Suffering Part 6: No Longer

Chapter 60

The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of your Hogwarts chambers, bathing the breakfast table in a soft, golden light. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee blended with the sweet scent of pancakes, filling the air as you sat with Severus, Lucius, and your children—Baron, Stevie, and Charlie. Their cheerful chatter bounced around the room, punctuated by the occasional clink of a fork against a plate. It was one of those rare, perfect Sunday mornings, and you wanted to hold onto it just a little longer.

"After breakfast," you said, setting your coffee mug down, "I really need to get some grading done in the study. Those essays won't mark themselves."

Lucius glanced up from his spellphone, his silver-grey eyes catching yours. "That's too bad," he said, his tone light but tinged with disappointment. "Rachel invited us to a children's theater this afternoon."

You paused, a pancake halfway to your mouth. "When did she do that?"

"Last night," Lucius replied, scrolling idly on his phone. "She sent me a message. I didn't see it until I was taking Orion and Samsam out this morning."

"Is it just her and Eli, or are others coming?" you asked, keeping your voice even despite the tiny spark of unease flickering in your chest.

Lucius tilted his head, considering. "I think some of the others will be there as well—Maisy, Daisy, and their mom Juliet, too."

You nodded, but inside, your thoughts churned. Rachel messaging Lucius directly felt... off. Too familiar, maybe. You didn't want to admit it, but a quiet thread of jealousy tugged at you. "Can I see your spellphone?" you asked, holding out your hand.

He passed it over without a second thought, and you skimmed the group chat. It was harmless—polite responses, casual plans, nothing suspicious. Lucius wasn't flirting or overstepping; he was just being his usual, courteous self. Still, you couldn't shake the feeling that Rachel's ease with him stung a little. You handed the phone back, forcing a small smile. "I'm trying not to be a jealous fiend," you admitted softly, your gaze dropping to your plate. "I know you miss interacting with other adults since Nadia left."

Lucius's expression softened, a rare warmth breaking through his usual cool demeanor. "You've got nothing to worry about, love. It's just a group outing."

Severus, who'd been quietly observing from across the table, spoke up. "You're not obligated to go if you have other things to focus on," he said, his deep voice steady and practical as always.

You shook your head, a sudden resolve settling over you. "No, I'm tired of missing things. I want to be with you guys, as a family—not just stuck in the study on a Sunday, drowning in grading."

Lucius's lips curved into a smile. "Then we'll make it work. Give me the rest of the morning to finish what I can, and we'll go in the afternoon."

Severus nodded in agreement. "We'll handle the children while you work. Take your time."

Relief washed over you, and you exhaled a breath you hadn't realized you'd been holding. "Thank you. I'll wrap up as fast as I can."

Relief washed over you, and you exhaled a breath you hadn't realized you'd been holding. "Thank you. I'll wrap up as fast as I can," you said, your voice tinged with gratitude. The study around you was a haven of quiet focus, its walls lined with ancient books and the air carrying the faint, comforting scent of parchment. Above, the enchanted ceiling glowed with the soft hues of the morning sky, bathing your desk in gentle light. You sat hunched over your spelltop—a sleek, magical tablet humming with energy—grading the digital essays your students had submitted. An enchanted quill floated beside you, darting across the screen to mark corrections and scribble notes with each flick of your wrist. The essays were mounting, but the thought of an afternoon with your family spurred you on.