[Chapter 27 - The Preposal]

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In the weeks after the arrival of the newest Snape-Blackwell clan member, Genevieve and Severus were on top of their heads. Between nursery renovations and Primrose's unique sleep schedule, the pair hadn't had any time to think. Seeing how much the new parents were struggling to keep life balanced, Albus had to step in and help.

At the end of the week, Albus was in an unusually good mood, tipping off Minerva's alarm bells. Once she saw the headmaster creeping out of the kitchens just after dinner, she snuck up behind him and put on her notorious 'teacher' stare.

"Albus! Just who I was looking for,"

The man in question jumped in surprise, fumbling with his hands as he attempted to hide something behind his robes. Turning around, Albus plastered a not at all suspicious smile onto his face.

"Really?" he asked with a nervous laugh," And what can I do for you?"

"Oh, I just wanted to remind you I left the reports on your desk," McGonagall elucidated with an obvious tone, peering over his shoulder to get a glimpse of the cube.

"Reports, of course," Albus bluffed as he tried to move away from the fruit bowl painting," What reports? My head's a bit flustered at the moment,"

Minerva recognised the white lie immediately.

"Flustered indeed," she thought but decided to play into his game to potentially obtain information about the contents of the elusive box.

"The term reports," she replied.

"The term reports, the reports- Oh yes, how could I have forgotten?" Albus joked," Anyway, I must be off, I have to deliver this to Professor Blackwell,"

"Well, maybe I could do it for you, seeing as you're so flustered?" Minerva offered, reaching to take the velvet box, but Albus drew away.

"No, no,  I'll do it besides, I need the exercise".

The pair fell into silence as McGonagall followed behind the headmaster, looking out for any cracks in the mask he was wearing. She studied him, catching notice of the cheeky grin forming at the corner of his mouth as they reached the Grand Staircase.

"Albus, you better not be meddling again," she said, sending him a disapproving glare.

"Me, meddle? Never!" he lied, eventually letting her in on his master plan, "Alright maybe a little bit, but trust me, this will be brilliant,"

Shaking her head, Minerva replied," You said that last time and look what happened,"

"In my defence, Severus hadn't exactly made the greatest of first impression on Genevieve so, he needed a little push in the right direction,"

"Who need's a push?"

Both professors jumped in surprise, trying their best to act normal as Genevieve turned the corner with a sleeping Primrose in hand.

"Oh-eh, Albus just needed help-" Minerva bluffed, darting her eyes at the headmaster for assistance, who quickly picked up the sentence.

"Moving my pensive, yes- just needed a little push. But how are you getting on?" Albus answered, steering the conversation away from them.

Cradling her newborn in her other arm, Genevieve let out an exhausted sigh," It's a lot tougher than I imagined. If I could just get her to sleep for more than two hours at a time,"

Minerva was going to suggest asking her mother for help but promptly remembered how they did not get along according to Severus. This came as a surprise to Minerva. Even though she never had the opportunity to teach Mr and Mrs Blackwell, she was under the impression they were cherishing people, considering how lovely and caring Yarrow and Calista were but obviously, she was mistaken.

Feeling bad for the young mother, Minerva made a suggestion," Why don't I take her for the rest of the afternoon, let you get some rest?"

"Really?" Genevieve asked," But it's your day off!"

Brushing it off with her hand, Minerva insisted with a motherly smile," I wasn't going to do much anyway and you need a break,"

Gently passing Primrose over to the Scottish witch, Genevieve thanked her profusely. Just as she was about to leave the pair, Albus called her back, fumbling with his pockets.

"Oh, before I forget, Severus wanted me to give this to you," Handing her the small box, a tinkle ran across the headmaster's eyes.

Genevieve was surprised to say the least, moving to open it but Professor Dumbledore jumped in again," He also said not to open it until you return to your quarters,"

A small oh escaped Genevieve's lips. Saying her goodbyes, the younger witch practically skipped up the stairs after their conversation, leaving Genevieve to wonder.

"What is he up to?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sitting down in his classroom, Severus felt guilty for leaving Genevieve on her own with Rosie but, the mound of correction he had to do was beginning to topple over. Slouching over his desk, Severus let out an annoyed sigh as he marked yet another failed essay.

"Merlin, do they even listen in class?" he thought to himself, taking a break to make a cup of tea.

Just as the kettle boiled, a knock on the door caught his attention.

"Come in,"

Reemerging from his office, Severus was surprised to see Minerva rocking Primrose entering the classroom as the newborn pulled at her tartan robes, "I hope you don't mind, Genevieve let me take her for the day,"

"Not at all!" Severus thanked her, playing with Rosie's tiny hands.

Handing Primrose to her father for a moment, Minerva reached into her pocket and handed the man and pulled out a box, "I just got it today," Minerva stated, handing him a package," Diagon Alley was packed, and remember, Genevieve will meet you at the grand staircase at seven,"

Severus raised his eyebrows," Great, thank you. She doesn't know anything, does she? I want it to be a surprise,"

Taking back the child, Minerva quickly reassured him, "Everything is running just according to plan, Albus and I have made sure of it,"

Finding no fault in her story, Severus offered a cup of tea but, she refused, claiming to have to meet Poppy for afternoon and left the classroom soon after. To say Severus was confused was an understatement.

Sipping his tea, the potions master examined the box carefully, letting his mind wander to the daunting task awaiting him. Everything was going to be perfect, all he had to do now was ask her the most sacred question in the world. Easy?

~*~*~*~*~*~

Upon entering her personal domain, Genevieve wasted no time in tearing open the small black box. Tossing the case to one side, she was pleasantly surprised to see an envelope with an emerald seal facing up at her.

"Sev really went all out with the occultism," Gen thought to herself as she carefully tore the seal.

Inside were two tickets for 'The Phantom of the Opera' in the West end and a note, "Check your bed, S". Feeling captivated by Severus's mysterious aura, Genevieve dashed into her room and subsequently was lost for words when she saw the stunning drees laid across the bed.

A champagne pink, bead encrusted evening dress, with a long open back, was laid out for her, accompanied by an off white fur stole and a pair of silver pumps with a vine detail running down the heel. Genevieve felt like a princess, gushing over how beautiful everything was. All she could think was that she was the luckiest woman in the world.

A tag in the dress caught Genevieve's eye, holding it up to the light for further inspection, " Meet me at the end of the stairs when we had our first dance,"

"First dance?" she thought," He must mean the yule ball. That was around quarter to eight, if my memory serves me correctly,"

Glancing up the grandfather clock, Genevieve cursed as the time read quarter past seven.

"Bugger, bugger, bugger!" She swore as she stripped and pulled the dress up over her hips.

With a flick of her wand, her long dark curls were pinned into an elegant bun, with a comb from her Grandmama sitting in the middle. Checking the outfit in the mirror, Genevieve laughed to herself at how many curves were exposed, "cheeky Severus" and swiftly put on her fur stole before heading over to her dressing table. She decided on light makeup, similar to what she had worn for the yule ball, instead of her dangle star earrings, she swapped them for Calista's teardrop crystals.

Once she was finished, Genevieve practically raced out of the room as she itched to find out what Severus had planned. Luckily she didn't have to wait long as once she glided down the last set of stairs, Severus was waiting at the landing, corsage in hand.

"Merlin Sev, you look very debonair!" Genevieve complimented, giggling when the man seemed stuck for words.

"I'm assuming the dress had the desired effect?"

"Um-eh, you look breathtaking," Severus blurted out, putting Genevieve's corsage for her.

Linking arms with Severus, the pair began their journey out of the castle's gate and apparated into a back alley just a few streets away from the Royal Albert Hall, engaging in polite conversation.

"How did you know The Phantom of the Opera was my favourite opera?" Genevieve asked her partner as they approached the theatres' doors.

Bringing his fingers to his chin, Severus sarcastically quipped," Hmm, maybe its because you read the book every day, your constantly humming the medley, oh, and you have a replica of the ghost's mask in the living room,"

"The phantom actually, you noticed all that?" Genevieve asked.

"Of course I noticed, besides, your shower signing shower needs some work,"

Slapping his arm, she matter of factly replied," You didn't seem to mind last night,"

"Well, last night, the view was much more clear," Severus made a bold move, letting his hand slip further down her bareback.

Genevieve let out a small gasp when Severus's hand gently brushed off her bum, blushing profusely when the ticket man reached them. Haven got the reaction he was hoping for, Severus casually handed the man the tickets and guided the flustered witch up to the top opera box.

The witch was lost for words at the amount of effort Severus had gone to organize all this, just for her. It was moments like these where Gen realised how lucky she was to have her knight in billowing black robes. Soon after they sat down, the curtain was opened and the chandelier lowered as the auctioneer began his speech.

As Genevieve became entranced by the Vicomte, Severus found her being more interesting than the opera. The way she hung onto every note sung, how she turned up her nose when Carlotta sang, how a stray tear slipped from her eye as Christine rejected the phantom. Severus noticed this and quickly wiped it away with his thumb, pecking her cheek for good measure.

When the final act began, as the guard stationed themselves at the entrances and the opera managers stood waiting in the box beside them, Severus knew this was the moment he had planned for. While Genevieve was captivated by Christine and Raoul attempt to capture Erik, the wizard pulled the small box from his inside pocket and stood up from his seat.

"Sit down, Sev, it's almost over, " Genevieve told the man, looking up at him when he stood still.

Stepping down onto one knee, Severus heaved a large breath before he spoke, " Genevieve Valerian Blackwell, you have brightened my life since the moment you tumbled onto me,"

"You have made me feel things I'd never thought I'd feel again. You gave me the greatest gift anyone could give a man, and if I could be so selfish, I would like to spend the rest of life with you,"

"So, " Opening the box, a silver ring with a diamond in the centre stared at Gen, "Will you do the greatest of honours, and be my wife?"

Lunging into his arms, Genevieve cried as she replied, " Yes, a thousand times yes!"

Pulling away, the pair gazed into the eyes of each other, leaning in for a kiss that would bind them forever, just as Christine kissed Erik. Her entire evening couldn't have been more perfect, arriving back home as the soon to be Mrs Snape.

I think it was safe to say, all the staff knew of the happy news from the ruckus inside their private quarters. One teacher, in particular, had a wonderful nights sleep despite the banging as she dreamt of the gallons with her name on them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sorry for the lateness, I have so many tests to study for I just hadn't the time to write. I hope you enjoyed it and the wedding prep to come!!!

Outfit: if you don't like it, imagine it the way you want!

*The_lost_flower*