Hope For The Hopeless (Severus Snape x Reader)

The Christmas Star

You were the talk of the school come Sunday morning, the snowball fight had gone down a storm amongst the pupils. As you walked into the Great Hall for breakfast you were greeted kindly again and again.

"Professor, l/n!" Ron half-shouted and waved his hand frantically for you to come to him. You did so and greeted the usual trio.

"I heard you hit George with a snowball, Professor. That's bloody brilliant," he giggled and Harry did the same.

You laughed at their childhood innocence, "Yes I did. I hope your parents find it as funny as you do, Ron."

"They'll be fine. Wish I was there though," he said, crumpling his face in disappointment.

"Next year," you reassured as you tapped him on the shoulder and walked to the top table.

You felt Minerva's eyes on you as you made your way there; a walk of shame came to mind. It wasn't a question as to whether you should sit next to her or not, she clearly wanted to talk to you. You bypassed Severus, at the end of the table, and ducked quickly to talk to him.

"How much trouble am I in?" You whispered near his ear. You tried not to get too close but you could smell his familiar scent and it made you want to edge forward more.

The telltale stiffening of his body had at least made you feel less awkward, you weren't the only one struggling, "If you're talking about Minerva, she's already spoken to me this morning."

"Andddd?"

"And, I think you'd better hear it from her. Now go on, she's waiting," he said smirking, then continued his breakfast.

You straightened up and walked over to the spare seat next to Minerva and sat down.

"Good morning," you said nervously.

"Good morning, y/n." Silence. Then she began to speak again, "I heard about your frivolity with the pupils yesterday..."

"Minerva, I can explain.." you spoke over each other.

"...well done."

"What?" You said dumbfounded.

"I said well done. Do listen, dear," she said sipping from her teacup, "It's been a difficult term, with many of the pupils nervous and unhappy. This seems to have alleviated some of that. However, don't make a habit of it, please." She gave you her teacher's look; it said you weren't in trouble, this time.

"Of course," you breathed out a sigh of relief. Severus. You leaned back in your chair and stared at him until he turned his head in your direction. You mouthed "bastard" and turned away again. Not missing the smug look on his face.

"You know Gilderoy is throwing the teachers a Christmas party next Monday, once the bulk of the pupils go home," Minerva said, bringing your attention back to her.

Your face dropped immediately, "Joy."

"Dumbledore wants everyone there. Morale apparently," she didn't sound pleased at the idea and neither were you. It hardly seemed like the right climate for a party, considering there were children in the hospital and something going around petrifying people.

"Oh, don't say that, Minerva. You've ruined my weekend now," you said dramatically.

"Free bar at least?" She raised her eyebrow in judgment, - "joking, of course." Totally not joking.

You spent most of your day holed up in your room marking the end-of-term assignments to give back to the pupils next week. The more you did today, the less time you'd spend wading through parchments in your evenings next week, so it was worth it. At some point you were expecting Hagrid to arrive with a small Christmas tree he had promised to find for your room, that would be your reprieve from the dull musings of the students.