Severus and Jenny - a Life

Disclaimer.

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark or infringement is intended

It’s been a while, but I’ve gotten a couple of reviews recently and got the urge to write a little. This is a gentle chapter with the kids getting a bit older. Hope you like it.

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Severus walked through his Hogwart’s chambers, dousing candles and lamps as he went. All was quiet in his private domain: his birth children slumbered in their beds, his Slytherin brood was safely ensconced in their dungeon abode, and his wife was primping in the en suite bathroom. Yes, he thought to himself, some days did end perfectly. With a self-satisfied smile he picked up two wine glasses and the bottle of claret he’d opened to breathe earlier, as he made his way to his bed chamber.

“Be out in a minute, love,” said Jenny. “It’s nice to have an early night for once.”

Severus smile got slightly more feral as he poured two glasses of wine. “Not too early, if I’ve have my way,” he muttered to himself.

“What were you saying?” asked Jenny, coming from the bathroom wearing only a bath towel.

Severus cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing, just a perfect end to a perfect day,” he covered for himself.

Jenny smiled knowingly. “Aha,” she replied, as she accepted the proffered wine. “And just what would make this day end so perfectly?”

Severus pretended to think before speaking. “Well, some quiet moments with my Manchester Lass, sharing a glass of good wine and good adult conversation.”

Jenny smiled at him and sipped at the wine he passed to her. “Aha,” she responded as she walked to their bed. “And do you really think for a minute I believe that?” She reclined upon the pillows, stretching her legs out in comfort.

Severus took a sip of wine before replying. “Not really, no.” He smiled as he heard her giggle like a young girl.

“Severus,” she called in sing-song voice, “would you rub my feet? I was running after Saoirse all day, and my arches are begging for some relief.”

Severus set his glass on the bedside table and sat at the end of the bed. He lifted her foot and began massaging the sole with his thumbs. “Better?”

“Mmnh,” moaned Jenny, closing her eyes to enjoy the pleasurable sensations Severus created with his ministrations. She sucked in a breath, as he began kissing then sucking her toes, one after the other.

“Have I soothed your poor, aching arches yet?” asked Severus in a low, gravelly tone.

Jenny smiled and took another sip of wine before answering. “Not quite yet, but you’re almost there.”

He began rubbing the pad on the back of her big toe then kissed it, before gently sucking the end of the toe into his mouth. Jenny sighed in appreciation.

Just when he thought he had Jenny in the right mood to move on, the moment was shattered.

“MUMMY, DADDY! Come See!” A child’s voice preceded his barging entry into their room.

Severus jumped in surprise, biting her big toe in the process. Jenny yelped in pain.

“Daddy, come see. It’s Saoirse. She’s sitting on top of my wardrobe,” exclaimed Darrius.

“Darrius, one does not barge into one’s parent’s bedroom like that,” Severus scolded.

“What did you say about Saoirse, Darrius,” asked Jenny, as she looked at the tooth marks on the offended toe.

Darrius ignored his father’s scowl. “She’s sitting on top of my wardrobe.”

“Don’t be silly, boy. How could she climb all the way up there?” Severus stood to escort his son back to bed but instead, Darrius grabbed his hand and pulled him to make him follow.

“Come see, quick.” Darrius pulled Severus down the hall, Jenny following behind, pulling on a dressing gown.

As they entered, they heard a little girl’s giggle.

“See, I told you so,” said Darrius in tone that left no doubt about his affront at being disbelieved.

Jenny’s hand covered her mouth. “Good lord, how did you get up there, lass?”

Severus reached up and plucked the toddler from her perch. As she was lifted, she brought with her a stuffed dragon.

“That’s mine,” said Darrius trying to take the toy from her and making her cry in the process. “She’s always trying to take it.”

He finally succeeded in pulling it away. As he did, Saoirse let out a howl of anger. Then suddenly, the toy dragon began to hit Darrius with its tail.

“Ow! Daddy, make it stop,” cried Darrius, unsuccessfully trying to throw the dragon way,.

Severus passed Saoirse to Jenny, and then pulled the toy away from his son. He pulled his wand from his dressing gown pocket and disenchanted the toy. Turning to his daughter, he pointed his finger at her. “That will be quite enough from you, young lady.”

“Yeah,” snarled Darrius. “You’re a naughty girl.”

Severus turned back to his son, who at that moment scarily reminded him of himself; standing with his arms crossed with a scowl on his little boy face. “Perhaps, sir, if you were to share your toys instead being selfish with them, she would not have been so inclined to try and take it from you. Now back to bed.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Darrius climbed into his bed and lay down. “But it’s still my dragon,” He added petulantly.

Severus walked over to his son and smoothed his hair. “Yes, it is your dragon, but perhaps for tonight, Saoirse may borrow it.”

“Okay,” agreed Darrius reluctantly.

“Goodnight, love,” said Jenny, feeling more than a little confused.

Darrius yawned. “Night, night.” He closed his eyes, already falling asleep, but called his father back.

“Daddy,” he asked, “why were you eating Mummy’s toe?”

Severus thought quickly. “Eating? No, no, Darrius. Mummy had hurt her toe and I was kissing it better.”

“It was a funny kiss, Daddy.” Darrius yawned again.

“Go to sleep, Darrius.” Severus took a moment and pulled the blanket up over his sons’ shoulder then closed the door as he left the room.

“What happened?” asked Jenny as she carried Saoirse back to her room. She placed the toddler back in the cot she was quickly growing out of.

Severus signalled for quiet, as Saoirse was falling asleep. He placed the dragon at the child’s feet where she could find it, then cast a wordless charm on the cot.

When they got back to their own room, Jenny asked, “Was this Saoirse’s magic?”

Severus nodded. “Yes. She wanted the dragon so badly, she wished herself to go to it – Apparated by accident.” He snorted in amusement. “I’ve seen it among the students here a few times.”

“What do you mean?” Jenny asked, as she was fetching a nightgown from her dresser.

“A former student of mine, Crabbe, used to love his food. More than once I got a call from the kitchens to remove him when he’d suddenly appeared asking for treacle tart in the middle of the night.” Severus sighed. “He’ll never enjoy that again. He died in the war.”

He looked up and saw Jenny dressing in a long flannel night gown. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“Oh, Severus, I’m so afraid for her now. What if she goes to the lake, or the ice cream shop or the zoo…?” By the look on her face, Jenny was genuinely scared.

Severus stood in front of her and wrapped her in his arms. “No fear of that, love. She can move about our apartment and perhaps within the castle, but she can’t leave Hogwarts that way. She’ll just be sent back to where she tried to leave from.” He lifted her chin and kissed her gently. “In the mean time, I’ve warded her cot so she can’t get out. Tomorrow, we’ll go to Wee Wizarding Wonders in London and we’ll buy a bracelet she can wear to stop her from Apparating at this age.”

“It’s that common?” She asked, becoming distracted as Severus nuzzled her neck.

“Common enough, now, about this abomination of lingerie you are wearing…” He began to un-button it from the neck.

“Severus,” whispered Jenny. “You bit my toe. Will you kiss it better?”

The offending night gown was cast aside. “I am kissing it better, love. It’s just a very, very progressive kiss from here…” he kissed her throat as he backed her to the bed. “To here…” he kissed her breast. “To here…” he progressed lower, but never reached her toe.
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Another Quidditch Saturday; it was the semi-final game between Hufflepuff and Slytherin, to see who would meet Gryffindor for the final. In the stands, several prominent alumni of Hogwarts were present; Harry Potter and his wife Ginny, Hermione and Ron Weasley, Draco and his new wife Gabrielle Malfoy (nee Delacour) and Lucius Malfoy. The game lasted two hours, coming to an exciting conclusion, when the first female Slytherin team member in memory, and current seeker, caught the Snitch. As the cheers died, and Snape received congratulations, both exuberant and reluctant, from staff and students alike, Lucius Malfoy waited until the end.

“Excellent match, old chap. You fielded an outstanding team this year.” Lucius beamed as a group of Slytherins and the team passed, carrying the third-year girl Seeker who still held the Snitch in her hand.

“Thank you, Lucius. I’m sure this victory will bring the School cup back where it belongs- in the hands of Slytherin.” Severus was quite gratified and satisfied with the results of the year. He’d hardly had to bolster his house’s points at all. They should take the cup fairly for the first time in a generation.

“So,” asked Lucius, “is Jenny cooking this evening? Her menu may be for the common man, but the flavours she conjures are to be savoured.”

“I’m so pleased my wife’s culinary skills are appreciated by you, Lucius. She has created, as usual, the steak and kidney pudding you so admire. In fact, I believe she made some for you to take home.” Severus watched as confusion crossed his friend’s face and decided to explain. “Lucius, you lauded her cooking when you ate with us. Jenny now feels responsible to provide you with enough food to take home to enjoy over a couple of days. It’s the way with working class Northerners and Scots. To share one’s good fortune is to bring good fortune back to one’s family.”

Lucius felt confused. “Severus, old chap, is this something your family would have shared?”

Severus looked off into the distance before replying. “Perhaps, if my family had felt anything towards each other…” He sighed. “Lucius, Jenny represents what is best among Muggles. I was lucky to find her and, Merlin knows, have her marry me.”

“Come on, Darrius - Uncle Lucius, Draco, and his wife, are all coming for dinner tonight. I need to fix some fish for Gabrielle,” said Jenny. “She doesn’t like English beef.

“But, Mummy, Uncle Ooshus says that snobs never rush,” retorted Darrius. “Snobs progress at a dignified, yet orderly pace, always appearing relaxed and in control… it’s on page one of the book he wrote.” Darrius continued to plod along at what he considered a dignified pace.

“He wrote a book on being a snob? Ha!” Jenny continued to make their way from the lake where she’d escaped to during the match, “I’ve had enough of your snobbery, OOF.” Jenny tripped and fell over a thick tree root. Pain shot through her toe, leaving her unable to walk immediately. She was within sight of the Quidditch pitch and saw her husband talking to someone. “Darrius, I see your dad. Can you run and tell him I’ve hurt my foot, please.”

“Okay, Mum, Snobs can run in an emergency.” He took off at a run. When he reached his father, he stopped and saw that Lucius was the other person - his snob protégé.

“Good afternoon, Uncle Ooshus, I hope you are well?” Darrius thought he’d spoken in his snobbiest voice as he presented a courteous bow.

“Quite well, thank you, Darrius, and how are you, your Mother and sister?” replied Lucius,

‘My sister is quite well, thank you, but my mother has hurt her foot and has asked…” He was interrupted.

“Darrius, your mother is hurt? Where is she?” Severus had grabbed his son’s shoulder to look him in the face. “Where is your Mum? Tell me now.” He gripped Darrius’ shoulders and gently shook.

Darrius was scared. Daddy never spoke that way and never shook him. “Just there, Daddy.” He pointed to the edge of brush by the lake.

Severus left, sprinting to where Darrius pointed. Several students watched the dour master run towards the lake.

Severus approached the area Darrius indicated and saw Jenny sitting on a log.

“What happened, Jenny?” He asked as he approached..

“Oh, nothing, really. I just stubbed my toe on a root or something, but it hurts to walk.” Jenny grimaced as she tried to stand.

Meanwhile, Darrius was still standing with his Uncle Ooshus by the Quidditch pitch.

Come, Darrius,” said Lucius, “we’ll go back to the school. Your Father will look after your Mum.” He held out his hand for Darrius to take.

Darrius took the proffered hand. “I know, Uncle. Daddy will make Mummy’s foot better, just like he did last night.”

“Last night?” wondered Lucius.

“Aha,” replied Darrius. “Mummy hurt her toe last night and Daddy kissed it better. Mummy really liked it. My Daddy is a really good kisser.”

Some seventh year students overheard the little boy and began to snicker.

Lucius was hard put not to laugh himself and pulled the child along. “Well, I’m sure your Mummy will be fine, then.”

Darrius nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Mummy and Daddy get hurt a lot ‘cause they’re always kissing and they always feel better afterwards. Grown-ups must be really clumsy.”

“Well, I suppose that’s one way of putting it,” said Lucius, no longer hiding his amusement.