I woke up to the faint sound of sizzling from outside of the bedroom. I then took in a scent that smelled familiar. Putting two and two together, I realized that Severus was probably preparing breakfast.

Remembering last night, I noticed my lack of clothes, blushed at the memory, and got up to change into something comfortable for the day. Then I popped my head into Elora's little makeshift nursery to see if she was still sleeping.

Of course, she was wide awake and was currently biting on a blanket of hers. I don't know why she does this, but she seems to like it, so it doesn't bother me.

As I picked her up and out of the crib, I noticed her hair started to grow a little. It was hard to make out, but it seemed as though her hair was the same color as Severus'. I smiled at this and walked out into the main living area while holding Elora on my hip.

Severus seemed to have noticed that I was behind him, because he spoke without turning around towards me,

"Sleep well?"

"After last night? You bet." I remembered some of the moments as I responded.

Severus whipped his head around towards me, not expecting such a response.

I chuckled at this and sat down at the counter while putting Elora in her high chair.

Severus composed himself and turned back around with two plates in his hands. Seeing the food reminded me of something.

"I should probably feed Elora. Do you know where her bottle is, Sev?" I asked while looking around him at the counter.

"I fed her before you woke up." Severus replied while sliding one of the plates in front of me.

"Oh. Well thank you for doing that." I smiled and picked up my fork which was placed beside the plate.

Once we were nearly finished eating, Elora gazed at my scrambled eggs and reached for them. I contemplated introducing her to solid foods already and ended up placing a small bit of egg on the tray of her seat to see what she'd do with it.

"Isn't it a bit early for that?" Severus asked me.

"No, I read about this and found out that 4 month olds can sometimes try solids already. As long as she's interested that is." I replied while watching Elora's next move.

She looked at the egg and grabbed it, somewhat squishing it in the process. But eventually, she brought it to her mouth and ate it. Elora giggled and slapped her hands on the tray happily. I smiled at this and turned towards Severus,

"I guess that's a good sign."

He nodded in response and then stood up to bring our dishes to the sink.

I didn't have much planned other than popping into the Potion's Classroom to see what needed to be done before class resumed.

Severus had been reading with Elora in his lap on the sofa while I was exiting our Quarters.

I had only been in the Classroom for about 5 minutes organizing some of the ingredients on a shelf when I heard someone speak from behind me,

"Hello, (Y/N). Been a while since you last showed your face in Malfoy Manor. Now why's that?"

My calm and collected mood turned sour instantly as I spun around to face the person,

"Why are you at Hogwarts, Tyler? You shouldn't be here."

"Now now, that's no way to talk to an aquaintance." He smirked in a smug sort of way.

"You're hardly an aquaintance. Tell me what it is you were sent to say and then go." I was getting more ticked off by the second.

"Lord Voldemort has requested to see your daughter." Tyler grinned at his own statement, knowing that this wouldn't make me happy at all.

"What does he want with Elora?" I asked defensively.

"Elora. What a unique name." Tyler ignored my question and revelled a short while longer.

"I asked you what he wants with her, Tyler!" I was becoming a bit more impatient the more he delayed.

"All he told me is that he wants to see her tonight, got it?" Tyler rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"I have to talk with Severus. You can Leave." I walked towards the door of the classroom and spun around to make sure he'd leave.

"Damn (Y/N), why'd you have to go and become such a Bi-"

"" I cut off his snarky remark and pointed out the door.

He sighed unnecessarily loud and walked swiftly out the door. Disappearing shortly after.

I stood there for a moment to think and then began making a beeline for mine and Severus' Quarters.

In the exact moment that I had put Elora down for a nap, I heard the bedroom door swing open semi-abruptly. Spinning around, I noticed (Y/N)'s distraught and slightly nervous expression.

Rushing up towards me, as well as grasping my forearms, she spoke,

"I have something important I need to talk to you about."

I tilted my head ever so slightly to insinuate her continuation of the sentence,

"Voldemort wants to see Elora tonight."

My eyes widened at her statement,

"How do you know this?"

"Tyler was in the potions classroom and just passed on the message. He didn't say why. Just that Voldemort wanted to see her." (Y/N) explained in an exasperated manner.

I closed my eyes, sighed, and then responded,

"Alright. We must do what he asks. It is better not to risk something happening to us or Elora on his behalf."

(Y/N) agreed reluctantly and let go of my forearms.

That night we apparated from Albus' Office to Malfoy Manor. Albus told us that he'd wait by the fireplace to ensure our safe return, which in turn made both (Y/N) and I feel more confident.

We reached the large double doors leading into the main meeting hall and opened it. (Y/N) had Elora wrapped in a soft blanket against her chest and seemed to be holding onto her protectively.

"You requested our presence my Lord?" I masked the tense feeling I had with a monotonous tone.

"Ah.. You've finally arrived." His hoarse voice echoed in the room.

I ushered (Y/N) to sit down at the table alongside me, but was stopped before I could do so,

"Ah ah ah. Bring the child here."

(Y/N) refused to move from her seat, so I in turn, took Elora from her and gave her a reassuring look before turning back towards the Dark Lord. I walked up to where he was sat at the end of the table and turned her around to face him.

He studied her while displaying an undecipherable expression,

"Hm.. this one has much potential. She's been gifted with powerful roots stemming from both of your families. Just as I'd hoped."

The Dark Lord reached a hand out toward her, which resulted in a sudden outburst from the table,

"Don't touch her!"

(Y/N) stood from her seat and glared angrily. I warned her with a look and turned toward Lord Voldemort.

"You dare demand something of me, girl?" His voice was low and rough.

(Y/N) glared and replied with a booming voice,

"She is my daughter. I decide who lays a finger on her and who doesn't!"

The Dark Lord stood from his seat hastily and drew his wand, pointing it directly at (Y/N),

"Silence you insolent girl!"

An unsettling feeling grew in my chest as I held Elora away from him.

"I could do it you know.. Take your life. You are of no use to me anymore now that your daughter's been born!"

The Dark Lord sneered and tightened the grip on his wand.

"Kill me if I'm so useless then! You won't! Because you know damn well that-!"

"Enough!" I yelled loud enough for an echo to be heard in the room.

(Y/N) froze and sheepishly sulked back into her seat.

I turned toward Lord Voldemort and reluctantly apologized,

"My Lord? Please excuse (Y/N)'s behavior on my behalf."

He lowered his wand and sat back down in his throne-like seat,

"Return to your seat, Severus.."

"As you wish my Lord." After bowing slightly, I sat back down with Elora.

The remainder of the briefing consisted of reminding us of the prophecy that Elora was apparently apart of.

All in all, after returning to Hogwarts and to our Quarters, we were both relieved it was over with.

(Y/N) nevertheless still seemed paranoid by the situation,

"Severus.. how are we going to.. I don't want Elora to grow up around dark magic! I didn't think any of this through!"

In her panicked state, she rushed into the bedroom, leaving me standing in the living room with Elora in my arm. I sighed and entered the room quietly.

She sat on the far end of the bed, sounding as if she were tearing up,

"I'm a terrible mother.."

Laying Elora down on the bed, I sat myself down next to (Y/N) and took her hand in mine,

"You are anything but that. In my eyes, you are by far the most qualified to be a mother."

She smiled at this,

"As are you."

I raised a brow at her statement,

"A mother?"

"A father of course." (Y/N) laughed at this and gently shoved my arm.

She then looked down at the ring on her hand and futzed with it,

"I'm sorry for my outburst earlier.. It was quite irrational of me."

"No. I understand your frustration. You merely wanted to protect Elora. And I admire that about you, (Y/N)." I reassured her that her actions were of good intention.

She sighed, removing her gaze from the ring and returning it to my face,

"I still don't understand what I did to deserve you, Sev."

Brushing the backside of my hand against her cheek, I smiled lightly,

"I believe the question is, what did do to deserve you?"

With a short chuckle, (Y/N) placed a feather light kiss against my temple and stood up,

"Thank you for always being there for me, Severus."

I watched as she walked into the nursery with Elora and then took a moment to think over a few thoughts.

This woman is to be my wife.

What a beautiful thought..