[Chapter 21 - The Unexpected News]

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Severus was in complete shock, unable to process what was happening. Mere moments ago they were about to reconcile, now it seemed as though that could never happen.

Only the soft thud on the ground below snapped him out of his alarm, his mind cycling to the most unthought through plan in the history of plans: jumping down after her.

Severus took a few steps back from the gap, taking a deep breath and going for it. He lept of the side of the Astronomy Tower, his black robes billowing around him. Too many thoughts ran marathons in his head, clouding his judgement on how he was to survive the fall. 

Wand in hand, Severus quickly chanted, "Aresto Momentum!", levitating above the wet grass before hitting it face first with a thump. Scrambling to his feet, Severus hurried over to Genevive's unmoving body. He fumbled around with her hand, frantically checking for a pulse.

The rain thundered against his back causing it to be even more difficult as the water puddled around Genevieve's face, releasing a sigh of relief when he could feel a faint one.

Lifting her into his arms in bridal style, Severus ran past Hagrid's but and into the courtyard.

"Out of my way!", he barked at a group of fifth year's who had snuck out. All he could think about was helping Genevieve as soon as possible.

The corridor to the infirmary seemed to have stretched by fifty miles, Severus pushing himself to the limits as Genevieve's body began to fall limp against his.

"Madam Pomfrey! MADAM POMFREY!" Severus cried out.

"What on earth-" Poppy questioned, gasping as she walked out of her storeroom, " What happened?"

"Please, help her poppy, please," he begged, tears building in his eyes, threatening to fall.

Pointing him towards an empty cot, Madam Pomfrey dashed into her desk, grabbing what she needed, "Place her on a bed immediately, how did she get like this?"

"The guard rail on the Astronomy Tower broke and... And she fell down. I tried to stop her but she... She slipped through my hands." he maundered, holding his head in his hands.

Before further questioning could be held, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall burst through the hospital wing doors, speeding over to the trio.

"We've just heard the news, how is she?" Minerva asked.

"I won't know until I look at her, so wait outside." Madam Pomfrey instructed, shooing them out toward the door.

"But-" Severus interjected but was cut off by the matron.

"Out!"

With a tug on the stark white curtains, Severus was cut off from Genevieve, leaving his faith and trust in Madam Pomfrey's skills. McGonagall led him out to the bench outside, while Albus followed behind.

"What happened to Ms Blackwell, Severus?" the headmaster queried.

Running his fingers through his wet hair, Severus took a breath before responding, "We were arguing, and Genevive ran off to the Astronomy Tower so I followed after her...we argued again, I tried to get her to come in out of the rain... then the railing snapped behind her, and she fell off."

"Oh my Merlin, she's lucky to have survived." Minerva gulped, holding her hand against her heart.

"If she survives," Severus added, head hanging low.

"Hmm, I was only just up there this morning watching the sunrise and it seemed to be sturdy." Albus recounted, pacing the corridor slowly.

"Well, with that storm raging outside, anything could have happened." Minerva reasoned, placing a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder.

"Yes, anything. I'm going to take a look at  the railing myself if you don't mind."

The headmaster left the group soon afterwards, only adding to the fear of uncertainty within Severus.

Time stood still, each minute achingly painful for the wizard, who waited and waited, never leaving from his seat outside the door.

Roughly three hours later, Madam Pomfrey immerged from the infirmary, Severus leaping to his feet as she explained her procedure.

"Genevieve's stable. She had a fracture on the back of her skull but other than that, she'll make a full recovery."

Severus let out a sigh of relief, eager to see her, " Is she allowed, visitors?"

"She needs to rest, under normal circumstances you'd have to come back when she wakes up, but for you, I'll make an exception." Poppy relaid, guiding the wizard over to Genevieve's cot.

Pulling over the curtain, the matron ran a few tests, " Now, just because you are in here doesn't mean you won't have to follow the rules. If I hear any noise, you'll be sent straight out that door."

"Thank you poppy, for everything." Severus thanked the mediwitch, sitting down in the chair beside the bed, holding Genevieve's hand softly.

"For her, I'd do anything. I'm not the only one rooting for you two." Madam Pomfrey teased, carefully closing the curtain behind her as to give the couple space.

All he could do now was wait. Wait and pray that she would wake up soon.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Loud noises rang through Genevieve's ears, piercing her skull. Opening her eyes, the witch squinted at the bright lights shining above her. Groggily rolling over her head, Genevieve saw Severus, asleep in the armchair next to her.

"Severus, Sev, " she whispered.

"What, hm, Genevieve your awake, "  Severus exclaimed, edging his chair closer to the bed

"You don't say." she sarcastically replied with a smile.

"I'm so glad you're ok."

Looking around her, Genevieve questioned Severus again, "Why am I in the hospital wing?"

"You don't remember?" he asked.

"We had a fight, I climbed up the Astronomy tower, then blank," she replied, sitting up.

"The railing behind you broke, you fell off the side of the tower, Genevieve," Severus informed her.

Before she could ask him any more questions, Madam Pomfrey walked in, pen and checkboard in hand, "Ms Blackwell, good to see you up, you have some visitors outside, will I let them in."

"Yes, please Madam Pomfrey."

Soon after she left, Professor Dumbledore arrived in, standing at the foot of her bed, "Professor Blackwell, how are you feeling?"

"A bit disorientated," Genevieve responded.

"Understandable after what you've been through, I assume Severus filled you in." he mused.

"Yes, he did."

"Well, " he began, sitting on the corner of the bed, " I have reason to believe that the guard rail you said had broken, was deliberately tampered with. You wouldn't know of anyone who would want to harm you?

Genevieve looked at him in shock, completely dazed by the idea," Me? No, I mean who would want to hurt me?"

"That's what we're going to find out. It was lovely to see you well Professor but I must be off." Patting her leg, the headmaster left the duo, both exchanging looks of concern.

That wasn't for long though as Poppy arrived back, giving the witch some medication to take, "Genevieve, I also have some good news for you. " she informed her.

Genevive looked over to Severus show as equally confused, waiting for the media witch to elaborate.

"You're pregnant, congratulations."

"What?" they both questioned, glazing towards each other.

"We're having a baby, Sev, we have a baby!" Genevieve squealed, squeezing onto his hand.

"Oh my Merlin, I'm going to be a dad. That's if you'll let me?"

"Oh Severus, did you really think I could stay mad at you forever. We're family now, and this little one needs their mummy and daddy."

So the two soon to be parents, sat contently be each other's side, totally forgetful of the accident. But that didn't really matter, now they had more important things to worry about.

~*~*~*~*~*~

YES, YES, YES, YES, YESSS! I'm not crying... You are.

*The_lost_flower*