Chapter Text
You flip the ticket between your fingers as you wait in Dumbledore’s office. Last night, you had Floo called him about a proposition and he’d scheduled you for an appointment today. Walking around the room, you tinker with all of Albus’s trinkets. Since you’d come to Hogwarts six months ago when Severus was hurt, you’d become very familiar with this office. Albus had allowed you to visit very frequently but on the condition that you used his Floo so that he could say hello. As you spin a globe, the door opens behind you and you turn with a smile.
“Hi Albus!” You greet the old man happily.
“Hello, my dear!” Dumbledore says as he sweeps you into a hug. “Now what is this secret proposition you had for me? I’m quite curious.”
You take a seat opposite him at his big desk as you respond. “Every year in the spring I attend the International Potions Conference by myself.” You hold up your ticket. “Severus has always complained about not getting to go but insists that there is no one acceptable to watch over his classes, especially this close to exam time. I’ve always felt really guilty that I get to go and he doesn’t because even though I love Potions, I love Defense more. Potions have always been more of Severus’ thing. This year, since I’ve already had the chance to watch over his classes and grow close to the Slytherins, I was wondering if I could give Severus my ticket with the promise that I watch over his duties for the week. I don’t know the school rules about teacher absences so I wanted to run the idea through you obviously. What do you think?”
Albus ponders the opportunity for a moment before he replies. “I believe it would be feasible. There are no rules against teachers taking a leave of absence and Severus would only be gone for a week. I would be nervous about a disruption to the schedule so close to exam time but I know that the students love you and that you would follow Severus’ lesson plans exactly. If you can convince the man to finally take a break that doesn’t involve injury, I do think this will work!”
You grin excitedly. “This is going to be so much fun!”
“Oh, it definitely will be! The students are going to be so excited. Can I let Minerva in on the secret?” Dumbledore exclaims.
“Of course. I’m thinking of asking Sev tonight after dinner so it won’t need to remain a secret for too long. I’ll leave you to your duties, Albus and hopefully see you soon.”
The old man nods with a smile before handing you his little bowl of Floo powder. Popping back into Prince Manor, you immediately start puttering around. One of Sev’s favorite foods was your homemade Jambalaya so you set to work on a pot while you wait for him. Today was Friday and Severus had decided to come home for the weekend to get out of Hogsmeade chaperone duty. When you hear the Floo flare up, you crack open a bottle of chilled white wine and pour it into the glasses sitting on the table.
“What’s all this?” Sev asks as he walks into the room, drawn by the smell.
“Just excited to have you to myself for the weekend” You hum as you pull him close for a kiss.
“Not as excited as I am to be away from those children for the weekend. Seamus Finnegan set an entire wing of the fourth floor on fire yesterday.” Severus retorts.
“Oh good lord” You chuckle as you take a seat. “At least tell me nobody was injured?”
“It was an abandoned wing that he wasn’t supposed to be in.” He informs you as he sits down across from you. “Nobody was in the vicinity but Finnegan and Thomas who are both fine. Merlin, this smells delicious.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” You grin and tap your wine glass against his.
The two of you enjoy your meal with comfortable familiarity, Severus not being one for much conversation while he eats. Once you’re done, you let Sev take care of the dishes and take the wine over to the couch. When he comes to join you, you curl up into his side and sip at your wine, reading this month’s Potion’s Journal over his shoulder.
“Sev?” You speak up when you know he’s just finished an article. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”
Your husband gives you his full attention, closing the journal and meeting your eyes.
“You know how the International Potions Conference is coming up? I was thinking that this year you deserve a break and should go in my place.” You suggest gently.
“I would love to go to the Conference but you know I can’t leave the school, darling.” He responds, barely even considering the idea.
“About that,...” you slowly tell him. “I talked to Albus. Since I’ve grown so close to the students and have handled subbing in for you before, he believes that it would be fine as long as the two of us came up with a good lesson plan to stay on schedule for exams.”
“Albus has already approved of my absence?” Severus looks quite a bit more interested. “I do suppose you handled my lessons just fine when I was injured…”
Putting your hand on his shoulder, you do your best to convince him. “You’ve always hated not getting to go and you deserve the break, Sev. Take the opportunity. If it makes you feel better, say you’re giving me the chance to hang out with the kids more.”
He thinks for another few seconds before he gives his answer. “Alright. It will be worth it to finally get the chance to publicly humiliate that imbecile who made a version of veritaserum made with easily accessible ingredients. There’s a reason it uses controlled substances. Cheapening it not only ruins the quality but allows for Hogwarts students to prank each other constantly.”
“Yeah, that one wasn’t a good idea.” You chuckle. “I’m so excited! Teaching definitely isn’t the profession for me but I love spending time with your kids. You know, the Weasley twins sent me a prototype recipe for a candy that causes temporary invisibility last week? I tested it out and only had a few small adjustments. Those two are Potions geniuses!”
“Those two are going to use their brains for all the wrong things.” Severus grumbles.
“I disagree.” You hum back. “Don’t you think after all the terror the British Wizarding World has dealt with they deserve some laughs? Everybody needs something to make them smile.”
“I suppose.” Severus huffs.
“And you know what would make me smile?” You purr cheekily. “How about celebrating this weekend to ourselves by spending the rest of the evening in bed?”
Severus eyes you darkly, making you get goosebumps, before he wraps his long arms around your waist and hoists you into the air. You can’t help but laugh loudly as he hastily walks towards the bedroom, not even bothering to clean up his spilled wine glass.