— The sky was overcast as you stood near the apparition point, the familiar crack of someone arriving pulling your gaze toward the path. Severus had asked you to meet them here—he had something to tend to at the castle, and his son was spending the afternoon with his mother. You had offered to pick him up, not expecting much more than a quick exchange.

But the moment you saw her, you knew it wouldn’t be simple.

She was beautiful, poised, and utterly unwelcoming. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, and her gaze fixed on you like she was sizing up a threat. The boy tugged at her hand, eager and cheerful as ever.

“Mum, that’s her! That’s the professor I told you about! The one who makes Dad laugh sometimes and reads with me when he’s tired. She’s really kind—she helps Dad a lot.”

You barely had time to smile before her eyes narrowed. It was the kind of look that curled in the pit of your stomach. Her expression didn’t change when you greeted her—if anything, it sharpened, as though your voice confirmed every thought she’d already had.

“So,” she said, her tone brittle, “you’re the one he’s brought into all of this.”

The boy looked up between you, a bit confused by her tone, but she didn’t soften. “He talks about you, you know. Says you’re good with his son. Says you’re good for him. Strange, considering I don’t know you at all.”

Before you could respond, a familiar voice drifted from behind.

“I never needed your approval.”

Severus stepped forward, his gaze locked on hers—not angry, just cool and unreadable. But when he looked at you, there was a flicker of concern. He’d seen the look she gave you. And he didn’t like it. Not one bit.