Learn to Fly

One school year later...

Alora tumbled out of the fireplace into her living room.

Man, I hate travelling via the floo.

Brushing herself off, she surveyed the empty room.

"Honey, I'm home!" she called out in a cheesy American accent.

"Miss Ally! Lenna is glad you are home!"

Alora beamed at the elf.

"Hi, Lenna. Did ya miss me?"

As a response, the elf pulled her into a tight hug, even though she only came up to her waist.

"Miss Ally must be hungry."

Alora allowed Lenna to pull her into the kitchen.

*

Jesika let herself into the apartment she and Severus shared. She heard the shower door close and guessed where he was.

She made her way to the bathroom and into sight came a topless Severus towel drying his hair.

Severus washed his hair everyday, but by midday it looked liked he had never washed it. He just learnt to live with it.

He was unaware of her presence and Jesika took this chance to check him out.

Severus's body was pale and lean, his upper arms slightly muscular. His forearms and head were hidden in the fluffy green towel.

Don't know why he won't let me see him without his shirt on. He's got nothing to be ashamed of, that's for sure.

She smiled lightly as she fingered the ring on her left ring finger. Two weeks ago he had proposed and they were enthusiastically planning their wedding together. Jesika smiled softly as she placed a hand over her stomach.

I can't wait to tell him. He'll be so excited!

Her dreams were shattered the instant Severus reached blindly for his deodorant with his left hand. She let out an audible gasp, which made Severus glance up in surprise.

"Jes? You're home early."

He then noticed her staring at his arm in horror.

"Jes, this isn't what it looks like."

Jesika found her voice.

"Severus? But...why? How? This isn't happening."

Severus reached over and touched her face.

"Jes, listen to me. That was a long time ago. That isn't who I am. You know that."

Jesika took a deep breath and struggled to control her tears.

"I know. But that's not what I'm afraid of."

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"What are you afraid of?"

She stared fearfully into his eyes.

"What if he comes back?"

"He's not coming back. I'm not going back. No matter what, I'm staying right here with you."

*

That night Jesika woke up in a cold sweat. Breathing heavily, she glanced over to the sleeping person next to her. She smiled sadly.

Severus always sleeps so soundly. A rampaging giant couldn't wake him.

She sat there, watching him sleep, while her head was filled with the bloody scenes from her dream.

If that man comes back, Severus will have to serve him. But Severus is a traitor to the dark and will eventually be revealed as such.

Jesika had heard stories about You-Know-Who. She knew how her fiancé would be punished if he was caught.

I would die to save him, just as he would for me, but I can't risk the life of my child. Our child.

A few hours later, Severus rolled over in his sleep and suddenly woke up, finding no sleeping woman next to him.

"Jes?" he called into the dark.

He hurriedly turned on the lamp and what he saw on his bedside table tore his heart in two.

Jesika's engagement ring lay cold on the table, the lamplight gleaming off its smooth surface.

*

"Honey, I'm home!"

Severus jerked awake. His face was wet from sweat and tears. Wiping his face with his sleeve, he rose from his bed. Then he heard the voices downstairs. He almost smiled when he realised who they belonged to.

Ally's home.

*

"Lenna? Is Severus home?"

"Master is upstairs sleeping."

"Actually, I'm right here."

Alora spun around and grinned.

"Hi, Severus. Have a nice nap?"

Severus looked rumpled. He apparently had slept in his robes

"I was, until a cheeky American started yelling at the top of her lungs."

"I was not shouting. I was merely declaring my presence."

"Be as it may, I think you should stop watching so many American movies. It destroys your original accent."

Alora giggled. She then stood up and hugged him, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. Severus blushed, but looked pleased.

"Welcome home, Ally."

Alora grinned at him.

"Thanks, Dad."