[Chapter 20 - The Time They Forgave]

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With the final bell ringing on a Friday evening, Genevive quickly finished marking the last classes' essays, gathering up the remaining papers into her arms.

With a flick of her wand, the classroom door shut behind her, softly banging as she headed down the many flights of stairs before reaching the entrance to the Great Hall.

"Alright everyone, settle down," Genevieve shouted out over the ruckus.

Grabbing some pieces of parchment from her bag, she handed them out as she spoke, " Here is the next piece we will be moving onto for the upcoming end of year ball."

"But that's ages away!" One of the older boys whined.

"Yes, it is but this is a lengthy song and will need to be perfect for the performance."

Heading over to the piano, Genevieve note bashed for a second attempting to find the key. After so, she quickly ran through the lyrics.

"So as you can see, there isn't a whole lot of words to this piece but that's not where the difficulty lies, " Now handing out the sheet music, she wasn't surprised at the number of gasps.

"But miss, this is far too complicated for us!" A second-year girl argued as she rubbed her head, trying to figure out the notes.

"You can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it, for now, we're going to focus on the easy parts." Heading into the centre of the room, Genevieve took a good look at the choir.

Then she got them all to separate into sopranos and altos. Taking another look at them, she slowly began to split them up further, occasionally getting a few students to sing a note or two.

"Jenny, would you mind singing the first line of the school anthem." Though when no sound was made, Genevieve glanced over in her direction, " Out loud if you please."

The choir burst into laughter as Jennifer's cheeks reddened. The older witch was quick to shut them down though, taking Jennifer aside and giving her some words of encouragement.

"My old choirmaster was a complete nutcase, absolutely bonkers, " a small giggle left Jenny's mouth as Genevieve continued, " But before any concert or performance he would always say 'Singing is a way of escaping. It's another world.' Singing is like acting in a way, you're embodying someone else."

" You're no longer shy, quiet Jennifer. You're Primadonna opera singer Jenny."

Her little speech seemed to boost Jenny's confidence, singing out the word softly, a lot louder than before, but still soft.

"Brilliant Jenny, now you stand over with the group on the far left and Susan, would you join her please." Genevieve pointed the group out to them, almost finished her rearranging.

Now the choir was split into four groups: Soprano 1 and Soprano 2, Alto 1 and Alto 2. Though checking her watch, the witch frowned at the time, heading back over to the piano.

"Looks like we're out of time, " She pretended the low cheers of relief didn't happen, giving into the laughter and allowing the students head off to their dorms, " Don't forget to read through the sheet music, I'll know if you don't."

Her words seemed to fall on deaf ears, instead, packing up her things and venturing out to the Black Lake, relaxing until dinner was ready.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus did everything in his power to avoid Genevive and any conversation to do with her. It was better this way, better to keep her out of his messy life.

Nevertheless many had their own opinions.

So as he was teaching his second-year potions class, a loud knock on the door interrupted his pedagogy.

"Severus, a word please." Professor McGonagall intruded, beckoning him outside.

"Finish your potions, the instructions are on the board. I expect perfection."  he snarled, his black robes billowing behind him as he left the room.

As soon as the door was shut McGonagall was quick to interrogate him, "Well?"

"Well, what? Might I remind you that you're the one that called me out? In the middle of my lesson, I may add." the potions master retorted with a grunt.

"Your lessons aren't as nearly as important as your life. You hurt that girl Severus, you broke her heart." Minerva fired back, pointing a finger to his chest.

"Well, what about me!" Severus argued, "What about my heart? Besides, it looks like she's moved on."

As he began to walk away, Minerva swiftly initiated her well-tuned 'disappointed' speech.

"And how would you know?! You don't even give her the time of day, after everything she's been through, " the older witch chastised him, "I expected more from you."

Whipping around like a flash, Severus argued back with a strained voice, "Expected more! I can't let her into my life, she's better off without me."

"And that's where you're wrong, " Putting both of her hands on his shoulders, Minerva spoke in a soft tone, "Genevieve is hurting without your love. You need to learn to open up your heart Severus."

"So that's all it takes for you to stop bothering me? Fine, I'll talk to her. Now if you don't mind, I have a class to teach." Severus ended the conversation, heading back into his classroom and slamming the door behind him for good measures.

With a smirk on her face, Professor McGonagall made her back down the dungeon corridors, one thought piercing in her mind, "Minerva: 2, Albus:0."

~*~*~*~*~*~

With dinner over, Genevive quickly dashed back to her chambers, picking up a heavier cloak to shield against the harsh breezes, ready to set out on her patroling duties.

Though with her name last on the roster, Genevieve was left to patrol the dungeons.

"Bloody bats, " she huffed, swatting them away.

Between the bats flying above her head and the cold winds blowing through the cracks in the brickwork, Genevieve stumbled on one of the loose steps, falling straight into a puddle.

"Oh for Merlin's sake!" Genevieve exclaimed, ringing out her hair and cloak.

"Have you forgotten you're a witch?"

Turning around, a scowl was made present on her face as she glared at the owner of the voice, " If you've come to belittle me, Severus save your breath."

"Not everything I say is antagonistic." Severus mused, trailing behind the witch who was attempting to flee.

"Well, I don't want to hear it. I'm done with you." Genevive dictated, turning her back to him and heading out of the dungeons and up the grand staircase.

"Well, I'm not. I'm not prepared to lose you, Genevieve." Severus called up to her.

"Really?!, " she shouted down, "Because you seemed to make your point very clear last time."

"But I've changed!-" he argued back but was interrupted.

"What's changed, Severus? For an entire month you've glared, scowled, glowed at me. You've ignored any attempt I tried to talk to you. You completely shut me out and seemed damn well happy you did." Genevieve screeched, climbing up the stairs towards the astronomy tower, Severus dashing up behind her.

"Just let me explain-" Severus pleaded, wiping the rain off his hair as it crashed down from the open roof.

Facing him, Genevieve rose up to her highest height, exasperated by her emotions "No I won't because every time we try, it ends up crashing into flames."

"I love you Genevive, treat you like that, ever again." Slowly, Severus walked towards Genevive.

"How can I trust you?" she begged, taking a step backwards until her back was against the handrail.

"You'll just have to take a leap of faith."

A look of consideration adored her eyes as the rain pelted down on them. Though before she could answer, the handrail behind then began to snap, disrupting Genevieve's balance.

She reached out to grab on to Severus' open arms but slipped through them, falling down the side of the castle as her screams reverberated through Severus' ears.

"Mollaire!"

~*~*~*~*~*~

A bit late again but here we are none the less. Will Genevieve survive? Find out in the next chapter.

*The_lost_flower*