The Other Child

“Close your eyes” he whispers to me.

I close my eyes and he continues.

“I loved you when you were young, you know that already though, what you didn’t know, is that I wanted to take you away from here, away from your family, and be just us” I feel him leaning towards the nightstand, and hear a drawer open and close again as he leans back into me.

“Open your eyes Amy” He whispers softly

I open my eyes and my heart stops; I feel tears welling up in my eyes. In front of my face he is holding a black velvet ring box flipped open to reveal the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It’s a black gold with a dark red diamond on it. It must have cost him a fortune.

“Will you marry me Amy? Will you be the calm to my everlasting storm?” He asks, voice trembling

“Severus....I...Of course I will, I would be happy to stand at your side forever” I whisper back softly
Severus takes the ring from the box, sliding it gently onto my finger. He wraps his arms around me and I feel something warm run down my chest as he snuggles into my neck.

“Severus? Are you crying love” I ask trying to turn around, but he holds me, looking away from him, and shakes his head against my shoulder

“No” he whispers

“It’s ok to cry love; I assume they are tears of joy. You don’t have to hide your emotions from me Severus, I will never hurt you”

I feel his grip on me loosen and I turn and look into his eyes. I gently wipe the tears from his face and place a tender loving kiss on his soft lips.

“Eewww! You two are smooching!” Raven squeals

Raven climbs up onto the bed and sits beside us. She stares at us for a moment the heads for the door.

“Where do you think you’re going young lady?” I ask

“Breakfast! If I wait for you two it will be supper!” she exaggerates excitedly

Severus moves me gently off his lap and climbs carefully off the bed. He waves his wand and is immediately dressed in his usual black layers. I smile and wrap my arm around his as we head out the door and towards the great hall.

When we arrive in the great hall I realize my assumption was right, the only table that holds any people is the staff table, as we move into the hall they all stop talking and stare. One after another they stand and start clapping, a few of them cheering as well. I feel Severus stop and try to back step. I hold him tighter and continue towards the staff table. It is clear they already knew he was alive. Raven runs out in front of us, the applause stops and they all stare in shock, I am sure none of them, if they even knew about her would have thought her to be this beautiful. McGonagall waves her wand and three extra chairs appear across from her at the table. Raven is the first to sit followed by myself, and then a reluctant Severus.

“This place is so cool!” Raven says looking around the large hall which has been fully repaired over the last few days.

“Maybe, my dear, you will be lucky enough to be a student here one day” McGonagall smiles at her.

“Really!” squeals Raven

“I believe, Ms, Malfoy, that we have you to thank for our severe lack of casualties?” a smiling woman asks me.

“Please, call me Amy. Malfoy is so....well sinister sounding. I take no pride in being a Malfoy, I assure you. You are? And yes I am responsible for the potion. Did it work on everyone then?” I ask

“I am Poppy Pomfrey, and only one had a reaction to it” she says pointing down the table to a younger man, who nods but looks slightly ill

“You are?” I ask the man

“Remus Lupin, and thank you, because of you both my wife and I are able to be here for our son” he says turning his gaze to a young woman with purple hair holding a baby with dark blue hair.

I smile at him happily turning my gaze to Severus who is glaring intently at Remus.

“What’s wrong love? Surely you aren’t jealous; you know I am yours love”

“He’s not jealous Amy, He doesn’t like me, and with fair reason. My friends and I tortured him all through school, without any reason.” He states sadly

“I see, surely you’ve apologized for things that happened so long ago?” I ask hopefully

“Severus isn’t really the forgiving type” He turns his gaze to Severus “I am sorry for the way we treated you, I know we will never be good friends, but perhaps we can cease being enemies?” he asks gently

Severus huffs, crossing his arms on his chest and glaring harder.

“Severus, please stop being so stubborn, he is trying to make amends with you” I ask pleadingly

“Thank you for protecting Harry all these years, I had no Idea you loved—“ Remus starts

“Stop there; I have no desire to discuss my personal life with you, nor any of the others at this table.” Severus growls angrily and standing up to flee.

I grab his arm, pulling him back into the seat and glaring pointedly at him.

“I only meant to thank you Severus, not to cause you discomfort” Remus assures him holding out his hand in a peaceful manner.

I watch Severus as he stares at Remus’ hand as if it is infected with dragon pox. I lean into him, elbowing him hard in the ribs. He huffs and extends his hand for a quick handshake before withdrawing his hand as if he has been burned

“Who is the young lady?” asks the woman with purple hair “I’m Tonks by the way, Nymphadora Tonks Lupin” She smiles at me.

“Tonks sounds familiar” I stop to think for a moment “Andromeda Blacks daughter?” I ask gently

“Yes” she responds nervously

“Nice to meet you, I am Lucius Malfoy’s sister...sadly” I respond, earning a smile from many of the occupants of the table “This is Raven, Severus and my daughter”

“You never told us you had a daughter, Severus” Nymphadora comments

“I was not informed myself until only a few days ago`” he drawls

“With the work Severus was doing for Dumbledore (Severus cringes) and the fact he was working against Voldemort, I saw it best not to inform him, as it could have put Raven in danger” I explain calmly

Food appears on our plates and Severus and Raven begin eating.

“That was probably the wisest choice, No one trusted Severus, except Dumbledore, and he wasn’t here to protect him in the end. We are all fortunate that you were here at the right time” McGonagall says firmly.

The rest of breakfast goes silently and we excuse ourselves back to the room so raven can nap.

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