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Format: Novel
Chapters: 38
Word Count: 47,481
Status: WIP
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Strong Language, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, Substance Use or Abuse, Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme
Genres: Fluff, Humor, Romance
Characters: Hermione, Snape, Draco, OC
Pairings: OC/OC, Other Pairing
First Published: 06/05/2011
Last Chapter: 05/16/2013
Last Updated: 05/16/2013
Summary:
Banner by .smiles at TDA! xD
SEQUEL TO MOTHER MAY I? and DADDY DEAREST.
3rd in the series. Alix's world has been turned upside down...again. Both her and her mother are pregnant, both with the same due dates. Everyone's trying to save face and pretend to be happy... except Severus that is. He's making a demand, and Alix and Tyler arent sure this is something they can live with.
Chapter 1: Prohibition
Chapter Image by !nkblot at TDA!
APOV
It had been a week since the family fight that resulted when I told my parents I was pregnant, and today was our first visit to St. Mungo’s for the baby. Tyler and I had talked for a long time that night and we decided that adoption was the very best for our child. So here we sat now just Tyler and I awaiting the nurse in the sonogram room.
As if she could read my mind, Nurse Stevens walked through the double doors, eyes scanning over their clipboard. “Well Miss Snape, today we should see the very first picture of the baby. Are you excited?”
I nodded and Tyler nudged me to remind me of our agreement. Lately, I had been changing my mind slowly but surely. Nurse Stevens squeezed some jelly on my stomach and rubbed it in, placing a cool paddle on top of it. The picture on the electronic screen moved as the medal pedal did, and soon the typical grayish blob showed up amongst the black backdrop. The nurse’s eyes smiled, as did her lips as she moved the pedal slower
“This, Miss Snape is your beautiful little baby.” Tyler and I stared at the blob remnant of a naked mole rat. He or she looked perfect. A smile lit up my face and out of the corner of my eye, I saw one on Tyler’s too as his hand grasped mine tighter.
“Now, Miss Snape, do you know when you conceived this child?”
“We’re guessing January 2nd. My last period was in December.”
The nurse nodded and did some quick calculating, writing on her clipboard “Miss Snape, Mr. Truett. You’re baby should be here by Septemeber 25th.”
“Autumn Baby.” Tyler whispered and my smile grew.
“Now, as of right now, your baby seems to be in perfect health. That doesn’t mean he or she will not develop problems later throughout your pregnancy Miss Snape. I am also responsible for telling you the possible things that could go wrong within the next few months. Because you are so young, there is a risk higher than that of average aged mothers for your baby to be born premature or of a lower birth weight. They may grow up to have mental and/or physical defects. Do you know what all of those terms mean?” We nodded. “As the mother, it is a possibility, with you being 16, that you may have serious and hazardous complications during delivery such as altering your pelvic bone or spine, or, to the extreme, death.” Two quick intakes of breath. “I don’t want you to worry though, positive thinking helps. As long as you take care of yourself diligently and never let that falter, we should all be okay.”
I nodded, though Tyler looked still frozen on the word ‘death’.
“By this doctor’s visit, I am assuming you two are keeping the child.”
“No.” Tyler replied strongly, at the exact same time as my “Yes.”
The nurse looked between the two of us. “I’ll give you time to discuss this.”
As soon as the door closed, Tyler exploded. “Die Alix! You could die! It is not too late to abort it, Alix, think about it. Please Baby, please, for me.”
I felt my eyes lick with anger as I pushed him away from me. “No, Tyler. I will not die, we just have to take proper precautions! I want this baby!”
“I thought you wanted to give it up for adoption.”
I stepped towards him slowly, taking his hands in mine calmly. “Did you feel nothing when you saw our little blob on that screen?”
“Of course I did, Flicka. But there’s school to think about. You’re going into your sixth year next year; I’m going into my seventh. We’ve got exams to study for, lives to prepare. We’ll be graduating soon, me before you. We’ll be separated the better part of a year if I go to University! How will you raise a child by yourself? What happens if I have to go somewhere, or if we break up? At least, let’s stick to the plan we had before. Adoption."
“We’ll cross those bridges when we get to them.” I replied, ignoring his last sentence completely.
Tyler sighed. “No Alix, we won’t. Babies take planning. That’s why only married, stable couples are supposed to have them. You’re so innocent Flicka, you don’t understand.”
“Tyler! I am not giving up this baby. I don’t give a damn what you say. You can stand by me and help me out, or you can leave with your tail between your legs. But I will work this out. I can do it. We can do this Tyler.”
Tyler and I walked though the portrait hole, dropping a rattling bag onto the coffee table and calling out for Mum and Daddy. They appeared from the kitchen together, almost solemnly.
“We want to talk to the two of you.” Mum started out, sitting on one couch with Daddy and motioning them to sit on the other. “After the whole pregnancy scare, we’ve decided that you guys are teenagers, and are children and therefore you guys do need boundaries. We think that it’d be reasonable to ask that you guys don’t spend any more than an hour daily with a bedroom door closed and that … Oh, come on, Severus, this one’s gonna kill them.”
Daddy shook his head and continued for her. “We think, well, I think Tyler should take back his promise ring and you guys should date a few other people. Have an open relationship for a little while. All you’ve ever known is each other. How can you be so sure you want to stay with each other for the rest of your lives?”
Both of us mouths sat agape, staring at the man before us. I spoke first.
“You have got to be shitting me!”
“Language!” Mum scolded.
“We’re not doing that.” Tyler answered. “No disrespect, sir.” He added on, shrinking under Daddy’s glare.
“We think you will do that, if you want to stay together, that is.” Daddy replied.
“You better not be saying what I think you’re saying.” I dared.
“I am.”
“We’re keeping the baby!” I outed, thinking maybe they’d let us stay together with this tidbit of information.
“Then you’ve got two things to consider here. You’re not keeping the baby, Alix. Adoption or abortion.”
“Severus!” Mum scolded.
He overpowered her. “Adoption or abortion.”
“You cant do this! You cant come in here after 16 years and expect to be able to run my life! Its not your right! You haven't earned it! Who the hell do you think you are?” Daddy’s face didn’t even flinch at my outbreak, and I could tell the tantrum card wasn’t going to work this time. I bit her lip, thinking. “Can we talk about it first? Alone?” My parents nodded and walked back into the living room. As soon as the door closed Alix jumped off the bed and nearly ran into her closet, dragging her trunk out of it. “Help me pack, Ty.”
“What?”
“Help me pack. Come on, we gotta find someway to get a good majority of our things in this trunk, have it shrunk and be off Hogwarts grounds before my parents come back in.”
“You’re kidding, Lex.”
“Seriously, I’m not. Now are you going to help or am I running away by myself?”
A huge smile lit up Tyler’s face as he got up off the bed and helped me throw my things in the trunk.
Later, Tyler walked out of my room, head held low. I heard him tell Mum and Daddy just what we’d rehearsed. “She still wants to be alone for a little while.”
Daddy knocked on my door a little before 6PM that night. “Alix, are you going to the dinner tonight?”
“No.” I tried to make my voice as small and helpless as I possibly could. A last ditch effort.
I heard him move to Tyler’s door. “Tyler, what about you?”
“No.” Tyler replied with the same tone.
I listened to him sigh, and I could picture him taking Mum’s hand, but Mum dropping it in anger.
As soon as the portrait door slammed, Tyler and I peeked their heads through their bedroom doors. “Did you leave the note?” Tyler asked.
I nodded. “Do you have the trunk?”
“In my pocket.” Tyler replied. “You sure about this Alix?”
“Positive.” I replied. “What? Are you backing out?”
He pulled me into his arms, our noses almost touching as our breath mingled with each others. “Never Alix. If this is what it takes for us to be able to stay together and keep our baby, then so be it.”
With a smile, I kissed him chastely. “Let’s go then.”
We walked hand in hand out the portrait door, through the halls of Hogwarts and out the front door just like any normal couple spending time together outside. We looked around slyly; no one was around besides us. In a mad dash to the gates, we made our way out of them and to the apparition point in less than 30 seconds. With a pop, our feet dropped to the wooden floors of a Muggle hotel.
We’ll do it all, everything, on our own.
We don't need anything, or anyone
If I lay here, If I just lay here,
Would you lie with me and just forget the world? – Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars
Last time:
- First doctors visit.
- T & A decide to keep the baby.
- S tells them to see other people
- A tries to get out of it by telling them they’re keeping the baby
- S says ‘adoption or abortion. The only two options.’
- Hr gets pissed.
- T & A Runaway.
Chapter 2: Ultimatum
APOV
Stepping out of the corner, Tyler reached back for my hand again, and walked to the front desk. “Two for Truett.” Tyler stated calmly.
The man at the desk flipped through his book boredly. “I’m sorry Mr. Truett, there’s no reservation under that name. Would you like to make one? The next room available will be in December of next year.”
I saw Tyler slowly took his wand out of his pocket, flicking it behind his back. “Do you mind looking again?”
The Desk Man sighed and flipped back through the book’s pages, sitting up stiffly as he stopped. “Two for Truett. Ah yes sir, right here. Room F23.” He handed over the keys. “Do you need help with your lugg-…or not. Well have a nice stay at the Hilton of Los Angeles, California.”
Tyler nodded his thanks and, with me in tow, made his way to the elevator. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” I whispered again, smiling wildly. “It’s such an adrenaline rush, disobeying my parents!”
Tyler smiled back, staring down at me. He kissed my forehead as an older woman got onto the elevator with them. “I love you Baby.” He whispered “Forever and ever.”
“I love you too Ty.” I whispered back, oblivious to the woman staring at us.
“Ah, young love!” The woman sighed. “Let me guess, running away from home because your parents don’t want you together?”
I smiled politely. “How’d you know?”
“That was me once. Young, crazy and in love. I’m Sylvia by the way.” She extended her hand.
Sticking out mine as well, I responded. “I’m Alix and this is Tyler. Nice to meet you.”
The elevator came to a slow halt and Sylvia stepped off. “Best of luck to the two of you. And watch yourselves. Take extra care to not let anything come between you. The fun of this will wear off soon, and tension and worry will replace it. Don’t let that mess up your relationship. You’ve got something special here. Don’t mess it up.” She left right after, not giving us time to respond. The couple simply looked at each other and shrugged.
We came to our floor a few seconds later and got off, sliding their room key through the slot on the door and walking inside.
As soon as our feet walked through the doorframe, we dropped our bags and cloaks to the ground. Tyler’s hands made it to my face even quicker than his lips did. We laughed carelessly as the exhilaration of running away from home set in. Making it to the bedroom, we began shedding our clothes swiftly, forgetting everyone and everything for the 45 minutes it took my parents to discover their daughter and her teenage boyfriend were nowhere to be found.
Tyler urged me to answer it, always the voice of reason, and not to simply ignore my parents’ calls. Bracing myself, I pressed the cell phone’s little green ‘TALK’ button, putting it on speaker and placing it between the two of us. “Hello?” I answered innocently.
“ALIXZANDRA DRACO SNAPE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE HELL YOU ARE OR WHAT IN THE HELL YOU ARE DOING BUT YOU HAD BETTER GET YOUR LITTLE ARSE IN THE CASTLE IN UNDER 5 MINUTES OR YOUR HEAD WILL BE OURS!” My mother’s screaming voice rang through the speaker, breaking up in intervals when the pitch would break the phone’s sound barrier.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes before breathing out again. “Are you willing to let Tyler and I be?”
“Yes” Mum almost replied, before the phone was snatched into Daddy’s grasp.
“No.” He said evenly. “But you will get your arse to this castle and you will not have Tyler with you when you step through the portrait hole. Like we have said before, Alixzandra, you are 16 years old. You are not an adult and we are legally responsible for you, not to mention your mother’s affiliation with Tyler. Come home now Alixzandra.”
I gulped a bit. “N-No Daddy, I will not. I love you guys, but I love Tyler too and I can’t picture a world without him in it. I’ll see you soon, hopefully. I love you.” I dropped the phone to the floor and watched as the screen turned black. Tears rolled down my pale cheeks as I stared at the lifeless piece of technology on the hotel room floor. Tyler bent down to pick it up. “Don't.” I commanded, wiping my tears angrily and blinking as quickly as I could to hold back the remaining ones. I stood up, kicking the phone further until it hit the wall and the screen cracked. “I haven't listened to my mother for a year and a half, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna start now.”
Run, Baby run.
Don't ever look back.
They’ll tear us apart if you give them the chance.
Don't sell your heart, don't say we’re not meant to be. – We The Kings, Check Yes Juliet
Chapter 3: Restlessness
TPOV
Alix’s tears fell faster, but her face was hard as stone, determined to not give a damn. I walked up to her slowly, and wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as she collapsed into my arms. She sobbed for hours it seemed like, as I placed sweet, consoling kisses along her shoulder line. Taking me by surprise, she grabbed my lips with her own and started an assault on my mouth. Her fingers threaded through my hair, grabbing at bits and tugging hard. I pulled her onto me, carrying her weight as she wrapped her legs around my waist. Her fingers fumbled on the buttons of my shirt, ripping at them. She was scared, scared beyond belief, and she wanted her mind off of it as soon as she could get it there. I helped her get the rest of my clothes off, as well as hers and laid her on the bed. Slowing my kisses, I ran my hands down her skin lovingly, taking my time. She calmed down eventually and our erraticness turned into sweet love.
When we finished, she was still sniffling, she’d cried the whole time. But she curled up to my side and kissed my chest sweetly. “Thank you Tyler.” She replied in a small voice.
“I love you.” I simply said.
SPOV
I laid there with my eyes wide open. It was 3AM. I needed sleep. But there would be no sleeping tonight. I looked over to Hermione. Her body still shook with sobs. She’d been crying all day now. I reached to comfort her again but she pulled away from me, like I knew she would. She hated me now. Almost worse than she ever had.
“Mia, I know you're angry at me. You know I’m not going to be able to fix that. But if you don't stop crying, you'll make yourself sick.”
No reply.
“Please come here. At least let me hold you.”
She quieted a bit, and looked over her shoulder at me. Rolling over, she laid her head on my chest and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, leaning down to kiss her head.
“Don't.” She commanded, continuing to sniffle. She was exhausted, I could tell. And all it took was stopping for a few moments for her to realize that. She fell into a fitful sleep as I accio’d parchment.
TPOV
We awoke to an owl pecking at our window. Rubbing my eyes, I walked over to him and took the burden off of his leg, letting him climb onto my arm and guiding him to the bathroom sink for water. I tossed Alix the letter addressed to her and read over her shoulder after she gave me permission to.
Dearest Alixzandra –
Your mother is sobbing. Its 3AM here and though I don't know what time it is where you are, I hope you know, we’re getting no rest here.
Believe me or not, I understand why you’re doing this. If you were not my daughter, it may even seem romantic to me, but you are. You’re 16 years old, Alixzandra. You have many boys and many opportunities ahead of you. I wish you’d see our side in this matter.
We never said you had to break up entirely. But just see other people. Experience all there is out there. How do you know Tyler is what you truly want if you’ve never had the chance to experience anything but?
Think this through Alix. We miss you dearly. We’re scared for you, and we imagine, you’re scared senseless as well. Both of you. Come home Princess. Please. Please, come home.
I love you. We love you,
- Your father.
Alix was crying again when I finished reading. I pulled her close and let her cry. At least she wasn’t sobbing this time. “Do you want to go home Alix?”
“No.” She whispered. “No. I don't want anything but to be completely happy with you. And only you. No one but you.”
I didn’t question her any further. We sat there for what seemed like hours before she started to rise from the bed. “Let’s go do something.”
“Flicka, I hate to burst your bubble, but your mother’s muggleborn. Our names are probably posted all over the television news networks, radio broadcasts, post, newspapers, maybe even billboards by now. We cant leave this hotel room. Not without at least a disguise.”
“Well then let’s get into disguise because I cant stand this hotel room another second. Besides, I know my father. The owl had a tracking spell on it. As soon as the owl gets back to him, he’ll have apparated here. We’ll have to leave a note and go somewhere else.”
I only nodded and began repacking.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn’t have to wait so long. – Beach Boys.
This chapter is dedicated to my most faithful reviewer Stepnhuguyen :) Your reviews make me want to keep writing. I tried to put a bit of Hermione and Severus in here for you. I hope I didnt disappoint too badly.
Validators: Sorry ababout resubmitting without changing. I clicked the checkbox for that warning, but didnt see a button that said "save changes" the first time. I've changed it this time & have removed the banner & am about to go to TDA to get it changed real quick. Sorry for the mistake.
Chapter 4: Surrender
APOV
Tyler was right. Our names were everywhere, even though we were in America. I felt like a spy though, in my disguise, I was the person they were looking for. Right here. In front of their face. Yet, they’d never know.
Apparating again, we ended up somewhere in an extremely busy city. Busier than California had been. I didn’t ask Tyler where we were. I didn’t want to know.
We walked around a bit, window-shopped. We couldn’t buy anything. All we had was our cards and they had our real names on them. It would get back to Gringotts and then get back to where we were again.
Eventually we had to find a hotel as our disguises were wearing off. It was pricey. I wasn’t going to let Tyler lie to me. It was probably 100 feet high and went by The Empire. Of course, it was expensive.
We went inside and dropped our bags on the ground. I was flat out bored. Once I got my mind off of everything, running away was boring. I lay down on the bed. The least I could do was sleep, so sleep I would…
HrPOV
Severus’ owl pecked at the window and I immediately jumped up and ran to it. Severus walked behind me slowly as my insane eyes begged him to come a little quicker. He performed a quick spell on the owl and a picture of a nice hotel appeared above its head. “California Hilton, Room 23” The words under it read.
“Let’s go.” Severus said quietly.
I kept pace with him as we walked through the castle’s gates. He took my arm and closed his eyes. Soon I felt the familiar and welcome tug on my bellybutton.
We landed right in the hotel room Alix and Tyler were in and I dashed into the joining bathroom, searching. They weren’t here. Neither were their things. “Hermione” I heard Severus say, barely raising his voice. I ran back into the main room and saw him holding a piece of parchment, written on in emerald green ink. Alix’s quill.
Mummy and Daddy –
I’m sorry. I want to be home so badly. I want to be back with you guys. We both do. We’re scared to death. But we want to be together more than that. More than we’re scared, more than we’re worried, more than we’re lost.
You just missed us. I know you, Daddy. I knew Midnight would have tracking on him. We’re long gone. I don’t even know where we’re going.
You’re going to keep missing us too. You won’t ever find us. I’ll make sure of it. All I want is to be with Tyler. All he wants is to be with me. If you really wanted us to be happy, you’d see and accept that for what it is – love.
I love you guys. I really really do.
Love,
Alix & Tyler.
I was sobbing again. I couldn’t help it. No sleep and then this? When we were so close? Severus laid his hand on my shoulder and I pushed it away. “Its your fault!” I screamed at him. “She’d still be here! She would, if it weren’t for you!”
His face remained calm and hard as stone. That infuriated me even further. “Why did you do this? This ISN’T what’s best for her!”
I reached for my phone, ready to call Alix and wave the white flag.
He took my wrist, not hard, but strong enough that I couldn’t get away. “Don’t Hermione.” He commanded.
“Don’t tell me what to do. I want her home Severus. She’s pregnant. She’s apparating. And we’re forcing her to do this. I want her home now! Call her and make it happen or I’ll be out of your life again!
APOV
I don't think I’d slept very long. Maybe just an hour. But when I looked around, Tyler was nowhere to be found. I called for him and he didn’t answer. I scrambled for my cell phone only to find it still in pieces at the bottom of my bag. I made my way down to the front desk. Tyler had left the receptionist said. Not with bags, at the least, but left.
I went back to the hotel room 10x more scared than I was before. Where the hell was Tyler? Had he just gone out for food, or had he gone for good? I rationalized a bit. He loved me. He wouldn’t do this. He’d be back soon.
I searched the room for a note, a something to tell me where he’d gone but there was nothing.
He could’ve left anyway, gotten tired of me, of hiding, and left. He could buy more clothes. He could buy things that he’d left behind. He didn’t need anything here. He didn’t need me….
I don't know how long I’d lain in that bed. I didn’t sleep. I just starred out the window to the stars. I heard the door bang open sometime around midnight, maybe later; I’d stopped looking at the clock. I jumped out of bed as Tyler flicked the light on and stumbled in.
“Aliiiiiiiiiiiiiixxxxxxxx!” He exclaimed. “I missseeddd youuuuu!” He stumbled up to me and threw his arms around me. I could smell the Firewhiskey on his breath. I pushed him away and he fell back onto the bed.
“Tyler, you're drunk!” I screamed.
“Just a little.” He made a bit of a space in between his index finger and thumb. “Okay, okay. A lot!” He laughed.
“This is not funny Tyler! Why the HELL would you leave me, no note, or anything, to go out and get DRUNK when you KNOW I need you right now? What were you thinking?”
“Could you be a litttttllle quieter?” He slurred, laying on the bed now, eyes closed.
I threw my hands up and groaned, reaching for my suitcase and throwing the things unpacked inside of it.
“Where you going?”
“Home. Goodbye Tyler.”
He jumped off the bed and then grabbed his head as he swayed. “Stay Alix. We’ll go tomorrow if that’s what you want. Don't leave me. I'm sorry.”
“What were you thinking Tyler?!”
“I'm scared.” He whispered, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of tiredness or sincerity. “Don't leave. I need you. Who’s gonna take care of me in the morning when I'm sick? Who’s gonna hold my hair back?”
I laughed and pushed everything away. We could talk about it in the morning. Sighing, I took him by the hand and walked him around to the bed, taking his shoes, jeans, and button down off and letting him sleep in his usual boxers and wifebeater. He was already snoring when I got done. I shook my head, and got myself ready for bed before lying down with him.
The next day, the sun streamed through the curtains waking Tyler and I up at nearly the same time. Tyler groaned at the light, complaining of a headache as he made way to the bathroom. I saw an owl at our window and ran to it, taking the letter from its mouth.
Dearest Alixzandra –
It’s over. We’re done fighting. You and Tyler are meant to be and I’m sorry I came in between you two. This owl does not have a tracking spell on it. Your mother has no knowledge of this letter. We’re going to stop looking. Come home when you wish. We miss you two and I’m deeply sorry for what I’ve done.
I love you.
- Daddy.
I was crying again when I finished the letter. Tyler stumbled back through the bathroom door, hand still on his head. “Babyyy.” He whined. I smiled, at how cute he was. He came over to the bed and laid his head in my lap. “Will you make me a hangover cure potion?” He whined again. “And play with my hair?”
I laughed, but did as he asked and pulled his hair through my fingers lightly for a few minutes before making him get up. “I packed a hangover potion in our suitcase. I packed a bunch of potions I stole of Daddy’s. Its in the zipper on the front. Go get it, and then get to packing. We’re going home.”
It doesn't matter what you've done, I still love you.
It doesn't matter where you've been, you can still come home.
And Honey if it's you, we've got alot of making up to do,
And I can't hug you through the phone, so hurry home. - Jason Michael Carrol
Chapter 5: Progression
HPOV
I still wasn’t talking to Severus, as I hadn’t been since we left the hotel yesterday. As a matter of fact, I was currently ignoring him over breakfast.
“More milk Mia?” He tried desperately.
But I ignored him. He sighed. Just then, the door burst open and in stumbled my daughter and her boyfriend. A smile broke though my angry exterior. I jumped up and ran over to them, wrapping my arms around both teens. I started crying, as did Alix. “I'm so sorry!” I cried to them. “I missed you both so much!”
After a long reunion, which resulted in me hearing what Severus did and forgiving him, Alix and Tyler explained their decision to keep their baby and their reasoning behind it. Severus wasn’t happy at first but I dared him to open his mouth again. “Okay, Alright. We can make this work, you guys. We’ve got this. We have enough money, between all of us. We have enough love. It’ll be alright guys.”
“But.” Severus stood up. I shot daggers at him again, daring him to take my baby away from us one more time. “You two must get married before that baby gets here, and if you don't want to be showing in your gown, it’ll have to be soon. You're already showing, but if we do it soon, a glamor spell can hide that, if you wish."
Tyler nodded. “Of course, Sir.” Alix smiled and hugged her father.
“We can have a double wedding!” I exclaimed, but Severus shook his head.
“Both of our weddings need to be just ours. It needs to be Their day, and Our day, not everyone’s day.”
I nodded. It was really sweet, what he was saying. “Well. Ours can wait, Severus. If you want Alix and Tyler to be married before this child comes, theirs will have to come first. And if she wants to hide her bump, it’ll have to be by mid-June. AND we can’t forget the nurseries we’ll have to be decorating. But the wedding’s first. I’m so excited!” I was nearly jumping up and down now.
APOV
Mum went out and bought 2 thick-as-hell wedding planning books. One she put away in her room for the time being. The other, she put on the kitchen table, calling us to join her with it. I sighed. It was nine in the morning and we were bound to be there until midnight, if she was planning something. I drug Tyler along with me.
“Okay, first thing’s first.” Mum started before we’d barely even sat down. She opened up the book. The inside cover was pink and girlie and the first page said ‘Planning the Wedding of Alixzandra Draco Snape and Tyler Ryan Truett. June eleventh, Etc etc’ Our names and the date of the wedding were all written in in my mother’s perfect cursive. “Budget.”
Tyler went to speak up, but dad beat him to it from the couch. “There isn’t one. We’re taking care of both weddings Mia.” Tyler wanted to object but my father’s hard glare answered his unspoken plea. “Father of the Bride pays, remember?”
Mum continued, after scrawling the budget information in the book. “Okay, I sent news of your engagement to the Daily Prophet and Quibbler, and invites for your engagement party to Spencer, Muffy, most of the teachers and all of our family. It’ll be two Saturdays from now in the Great Hall. Don’t object Alixzandra, it’s part of the tradition. You’ll be getting professional photos done together tomorrow by an old friend of mine – Colin Creevy. Wizard and Muggle ones. Your outfits for those are on your beds.” She stopped to breathe, and for that I was grateful. When did she go and get all of these things!? “You can change them to whatever colors we decide for your wedding later on. You guys are registered at every reasonable store in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. I’ve ordered wizarding insurance for your promise… well, now engagement ring. I’m surprised you didn’t have that already Tyler. But then again, you’re just a kid still. Your bridal shower… that’ll be…. May 22nd?” She wasn’t honestly asking anymore. She just kept rambling! I loved her, and it was entertaining, and I loved the girliness of planning a wedding, but did she ever breathe?
“Alix, watch your thoughts.” My father scolded from the couch. I stuck my tongue out at him and protected my mind, like a good little Snape daughter. Mum wasn’t paying any attention to the scene, but kept on with her planning instead.
“Oh! And on an unrelated topic, I picked up our prenatal vitamins from the store today. We’re both on a diet from now until the baby is born, but back to the wedding, that’s gotta come first.” I sighed and slumped down in my chair. It was going to be a lonnnnnggg day. And I’m not leaving a single part out either. You’ve got to endure it all, just as I do. “I think that’s all of the engagement stuff out of the way… Yes…. Now, for the actual wedding! Dumbledore will marry you, of course. The House Elves will prepare the food, for wages, Severus! Now, who will be apart of your wedding party?”
“My what?”
“Your party. Your Maid of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen.”
Tyler spoke first “Spencer is my Best Man.” Mum wrote that down hastily.
“Draco is my Maid of Honor.” I replied. My mother narrowed her eyes at me. “No, he is not Alixzandra.”
“Mia…” Daddy warned. “Its her wedding, not ours. Draco can be wherever she wants in her wedding.”
Mum sighed but scrawled it down. “Anyone else?”
Tyler shook his head, but I said “Ginny.”
I could tell Mum was angry with the unconventionality, but I didn’t care.
She sighed once more, before starting up her rambling again. I saw my father wink at me out of the corner of his eye. “Flower girl and ring bearer?”
I looked at Tyler and he gave me the go-ahead to pick those as well. “Well, Zane’s the youngest boy in the family, and Lily is the only girl, so… wallah!”
“Colors?”
“Green and silver.” I said quickly, ignoring Tyler’s input.
“Taken” Daddy spoke up.
I growled under my breath. “Fine. Tyler, how do you like blue and white?”
Mum seemed to like this decision. She smiled and happily writing it down. “That’ll be the color of your engagement photo dress, Alix, and your vest, Tyler.” We nodded. I’ll spare you the guest list making, it took all of one and a half hour to decide on that, along with another hour to decide who would sit where. “Who would you like to play at your wedding? Your father and I wanted to get you a band, if we can on such short notice.” I thought about it for a few minutes, before looking at Tyler. He shrugged.
“I’d rather have a DJ. Much more variety.”
Another sigh. “Fine, fine. Next weekend, we’re going to find your dress Alix, and decide on flowers, to be delivered the day of. Severus is going to take you to get your measurements for your dress robes, Tyler, among other things.” We both nodded. THAT would be the fun part. We’ll also go to the salon in Hogsmeade and book your appointment for the Saturday before and the first one available the morning of. Your bachelor and bachelorette parties will be the Saturday night before. We’ll plan those separately later. Anddddd… for now, I think that’s all.”
And just as I was about to get up is when I felt it. My baby boy, inside me. I reached for Tyler’s hand and pressed it over my stomach. He looked at me weirdly. “What?”
“You don't feel it?”
Mum had stopped a few steps after us. She smiled. “He’s not able to, Alix. Only you.”
I looked at her in confusion.
She continued. “You’re feeling flutters right now. They wont be strong enough for anyone else to feel for a few more weeks.”
I let Tyler’s hand fall. I didn’t like that one bit. Mum took my hand. “He’ll get to feel it soon, sweetheart.”
I’m coming home, I’m coming home.
Tell the Lord I’m coming home.
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday.
I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes.
- Skylar Grey (Diddy Dirty Money’s song. She sings the chorus)
Chapter 6: Embarrassment
APOV
Mum made Tyler and I shop separately. Daddy and Tyler went to meet up with Draco at Diagon Alley, while I went with Mum. She made schedules so we wouldn’t cross paths at any point. It had been a LONNNNGGGG week.
Mum took me to Madam Malkin’s to get find a dress first. We tried on about a million. Or, so it seemed. I wasn’t allowed to get a white dress. Apparently, only virgins wore white and in a wizarding wedding, your dress would turn black at the alter if you wore white and were “impure.” Instead, I was told to get a ‘ghost white’ dress, which was a shade or two lighter. Honestly, it almost didn’t seem worth the trouble. I wanted a poofy one, like the Muggle fairytale Cinderella, but I didn’t want one that went all the way to the floor. That seemed like more my mother’s style. Mom wanted to incorporate blue into the gown. I liked the mental picture I got of it, so I didn’t object. I also knew I wanted it strapless. So finding this dress was killing my mother, but as Daddy said, it was MY wedding, not hers.
Finally, after 4 hours, we found the most perfect dress I’d ever laid my eyes on. It was a little longer than knee length, strapless with a blue sash around the waist with a rhinestone and silver embellishment. When you describe it, it sounds so… weird, but to see it in person… it was beautiful.
Mum and I fought. Boy, did we fight. She wanted me to wear a customary long dress and I wanted this one. Finally, after an extra hour, she promised me, if I’d walk down the aisle in the long dress, I could wear the short one for the reception. I agreed on that. The reception was longer anyhow.
We searched for another dress I liked, found one, and they fitted me for both dresses, telling me to come pick it up the following week. Mom rushed me out of the store quickly, texting my father to tell him we were out.
TPOV
Severus’ phone buzzed and I listened to his mumbles of protest for Muggle technology as he tried to figure out how to answer it. I offered to help him but he refused. Finally, he said “We can go to Madam Malkin’s now.”
As I was being fitted for my tux, Draco and Severus started launching on the serious questions. I was wondering when they would, as all morning all we’d talked about was quidditch, and other ‘manly’ things.
“Decided on a spot for your Honeymoon yet?” Draco asked.
I hestitated. “No…” Was I supposed to?
“Yes, you are. That’s one of the Groom’s responsibilities.” Severus answered my unspoken question. It still gave me chills when he did that.
“Oh. Well, uhm… I don't know where I should take her. I’ll ask her.”
“Are you crazy?” Draco raised his voice. “You cant ask her. Its supposed to be a surprise.”
“He’s right mate.” Spencer spoke up.
I didn’t say anything anymore. I had no idea where I was going to take her.
“Think on it for awhile.” Severus said.
They pestered me about a few other things while they got fitted but said nothing more on the Honeymoon.
The next store my mother dragged me into was one of those you’d rather die than to go into with your mother. Witch’s Secret was its name, and sure, I’d been in there once, maybe twice, by myself, but it just was NOT a store you wanted to be at with your Mum by your side. She started rambling immediately though. “Okay, you need a strapless bra, a new pair of underwear, a garter, and last but certainly not least, your Honeymoon lingerie.”
I shuddered.
“Oh Alixzandra, don't be embarrassed. You're seen as an adult now. Yes, you're way too young to have to deal with a baby and a wedding, but the only thing your father and I can do is to make the best of the situation, and start treating you like an adult. We don't want you to hate us. We’d like you to WANT to come see us when you move away, not to dread it.” She petted my hair back and kissed my forehead. “You're a woman now, whether you like it or not.”
She turned away and we got to shopping. “Okay, as for your bra, you want something strapless, supportive and comfortable… and white.” We went through three or four rows, tried on a handful, mom asking questions through the dressing room door the whole time, (“Could you wear it for five hours straight and not want to kill yourself?” “Do you like how you look in it?” “Does it feel like its gonna slip or fall down?” “Jump up and down. How about now?”) before we found one she liked the answers to. It amazed me how much a good bra cost.
She picked me out a lacy white thong (I blushed) without even asking, and walked over towards the garters. They were customizable! First you had to pick the type of garter: satin, lace, feathers. I picked satin. It came with a little heart border that would match the ribbon color. Lace seemed too… old and feather… too… prostitutey for my liking. Then you picked the color of the ribbon that went on top of the satin. Then, I got a sterling silver charm of two interlocking hearts to hang from the bow’s center. Last but not least, Tyler and my names were added to the ribbon in black cursive. We got a matching (but less expensive) garter for the ceremony’s garter toss, because I was NOT giving this one up.
Unfortunately, though, the fun soon ended as Mum took me over to the lingerie department. This, was the part I was dreading. “Pick 5. One MUST have blue in it to match your dress for the wedding night. And one MUST be black. Other than that, you pick. I know you don't want your Mum around for this part, so I'm going to go look through some other things. Have fun!”
I did as Mum told me, and even went back over to the bra and panty department and picked out a few more of each. When Mum came back an hour later, I had 5 babydolls, 5 pushup bras (plus the one for the wedding), 5 thongs (plus the one for the wedding) and even two pairs of heels. Mum mumbled about how she’d never leave me alone to shop ever again, but took the items and walked them up to the cashiers. A whopping 62 Galleons later (That’s just over $300 in American money ;P) and we walked out, three large, notoriously Witch’s Secret pink bags in hand.
“Okay.” Mum said. “Jewelry.” I smiled at this one. This, I could do. We looked at the lighted, glass covered counters, with many expensive trinkets underneath.
The sales clerks showed us tiaras, bracelets, necklaces and earrings alike. We were in there for at least two hours. I wanted it all! But Mum wasn’t having that. She bought me a bracelet, and a pair of earrings. When I insisted on a necklace, she insisted on a NO. We got shoes next and then finished along our path.
Time for lunch, we looked for a place to eat. “You know, you still have to get Tyler a gift.”
“What?”
“A gift. He has to get you one too. It’s customary. You also have to get Draco one and he has to get Spencer one. So, be thinking of what you want to get him. It should be special.”
I thought about it all through lunch. I could get him literally anything he wanted. But what should I get him? I thought about it for the rest of the day, through shopping for flowers (Lillies and light blue roses) and every other seemingly insignificant thing my mother forced me through, before thinking of the perfect thing to get for him!
TPOV
Tux fitting took awhile, and afterwards, we had to go to the jewelry store. Wedding rings. This was it. Severus, Draco and Spencer offered their opinions when I asked, but mostly just let this part be up to me.
I looked and relooked at every ring for a hour or so. The store clerk knew how to sell things, that’s for sure. He could make the most expensive ring sound cheap once he told you all about it, but none of them were perfect enough. None of them screamed ‘Alix’.
“We can look somewhere else, Tyler. Don't just settle. This isn’t one of those things you settle on.” Severus spoke up.
The clerk sighed. “Do you have her engagement ring with you?”
It was my turn to sigh. “No. I don't.”
Severus tapped my shoulder. “Hermione put it in my pocket this morning before we left.” He dropped it in my palm and as soon as the store clerk saw it, he gasped.
“I've got the perfect ring.” He stated in awe, hobbling to the back of the store. When he came back, he held out a ring that was almost a mirror image to Alix’s promise ring. Not as flashy, of course, as the wedding ring is always more simplistic, but perfect, nonetheless. “And this one would be yours.” He held out a simple silver band that was perfect for me as well. No flash, no nothing except a declaration of my love for Alix. “What’s the misses’ name?”
“Alixzandra.”
“Spell it.”
I did.
He waved his wand and suddenly, my ring bore her name, scrawled in elegant lettering along the top of the ring, and my name along the inside of Alix's. That’s what really sold me. “I’ll take them.”
“Don't you want to know the price?” The clerk asked. Obviously, they were expensive.
“I don't care. I’ll pay it.” I ended up paying 5,822 galleons, but it was well worth it.
“What’s next?” I asked Severus. “Well, Alix’s gift. You have to get her a gift to exchange during the wedding when you get a moment alone with her. You’ve got to get Spencer one too, but you can do that another day when he’s not around.
I thought about it for awhile before being directed into the store next door.
I love you like a love song baby
And I keep hitting re-pe-pe-pe-pe-et.
- Selena Gomez, Love You Like A Love Song
Chapter 7: Humiliation
I groaned Monday morning when it was time to wake up. I still felt like crap in the mornings. Throwing up was starting to come less and less often, however. I shook Tyler awake as well. He just rolled over and pulled the pillow over his head. “Wake up Tyler.”
“No.”
“Wake up or Ill puke on you.” I guess he thought I was serious cause he was up in two seconds. “Shower.” I said, getting up out of bed as well. We’d made it a ritual to take our showers together in the mornings. I dropped my pajamas and stepped under the stream of water. After wetting my hair, I rubbed the water from my face and looked to Tyler. His eyes were huge, staring down at my chest. I snapped in front of him. “Helllloooo? Your problem?”
“Your… uhm… your… breasts… they’re um….”
“Bigger?” I helped him out. “That happens when you're pregnant Tyler.”
“How come I haven't noticed!?”
“I don't know Tyler. Why haven't you!?”
“Oh, come on Lex. Don't do that.” He pleaded.
“Don't do what Tyler?” I shot back.
I didn’t talk to him much for the rest of the day. Why I was angry? I had no idea. I just was. I was 9 weeks pregnant and he was just now noticing my breast size.
I wanted to ignore him all day. But by the time we got to breakfast, I’d made up with him. I had to. He was my only friend. Apparently the whole school found out somehow. How, I don't know. I’d hidden my stomach with my robes starting as soon as I found out. Sure, I was starting to show a bit, but they wouldn’t notice through my robes. People were whispering, pointing, and I was used to this, but for some reason my emotions amplified the humiliation I felt. I looked up at the head table. Mum and Daddy’s eyes were big. They were looking around. They knew what was happening. My eyes filled with tears, threatening to overflow. I stood up quickly, knocking over my plate. It clanged loudly and the whole hall got quiet.
“So I’m pregnant! So what!?” I screamed, the tears falling now. I stormed out of the hall, Tyler following behind. He pulled me close as we turned the corner. I could hear the Great Hall slowly coming back to life. I cried on Tyler’s shoulder and he played with my hair, not saying a thing.
I heard two more pairs of footsteps and looked up. Mum and Daddy had followed. “You’re excused from classes today Alixzandra.” Daddy said calmly. “the Headmaster has taken pity on you and is letting you stay home for the day.”
I sniffed a few times and wiped my eyes. Shaking my head, I grabbed my bag off the ground and kissed Tyler goodbye, heading towards Charms class.
I got over everyone gossiping. There were more important things to worry about. Like right now for instance. We were at our engagement party, and I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing.
Draco came up to me about halfway through. “What’s wrong?”
“What are we supposed to be doing?”
He laughed. It was obvious he was raised rich. Rich people had useless parties all the time. “Basically, this is just a party for people to come up to you and tell you how lucky you are to have found each other, etc. Its an All-Eyes-On-You type party. Basically useless. Just treat it like our Christmas parties at the house. Mingle. Dance. Smile when people come up to you. It should be over soon, Love.” He patted Tyler on the back as he walked by.
Why my mother insisted on this, I had no idea. Just 2 more hours before it would acceptable for Tyler and I to ‘turn in’ because the baby was giving me trouble.
Two hours…
Another doctor’s appointment came the next weekend. I wondered how I was ever going to catch up on my schooling with booked weekdays and even more booked weekends. I was, however, extremely excited. Today, we would find out the sex of our baby! And so would Mum and Daddy!
“What do you want?” I asked Tyler on the train, on the way there.
He kissed my forehead. “A baby.”
I smiled. “What sex, Tyler.”
“I honestly don't care. I just want he or she healthy.”
“Yeah right. You know what you want.”
“Either way, can you imagine the trouble they’ll get into?”
We laughed together, but stayed silent the rest of the ride.
I was shaking with excitement as I laid down and let the jelly hit my stomach. The nurse laughed and asked me to please try to stay still.
“How are you feeling Miss Snape?”
“A little nauseous today, actually.”
She smiled “That should go away soon. Here’s your little bundle of joy.”
Mum and I awed, and Tyler’s hand clutched mine tighter. The nurse turned a dial on the screen and a noise like a million of horses running on hard ground sounded through the room. My face filled with fear. “What is that?”
“Your baby’s heartbeat. You should've heard this weeks ago but since you came in so late, we’re having to combine a lot of things into just a few visits.”
“That’s the heartbeat? Isnt it too fast or something!?” I asked, nervously.
Nurse Stevens laughed. “No, sweetheart, that’s perfectly normal. Now would you like to know the sex?”
“Yes!” I halfway yelled, at the exact same time as Tyler said “No.” Whoa. De ja vu. I stared at him angrily as he laughed.
“Just kidding. Yes. Of course.”
She looked for a few moments – to build anticipation, I’m sure, and then “Ms. Snape, Mr. Truett, you guys will be having a baby girl.”
My smile grew. A little baby girl. I saw Tyler’s face light up.
Even better? Mum and Daddy were having a little boy.
“Now, little boys are a handful. They aren’t like girls. They aren’t afraid to die.” I looked at her weirdly. “They aren’t afraid to jump off the roof with a trashbag, thinking they will fly. You will probably be back to the hospital many times with him having broken bones. Just so you're prepared.”
Chapter 8: Changes
The next two weeks went pretty much the same way. Maternity clothes, shopping, and this thing Mum insisted on, called a ‘Baby Moon’. It was our ‘last vacation of freedom, without babies around’. We didn’t argue and went on our trip to Hawaii. I even got to go shopping for new swimsuits. (Lucky me. Probably the last time I’d ever look good in a bikini.)
May 21st approached quicker than I thought and before I knew it, I was surrounded with friends and family (more than I knew I had) who were showering me with gifts. As a matter of fact, just to give you a hint on how many people were here, I’ll give you the guest list. Well, obviously, (Not including Tyler and I) Mum, Daddy, Draco, Uncles Harry and Ron, Aunt Ginny, Lavender, Mrs. & Mr. Weasley, Spencer and Muffy (Spencer’s date) were there. But not so obviously were Tyler’s social worker, Fred and George and their wives, Charlie, Fleur, Bill and his wife, my grandparents on my mother’s side, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick and Hagrid, Madam Pomphrey, Pansy Parkison and a few people I didn’t even know.
I sat their graciously accepting gifts of everything you could possibly think of.
I’ll give you a summary of the things I ended up getting, so to save you some time (With some nice little commentation from me):
Ginny: a set of pillowcases, one that said “Mr. Right” and another that said “Mrs. (always) Right”. Everyone laughed at these.
Mrs. & Mr. Weasley: a sign saying “Recipie For A Happy Marriage…”.
Lavender & Ron: Couples Spa Day coupons and an “At Home Spa Set”
Harry: A fluffy black robe set, with “Alixzandra Truett” written across the back of one and “Tyler Truett” across the other, both in green cursive. (“Ginny said you’d like it.” He mumbled blushing and scratching his head)
Tyler’s social worker: A tea set.
McGonagall: A Wedding Day kit, complete with everything and everything to fix whatever may go wrong. Don't believe me? There was a comb and brush, dental floss, nail file, extra pantyhose (even though I didn’t think Id be wearing those), Hairspray, tissues, extra makeup (“It'll change colors magically to blend with those you’re wearing” McGonagall explained.), Mints, a Mirror, Perfume, Baby Powder (“To get out stains” Mum told me), Bobbypins, hairties, clear nail polish, cotton balls & swabs, extra earring backs, flat shoes, hairdryer, iron, lint brush, extra undergarments, a sewing kit, spot remover, static cling spray, white chalk (to hide scuffs on shoes), aspirin, bandaids, Deoderent, eye drops, insect repellent, lotion, moist towelletes, smelling salts (In case Tyler passed out, I was told), Sunscreen, tampons & pads (I blushed), Toothbrush & toothpaste, Muggle duct tape, bottled water and umbrella.
My Grandparents: An entire bedroom set, including the sheets, comforter, curtains, etc in a pretty light blue and brown color scheme. I could tell they were trying to make sure it wasn’t too feminine for Tyler’s sake.
Dumbledore: An expensive kitchen set. Goblets, silverware, plates, bowls, etc. I wondered where we’d put it all.
Fred & George of course gave us a set of practical joke spells and potions.
Draco: A sex set. I'm not kidding. Like, those dice, and handcuff things, and all that stuff we’d probably never even use. I blushed and closed the box quickly while he laughed his arse off.
Spencer: A photo collage of our relationship. When I asked him how he got some of the pictures, in amazement, his eyes just sparkled that much more.
And last but not least, my parents. They got us a house. Like, a Muggle house. Complete with two stories, a pool, etc. Far enough away from them so they wouldn’t be dropping in all the time, and we’d be considered independent, but close enough we could be with them whenever we wanted.
Suddenly everyone’s gifts made a little more sense.
We played a few games and the shower was soon over. Mum and Daddy apparated us (with our new things) to our new home. I was in awe. It was simple. Just furnished, not moved in to or anything. A huge kitchen and dinning room, 2 living rooms (one with a Muggle TV, etc and one with just a fireplace), 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a pool & hot tub, a huge beautiful back yard, and a lot more. We placed our things down and I made a mental list of things we still needed.
“You cant move in until after graduation you guys.” Daddy said in response to our faces.
“But daddy that’s two years away for me!”
“No protests Alix. Take it or leave it.”
I sighed. “Take it.”
After that, I started gaining weight like crazy. Well, I thought so anyway. Tyler didn’t think 5 pounds was that big of a deal, but 5 pounds would definitely show in the wedding dress. The wedding that was exactly 3 weeks away. I cried for hours, refused to eat at dinner, even. Later that night though, I tossed and turned in bed. It was near 2AM when I woke Tyler up.
“Baby.” I whispered. “Tyler.”
“Whhhhatttt?” He mumbled back.
“Baby. I’m hungry.”
“Should’ve eaten at dinner.” He said back.
That hurt. I didn’t reply for a few moments and he turned to look at me. I tried hiding my face.
“Baby, are you crying?”
“No.”
He sighed and got up, slipping on his shoes and cloak. “What would you like?”
“Ice cream. Vanilla and strawberry. But no chocolate. And no strawberry chunks.”
He kissed my forehead and walked through the door.
TPOV
I sighed and heard another mirror mine. I looked to my left. Severus was also dressed and about to head out the door. “She making you go to the store?”
He nodded. “What does Alix want?”
“Ice cream. Vanilla and strawberry. But no chocolate. And no strawberry chunks.” I recited in a high pitched voice.
He chuckled. “Go back to bed. I’ll get hers too while I'm out.”
I was shocked. Severus and I were having a decent conversation. I shook my head. “Alix’ll kill me if I go in there without her ice cream.”
He chuckled again and opened the door. We went to three different places to find both of our girls’ needs. The cashier looked sympathetic.
It was 3:30 when we finally got back home. I walked through our bedroom door, my mouth open and ready to announce that I’d gotten her ice cream when I realized Alix was no longer awake. No, in fact, she was fast asleep, smiling and beautiful.
I sighed again, (Plenty of that going around) and walked into the living room, plopping down on the sofa next to Severus. In his hand remained his bag as well. “She asleep?”
“Mhmm.” Severus replied.
And now... what you've all been waiting for :P
Chapter 9: Matrimony
Tyler and I kissed for the final time before the wedding. We wouldn’t see one another until I walked down that aisle. I pulled him aside, away from the hustle and bustle of everyone getting ready for the parties.
“You still wanna do this?” I whispered.
He smiled and took my face in his hands. “Of course I do, Flicka. I love you.”
I smiled too, wishing we could just curl up in bed and sleep all day long. “Are you going out to drink?” I asked, no accusation in my voice.
“I think they're taking me to a bar, but I'm not going to drink.”
“What about a strip club?”
He laughed loudly. “No, Flicka.”
My father approached slowly and cleared his throat. “Its time to go.”
Tyler smiled one more time and kissed my forehead, staying there a few moments longer than he would usually. “I love you Flicka.”
I kissed his lips. “I love you too.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be the one in white.”
Mr. Severus Snape and Ms. Hermione Granger
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Alixzandra Draco
to
Tyler Ryan Truett
Saturday, the eleventh of June, two-thousand sixteen
at three o’clock in the afternoon.
Mom woke me up at the ungodly hour of 8AM. The ceremony wasn’t until 3. I walked into the dinning room to eat the breakfast she’d made me.
After breakfast, she made me take a shower (but not wash my hair) and change into a button down, jeans and flip flops.
Afterwards, we walked to a Hogsmeade salon. Ginny was already there, as was our flowergirl. We all got our nails done (Lily only got polish) and then our hair. Nothing much was done with mine, my curls were just defined a little more, with all kinds of spray to lock down the frizziness.
We went back to Hogwarts after that, and an empty classroom had been converted into a big changing area for us girls. Mom ushered me in before anyone could see me, and then left Ginny and I alone so she could go to the Great Hall and order us some lunch.
After eating, it was about 1:00 on the dot. “How is Tyler?” I asked my mother. She said she didn’t know and I asked her if she’d go check on him for me.
TPOV
I was pacing. Why? I wasn’t sure, but pacing I was.
“Calm down son.” Severus said, laying a hand on my shoulder and pushing me into a chair. “Getting cold feet?”
I scoffed. “Of course not. I’m just… nervous as hell.”
He chuckled. “Where are you taking her for the Honeymoon?”
“Alixzandra’s Island.”
“You bought her an island!?”
I nodded. “Where’s Draco with the lunch?”
Just then, a knock sounded. Hermione peeked her head in. “Alix wanted to know how you were.”
I smiled at the sound of her name. “I’m great. Can I write her a note, and you give it to her? Please?”
“I suppose I could allow that.” She replied with a smile. I went to scrawling my note as she and Severus reunited. “Remember to have him at the alter at 2:50.”
“Yes Mia.”
“And he needs to give the rings to Zane about two milliseconds before we all start down the aisle.”
“Yes Mia” He said again.
I finished my note and handed it to her. “How’s Alix?”
“She’s doing great as well. Wants to see you.” She laughed, and then kissed Severus once more before leaving.
APOV
When mum came back, she had a note. I jumped for it.
Dearest Alixzandra –
Can you believe it? A few more hours. Just a few more. I love you Alix. More than this world and anyone in it. You’re my life, my world, my air. You’re my everything. Stay happy. Don't get nervous and don't start crying. Tell my little girl that Daddy loves her and wants her to behave during the ceremony. I love you too Baby Girl. I love you so much. I’ll see you soon.
I love you,
Tyler.
I almost cried, but then remembered Tyler had told me not to.
My mother smiled at me. “Are you ready dear?”
I nodded and she pulled my dress off the back of the door, as I pulled off my jeans and shirt and put on my Day Of unders. I stepped into the dress and Ginny and Mum pulled it up around me, pulling the strings on the back tightly. They stepped back and smiled in awe. Mum had tears in her eyes. I asked for a mirror but they refused.
They gave me my garter, (Something blue) and I put my Throw Garter right under it, so that Tyler knew that was the one he was supposed to toss. “That’s your blue. You’re dress is new, so there’s that. As for old…” She trailed off and reached for her pocket. She emerged with a silver locket in her hand. She swished her wand across it and the cursive H turned into an A. “My mother gave it to me when you were born, her mother gave it to her, and so on. I want you to give it to your daughter (or sister, if you don't have a daughter) on her wedding day.” She said simply. I smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you Mum.”
She nodded. “Now as for something borrowed, you have to ask Ginny. It has to come from a happily married woman.”
Ginny smiled and stepped forward. “These are expensive. I want them back.” She said sternly and then smiled again. She placed the silver haircomb in my hair, whisking the right side away from my face. The diamonds sparkled, matching the earrings my mother was putting on.
“Lift your foot.” My mother told me, ducking under my dress. I felt her take off my shoe and put it back a few moments later, with something extra inside of it. “Galleon. Means you’ll have plenty of wealth. Now, here’s your bracelet and…. here’s your bouquet.” I reached for my cell. Yup. It was time. 2:55. She got dressed hurriedly and we all walked to the Great Hall entrance. Tyler, Spencer and Draco were all standing at the alter already.
The music started and Mum kissed my cheek before walking down the aisle and sitting in the first pew on the left. Ginny went next, whispering her luck. Then went Zane, right before Lily. And finally, the music turned into the wedding march and I heard people scramble to their feet. “Here we go Princess.” Daddy said.
“Here we go.” I replied, smiling.
I walked slowly, trying to focus on making sure I didn’t trip. Tyler’s face was perhaps more bright and happy than I’d ever seen it before. I smiled back and before I knew it, he was coming forth and Daddy was kissing my cheek.
“I love you Princess.” He whispered, and handed me off to my future husband.
Daddy stayed at the bottom of the steps as Tyler and I walked up them to where the head table was normally seated. “Who gives this woman to this man?” Dumbledore asked. I resisted the urge to scoff at the sexist saying.
“Her mother and I do.” Daddy replied.
Dumbledore nodded his head and Daddy sat down next to Mum. I handed my bouquet to Ginny.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the joining of Tyler Ryan and Alixzandra Draco in marriage. Tyler and Alix, today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing your values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life.
“I remind you that love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude, never selfish, nor quick to take offense. Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over another’s failings, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope and its endurance. Love never ends. So faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of them is love.”
“If you then, Tyler and Alixzandra, have freely chosen each other, in token of this and your love, will you please join your hands together.”
We did, and he continued.
“Tyler, do you take Alix to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, comfort and honor, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, as long as you both shall live?”
Tyler starred into my eyes and with a huge smile, he stated “I do.”
“Alix, do you take Tyler to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, comfort and honor, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, as long as you both shall live?”
“I absolutely do.” I replied and I heard some of our guests chuckle.
“The wedding ring is the shape of an unbroken circle with no beginning and no end. It symbolizes eternity – a never-ending love. Wear the rings proudly for they are symbols which speak of the eternal love that you have for each other and marks the beginning of a long journey together. Tyler, do you have your ring for Alix?”
Tyler let go of my hands and reached over to the pillow Zane was holding.
“Place this ring on the hand of Alix after you repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and with all I am and all I have, I honor you.”
“With this ring, I thee wed and with all I am and all I have, I honor you.” He slid the ring on my finger and I smiled in awe of how it complimented my promise ring.
I took Tyler’s ring from Zane as well and smiled at its beauty as well. I repeated after Dumbledore and placed the ring on Tyler’s finger. It looked like it belonged there.
Dumbledore waved his wand over our clasped hands and a red ribbon shot out of the tip and wrapped around our hands. The light was warm, but not scorching, and wrapped tight, but not too binding. In a few more moments, the ribbon went back into his wand and Dumbledore spoke again. “By the power vested in me, by the Order of Merlin First Class, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Everyone cheered as Tyler leaned in to kiss me. I could feel his smile in the kiss and it made me smile even bigger. Draco catcalled and Spencer followed suit.
I pulled away, conscious of everyone watching us.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, For the first time, I present to you, Tyler and Alixzandra Truett, husband and wife.”
Everyone cheered again and threw rice at us as we walked out of the Hall. Mum announced to everyone that Firewhiskey and other drinks would be served in just a few moments.
Colin Creevey was fast on our tails as we walked outside to the front lawn. Colin took pictures of us by the lake, by the Whomping Willow (or as close as we could get without dying), next to the forest and even out in the Quidditch Pitch. We came back almost an hour later, slap tired of picture taking. I gave the hint to my Mum, who started asking everyone to be seated with their drinks and appetizers. Tyler helped me change into my reception dress.
After I was done, I gave a heads up to Ginny, Spencer, Draco and my parents and they started forming the announcement line. Ginny waved to the DJ, who cut off the slow playing background music and picked up his mic.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hear the newlyweds are finally done with their pictures” The DJ joked. “So without further ado, I present you with the wedding party. Parents of the Bride, Severus Snape and Hermione Granger.”
People clapped politely as Mum and Daddy stepped forward. Daddy sure did look good all dressed up, especially with Mum by his side, even though I could only see a side view of them. I imagined how everyone else was taking seeing them side by side again.
“Maid of Honor, and Best Man, Draco Malfoy and Spencer McDoorman.”
Draco and Spencer walked through the doors, clasping arms, joking around as if they were a couple also. Everyone laughed. Only Draco and Spencer could pull something like that off.
“Bridesmaid, Ginny Potter.”
Ginny walked through beautiful as ever, quiet, polite and shy.
“And last but definitely not least, Tyler and Alixzandra Truett!!”
I could definitely get used to this everyone cheering thing. It was a real confidence booster. Tyler walked me out to the center of the dance floor, and a slow song started. I almost cried. The song was from my very favorite Muggle movie and though half the audience had never heard it in their lifetimes, it meant a lot to me that Tyler remembered.
He started singing to me “Now I’ve had the time of my life. No I’ve never felt this way before. Yes I swear, it’s the truth. And I owe it all to you.”
We danced like my mother approved of, all traditional-like. That was, until the second time the chorus came along. Something about the music just made me laugh with happiness and Tyler spun me around so fast and then snapped me back to him in a way that made me feel absolutely dizzy with happiness. We laughed and danced around in ways that didn’t make sense and I’m sure didn’t look like dancing.
Regardless, everyone clapped when we were finished and Mum was even crying. One song flowed into another and Severus stepped in and asked for my hand. Tyler smiled at him, kissed my forehead, and handed me over to my father, just as another Muggle song started playing. Mum’s help no doubt. I laid my head on my father’s chest as I listened to the words of the song Daddy had picked.
“I know a girl. She puts the color inside of my world. She’s just like a maze where all of the walls are continually changed. I've done all I can to stand on the steps with my heart in my hand. Now I'm starting to see maybe its got nothing to do with me. Fathers be good to your daughters. Daughters will love like you do. Girls become lovers who turn into mothers, so mothers be good to your daughters too.”
I was crying as I kissed his cheek.
“I'm sorry I wasn’t there Princess.”
“Its not your fault.”
“Not entirely. But I hold a lot of the fault. I'm happy for you. I'm really happy for you. And I'm sorry for everything. So sorry,”
I saw tears in his eyes and I couldn’t believe it. I’d only seen my father cry once before, when I told him I was pregnant. He’d picked the perfect song. I even heard the hidden surrender in it. I laid back down against his shoulder and we swayed slowly. “You're not losing me Daddy. Never again. I’ll still be here for a long time.”
I felt him nod.
The song drifted away eventually and Draco cut in. I watched Daddy walk to Mum and pull her onto the floor, and Tyler dance with Ginny.
Draco had a talk to give me as well. I sighed. This was gonna be a long night, and I couldn’t wait!
“I'm glad you found him.” He started. “I'm glad you found love. Even if you did move way too fast, I’m glad things ended up the way they did with the two of you.”
“I smiled. Thank you Draco.”
He nodded and it looked like he was starting to cry too. “I loved you first, you know?” He teased. I laughed. “I know Dray.”
“If he hurts you. And I mean if he EVER hurts you, I’ll kill him. I don't care how long you two are together, I don't care if he does it out of anger, I don't care if its physical or just emotional. I will kill him. I'm serious Alix.”
Suddenly I was very scared of Draco. I knew about the time he spent with Voldemort. I knew how he was raised. I nodded simply and laid my head against his shoulder.
He chuckled. “Didn’t mean to scare you, Love.”
Afterwards, I went to the front of the room again. I asked the DJ for his mic politely, and waved Tyler to come up to the front with me. “I’d just like to thank everyone for coming tonight. It means a lot to me that you all were here to help me celebrate one of the best days in my life. But now, for the real reason all of you are here: The food. Take a seat at one of the tables, no, they are not separated by house, everyone sits together.” Everyone smiled and chuckled a little, while the tables magically floated back to the center of the floor. Tyler, Draco, Ginny, Spencer, Mum, Daddy and I sat at the head table. I looked over to the DJ. He was just sitting there. “Aren’t you going to eat?” I called over to him.
“You might be needing some music.” He replied simply.
“Go eat.” I commanded back. He smiled, nodded his head in thanks, and took off his Muggle headphones, walking to a table.
I’ll spare you what we ate, as everyone ate something different. But what I wont spare you, is the toasts.
Daddy went first, right after appetizers. He stood and clinked his fork against his glass, and cleared his throat. “Hello.” Daddy started stiffly. “As many of you know, I am Severus Snape, Alixzandra’s father. I’d also like to thank you for coming today. Despite any thoughts or beliefs you might have had, I’m glad you put them aside for my daughter’s happiness. As you know, I didn’t get to see Alix grow up. For reasons I’m not discussing, I wasn’t there. But Alix has opened her heart and let me in and I’ve never been a more happy man. Over the last few years, we’ve gotten to know each other. Of course, we’ve had our ups and we’ve had lows as far down as Gringotts vaults, but we always make it through. I met Alix as she was entering her 5th year here at Hogwarts. Her and Tyler were already in love. I’ve watched them mature as a couple and individually ever since. They’ve also had their moments. But I've never seen two people more in love with one another in all my years of living – and I teach teenagers.” (Everyone chuckled at this too) “I’ll end this by looking at you, Alixzandra. I’m so very proud of you, of everything you’ve achieved, at how strong and courageous you’ve been. Its not gonna be easy, Princess, but it'll be worth it.” He winked at me. I was crying. Tyler handed me a handkerchief and I dabbed my eyes, getting up and hugging Daddy as everyone clapped. Mum was crying too.
Next was Spencer, after the main course. He stood up and took a different approach at gaining attention – something along the lines of “Hey yo! It’s my turn to give a speech now” He got evil glares from some of the older attendants, but I just smiled at him.
“Go ahead Spence.”
“Thank you. I’m Spencer McDoorman – Best Man. Yeah, I’m proud. I had to beg for that title.” Laughter. “I’d like to thank you, Tyler, for asking me to be a part of your wedding. I’d say it means a lot, but I’m a man, and I don't express emotions.” More laughter “But no, seriously, it really does mean a lot. Alix, you look amazing tonight. Thank you, also, for letting me be here with you all. Tyler and I have been friends since we were toddlers. We grew up in the same orphanage together. And then, surprise surprise, when Hogwarts letters came out, we were both wizards. I have seriously watched Tyler chase Alix since he first saw her. She was in 3rd year and he was in 4th and all I remember hearing is him pep himself up to ask her out. He did this for days, you know.” Again, laughter. “Well, he asked her at the end of the week to go to the Start of Term Ball with him and she said no. Well, Tyler, ever determined, asked again. She said no. Again. In fact, throughout the year, he asked her to every Hogsmeade weekend, every ball, and she always declined. At the beginning of fourth year, I remember Tyler coming to the table that first night and saying to me – “Dude. She said yes.” And it all went downhill from there. Just kidding guys! I love you both. I’m glad you’ve found each other, and I hope you remain happy for a very long time.”
Spencer went ahead and sat down after a wink in our direction. I mouthed ‘thank you’ and he smiled back.
Then, of course, it was Draco’s turn, and he stood and got the crowd’s attention in much the same manner as Daddy had, with a little bit of Spencer mixed in.
“All of you all know me, but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway – I’m Draco Malfoy. When Alix asked me to be her Maid of Honor, I thought she was insane. Hermione sure was pissed. This isn’t traditional at all. I think it was Severus who allowed it. I’ve known Alix since she was a baby, even before. Her mother and I became friends when she was pregnant, despite hating each other during our schooling. Alix has been like a little sister to me ever since. She comes to me with everything. I’ve also had to be a big sister at times, though. Once, when Tyler was coming over, she screamed my name like bloody murder. Me, thinking she’s dying or something, runs up the stairs to see her perfectly fine. ‘Help me decide what to wear’ she says. I wanted to strangle the little brat.” I acted hurt and he laughed. “When she was little, she told everyone who would listen that she was never getting married, unless she married me. She said ‘All other guys are trash.’ I wonder what happened to my feminist little sister.”
“She fell in love!” I countered, making the guests laugh.
“Yes, yes she did. And it looks beautiful on her. I’m not married, but I’ve been through my fair share of relationships, enough to give you some advice Tyler. 1) Put the toilet seat down; And 2) She’s always right. You’re always wrong. Just get used to it. That’s about it. I love you two.”
I ran around to hug him as well and cried a bit on his shoulder. “I love you Dray.” I whispered.
“I know, Love.” He replied cockily.
After dinner, the DJ started the music back up and everyone surrounded the dance floor. I whispered to Tyler that I was going to give Draco his gift, and then my parents theirs. He nodded and set off to find Spencer.
I pulled Draco aside and gave him another hug. “Thank you for everything, Dray. I got you something.” I pulled away and handed him an item wrapped in red paper. He unwrapped it to find a silver flask, with DLM engraved in the front. “I didn’t know what to get you, but I know you enjoy Firewhiskey from time to time. Does it suck?”
He smiled up at me. “No, it doesn’t suck, Love.” He pulled me in for a hug. “Why does it feel like I'm losing you? Like I’ll never see you again.”
“You will. I’ll be back in a week.”
He nodded. “Better go see your parents before Tyler does. I think he’s got them a gift as well.” It was an excuse. He wanted to cry. In peace.
“Okay. I love you Draco.”
“I love you too, Love”
Tyler already occupied my parents. I could hear a little of their conversation from where I was standing. “Thank you. So much. Thanks for being there for me when no one else would, Hermione. And thanks for accepting me, Severus. You guys are the closest thing to parents I’ll ever know. I’m forever grateful of you, for bringing Alix into this world and for accepting me into your home.”
Mum smiled and pulled him to her, kissing his forehead. “I love you, son.” She said simply.
Daddy clapped a hand on his back.
He smiled. “I better be going. Alix is going to be looking for you soon.”
I counted to thirty after he left before walking up to my parents. I pretended I hadn’t just seen that. “Hey guys!” Mum smiled and pulled me in for a hug.
“How’re you doing?”
“I'm good. Excited. To be married.” I laughed, as did my parents. “Anyway, I wanted to give you guys these.”
I handed Mum a gift bag and Daddy an envelope
Daddy watched Mum unwrap hers first It was a photocube. One side had a picture of me, another – a picture of Tyler, another –a picture of us from our engagement photos, and lastly a sonogram of her upcoming granddaughter. Flowers jetted out of the top of the cube.
She smiled with teary eyes and thanked me, before turning to Daddy. “You, are one hard man to shop for, Mister.”
He opened his envelope and read it aloud for Mum to hear. “Your gift was too big to wrap. I got you a new potions set. If you hate it, and wanna keep the old one you have, the receipt is in the cauldron. It should be sitting on your dresser when you get home, if Dobby remembered to put it there. I'm sure he did.”
His smile was huge when he was done reading. He pulled me close. “I’ll love it.” He whispered. “Because it came from your heart.”
I smiled, and saw Tyler come back through the door. I waved him over. “It’s time for the bouquet & garter tosses.”
He nodded and went to the stage, waving bye to Mum and Daddy. Taking the mic, he announced the events and all the unmarried girls got into a glob. I took my bouquet off the stage. I noticed where my mum was, turned, and threw the bouquet backwards. I heard noises of anger, and some of happiness, so I turned. Mum caught the bouquet after all.
Tyler motioned me to sit down on the stage, and reached under my dress. “The one closer to my knee.” I whispered to him. He came out a few seconds later, toss garter in tact. Just like a rubber band, he flipped it off the edge of his finger, right into the awaiting hands of Daddy. “Did you plan that!?” I asked, astonished?
He shook his head as the music started for them to dance.
HPOV
“Are you alright?” Severus asked, pulling me close as the chorus started. This was really the first time we’d gotten to speak since yesterday, without listening ears, at least.
“Yes. Just… nostalgic.”
He nodded in understanding. “You're not losing her.” He replied, and I wondered who he was trying to convince, me or him.
“I know. I’m sorry, I’m just blabbing on about myself and I cant even begin to imagine how you feel.”
He shrugged. “I feel like I just found her and I'm losing her already.”
I laid my head on his shoulder simply, not knowing what else to say.
APOV
I pulled Tyler aside. “I got you something.” I whispered. He smiled.
“I got you something too but I cant give it to you until we reach the honeymoon destination.”
I thought he was making an innuendo, so I slapped his arm playfully. He told me it wasn’t what I was thinking.
I smiled and reached into my bag, sitting on the floor with everyone else’s and pulled out another envelope. Tyler opened it and it took a few moments for it to register with him.
“Quidditch World Cup tickets for the next 20 years?” He laughed excitedly.
“There’s two per year. So you could take Spencer. Make it a boys night.”
He pulled me tight. “Thank you Flicka. This means a lot.” He kissed my cheek.
“Its getting late and everyone’s starting to leave.” I nuzzled my head into his neck.
“We’ll be leaving too soon, and onto our Honeymoon.”
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Tut tut. I’m not telling.”
I laughed. “I love you Tyler.”
“I love you too Flicka.”
We cut the cake, a few people danced, and then, just like that, it was all over. Tyler shrunk our suitcases – mine of which he didn’t let me pack and had Mum do it instead – and put them in his pocket. I kissed Mum, Daddy and Draco goodbye and straddled Tyler’s broom. Before I knew it, we were flying over London. “Go to sleep, Lex.” Tyler told me. “We’ll be there before you know it.”
“Flicka.” Someone whispered. I smiled. “Flicka, baby, wake up.” I lifted my head from Tyler’s back. We were still flying, but lower now. We were landing, on a soft beachy surface. The smell of the water was amazing, and the moon glistening off it, was possibly one of the most beautiful things I’d seen in my life.
“Where are we?”
“Alixzandra’s Island. Happy marriage.” He laughed, tossing his broom next to a beach house.
“You bought me an island!?”
“Do you like it?” He was nervous.
“Yes. Of course!”
He smirked and picked me up, carrying me inside. It was so pretty, but I didn’t have much time to think about it. Tyler was taking me straight to the bedroom and I cant say I objected.
I cant believe how fast she’s growing.
It aint supposed to be like this.
Every time I look at her, I see how much I've missed…
It hurts me so to watch my girl grow up in pictures – In Pictures, Alabama
Chapter 10: Correction
My legs nearly collapsed under me as I walked through the portrait hole. Mum and daddy were eating dinner at the Great Hall, and I knew Tyler and I should probably go and see everyone, but I was way too tired. Without updating Tyler on my plans, I left my bags at the door and walked to my bedroom. I heard Tyler laugh. “Tired baby?”
I nodded into my pillow and felt the warmth as he laid next to me. He kissed my temple and whispered, “We should go see your parents.”
I nodded again. “Later.”
“I’ll go tell them we’re home, alright? You can go to sleep. I love you.”
“You too.” I mumbled half-coherently.
When I did wake up, I was bombarded with questions from my mother, who was sitting on the edge of my bed. I had an inkling she was the reason I’d woken up, until I realized that she was dressed in her teaching robes.
“What’s today?”
“Monday sweetheart. Time to get up for school.”
I jumped up, and then regretted it, immediately dizzy. I grabbed the bed post and closed my eyes, waiting for it to pass. When it did, I ran through my morning routine, listening to my mother chatter away happily. Tyler was waiting for me in the living room. I chugged the pumpkin juice waiting for me on the counter, along with my vitamins, and we walked to the Great Hall, in time to get a little bit of breakfast before our first lesson started.
I yawned during Potions, causing Tyler to whisper, “How could you still be tired!?”
“Leave me alone. I’m pregnant.” I replied.
“Miss Snape!” the professor yelled. “Might you pay attention?”
“Mrs. Truett, sir.”
“What?” He didn’t think I’d reply.
“It’s Mrs. Truett, sir, not Miss Snape.”
He sighed. “Please stop changing your last name, Ms. Truett.”
The rest of the class laughed.
The week went by with many of those occurrences happening. I think Daddy was the one who got the angriest. “2 points from Slytherin for talking out of turn Mrs. Truett” He snarked. He didn’t like being shown up, especially by his own daughter, and he hated feeling out of control of his own class, so I guess I couldn’t blame him for the house points. Tyler gained them back with the perfection of our potion anyway.
A lot of things had changed since I was about to enter my third trimester. Madam Pomphrey called me into her office to explain what to do when my water broke and what would happen if I had to have the baby at the Hogwarts hospital wing. Professor Dumbledore called me into his office to discuss my schooling and how not to fall behind. He asked me if I wished to keep up with my advanced classes (which I had so I could graduate with Tyler next year.) and I told him I would let him know if I fell so far behind that I needed to be placed in traditional classes again. In Charms, Professor Flitwick pulled me aside to tell me he wasn’t going to let any charms be practiced on me from now until the baby was born, and in potions, I was told not to inhale nor mess with anything that was brewed. Instead, I was to read the instructions and gather materials for Tyler to keep my participation grade. Daddy had told me something similar to what Professor Flitwick had regarding his Defense class. I was taken out of Divination after Professor Trelawney kept predicting me having health hazards, which only worried me to tears. I also had one week’s worth of makeup work to do after spending our Honeymoon on Alixzandra’s Island. Amazingly, I got it all done in just a night, after working on it from 4 in the afternoon until 3 that night.
When I got back from dinner the next day, a note was tacked on the bulletin board in my bedroom. Because I didn’t have a common room like all of the other kids, I didn’t have access to the Slytherin bulletin board where all of the information was posted. McGonagall put one in my room instead, for Tyler and I.
“Exams are to take place the last week of school, June 28-30. You will receive your grades through owl post this year. Please remember to study and as a result, I’m sure you will do fantastically.”
I had forgotten all about exams! And now they were just a few days away! Sure, I’d passed the O.W.L.s already – as was the condition for me to be set ahead a year – just a few months ago, but these were supposed to be a lot harder! I hadn’t studied since I had gotten pregnant and everything I had studied before then had likely been forgotten! I was angry at myself as I piled onto my bed along with all of my books, trying to re-read everything we’d gone over, writing down important names and dates. Tyler walked in and smiled. “What’re you doing?”
“Tyler did you know exams are in a few days?!”
He nodded. “Yes. I thought you did too.”
I shook my head as he climbed up and sat next to me and kissed my neck. “Tyler, I really cant get distracted baby.”
He smiled again. “I’ll quiz you.”
Tyler and I studied and studied but before we knew it, exam time had approached.
Tyler and I were together for exams, at least.
I left that afternoon not knowing how I did. Most of it, I remembered with ease, but some, I sort of BS’d my way through. I supposed I’d figure out come this summer. We were all leaving Hogwarts tomorrow and as soon as we came in from exams, we were told to start packing away our things by Mum. I wondered how big I’d be when I came back. School started September 1st and I was due the 25th, so I assumed I’d be pretty gigantic. I also assumed it’d be a pretty jam-packed summer. There wouldn’t be a trip to the fair this time, however. Mum and I wouldn’t be able to go and no way was our family going to the fair without Mum. She wouldn’t have it.
I wondered how the housing situation would work. Mum and daddy were set to be married July 17th and that was only a few weeks away. I finished packing about the same time that Tyler knocked at my door. I was sitting on my bed, picking up the ever-growing stack of photos on my desk.
He smiled and sat down next to me, watching as I put our engagement, honeymoon, babymoon, baby shower, engagement party, bridal shower and wedding photos, along with sonograms into the quickly thickening album.
“Another rollercoaster.” He smiled.
“Yeah. What a ride.”
I yawned. “Wanna take a nap?” Tyler suggested. I smiled, but shook my head.
“Let’s take a walk on the grounds. Then I wanna watch you fly.”
I sighed as Tyler helped me onto the Hogwarts Express. I wished I could just apparate like Daddy, but no. Mum, Tyler and I had to ride the train. Well, Mum and I did. Tyler just kept us company. I was exhausted and didn’t feel like an all day ride just to get to Granger Estate. Draco had announced that he’d found a new place to move into and so this coming week, we were moving all of Mum’s things along with mine and Tyler’s into Daddy’s mansion. It was going to be sad. Draco had lived with Mum and I since before I was born and I barely knew a life without him constantly by my side. I mean, I suppose I got a taste when I was away at Hogwarts, but… it just wouldn’t be the same without Draco.
On the other hand, I understood. Mum and Daddy were also going to be getting married this summer and he didn’t want to be in their way, watching them being in love day after day on end when he couldn’t even show her how much he loved her. I felt bad for him, but he said he’d come see me on holidays and when the baby was born. He’d be at Mum’s wedding too, no matter how much it hurt him.
I fell asleep half way through my pondering and when I was awoken, we were at King’s Cross. Daddy drove us back to the Granger Estate, dropped us off and apparated with Tyler and my trunks. He came back a little while later, helping Mum pack and shrinking the furniture that wasn’t Draco’s. I was busy packing all of my things into boxes. (I couldn’t shrink things. No magic outside of school.)
I heard someone walking towards my door, heels clicking on the hardwood floor. Tyler didn’t wear those kinds of shoes, only –
“Hey Love.”
He propped himself up against the wall.
I smiled at him. “Hey Dray.”
He shook his head. “Look at you.” He said, referring to my stomach.
“Huge huh?” I smiled. But the mood soon changed. “What am I gonna do when I need my big brother?”
He pulled me into a hug and I rested my head on his chest. “Floo me. Come over anytime.”
“Are you gonna be alright?”
I heard him sigh. There was a long pause. “I’m not sure, Love. I hope so. I think it’ll be good for me to get away from her though, out of her house, you know?”
I nodded, though I don't think I did.
“I hear Muffy’s mom is single.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t touch her with a sixty foot dragon.” I laughed along as well.
“What if Tyler and I get into a fight?”
“Then you and your daughter come over and spend the night at my house.”
I smiled. “I’m going to miss you Dray.” Tears were rolling down my face now. He ran his fingers through my hair.
“I know Love. I’m going to miss you too. You’ve gotta come visit me, alright?”
I nodded. “Most definitely.”
At Daddy’s mansion, Tyler and I shared a bedroom, Mum and Daddy had a bedroom, two extra rooms were pending nurseries, a room was made for guests, and enough bathrooms for 3 couples.
Tyler and I unpacked slowly, not really speaking, when all of a sudden, I felt the strongest flutter I’d ever felt. I grabbed Tyler’s hand again and laid it on the side of my stomach. The baby kicked again. Tyler’s face lit up. “You felt it that time didn’t you?” A smile broke out.
“Our baby.” He whispered.
I nodded. “Our baby.” He kissed me slowly and after a few moments, I backed away. “You know, we haven't thought about names.” I said, going back to putting my clothes in the wardrobe. “What names do you like?”
“Tylesha.”
I gave him a look. “Come on now, seriously.”
“I just… I don't know Flicka. It’s not like naming an owl or a dog. This is the name of a human being, the name she’ll have for the rest of her time on Earth!” I smiled. “Think on it. We’ll talk about it later.”
The following Saturday was my baby shower and was as amazingly generous as they were at my bridal shower. And once again, I wont spare you the rundown.
Ginny and Harry: a mobile that reflected constellations, moons and planets on the walls. Harry looked a little bit more confident with this gift.
Mrs. Weasley: A pink knitted baby sweater, sized at a few months old so that it would fit her when winter came around.
Mr. Weasley: “They’re walkie talkies, only you cant talk into them, you can just hear the baby when it cries, or even whines! It’s amazing, this Muggle technology!” (I couldn’t help but smile.)
Ron and Lavender: Baby perfume. I didn’t know it existed, but apparently, it did. Also, a little pink grooming kit with brush, comb, nail clippers, and a nail file.
McGonagall: “It’s a Baby Tracker. It lets you know where she is, what she’s doing, and how safe she is on a scale of one to ten. Perfect for when she starts toddling!”
My Grandparents: A pink and black crib set.
Dumbledore: A wand. Not even kidding. A toy wand. “Its harmless, really. It’ll help her control his magic, when she’s teething or has colic. Instead of getting so angry she blows things up, she can make harmless sparks.” (I wasn’t sure how I felt about that)
Fred and George weren’t much help on the Gifts-To-Bug-Mum subject. Practical joke toys she probably wouldn’t use for another 2 years, but I was thankful nonetheless
Draco: A pair of little white shoes. They were adorable and for a moment I wondered how he knew what to get a baby girl, but then I realized he’d done this before.
Spencer: A beautiful big poofy pink dress.
And of course, my parents just had to go over the top again. “Furniture. A whole set, no matter the cost. Any color, style, whatever.”
And much like my bridal shower, we played a few games and I said goodnight to everyone, ready to crash into my bed.
So sorry it took so long you guys!! My computer was down and I Just got it back. Hope you like!
Chapter 12: Preparation
HPOV
“Hermione!”
I knew that tone. I was in trouble. I wobbled my way into the kitchen. “Yes Severus?”
He looked to be seething, pointing at the fridge silently. I looked at it. It looked the same as it did when I moved in. Silver.
“Yes…?”
“There’s some contraption that, I’m sure, you or Alix put on it, and I’m unable to get it open. Even with magic.”
I bursted out laughing, so hard, it hurt. This didn’t make Severus any happier. As his face slipped into more anger, I tried to straighten up.
“I” More laughter. “I’m so-“ Laughter. I breathed deeply, regaining myself. “I’m sorry Severus. You were in Diagon Alley when Alix and I did this. They're all over the house. On the cabinets, fridge, toilets. They’re so the babies cant get inside and hurt themselves. Watch.” She showed him how to press the button to release the lock.
“The babies wont be here for another 3 months.” He stated lamely, reaching inside and getting the pumpkin juice and ending the topic.
< hr />
TPOV
“Baby.” Alix said, laying next to me.
“Mhmm?” I asked, leaning my head against hers and closing my eyes.
“What about Macenzie?”
I opened my eyes again.
“Mackenzie” I tried it out. “Macknezie Truett.”
Alix smiled. “Do you like it?”
I said it a few more times in my head. It sounded strong. I nodded. “Mackenzie Skye Truett.” I suggested.
Alix’s face lit up and she nodded as well. “Mackenzie Skye Truett.”
She jumped off the bed. “We’ve gotta go shopping. I want some of those letters to put on her wall. Her first name. Come on Tyler! Get ready!” She hit me with a pillow and I laughed, slowly getting off the bed and following her out the door.
APOV
The next week was slap full of practicing and shopping for mum’s wedding. This time, wedding shopping was boring, however. Daddy went along with Mum for most of it, but sometimes Tyler and I had to go too.
Tyler and I were still in the amazing phase of newlyweds and all we wanted to do was stay home and lie in each other’s arms. I couldn’t wait for Mum and Daddy’s honeymoon. Tyler and I would have the entire house to ourselves.
We got out of wedding shopping to go to Draco’s one time though. And for that, I was thankful. Draco lived in a little town and had the biggest house in the neighborhood. He gave us a tour and we sat down for tea in the living room.
“How’s life?” I asked lamely.
He smiled. “Alright. Yours?”
“Alright.” I lied. It was better than alright but I didn’t wanna make him feel bad.
“Don't lie.” He saw right through it.
My smile grew.
“I met a girl.” He said and my face lit up. “At the office. She’s new. I’m trying to think of a way to ask her out.”
“Ask her to the wedding!”
His face went to stone and I regretted suggesting that. “No.” He said simply.
“What’s her name?”
“Delilah.”
I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. “Delilah? Really? What is it with you and D names?”
He laughed too and it was amazing to see him doing so again. It'd been forever. “Hermione starts with an H, Love.” He joked.
Chapter 13: Goodbye
DPOV
Severus paced along the small area he was provided, as hundreds of faces traced him back and forth, like some sort of tennis game. Hundreds of faces that assumed he was going to mess up again, and thousands of eyes that were narrowed, just in thought of him marrying the Gryffindor Princess, the Heroine of the Golden Trio. Everyone there was there for Hermione, save Dumbledore and Alix, of course. Everyone there was waiting for him to run again. No one knew the story. No one would care to know it.
I watched from the doorway as the music started, and Severus stopped his pacing immediately, his eyes zeroing in on the entrance. I moved so everyone else could make their way through. In two single-file rows, Hermione’s bridesmaids and Severus’ groomsmen walked in arm-in-arm, Alix and I bringing up the rear as Maid of Honor and Best Man. I was only there as a favor. To Severus, or to Hermione, I’d never know. All I knew was Severus hadn’t asked a single person to be one of his men.
Next in were Ginny and Harry’s children, Zane and Lily, as ring bearer and flower girl again. Red rose petals littered the ivory carpet in scattered piles from the little girl’s careful fingers.
As the pianist’s song picked up pace, everyone stood and I watched Severus tremble. I eyed him with a smirk, “Breathe Snape.” Hermione stood in the church doorway with her father on her arm. Her eyes connected with Severus’ and started to nearly gallop down the carpet to him. The guests laughed as her father pulled her back, close to his side. My heart was halfway up my throat. I watched her walk and pretended it was me she was walking towards. Slowly, she walked towards the front and it seemed like forever before she glanced my way. Hermione stood between three of the men that loved her most in this world, looking towards Dumbledore, as practiced.
“Who gives this woman in marriage?” The professor spoke up, his voice very raspy in his unnaturally old age.
Hermione’s father cleared his throat, almost in an attempt to fix the Professor’s, it seemed. “Her mother and I do.”
He passed her hand to his daughter’s new number one and they semi-bowed to one another. While her father sat next to her mother, Hermione and Severus walked up the stairs to Dumbledore. Severus lifted her veil and kissed her hand, whispering compliments by her ear.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls….”
I watched Alix’s eyes drifted from their place on her parents to where Tyler was seated in the first pew on Hermione’s side. He was staring at her with the trace of a smile setting upon his features. When he realized they had met eyes, his smile grew and he puckered his lips a bit, blowing her a kiss. ‘I love you’ he mouthed. ‘I love you too’ She replied. Just about then, she placed a hand on her now showing tummy. Her smile grew a little more as she looked at Tyler again. Ginny nudged her elbow against Alix’s arm, urging her to pay attention to the ceremony.
“Do you, Severus Snape, take thee, Hermione Granger, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part.”
Severus smiled again. “I do.”
I died a bit.
“And do you, Hermione Granger, take thee, Severus Snape, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part.”
“I do.” Hermione replied, a tear rolling down her cheek as she laughed and wiped it away.
A little bit more.
“May I see the rings?”
My eyes widened as I slapped my hands to my suit, searching every pocket feverently. I hadn’t been paying a bit of attention to when my part was coming. Severus’ smile dropped quickly as the guests chuckled. With a smirk and a cool exterior, even though my world was turned upside down, I pulled two golden bands out of the first pocket I had checked. I winked and then handed them to the Professor.
Severus was given Hermione’s ring.
“Repeat after me. With this ring”
“With this ring”
“I thee wed.”
“I thee wed.” Severus’ nervousness showed now more than ever. I understood. He was putting himself out there, repeating every line he was fed, vulnerable to Dumbledore, to Hermione, to the world. As he finished, he let out a big sigh, watching as Hermione received his ring and repeated the speech as well.
Dumbledore raised his wand above Hermione and Severus’ heads and spoke a quiet incantation. “Amore per sempre” Stars fell from the wand, spinning around the couple. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!” Severus’ smile grew as he pulled Hermione close and dipped her back, kissing her audaciously. My eyes snapped shut and I looked at the ground.
The guests stood and clapped politely. Down the aisle walked the new couple, getting pelted by rice.
xXx
“Ladies and Gentleman, I am honored to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape!” Hermione’s father rejoiced exuberantly and in walked the newest couple. Everyone stood and clapped as they were seated at the high table in Hogwarts, along with the rest of the wedding party and Tyler. Dumbledore prayed over the meal and dinner popped up on the tables of everyone around.
I sighed and stood, clinking my fork against my champagne glass halfway through the meal. “Here’s to the groom with bride so fair. And here’s to the bride with groom so rare! Here’s to the marriage: one soul in two bodies.” I paused for a second, looking around at surprised faces. “Okay, so I'm not going to quote Shakespeare. That’s actually all I remember from the speech we had to memorize in Muggle studies.” Laughs “But seriously, I’ve known these two people most of my life. And though Hermione and I didn’t get along at first, to say the least, I’ve come to realize she is a very amazing person. She’s kind. To everyone. If she just met you, she would give you a million galleons if you needed it, without a second thought. She’s got a heart as gold as the Gryffindor color and the purest soul you will ever find. I could search dictionaries, read poetry, quote Shakespeare for years, and never find a word to define how amazing a person Hermione Jane Granger is.” I paused for another second as tears sat in my eyes. “And what can I say about Severus Snape? He’s a tough one. I think we all sat through hours and hours of potions lessons, dreading his harsh teaching. But that only shows he will make a fabulous father, and has started to already. Severus Snape stood by me. Through and through, he kept me safe, even when it meant endangering his own life. Many of you know how caught up I was in my father’s footsteps and many of you have realized how Snape saved my life. I will forever be in debt to this spectacular man.” Another weighted pause. I didn’t want to say it, but somehow choked it out anyway. “So here’s to the new husband and… h-here’s to the new wife. May God and Merlin be with you and bless your lives together.”
A tear fell down my face as I quietly left the hall.
APOV
Mum’s worried eyes showed throughout the hall and landed on me, pleading. I rose from my spot at the table, told Tyler I’d be back, and followed Draco out.
He was out in the hallway, to the left of the doors, where barely any moon shown through the windows. His whimpers could be heard but just barely from where he sat in the wall’s crevice. My heels clicked loudly against the stone floors but Draco made no attempt to silence himself. “It hurts Alix.” he whispered, looking up. “Dammit, it hurts” he said a little louder. My eyes watered as I sat down in the other stone bench.
“I know Draco. I know it does.” Was all I knew to say, as Draco leaned forward and cried on my shoulder. I placed a hand on his hiccupping back, rubbing it up and down. “I know Dray. I know it hurts. But you love her. And you’ve gotta smile through this for her, because you being out here, and her knowing you are, hurts her. And if you really loved her, you wouldn’t want her hurt.”
DPOV
Eventually I raised my head, stood, cast a spell on my face, offered a hand to Alix, and marched back into the Great Hall and up to the Head table. Alix was right. “Congratulations Hermione, Severus. I really am happy for you.” I directed the last bit at Hermione on purpose and tried to tell her with my eyes that I really meant it. She smiled and nodded as Severus spoke his thanks.
HPOV
Meals were cleared and Severus and I walked onto the dancefloor. Severus pulled me close to him, and I took everything in as our song started; A Muggle song, just as I had requested. Staring into each other’s eyes with a smile, I listened to the words of the song intently.
At the end of their dance, Daddy approached us and bowed to my husband before taking me in his arms. The music began and we slowly and awkwardly spun around the floor. “Are you happy Hermione?” Daddy finally asked.
“Yes Daddy. I really really am.”
“He left you once…”
“He wont again.” I fought.
“Alix…”
“Loves him.”
“Hermione…”
“Daddy. Stop. I love him and that’s all that matters. I’ve loved him for 18 years now. You saw how I was without him. You see how I am with him in my life. You choose Daddy. Which Hermione is the little girl you saw, dreaming after fairy tales?”
Daddy smiled at me. “You’re right dear.”
“I’m a bride now. I’m always right.” I winked.
xXx
I stood with my back to the single women in the crowd and did a couple fake tosses, listening to my friend’s mumbles. Closing my eyes, I finally threw it back, listening to the high pitched voices of the women. “That’s not fair” Lavender and Ron’s 9 year old called out.
I turned around to see Harry’s little girl holding the flowers with a smile. “She’s taller than me!”
Severus placed a chair behind me as the exchange went on and motioned me to sit down. Ducking under my dress, he pulled out a baby blue garter while the men lined up behind him. Closing his eyes, he spun to make it fair and flicked the garter towards the crowd.
Draco. I knew he’d done that on purpose.
Draco walked towards Lily and bowed all poncy like, offering his hand.
The little girl laughed, taking it and spinning around; Draco picked the little girl up to make it a bit easier. Watching from the sidelines, I smiled as Severus wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “I really hope he finds someone” I said. “I really hope he’s happy.”
xXx
Today, he told her that he loved her,
Put a ring around her finger
And promised her forever together.
Looks like she's really gone now. - "Today" by Gary Allan
Chapter 14: Irritability
APOV
Mum and Daddy left for their weeklong honeymoon, giving Tyler and I the house all to ourselves. Sadly, I will admit, instead of staying in bed all day like we had previously discussed, we left to go nursery shopping. The only things we really needed were furniture and décor.
Tyler and I walked to the closest subway and rode into town. Daddy’s mansion was pretty secluded from anything other than a few pubs and small stores, a few blocks away from the subway station.
We got dark wood furniture. I wanted black but I knew Daddy wouldn’t speak to me for weeks. It was an unspoken rule that his wedding and his new sons’ nursery would be as Slytherinized as possible. We had everything set to be shipped to the mansion and left for the paint store, deciding on just the right shade of pink before getting lunch and leaving for to go back home.
“Why don't you just read the instructions Tyler? I’m sure it’d be a lot easier than trying to figure it out yourself.” I suggested, leaning against the doorframe of our Mackenzie’s nursery and chewing on the end of a Twisler.
“Why don't you just leave me alone to work Alixzandra?” He replied irritably.
I sighed. Usually that would upset me greatly, but I knew Tyler was just frustrated. Instead, I decided upon leaving to go do more shopping. I called Ginny and asked her to go with, but she said her and Harry were taking advantage of the kids napping and watching TV together. I thought about calling Muffy but that fled my mind almost as quickly as it came. Finally, I called Draco. He said he was free and he’d meet me at the mansion in a few minutes.
“I’m going shopping with Draco.” I told Tyler, walking by to go to our room. Tyler mumbled in acknowledgement and got dressed.
“I asked her out.” Was one of the first things Draco said.
“You did!? What'd she say?”
“Well, yes of course.” Draco scoffed. “But I’m kinda nervous. I’m taking her out tomorrow night and we’re going to eat. I can’t think of anything other than that, though. I want it to be special. What?”
I was staring at him with a smile. “My little Draco is growing up!”
He put me in a headlock. “Shut up. Let’s just get what we came for.”
I had forgotten we’d already made it to the store. I got the necessary items first: wipes, diapers, more clothes, baby wash, shampoo, lotion, etc; then went for the toys. By the time 3 o clock came around, our arms and the carts were full. We checked out and then went for lunch.
By the time we got back to the nursery, Tyler had all the furniture finished and was waiting for me to decide where it went. I gave Draco the tedious job of removing tags, wrappings and stickers from items and scorgifying clothes and toys. We put the clothes in the dressers, except for dresses which had to be hung, the shoes in a basket beside it, the diapers, wipes, etc on the changing table with all of the other toiletries. We put up the mobile, and put the sheets on the crib, scattering toys along the room in various places. Last but not least, the letters were put on the wall above the crib and the room was finished. Draco left not long after and Tyler and I had the house to ourselves again.
“I’m sorry for how I acted this morning.” Tyler said almost immediately, pulling me close. I kissed him simply.
“It’s fine.”
He smiled. “How much longer until we can’t have sex anymore?”
“Not much longer.” I replied with a smirk.
“We should probably make the most of this time alone.”
“Yeah, we probably should.”
I'm moving on.
At last I can see
Life has been patiently waiting for me. - Rascal Flatts, "I'm Moving On"
Chapter 15: Reminder
HPOV
I stared out the window at the famous tower. This was the city of love, and I could definitely feel it. Almost as if he could read my mind, Severus snaked his arms around my waist, kissing my neck. I turned into his kiss. He watched the scenery with me.
“Remember how we were when we were first falling in love?” He asked.
I laughed. “Yes. You were always missing classes. I was always failing in having my things done for the ministry in time. I almost couldn’t become a Potions Mistress!”
“Oh you didn’t take that route anyway so don't play that card.” He replied and my smile dropped a bit, remembering how hard those times were for me. “I remember acting like randy teenagers. Finding time in between meals and classes to make out, even though we had the same quarters all to our own at night.”
I laughed. “Remember when Dumbledore caught us?”
“That wasn’t funny! All the old codger would do for weeks after that was smile with twinkly eyes at me.”
I turned on him. “Oh like he didn’t do that to me too!”
He smiled a rare, sincere smile and kissed my forehead, staring into my eyes afterwards. “You are so beautiful Mia.”
I smiled too. I was in Heaven. I laid my head on his chest, completely content with where I was. I never wanted to leave. “I love you Severus.”
He hummed and I felt the rattle of his chest on my cheek. “I love you too.”
“I don't want to leave.” I whispered.
“We have to, in just a few more days, so let’s make the most of them.”
“I’m not in the mood for sex. I just want to cuddle.”
He chuckled. “That’s fine love.”
He picked me up and I squealed, carrying me to the bedroom and laying me on the bed. He climbed in next to me and I resumed my head’s position on his chest. He played with my hair, pulling apart tangles.
“I’m glad you came back Severus. I’m not sure I ever told you that.”
“Amidst yelling at me? No, I'm pretty sure you hadn’t.”
I laughed. “What would you have done had I told you?”
“Came back as soon as I could. Made sure I gave you expenses until then. Wrote you letters. Made sure good accommodations and protection was in place for you and our baby. Asked you to stop working as an auror and find a job at the school with Dumbledore so I could ensure your safety and that of my daughter.”
“I should've told you.”
“Yes. But it’s in the past. At least I know her now, and that’s all that matters. I’ll get it right with this one.”
“Have you thought of names?”
“Actually, I had one in mind.” Severus replied and I was surprised. I didn’t think he’d given much thought to anything.
“And it is?”
“Aiden.”
I looked up at him. It kind of surprised me. I thought he’d want an S name. “I like it.”
He smiled back. “I’m glad. It means little fire. I figured it’d be perfect with a temperous Gryffindor like you for a mum and a fiery Slytherin like me for a father. Especially since he’ll be in Slytherin, It’s perfect. ”
“He may be in Gryffindor. Or Ravenclaw. Or even Hufflepuff. We’ll love him just the same.”
He kissed my forehead. “Middle name?”
“Leonis?”
“Latin for lion? I don’t think so. Nice try.”
I huffed. “Fine. Dominic?”
“Aiden Dominic Snape. Its settled then. We’ll have to tell Alix when we get back.”
I groaned. “Let’s not think of going back just yet.”
He laughed. “Yes Mia.”
All of a sudden I gasped, grabbing Severus’ hand and placing it on my stomach. “Do you feel him?” His eyes lit up and it occurred to me, he’d missed this with Alix. I felt Aiden kick again and laughed as Severus’ eyes grew even bigger.
I kissed his nose and the baby and I settled back down. “You know,” Severus started, “that shirt looks awfully good on you.”
I looked down at the plain black tee shirt I was wearing that barely skimmed mid-thigh and laughed.
Been so long that you forget the way I used to kiss your neck.
Remind me, baby, remind me.
So on fire and so in love,
Way back when we couldn’t get enough.
Chapter 16: Transition
APOV
Tyler and I were sleeping in on the last day of Mum & Daddy’s Honeymoon when I heard Draco screaming my name amidst my dreams. Bolting awake, I realized I still heard him. The noise was coming from the living room. Without thinking, I grabbed the nearest robe, threw it on and ran into the main room.
Draco stopped calling immediately, and started laughing. I looked down. The robe I’d chosen wasn’t a cover-up robe. It was an in-bed robe, and entirely see through. My red teddy was completely visible through it.
Blushing, I went back to my room and grabbed my other robe, looking to Tyler. How he slept through everything, I’d never know.
Stomping back into the living room, I put my hands on my hips. “What in the hell was so damn important that you had to wake me up at,” I checked the clock. “10 o’clock in the morning, when my husband and I are trying to sleep in!?”
“I asked her out.”
A smile popped up on my face and got increasingly bigger by the second. “You did!? For when? What’d she say? What have you decided to do?”
“Yes. And Friday. She said yes, of course. And I’m taking her to dinner and then for a romantic walk on the beach. Does that sound good or too cheesy?” His face fell.
I laughed. “No Draco, that sounds great. Let me know how it goes.” I replied, turning back towards the bedroom.
“Alix!” He exclaimed in shock.
“What Dray?” I whined, turning back to face him. “I'm tired!” I stomped.
He chuckled a bit. “Fine, but come over later.”
“Deal.”
“What was that all about?” Tyler asked when I walked back into the bedroom.
My jaw dropped. “You were awake through all that?”
He laughed. “Yes. I just didn’t want to get up anymore than you did. However, I knew he’d leave if we pretended to be asleep long enough.”
I huffed and fell back into bed. “Shhh. Sleep.” I replied simply.
We woke up a few hours later, and I’d decided I’d slept enough. Waking up Tyler, I asked him if he wanted to go with me to Draco’s. He nodded and got up as well, both of us taking our showers and getting dressed. Taking a shower together was a bad idea, but we eventually got to Draco’s.
Draco made us sit in the living room while he went over every aspect of his upcoming date, from what I thought he should wear to which restaurant they should go to. It was becoming ridiculous. Finally, it was about 9 o’clock and I knew I could get away with pretending the baby was making me tired. We excused ourselves and ended up back at the house soon enough to clean up. We’d kinda let the place go since Mum and Daddy weren’t here, but now they’d be home tomorrow and we’d be dead if the house wasn’t spotless.
We ‘scorgified’ a bit and made sure the nursery was in order, before retiring to bed.
We were awoken early the next morning by the door opening and my mother’s laughter booming off the walls.
“Severus put me down!” She squealed, and his laughter followed. “Severus!” She screamed again, and then shushed him like it was he who was making all the noise. “Alix and Tyler may still be sleeping!”
I yawned and got up out of bed, pushing my feet into my slippers and grabbing a robe. After double checking to make sure it was appropriate, I walked down the stairs, my hand trailing along the banister. I yawned as my parents came into sight. “Morning guys!”
My mother threw her hands into the air and almost fell out of daddy’s arms before he could put her down. “Alix! Oh, I’ve missed you! Where’s Tyler?”
“Right here.” I heard Tyler yawn from behind me. My mum let go of me and I moved on to daddy, hugging him tightly.
“Hey Daddy.” I whispered.
“Hey Princess.” He replied.
“I missed you.”
“And I, you. We have a name picked out for our baby.”
I lifted my head suddenly, with a huge smile on my face. “What is it!?”
He chuckled. “Go ask your mother.”
I smiled and ran off to go find her.
When I watched you walk away,
Well I never thought I'd say
I'm fine without you - Hinder
Chapter 17: Resentment
APOV
Relaxation settled in after Mum and Daddy’s return. They liked to keep to themselves in honeymoon bliss, just like Tyler and I did. I’d never been happier.
Draco & Delilah’s dinner date passed just fine, Draco informed us, and he was excited to say she wanted to continue a relationship with him. I was over the moon for him, pestering him to introduce us, but that was something Draco was weird on. It seemed as though he didn’t want her to meet Mum and I until they got serious. I supposed I understood. It had more to do with mum than me. He loved mum. He didn’t want to show her he was trying to move on. It sort of made sense. No matter how excited I was for him, I’d just have to wait.
But waiting got harder. Every time Draco spoke of her, he seemed happier and happier. His eyes shown in ways I’d seen but a few times, and his skin glowed. He seemed to walk with a new air about him and all he could speak of was Delilah.
This only added to the already busy and excited atmosphere around Snape Mansion. With Mackenzie’s nursery finished, Aiden’s needed to be completed. Daddy was constantly running around, listening to Mum complain about things going wrong, or how things needed to be done. I thought it was hilarious, personally. If only the kids at school could see him now.
Tyler and I sat on our bed simply holding each other in silence. We did a lot of that these days, and I wondered how I didn’t become bored with it. “Let’s pack the hospital bag.” I suggested.
He hummed. “But I love this.”
“I do too Babe, but let’s just go ahead and do it. I’m kind of tired and I think I wanna turn in early. If we go ahead and get this done while it’s on my mind, we won’t forget later.”
He agreed and I sat up on the bed while he walked to the closet and got a suitcase. The first thing we packed was a few pairs of clothes for both of us, including warm socks, a bathrobe and three maternity bras for me. After that was the necessary paperwork and information, including our birth plan. Then was the tiny essentials: hair ties for me, sugar free candies, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body sprays, deodorants, etc. Tyler even packed things like my favorite books, an extra pillow and extra towels. We then decided on a few outfits for Mackenzie, as well as other things she’d need during our time at St. Mungo’s, and made a list of last minute things to pack, like my muggle MP3 player and cell phone charger.
Tyler zipped the case shut and pushed it under the bed for safekeeping until Mackenzie decided to come, and crawled back onto the bed, kissing my tummy.
“Hello little Mackenzie.” He said, and I laughed. “This is Daddy again. How are you in there? Everything nice and warm? I hope it is. I hope I get to see you soon! But not too soon of course, it’d be difficult for you if you came out now. I love you sweetie.”
I smiled. Tyler would be a great father. And I hoped I’d be a great mother too.
Weeks passed slowly. Staying at home got more and more boring. I was extremely excited to be going to the healer’s today, just to get out of the house. It took a while to get there, being unable to apparate and such, but still we got there. I lay on my back as another sonogram was done and waited patiently as everything was checked out. I answered all of her questions and nodded my head to all of her instructions. All of them until she uttered the words “From now until you return to school, I think you should be on partial bed rest. It should help relieve some of the stress from returning for your final year, and keep you off your feet to reduce any further swelling. This way, you’ll be nice and rested and the baby won’t feel as much excitement from your return as she would have had you not rested at all.”
My mouth was gaped like a fish’s “Surely Mum will have to be on bed rest as well, right? I mean, she’ll be going back to teach!”
“Well, you’ll have to talk to your mum about that. Her appointment was right before yours and she hasn’t had time to tell you yet.”
“Tell me what?”
“Ask her. Now, keep up with your vitamins, try to stay in bed most of the time, and try to let Tyler take things over for a while. I’ll start seeing you weekly now, so your next appointment is next Thursday at noon. See you then.” And with that she left. I pushed my shirt down and got off the bed in a huff, stomping out of the room. It was a quiet ride back to daddy’s mansion, until I made my way into the house.
“Mum!” I yelled. Daddy ran downstairs, worry painted across his face.
When he saw I was entirely okay, however, he looked fuming.
“Why in the hell would you scream like that unless something was dreadfully wrong Alixzandra!?”
“Is Mum on bed rest?” I demanded.
He sighed. “No.”
“How is it fair that I’m on partial bed rest because I’m going back to Hogwarts in September, yet she is not even though she, too will be returning to school?”
“She won’t be teaching this year.” He said quietly. “She wanted to tell you, but since you're so angry, I’ll go ahead and let you know so you can cool off by the time she wakes. She’ll go to Hogwarts, stay in our quarters just like always, and when she has the baby, she’ll watch both Aiden and Mackenzie while you and Tyler go to school.
Unfortunately, however, if you have your baby before she has hers, you will have to stay home with her until Mum has Aiden, or let Madam Pomphrey watch him while you attend classes.”
I let it set in. That was a good idea, I had to admit.
“She will most likely be put on bed rest a few weeks before her due date, however. And when we get to the school, any time you are not in classes, you will be in bed at the quarters. Meals, homework, studying, or anything else outside of classes will be done in bed. Tyler, you may choose to stay with her while she does these things or go hang out with Spencer. Spencer and Muffy will be allowed to come over if you’d like, as long as it’s not during meal times and not after 9PM. While you are here, you will be temporarily moved downstairs into one of the guest rooms, so you don’t have to walk up and downstairs for anything. When it comes time to go to Diagon Alley for school supplies, you’ll send your list with Tyler’s, adding anything extra you need and we’ll get it for you.”
“You’re treating me like a child on punishment!” I screeched.
“Well, you are a child, my dear. Not on punishment, but with child.”
I huffed. I knew I wasn’t going to get my way this time, so I in frustration and stomped off to my favorite guest room. I knew I was really acting like a child now, but I didn’t care. I hated being told what to do, especially with something that would be THIS boring. Tyler left to get the things we’d need. When he returned, I was crying.
“Oh Flicka,” He said, dropping the things by the door and walking over to the bed where I sat. He took me in his arms and kissed my head. “It won’t be so bad. I’ll find a way to make it a little fun for you.”
“It’s not that Tyler. I’ve ruined everything. We weren’t careful and now we’ve royally fucked up. I can’t even go to Diagon Alley on my last year of schooling. This sucks Tyler! This sucks bad! And it’s all my fault.”
“Alix…” He whispered. And that was it. That was all he whispered, before he pulled me even closer to his chest, laid down and ran his fingers through my hair as I cried. Eventually we must’ve fallen asleep, because the next time I woke up, it was dinnertime.
Do you see what we’ve done?
We’re gonna make such fools of ourselves. – Paramore, “Decode”
Chapter 18: Arrangements
APOV
Dear Mrs. Alixzandra Truett,
As you complete your final year at Hogwarts, we realize there will be a few mountains for you to climb. You will be completing the second half of your sixth year along with your seventh year to graduate a year ahead of your class.
Also, I understand, you will be delivering a baby girl towards the end of September and we have made special accommodations for you. You will find that you and Tyler have your own suite as Head Girl & Head Boy at Hogwarts. I feel it important that I stress that you were not given these positions simply because you are married students expecting a child, but because you are the top two of the seventh year. You will find that you two will share a common room, have two bedrooms. One will be a room for you and Tyler to share and the other will be a nursery. These will be separated by a his & hers bathroom for the two of you.
After the feast on September 1st, you will need to see me at the Head Table so I can show you the Heads dorms and tell you your password.
Hermione informed me that she will not return as a teacher this year, but only as Severus’ wife. She will still come to Hogwarts, and once she has her baby, she will watch both yours and hers while you attend your classes. However, if this becomes too much of a burden on your mother, Madam Pomphrey has offered to watch your child.
Professor Snape informed me of your bed rest situation, and I agree with him. You shouldn’t be on your feet any time you can help it during your pregnancy here at Hogwarts. Therefore, you will be unable to patrol with Mr. Truett during your nighttime patrol hours. Until you are able to, we will have a sixth year prefect patrol with him. A few weeks after the baby is born, we will appoint you a house-elf to take care of the child for the two hours you are required to patrol the corridors at night.
Hope this letter finds you well. Enclosed is Tyler and your supply lists.
Awaiting your presence,
Albus Dumbledore.
Time passed slowly. Tyler kept his vow of making bed rest sort of entertaining, but still, I was lying in bed almost 20 hours a day. There was only a certain percentage of time I could spend in it and still stay sane. That’s why I was overjoyed when Tyler talked my dad into letting me go to Diagon Alley to pick up my things. Well, more like Tyler convinced Mum to convince Daddy. Either way, I didn’t care. I couldn’t have been happier when I received my Hogwarts letter this year, and almost rushed out the door. Eventually (after use of muggle transportation) we made it to the Leaky Cauldron.
It wasn’t until I was mingling amongst the other students did I realize that I’d gotten a great deal bigger since I left Hogwarts. Everyone’s eyes were on me. Everyone was whispering. It reminded me of when everyone found out, and I had to walk into the Great Hall, pregnant and alone. This time was different however. This time, I held my head up high, went into Madam Malkins and requested 5 pairs of maternity school robes and 5 pairs of school robes a few sizes larger than I was before I got pregnant. Tyler purchased his robes as well, and we left for the next store.
Together we dealt with all the whispers and bought all the potions ingredients, spell books, quills and scrolls we needed, along with a few more baby items we didn’t need but wanted anyway.
HPOV
Alix and Tyler went towards the shops while Severus and I went towards a small pub. I noticed whispers, pointed fingers, and I stood to see what they found so interesting. Everyone was looking at Alix. And Alix was standing tall, head held high like she didn’t even notice. I knew she did, but she chose to ignore it. I smiled and waited on Severus to bring me my tea.
Not all the attention was on Alix, however. People pointed fingers and whispered whispers in our direction too. A few people pointed at my wedding band. Others pointed at my stomach. Everyone was in shock. No one expected Severus and I to last. They expected him to run, just like last time. I smiled and snuggled closer to Severus, nuzzling my face into his shoulder with a smile. “I love you Sev.” I whispered.
“I love you too Mia.”
APOV
“Do you think we’ve forgotten anything?” I asked again.
Tyler laughed. “No, Flicka.”
Two trunks sat in front of us. One marked with the initials AG and the other TT. Both were filled to the brim with spell books, potions ingredients, school robes, dress robes, other clothing, baby items, and anything else we thought we’d need between now and Christmas break.
“Our badges!” I exclaimed, pointing to the bedside table.
“We can’t pack those. We have to wear them on the train.”
“Oh yeah. Did you pack my toiletries for me?”
“Yes Flicka.”
“All of them?”
“Toothbrush, toothpaste, body spray, perfume, hairspray, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, all of your nail polishes… anything else?”
“That’s all, I think. Did you get my accessories?”
“Yes, Flicka. I’m not naming all of them either.”
I laughed. “Sorry, Ty. I’m just excited.”
“Wanna go ahead and go to sleep? Tomorrow will come faster.”
“Its 4:30 in the afternoon!”
“Just a suggestion, Lex.”
“And it’s one I’m considering, but I want to go see Draco after dinner.”
“Hurry up Tyler!” I shouted, stomping up the pathway to Draco’s. Without much thought, I barged in. “Draco!” I yelled, toddling into the living room of his mansion. I stopped short when I saw him, however. He and some girl – I assumed Delilah – were kissing. Like, full on. They must’ve been really into it, since they hadn’t heard me barge in. I cleared my throat. “Want me to come back Draco?”
He still didn’t hear me. In fact, I tried a few more times before giving up and tapping him on the shoulder. He looked up, surprised, as he pulled away from Delilah. She blushed, as well. Draco started to yell, but no sound came out. Frustrated, he picked up his wand and waved it around his face.
“What the hell Alix? You can’t just barge in here anytime you want!!”
I watched his girlfriend touch his shoulder to get his attention and then take her hands and push down, like she was trying to tell him to calm down. It was a little strange, but I didn’t think much of it. She must just be shy. I stuck my hand out. “You must be Delilah, I’m Alix and that is Tyler.” I said, pointing at my husband. “We’re really sorry for barging in like that.”
She looked to Draco and I watched as he made a series of hand movements before she turned back to me and did another series of them. I looked confused.
“She said ‘Nice to meet you, and its no big deal.’” Draco replied. He seemed sad. “Delilah is deaf, Alix. She can’t hear a thing you say to her. That’s why we couldn’t hear you came in. When I’m on a date with her, I make myself deaf as well to make her feel more at ease.”
“Oh.” It was all I knew to say. Now I knew why Draco didn’t want us near her. I wouldn’t even begin to know how to talk to her now.”
As if reading my mind, Draco replied. “I can translate if you want to talk to her, until you learn enough signs on your own to talk to her.”
I nodded. Delilah did another series of signs, and some of it was kinda obvious as to what she was saying. “How far along are you with your baby?” Draco translated.
“I’m due September 25th.” I replied back, and watched as he translated to her.
“You’re married?”
“Yes. As of June 11th.”
And the conversation continued much the same after that. Tyler and I didn’t go home until late, and it was obvious to me that I’d made a new friend.
She's got this thing about her,
Like that magic in your favorite song
You just can't put your finger on. - Chris Young, "She's Got This Thing About Her"
Chapter 19: Return
APOV
If I thought going through Diagon Alley with everyone staring at me was horrible, it was nothing compared to going to King’s Cross. Mothers looked at Mum with sympathy. Fathers looked at Daddy with disappointment. Other kids looked at Tyler and me with faces of slander. I tried to rise above it. I honestly did, but after hugging Draco & Delilah goodbye on the Platform and boarding the train with Mum & Daddy, I rushed to find a compartment and cry on Tyler’s shoulders. Again. I had one amazing husband.
Not an hour later, McGonagall and Dumbledore visited our compartment to go over everything he’d written in that letter over the summer and then some. Come to find out, the restrictions on my classes were even worse than those last year. I wasn’t even allowed to be in the potions labs anymore. I had to simply write down exactly how to brew the potion everyone else would be brewing, along with answering questions and doing the homework in the Great Hall during that block. And as far as Charms and Transfiguration goes, I wasn’t allowed to practice magic or have magic practiced on me.
I was getting rather tired of my entire life changing like this. Even muggle teenage girls who had babies young didn’t have to give up as much as I was giving up. I sighed, but agreed and they left.
The train ride to Hogwarts wasn’t as long as years previous. I spent most of it sleeping this time, with my head in Tyler’s lap. I was taken back in time to the memory of falling asleep together in my fourth year when Tyler asked me out. I smiled. So much had happened since then. The good and the bad, but here we were years later, totally and completely happy and in love.
And still, the feast was worse than the train boarding. Even more people whispered still and this time, I accepted it. I had one more year left as I was graduating early to be with Tyler. One year of this. I could handle it. I could ignore it. I mean, really, none of these people were truly my friends. None, but Tyler and some of the professors. Who gave a damn what they thought? I smiled and laid my head against Tyler’s shoulder as I finished my food and awaited everyone else to finish theirs and us to be dismissed. With a sigh, I realized we still had to talk to Dumbledore afterwards, meaning it would be even a longer amount of time until I got to go to bed and spend some time with Tyler.
As if Dumbledore could read my mind, he stood up and everything fell silent. “Another exciting year at Hogwarts has come upon us. A few announcements before I send you off to bed: First years should be aware that the Forest outside of the castle is forbidden at all times. I would also like to inform you that due to her pregnancy, Professor Snape, formally Professor Granger, will not be teaching this year, though she will still be around the castle as she and the other Professor Snape got married over the summer.” He clapped his hands and gestured for the others to do so as well. “In her place this year, I would like you all to welcome Professor Potter.” I jerked my gaze from Dumbledore to lower down on the Head Table, next to my dad. There was Uncle Harry. Why hadn’t I noticed him before? I realized I didn’t remember looking up at the table not once since I’d come in and sat at the Slytherin table. Was it possible that all of the whispering during the feast wasn’t necessarily all focused on me this time? I smiled hugely and waved at him. He smiled and waved back. This year might not be so bad after all. I tried to tune back into what Dumbledore was saying now. “Heads, please meet me up here, and prefects please direct your first years to their common room. See you early tomorrow morning!”
And with that, everyone was dismissed. I grabbed Tyler’s hand and tried to rush towards my uncle, but Tyler stopped me and made his way in front of me. “I don’t want anyone accidentally bumping into you.” He explained. It didn’t seem like he had to worry, however. People were avoiding us like the plaque.
“Uncle Harry!” I shouted, embracing him. He laughed. “I haven’t seen you in forever!”
“Only since last Christmas Eve, love.” He replied, turning to Tyler and doing the Man-Handshake-Thing that guys do. “How’re you doing mate?”
Tyler nodded.
“Yeah, but last Christmas Eve, I was… never mind that. How’ve you been?”
“Good, and you? How’s that baby treating you?”
“Well, I’m absolutely exhausted, if that’s what you mean. And I can’t do ANYTHING.”
He laughed again. “And marriage?”
My smile grew as I pulled Tyler close. “Amazingly.” Uncle Harry was full of laughter and I loved it. He deserved to be happy after his times at Hogwarts. “How’re Aunt Ginny, Lily, Albus & James?”
“Well. You didn’t see James get sorted just then?”
I blushed. “To be honest, I wasn’t really paying attention until Dumbledore’s speech at the end. I just really wanted to get some sleep until just a few moments ago. But what house was he put in?”
“Gryffindor.” Harry beamed proudly.
I scoffed. “Gryffindors.”
“Hey!” He exclaimed and I laughed. “Just kidding Uncle Harry. I’m afraid I won’t be seeing him much then. Teddy is in Gryffindor, in my year, and I don’t even get to see him often. But then again, he’s always snogging Victorie too. Not that I can say much.”
“I thought you were a sixth year this year.”
“I was supposed to be, but last year I did my fifth year and half of my sixth year by taking more difficult classes, and this year I’m doing the same by completing the other half of my sixth year and my seventh year together. I’m trying to go ahead and graduate since Mackenzie will be born soon.”
“Is that her name then? I like it. I’ll have to tell Ginny. When are you and your mother due?”
“September 25th. Where is Aunt Ginny anyway? Aren’t her, Albus and Lily supposed to come live here with you since you’re married and have children? That’s how it worked with Mum and Daddy.”
“Yes, but she wanted to stay closer to her job and Lily and Albus’ schools. They’re enrolled in muggle school until they are allowed to come to Hogwarts. Ginny and I want them to grow up with muggles too so they understand the muggle lifestyle and ways of doing things just as well as the wizarding world’s.”
Dumbledore and my parents approached then, and I bid Uncle Harry goodbye.
Dumbledore led us through the castle to a painting of a young boy and girl playing in a field of sorts. I’d seen the portrait in passing before but never thought much of it. “Shane, Madison, this is Alixzandra and Tyler Truett. They are this year’s Heads.” The portrait children waved. Dumbledore turned to us. “What would you like the password to be?”
I thought for a second and finally said, “Love.”
Tyler smiled and Dumbledore sort of did too, while nodding at the portrait. It swung open and revealed an amazing common room. It was decorated sort of Slytherin-y, but not in a dungeon sort of way. Black leather couches and dark wood tables sat bare, waiting for us to add or touch to them. Dumbledore walked us through to a little kitchen type area. The placement of everything reminded me of Daddy’s quarters and I smiled. After the kitchen, he led us into what would be our room. “Usually Head Boy and Head Girl have separate rooms, but seeing as the two of you are married, you may share one.” He explained. The dark wood king sized bed sat against one of the walls, with a landscape portrait of a teenage boy and girl sitting under a tree by the lake, just cuddling. The bedspread was black and green in true Slytherin spirit. A huge walk in closet awaited our robes and trunks. A his and her bathroom with two sinks, a shower and a massive tub like the prefect’s tub connected our room to another. When we walked in that room, I nearly cried. An exact replica of the nursery back at home awaited Mackenzie’s arrival. “Like I said in my letter to you Mrs. Truett, you will be unable to perform your patrol duties for the next few weeks. As such, your ‘cousin’ per say Teddy Lupin will help Tyler with patrolling duties until you are able. Duties start tomorrow night, Mr. Truett and you will patrol the corridors from 9PM til 11PM. You two have the power to take and give house points, but if you do so unfairly, the privileges will be revoked, of course. You will have a meeting with all prefects once a month to discuss problems or ideas and to better the castle. Any idea must be passed by me of course. And with that I’ll bid you farewell. Have a nice night and try to get some sleep. Goodnight.”
Chapter 20: Monotony
APOV
The first week of school, everything was hectic. Tyler and I moved all of our stuff out of our trunks and into our new living quarters. Classes were strange, not being able to do anything. I kept getting dirty looks from Professors for excusing myself to use the bathroom so often. Tyler preferred to spend time with Spencer and Teddy now that I was in my nesting phase of pregnancy and liked to clean and re-clean everything I could in the quarters. I often nagged at him over making even the tiniest mess. He argued that was what house elves were for but I argued that even they didn’t do a good enough job for my standards.
Tyler told on me however and I got a long talk from daddy about bed rest and how important it was not to strain the baby because her magic was very fragile right now and any little amount of stress could make her become a squib. After that, I calmed down on the nesting quite a bit, though I was pretty angry with Tyler for a few days.
Going into the second week, I went from anxious to a bit scared. This was when I decided to stop being mad at Tyler and let him comfort me while I went through absolute denial that I would make any kind of a mother. I only had a week left after this one and it hit me like a wave of water that I was 16. I wasn’t fit to be a mother. I had no idea what I was doing. I was going to screw this kid’s life up! I was going to scar it for life! These thoughts littered my entire day and I often found, when I was doing my homework , I had no idea what went on in the class and had to get Tyler to help me some. Eventually, I calmed those thoughts down to a case of jitters.
I hadn’t gotten to see much of my mother or father lately, (Mum wasn’t teaching and I wasn’t allowed to attend Daddy’s classes) so I talked Tyler into helping me waddle to Mum and Daddy’s quarters. Mum was delighted to have any kind of company, and tried to hug me awkwardly. Daddy helped me sit and we talked for a while. Daddy handed Tyler a small black box with a red blinking light. We all looked at him questioningly. “It’s what muggles call a beeper. It’s a little out of date, even in their world, but what’s going to happen is, if Alix isn’t near any of us when her water breaks, she’s going to call this little box (which she’ll have to put the number to it on her speed dial) and we’ll all get to her as quickly as possible.” He explained. I happily put the number in my phone, feeling more secure. Every little precaution did that to me recently. Towards the end of the night, when it was getting close to time for Tyler to patrol, we waddled back to our quarters and he kissed my lips and left.
Life started to get monotonous. Get up, eat, go to classes (the ones I was allowed to go to anyways), eat, classes again, back to the quarters, sleep. It was so tiring. Tyler just didn’t understand. He wondered why I didn’t want to be cooped up with him all day just cuddling like I used to love to be. Honestly, I kinda wondered that too. I guessed it got down to the fact that now I didn’t have the choice anymore. I had to be with Tyler 24/7. And we couldn’t even have sex.
That night, Tyler made a special point to keep me entertained and happy. He wrote Dumbledore and told him he needed to stay home with me tonight, that he would appoint a prefect from a different house to do his patrols tonight and give his house 20 points for it. He then joined me in bed and kissed me like he hadn’t in weeks. He kissed down my neck, over my chest, and to my stomach, where he blew a big raspberry. I laughed. “You probably scared her Tyler!” I exclaimed, laughing. He laughed too and I smiled. I missed his laughter. I felt like I hadn’t heard it in forever. I stared down at him, and he came back up to me and kissed me again.
He sighed happily, “I love you Flicka.”
“I love you too Ty.”
“Do you miss us? Young us? Before the breakup us?”
He thought for a minute. “Sometimes. But I wouldn’t give up what we have now for what we had then. We’re stronger. Because of the break up. Because of the baby. We’re more in love. We’ve got a beautiful miracle coming into this world in just under a week. We’ll be back to that one day soon, Flicka. We’ll hire a babysitter one day in a few months or so and go out. Just us. And we’ll have sex all night long, if that’s what you want.
I smiled in near tears and grabbed his face in my hands. “You, Tyler Truett are one of the best things that ever happened to me. I love you so much Ty.” I pulled him to me and kissed him slowly.
“I love you too Baby Girl.”
I'm not sure if I should continue writing or not. It doesnt seem like anyone reads this anymore. This might be my last update.
Quick note. I've never been in labor. Ive never had a baby. Therefore, Im not going to have the whole experience down to a tee. I dont want any flames about things that are written wrong. I did all the research I could. Constructive Criticism is welcome. Ideas, tips, etc on how to write it from a mother, amazing. But please no flames.
Chapter 21: Labor
APOV
A sucked on the end of my quill before realizing I shouldn’t do that. I tried to balance it on my nose but it only fell and poked me, which actually hurt pretty badly. Potions homework sucked without any actual potion to back it up. Lucky Tyler got to sit at the black table with the metal cauldron sitting in front of him just simmering with – I looked down at my homework to see what potion we were supposed to be learning about – Everlasting Elixir and listen to my dad drone on and on while he looked over shoulders and made students nervous. I even envied them. I’d been having a stomach ache all day, and all I wanted, more than anything, was for Tyler to come home and rub my tummy.
All of a sudden, I felt something warm in between my legs. I cursed myself and tried to stand as quickly as possible to walk to the bathroom. And then, it went from a trickle to a waterfall and I realized I hadn’t peed myself, my water was breaking. I panicked and looked around for my phone. It was on the table I’d just gotten up from. Walking as quickly as I could over to it, I grabbed it up and hit speed dial number 2.
TPOV
I sat in Potions, stirring my Everlasting Elixir 23 times counter clockwise when a loud, sharp beeping noise echoed through the room. I jumped and looked down at my belt where the beeper was clipped. All it said was “ALIX” and I snapped my head up to look at Professor Snape.
“Is it Alix?” He asked, as I jumped up.
“Yes!” I replied and I watched as he drew up a patronus and sent it towards Dumbledore.
“Class dismissed!” He yelled, as he ran down the hallway with me.
We reached the portrait of the children and I yelled the password. The portrait swung open and I saw Alix standing propped up against her table, breathing hard. Her pants were wet, as was the floor and I rushed over to her, kissing her forehead. “Are you having contractions yet?” She shook her head quickly.
“Get our bag will you, Professor? Its in the bedroom, pink and white, on the floor by the desk.” I asked and I saw him rush off to the direction I told him. A few moments later, Dumbledore rushed through the door with Hermione. She rushed over to her daughter, crying with happiness and brought her into a hug.
“Mum, I’m not really in the mood for AHH!”
“Alix!” I yelled and grabbed her face in my hands, kissing her forehead. “We’re leaving Baby. We’re gone.”
Professor Snape ran back out of our room and we all rushed towards the gates of Hogwarts. Professor Snape got there first and stuck out his wand to summon the Knight Bus. Stan Shunpike stood on the stairs in front of the door. “Welcome to the Knight Bus. Emergency transport for the stranded –“ He then looked up. “Oh Ern, we’ve got a preggo one!” He announced, and then got out of our way as we rushed onto the bus. I laid Alix down on one of the beds on the first floor of the bus and sat by her side holding her hand. Hermione and the Professor sat on another. Dumbledore bid us luck and farewell as he got off the bus and headed back up towards the castle. “Drive carefully you old codger or I’ll have you thrown in Azkaban!” Alix’s dad threatened Ernie.
Alix had calmed down a bit, seeing how the contraction she had at the castle had quit. It took about ten minutes before we got to St. Mungo’s, and while Alix’s was being rolled in on a wheelchair by a healer, she was screaming again. I tried to do all I could to soothe her as they placed us in a room. I kissed her cheeks, forehead, lips, hands as much as I could, tried pushing back her hair, massaging her shoulders but nothing helped her calm down. I felt like breaking down and screaming with her to see if that made it any better, but I had an inkling that she’d hit me if I did something like that. Instead, I went over to the bag we brought and got a hair tie of hers out of it and put her hair up in a low ponytail for her. “Thank you Ty.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome Baby.”
The healer walked in a few minutes later. “Hello Mrs. Truett, and you must be Mr. Truett.” I nodded and shook her hand. “I will be your nurse for the day up until your delivery, when your healer will take over. I will be the one to check all of your diagnostics. Now, when the time comes that the pain becomes too much, let me know and I will administer a muggle shot of medicine called an epidural and - ”
“I don’t want any drugs. I want a natural birth.” Alix interrupted.
“Alright, well I’ll mark that on your charts. When you're about 10 centimeters dilated, we will tell you to begin pushing.”
“How dilated am I now?”
“Well, we haven’t checked, but as a guess, I’d say two. Really, you should’ve just stayed at home and done things to distract you, but I suppose you wouldn’t know.”
“I’m at Hogwarts on bed rest. There is nothing for me to do!” Alix replied with gritted teeth. I took her hand in mine and rubbed it.
“Ah. Well, I will be back to see you soon. Try to find something to keep your mind off of being in labor as this is the early phase and can last eight to twelve hours.” The nurse snarked back.
“EIGHT TO TWELVE HOURS!?” Alix yelled.
“Well, it’s your first baby, darling. Your pregnancy is going to take a while. Try to go to sleep Sweetheart. Your body needs to relax. Your father is going to go back to Hogwarts and get a few things from your room to help you out. Anything you want in particular?”
“My own pillow and blanket. I don’t like these. And my wand. I know I can’t use it, but I want it. Other than that, I don’t care.”
“Alright. I’m going to go to the local muggle store. Anything you want from there?”
“I don’t care. Just stuff for me to do. Thanks Mummy, Daddy.”
“You're welcome Princess.” Daddy said, and they left.
“Anything I can do Alix?” I asked.
“Come lay with me.”
“The bed’s too small Flicka. I wish I could.”
“Make it bigger.” She argued, and I didn’t feel like putting her through anything else, so I listened and laid next to her. Before I knew it, she drifted off.
Be brave, it won't be long till you meet us
My blood is your blood
I'll feel you till the day I die
Dear little little, sweet little little – Jenny Morris
Chapter 22: Anticipation
TPOV
I awoke to Alix yelling again. The contractions had gotten stronger. Hermione jumped to her feet but Professor Snape was nowhere to be seen. A few moments later, he walked in with the nurse. After taking a quick look, she said, “Alright Alix, looks like you’re in the second phase of labor. This one could last up to three to five hours, and your contractions will start hurting you worse and will last longer. They will also be closer together. The good news, however, is that you’re almost four centimeters dilated.
Alix nodded and I half expected her to demand an epidural and give up on the natural birth thing, but she didn’t.
“Now, Tyler, your job during this phase is to keep her moving and comfortable. That means you take her for a walk around the hallways. When she gets tired, help her back to the bed and make sure she has all the pillows she needs. Another thing you might want to do if she’ll let you is to massage her back, shoulders and abdomen for her. It’ll release some of the tension and pain she’s feeling right now. I imagine your back hurts pretty badly, Alix?” She nodded, and the nurse smiled softly. “Don’t get upset if she won’t talk to you or doesn’t want you touching her Tyler. This is normal. Try to keep her mind off of the pain however, and press the red button on your remote if she decides she wants the epidural, Alright?”
I nodded, taking it all in. “Flicka, do you want to take a walk?”
She nodded as well and I rose, walking to the other side of the bed and taking her hand. I helped her out of the bed and we walked around the halls, eventually ending up by the huge windows, staring at all the little babies inside. “What do you think Ty?” She whispered.
“Can we do this?”
I kissed her head. She’d asked me this countless times, but this time she needed the best answer I could give. “We can. Not because we have to. Not because we have no other option. But because we love each other. We’ll love this baby, Alix. We’ve got this, alright? We’ve got this.” She smiled, and I guessed she was satisfied with my answer because she didn’t argue.
“I don’t know how.”
“That’s why we have your mother. She’s done this once already. If something goes wrong somehow and you don’t know what to do, we have her. We’re gonna be just fine, baby. Just fine. I promise.”
She smiled again and turned to the window. “They’re all so precious.”
I nodded. “Ours will be as well.” I replied.
“I’m getting kind of excited.”
I tended to Alix’s every need. Walking, extra pillows, massages, water, ice chips, everything. Alix grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight as another contraction came on. She gritted her teeth and yelled through them as her mother said, “Do the breathing exercise I taught you Alixzandra. It’ll help!”
But Alix didn’t feel like listening, and I can’t say I blamed her. I pushed her hair back and kissed her forehead. “Soon Alix, okay?”
“No, Tyler, not soon. We’ve been here for twelve hours. We could be here for twelve more! There is no soon!”
I resisted the urge to chuckle. Alix had been pretty moody but I couldn’t say I blamed her for that either. If I had a small human coming out of my body, I’d be in pain too.
The nurse came in and checked on her periodically.
“May I go back to sleep?” Alix asked one of the times.
“Of course.” The nurse replied and I saw Alix’s eyes already drooping from just the okay. I smiled at her. “Lay with me Ty.”
I looked at her parents out of the corner of my eye. “That may not be the best idea, Lex. I’m just gonna hang out with your parents for a while, alright?” She nodded, already falling into sleep. I knew she wouldn’t sleep long because of the contractions.
I walked over to the chairs in the room and sat in the only open seat next to Professor Snape. They had been relatively quiet throughout this whole experience and something told me Hermione was trying to let us revel in this moment together, just the two of us. I realized she hadn’t had that with the father of her child when Alix was born. “You feel alright Hermione?” She nodded. “Yes, just thinking back.” She smiled this time, but it didn’t quite register across her face. “Professor Snape?” He looked up.
“You know you can call me by my name right? My name is Severus. You can call me that.”
“Oh. I wasn’t sure. I know I’m not your favorite person in the world.”
“Bygones are bygones.” He simply replied. I wondered why he seemed so quiet. He wasn’t even interacting with Hermione. It took me a few minutes to decide he felt guilty, and even angry, for not being there when Alix was born. Angry because he didn’t even know Hermione had been pregnant and guilty because he’d left in the first place. I suddenly felt horrible for the two of them.
“I’m going to the cafeteria, if you guys don’t mind watching Alix while I’m gone? I’m going to get her something to eat for when she wakes up. Do you want anything.”
“No, sweetheart. You go ahead.” Hermione replied, and I sensed they wanted to be alone.
A/N: SOOOO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! With the validators break and everything going on at my house, its been hectic. Please dont give up on me!!!
Chapter 23: Flashback
HPOV
“I can’t do this Draco! I can’t! I need him.” I screamed, and I watched his face fall as my whole body was being pulled apart.
“You can, Hermione. You don’t need him here. You’ve got me, alright? I’m here, baby, I’m here.” he screamed again and he held my hand.
“Come on, Minx, push.”
I pushed, as I was told. I’d been in labor for 23 hours now, and it was the longest 23 hours of my life. I just wanted to see my baby. Draco had been there the whole time, in the delivery room, as we discussed. Harry and Ron sat outside in the waiting room with a few members of the order. I missed Severus now more than ever. I needed him. I needed him to see his daughter.
A few minutes later, I heard crying. I smiled as I saw a beautiful baby being held by the healer. They took her away to clean her up and a laughing Draco kissed my lips. Everything froze. I grabbed his face and kissed back. It felt like I’d never been so happy, and it hit me that I hadn’t. Even with Severus, I was a different kind of happy.
He pulled back with an amazing smile. “You did it Minx.” A few seconds later, a nurse handed me my amazing miracle and Draco and I fawned over her.
“Hello beautiful.” I cooed. “She has his hair, Draco.” He waited to reply, judging my reaction. I smiled. “Good thing too, I mean, look at mine.” He laughed and we played with her for a bit. A nurse walked in hours later and handed them to me, asking what I wanted to name my beautiful daughter. “Alixzandra,” I told Draco. “Alixzandra Draco.”
Draco’s face lit up, but he tried to act like it didn’t make a difference to him. “It sounds great, Minx.”
“And the last name?” The nurse asked.
“Granger.” I replied in a way that said ‘there will be no more discussion’.
The nurse left and the only ones who remained were Draco and I. I thought back to our kiss. I was really happy. I leaned forward and tested my boundaries. Draco met me in the middle and closed his eyes. This kiss wasn’t as good. This kiss had no sparks of the first one. But I smiled anyway for him. When we backed away, Draco was smiling the biggest I’d ever seen.
After that, it was a bit of an unspoken obviousness that Draco and I were together. Everyone automatically accepted it, as all they want is for me to finally be happy again. And I was. For a long time, Draco and I were together, more or less. It wasn’t kisses and sex and giggles all the time. It was simply being there for Alix as a united union. We ‘dated’ until Alix was in her first year at Hogwarts. During that time, I think I realized I was only staying with Draco to fill a void, to give Alix a father, to give me a distraction from the only man I was ever truly in love with. And I think he realized that I wasn’t happy anymore, that I was stuck in the past and we just weren’t working out any longer. We kept living together because we were still best friends, and Alix still needed that male influence in her life, but that was where the line was drawn.
SPOV
“I wish you’d just told me. Found some way on Earth to contact me. Owl, patronus, something.” I replied, snapping her out of her memories. I wished I could read her mind, but I hadn’t asked permission to yet. I had a feeling I didn’t want to know anyhow.
She sighed. “I don’t know why I didn’t. Thinking back, I wish I had. I thought you didn’t want me Severus. I thought… I was being stupid.” She was in near tears, so I could tell it was something she’d been thinking about all day. “But you’re here for Alix now. And you’ll be here for this baby.”
“You don’t understand, Hermione.” I replied, standing and running a hand through my hair. I sighed. How could I make her see?
Hermione stood as well. “I’m not the only guilty one here Severus! You left me remember? If you hadn’t done that, there would be nothing to fight about!”
“If I hadn’t left you, Alix probably wouldn’t be here!” I heard her gasp and I realized what I’d said. Shit. “Hermione. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” I reached for her to pull her into me but she pushed me away.
“Give me some space for a few hours, Severus.”
Chapter 24: Agreement
TPOV
When I got back, things between Hermione and Severus were even worse than before. Severus stayed in the waiting room outside, while Hermione stayed in the delivery room with Alix. I wondered what had happened when I left. Shrugging mentally, I put the pink balloon bouquet in the corner of the room, the flowers on the bedside table, and the teddy bear beside the flowers, awaiting Mackenzie’s arrival. Alix woke up some time after I returned and I kissed her cheek lightly.
“Where’s Daddy?” Was one of the first things she said. I watched Hermione get up and leave the room for a moment.
“I think her and your dad had a falling out.” I told her as Hermione returned with Severus in tow.
Hermione sat back down and Severus walked over to Alix. I moved out of his way so he could have some time with his daughter.
“How’re you doing Princess?” He asked her, pushing back her hair.
“In pain.” She replied. “My back kinda hurts.”
I stepped forward to help her, but Severus already had it covered, slipping behind her and massaging her back. I let him have it, pushing aside any kind of protectiveness. He’d missed out on this with Hermione, I reminded myself.
“Feeling any better?” He asked.
“Yes, Daddy, thank you.” She replied in a small voice, and in walked a nurse.
Alix leaned back and the nurse checked her for dilation. “You're about seven centimeters now, Alix. Only about three more to go.” She smiled, and I could tell she didn’t feel very well.
I walked towards her other side and took her hand, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Would you like to take a hot bath Alix? It might help your pain.” She nodded, and I helped her out of bed. She waited as I grabbed a towel, wash cloth, and sports bra out of her bag.
We walked into the bathroom area and she changed her clothes before sitting in the high walled bathtub. I turned the water on and waited until the temperature was just right before turning it back off. “Lean forward, baby.” And she did. I massaged her back the best I could, washed her hair and body for her, and let her rest.
She leaned back and closed her eyes, before saying, “Thank you Ty. You’ve been amazing through all of this, so helpful. You're the best husband a girl could ask for.”
I smiled and kissed her forehead. “You're welcome baby. You’re my life. Both of you are. You know that.”
HPOV
Alix and Tyler left for the bathroom and I was stuck in the room again with Severus. I was tired of fighting.
“Severus…” I said meekly.
“Yes?” He replied.
I leaned over to him, against his side. “I’m sorry.”
He kissed the side of my head and put his arm around me. “I’m sorry as well.” He replied simply. “Let’s just agree to leave the past in the past. Any fight we had is based on something that happened 16 years ago. It’s over. We’ve grown from it and everything’s fine now. Let’s stop this.”
I smiled. “Agreed.”
We heard Alix cry out in pain with another contraction. Severus winced. “Hermione?” He asked.
“Yes?”
“What were you thinking about earlier? Before we fought?”
She sighed. “Honestly? It might hurt you?”
“I don’t care.”
“When I had Alix. When me and Draco got together. It was the same day.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I was missing you. I didn’t think I could have Alix without you there. I almost told Draco to find a way to get ahold of you, but then again I thought you wouldn’t care, so I didn’t. Alix was born and Draco kissed me. It felt like my whole world stopped, and I was so happy, so caught in the moment that I kissed him back. Afterward, we dated. We dated for 11 years and it was more of a friendship where we occasionally had sex and held hands. I mean, he’d kiss me goodbye before he left for work and we slept in the same bed, but I think we both realized I was with him to fill the hole you’d left and for Alix’s sake. He was the only one in love in the relationship. It killed me to hurt him. I never got over you, you know.”
I sighed as well. She was right. It did hurt. Draco knew more about my wife and child than I did. And I could never make up for that. I cleared my mind. I couldn’t think of that. It would only lead to another fight.
“I’m sorry.” I said again.
She wiped the tear in her eye. “Don’t be.”
I looked at my watch. 15 hours down.
Alix was ushered back into the room by Tyler, hair wet and looking a lot better. “How do you feel Princess?” I asked, standing.
“Better.” She replied, smiling faintly
A nurse bustled in just as Tyler helped Alix into the bed. “Alright honey, are you ready? It’s time.”
Chapter 25: Time
APOV
“Time!?” Alix exclaimed. The moment I’d been begging for for the past however many hours and maybe (if I dared to admit it) weeks was finally here and I was filled with fear. My baby was ready to make its entrance in the world.
“Yes Darling, time.” The doctor replied. “Have you decided to have the epidural?”
I shook my head. I didn’t want my baby drugged up when she arrived.
“Alright Darling, we’re going to take you out to the delivery room then.” She smiled at me as another contraction hit, and my hands rushed to my stomach. My parents and Tyler followed me into the room, Tyler holding my hand and reminding me to breathe the contraction through. Quite honestly, I wanted to slap him silly, but I’d never do that. He’d been a bigger help than I had even expected and I owed him. The contracted ended a few minutes later and I sighed happily, now into the room I was going to bring my baby into the world in. The nurse pulled two medal paddles out of the bed. “Prop your pretty little feet up here.” The doctor said, and the nurse stood by awaiting further instructions. I did as I was told, thankful Tyler had shaved my legs for me just the day before. I’d have to remember to tell him later. “Now we’re gonna wait for another contraction to hit and when it does, you’re going to start pushing.”
I nodded again. “Mummy?” I asked. I don’t remember the last time I called her that.
“Yes sweetie?” She replied, and I could tell she was shocked too.
“Stay here with me, just like Tyler? You and Daddy will stay with me?”
She nodded and Daddy came up behind her. “Of course sweetheart.” She replied, smiling a small smile.
It wasn’t long before another contraction hit. Daddy and Tyler took their places by my head, each taking a hand while Mum stood next to the doctor that was positioned between my legs.
“Alright Alix, I want you to take a nice deep breath and then push as hard as you can alright? If you want an epidural, I’ll need you to tell me immediately.” I nodded and let it all sink in. There was no more waiting. The moment was here. I breathed in deeply and pushed with all my might, squeezing Tyler and Daddy’s hands. I felt like a car was running over my lady parts, reversing and running over them again. I felt like a train had decided to derail and follow after the car. When breathing became absolutely necessary, I stopped pushing and took another deep breath.
“You're doing great Alixzandra.” I heard Mum say as I screamed. That seemed to help a little bit, I had to admit. Tyler leaned over and kissed my forehead. By the end of that push, Mum said the baby’s head was out, and then she gasped and covered her mouth.
I screamed as I pushed again, without being told to do so. “Stop pushing Mrs. Truett!” The healer nearly yelled, trying to stay calm. Their hands were adamantly trying to fix something near my privates. I saw my nurse hand her two clips, and then a few moments later they were returned to her. I felt something press against my thigh and I was told to push again. A push later, the baby was out.
I fell back on the bed and Tyler kissed my lips. “Amazing job Baby.” He whispered as he went down by my feet to cut the baby’s umbilical cord. All that could be heard was my heavy breathing, and a millisecond later, that registered to me. Shouldn’t a baby be crying? Wasn’t that how they breathed?
“What’s wrong with her!?” I screamed. “Why isn’t she crying?” No one answered me and I watched my baby being wheeled out of the room. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY BABY!?” I screamed.
The healer approached my bed. “Sweetie, calm down. She’s just not breathing all that well. She had the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck and we had to deliver her through something we call ‘the somersault manuever’. She should be one hundred percent fine, but we’re taking her to get a few tests to make sure her breathing and heartbeat will remain at a healthy level. We’ve got healers specially trained to take care of her and she’s being taken to another room where they can keep a very close eye on her. This can happen sometimes, and I want you to know that 99% of the time, the babies are able to go home in just a few days.”
I was hyperventilating. I knew it but I couldn’t stop it. My whole body was exhausted and I knew I should be resting, but I couldn’t. Tears flowed down my face and I saw my mother cover her mouth again. Daddy wrapped a shoulder around her and I felt Tyler’s hand go limp in mine. I looked over to him to see him crying too, head bowed slightly. I noticed spots in front of my eyes, black spots, making parts of my vision disappear. Before I knew it, all I could see was darkness.
A/N: I would like to remind you guys to be nice in your reviews. I'm not a mother. I never have been and I won't be for awhile. I want to finish college first. So therefore, these next few chapters might not be as realistic as I'd like them to be. You can politely tell me in a review, if you'd like to help me make them more realistic. But please, no flames. Thank you for reading!
Chapter 26: Dream
APOV
“Baby.” I heard Tyler whispering and it took me a few moments to realize I had passed out. His voice was strange; it wasn’t scared like I would think it would be. He was strangely calm. My eyes fluttered open and he smiled at me, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. So our daughter was still with the healers.
“Mackenzie” I whispered back.
“Still with the healers.” He responded and even though I’d known that, tears were in my eyes. “They came in a few minutes ago and said she would be back with us in a few hours if they don’t find any complications.”
“Where’s Mum and Dad?” I sat up and took in my surroundings again.
“Your mum just went into labor. That’s why I woke you.”
“Oh Merlin! Is she okay? Is Dad?”
“Your dad looked like he was going to pass out but I’m sure he’s fine. Your mum’s one hundred percent okay. She’s elated, in between the pain, anyway. And Draco’s on his way with Delilah to see you.”
I tried to focus on my breathing as I it all in.
HPOV
“Is there anything I can do Mia?” Severus asked for the hundredth time, holding my hand.
“No Sev, there’s not.” I replied calmly, as another contraction hit. I was very lucky my labor was going quicker than Alix’s had. I’d been feeling contractions all day, but I hadn’t said a thing until they started getting closer together.
“Another few minutes Mrs. Snape.” The Healer informed us and I felt Severus tighten his hand around mine. He was more nervous than I was and I chuckled a bit at him. He stared down at me in incredulity and I kissed his cheek.
“Ready to have a son, Severus?”
He smiled a little, but his nervousness shone all over. I wanted to laugh at him, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “Severus?” I asked again, and his eyes got a little more focused. “Calm down.” He leaned into the hand she had placed on his cheek and took it in one of his.
“On the next contraction, push, Mrs. Snape.” I nodded as the healer s placed my feet on the metal petals and took their positions near them. Another contraction pulsed through my body and I gripped Severus’ hand in mine, squeezing it tightly and pushing like I was told.
Before I knew it, I was holding my brand new baby boy in my arms. Severus’ index finger had a tiny fist wrapped around it and he cooed at him. Finally, he looked at me and smiled, kissing me happily.
"Oi, we've got another one!" I heard a healer yell, and just as quickly as Aiden was given to me, he was taken away. Someone placed my feet back on the metal pedals and all the healers regained position near my legs.
"Did you know you were having twins Mrs. Snape?"
"Twins!?" I yelled and I felt Severus' hand loosen around mine.
"I'm taking that as a no. Get ready to push again."
APOV
Draco and Delilah walked in some time after I woke up and I tried to sit up and smile for them but my mind was elsewhere, and they knew it. Delilah sat on my bed and pushed my hair back, while Draco took my hand in his. “It’s gonna be alright, Love. You know that right? She’s gonna be just fine.” I nodded a bit and he tried to smile. “That’s my girl.”
A nurse knocked on our door and popped her head through. “Alixzandra, your mother has just delivered and will be wheeled back in to share this room with you in about an hour.”
I nodded towards her and she left quietly. I didn’t know what to do. Nothing seemed to be going right. I wished I was able to be with my mother when she gave birth, but I knew that wish was useless and stupid. I cleared my throat a little more. “Ty?”
“Yes baby?” He asked, rushing to my side.
“Will you please go get me something from the cafeteria? I’m in the mood for something cold. Ice cream or such.” He looked torn and I realized he didn’t want to leave in case Mackenzie was wheeled in while he was gone.
Draco seemed to notice as well, because he clapped a hand on Tyler’s shoulder and said, “I’ll go get it mate.” Tyler thanked him and Draco left.
When he returned, he brought news that Mum had delivered twins. I was surprised, but I felt like I was in a parallel where nothing was real. I didn't understand half the things being said to me and the only thing I could truely pay attention to was Tyler's hand around mine and his whispers in my ear every few moments. Where was my daughter?
Mum and daddy came back into our room and they tried to have sympathy, but it was obvious their minds were elsewhere, and that made complete and total sense. I smiled and held my little brother and sister, but it made me think of Mackenzie more and more so I gave them back to my parents and Tyler pulled the divider between our beds out. He sat down on the bed next to me and held me closely, magically widening the bed and lying with me. He started singing me the lullaby he used to when we first got together and I’d get upset and before I knew it, my eyes had closed and I was dreaming.
In my dreams, I saw Tyler and I, walking around Hogwarts by the lake, four of our children around us. A sixteen year old Mackenzie sat on the lap of a boy (obviously her boyfriend). She had beautiful raven curls like I did, but her eyes more closely resembled Tyler’s. The boy looked a lot like the Malfoy family. Another child, a boy with long, shaggy, brown hair looked to be about 13. He kicked a stone around the lake and then picked it up and skipped it across the surface. Something was troubling him. The other two were twins, a boy and a girl. They each had black hair and were around 8 years old. They ran around us in a wide circle, playing tag with one another. I looked over at Tyler who smiled at me and kissed me. “Ewww!” A high pitch voice yelled and I felt hands pushing Tyler and I apart. I smiled and let her separate us. “Mommy, boys have cooties! You can’t kiss Daddy!” Tyler picked the little girl up and swung him over her shoulder and she giggled loudly as he ran around with her.
Something was shaking me again, but I didn’t want to leave. Everything was perfect here. Everything was amazing. “Alix, wake up baby. Mackenzie’s here to see you.”
Chapter 27: Insecurity
APOV
My eyes opened slowly as Tyler’s face came into focus. He was smiling and looking down to his arms. A beautiful baby girl with dark eyes and black fuzz on her pale little head came into focus. She was singlehandedly the most beautiful person I’d ever laid my eyes on. I sat up quickly, ignoring the dizziness and held my hands out for her. Tyler laid her into them and sat down on the bed next to me. “Hello Little Miss Mackenzie.” I whispered. “You’re beautiful, you know.” I looked at Tyler with tears in my eyes and kissed him quickly, not wanting to take too much attention away from my beautiful daughter. “Ty, she’s so magnificent.”
I saw his smirk out of the corner of his eyes. It wasn’t a cocky one, but a very loving one. “She is, baby.”
So many visitors came through our room that day to see Mackenzie, Aiden, and Selena. Uncles Harry, Ron, Fred and George; Aunts Lavender, Ginny, Katie and Angelina; Muffy; Spencer; Grandma and Grandpa from Mum’s side of the family; the Professors from school; Madam Pomphrey, Molly and Arthur; And the list went on and on.
I was plain out exhausted when visiting hours ended. They gave Mum and Daddy a separate room for each couple’s privacy and even though I loved them dearly, I was very grateful. Mackenzie was taken to the infant ward soon after and Tyler magically widened the bed and laid next to me, pulling my head onto his chest and wrapping an arm around me. He kissed my head. For once, we didn’t fill the silence with useless words. Instead, we reveled in the moment. We’d created an amazing little girl, a beautiful little girl and I nearly cried when I realized I’d almost given her away. I pushed the thought away quickly. I wondered if Daddy’d thought about that yet. I’d watched him bond with both his children and his granddaughter today. He was a foreign person to me, almost. His skin glowed, His smiled took over every inch of his face and his eyes were bright. He looked so happier, happier even than I’d seen him at his wedding. I smiled. I was glad he was happy again. He deserved it more than almost anybody in this world.
The rest of the days in the hospital flew by and we were back at Hogwarts before we knew it. Two weeks out of school and I had to go back. Part of me was extremely excited because I finally got to go back to how school was before I was pregnant: Potions, Charms, Defense. The other part was extremely exhausted. Mackenzie kept Tyler and I up at all times of the night. She had to be fed many times a night. Thankfully, Tyler and I took turns since I was feeding formula.
I dressed in my uniform and robes and then undressed, and crawled back under the covers. Tyler walked back in from Mackenzie’s nursery and laughed. “Flicka, Baby, time for school.”
“I’m not going.” I mumbled from my pillow.
I felt the bed sink in next to me and Tyler started playing with my hair. “Why not?”
“I’m fat.”
He chuckled. “Alix, you just gave birth! You’re not gonna be back down to a size 3 instantly. Everyone understands that.”
“My uniform doesn’t fit.”
“Well go put it on and charm it to fit.”
“Nope. I’m not going.”
“Well, have fun telling your father. I’ve got to go, however. I didn’t just give birth, so I don’t get as much leniency as you do. I love you Baby.” He kissed my head and walked out the portrait.
TPOV
I walked into Potions without Alix by my side and Severus noticed immediately. “Mr. Truett, come see me please.” I walked forward and the whole class snickered. “Where’s Alix?” He whispered hastily.
“She stayed in our quarters again today.”
“And why, pray tell, did she decide to do that?”
“She thinks she’s fat. Her uniform doesn’t fit her. Her uniform from last year, I might add. And she’s too stubborn to put on the ones we bought especially for after she had Mackenzie.”
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Tapping the chalkboard with his wand, he said to the class, “I will return in ten minutes. If anything is out of order, you will each get detention for the rest of the semester with Filch. Mr. Truett, come with me please.”
I followed Severus, which was difficult for as fast as he walked. He had me say the password to the portrait and then stormed in. He knocked hastily on our bedroom door and waited for an answer. Getting none, he yelled, “Alixzandra Snape, you open this door right now!”
A few seconds later, she popped her head through. “Truett. My last name is Truett.” She was still wearing her pajamas. I sat down on the couch to stay out of the fight.
“Don’t backsass me, Alixzandra. Why aren’t you in my class right now?”
“Because I don’t want to go.” She crossed her arms and tilted her head defiantly.
“Get your uniform on, your hair and teeth brushed, Mackenzie to your mother, and your little arse in my classroom. You have ten minutes.” He replied, fuming.
“Or…?” I put my head in my hands. Was Alix trying to get murdered here?
“Or you will be grounded until you graduate!” Severus countered.
“You can’t ground me. I'm married and have a child!” Alix laughed.
“Oh yeah? I can sell your pretty little house. Try me.”
Alix gasped. He had her. She loved that house. I turned to look at her. Her face went from surprise to defiant again. Her eyes narrowed as she said, “You won’t.”
“Dear Lord, Alix, just get dressed already.” I said with a raised voice, jumping up off the couch. I didn’t want to lose the house either. Alix’s eyes got wide. “You’re not fat! Okay? You’re absolutely perfect. Now, I would actually like to have some place to live after I graduate, and I would prefer that you and my daughter be with me, so if you don’t mind too terribly, get your arse back in your room and do what your father said!”
Her eyes stayed wide for a few moments before she gained her sense and nodded, going back into her bedroom.
“Nice.” Severus said, clapping a hand on my back, and walking out of the portrait.
“I’m taking Mackenzie to Hermione.” When I returned, Alix was dressed and ready. In the short time she’d even used a cleaning spell on herself, and done her hair and makeup. She sat perched on the arm of the sofa, waiting for me. I walked up to her, placing my hand on her hip and kissing her deeply. “Thank you.”
She pulled me by my tie back to her and kissed me again. “You’re kind of hot when you’re annoyed. Have I ever told you that?”
Sex. We hadn’t had sex in so long. It was tempting. So tempting. I knew where this would lead if I just let it. But I couldn’t. Could I? I looked at my watch. Potions would end in twenty minutes. We had time for a ten minute quickie, and could show up for the last ten minutes of class. Her father would be angry, but I could lie. Say Alix couldn’t find her school shoes. Or tie. It was plausible. It could work. “Quickie?”
She jumped off the couch and grabbed her books. “Nope. I’m not in the mood.” She started walking towards the portrait.
“Alix! You’ve already got me started, and you knew what you were doing!”
“Sorry Babe. That’s what you get for yelling at me. Besides, we’re not having sex again until I’m skinny again.”
Chapter 28: Sacrifice
APOV
Everything got back on track a few weeks later. I attended school regularly again, though my grades were falling far far behind and I had to do piles of makeup work every night. Most of it went unfinished because Mackenzie would require my assistance at exactly the moment I would sit down to work. The only time I got to spend with Tyler, alone, was on patrols. And even then, we were supposed to be looking out for snogging teens in the hallway, not being those teens. But that’s what we found ourselves doing every time, even as we speak.
Leaning against the seventh floor corridor, Tyler’s hand crept up my thigh to rest on my hip for the twentieth time that night. Pulling away, he starred into my eyes. “I love you, Flicka.”
I smiled and cupped his face with my palm. “I love you too, Ty.” He kissed me again, slowly this time, and I smiled into it. Sometimes it was hard to believe how much I loved this boy. It consumed me.
He pulled away again, and took my hand, walking down the corridor a ways farther before stopping and pacing back and forth. The door to the Room of Requirement appeared and he took my hand again to lead me inside. It was an exact replica of the night I’d lost my virginity: rose petals, candles, and a huge, beautiful bed. I gasped and my hands flew to my face. So much had happened since then, and yet everything was almost exactly the same. Tyler led me to the bed and sat me down on the edge of it. Kneeling by my feet, he pulled off my trainers and socks, before leaning up to kiss me slowly. He picked me up and laid me down on the bed, hovering over me and continuing his sweet kisses. Slowly, I reached my hands up to his tie, undoing it and letting it hang off his collar, moving to his shirt buttons and unbuttoning them. I pushed the shirt off his shoulders and he wriggled his way out of it, before throwing it on the floor. My nails ran down his chest and he sucked in a bit of air. He reached for my shirt and did the same for me, slowly. He wanted to make love to me, not just have sex, but make love. I smiled into the kiss as I moved to his pants and undid the button and zipper, pushing them off his hips. He unzipped the side of my skirt and pulled it down my legs, kissing my knees and calves on the way down and taking his pants the rest of the way off when he reached the floor.
I suddenly remembered why I didn’t want to have sex with Tyler. I was fat. The baby had made me fat. I grabbed for the blankets on the bed and tried to position them to cover myself, but Tyler grabbed my wrist. He pushed the blankets away from me, and started leaning down towards my stomach. He pressed his lips on my belly button and kissed all the way around it. “You’re beautiful, Alixzandra. Never forget that.” I smiled a small smile and pulled him back to me.
It was sweet and slow. It was everything we needed, but what he hadn’t asked for. And when it was over, we laid in each other’s arms for what felt like forever, until he whispered, “Patrol’s over. We’ve gotta go get Mackenzie.”
I sighed. I loved my daughter, I really did, but sometimes I just missed my husband. We pulled our clothing back on, and charmed our hair back in place, before walking hand-in-hand back to Mum and Daddy’s quarters.
Mum was exhausted, too exhausted to read into why we were a little late. Daddy was not, however. Daddy knew by just one look at me. His eyes narrowed and he said, “Alix, may I have a word with the two of you in my office?”
I looked nervously at Tyler, but left Mackenzie’s sleeping form in her crib and followed him. When we reached Daddy’s office, he sat behind his desk and I felt like a little school girl getting in trouble again when Tyler and I sat in front of it.
“Frankly, I don’t care what you two were doing when you were supposed to be patrolling. I asked you in here for something else entirely. Alix, I was told by Professor Dumbledore to warn you about something. It’s just about October, and even though it’s very early in the school year, you’re not on pace to graduate with Tyler this year.” I gasped and covered my mouth, but he continued. “I’m telling you this so that you know to start trying even harder. Your mother and I are willing to do anything necessary to help you, but we can only do so much. As you can see, Hermione is already exhausted every night from having all three babies. That being said, if things don’t look up, I'm afraid you’ll be forced to take only the rest of your 6th year classes this year, and graduate with the rest of your class next year.”
I nodded, but that’s all I could do. “How long do I have to improve before Dumbledore gives up on me?”
“Until the end of the semester in December.” Daddy replied, and I nodded again.
“Right. Okay. I can do that, I think.”
“You can and you will Alixzandra.”
Chapter 29: Stubbornness
My days got real boring, real quick again. I woke up early, got Mackenzie ready, dropped her off at Mum’s, went to breakfast, went to classes, went to lunch, went home, did homework and makeup work, ate dinner, went home again for more work, went to patrol, got my daughter, did more work, and then finally went to bed sometime around 3AM every morning.
Tyler and I rarely had any time together anymore, to be romantic. Anytime we did spend together, I was dog tired. I was falling asleep during half of my classes, and if it weren’t for Tyler’s notes and help with the homework assignments, I would be in deep shit. I missed my daughter, too. I didn’t get to spend hardly any time with her either. On top of all that, I had the worst cold that just wouldn’t go away! Everything was miserable, but it was well worth it.
Today, I had more work to do than usual. I listened as Tyler sighed for the hundredth time that night and finally got up to kiss me goodnight. “Alix. We need to talk.” Those words caught my attention. I whirled around to face him, sitting sideways in the wooden chair at my desk, and he kneeled down to be almost eye level with me. I knew my eyes were wide with fear and he kissed my hands as he took them in his to reassure me. “I think you need to seriously consider graduating next year, with your class.” He said softly.
“What? No!”
“Alix, listen. You’re basically taking two years here. It was easy for you last year to take on the extra workload, but now you’ve got makeup work from when Mackenzie was born (which should’ve been completed a long time ago, but with the slacking at the beginning of the year, it isn’t – just as much my fault as yours), and you’ve got your daughter, Head Girl duties, a husband and a life to attend to. You get 3 hours of sleep a night, which isn’t healthy at all. You're making yourself sick, Alix.”
“Tyler, I'm trying to graduate with you! So that we can go off to live in our beautiful house together, and possibly go to University!”
“Alix, we can still do that. It will just be delayed a year.”
“No, Tyler. I’m not quitting. I’ll go talk to Dumbledore tomorrow to see if there’s anything I can do. Summer classes or something. Work through my breaks. I will graduate when you do. I will.”
“Alix, please, just slow down. I don’t want to, but if you keep making yourself sick like this and keep living off hardly any sleep, I’ll go talk to Severus.”
“Tyler! No.” I felt betrayed that he would even think of doing such a thing. “If you bring this up to Daddy, I’ll have to quit for sure!”
“Alix… quit this or quit us.” He bowed his head as I gasped and tears lined my eyes. “The only reason you’re doing this is to stay with me. If I’m out of the equation, you’ll stop. Trying to graduate a year early has only caused problems in our relationship, problems in you and Mackenzie’s relationship and problems with your health.” He whispered. “Choose now Alix.”
Sadness turned to anger quickly. “Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can’t do!? I will do whatever I want Tyler! I’m a grown woman! If I want to graduate a year early, I will. Fuck off.” I tried to turn back to my work, but Tyler standing up and throwing his hands in the air distracted me.
“Who do I think I am!? I’m your fucking husband Alixzandra! That’s who I am. And it’s kind of my job to look after you.”
“Look after me, yes. Boss me around, no. Now, if you will just give up on trying to get me to fall behind again, we can quit this whole argument.” I replied calmly. Tyler’s screaming scared me.
“No. I’m going to your father.” He started for the portrait hole and I jumped up and ran to it first, standing in front of it.
“You can’t leave if you can’t get through the door.” I could tell he was seriously aggravated, but I couldn’t let him walk out the portrait. Something told me that if he did, it wouldn’t just be the end of my advanced studies but of our relationship as well.
He sighed deeply and wouldn’t look at me. “Alix move. You’ve royally pissed me off and I can’t promise I won’t say something we’ll both regret if you don’t let me leave this instant. I’m going to see your father and pick up Mackenzie. I, for one, would like to see our daughter.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean? You think I don’t miss her? To hell I don’t! I’m trying to create a better life for her. One where she can have both of her parents all of the time.”
“Meanwhile, you’re putting her off on your parents full time and she barely gets to see either of us! Makes a lot of sense doesn’t it Alix?”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were all high and mighty and Mr. Perfect.”
“And I didn’t realize you were such a selfish bitch!” He screamed back. I felt my face fall as I moved away from the portrait and he stormed out. I had the distinct feeling that I wouldn’t be seeing him again tonight. Walking over to my chair, I fell onto it, sobbing into my hands. Tonight was going to be worse than the rest.
No baby, don’t.
You’re making my heart hurt.
Don’t say those words, take it back
You know you don’t mean that. – Brantley Gilbert, “You Promised”
It's short. I know. But it's something. And I've had serious writer's block lately, so that's what we're gonna get for this chapter :/ Sorry I havent updated in years. Im sure I've lost most if not all of my readers. :( Maybe not though. I'm hoping not. :) This is a kind of plot twist I've wanted for quite awhile so please tell me what you guys think and if you like it at all! :)
Chapter 30: Trivialities
My intuition was right. I didn’t see Tyler for the rest of the night. I didn’t see Mackenzie either, so I assumed she was with him since Mum or Daddy hadn’t brought her to me. I was worse off than usual from crying all night, but somehow I made it to classes. Tyler was absent from every single one of them and I didn’t even see him at lunch or dinner. Daddy made no inclination that he knew of our fight nor that Tyler had talked to him. I hoped sincerely that Tyler would be back in our dorm when I returned that night.
For once, my hopes came true. Tyler was at the dorm when I got back. I could hear him rustling about in our bedroom through the cracked door. I made my way to it from the portrait hole and pushed the door open the remaining distance.
He was packing. Clothes were being shrunk and put into his suitcase. “Tyler.” I whispered. He looked up but just barely.
So this was it. We were breaking up. Or at the very least taking a break. I walked in and sat on the bed, watching him as he packed but making no move to stop him. This was what he wanted. It was his choice this time. His rustling halted a bit as the last drawer closed. I felt a tear fall down my cheek before I’d even realized I was crying.
“I’m leaving for a little while. I’m going to stay in the Slytherin dorms again. I just – I need to be alone for a while. I’ve been feeling like this for a while now, but thought things would change. Apparently they aren’t going to anytime soon. I think.” He sighed. His back was still turned to me as mine was to him. “I think we need to go our separate ways for a little while. We’ll share Mackenzie for now. I’ll take her this week and you’ll get her next week. Dumbledore’s set up a room for me in the dorms for when she stays over.” I listened to his footsteps as he walked over towards me. He cupped a hand around the back of my head and kissed my hair, before walking out of the door. I fell over onto the bed as I listened to the portrait close behind him.
Night had long fallen and passed by the time I got up from the bed. My stomach growled and I realized I hadn’t eaten all day. Paying absolutely no attention to the time, I started my walk down to the kitchens. My wand lit the hallway in front of me, but I didn’t watch anywhere but the ground strictly in front of my feet. I was almost there when I ran into a black mass only a bit taller than me.
“Oh bugger.” The black mass spoke.
“Uncle Harry?” I replied, recognizing his voice and bringing my wand up to light his face.
“Alix? What are you doing out of bed this late? Shouldn’t you be staying with Mackenzie? She’s still quite young isn’t she?”
The sadness that had so wholly filled me before I ran into him once again came to surface. “Tyler’s got Mackenzie.”
He cocked his head. “You say that as if you two are divorced single parents.” He joked with a chuckle. I felt tears rush to my eyes as I realized that that was pretty much where we were headed at this point. He took in my appearance quickly. “Oh, sweetheart.” He whispered, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and leading me to the closest empty classroom. “What happened?” He asked as I sat in one of the desks.
“We started fighting about the workload I was taking on with trying to graduate a year early. He basically told me to quit it, and I told him he couldn’t boss me around and he started to leave and it just blew way out of proportion.” I sniffed. “He said he needed some time to be alone, and that we’d trade off weeks with Mackenzie, and then he packed his things and moved back into the Slytherin dorms.”
“I see.” He replied, and I wanted to tell him that there was no way in hell that he could understand. “Why’d you let him go?”
“It was what he wanted. We broke up one other time last October because I’d caught him with my best friend Muffy. I thought he’d been cheating on me. Months later, I found out she’d framed him. Either way, he let me leave that night. He even wished me well when I got with somebody new. I wanted the same for him. If he doesn’t want me, I don’t want to burden him.”
“But sometimes, sweetheart, somebody might forget you love them if you forget to show them. I’m not saying all of this is your fault. I don’t know the entire story but it kind of sounds to me like he overreacted a bit too. The best advice I can give you is to give him his time to cool off and breathe, and try to make for a welcoming environment shall he decide to come home in the meantime.”
I nodded. That’s what I’d focus my entire being on. Our relationship was far more important than the trivialities I’d been placing ahead of it. “Thank you Uncle Harry.”
He warned me it was coming,
Said if I didn't change, he was leaving.
I just didnt believe he would really walk out.
God, I believe it now. - Blake Shelton, "She Wouldn't Be Gone"
Chapter 31: Regret
Thankfully, the next morning was a Saturday. After sleeping in for a good while – it felt so good after a month of 3 hour sleeping – I took a long, hot shower. I took my time getting ready and even put a bit of makeup on. I was in no way happier that I lost Tyler, but I was desperate to get him back – whatever it took. That in mind, I walked down to Dumbledore’s office and started trying out passwords to the stone gargoyle. After about ten minutes of yelling muggle sweets and pacing back and forth, I finally yelled “Twislers!” and the gargoyle turned, revealing stairs. Unfortunately for me, it also revealed somebody on those stairs.
I saw Tyler before he saw me, and just like the last word I’d said to him, I said “Tyler.” His head shot up and I noticed that he was carrying Mackenzie. “What’s wrong with Mackenzie?” I asked, thrown into a panic mode. Surely that would be the only reason he’d be taking her to see Dumbledore.
“Nothing’s wrong. She’s fine.” He handed her off to me and I kissed her forehead, bouncing her in my arms a bit, before I remembered the recent events.
“I wasn’t following you, if that’s what you were thinking. I came straight from our dorm here.” I stopped myself.
He shook his head a bit. “You’re fine. I was just leaving anyway.”
“Right. Yeah, of course.” I replied, handing Mackenzie back to him after kissing her head again. “I’m sorry I stopped you.” It would be an understatement to say that this was a slight bit awkward. I stepped aside to let him pass and he stared at me for a minute, mouth open as if he was trying to decide whether or not to say something.
“You look nice.” He finally said, before walking away.
“What’s the password?” I yelled back to him.
“Snickers.”
I shook my head. Of course it was a chocolate bar. From Tyler’s yell, the gargoyle started turning for the second time in the past five minutes. I stepped on the stairs and knocked on the wooden door when I was presented it.
“Come in, Alixzandra.”
I smiled. It was amazing; his ability to tell who it was on the other side of the door. I turned the handle slowly and walked inside. “Good morning Professor.”
“Good morning Mrs. Truett.” I ignored the sting I felt when he said my married name. “What can I do for you this fine November morning?” He seemed happier than usual. I wondered, briefly, what Tyler was here to talk to him about. “Sit. Sit down, girl.”
I sat in front of him and wringed my hands in my lap. “I came here to tell you that I would like to continue on with my sixth year as normal, and graduate with my class instead of trying to graduate a year early.”
He looked at me from over his half-moon spectacles. “If that’s what you want Mrs. Truett. May I ask, why the sudden change of heart?”
I sighed and looked down at my hands again. “I let something fairly insignificant get in the way of my relationship with my husband and child and my own health. Because of that, I’ve lost my husband for the time being, I’ve lost my child every other week, and I’m sick as a dog. It doesn’t matter if Tyler and I graduate at the same time. Either way, we’re going to end up being happy together. Or at least, I hope we will. I’ve got a few things to fix before I can accomplish that, and I’m hoping I’m starting on that path right now.”
“Well I’m sorry to hear all of that. I’ll make sure to let your professors know this afternoon. Is there anything I can do to help with you and Mr. Truett? Some counseling perhaps?”
I smiled at his sympathy but shook my head. “No, I don’t think so. I think he just needs time. I think I need to prove to him that I’m not a stubborn, selfish little girl anymore. Or at least, I’m trying not to be.”
“It might not be my place, but I think that there’s more to this little tantrum of his than that. I’m not sure I know the entire story, but I feel as though he is just as guilty as you.” He looked over his glasses at me again and I felt like a little girl in trouble. “I feel as though Mr. Truett is finally realizing that he’s signed his life away. I think he’s realized that he gave away the chance to be a young person and ‘play the field’ if you will.”
That was not something I wanted to hear. “So what you’re saying, is that you think Tyler regrets marrying me before he’d tried whoring around. Excuse my language.”
He chuckled a bit. “I’m not sure I’d use those words exactly, but I suppose that’s the general idea. I’m sure he’ll come back Mrs. Truett. Just give him some time to ‘see the world’. He’ll be back before you know it.”
I nodded a little bit. There went my good mood. “Well, Professor, I’m quite hungry so I think I’ll see if I can still catch the tail end of dinner. Thank you for your understanding.”
“You’re welcome, Dear.” I rose and started walking away. “Mrs. Truett?” Dumbledore called at about the same time as I reached the door. I turned towards him again. “It’ll all be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” I smiled a bit. I’d heard that a million times, but coming from him, it sounded like something that could actually be considered.
“I’ll try to remember that.”
How'd we end up like that?
Another train off the tracks. - Hinder, "Last Kiss Goodbye"
Chapter 32: Advice
Tyler wasn’t obligated to see me every day so we didn’t see each other at all. I’d been taken out of his classes, and he’d stopped going to meals. Sitting next to Spencer was torture. We didn’t talk much either. I could tell he was still grieving over Muffy, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. She’d started going out with a seventh year Slytherin and they’d gotten pretty serious. I felt his pain, almost.
I’d lost my spot as Head Girl and was moved back into the Slytherin dorms the day after I talked to Dumbledore. Consequently , that meant Tyler moved back into the Head Dorms. I yearned for the end of the week so that he’d have to face me when he handed off Mackenzie for the week. I wasn’t sure what I’d say to him.
I was getting back onto my normal sleep schedule again and I’d gotten over my cold. I even started hanging out with my parents some more. Mackenzie was usually there every night, with Tyler having to patrol and all, so that made it easier for me to see her. Every night, I’d usually go over and sit and laugh with them for a little while, play with my little brother, sister and daughter, and then go home before curfew.
Tonight was different somehow. Tonight I stayed later. I’m not sure why, and my parents told me to go home a few times, but I lingered behind. About an hour after curfew, I finally gave in. I kissed and hugged everyone goodbye and slowly trudged back to my dorms in the dark and silence. I pulled out my wand and whispered the spell to light it, letting it lead my way.
I was halfway to my dorms when I heard it. The sound of scuffling shoes. The giggling: the high pitched girl’s and the low chuckle that I knew too well. “Nox.” I whispered, distinguishing my wand, and slowly walking towards the sounds. When I rounded the corner as silently as I could, hiding in the nearest alcove. It was definitely Tyler. Tyler and one of the Slytherin hoes. They were kissing. Actually, devouring would have been a more appropriate term. His hands were grabbing and groping her and hers were trying to get down the waistband of his jeans.
He chuckled again. “Calm down little girl.” He whispered and she acted offended.
“Little girl?” She replied. She ‘got back at him’ by grabbing his face and pulling it roughly to hers.
I stopped watching. I couldn’t watch anymore. Dumbledore had been right. Tyler did regret marrying me. He did want to sleep around. I ran all the way back to my dorm and straight to the fireplace, throwing a handful of dust in the flames and stepping inside. “Draco Malfoy’s house!” I yelled.
When I popped into Draco’s living room, I scared the hell out of him and Delilah. The moment he saw my face, however, he jumped to the rescue. “Alix, love, what is it?”
He pulled me into his arms and I sobbed against his chest. “Tyler got mad at me for overworking myself and refusing to stop my advanced studies. We got into a huge argument and he broke up with me. I’ve been trying to bide time and wait til he came home, but I don’t think he’s coming back. I caught him making out with some girl in the hallway. We switch off Mackenzie ever weekend and I’ve had to move back into the Slytherin dorms. I don’t see him in my classes or at meals anymore. I never see him at all. He’s always avoiding me. We’re over, Draco. We’re really over for good this time.” I sobbed.
“Shh, Love. Just shh. You’re alright.” He ran his hands through my hair to soothe me and Delilah rose to get me some tea.
“What do I do?” I asked.
“There’s not much you can do. You take it day by day. You breathe in and breathe out. You get up every single morning. You dress yourself up so that he sees exactly what he’s missing because even if he’s ignoring you, you’ll run into each other eventually. You go to your meals, you go to your classes, you go to your parents’, and you go home every single night. You study. You pass your sixth year with flying colors. You live your life, Alix. Take it from me. You’ve got to live your life.”
I nodded my head and halfway smiled at him. “There ya go, Love. And you know my door’s always open and I’ll always have a bed with your name on it.” I nodded again.
“Alix. I’m serious. Live your life. I stopped living mine for almost 17 years when I decided to grieve after your mother. You can’t do that. You can’t let him see you’re torn up.”
“Okay, Dray.”
“Wanna stay here tonight?”
I thought about it for a few minutes and Delilah returned with the tea. I stayed for about an half hour, drinking my tea and participating in a run-of-the-mill conversation with them – NOT mentioning Tyler again, before telling them I’d decided to go home for the night. Draco hugged me and kissed my forehead, whispering in my ear for me to “live my life” again, and Delilah followed with another hug and a few complicated signs that Draco translated to “Come over if you need us.” I thanked the both of them and disappeared into the floo network again. Draco was right. I couldn’t show Tyler how badly this was hurting me. I couldn’t show anyone.
I breathe in and breathe out,
Put one foot in front of the other
Take one day at a time
Until you find I’m that someone you can’t live without. – Chris Cagle “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out”
Chapter 33: Skit
The next day, I got up early again. I spent the extra time I used to on my makeup and hair and dressed the best I could. I doubted I’d run into Tyler today, but I had to keep up the appearance for everyone else too. I could cry at night, alone, in the Room of Requirement, but not now.
I did as Draco told me to do. I went to breakfast and tried to talk animatedly with Spencer as he just sat there, pushing food around. I’d tried for about ten minutes before giving up on the whole ordeal and trying to eat as quickly as possible. “I don’t believe you, you know.” He finally said in a low voice.
“What are you talking about?” I was genuinely confused.
“Your act. The whole ‘I’m just fine without you’ skit you’re putting on. I know how much you loved Tyler and I know you can’t be over you guys’ fight that quickly. You’re pretending. You might fool everyone else – might – but you’re not fooling me.”
I stared at him with an open mouth for a few seconds before coming to my senses and blinking a few times. “I still have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just fine.” I replied, standing up and throwing my napkin on the table before leaving the Great Hall. One hour through, only a few more to go.
Classes sucked worse than breakfast did. What sucked even worse was the one guy in every class who would try to hit on me. Guess I was fooling them.
Lunch went by slowly but smoothly. I didn’t even attempt to make conversation with Spencer this time, and ate as quickly as possible before starting my trek to my second half of classes. “Alix! Wait up!” Another Slytherin boy yelled. He was in Tyler’s year and the name Blake came to my mind. “Hey, I’m Blake Martin.” He reached towards me and took the bag off my shoulder and throwing it over his before sticking out his hand. I smiled and shook it politely right as someone rounded the corner. I saw them out of the corner of my eye and turned my head towards them unconsciously. It was Tyler and a different whore. He had his arm around her shoulders and a fake smile on his face as he noticed me. His smile faltered a little bit as he looked between me and Blake, before loosening his hold on Whore. All of this happened throughout a matter of seconds, before Tyler regained composure and tightened his grip, smiling again and strutting forward.
I looked back to Blake with my fake smile and started forward “Walking me to class Blake or were you planning on standing there?”
He smiled again and followed after me. I tried to pretend I wasn’t freaking out on the inside. I tried to pretend there wasn’t a gigantic lump in my throat that I was choking on. I tried to keep the tears out of my eyes, and the frown off my face. I must’ve been successful because Blake didn’t act like he noticed a thing. He kissed my hand and said goodbye to me, running to try to get to his class on time. I wondered briefly where his class was before walking into mine and settling in my seat for another day of taking notes, and going through the motions, but not actually remembering a single thing. Great.
Dinner was worse. Pretending got harder, and by the end of the night, I felt like I was gasping for air. I was nearly running towards the Room of Requirement. I paced by the door three times and when it was presented, threw it open and ran inside. There was a bed there, and I threw myself on top of it. This would be a lot harder than Draco said it would be. I wondered how he’d talked about it so nonchalantly. I cried for what felt like hours, and went straight back to my dorm when I was done instead of going to my see my parents.
I wondered when it’d get easier. This time I wasn’t trying to throw myself into a depression. This time, I was actually trying to go through my day to day activities and NOT look like a zombie. I laid there for hours and the last time I remembered checking the time was 3:23 AM.
I can’t fake another day,
I can’t face another night,
So I just take another breath and let it go. – Kenny Chesney, “Someday I Might Get Over You”
Chapter 34: Uncertainty
I awoke the next morning to the sound of an owl pecking on my window. All of my roommates were gone, and by the position of the sun in the sky outside I could tell it was pretty late in the morning. I freaked out for all of a millisecond before realizing it was Saturday. Saturday. I’d see Tyler again today and he’d hand off Mackenzie for the week. And that was his owl pecking at the window!
I jumped up and ran to the window, wrenching it open and letting the owl hop into the frame. I grabbed the parcel off his leg and patting him on the head, tearing open the letter.
Alix –
I was thinking we could meet in the Room of Requirement at noon so that I could give you Mackenzie for the week. Let me know what you think. If that’s not okay with you, I’ll give her to your parents and you can get her whenever you’re ready.
- Tyler.
The letter didn’t give away anything to the fact of whether or not Tyler missed me but at least it was some sort of communication. I looked at the time. It was eleven, almost on the dot. I scribbled a quick confirmation before jumping up and heading for the shower. I had to make myself presentable, if not pretty.
I walked into the Room of Requirement five minutes after twelve. Tyler was standing near a window in the room, with Mackenzie laying in a nearby crib. Her baby bag was sitting on the bed. His back was towards me and he didn’t hear me walk in, so I cleared my throat a little. He spun around quickly, running a hand through his hair and stepping forward. “Alix.” He said before calming himself back down and saying. “How’ve you been?”
This answer could make us or break us. Act tough or tell the truth. I sighed. “Okay, I suppose. You?”
He sighed as well. “Okay seems appropriate.”
An uncomfortable silence fell upon us and after a few minutes, we both opened our mouths to speak at the same time. We closed our mouths and then he said “Go ahead.” But I waved my hand through the air for him to speak. He shook his head before looking out the window again. He seemed to be deep in thought as he placed on of his hands against the wall above his head. My stomach fluttered as I noticed the silver glint to his wedding ring. “Are you dating Martin?” He asked quietly.
“Excuse me?” I replied. I wondered if I’d heard him correctly.
“Blake Martin. Are you with him now?”
I smiled a bit to myself. “No. No, I’m not. Are you dating the whores?” I hadn’t meant to call them that out loud.
He laughed a little. “No.” He turned to face me again and walked closer towards me. “I suppose you want to take Mackenzie and go.”
“No. She’s sleeping. I don’t want to wake her. You can go though if you’d like.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
Uncomfortable silence again. “I’m back on the sixth year track.” I said quietly, hoping.
“I’ve noticed.” He replied jokingly. “You sat next to me in all of my classes, remember? How could I not notice?” That part seemed a little more melancholy.
“Right.” I replied. I stared into his eyes and I felt that familiar lump in my throat again. This time, tears rushed to my eyes of their own accord and no matter how hard my brain screamed for them to stop, they flowed down my cheek. Tyler closed the space between us and wiped my tears with his thumbs. I laid my forehead against his chest and he wrapped his arms around me tightly, kissing my forehead. We didn’t say anything and when I was done crying, he eventually let go of me, sighing.
“Alix… I just… I need…”
“You need to experience all that there is. You rushed into marriage with me too quickly and didn’t get to get your feel of all that there is out there.” I completed for him.
He sighed and looked at the ground. “Yeah.” I nodded grimly. “I don’t expect you to wait around for me.”
I laughed bitterly. “And I don’t expect you to come back to me unless you want to.”
He looked down but sort of nodded. “Are you alright?”
“Meaning?” I asked. Did he mean ‘are you okay with me being gone?’ or ‘are you over your cold and back to a normal sleeping pattern’ or what?
“In general, I guess. I don’t know Alix. I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. I want you in my arms so badly right now, to kiss you and push everything else away, to sleep in your bed tonight. But I know I’ll go stir-crazy again if I try to ignore what my mind’s been telling me for awhile now. I love you Alix. Alright? Please, please don’t think this is because of you. Everything I said before had nothing to do with the feelings I’m feeling now. I don’t take back anything I said, but those reasons weren’t the reasons I left. I was looking for an excuse, I suppose. Please don’t think it’s you Alix. It’s not you –“
I cut him off. “It’s not you, it’s me?” I whispered. “Right?” I scoffed and walked over to the bed, laying down on it.
He stood awkwardly for a few moments. “What do you want me to say Alix? That I felt smothered? That I realized I’d married the first girl I’d dated, had sex with, and hadn’t ever experienced anyone else? That I felt trapped into a marriage because I had a daughter now? Is that what you wanted to hear Alix?”
“Yes. If that’s the truth. I’ve never wanted you to lie to me Tyler. The moment you felt that way, you should’ve told me immediately!” I replied, and then sighed. I really didn’t want to fight anymore. “You just go do what you’ve got to do. I’m gonna let myself go on like normally. If I move on, I move on. I doubt I will, but if it happens, it happens. If you move on, it happens. I will be devastated, but I won’t go back into that depression that I was in the first time we broke up. I have a daughter who needs me to teach her how to be strong now. If not for myself, I’ll be strong for her.” I stated. “Who knows? Maybe this is something I need too.” I stood again and walked over to Mackenzie’s crib. She still wasn’t awake. I sighed and walked over towards the window, staring outside like Tyler’d done only a few moments ago.
“So then it’s official. We’re separated.” He whispered and he seemed a little bit more defeated than he had before my little spiel.
I didn’t answer for a few moments. “Yeah Tyler, we’re separated. If that’s what you want.”
“You just laid there and basically told me that’s what you wanted!” He yelled.
I turned around quickly. “No. No I did not! I told you I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for you if you were choosing to leave me. I will hate it if you leave for good, Tyler. I would much rather you come home and hold me and your daughter all night long, but only if that’s what you want! I’d rather hate my life for awhile, than know you weren’t happy with me!” I felt tears again and I lowed both my voice and my head. Looking at the ground, I continued. “Ty, leave if you need to. Go. Do what you’ve got to do. I don’t want you to go, but I understand if you need to. Don’t expect me to shirk my responsibilities again though and morn and mope over you for months. I’ve got a daughter and school to worry about.” I walked up to him and pulled his hands into mine. “The choice is entirely yours Tyler.”
I noticed now, that he had tears lining his eyes too. “I don’t know what I want Alix.”
If the feeling’s gone, words won’t stop you anyway.
If being free’s worth what you leave behind,
And if it’s too late for love to change your mind
Then it’s goodbye time. – Blake Shelton; “Goodbye Time”
Chapter 35: Emotions
“Then just tell me every thought that goes through your mind from this point on. Right now. What’re you feeling?”
Tyler sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “It just doesn’t seem right anymore, Alix. I feel so trapped. I feel so lost. I feel smothered. I need air. I think…. Like I told you earlier…. I need a little while to figure all this out. Figure out who I am and if this is really where I belong. I wish I’d figured this out sooner – before we’d gotten married and had a baby, but I didn’t.” He looked up at me. “Please tell me you understand. I’m not saying we’re through for good, but I need some time on my own for awhile.”
I nodded. “And like I said, I won’t sit around and wait for you. If I get my hopes up and they fall down again, I don’t know what I’d do.”
It was his turn to nod. “I understand that. You’re a lot stronger than you were a year ago, Alix. You’ve got your priorities in line as well. You’ll be just fine this time, without me.”
I laughed a bit, bitterly. “Yeah, right.” Then I let the sarcastic, badass facade fall and did for him what I’d asked him to do for me – show emotion. “After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve done to stay together, you’re willing to throw us away? What about us?”
“What about trust and understanding? You let me walk out that door the other night Alix!”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you! I was letting you have some time to cool off! I didn’t want you to leave!” I cried back.
He sighed for about the hundredth time and looked down. Lowering his voice, he said, “What about what I want Alix?”
I didn’t reply for a few moments. “And what do you expect me to do while you’re gone?”
“Live your life.” The fact that those were the exact same words Draco said scared me for a moment, but only a moment. “Just like you just said you were going to, for Mackenzie.”
I stayed quiet for a long time this time, staring at the ground. I let my tears fall again and realized Tyler was probably even more confused because of my roller coaster of emotions. My ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude in the halls yesterday, my calm face when I arrived followed by an onslaught of tears, more calmness, a badass facade, and more crying? What was wrong with me? I needed to let him go. This is what he wanted, and he was right: If it was in the Plan for us to be together, we would be.
“I’ll miss you.” I whispered at exactly the same time that he did. We smiled slightly.
“I think I’m gonna go now.”
“Stay. For a little longer. We don’t have to talk about this anymore. We can talk about other things.” I begged.
He smiled again. “No, I need to leave on a positive note. Please understand that I’m not doing this to hurt you Alix.”
“I’m trying.” I replied.
“Live your life.”
I nodded. “I will.”
And with that, he walked forward, kissed my forehead, held me close for a moment that ended far too quickly, and then turned his back and walked out of the door for the third time in a week. And for the millionth time this week, I fell onto the bed and cried.
I’ve got to move on and be who I am.
I just don’t belong here, I hope you understand.
We might find our place in this world someday,
But at least for now, I’ve gotta go my own way. – Vanessa Hudgens, "Gotta Go My Own Way"
Chapter 36: Jumpstart
APOV
October turned into November, November into December and Christmas break had arrived before we knew it. Our meetings in the Room of Requirement were never again as dramatic as they first were, but mostly full of updates. Mackenzie was approaching three months old. She’d started rolling over in her sleep, blowing bubbles and clapping a lot. Despite everything, Tyler and I rode the train together back to Daddy’s mansion. We’d started acting like close friends again and I wondered if he had started falling back in love with me yet. I didn’t try anything, still trying to give him his time, although I thought “time” would’ve ended three months ago.
We didn’t realize the awkward dilemma of sleeping arrangements until we dropped our trunks off in our bedroom. I stared at the bed for a few silent moments. “I can sleep in the guest room, if that would make things easier for you.” I whispered, trying not to let him hear the embarrassment, disappointment and sadness in it.
Things jumpstarted just as quickly as they stopped. Tyler became unfrozen and finished dropping his things. “No, that’s fine. I don’t mind sharing the bed again… unless you’re uncomfortable, and then I’ll sleep in the guest room.” He said nonchalantly.
I tried to pretend my heart hadn’t soared and I wasn’t hopeful that we’d spend the whole night in each other’s arms. “No, that’s fine.” I replied as soon as I was sure my voice wouldn’t give me away.
He smiled a small smile and I knew we were nowhere near fixed but it seemed we were doing better every day.
“I guess I’m going to go down and help Mum with dinner.” I said quickly, eliminating any opportunity for awkward silences.
He nodded. “I’ll watch Mackenzie.”
Dinner went by quickly, and as much as I wanted the chance to be close to Tyler again, I dreaded having to walk into that bedroom and face the awkwardness. We walked in together slowly, closing the door behind me. I envied him right now. He acted so unaware that this felt so foreign to me – even though it shouldn’t. We were married afterall. I opened my trunk and inwardly cursed. All I had for pajamas were the ones I’d bought with Mum during wedding shopping. I’d put the wrong ones in my trunk and left the warm ones at Hogwarts. “What is it?” Tyler asked.
“Um… Nothing. I walked into the bathroom empty handed and undressed, stepping into the shower. I’d have to scorgify and transfigure my clothes into warm pajamas when I got out. I made a mental note, to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow and get a few things. I made my shower longer than normal, hoping that by the time I got out, Tyler would be asleep. Shampoo ran down my forehead and into my eye unexpectedly and I hissed, stepping one foot out of the shower to reach for a towel. Wiping my face, I set it down on top of the toilet, bringing myself back into the shower. My left foot slipped and I felt myself falling. I let out a loud squeal without meaning to and collapsed on the shower floor. I’d laid there in pain for a whole millisecond before I realized my arm was throbbing horribly. There was a frantic knock on the door. “Alix!?” Tyler yelled through the wood.
I cursed and steadied my voice a little. “Ty, could you slide my wand under the door please. Quickly if you can. It should be on the bedstand or on my desk.”
“What happened?” He replied, but his voice was distant and I could tell he was looking for my wand.
“I fell. I think I broke my arm.”
“What?! I’m coming in!”
Before I could tell him no, or even make an attempt to pull the towel on top of me, he was inside the bathroom. He ran over to me, getting into the shower next to me, fully clothed and lifted me. He brought me to him and leaned me against his chest, gingerly holding my arm. I hissed. He had his own wand in his hand, I noticed, as he lifted it. “Episky.” He said, with great focus. With a sharp pain, I felt the pain go away. It took all of three seconds for us to notice our position and how horribly awkward it was. He helped me stand and then averted his gaze, stepping out of the shower and onto the mat, dripping wet. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I replied awkwardly. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Just because we’re separated, doesn’t mean I stopped caring about you Alix. See you outside.” He replied and was it me or did he seem angry?
“Thank you.” I said back, just in case.
I finished rinsing out my hair, – carefully this time - brushed my teeth, and got into my transfigured pajamas. Taking a deep breath, I slipped out of the bathroom door and into the bedroom. Tyler still wasn’t asleep. He aid on his back, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He looked towards me as I stepped into the room but didn’t say anything. He didn’t look mad anymore, but just like he was contemplating something.
“You alright?” I asked.
He nodded, and I didn’t push it, looking for a hairtie on the top of my dresser, and putting my hair into a ponytail. Well, no more stalling. This was it. I walked over to the bed – our bed – and laid down on my side, but instead of clinging to Tyler like I used to, I turned my back to him. Closing my eyes, I said “Goodnight Tyler.” I heard him sigh and felt the bed move. A second later, his body was up against mine and he had wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Goodnight Alix.” He whispered into my ear and it sent chills down my body. I briefly wondered if he’d notice, but a chuckle confirmed that he had. I fell into sleep quicker than I had in months.
A/N: This is to those reviewers who didn't give up on me even though I deserved it. There were quite a few of you. This is to those who understood where I was at, and didn't criticize me for being unable to update. I know it's been forever and I know most of you are probably gone, but it means the world to me that some might still be there. Here's your update. I'm sorry it sucks. I'm trying.
37: Conversation.
I was running carefreely, late to a meeting with Tyler. He’d asked me to meet him in an old abandoned classroom and I was more than happy to oblige, wondering what he had up his sleeve. Maybe a late night make out session? I slowed to a skip as I reached classroom 1123, hearing voices just beyond the door.
“See it’s already 8, Alix’s curfew is 10.” It was Tyler’s voice. Who was he talking in hushed whispers to about me?
“Tyler?” I called, slowly pushing the door open after knocking softly. I felt my jaw drop and my eyes sting as I came face to face with Muffy Parkinson kissing my boyfriend squarely on the lips. His hands were holding onto her upper arms tightly, her fingers wound into his hair. I gasped, the note Tyler had sent me earlier in the day hitting the floor. “How could you Tyler?” I whispered, hearing my voice break.
Tyler and Muffy pulled away and Muffy giggled, wiping her mouth. “How could I what Alix? Love someone other than you? Easily. I never loved you in the first place, after all.” Tyler swung his arm over Muffy’s shoulders. “I’m just glad it’s finally out in the open. Merlin knows I didn’t want to keep having to sleep with you, much less pretend I enjoyed it.”
I felt tears start to rush down my cheeks as Tyler smirked and turned to Muffy, kissing her again. “Tyler!” I screamed, running to him, pulling at his arms. He didn’t budge. “Tyler, please! Don’t do this, Tyler! Please!” My fists started hitting his back before I knew what I was doing, pounding away at it, praying he’d pry himself off of my ex-best friend.
“Alix! Alix! Dammit, Alixzandra, wake up!” Tyler was yelling, shaking me. I gasped loudly, sitting up in bed. My hands rushed to my face. It was wet with tears and sweat. I started trying to control my breathing as best as I could.
“Just a dream.” I heard myself whispering. “It was only a dream.”
“Alix, are you okay?” Tyler asked, sitting up behind me.
“Yeah. Fine. Sorry to wake you. It was just a nightmare.”
“Since when do you have your nightmares again?” He asked, concern leaking into his voice. I laughed inside. If only he knew that I’d had them every night since the night he’d walked out on me.
“First one.” I lied. “I’m sorry for waking you, really. I’m going to go down and make some tea. You go back to bed.”
I threw the blankets off of my legs, pushing my feet into my slippers. “Alix…” Tyler started. I turned to look at him over my shoulder. He sighed. “Nevermind.” I stood, grabbing my robe off of the rocking chair near my bed. It’d been added so that I could rock Mackenzie to sleep when I needed to, but I hadn’t used it yet. As silently as I could, I tiptoed down the stairs and into the kitchen, flipping on the light switch and reaching for the tea kettle. I turned on the tap and filled the kettle with water, walking it over to the stove and sitting it atop a burner. Sitting at the bar, I placed my head in my hands again.
“You alright Princess?” I jumped at my father’s voice, looking up. He’d just made his way into the kitchen.
“I’m sorry if I woke you. I tried being quiet.”
“You didn’t. I’m having a rough time going to sleep tonight. I just got Aiden and Selena to go to sleep again. Why are you awake?”
I sighed. “Nightmare.” He sat down next to me at the bar and I leaned over to rest my head on his shoulders. “How did I screw everything up so royally Daddy?”
He chuckled. “That’s an age old question with no answer, I’m afraid. You haven’t screwed everything up, though. So what if you and Tyler are separated? You’ll be back together soon. And so what if you did have a child at such a young age? I would never recommend it and I wish Mackenzie’d come a lot later in our lives, but I can’t say you haven’t succeeded excellently with her. You and Tyler are young. You’re going to make mistakes, and scream at each other, and break each other’s hearts at least a thousand more times before you’re on your deathbeds. You put two people with tempers as bad as a dragon in a house together and who wouldn’t?” A tear slipped down my cheek and I halfway wondered how he knew what to say. “Do you want a divorce?”
I sat up straight. “No!” I sobbed. “I don’t. I want Tyler back with me more than anything in this world, but that doesn’t seem to be what he wants. I just… I don’t know what to do Daddy. It’s not like it’s a year ago when we could just break up and go our separate ways, see other people. There’s a baby and an oath by law involved now. I don’t want Mackenzie to grow up without a father. It’s horrible.”
Daddy flinched and I realized what I’d said. “No offense.”
“It’s in the past.” He replied simply. “Do you want my advice?” I nodded. “Confront him. Tell him how you’re feeling. Don’t guilt him. Don’t beg him. Tell him where you stand, that you want him back but if he doesn’t feel the same way then you guys need to look at filling out paperwork to make it permanent. It’s gonna hurt, Alix. It’s gonna kill you inside, but you need to know so that you can move on with your life if he chooses not to be in it any longer. Doing so won’t leave Mackenzie without her father. Tyler’s too noble and moral for that. He’ll always be around. You’ll always have to deal with him, trading off weekends. But it’d be better for Mackenzie, if she couldn’t have her parents as a united front, to have them separately than to have them at each other’s throats all the time.” The kettle started whistling and I stood, taking it off of the burner and preparing two cups of tea. “I know it’s hard Princess, but being in love is rarely easy.”
I scoffed. “Understatement.” I drank my tea slowly.
Daddy stood and pulled me into his arms, kissing the top of my head and then resting his chin atop it. “I’m off to bed, Princess. Come wake me if you need me.” I nodded against his chest and he stroked my hair a few more times before holding me out at arm’s length. “You’re strong. You will jump over any obstacle life throws at you.” I nodded and he kissing my forehead before turning and walking back upstairs, leaving his mug on top of the bar as he went.
I followed suit, turning out the light and making my way upstairs as well, crossing the hallway into mine and Tyler’s bedroom. I sat in the rocking chair and pulled my knees up to my chest, staring at Tyler as he slept. He took up the whole bed, his arms stretching over to my side. I wondered briefly what he was dreaming of – if he was dreaming. The clock downstairs rang 4 AM and I decided, reluctantly, that I should probably get back into bed. Mackenzie would wake at 7. I walked over to the bed, picking up Tyler’s arm and carefully draping it across his chest, before making my way into the bed slowly, hoping not to wake him. Tyler moved, rolling onto his side and pulling me tightly against him unconsciously. Everything that I’d worked so hard for months to keep inside came out as if the dam had been broken. Sobs racked my body and I did my best to keep them quiet, shoving my face into the pillow. Tomorrow, I would confront Tyler. I had to. For me, for Mackenzie and for Tyler.
Nobody said it was easy.
It’s such a shame for us to part.
Nobody said it was easy.
No one ever said it would be this hard. – Coldplay, “The Scientist.”
38: Decisions
Sometime after lying in bed with Tyler for a few hours or so, I made my way down to the guest bedroom. It was one thing to pretend things were okay from a distance, but quite another to lie in his arms and pretend so. I’d just gotten back to sleep when I heard Mackenzie start to cry. Groaning, I retraced my steps back upstairs and into the nursery. I stopped at the door. Tyler was already in the room with Mackenzie, rocking her on his shoulder. “It’s not time for you to be up yet little girl.” I heard him whisper. “You’re supposed to give Momma and I at least thirty more minutes.”
I smiled slightly before I could help myself. “Here, I’ll take her.” I replied, reaching my arms out. Tyler handed her over but didn’t make way to leave the room.
“You never came back to bed.” He said softly and was I imagining it or did he almost look hurt?
“Yeah, I didn’t want to disturb you after I finished my tea so I just stayed downstairs in the guest room.” I replied nonchalantly.
He nodded, pressing his lips together awkwardly, before walking past me and down the stairs. “Don’t know what I’m gonna do about him, Kenzie.” I whispered, bouncing her. “No use trying to get you back to sleep for only a half hours’ worth of rest. Let’s go get you some breakfast.” I walked downstairs and into the kitchen, placing Mackenzie in one of the three high chairs. “Mum and Dad aren’t up yet?” I asked Tyler.
“Doesn’t appear so.” He replied almost rudely.
I rolled my eyes, making my way back upstairs to Aiden and Selena’s nursery. Neither were crying or making any other sound louder than a gargle. They smiled at me when I came into their view. “Well good morning, siblings. I heard you gave Mum and Dad quite a night last night.” Their little arms jerked back and forth, smiling happily at the attention they were receiving. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast and let our parents rest.” I picked up Aiden, and then tried picking up Selena, but was having difficulty. I’d never held both at the same time before and I didn’t want to hurt Aiden while I was leaning over, trying to get a one armed grip on Selena.
“Need help?” Tyler asked. I turned to him.
“Where’s Mackenzie?” I asked, shocked that he’d left our daughter alone at the table.
He rolled his eyes at me this time. “She’s in the playpen, Alixzandra.”
I sighed. “Yes, I could use the help.”
Tyler stared at me for a moment before shaking his head to himself and walking over to Selena’s crib. His face changed instantly to the one he wore in front of Mackenzie. “Hey sweetheart. How’s my favorite sister-in-law?”
Selena smiled and gurgled some more and together, all four of us walked back downstairs and into the kitchen. I wondered how I didn’t have legs of steel after climbing and descending stairs all day long. Tyler placed Selena in her high chair and then went back for Mackenzie as I placed Aiden in his. Together, Tyler and I whipped up bottles for them and found hilarity in the difficult task of not having enough hands to feed all three. We figured it out eventually and by nine, all three children were fed, cleaned off and had sleepy eyes. We walked back into the nursery with them and laid them down in their beds after changing their diapers and putting them into normal clothes.
Afterwards, the awkward task of not knowing what to do with ourselves appeared. I sighed loudly. “We need to talk.”
“Yeah, we do.” He replied softly.
We walked into our bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. A few moments went by in which no one said a word, before I took a deep breath and found my courage. “I need to know if we need to get some paperwork involved.” There. I said it.
I heard his sharp intake of breath. “You mean a divorce?” I nodded and watched as he ran his hand through his hair. “Is that what you want?”
“No, I want to be with you forever, but seeing as how forever isn’t working out, I wondered if it was what you wanted.”
Tyler stared at me, hurt showing in his eyes. “Lex, I told you it wasn’t what I wanted. I told you I’d be back.”
“But you haven’t come back, Ty. I tried. I tried really hard to be the forgiving wife, and to keep my mouth shut while you open the legs of every bitch at Hogwarts, but I can’t do it anymore, Tyler. I’ve got Mackenzie to worry about, and yes, she deserves to have both of all 24/7. But, if she can’t have that, then I need to work on pulling myself together and moving on. For her. Ball’s in your court now, mate.”
“We’ve only been separated a few months!” His voice rose and I shushed him harshly.
“We aren’t the only people in this house!” I hissed.
He put his head in his hands, flopping back to lie on the bed. I rested my hand lightly on his knee. “I don’t want to fight about this. I just want you to think, okay? I’ll stand by whatever decision you feel you need to make, but I need to know by the time we return to Hogwarts.”
I stood then, giving him time to be alone to make his choice, and made my way back downstairs. Mum and Daddy were sitting at the kitchen table, both eating bowls of porridge. Walking to the refrigerator, I pulled out the orange juice and poured myself a glass, leaning against the counter and staring out the window over the sink as I drained the glass.
“Thank you for taking care of the twins,” Daddy finally spoke up. I could see my parents watching me curiously out of the corner of their eyes.
“Yup,” I replied plainly, eyes growing blurry as my focus remained on a tree outside while my mind tried to wander.
“Talk to Tyler?” Mum asked.
“Yup.”
They didn’t try for conversation again, and for that, I thanked them silently. I was in no mood to make idle conversation. After a few more uncomfortably silent moments, I finally pushed away from the counter, and dropped my glass into the sink.
“Tyler will let me know by the time we return to Hogwarts if we’re making the separation permanent,” I eventually said. “Until then, we’re going to do our best to give each other space.”
Mum sighed. “It’s for the best, Swe-“
I interrupted her by leaving, ignoring her logics. I didn’t want it to be ‘for the best.’ Mackenzie having both of her parents was ‘for the best.’ Wanting nothing more than to curl up on the bed in the guest room and cry my heart’s content into the pillow, I climbed the stairs, making my way to my old bedroom to change for the day.
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