "It's this letter you must focus upon."
"Okay," she fidgeted. "C?"
"Good," he grinned. "Keep going."
She took a deep breath. "C-A-L-M-I-N-G?"
"Very well done," Severus grinned.
"I did it?" Rose beamed.
"You did," he lifted the muffliato. "You spelled that perfectly."
"I did it!"
The customer smiled as she collected her change and the potion.
Severus' face became much more serious. "Next?"
The customer laid down a vial.
Severus pointed to it. "Can you tell me what that is?"
"Yes," her smile remained. "It's a Swelling Solution."
"Very good," he turned to the customer. "It's also ten galleons."
He began pulling out the coins.
Severus continued. "You need puffer-fish eyes to create it. Now, many places claim they sell the best, but the actual best puffer-fish eyes are found in Malaysia. That's why I only buy puffer-fish eyes when I'm in Australia. They're imported from Kuala Lumpur."
"Oh, I always wondered that," she replied.
He cast the muffliato as the customer handed him ten galleons. "Can you spell 'swelling?'"
She gulped.
"It's going to be fine Rose, just sound it out."
"I will," her voice was weak. "S-W?"
"Yes," Severus answered. "Continue on. You're doing well."
"Okay," her eyes lit up. "S-W-E-L-I-N-G."
"You are close. One letter repeats. Do you know what that may be?"
"Uh, L?"
"Yes, now please spell it again."
"Okay," she inhaled. "S-W-E-L-L-I-N-G."
"Very good," he lifted the muffliato.
"It is?"
"It is."
Rose's eyes glistened. Perhaps she could spell after all, or at least she could when she was around potions.
Perhaps she didn't need people to write her papers for her after all. Maybe, just maybe, she could master spelling with her father's help.
The day went by with Severus giving Rose facts about potions in exchange for her spelling words. Although she was by no means perfect, she was enjoying the potions facts. It also made her happy to see how proud her father was of her, even when she got the word wrong. The fact that she didn't need to look at any F's or hear about how everyone else was doing better than her only improved her mood.
"Now," Severus began as he finished putting the last of the coins into the cash register, "I need you to pick out four potions. You're going to spell them out for me."
"Can I pick easy ones?"
"If you want to, that is acceptable. Still," he looked into her blue eyes, "I thought you were always up for a challenge."
"I only like challenges in potions," Rose argued.
"That isn't true. You like challenges in charms and when I teach you how to counteract dark magic. Your flying is getting better as well," Severus answered. "Those are all challenges."
"True."
He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. You won't fail at this. All you will do is improve."
"Okay," she jumped off her stool then skipped into the apothecary. She twisted her lips as she considered which potions to get. She wanted an easy potion like a Cure for Boils, but Amortentia might be fun to try to spell, if only to impress her father with how seriously she was taking her lessons.
After picking the potions, she gave them to Severus. He took one and examined it. "Let's start with an easy one then."
"Okay."
"How do you spell nightshade?"
Rose opened her mouth, only for the letters to escape her. She'd tried to spell night before, but she always got it wrong. It wasn't nite, but if it wasn't that, what was it?
"Rose," Severus' voice was soft.
"N," she swallowed as every low grade she received on a spelling test flashed in her mind. "I, uh, E, no no it's, uh, A, I mean."
"Take a deep breath and think it through," Severus began. "Try to pronounce it in your head and spell from there."
The letters were jumbled in her mind. None of it was making sense. Every answer she knew was wrong, but she couldn't figure out which one was right.
"Rose?"
All the books said she should know the word. Victor and Scorpius knew the word. For the life of her, she couldn't remember how to spell it!
"Rose?"
"No!" She burst into tears as her emotions overwhelmed her. "I can't do it! I can't spell and I never will!"
Severus knelt until he was eye level with Rose.
"I'm trying, I really am, but every time I try to spell I come off like a dunderhead! I'm just like the dunderheads you used to teach and I'm tired of it!"
"You are not a dunderhead."
"Yes I am! I'm just like all the dunderheads you used to teach!"
"Is that what's troubling you?" He put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you afraid you're a dunderhead?"
She nodded. "I'm afraid I'm a dunderhead and everyone will think I'm stupid. I'm afraid I'll never be good at anything. If I don't learn to spell, you may start thinking I can't be good at anything, so you won't help me with anything anymore."
"Oh Rose, how could you ever think that?"
"I don't know," tears streamed down her face. "I'm just angry with myself. Everyone can do this except for me. I'm tired of watching everyone do well while I fail."
"I know you must be frustrated," his voice was soft. "It's hard when it seems like everyone understands something and you don't."
"It is." She sniffed.
"It's easy to get frustrated when you aren't good at something." He leaned down and asked in a soft voice, "Can I tell you a secret?"
She looked up. "What?"
He cleared his throat. "When I was your age, I was terrible at spelling too."
Her eyes grew. "You were?"
He nodded.
"But you write articles and have great spelling."
"I am that way because I practiced until I got better at spelling."
"Did Grandpa Tobias help you the way you're helping me?"
Severus frowned. "No, he wasn't that kind of dad."
"Oh," she swallowed. "You don't mention him much."
"There's a reason for that."
"Was he not a good dad?"
"No," his voice was quiet. "Your grandpa Tobias was not a happy man, so he made the people around him unhappy, including me. He was not a nice man, nor was he a good dad."
"I'm sorry," Rose embraced Severus. "You deserved a nice and good Dad because you're a nice and good dad."
"Thank you," He embraced her.
"I love you Dad," she held him tighter. "And I was having fun with spelling today until I froze and couldn't remember how to spell 'night.'"
"I know, and I may be pushing you too hard," Severus replied. "Perhaps we should stop for now."
"No,I want to spell Amortentia first."
"You do?" He released her.
"Yes, I got that potion just to prove I could spell something difficult."
"Fine, you can spell it, but only if you're feeling up to doing so. Otherwise, we can call this a successful day and close the store."
"I can do this." She took a deep breath and glanced at the ceiling. "A-M-O-R-T-E-N-T-I-A. Amortentia."
"You did it," Severus face lit up.
"I did?" Her eyes glistened.
"Yes, you are becoming a good speller."
"I did it," she cheered. "I did it!"
"Yes you did, so let this be a lesson."
"What, about spelling?"
"No," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let it be a lesson to never give up on yourself. Never think you can't do something until you've tried it."
"What if I do give up?" She asked.
"Then remember I'll always believe in you," he answered. "No matter what happens, I will always believe in you. If I must believe in you enough for both of us, then I will."
"Thank you," she kissed his cheek.
"There is never any reason to thank me for being honest." He stood. "We have a little bit of time before dinner, more time than we need to clean up the apothecary. Do you want to get a bowl of ice cream fromFrozen Freddy's?"
"We can do that?"
"I don't see why not, so long as you don't spoil your dinner and tell your mother I let you have a bowl," he winked at her.
She laughed. "I like that idea."
"I do too."
Rose gave Severus one more hug before helping him put the potions back in their place. As she did so, she promised herself she would never forget what her father had told her.
It was hard for Severus to believe a decade had passed since his daughter had struggled with spelling. Although she was dependent upon spell check spells, she had improved. It was a joy to see her gain confidence in herself through the years.
That didn't mean there weren't times when she baffled him. Today she swore there was an article inPotions Monthlythat he needed to read, one which would be perfect for his research. He didn't dare ask how she knew about it beforehand.
Once he opened the journal, his throat constricted. On page 34 wasAntidotes Without Hate Potions for Amortentia: A Case Study.
What brought a tear to his eye was the line underneath.
To my dad, Severus Snape, who never gave up on me.