Love and Potions - Severus Snape x OC

Chapter 33 - Birthday Party

"The bindings were not needed, Minerva," Severus complained as he held onto his co-worker for stability. Severus honestly didn't mind the blindfold too much, though he did mind the fact that they took his wand. Minerva didn't want him to just charm the blindfold off, which annoyed him greatly. What annoyed him, even more, was that she had tied his hands behind his back.

It wasn't that he didn't like Minerva; She was a great friend to have. He just wished it was somebody else who had led him to the party. Rowan had to go and plan the party while Severus needed to recuperate from the morning's earlier events. 

"You whine like a child," Minerva huffed as she guided him up the last step that led to the third floor. Severus wanted to keep the party as quiet as possible, so instead of hosting it in a classroom or the Great Hall, he opted for the headmaster's office. This way, everything could be kept quiet and he wouldn't catch the attention of any pesky students.

Severus stumbled onto the landing in front of the headmaster's office, tripping over his long cloak slightly. From the second he entered, he was already annoyed. He could tell through the blindfold that the lighting had dimmed severely in the time it took them to get from the dungeons to the third floor of Hogwarts. 

"Minerva, instead of planning a party for me, you should be planning for the yule ball. I don't understand this nonsense," Severus said stubbornly as he rolled his eyes. Severus felt Minerva let go of his arm, which made his eyes go wide. Faintly, he could hear her footsteps getting further and further away.

"Wait, Minerva! I can't get the blindfold off!" Severus exclaimed as he remembered that she had pocketed his wand before they left the dungeons. Suddenly, Severus heard a different kind of footsteps. These footsteps were much more elegant than Minerva's, but he couldn't place who they belonged to. 

Suddenly, Severus felt a pair of hands grab his jaw and tilt his head down. This gave him the indication that the person that was now around him was much shorter than he was. Quickly, Severus jerked away from their grasp. "Who are you?" Severus commanded as he pulled on the bindings around his wrists. 

Instead of answering, the person simply wrapped their arms around his torso. Severus tensed as he felt the embrace. He didn't like to be touched; He only had his childhood to blame for that. His father wasn't a nice man, and Severus had the burn marks to prove it. Suddenly, the thought of what Rowan would think if she found him like this. 

"What was it you said to me? Your thoughts are loud, Professor Snape," The calming voice of Rowan Knight rang throughout Severus' skull. Immediately, Severus relaxed as he leaned his head down. Taking a deep breath, he could smell Rowan's usual perfume and knew it had to be her. "Thank Merlin it was you. I was worried about-" Severus began, but was interrupted by Rowan pecking his lips quickly. 

"No worrying tonight, alright Sev?" Rowan said as she took Severus' bindings and untied them, allowing the rope to fall to the ground. Severus nodded, not able to hide the smile that Rowan gifted him every day. "Anything for you, my dear," Severus agreed as happiness flooded his system. 

Rowan slowly untied the blindfold, being careful that it didn't pull on any of his long, black hair. Severus' eyes fluttered open as he squinted, trying his best to adjust to the lighting difference. Slowly, he placed one of his hands against Rowan's jaw. "Have I ever told you just how mesmerizing you are?" Severus cooed. If he could see her face every day of his life, it wouldn't be enough. 

"Let's get to the party," Rowan replied with a smile. Together, they entered the room, Severus still beaming by just being around her. Above Dumbledore's desk was a banner that looked like a child's artwork. It read 'Happee Birthdae Snape!' which made Severus cringe at the spelling.