𝖱𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗄𝗌 ☽ 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗨𝗦 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣𝗘✔️

𝕋𝕖𝕟

[Chapter 10 - The Bad News]

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Breakfast the next morning seemed to be strained between Genevieve and Severus, both acting as the kiss that happened between them the night of the concert never occurred.

Severus was aspiring to talk to Genevieve privately before they were due in the hall, hoping she had felt the same way he did, but low and behold, she was late.

"I'm dreadfully sorry, I overslept, " Genevieve apologized for her tardiness, fixing the fly-aways of her hair as she walked down the aisle and sat down in her seat.

A stiff silence engulfed the staff table, many waiting for Severus' usual common on Professor Blackwell's belatedness, their curiosity spiking when no such comment was made.

Instead, the pair neither conversed or even batted an eyelash at each other. Very curious indeed.

"Are you feeling alright today Genevieve?" Rolanda asked her, bringing down the basket of delectable pastries.

"Yes I'm fine, " Genevieve replied too quickly, her eyes not leaving her meal.

Rolanda rose an eyebrow at the statement but said nothing, confirming her theory with Minerva that something was abrew between the couple.

Realising her mistake, Genevieve promptly added, " Honestly, right as rain."

On the other side of the table, Severus was met with the same set of trivia from Minerva.

"I'm feeling perfectly alright, Minerva." he too answered quickly, glancing down at Genevieve who so happened to be looking his direction also.

They locked gazes, trying to read the emotions in the eyes of the other, only breaking when the post arrived, the owls hooting overhead alerting them to their surroundings.

Genevieve contemplated, as the students exuberantly tore into their various letters and parcels. She was surprised when she saw the Blackwell family owl, Helianthus, among the other birds for she never received letters from her parents. However, that expression was hastily replaced by a look of sombre and fear. For Helianthus wasn't delivering any ordinary letter, she was carrying a yellow telegram.

Genevieve's face turned a ghostly white as the owl approached, dropping the telegram in front of her. The noises around her were drowned out by the voice in her head, her worst fear coming true. Her hands shook as she slowly tore open the seal, dreading the contents that it held.