[Chapter 9 - The Christmas Concert]

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Play video when told in chapter

Endless amounts of practices and sleepless nights were put in by Genevieve, preparing and rehearsing all their songs for the Christmas concert.

Everything had to be perfect for the night, that meant getting every note right with the choir, rehearsing the sheet music with the orchestra and with Genevieve being a Blackwell, a grand performance was expected, with all the bells and whistles attached.

Up to Christmas Eve, Genevieve was on top of her head, not a spare moment to converse with anyone, and this was starting to worry Severus. She didn't speak to him, she didn't even make time to pass a sarcastic remark. Something wasn't right.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Christmas Eve morning saw Genevieve scampering around, fixing every last detail. Running on an empty stomach maybe wasn't the smartest idea on her part, but with so much on her plate, she merely didn't have time.

Heading down a corridor, her nose stuck in her sheet music, Genevieve ran straight into what felt like a brick wall, falling on her arse again. This seemed to become a reoccurring issue.

"Still running into people like an insolent dunderhead Ms Blackwell?" Severus joked, giving his hand to help her up.

Gathering all her manuscripts, Genevieve had to take a moment to steady herself before replying, " I don't have time for your humour today Severus."

She turned to walk past him, but his strong arms held her back.

"Severus, I don't have time for-" Genevieve started to argue but was promptly cut off by Severus, who brought her over to a nearby bench.

"Stop, for five minutes, and breathe. You're going to give yourself a heart attack if you continue to pace the corridors like a madwoman." he took the folder of papers from her hands, placing them behind him, ignoring the scowl on Genevieve's face.

"I need those, " she indicated behind him, her answer followed by a loud grumble.

He gave her a pointed look, dismissing her arguments and heading down to the kitchen for some lunch.

"Chip, can I have two sandwiches, please?" Severus asked one of the house-elves.

Severus waited for a scathing comment on his manners, but when one failed to appear, he turned to look at Genevieve, who was still stood in the doorway.

"No snide, tardy remark on my use of common manners Blackwell?"

She gave him a harsh stare, moving over to one of the armchairs, replying, " I am capable of holding my tongue and it's Genevieve, not Ms Blackwell."

"Fine then, Genevieve, why are you in such a tizzy, everything is ready, there should be nothing to worry about, " Severus conversed, not aware of the answer that was to follow.

"But there is, I still have to go over the harmony with the sopranoes, go through the bell movements and timings with the orchestra, and not to mention-" She was stopped by Severus, placing his hand onto her shoulders, effectively grounding her.

"I'm expected to deliver perfection, and that's what I intend to do." Genevive sat back into her seat, begrudgingly taking a bite from her sandwich.

"I still need that folder back"

Severus looked up at her, a small grin on his face, " Somethings never change."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Around an hour before the carol service was to begin, Genevive was heading out of her private quarters, adorned in a royal blue satin dress, blue overcoat and a silver clutch, all paired with a pair of silver heels.

Just as she was turning around, a familiar face greeted her.

"Must you sneak up on me Severus? It's becoming a habit of yours." Genevieve teased, putting her wand into her clutch.

"Very funny, I actually came up to escort you to the carol service, " Severus answered back, holding out his arm for her to take.

Genevive raised an eyebrow at the action, it usually is the other way around, a small smirk growing on her face.

"Escort me? " she hummed for a moment, " in the context of a date, I assume?" Genevive noticed the sudden alarm present on his face and how quickly it disappeared.

"I suppose you could call it a date." They continued down the stairs until they reached the grand hall.

"Then a date it shall be."

The doors opened themselves for the pair, exposing the large crowd of students, professors and others witches and wizards of the wizarding community.

Genevieve gasped at the large crowd, looking at all the faces until her eyes settled on a certain family. Severus noticed the change in her body language, her eyes showing fear, disdain and additional sorrowful emotions.

He pulled on her arm, learning new to her surroundings again, " Why don't we sit down until the concert starts?"

Genevieve gave a subtle nod, her eyes not leaving the trio, her iris' widening as she locked gazes with the woman that caused her so much pain and suffering: her mother.

So many confusing thoughts ran through Genevieve's head, distracting her momentarily, coming back to reality when Professor McGonagall was stood in front of her.

"I'm sorry, were you saying something?" Genevieve asked.

"Only for the last five minutes, your due to perform; now!" McGonagall hurried Genevieve up to the stage where the choir and orchestra where waiting.

Genevieve took a deep breath, showing a reassuring smile to the choir, who looked like they've just seen a ghost.

"Don't worry, just breathe and sing, " Genevieve gave the orchestra their cue and the performance began.

(play video now)

Severus watched as Genevieve conducted the choir and how amazing they sounded. Every last detail had been planned and rehearsed to perfection. It had to be the best performance he and all of Hogwarts has ever seen.

Once the concert was over, Genevieve turned around to bow. What she wasn't expecting was the standing ovation as she rose, causing her to gleam with joy.

Professor Dumbledore joined her on the stage, embracing her in a warm hug.

"Can I please have another round of applause for Professor Blackwell, without whose dedication and time, we wouldn't have such a wonderful carol service." Dumbledore along with the crowd, applauded Genevieve one last time before heading off to converse with the guests.

Genevieve mingled with the other guest as well with Severus by her side. Heading over to the drink table, Genevieve was about to pour a glass of punch, when she was brought into a high hug.

"That was an amazing concert sissy!"

Genevieve welcomed the hug from her sister, "thank you Amaryllis."

"Didn't you think so Father?" Amaryllis asked their father, Cedar.

"Yes it was satisfactory" he replied, looking around the other guests with a slight disdain in his eyes, scrunching up his nose.

Her mother, Adelaide, also joined in the conversation, " Though there were some slip-ups in the midsection, a bit bland overall."

It was moments like these where Genevieve felt like a beetle in a field of giants. Her parents were never satisfied with her work, there was always something better.

Severus copped to her discomfort in the conversation and quickly came to her aid.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, Professor Blackwell is needed to attend a student matter, " Severus greeted the family, successfully rescuing her and bringing her to one of the hidden gardens where they could talk privately.

Reaching the garden, Genevieve took off her heels, rubbing her aching feet and sitting down on one of the benches.

"I'm assuming that was your family back there, " Severus pointed out, coming to sit beside her.

"Yes, the one and only, " Genevieve snidely remarked, focusing everywhere but the man in front of her.

Severus noted that now wasn't the time to talk about Genevieve's parental problems and quickly dropped the topic. As he looked up at the night sky, he began to make out the plant growing above his head. He wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Mistletoe"

Severus looked over at Genevieve, the moonlight framing her face, who was also looking up. He was about to tell her she didn't have to divulge in the tradition that was associated with the foliage but was stopped by soft lips pressing against his own.

Genevieve took no time, leaning into the kiss, realising that maybe she did have feelings for the man of shadows under all of their arguments and quarrels. She was surprised when Severus leaned deeper into the kiss, holding her face so delicately.

Genevive ran her hands through his hair, surprisingly soft compared to its greasy complexion. They soon broke the kiss, both panting for air that seemed so limited.

Looking into each other eyes, sparks danced around them. With heated cheeks and wide smiles, everything was perfect.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Omg, this chapter is so long. I didn't intend for it to be so long but I had to have them kiss under the mistletoe. Hopefully, things will be smooth sailing from here out but who knows? Hope you enjoy!

Outfit for Concert:

*The_lost_flower*