❤️❤

LORENZO PUT HIS HAND TO THE GRAVESTONE.

Snow fell gently around him, its silent descent mirroring the quiet weight in his chest. The cold didn't register as he stared at the carved letters, the name of a man who had been more a shadow in his life than a presence. His breath fogged in the still air, and he let out a long, soft sigh, feeling the tension in his shoulders loosen just slightly. He hadn't come here for answers or closure—he wasn't sure there could ever be any when it came to his father, but standing there, in the middle of the quiet graveyard, brought a sense of finality, as if this chapter of his life was now closed.

The silence was oppressive, thick and heavy, broken only by the soft crunch of snow under his boots as he turned to leave. He didn't look back. There was nothing more to say. As he walked through the desolate graveyard, his footsteps echoed faintly, lost in the icy stillness. It wasn't until a familiar voice called out to him that the weight began to lift.

"Sweets, we should really get Finny home before he freezes," Esmeralda Grisky's voice rang out, gentle and familiar, pulling him from his thoughts like a beacon in the night. He turned, his eyes softening as they landed on her. She stood there, holding their son close to her chest, her long coat wrapped around both her and the baby. Snow dusted her blonde hair, making her look ethereal in the cold winter light.

For a brief moment, Lorenzo couldn't help but freeze, the sight of her standing there still surreal, as if she were some fragile, beautiful illusion. He had come so close to losing her—too close. His heart clenched at the memory of that dreadful night in the hospital. The doctors rushing, the beeping machines, her pale face, still and lifeless as the monitors screamed in alarm. Esmie had flatlined on the operating table, and for three agonising days, she lay in a coma. He had felt his world shatter, the fear that she might never wake up swallowing him whole, but she had come back to him. She had defied death.

A smile tugged at his lips, one filled with both relief and love, as he walked towards her. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face briefly in her hair, the warmth of her presence chasing away the cold that had settled in his bones. His lips brushed the side of her head, and he looked down at their son, who was nestled warmly against her, Finley's tiny nose red from the chill, his eyes wide as he took in the falling snow.

"He loves the snow, Mie," Enzo said softly, amusement lacing his tone. Esmie rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. She adjusted the baby carrier, shifting the weight off her shoulders as she looked down at Finley, who was squirming happily in her arms, clearly enjoying the wintery scene.

"I know he loves the snow," she murmured, her voice playful, "but look at his little nose—it's so red! He's too young to be out in the cold this long, and besides..." Her voice trailed off, and she looked up at Enzo, her smile faltering just a little. "I'm still not feeling all that well."

Concern flashed in Enzo's eyes, and he immediately brought a hand to her cheek, his touch gentle. "Are you sure you're alright, baby?" His voice was soft, filled with worry.

Esmie leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment before she opened them and nodded. "I'm okay," she reassured him, though there was a faint shadow in her gaze. "Just a bit of morning sickness, that's all." She tried to smile, but the fatigue was evident, her body still recovering from everything she had been through.

Her words didn't fully ease his concern. Enzo's mind flickered back to the moments after Finley's birth, the chaos, the terror of watching her heart stop. The doctors had saved her, pulled her back from the brink, but he couldn't shake the fear that something might still go wrong. He was protective of her now, more than ever, always watching for any sign that she wasn't well.

Esmie seemed to sense his worry and placed a hand on his arm, grounding him. "Really, I'm fine, Enzo," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that only she could give. Then her expression softened, her concern shifting to him. "But are you okay? I know you and he weren't close, but he was still your dad, Enzo."

Enzo's gaze flickered to the gravestone behind him, the cold slab of stone that bore the name of a man who had never been much of a father. He let out a small breath, the air clouding in front of him as he shook his head. "I'm fine," he repeated, though his voice was heavy. "It's just... complicated, but it's over now." He looked back at her, his eyes softening again. "Come on, let's get you and Finny home."

He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as they turned to leave the graveyard behind them. Esmie leaned into him, her body warm against his as she adjusted Finley's carrier. The snow crunched under their feet, and the cold seemed to lessen with every step they took together. Enzo glanced down at their son, whose little face was now pressed against his mother's chest, the baby already beginning to doze off. He couldn't help but smile.

"Looks like someone's ready for a nap," he murmured.

Esmie smiled, though the tiredness still clung to her. "Let's just hope he stays asleep when we get home," she said, a hint of humour in her voice.

Enzo chuckled softly, his heart lighter now that they were heading home. With a final glance back at the graveyard, he tightened his hold on Esmie, his family safe in his arms. In a swift motion, he apparated them home, the cold winter night fading as the warmth of their home welcomed them back.

As soon as they arrived home, the familiar warmth of their cottage embraced them, a stark contrast to the chill of the winter evening. Esmie, feeling the weight of the day starting to press down on her, made her way to the bedroom, carrying their son in her arms. She gently laid Finley on the changing table, his small face still flushed from the cold, and began to change him into a cozy set of pyjamas. His tiny limbs stretched out, and he gave a soft yawn as she carefully dressed him in warm, soft fabric.

"There we go, little man," she whispered with a tender smile, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before swaddling him in a blanket. "All nice and warm now."

She cradled him for a moment, rocking him back and forth, humming a soft tune under her breath. Slowly, Finley's eyes began to droop, the rhythm of his mother's heartbeat lulling him to sleep. Once he was sound asleep, Esmie placed him gently in his crib, watching him for a few moments, her heart swelling with the quiet contentment of motherhood. It was still hard to believe sometimes—this little life she and Enzo had brought into the world, and now, soon, there would be another.

With one last glance at her sleeping son, Esmie quietly left the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind her. As she walked into the living room, she saw Enzo standing by the fireplace, stirring something in a mug. He turned as she approached and handed her a steaming cup of hot cocoa, his smile as warm as the drink itself.

"Thank you, Sweets," Esmie said, her voice tired but full of affection. She sank down onto the couch, curling her legs beneath her as she took a grateful sip of the cocoa. The warmth spread through her body, chasing away the lingering chill from outside.

Enzo sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the flickering flames in the fireplace. The soft crackle of burning wood and the occasional gust of wind outside were the only sounds, a peaceful moment in their otherwise busy lives.

During the school months, they lived at Hogwarts, residing in the spacious quarters provided for professors and their families. It was a cozy setup, with enough room for the three of them, but it was Hogwarts after all, not truly theirs. Esmie spent her days with Finley, exploring the castle's ancient halls and venturing out into the grounds for fresh air whenever she could. It was nice, but there was something about their cottage—the place that was truly home. The cottage had once belonged to Enzo's father, and after his passing, it had been left to them. Enzo had been working tirelessly to transform it, pouring his heart into turning it into a place where they could raise their family.

"I still can't believe we're going to have another little one soon," Enzo said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. He looked down at Esmie, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and love.

Esmie let out a small laugh, rolling her eyes playfully as she leaned back into his embrace. "Well, seeing as they're going to be so close in age, let's just hope they get along and become best friends," she teased, taking another sip of her cocoa.

"They will," Enzo said confidently, his hand rubbing gentle circles on her shoulder. "And even if they don't, they'll have each other. That's what matters." His voice softened as he added, "You're going to be amazing with them, Mie."

Esmie smiled, though her eyes grew thoughtful. "I just hope we're ready. Between Finley, the new baby, and work, it's going to be a lot." She sighed, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"You're not doing this alone," Enzo reassured her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "We'll figure it out. We always do."

She smiled, but her thoughts had already shifted to more practical matters. "So, do you want to know when I officially start as Potions Professor?" she asked, looking up at him.

Enzo looked surprised for a moment, then remembered. "I thought you were only going to be head of Gryffindor house for now?"

"I am," Esmie nodded. "But they're aiming for me to take over Potions in September. By then, baby number two will be about four months old. Professor McGonagall's already helping me come up with a plan for handling things while we're both working. She's been really great about it."

Enzo raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "McGonagall's been helping with that? That's... amazing."

"She has," Esmie confirmed. "She's even given me ideas for balancing work and the kids. Honestly, it's been a relief knowing she's in our corner."

"That sounds like her," Enzo said with a chuckle. "She's not one to leave anyone hanging."

Esmie smiled, grateful for the support she'd received from the seasoned professor. "Speaking of plans," she added, sitting up a little straighter, "I've been thinking about the cottage. I have some ideas for a few changes around here."

Enzo leaned in, intrigued. "Oh? What kind of changes?"

Esmie set her cocoa aside and got up to retrieve a notebook she had been working on. She returned to the couch, flipping it open to a page where she had sketched out ideas for a new kitchen design. The drawings were detailed, showing a beautiful layout with updated counters, cabinets, and appliances. She turned the book toward Enzo, watching his reaction carefully.

"You designed this?" Enzo asked, his voice filled with surprise and admiration as he studied the drawings. His fingers traced the lines of the sketch, and he glanced up at her with a smile. "This is incredible, Mie. How long did it take you?"

Esmie shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, though her heart raced a little. "I've had plenty of time on my hands recently," she admitted with a small smile.

Enzo flipped through the pages, looking at the other designs and notes she had made. "You've thought of everything. This kitchen is going to be perfect."

"I just want it to feel like our home," Esmie said softly. "Somewhere we can really settle and raise our family."

Enzo smiled, setting the notebook aside and pulling her into a tight embrace. "I can't wait to make this place home with you, Mie."

As they sat in comfortable silence for a moment, Enzo flipped to the next page of her notebook, but something slipped out—a photo tucked between the pages. He caught it before it fell to the floor and glanced at it, his brows knitting together in confusion.

"Esmie... where did you get this?" he asked, holding up the photo for her to see.

Esmie frowned, leaning forward to look at it. It was an old photograph from her childhood, taken at a Christmas party when she was around ten years old. She recognised it immediately—it was one of the few pictures she had of herself with her mother. "Oh, that? It's just a picture of me and Mum. Why?"

Enzo turned the photo around, pointing at something in the background. "Look closer at the people behind you. That's me... and Mattheo. This was at a Malfoy Christmas party."

Esmie squinted at the photo, her confusion deepening. Sure enough, in the background, there were two familiar figures—Enzo and Mattheo, both much younger, standing by the fireplace. "Wait, what? That doesn't make sense. Mum hated wizards. Why would we have been at a Malfoy party?"

"I don't know," Enzo admitted, shaking his head. "I don't remember seeing you there. I would've remembered seeing the pretty girl in the red dress."

Esmie blushed slightly, though she laughed. "Wait, I think I have more photos from that night."

She quickly got up and retrieved a small box of old photographs from a drawer. Rejoining Enzo on the couch, they sifted through the stack together, searching for more clues. Esmie found a few more pictures from the party—though none of them showed her again, there were plenty of photos her mother had taken with the other guests.

As they reached the bottom of the pile, Esmie suddenly paused, her eyes widening. "Look at this one," she said, handing a photo to Enzo.

Enzo took it, examining it closely. In the background of the photo, a much younger Esmie was talking to a boy who looked suspiciously like Mattheo. "You talked to Mattheo at that party?"

Esmie laughed in disbelief. "I honestly don't remember that at all, but apparently, I did."

"I can't believe we were at the same party and didn't even see each other," Enzo said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Well, I'm really glad we met when we did," Esmie replied, snuggling into his side.

"So am I," Enzo said with a grin, "even if it meant almost being blown up."

Esmie rolled her eyes playfully. "Are you ever going to let that go?"

"That I fell in love with the girl who almost blew me up? Absolutely not," Enzo teased, pulling her closer.

Esmie giggled, leaning in for a kiss. "She fell in love with you too, Lorenzo."

Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, filled with all the warmth and affection they felt for each other. The peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of Finley's cries coming from the bedroom, and Esmie pulled away with a sigh.

"I'll get him," she said, standing up and heading toward the bedroom.

Enzo followed her, leaning against the doorframe as he watched her lift their six-month-old son into her arms. "You're supposed to be sleeping, little one," she whispered, rocking him gently back and forth.

"I don't think he's going to answer you, darling," Enzo teased, his eyes twinkling as he watched her soothe their son with a soft lullaby.

Esmie smiled, glancing over at him as she continued to hum. Slowly, Finley's cries quieted, and his little eyes began to close again. She walked over to where Enzo stood, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, looking down at their son with a tender smile.

"You're amazing, Mie," Enzo whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Finley is so lucky to have you as his mum."

Esmie blushed, her heart swelling with love for both her boys. "Well, he's lucky to have you as his dad."

Together, they placed Finley back in his crib and quietly left the bedroom. Hand in hand, they made their way into the kitchen, ready to cook dinner side by side, their home filled with the warmth of love and the promise of their growing family.

"I cannot wait to start teaching. Do you think I'll make a good Potions Professor?" Esmie asked, her voice bubbling with excitement as she stirred the pot of stew on the stove. The warmth from the bubbling pot filled the kitchen, its savoury aroma blending with the crackling fire in the hearth.

Enzo, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, smiled as he watched her. "Of course you will, Mie. I think you'll be an incredible Potions Professor. Remember how you used to tutor the first years? They absolutely adored you. You have this way of making everything seem... fun."

Esmie laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe, but that was tutoring. This will be a real class. What if I mess up? What if I can't control a room full of students?"

Enzo stepped forward, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, his voice full of warmth and reassurance. "You won't mess up. You're Esmie Grisky. You'll probably have those kids so enchanted by your lessons that they'll beg to come to class, and besides, you've handled much worse than a room full of students."

She gave him a grateful smile but couldn't resist teasing him. "And I seem to remember someone being a little jealous of Axel back then." Her voice was light, teasing, but there was a glimmer of something more behind her words.

Enzo blinked, caught off guard by the sudden mention of Axel. Esmie hadn't spoken his name, not since the battle of Hogwarts. For a moment, he was unsure how to respond. "I wasn't jealous of Axel, love," he said finally, though the hint of a sheepish smile tugged at his lips.

"Oh really?" Esmie arched an eyebrow, playfully challenging him. "I remember the look you gave him when he brought me flowers. Don't think I didn't notice."

Enzo chuckled, shaking his head. "I wasn't jealous, Mie. I thought it was sweet that he brought you flowers. He just... admired you, that's all."

Esmie's smile softened, and her playful demeanour gave way to something more bittersweet. "Axel had such a bright future ahead of him," she said quietly, her gaze distant as memories flooded back. "He was so young. He never got the chance to live his life, to grow up and see what he could become. I wish I could have done something, anything, to save him."

Enzo's expression softened, and he gently pulled her into his arms, his chin resting on top of her head. "I know, darling, but you did everything you could. What happened wasn't your fault." His voice was steady, full of love and understanding. He had seen how much Axel's death weighed on her, especially after the battle.

Esmie sighed, resting her head against his chest, the steady thump of his heartbeat grounding her. "I know, but it still hurts. I think about him sometimes, and all the others we lost." She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before pulling back to look at Enzo. "But did I tell you? One of the first years gave me flowers the other day, as a Christmas present."

Enzo's face brightened at the sudden shift in tone. "They did?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Esmie nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I had taken Finley for a walk around the courtyard. This little first-year ran up to me, handed me a small bouquet, and wished me a Merry Christmas. It was so sweet." She chuckled softly, the memory warming her heart. "It reminded me of the old days when the first years would bring me flowers after tutoring sessions."

Enzo couldn't help but smile, imagining the scene. "That's adorable. You've always had a way with them. I'm not surprised they wanted to bring you gifts."

Esmie finished preparing their food, placing it into two bowls before handing one to Enzo. They made their way to the living room, where the fire still crackled warmly. The soft glow of the flames cast a golden hue over the room, and the Christmas tree in the corner sparkled with lights and ornaments, a reminder of the holiday season.

As they sat down on the couch, Esmie glanced over at Finley's room, her heart swelling with joy. "I still can't believe this is our first Christmas with him," she said, her voice filled with wonder as she looked toward the nursery.

Enzo smiled, thinking about their son, the way his tiny hands grasped their fingers, the soft coos and giggles that filled their days. "I know," he said, his voice soft and full of love. "It's hard to believe sometimes. Everything feels so... perfect. I never imagined we'd have all this."

Esmie nodded, resting her head against his shoulder as they ate. The fire crackled beside them, filling the room with warmth and the comforting scent of pine and wood smoke. "Enz, I know you love Finny and me, but please don't go overboard with the Christmas gifts. We don't need anything extravagant. Just being together is enough."

Enzo chuckled, placing his half-finished plate on the coffee table before turning to her with a mischievous smile. "I just want to spoil my favourite girl and our baby boy. Is that so bad?"

Esmie rolled her eyes but smiled. "As long as you don't go too crazy."

Before she could say more, Enzo took her plate and set it down, catching her off guard. "Hey, I was eating that!" she protested with a playful whine, but her words were cut short as Enzo leaned in and kissed her deeply, his hands gently guiding her back onto the couch.

The warmth of the fire seemed to wrap around them as Enzo hovered over her, his kisses trailing from her lips to her jawline, then down to her neck. Esmie let out a soft moan, her hands finding their way into his hair as she melted into the kiss. "God, you're so beautiful," Enzo murmured against her skin, his voice full of awe.

Esmie's heart fluttered, and she whispered softly, "I love you, Sweets."

"I love you too, Mie," Enzo replied, his voice thick with emotion as he kissed her again, his lips capturing hers with all the love and passion he felt. For a moment, everything else faded away—the world outside, the worries of the past, even the future. It was just the two of them, lost in each other.

But their blissful moment was interrupted by the sound of Finley's cries echoing from the nursery. Enzo sighed softly, pulling away with a smile. "I'll get him," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before standing up.

"Are you sure?" Esmie asked, propping herself up on her elbows, her lips still tingling from the kiss.

Enzo nodded, already heading toward the nursery. "Finish your dinner. I've got this."

Esmie watched him disappear into the nursery, her heart swelling with affection for him. A few moments later, Enzo returned, cradling Finley in his arms. The baby had quieted down, his tiny face pressed against his father's chest, eyes closed as he drifted back to sleep.

"I started rocking him, and he fell right back asleep," Enzo whispered, a soft smile on his lips. "But he looked so comfortable in my arms, I couldn't bring myself to put him back in the cot."

Esmie's heart melted at the sight of them, her love for Enzo growing even stronger. "He loves being in your arms," she said softly, her eyes filled with warmth. "Just like I do."

Enzo chuckled as he sat back down on the couch, holding Finley close. Esmie snuggled into his side, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. Together, they watched the fire flicker, the soft light illuminating their little family.

"You're such an amazing mother, Mie," Enzo whispered after a moment, his voice full of admiration. "Finley is so lucky to have you."

Esmie blushed, tilting her head to look up at him. "He's lucky to have you too, Enz. You're the best dad he could ever ask for."

Enzo kissed her forehead, his heart full of love for her and their son. "I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

They sat there together, wrapped in the warmth of the fire and the quiet peace of the night. The outside world seemed so far away, and in that moment, everything felt perfect. Their little family, their home—it was everything they had ever dreamed of.

As the evening wore on, Esmie and Enzo remained curled up on the couch, talking softly about their plans for the future—the lessons Esmie would teach as a professor, the changes they would make to their home, and the new life they were preparing to welcome. Every so often, they glanced down at Finley, still sleeping peacefully in Enzo's arms, his tiny chest rising and falling with each soft breath.

And in those quiet, precious moments, they both knew they had found something truly special—something worth holding onto forever.

❤️❤️

Two more parts to go but I'm not ready to say goodbye to them yet 😭❤️ (Also I was never gonna kill Esmie off 🥺)

Enjoy! Xo

❤️❤️