[Chapter 26 - The Newest Arrival]

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When Genevieve came too, she was surprised to see that all the damage caused by the duel was gone. Even the shattered glass was whole again. Looking around, Genevieve couldn't figure out what had happened. The walls were different colours, and the French doors were clean—

French doors? There are no French doors in the teacher's lounge. So where was she?

"This can't be real, " she muttered to herself, examining the white airy dress she was now in.

The room was almost like the sunroom in a dream she had as a child but brighter and full of life. Photographs hung off the walls, each frame depicting moments of Gen's life. From her tenth birthday, as her grandpapa gifted her a book that would become her favourite in the whole world, to her acceptance letter to Hogwarts, each picture reflected her happiest memories.

As she studied each photo further, a light breeze found its way into the room, causing Genevieve to glance over to the source, crisp white curtains flowing up into the air.

With curiosity getting the better of her, Genevieve followed the zephyr outside into a wild garden, every inch covered in an array of multicoloured flowers. It was absolutely breathtaking, how the light bounced off the top layer of water in the lake and the humming of dragonflies whizzing past.

The witch was so entranced, she didn't realise the presence of another, jumping when they spoke.

"Magnificent, isn't it?"

Turning to face the speaker, Genevieve's eyes welled up with tears, her hands shaking by her side as she let out their names, afraid it wasn't real," Grandmama? Grandpapa?"

Her grandparents nodded their heads, embracing her in a warm hug, her grandmother rubbing her hair and her grandfather kissed her head. When they separated, her grandpapa, Yarrow, gently wiped away a stray tear that had escaped Gen's eye.

"You've grown up so much," he noted, looking at how much she'd changed, "And you've let your hair grow!"

Smiling through her tears Genevieve replied," Just for you grandpapa,"

"Good, because you looked like a boy,"

Genevieve broke into laughter while her grandmama, Calista, playfully smacked her husband's shoulder, flashing him a cheeky grin as they linked arms and began to walk through the flower-laden garden.

The witch couldn't have been happier as she strolled along with her grandparents, taking in all their features; from Yarrow's sleek grey hair to Calista's soft rouge; and how they looked at each other with such adoration Genevieve could only dream of.

"Where are we?" Gen asked, picking up a daisy and putting it in Calista's plait.

"Where do you think we are?" the older witch countered, leaning her head against Yarrow's shoulder.

Genevieve pondered the question for a moment, the sound of birds filling the air as she responded, " I don't know, it feels like I'm in a dream, but I'm not asleep,"

"Then a dream it shall be,"

The continued to walk in silence that didn't need to be filled until they reached the very edge of the garden, where a large wall of ivy stood tall in their path.

"I'm afraid, my wildflower, this is where you leave us," Calista informed her, stepping back in line with her husband.

"Leave? But I've only just gotten to see you again!" Genevieve exclaimed.

Laughing at his granddaughter's reaction, Yarrow rested his hands upon her shoulders, " You could have never stayed in the first place dear, it's not your time. Someone who loves you her much is waiting for you, and someone else is waiting to love you, "

"But what about you? I don't want to leave you again," Bursting into tears, Genevieve held on tightly to her grandparents as she squeezed them.

"You won't. Darling, we never left you in the first place, we will always be with you; right here," Calista and Yarrow joined hands and placed them above her heart.

Facing the ivy barrier, Genevieve took a deep breath and began to walk towards it. Just as she was to pass through, she turned back to her grandparents.

"I love you,"

"We love you too, little flower. More than you will ever know," Calista replied with a gentle smile, waving her granddaughter good-bye.

"I'm coming home, Sev, I'm coming home," Genevieve thought, closing her eyes as the final string of ivy rippled down her back.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus ran his fingers through his hair, for what felt like the thousandth time as he waited for the healers to reemerge from the ward's oak doors. At every creek, he lifted his head in hopes it was Genevieve.

Oh, how he longed for her to just walk through those dreaded doors and tell him it was alright, that they were alright. Just as he was beginning to lose faith, Healer Strout appeared and informed him of the procedure.

"Well, the surgery to stop the bleeding was a success, though there will be a sizable scar along her abdomen."

"And the baby?" Severus cut in, standing up with anxiety.

"Mother and baby are awake and doing just fine. Congratulations Mr Snape!" Healer Strout told him, leading him into the Janus Thickey Ward.

Severus hesitated at the door, too scared to face her.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" the healer reprimanded him, rushing him forwards.

Once he opened the door, all previous doubts left his mind when he saw Genevieve laying in bed, the baby curled up against her chest.

"Oh, Genevieve," he said in astonishment," I thought I lost you, both of you,"

Genevive delicately replied, the effects of the anaesthesia still wearing off," For a moment, so did I. But you could never rid me that easily,"

Severus let out a relieved laugh, moving to the side of her bead as the baby gurgled.

"Isn't she beautiful?"

"She?" Severus asked, surprised when Genevieve handed her over to him, holding with such care as if she were glass.

"Our little girl," she commented, smiling as Severus rocked the newborn, noting the look in his eyes as he looked over at her, the same way her grandparents looked at each other.

They stayed in this position for a few minutes, smiling and giggling at each little noise the baby made. Soon enough, she fell asleep and Severus handed her back to Genevieve, taking up the empty armchair beside the bed.

"What's her name?" Severus asked.

"I thought of Calista for her middle name, but I didn't want to pick her name without you," Genevieve told him as she thought of how happy and proud her grandparents would be, using her free hand to hold her potions masters'.

"We could call her Ellie?" she suggested, knowing how much he cared for his late mother, Eileen.

"No, she needs a name of her own,"

They were silent for a few minutes, thinking of names when Severus' eyes lit up," What about Primrose?"

Glancing up at him, Genevieve broke into a smile, "Primrose Calista Snape, it's perfect!"

Holding Genevieve's hand, Severus was positive he was the luckiest man in the world. With a loving partner and the most beautiful daughter in the world, there was nothing more he could ask for.

Well, maybe there was one thing; but he had to make sure it was perfect, just like Genevieve.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm not crying- I just have something in my eyes. Sorry for the chapters late, I have so many tests to study for I just hadn't the time to write, and it doesn't look like I will next week either!

*The_lost_flower*