Redemption

22

Waverly had chosen an assortment of sweets, standing with her father at the counter as he paid for them. She chose a bright red lolly from the lot, hopping up and down excitedly. I shrunk the rest of the candy and slipped the tiny paper bag into my pocket.

As expected, I received a lot of attention. I paid them no mind and stayed with my mentor and his daughters. When we left Honeydukes, the fresh air hit me with a satisfying smack. I loved sweets as much as the next person, but the smell of the shop was enough to render someone comatose on a sugar high. We continued our walk, stopping in various shops, getting the last of our shopping done.

Snape disappeared into a small store, asking us to wait outside. We sat on an old wooden bench, Waverly lapping at her lolly happily. The baby began to whimper, and I rocked the carriage slowly, the steady rhythm setting her at ease as she once again dozed off. The older of the two sisters turned to me, her expression sheepish. "You never answered my question," she said, looking away shyly, focusing her attention on the candy in her hands. "Are you and papa in love?"

I sighed, heart heavy. She sounded so hopeful. Could I be honest with her? I had to be. "Well, as you can plainly see, I feel very strongly for your father." I replied, regaining her happy face. "You'd have to ask him his opinion, I wouldn't know."

She sighed dreamily, a large smile on her face. I wondered what was going through her head, when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked around, I couldn't see anyone. There. Through the window of the shop across from us, Ginny was staring. I giggled, waving her over. She shook her head, staying in the shop. I stood from the bench, pulling Waverly by the hand. We stepped into the small store.

She had in her hands, a new pair of Quidditch gloves that she hugged to her chest tightly. "'Mione! What are you doing here?"

I smiled, kissing her cheek. "Last minute Christmas shopping. I see you're doing the same."

My redheaded friend eyed the carriage. She seemed not to trust it. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" She asked, her face reddening.

A loud bubble of laughter escaped me. I hadn't thought that even my friends would jump to conclusions. "I'm babysitting while dad gets some of his own shopping done."

Her face relaxed, relief evident in her features. She looked down at the baby and cooed. "Oh, what an absolute darling! Mum keeps pestering me about starting a family soon. Says she wants more ankle-biters running about the house, seeing as Bill moved away."

I smiled easily, watching the baby. She truly was a darling. Adorable little thing. As if sensing she was being observed, she opened her eyes slowly, a small cry escaping her tiny mouth.

I couldn't help the gasp that left me as I lifted the babe into my arms, holding her to my chest. I rocked her gently, shifted from foot to foot. She quieted quickly enough, resting her head over my heart, just as she'd done the last time I'd held her.

Her older sister watched me curiously. "What is it, Waverly?"

She grabbed my hand and pulling me away from Ginny. "Papa will be looking for us."

I shrugged, smiling apologetically, as I let the third year guide me out the door and back into the snow covered streets.

I intended to ask her what all that had been about, though I hadn't had the chance for I found myself wrapped in someone's arms, bodies pressed close, a searing kiss pressed to my lips. I sighed and leaned away, recognizing the ever familiar scent of spices and parchment. I melted into his embrace, still holding Mavis tightly. Everything about the moment just felt so right, so perfect.

Though nothing was ever perfect. The word was a curse in itself.

He leaned away, eyes cold. I swallowed thickly. "Sir?"

His nostrils flared, I could tell he was trying to hold his temper. "Don't ever do anything like that again."

I shivered under his hard stare. I knew I was at fault. I'd walked away with his children without so much as a warning. I parted my lips to speak, but he pulled me into his arms again, pulling Waverly in as well.

"There are still dangerous people out here." He said quietly, the four of us huddled together closely. "People who wish you harm."

The older of the girls hugged her father tightly. "Papa, it's not her fault. Her friend was there. She just meant to say hello."

The man before me seemed to have transformed in mere moments. His face had relaxed, his onyx eyes soft. He kissed his daughter's forehead, pushing curls from her face. "I know." He offered her a small smile. "You frightened me is all."

I trailed a hand down the side of his face. "I'm sorry, it was never my intention."

He squinted, looking down at me. I bit my lip, shifted the baby's weight in my arms. He brushed his thumb across my lower lip, pulling it from between my teeth. I heard Waverly giggle slightly, her father turned away to look down at her. The man dressed in black raised an eyebrow and suddenly took hold of his daughter, scooping her into his arms. She shrieked gleefully, laughter sounding through the quiet streets. "Something funny, little miss?" He asked, spinning her around.

The girl let out a small squeak as he threw her around him, now clinging to his back like a koala. "Papa!" She cried. "You scared me!"

He held onto her legs, ensuring she wouldn't fall. "No idea what you're talking about."

Someone behind us cleared their throat nervously. I turned, coming face to face with Ginny and Harry. My face flushed slightly, wondering if they'd seen the kiss. I smiled at them gently, stepping away from my mentor, clutching the baby tightly.

Harry's eyes sparkled. "Hate to break the moment, but you left the pram in the shop."

Ginny pushed it toward me, clinging to Harry's arm shyly. I had never seen her so timid before. I placed Mavis in the buggy, and moved to kiss Harry's cheek. "Thanks." I replied, ensuring the babe was snugly wrapped in her blankets.

Harry peeked over the side before I could cover it up and smiled at the baby. "Beautiful baby." He said, pulling Ginny around to take a look. My friends cooed at her, watching as she fell asleep once again.

My smile widened. "Isn't she?" A hand pulling mine, took my attention from the small child. I looked down to see her sister trying to speak to me without interrupting my conversation with the other two. "Yes, Miss Waverly?" I asked, facing her.

She gestured that I lean so that she could whisper something in my ear. Once she had said her piece, I nodded, sending her back to her father. I straightened up, covered the pram, and smiled at my friends. "I'm afraid I must get going, I've made previous engagements. Wish the Weasleys happy Christmas for me, will you?" My friends bid us farewell and made their way back to the shop they had come from. I pushed the carriage to a patient Professor Snape, who had one eyebrow raised. He was standing further away, allowing some privacy. Waverly was holding his hand, excitedly hopping up and down. "What's got you so excited?" I asked, once I approached them.

The girl grinned, looking back at her father. "Can I tell her?" Snape shook his head and took the carriage from me, offering to push it through the snow covered streets. "Please, papa!?"

He chuckled lightly, the sound sending goosebumps up my arms. "No, Waverly, not yet."

Curious, I stood before him, straightening out his coat that had become slightly crooked under his cloak. "Tell me what, Professor?" I asked, fixing his collar. He merely watched, letting me arrange his clothes. I pushed away a strand of hair that had fallen into his eyes, tucking it behind his ear.

When pulling away my hand, he caught it with his own, lifting my fingers to his lips. He brushed a quick kiss across my knuckles. "Nothing of importance." Snape whispered. My heart swooned in one fell swoop. Merlin, what was this man doing to me?

Once we reached the edge of the town, he instructed me to take Waverly's hand and hold on tightly. Next, he slid his foot between the axle of the buggy, placing a hand on the baby. I frowned in confusion. with his free hand, he reached out to me, gripping it. "On the count of three, ready? One, two,"

"What are you..?"

"Three!"