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“Wham!, Luna? Really?”
Despite his acerbic barb, Severus was surprisingly relaxed as he led his wife around in small circles, in their first dance to the song ‘Last Christmas’. They were in his potions laboratory, which was an absolute fucking disaster.
Luna looked up at him with her large periwinkle eyes, “Don’t you want to be my ‘Someone Special’?’”
He grunted and tucked a lilac feather behind her ear, pulling her close.
Was he surprised by their current circumstances? Not really. Luna had been popping in and out of his life ever since she completed her Mastery in Magizoology. Their correspondence started via Owl, when she began sending him detailed profiles of her discoveries. Over time she also included appropriate specimens for him to research and test as potential potions ingredients.
Severus considered his life to be rather mundane and ordinary...until she sent him that bloody feather.
~*~
Luna,
I’m sending you an invoice for the following due to your insipid bird:
- 1 x Brass Cauldron standard size 6
- 30 x crystal beakers
- The replacement of my entire Shrivelfig stock (price to be confirmed due to current short supply)
- 1 x Glass Stirring Rod standard size 4
My lab is an absolute clusterfuck! I nearly pulled a Longbottom and burned my eyebrows off!
What the fuck have you got me into woman?!
Be sure to include two more feathers ASAP with the above list.
Regards,
S.S.
~*~
S.S.,
Did you see my latest publication in the Quibbler? I think ‘Insulsus Infacetus Phoenix’ rather suits Iggy’s personality, don’t you?
The funds you have requested have been transferred as required, plus some extra. I’m bringing Iggy with me for a visit. He’s insisting that he meets you to discuss the two feathers you require. To save time, I’ll answer your clarification questions now;
- Yes, Iggy is the name of our Insipid Phoenix.
- Yes, he has the final say when dispensing his feathers.
- No, I will not pluck him like a chicken.
- We'll see you this Friday at 5pm.
With love and kindness,
Luna.
~*~
The bird reminded him of Albus. It had piercing blue eyes that wouldn’t stop twinkling. “It doesn’t like me,” he said petulantly whilst pulverising the dried Shrivelfig with a mortar and pestle.
“ He, Severus. Iggy is a very intelligent male Phoenix. He is also an empathetic listener.” She paused whilst grooming the phoenix and tilted her head. “Does he remind you of someone? Part of me wants to say Ron Weasley, but that can’t be right. Ron is more in tune with the Crumple-Horned Snorkack these days.”
Severus snorted in agreement. Besides, Iggy’s plumage was a shocking array of magenta, lilac and teal. Iggy channelled Albus Dumbledoor’s Christmas wardrobe - not that he would ever admit it. “You talk to it? The bird I mean…Iggy. Not Weasley.”
“Of course. Listen.” She turned back to Iggy who was staring at her rather intimately. She calmly jabbered away in a combination of coo’s and croons. Iggy crooned back, puffed out his chest and fluttered his wings. A stray feather escaped and landed by Luna.
“What did he say?”
Luna shrugged. “Iggy said that he would make a much better husband and provider than you. He says I have questionable judgement and doesn’t understand your lack of interest.”
Severus dropped his pestle, which hit the lip of his mortar and rolled abruptly off the prep bench. With a resounding crash, a cloud of Shrivelfig powder enveloped the entire room.
“Luna? LUNA! Fucking hell woman! Reach out and take my hand. Stay by my side!”
Iggy was saturated in the dry powder. He saw the couple clasp hands and take cover beneath the table together. The man had finally made his intentions known.
Reach out and take my hand. Stand by my side!
The Phoenix trilled out in joy for his golden haired friend and shattered all the glass in the room. Iggy soared out of the room leaving three of his tail feathers behind. Severus found them in perfect condition on his old vinyl player.
~*~
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. But the very next day, you gave it away…
“Daddy always liked the 80’s,” mused Luna. “He said the muggles always had such daring fashion choices…you know, you’ve always stood out to me, Severus. Forever dressed in inky black.”
“Black is safe. It’s ordinary.”
Luna stopped their dancing so she could untuck the feather in her hair. She tossed it into the air over their joined hands. Watching Luna perform wild magic such as this was like witnessing a whirlwind.
The feather split down the centre and wrapped around both their wedding fingers.
“You see, Severus? Ordinary things never happen to extraordinary people.”
Severus smirked, “How very insightful you are, Madame Snape.”
Then he leant down and grazed his nose against hers. “Yes?”
“Always yes, Severus.”
He swallowed her words with an extraordinary kiss.