Two years later...
August 31st, 1999
The warm morning sun filled the room. I stretched out in a bed far too big to ever be alone in. The easy silence began to flood with chirping birds, cheerful chaos in the kitchen, and the sweet laughter of my darling husband and baby Marceline.
It's been a long time since my body ached, and I had lived in fear of opening my eyes, and not a day goes by without feeling grateful for these gentle moments. My mornings now always soft and slow. I washed my face, the water chilled from the well, before making my way to the kitchen.
"Good morning, my love," Severus grinned at me as if I lit up the room.
"Mama!" Marceline cheered, clapping for me.
"Good morning, my darling, good morning angel," I kissed Severus on the cheek before taking Marceline out of his arms to shower her in kisses while Severus finished making breakfast.
We sat happily at our small oval dining table, planning the day ahead. Marceline bounced as much as she could in her highchair, waving around her food before taking bites. It was still hard to adjust to this feeling of safety. I listened to Severus read off The Daily Prophet with a mouthful of eggs as I generously buttered my toast.
"Are you excited for the school year to start? Now that you're headmaster," I asked him as I sipped my tea.
"Yes, well Minnie left loads of paperwork on my desk, she is happy to retire but claims that she will constantly be checking in."
"Of course she will," I laughed, "One day Marceline will be running through those halls."
"Hopefully, it does not come by too soon."
I watched them both for a moment longer, the quiet of it rooting itself into something steady. There had been a time I thought I would never have this... a home, a life, love.
The ring on my finger caught the morning light as I reached again for my cup of tea. Some days it still feels surreal... not because I did not want it, but because I got to choose it.
There are things I remember. Things I will never be able to forget. There always will be. But now none of them define me.
For the first time in my life, I am not waiting for something to go wrong or break me. I am simply here. Living. Thriving. Breathing. And choosing.
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Punishment- Reader POV
FanfictionY/n is arranged to be married to Draco Malfoy, but, his father, Lucius takes a special liking to her, however, her biggest problem may be her infatuation with her potions professor. *WARNING* *This story contains dark themes such as rape, abuse, eat...
