Hope For The Hopeless (Severus Snape x Reader)

Two Weeks: Part One

Severus instinctively took you to his quarters; after messing about in the corridor with Lockhart, your energy levels were too depleted to even argue about where you were going to sleep or to discuss what Lockhart had let slip, though Severus did try as he finally closed the door to his quarters.

“Not now, Severus, I need to lie down. My head isn’t going to take anything in.” You said groggily.

He nodded his head lethargically at you. In all honesty, he’d completely forgotten about that conversation with Albus; it was impetuous and as soon as he had said it, he had regretted it. Coming back to bite him like this certainly never crossed his mind.

“Okay, I’ll notify Madam Pomfrey that you are back. She will want to check you over.” Severus hesitated for a moment.

“I...I should probably inform Albus, too.” He said tentatively, knowing the older wizard was probably the last person you wanted to see.

Slumping forwards to the bedroom, you had already begun relieving yourself of your clothes with shaky hands. Severus wanted to help, but he didn’t know if you’d like that; if you’d even want him to touch you at the moment.

“Whatever you need to do,” you muttered, exhaustion in every word. You turned, his eyes already fixated on you, but looking dejected.“ Are you coming?”

His thick brow furrowed in confusion as you leaned yourself up the door frame for support. Sighing softly, you recognised his hesitation. “It’s a problem but I’m not pushing you away. We’ll make it right when my head doesn’t feel like it may implode. Notify the Queen, if you must, then get in this bed with me.”

Your words alleviated some of the worries in Severus, and he smiled faintly as you disappeared from his view, into his bedroom. He quickly sent word to Madam Pomfrey and reluctantly, Albus.

It hadn’t taken him long, but by the time he’d done so and then followed your trail of clothes, retrieving them as he went along, you were fast asleep. Folding them neatly and leaving them on his drawers, he undressed and joined you as you had requested. He didn’t feel tired, but once he was pressed against your warm back, drawn in by your familiar scent and the telling rhythm of your sleep, he joined you in escaping reality for a while longer.

A few hours later, he was awoken to you talking feverishly in your sleep, something he had never heard you do before. As he lay there, he listened, but couldn’t make out what you were saying; he could at least tell it was distressing you though. Leaning on his arm, he stroked your slightly sweat-dampened hair from your face and quietly purred your name; he didn’t want to risk frightening you any more than you already seemed to be. He knew how it felt to wake frantically from nightmares, he wanted to at least be able to ease the transition for you.

Surprisingly, he managed to pull you out of your sleep easily. You pushed your face into the pillow, a horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach; you had dreamt of the Pensieve.

You turned to face him and opened your eyes. Severus stiffened, noticing one of them was different, it had changed; you blinked hard, to wake yourself more, and just like that, they were back to their normal colour. He stared intently into them, trying to decipher if he had made it up, he kissed your forehead and breathed out heavily through his nose. It’s been a stressful few days. You were just seeing things.

“How’s your head?” He whispered into your brow as he placed another soft kiss there.

“Better than it was earlier.” You said in between clearing your throat, “Lockhart…”

Severus lifted his head up and pulled your eyes to his.

“Another stupid mistake.” He said regretfully.