Dancing in the Dark - A Severus Snape Love Story

3 | Tea for Two

I silently followed Snape into his chambers. The butterflies in my stomach were practically trying to bust their way out as I neared the large, wooden door into his private world.

I can't imagine many have stepped through these doors, if anyone else at all. 

The room contained a tiny kitchen with a stove, small fridge, sink and very little counter space. Next to it was a coffee table and a single emerald green couch that had a very clear indentation on one cushion from where Snape must always sit. The other two cushions were noticeably flat and untouched. Two doors lined the wall to the left of the couch, I assumed they lead to his bathroom and bedroom. The room was was lit by dozens of melting wax candles, giving it a very gothic and cozy feel to the place. I scanned the shelves and tables throughout the room. Even his private world seemed to be as meticulously organized as the potion ingredients he stored in the classroom.

"Take a seat" Snape muttered as he hung his robes on the hook near the entrance. I chose a seat on the opposite side of the couch and set down my bag carefully. 

I watched as Severus went about all the little things one does when they get home for the night. It was quite strange seeing him in this setting, I often forget that he has a life outside of that classroom. He brought over a very simple, black kettle, arranged on a platter with two matching black cups and saucers. I noticed he gave himself the slightly duller and chipped cup. 

Perhaps he did have some chivalry in him

I took the pie slice out of my bag and set the forks on the two corners of the coffee table while Severus poured our tea. I swear I almost saw a smile when I told him I take my tea the same way as he does, no sugar. "I suppose we'll have enough with our pie" I chuckled. 

He did not chuckle.

~~~

We went about marking the papers silently for the first little while, taking breaks to scoop off a bite of pie from the plate we were sharing. I counted three times that we got our forks stuck together while simultaneously going for a piece.

When we had finished our tea, Severus broke the silence to offer me another. As he poured, he kept his eyes firmly on me. Feeling a wave of heat come over me, I cleared my throat and hoped I wasn't turning outwardly red. 

Something about that focus completely melted me.

"I hope I'm not making you feel uncomfortable, Miss Cross. I'm just curious as to what's on your mind." I was silent for a moment, not even sure where to begin with what goes through my head. 

"Can't you just take a listen for yourself?" I asked. He could do that whenever he wanted after all. Why was he asking me now? He smirked at this. "I realized that was quite rude of me to do to you earlier. Please, tell me what you're thinking about." 

This was my chance to admit everything. 

I could admit that I've been crushing on him harder and harder every year I've been at Hogwarts and how I seemed to get lost in his eyes every time he looked at me. I could tell him that the intimacy we were now sharing was enough to make my heart explode and that I hoped the night would never end.

But that might be a little much for our first evening together.

"I was actually thinking about how nice it was to spend the evening in here. This is a much more comfortable space to get our work done." His stoic face remained unchanged as he took a sip of his tea. That wasn't pushing it too far was it? My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I waited for his response. As he set the cup and saucer back down on the table, his dark eyes flickered back to me.

"I suppose we can take our evening work in my chambers if you are more comfortable here Miss Cross. I much prefer this space to the classroom as well." 

I was at a loss for words. "Uh... y-yes, that would be great. It'll be warmer in here once th- the winter months come anyways." 

Snape nodded, "Indeed. Though you already seem overcome with shivers." I quickly stared down into my teacup, wishing I could sink down into the bottom of it. Why was I being so weird about this? "I'm fine, really. Let's finish a few more?" At least I would always have the work to change the subject with if I ever made things weird again. 

Which, knowing myself, I would.

We dedicated another half hour to marking papers and decided to call it a night. Being on the receiving end of assignments, we could take as long as we liked to get them graded and back to the students. 

Severus walked me to the door of his chambers and bid me goodnight. The second his door closed I sprinted back to my own chambers. I stared myself down in the small mirror by my bed for a while, trying to talk myself both up and down from the night I had just shared with Snape.

I've got to get myself under control when I'm around him.