The Assistant || Severus Snape x Reader ||

Chapter 4: Failed Potions

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"What's your problem?" 

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"I'm not kidding, Alicia," You whispered. "It's been quite enjoyable so far."

Alicia Spinnet was one of your closest friends at Hogwarts. A fellow sixth year and she was a Chaser for Griffyndor's Quidditch team. Confusion was plastered on her face as she tried to make sense of what you were saying to her,

The library was particularly quiet today. It was a bit crowded, but quiet. Alicia kept her voice to a whisper, not wanting any possible eavesdropping on this conversation.

"I just don't believe it. 'Enjoyable' and Professor Snape don't belong in the same category. I don't think this is going to be an easy thing for you," She retorted, scanning one of the pages of her Herbology book. "I'm glad you think things are going well, but we're not even two months into this term."

It was only the third week of October. There was still plenty of time for this ordeal to crash and burn. 

"It's only a temporary job anyway. Just until Professor Snape can get a hold of his curriculum again." You said with the slightest bit of disappointment in your tone.

Alicia had been your best friend for a long time. She knew everything that there was to know about you. She could see right through you when there was something else simmering in your mind. She finally looked to you at the sound of your lowered voice. Her eyes narrowed into a squint as she leaned forward to get a better look at you.

"Hold on. You don't...like him, do you?" She asked.

Your ribcage kept your heart from exploding outside of your body. The emphasis on the word "like" was clear that she meant in a way that was far past teacher-student professional. There was a silence that ensued as you tried to come up with an answer, but your hesitation was an answer in and of itself.

"You do! You like Snape!" She said in a not-so-whisper voice.

There was a frantic attempt to shut her up, your hands coming out in front of you as you hushed her.

"I didn't say that!" You argued back.

"You didn't have to! It's obvious. I can't even believe this." Alicia said, forgetting her Herbology book completely.

Alicia leaned back in her chair, crossing her toned arms over her chest as she stared at you with an incredulous look. She wasn't totally taken by surprise, but she never thought she would see the day where you actually admitted to it.

It was hard to admit and definitely not something you would admit to just anyone, but you did have a glimmer of admiration for Snape. It was even harder to deny it, considering that he was the very reason you had to repeat your second year.

As mentioned, Potions was something you were naturally good at. It came to you with ease, and it was a subject that you were fascinated by. It didn't take you very long to discover that you enjoyed Potions more than just for the bubbling cauldrons and colorful concoctions. 

At the time, 12-year-old you thought that it was a genius idea to purposely fail one of your classes in order to take your second year again. A repeat year meant another year of Potions...and more time with your favorite professor. Flunking Double Herbology was your plan of action and, as a result, you repeated your second year at Hogwarts.

In hindsight, this was a beyond stupid idea. It had set you back an entire school year, which meant that now you were 18 and in your sixth year -- the oldest person in your year. On top of that, it was school wide news that star student [Y/N] [L/N] had been held back for a year. No one knew the motive of you being held back (not even Alicia, your most trusted pal), but you wouldn't ever be able to live it down.