[Chapter 28 - The Reclaiming Job]

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After the engagement, Genevieve was unable to remove the smile that laced her face. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be marrying the love of her life, mother to a beautiful baby girl: everything was perfect. A few weeks had passed, and the wedding preparations had sprung up on the couple.

Determined to get a headstart on the arrangements of the day, Genevieve awoke at the crack of dawn. Just as she was about to hop out of bed, a pair of burly arms pulled her back under the covers like a giant teddy bear.

"Sev!" Genevieve giggled, pretending to fight his hold.

"Rosie's still asleep, it's the weekend, all is good in the world, my darling wife-to-be, so sleep," he countered, tickling the witch as she squirmed under the duvet.

Shifting so she was sitting up, Genevieve spoke with a pragmatic voice," We have a wedding to prepare for, in case you've forgotten,"

Severus switched their positions, turning over so that his body was above her own, "How could I forget? I'm marrying the most beautiful, stubborn woman in the world,"

Severus barely had time to duck when Genevieve flung a pillow aimed at his head. Flashing him a cheeky smile, the witch made a sneaky run for freedom, but alas, she wasn't quick enough as Severus trapped her beneath him.

"You know, like a witch from an upper-class family, I expected you to have more manners, "

"Well, maybe you ought to teach me some?" Genevieve replied suggestively, fluttering her eyelashes.

Smirking to himself, Severus hovered delicately above her face, teasing the witch by kissing her forehead, then reaching her lips. Yet a faint cry from the other room stopped them in their tracks. The pair groaned loudly, with Severus dropping his head into the pillow as their daughter woke. Genevieve shook her head at his antics, heading into the other room to check on baby Primrose.

While Genevieve planned to make the most of the morning, the young family ended up cuddling under the blankets, smiling and giggling and Rosie's baby babble, putting the wedding planning at the back of their minds.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After breakfast had finished, Genevieve began to make up the wedding invitations. Severus had to take a trip to Diagon Alley (super top secret) and decided to bring Primrose with him, leaving the witch with some time to kill. Popping on a Fiction Factory record, Genevieve summoned her prize stationary and began writing out the wedding invitations.

The first few flew by, Minerva, Albus, most of the Hogwarts staff, Vivianne, one of Sev's old schoolmates. Time seemed to fly by until she reached her parents. This was one letter she had put off writing for so long, unable to form a string of words. This was the moment she had dreamed of her entire life. Though she knew better, Genevieve secretly clung to the hope that one day, her parents would acknowledge her success and be happy for her, be happy with her. Walking down the aisle, hand in hand with her father. Picking out her wedding dress with her mother and sister, who were just as excited as she was.

Glancing over at the portrait of Calista and Yarrow for reassurance, the witch set out writing the invitation, holding that hope in her heart as she grabbed her wand and cloak, delivering it to the Blackwell Manor herself.

The housekeeper, Annalise warmly welcomed Genevieve, greeting her with a warm hug and congratulations.

"How are you and the little one getting on, mon petit fleur?" she inquired, bringing her into the parlour.

"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Primrose is off with her father running errands, " Genevieve divulged.

Annalise had always been a mother figure to Gen, more than Adelaide had, thus she returned the heartfelt welcome.

Grasping her hand, Annalise reprimanded her with a smile, " Well, I expect a visit from the little poppet!"

"How could I not let her meet my Anna-weese?"

The pair fell into laughter at baby Genevieve's attempts to pronounce her name, only stopping when Annalise left to inform Mr and Mrs Blackwell of their daughter's arrival. Once she left, Gen couldn't help but notice the tower of boxes in the corner of the room. Making sure no one was near, the witches' curiosity got the better of her as she lifted off the lid of the closest box.

A small gasp left her mouth, for the more she filled through, it became apparent the things belonged to her grandmama. They were throwing away her belongings! She was in the middle of examining her grandmother's jewellery box when a voice startled her, quickly stashing it in her pocket.

"What are you doing here?" Cedar questioned her in an authoritative voice.

The whole household seemed to join them, with Adelaide and Amaryllis standing beside Cedar and some of the maids popping their heads around the corner, itching to see the banished daughter return.

"I'm here to invite you to my wedding to Severus Snape," Genevieve replied, eagerly handing her father the invitation," I hope you'll be there to walk me down the aisle, Father,"

Glancing over the card, Cedar handed it to Adelaide, who was quick to undermine it.

"We couldn't possibly go, not after you had a child out of wedlock!"

Genevieve's heart fell. Adelaide went on about how she was a disgrace to the family, bringing the Blackwell name nothing but shame. Holding back the tears, Gen searched Amaryllis' for some support, but her sister sent her a sad smile, agreeing once more with her parents.

Deep down, Gen knew this was what was going to happen yet never did she imagine it would hurt this much. Genevieve clenched her hands in fists by her side. All vengeance fled her like a hound after hunting. Anger and betrayal reared up inside her as the young witch did something the old Genevieve wouldn't have dreamt of doing.

"I should've expected nothing more from you! You've walked all over me long enough, and that ends today." Genevieve snarled, her heart pounding as she finally stood up to her parents

"Hold your tongue." Adelaide's eyes gleamed.

"I will not, mother!" Genevieve replied, not flinching under her mother's gaze.

"How dare you speak to your mother like this! The woman who raised you."

While Genevieve would have usually backed down under her father, she was having none of it today.

" She is nothing but an old hag, mutton dressed as a lamb who never loved or cared for me. And you, father, you stopped loving me when you found out you had two daughters, not a son."

With that, the room fell silent. Adelaide looked furious, but Cedar, he was silent, stone-faced. She'd finally got him checkmated. In the stunned silence, Genevieve made her escape, the consequences of her actions infesting her mind. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she ran out of the house, apperating to the one person who knew how to help her.

To Knockturn Alley.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Welcome to The Coffin House, how can I—?" Vivianne stopped, shocked at the sight of Genevieve. "Oh Merlin, what happened Vi?"

Genevieve hovered at the door, lip trembling, eyes welling up with tears. No words were exchanged between the two. Vivianne simply opened up her arms for the witch and held her. A storm had begun to blow in from the coast, pounding down the windows while Genevieve sobbed. Her whole body ached, and for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why. Wasn't she supposed to be happy now that she was free from judgement? That's what they say, isn't it?

After a while, Vivianne had summoned them some firewhisky to take the edge off.

"I'm not sure if alcohol is the best choice right now," Gen said, at last, turning the glass in her hand.

"What have we done when life fucked up in the world of Vi & Vi? We drink!" Vivianne said, downing her own drink, "What happened?"

Another wave of tears fell from Gen's eyes as she reenacted the story, her words almost unintelligible.

"And now all I have left is some grubby piece of parchment," Genevieve sniffled, flinging the paper across the table.

Examining the paper, Vivianne gasped. The other witch was almost wincing in anticipation from Vi's silence.

"Gen..." Vivianne said once again, "Have you even read this?"

"No, it's some stupid piece of—" she began.

Vivianne waved her off. "Gen, it's your grandmother's."

At once, Genevieve straightened up.

"And they dared to throw away her things like household waste?!" Vi exclaimed, grabbing Genevieve's arm.

"What are you doing?" the witch asked.

Vivianne gave her friend a pointed look, reminding her of the business she was in, " Going to get what is rightfully yours,"

"You're going to break into the manor and steal a wedding dress?" Genevieve said, not quite believing it.

"We're going to break into the manor and steal- it's not stealing, we're on a reclaiming job." 

If it were any other day, Genevieve would have adamantly refused, but this was not just any other day. Once they apparated outside the Blackwell Manor, Genevieve cast a silencing charm around them, carefully opening the gates. Seeing as the coast was clear, Vivianne unlocked the door, and they began to make their way upstairs.

Though once Vivianne was halfway up the stairs, the board beneath her foot gave out a large creek. Immediately the witches held their breath, shakily waiting for movement.

"That was close," Vi whispered, climbing up until they reached Calista's old bedroom.

Genevive hovered at her door, only entering the room when Vi gave her a reassuring smile. Finding the wedding dress was easy enough, Calista had it tucked away in her wardrobe, along with the small box, containing a stunning pair of teardrop earrings. Yet finding the key was impossible.

Genevieve was about ready to tear her hair out. She knew her grandmother used to keep the key in various locations but none of them housed it now. She looked everywhere.

She closed her eyes and thought hard. If she had an important key, where would she hide it? It would have to be accessible but also well hidden. 

At that moment, Vivianne let out a huff," Merlin, your Grandmother was good. I mean at this rate we'll have to tear up the walls to find it," 

And that's when it hit her.

"Vivianne you are a genius!" Genevieve exclaimed, dashing over to one of the candle holders on the wall.

"Thank you, I know,"

Grasping the candelabrum, she gave it one firm pull, releasing the pulley system and opening a section of the wall beside her, revealing the key.

"Did I mention your granny was badass 'cause this is next level witchery right here?" Vivianne praised her, admiring the frame of the secret wall.

"Maybe you could have been her apprentice," Genevieve joked as they left the house, leaving it as if they were never there.

After their adventure, Vivianne called for drinks on her to celebrate, running into Severus with Primrose in the three broomsticks. While Vi was at the bar, Severus gave Genevieve a quizzing glance, one to which she could only reply with,

"It's been a long day,"

~*~*~*~*~*~

It's only taken 3 weeks, 3 rewrites and way too many monster energy drinks than I care to admit! I'm so proud of Gen, sticking up to her horrible family, go girl!!!! Leave a comment if you are not able to read the letter, it was so hard to find a nice handwritten font!

*The_lost_flower*