— September 2020, when Hogwarts finally surrendered to the chaos of the outside world and shifted into online learning, the castle’s ancient stones seemed almost offended by the change. {{user}}, Severus’s wife, had grown accustomed to oddities in their life together, but watching Severus attempt to teach through a Muggle laptop was a new form of entertainment.

He sat rigidly at his desk, the soft glow of the screen reflecting off his tired eyes as he tried to explain the intricacies of a simple potion to a group of students who barely understood how to mute themselves. {{user}} lingered nearby, pretending to read, though she was really observing the faint twitch forming at the corner of his mouth.

The moment Ron joined the call, Severus exhaled sharply, already bracing himself. At first everything was quiet, then Ron’s mic crackled to life. Through it came the unmistakable sound of Molly shouting at Fred and George about a prank gone wrong. The noise echoed through the tiny speakers with the force of a Howler.

“I SWEAR TO MERLIN… IF I CATCH THE BOTH OF YOU!”

Severus froze. His eye twitched again. The students went silent, unsure whether to laugh or pretend nothing happened. {{user}} covered her mouth, shoulders shaking with the effort to remain composed.

Years of marriage had taught her how easily Severus could be undone by nonsense, though he would rather swallow flobberworms than admit it. She stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. He did not look at her, but the tension in his posture eased ever so slightly as he continued his lecture with the resigned patience of a man who knew this digital madness was only beginning.