The Assistant || Severus Snape x Reader ||

Chapter 26: An Evening of Relaxation

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"I wasn't aware that you're so friendly with the Weasleys."

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Severus pressed on through the halls with you, helping you take full yet steady strides so you could build up mobility in your leg. You figured out quickly that Severus was taking you to his quarters, which excited you because you desperately wished for a night of sleep in a comfortable bed. The infirmary beds were sturdy enough, but they were like laying on a sheet on concrete. It would be nice to wake up without every joint in your body sounding like a popcorn maker when you moved.

You and Severus walked with your arms linked together as he made sure to hold you up enough to where your full weight wasn't bearing down on your lower half. However, after about 10 minutes, you started to slow down and you recoiled in discomfort. Severus stopped, watching how your skin flushed when you felt the uncomfortable pressure in your knee. You stepped away from him, leaning against the adjacent wall.

"Are you alright?" He enjoined, suddenly fearful that he had pushed you too hard.

You let out a sigh of frustration, annoyed that you couldn't do as much as you desired to. Just four days ago you were arguably one of Hogwarts' best Quidditch players, and now you could barely walk without feeling like your leg was going to combust. It wasn't his fault of course, but you still snapped at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine." You said in a less than pleasant tone.

He visibly flinched into a bit of a cower, not expecting your harsh reaction. Severus had a very short temper, and usually he'd fire right back off. However, he knew you were angry and upset. You still hadn't given yourself to process everything, so you were dealing with a lot of bottled up emotions. He didn't take it personally, because he knew you weren't upset with him.

"I'm sorry, [Y/N]." He apologized, thinking he had indeed pushed you too hard.

You noticed his saddened demeanor and the way his eyes had widened like a puppy that had just been yelled at for chewing up its favorite toy. You felt a waft of guilt ripple over you. You knew better than to take this out on him. He was the person who was helping you the most.

"No, I'm sorry, Sev. It's not you." You replied, kissing his cheek gently.

"Come here, my love." He said, motioning for you to get closer to him.

He picked you up from the ground, carrying you just as he had the morning after your accident. Everyone would be finishing up dinner now, considering that Severus had dashed out of The Great Hall early. You didn't have long to navigate the castle before kids would come flooding out to return to their towers for the night. Severus walked with you in his arms, hoping that Filch didn't decide to come up out of nowhere.

"How does it feel to be smuggling a student out of the hospital wing?" You asked; "I seem to think that's against a rule of some sort."

Severus looked down at you, a sarcastic look contorting on his face.

"[Y/N], everything that you and I do is against the rules." He mentioned.

"What's so wrong with grading papers, Professor?" You went on, knowing good and well that wasn't what he was referring to.

"Shut up. You know what I mean." He smirked.

You giggled at his expression, your entire body shaking with laughter. It filled his heart with warmth to hear you in higher spirits. He rounded a corner, and quirked a brow at the sound of synchronized laughter. Who was out roaming the halls so soon? Your head shot up, knowing those voices all too well.