Rowan sat surrounded by a group of women she had grown to call her chosen family. Per Severus' request, she was required to have a bachelorette party. Though, it was hard for her to enjoy as she was nearly six months pregnant in the dead summer heat. "I don't see why I couldn't have this party when it wasn't so hot. The middle of June-- what was Severus thinking?" The girls around her, whom she both adored and despised at this moment, gave her a myriad of chuckles and smiles.
"Cheer up, Ro! You made Snape take Blaise with him so I'm sure he isn't having a good time anyway," Juniper said with her usual cheery smile. Over the past few months, Juniper had become much chipper than she had been. Rowan knew it was the young Fred Weasley who was responsible for this and had she not been sweating uncomfortably, she might have actually asked about their relationship.
Suddenly, Millicent had returned bearing ice-cold beverages. Her girlfriend, Luna, followed quickly and silently behind her. "Sorry, it took so long. Blaise told me the wrong location," Luna said quickly, earning an eye roll from Millicent. Rowan could swear she heard her mumble something about a hex under her breath. "Have you decided on a name?" Juniper asked, quickly changing the subject.
Blaise and Rowan's relationship had struggled over the past few months. She didn't know if it was the pregnancy progressing or whether it was the approaching wedding date, but Blaise had been rather irritable. Whenever possible, Rowan attempted to avoid conversations concerning her complicated relationship with the young Slytherin boy. Those around her, especially Juniper, avoided conversation even mentioning Blaise.
"I haven't," Rowan attempted, knowing on her face a lie would be prevalent. It was half true, Rowan had not decided on a name. However, her loving fiancé seemed to be dead set on one she had mentioned just nights before. It all happened too fast, the night he had brought up the name of their unborn child.
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"My dear, you must be more careful!" Severus scolded Rowan as she lay on their shared bed, breathless. After a rather rough session between the two of them, Rowan could barely even think-- let alone worry about anything other than the two of them. Severus, glistening with sweat, simply shook his head at her lack of response and wrapped his arm around her.
It was almost as if nothing else existed except them. The school year was coming to a close and due to students cram-studying, their shared classroom had been mostly empty. Not that Severus gave much mind, he always had another assignment for the poor children who decided to show up to class.
Rowan soon felt a warm hand place itself just below her belly button, rubbing gently. When she turned to look, Severus was deep in thought; his gaze unmoving from her growing bump. "How are we going to raise this child?" His voice was full of worry. Rowan sighed lightly; this was a conversation they'd had many times before.
"Sev, you can't keep worrying. We have an entire village backing us," Rowan smiled at the thought of her found family caring so much for her child. In the span of a year, so much had changed! Though, what Rowan was most excited about was the diversity the baby would experience.
From Bellatrix Lestrange to Minerva McGonagall; hell, even Blaise! Anything this baby could ever want, she'd surely get. There were many mysteries when it came to the future of Rowan and Severus, but one thing was for sure-- their child would be loved. Having two loving parents and a flock of loving friends was something any child could dream of. It meant the world to Rowan that she would be able to give their daughter something that neither she nor Severus had gotten.
"What do you think about Eileen for her name?" Severus sighed, moving his eyesight back up to Rowan, who had significantly calmed down since their eyes last met. Rowan shrugged, not sure naming their child after his previously estranged mother would be the right move. "Or Lil-"
"Severus, I will hex you," Rowan warned, her hand reaching over to her nightstand where her wand lay static. Severus began to chuckle, rolling over so that his legs were hanging off of the bed. "I am joking, my dear!" He roared with laughter as he turned back looking at Rowan's now soured face. Rowan huffed, rolling less gracefully than Severus had due to her large bump.
After quite a struggle, she had gotten her clothes back on. Severus, who had tried to help but Rowan hadn't allowed, was in their kitchenette brewing some tea. "We do need to name her," Rowan said, leaning her head against Severus' shoulder. Severus offered a kiss on the top of Rowan's head in response. Sighing, Rowan took a seat by the fire Severus had started when they had gotten home.
"Severus, I've got it!" She exclaimed as the perfect name popped into her head.
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Rowan shook her head, coming back to the present. Looking around her, Minerva, Bellatrix, Juniper, and Millicent all sat together, each of them in conversation with the others. It was nice to see; no matter what their past entailed, they could come together and just be. Quite honestly, it was a beautiful sight that brought tears to Rowan's eyes.
"Rowan?" Bellatrix was the first to notice, jumping up from her seat and nearly clinging to Rowan's side. "Why are you upset?"
Rowan could do nothing but chuckle; it was ridiculous to cry at such a gathering-- it was meant to be a joyous occasion. "I'm just- so happy my baby will have a family," Rowan exclaimed, making sure to widen her smile as her eyes met Bellatrix's. It was so hard for Bellatrix to be back at Hogwarts, especially surrounded by strangers, and yet here she was. Minerva chuckled, joining Rowan at her other side.
"I am so very proud to be a part of your child's life," Minerva hummed, taking Rowan's hand into her own. "We all are!" Juniper cried out. Millicent, in her typical fashion, simply nodded. The tears simply flowed from Rowan's eyes at her friends' proclamations. "Thank you; all of you," Rowan attempted through tears to show her true emotion; overwhelming gratitude.
With a fairly loud sigh, Bellatrix stood up. "I need some air," she announced, quickly fleeing the room. In her absence, Rowan could feel some tension resolve from the room. She knew Bellatrix made Minerva uncomfortable, but she was glad they both attempted to stifle their grievences.
With a worried look from her Slytherin friends, Rowan slowly stood up and walked after Bellatrix. Outside, she found the usually stoic woman with her head between her knees. "Oh, Bellatrix," Rowan whispered, making her way over to her friend.
"I can't do it, I can't be with them," Bellatrix exclaimed loudly, a single tear falling down her cheek. Rowan nodded in understanding, and while she knew what a hassle it would be to stand back up, she slid down the wall and sat beside Bellatrix.
"What's wrong?" Rowan simply asked, knowing better than to offer Bellatrix any pity. This reminded her of when they first met; Rowan had been feeling sorry for herself and it was the Rowan had learned of the woman's disdain for sorrow and pity. "I'm not like them. Professor McGonagall and those children... They are good. You know of my past, and I know of yours. They know nothing," Bellatrix explained in a nearly emotionless voice.
She had gotten like this many times when visiting Hogwarts. Bellatrix Lestrange, with her past riddled with grief and murder, never felt right coming back to such a righteous place. She had visited more frequently due to her not-so-secret relationship with Sybil Trelawny, but that didn't make it any easier on the former Slytherin.
Just as Rowan was about to argue in Bellatrix's defense, a small yet airy voice joined the duo. "I don't feel like them either," This voice belonged to no other than ravenclaw Luna Lovegood. Luna sat down beside Bellatrix opposite of Rowan, and offered a bright smile. "I believe that's what makes us such a perfect group," she chimed.
Bellatrix looked angry for a moment, before the sourness spread on her face became remorse. "Thank you," She said simply. There seemed to be a nonverbal understanding between Luna and Bellatrix, one Rowan could not understand. "I don't have many true friends here. I know what it's like," Luna said quietly. Bellatrix nodded in agreement. Suddenly, Bellatrix held her hand out to the young Ravenclaw. With a charming smile, Luna shook her hand. This was an understanding between two outcasts that-- it would seem-- finally found their place to belong.
Clearing her throat, Bellatrix turned to Rowan. "Enough of the pity party. Let's go celebrate,". After a moment, the three reentered the party, Luna and Bellatrix engaged in what could only be described as a silent conversation.
"What'd she do to Luna?" Millicent whispered to Rowan. Rowan smiled, shaking her head. "I believe the question you're looking for is, what did Luna do to her?" Rowan chuckled, leaning her head down on Millicent's shoulder. This was what family was meant to be.
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Rowan sat silently as she watched Severus fold the many onesies Rowan had received that night. Afterall, her bachelorette party and baby shower could essentially be considered the same event. "I don't see why all of this is necessary to do by hand," Severus complained as he refolded the same onsie for a third time.
"Come on, Sev. Why don't you rest a bit?" Rowan said, gently grabbed the onesie and folding it correctly. She knew how much the world around her relied on magic, but Severus knew how much it meant to Rowan that he tried to do things by hand. "Are you ready to admit that these parties were a bad idea?" Rowan chuckled.
When Severus had returned from his own bachelor party, he seemed rather perturbed. Apparently Blaise hadn't been on his best behavior, and the headmaster and Luscious only encouraged the young Slytherin. "I will be picking potion ingredients out of my clothes for weeks," He grimaced. Rowan laughed at his reaction, pulling Severus over to their couch to sit. "I guess you and Blaise won't ever get along," Rowan said with a sigh; not that she had any hope previous to this event.
"Actually," Severus began, placing a long kiss on Rowan's temple. "I think I'm starting to enjoy his presence,".
With wide eyes, Rowan's mouth nearly fell to the floor. "Oh, Severus!" She exclaimed, happiness filling her heart. In one swift movement, she wrapped her arms around her soon-to-be husband's neck. This embrace lasted for quite some time, not that either of them minded. For once, Rowan's life was going just as perfectly as anyone could have imagined.
"Why don't we go get cleaned up?" Severus offered, placing a long and teasing kiss on Rowan's neck. Pulling back, she could see the potion professor's eyes darkening with lust. Biting her lower lip lightly, Rowan nodded.
Gripping Rowan tightly, Severus hoisted them up and walked into their shared bathroom. Rowan sighed happily, knowing this was the life she had always dreamed of.