Forever Yours

Chapter 38: Turning One

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OCs (Katherine, Septimus, Serenity, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick and any name you don't recognize and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.

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The fall months passed just as quickly as the summer had. Between Quidditch games every other weekend and the onset of a nasty flu outbreak, Severus and Katherine found themselves a bit drained by the time the cold weather rolled around.

They had found themselves, once again, at the mercy seat of the Halloween Gala for St. Augustine's. Katherine thanked Merlin that she was much lighter on her feet this time around, as she found herself pulled away constantly for a dance. Much to Severus dismay, the couple was seated at a table full of single men this year, and each had asked for a turn with the beautiful blonde witch that graced their presence.

By the time Severus had witnessed the fourth bumbling buffoon ungracefully try to spin his wife across the dance floor, Severus had had enough. Purposefully, he rose from his seat and strode out into the crowd. The young healer faltered as he drew near, and silently demanded his wife's hand back. Quickly, the young wizard dropped Katherine's hands and fled into the depths of dancers surrounding them.

Katherine visibly relaxed as her husband's arms wound around her person, and began to lead her is a graceful waltz. He drew her close as physically possible; one arm ran tightly around her tiny waist and the other drew her hand closer to their bodies.

Effortlessly they drowned out the noise of the crowd, till there was nothing but the two of them and the music. Baring down into her icy blue depths, Severus' mind wandered back to the last time they had danced together nearly two years ago.

'Dear Merlin, two years,' Severus thought as he twirled them lightly across the floor. The small smile that had graced his lips was suddenly replaced with a frown at the thought of what happened that fateful night.

It had been the night that Lucius first tried to attack Katherine, causing her to lock herself away for two days after. The desire to punch the blonde wizard rose inside of him; oh how he wanted his revenge on the man for what he did, but Severus knew that Lucius was serving a far worse punishment in the form of Azkaban.

A soft brush of fingertips across his cheek spurred Severus from his thoughts. He glanced down again into Katherine's eyes; ones that now shone with happiness, instead of hatred and fear. Blue eyes that had shed tears of grief and anger now glittered brightly in the candlelight that lit the room.

"Severus?" Katherine's mind reached out to him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Severus exhaled slowly. "Everything is just fine."

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The morning of the third of December was bright and cold; snow had fallen overnight, adding to the several inches that already had accumulated the night prior. Katherine had been up since the crack of dawn, preparing for the long day ahead.

For today was Serenity's first birthday.

The black haired, blue eyed tot had grown leaps and bounds over the summer and her magic seemed to be getting stronger as well. She was summoning little items to her daily, mainly her plush calico kitten, and even at times she had managed to turn lights off and on.

She was now standing on her own and had even taken a few tentative solo steps. Mealtimes had also changed for the little one, as she was now eating with her fingers and sometimes even with a spoon. She was now also fully weaned off of her mother's breast and was drinking whole milk, much to Elisa's delight.