Meddling With Potions (Severus x OC)

The Second Task

A/N: So I spent some time rereading the story's last few chapters. I realized there were many errors and some discrepancies with the plot. I want everyone to know that when I finish this story, I plan on going back through and editing the shit out of this so it'll be better and stronger.

In the meantime, I apologize for the wait! Please enjoy a chapter that is 12,558 words :)

Disclaimer: I only own Aurora and any other OCs. Remember, I will occasionally use quotes from the books and the movies; I do not own direct quotes or phrases. The chapter images (ArchiveOfOurOwn, Quotev, and Wattpad) do not belong to me. I have found them on Google or Pinterest. I take NO credit.

~ oOo ~

The following weeks at Hogwarts passed by uneventfully. At least for the students. Severus and Aurora sincerely enjoyed their time together. They fell upon their sheets nearly every night in a dance perfected across time. Gloriously naked, they loved one another in between their sheets, sometimes making love more than once. The couple were adamant about becoming pregnant, and in the weeks following Christmas and the Yule Ball, Aurora partook in several pregnancy potions, all of which had come back negative. But that didn't discourage the magical couple. If anything, it pushed them to love their partner more. But there was only so much sex would do if the sperm didn't attach to an egg.

But they pursued.

Aside from their decision to become pregnant, Aurora was vigilant in watching her favorite champion. Since the Yule Ball, Aurora has noticed a change in Harry. He was slightly more cautious and weary about the next task. She knew he had been given the golden egg from the first task but questioned whether he knew what to do with it. She didn't, that's for sure. But Aurora wanted to do what she could to help the boy prepare for the second task. She tried speaking with him numerous times, but the boy gently pushed her away, saying he wanted to do his best to figure it out himself. She felt slightly hurt yet understood. He had been named a champion, and she knew he wanted to prove he could do this, especially since his entry into the tournament was a special case.

That is until he appeared in her office the day before the second task.

Aurora sat at her desk grading her latest assignment when there was a knock on her door. The witch knew it wasn't Severus as he was holding a detention with the Weasley twins. Flicking her wrist, she opened the door and raised her eyes, surprised to find Harry standing in the doorway.

Leaning back in her seat, she smiled at the growing boy. "Hey, Harry. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be heading to dinner?"

"I could ask you the same, Aurora. Yet you're grading papers. Aren't you hungry?"

She waved him off. "Professor Snape and I were going to eat after his detention, so you don't have to worry about me." She was thankful Harry didn't flinch at the sound of her husband's name. Since he and Ron apologized months ago, they, at least Harry, had grown accustomed to her speaking of her husband. She would never know whether he approved of her marriage, but at least he now tolerated such information. "But you're here for something. Alright, spill."

He stood before her desk as she crossed her arms. "I...Is it too late to ask for your help?"

Her eyebrow rose, knowing precisely what he was speaking of. "Now you want my help? After I've asked you numerous times since Christmas?"

He shied away from that, shrinking into himself. "I know it's wrong for me to ask, but...I could really use your help. I have no clue what to do for the next task."

She shook her head, grasping her nose in slight annoyance. No, not annoyance, but something close enough. "And so you thought coming to ask me for help with..." She glanced at the clock. "...sixteen hours before the second task?" He nodded.