Ever since Christmas break came to an ended, (Y/N) and I had prepared for the worst. Which to us meant, students creating rumors about our relation to one another, as well as Elora.

Currently, I was preparing today's schedule in my classroom. That is, until I heard the footsteps of students gradually become louder.

Keeping unrelated questions from being asked in class was much more difficult than I had anticipated. I expected students to wait until the end of class to ask their dreaded questions, but no such thing occured.

Although (Y/N) and I had agreed not to deny suspicion, I had no intention of wasting away half the class answering silly inquiries and listening to gossiping whispers.

The first class of students consisting of 4th years, was especially bothersome. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire class failed to remember a single thing I taught them today. And although I wasn't being asked anything directly, the whispering was increasing. Especially during the ingredient gathering portion of class.

"Do you think the rumors are true..?"

"I don't know.. Professor Snape doesn't really seem capable of.. .."

"Do you think their kid was the result of a.. a one night thing? That would be quite awkward.."

I was baffled by the inappropriate rumors I was hearing,

"I've had just about enough of this! All of you! Return to your seats and clear your tables!"

The horror in these students eyes was evident and all of them rushed to sit in their seats.

I contemplated what I'd be saying to them. But after a short silence, I raised my head and began my lecture,

"Tell me. What is it about gossip and rumors that attracts all of you like moths to a blinding light? What enjoyment do any of you receive from participating in spreading them? The suffering of another person? Their humiliation? It is sickening to me, hearing these foul comments leave your mouths. And how you insult one of your superiors, who's passion is to teach you and care for you.. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

The shock on the student's faces was clear. Each and every one of them felt regret, embarrassment, and shame.

"In order to cease the spread of your rumors, I will clarify only two things."

The heads of some students turned towards me in anticipation as I said this,

"It is true that Elora is in fact my daughter. As for my relations with Professor (Y/L/N). She is my partner, as I am hers."

Small gasps rose from various tables as I confirmed their suspicions. I continued shortly after,

"From now on, if I hear one more incorrect assessment of both myself and Professor (Y/L/N) from any of you, detention and loss of house points will be the least.. of your concern."

At this moment, all that could be heard was the bubbling of cauldrons.

"Return to your assignment.. ."

The scrambling that ensued after this order was slightly amusing to me. I accomplished my goal in putting an end to the rumors.

I had kept myself busy the first week back by writing letters. Letters for my closest friends and family members. In said letters, I wrote about Severus' proposal, as well as introducing Elora to those who don't know of her yet. These letters are being sent to Lucas and Alex, and my mother. Though, I decided to let Callaghan know in person.

But the main purpose is to invite them to Diagon Alley for dress shopping. I had put some thought into the type of dress I might like and decided it would be best if I could have friends and family help me pick the final dress.

I was putting the last few things I needed to take with me in a small purse as the sound of approaching footsteps became louder.

"(Y/N)?" Severus' voice could be heard as he entered the room through the bedroom door.

I hummed at him to ask his question,

"When will we be returning from Diagon Alley? Hopefully before sunset I presume?"

"We'll be back well before then. Don't worry, Sev. We're only going for brunch and then dress shopping. Although, I don't believe you're supposed to be apart of that bit." I chuckled at this and began walking to the door of our bedroom.

Severus nodded at my response and went to retrieve Elora from her crib.

"(Y/N)!"

As we walked up to the small cafe I had told everyone to meet me at, I heard the familiar voice of my best friend shout with glee,

"Lucas! Oh I'm so happy to see you again! And Alex, hello again! Been a while hasn't it?"

"It sure has. Lots has changed for all of us. But especially for you it seems!" Alex responded and pointed in Severus' direction.

He was holding Elora on his shoulder and seemed to be standing behind me a bit awkwardly.

"Ohh! Is this Elora? She's adorable!" Lucas awed at the giggles she let loose once she saw all these new faces.

"How old is she?" Alex asked, standing behind Lucas and peering over at her.

"She'll be 4 months old tomorrow." I counted the months that had passed in my head and was shocked when realizing it had already been 4 months since she was born.

After a few more minutes of answering Lucas and Alex's questions, my mother showed up with (B/N). Then after them, Callaghan arrived. All of us got seated in the small patio area that the cafe had and ordered.

"So (Y/N), show us the ring! I've been dying to see it." Lucas was ecstatic, so I reached my left hand over the table for him to see.

"Oh what a beautiful ring this is! You've got good taste Severus." Lucas complimented him, which seemed to catch Severus off guard, being that he was just paying attention to Elora who was sitting on his lap.

"That he does." I smiled at him, to which he gave a light smile back.

Soon after brunch, we made our way into the dress boutique. A woman came up to us with a clipboard and asked for a name to search on her schedule.

I told her my name and she smiled before looking around at us,

"And who might your partner be?"

I turned around and addressed Severus for him to step forward.

"Ah! Right then. I'd like to ask you to make yourself comfortable in the waiting room then, sir." The kind woman led him into the waiting room after he handed Elora to my mother.

The woman came back not a minute later and guided our small group further into the boutique.

She seated us on a long sofa and walked up in front of me,

"Now! What style dress are you looking for?"

°

I tried on different dresses for just over an hour before I began feeling like I might not find a dress I like.

That is, until Lucas spoke up,

"How about this dress?"

He pulled a dress off of one of the many racks and showed it to me. It was a long sleeved white dress with a small bit of lace. And for a unique touch, it had a built in, elegant looking cape.

"This looks promising Lucas! I don't know how I missed this one on the rack." I giddily made my way back into one of the few changing rooms to slip on the dress.

The size of the dress felt pretty good, but still needed to be tweaked here and there to fit perfectly. I then walked out into the showroom to see my friend's and family's reactions.

"Mommy, look at (Y/N)!" I chuckled at (B/N)'s commentary and continued to walk up to them as they turned their heads.

"Oh, this is definitely the one!" Callaghan exclaimed as I stopped in front of them.

I turned around slowly, not having seen my reflection yet, and opened my eyes. It was absolutely beautiful.

My hands flew up to cover my mouth and I felt quite emotional all of a sudden.

"Oh (Y/N).. you look gorgeous in that one." My mother already had a tear running down her face as she told me this.

"Then I believe this is the one!" I tried to keep myself from choking up with a laugh as I told them this.

The woman from earlier congratulated me on my decision and lead all of us back into the waiting room after I had gotten out of the dress.

Severus, who had apparently been reading the daily prophet, looked up once he heard our voices.

"You've already picked one?" He asked, seeming quite shocked that it only took an hour.

I nodded happily and then turned around toward the front desk where I'd be filling out a payment form.

The woman told me that the dress would be tailored to my measurements within the next week, so I could pick it up around that time. The rest of the afternoon was then spent catching up and talking amongst ourselves. But when the sun began to set, we felt it was time to return to Hogwarts.