Something different I Severus/Lucius/Y/N

whispers and warnings

The next two weeks at Hogwarts were marked by a palpable tension in my interactions, especially with Zoe and Max. Their attempts to mend the rift that their actions had caused felt clumsy and inadequate against the backdrop of their betrayal. Each encounter, each word, felt like a shallow attempt to gloss over a deeper wound.

One morning at breakfast, I found myself seated near them at the Slytherin table. Zoe leaned in, her voice a whisper tinged with desperation. "I'm really sorry, Y/N. It was a mistake. Can we talk about this, please?" Her eyes were pleading, searching for some sign of forgiveness.

Without looking up from my plate, I simply replied, "I'm not interested, Zoe." The finality in my tone was meant to discourage further discussion. I needed space and time, neither of which they seemed inclined to respect without my firm resistance.

A few days later, during a study session in the library, Max tried to approach me. He edged towards the table where I was reviewing my Potions notes, his expression somber. "Y/N, can we just sit down and sort this out? I hate that things are like this between us."

I didn't look up as I responded, my focus never leaving the open textbook. "There's nothing to sort out, Max. Please, just leave me be." My dismissal was quiet but stern, intended to convey my disinterest in rehashing the past or entertaining any form of reconciliation.

Their attempts continued sporadically, each more feeble and frustrating than the last. In the corridors, passing by the classrooms, even during the occasional awkward silences that fell over group conversations when we inevitably found ourselves within the same social vicinity at gatherings or in the common room.

Finally, during a late afternoon in the courtyard, as summer wind danced around the stone benches, Zoe caught up to me. "Y/N, we were friends for so long. Doesn't that mean anything to you now?" Her tone was a mix of frustration and sadness, her usual confidence dampened by our estrangement.

I stopped and faced her, my expression calm but resolute. "It did, Zoe. But friends don't do what you did. I need friends I can trust." Turning away, I left her standing there, the distance between us more than just physical.

With each dismissed attempt, it became clearer to them—and to me—that the past couldn't be easily mended with half-hearted apologies or forced conversations. The wounds were deep, and the healing, if it was to happen, would need time and genuine reflection, not just the uneasy peace that comes from avoiding the heart of the issue.

Realizing the need to connect with someone outside the tangled web of Hogwarts, I turned to my best friend from Ilvermorny, Samantha. Our friendship had been a cornerstone during my time at the American wizarding school, and despite the physical distance, our bond remained strong. Samantha had always been someone I could rely on for sound advice and a fresh perspective, especially now as she pursued her training in the Auror program—an ambition we both had shared, though my path had taken a detour when my family moved to London.

Sitting in the quiet corner of the Hogwarts library, I pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, my heart feeling lighter as I began to write to her:

Dear Samantha,

I hope this letter finds you well and thriving in your Auror training. I can only imagine the adventures and challenges you're facing—probably far more exciting than my daily dilemmas here at Hogwarts.

It's been a while since I've written, and I find myself missing our long talks more than ever. So much has happened, and I sometimes feel lost in the currents of this old castle's drama.

Firstly, I've found myself unexpectedly caught in a web of feelings involving, of all people, Lucius Malfoy and, embarrassingly enough, Professor Snape. I know how bizarre that must sound coming from me, especially given my usual disdain for complications of the romantic sort. But there's something about Lucius' intellect and charm that is undeniably captivating, and Snape... well, he surprised me in a moment of vulnerability. It led to something I never would have expected.