The Assistant || Severus Snape x Reader ||

Chapter 33: Unexpected Circumstances

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"Yes, but you and I both know that's what you meant." 

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You followed Dumbledore out of the classroom, keeping your head down and keeping your eyes on your feet as you walked. He wasn't in any kind of hurry, walking at an extremely slow pace. It was much different than Severus, who usually moved like a man with a purpose everywhere he went. Your hands were shoved into the pockets of your school robes, your shoulders tense and stiff. The hallway was empty, the eyes of the portraits on the wall following the two of you as you walked.

You didn't want to be the first one to speak. Dumbledore was one of those people who you only talked to if he spoke to you first. While you knew it wasn't your fault that Ron and Harry had jumped onto Draco, you still felt like you were in trouble. You wondered if Draco was saying the same things to Severus that he had said to you. Draco was a brave kid, but you weren't sure if he would even dare try to manipulate Snape into telling him something. Odds were though, Draco was probably screaming bloody murder about how he'd tell his father that he was attacked by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. 

Ron and Harry were probably sitting in Dumbledore's office, proud of themselves for taking on Malfoy, but shivering in their shoes at what their punishment was going to be. You were wondering if you'd still be able to tutor the kids after this. 

You couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, Neville and Seamus won't make it through third year Potions without my help. They need-"

"I am not terminating your duties, [Y/N]." Dumbledore said, cutting you off.

"You're not?" You paused, baffled.

He shook his head.

"Certainly not," He responded; "That wasn't the first altercation between those three. Professor Snape and McGonagall will handle it."

You breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly feeling the stinging pain on your cheek from where you had gotten whacked. You'd probably have a bruise there later. You were still walking with Dumbledore, which made you wonder what this was really about.

"Do you know what is so special about the portraits on the wall, [Y/N]?" Dumbledore's voice spoke out, changing the subject.

You looked at the old wizard, afraid to meet his gaze for too long.

"Because they're alive?" You asked, feeling dumb for stating something so obvious.

"Well, yes. That is true," He said; "They also see things when one might believe that they aren't looking."

You knew that he was talking about you and Severus. 

"I don't understand." You said as a half-lie.

While you knew he was referring to you and Snape, you weren't sure why Dumbledore was acting like this was some kind of big secret. Severus had told Dumbledore about the two of you...or so you thought.

"It's been a very long time since Severus has looked at anyone the way he looks at you. I've known him long enough to know that for sure." Dumbledore announced, continuing to take slow steps.

Those two sentences alone raised about fifty questions in your head. What did he mean "since"? Had there been someone else before? 

But you were more puzzled as to why Dumbledore was saying these things in the way he was.

"Headmaster, I'm afraid I don't follow..." You replied.

"Love is often found in unexpected places. Love finds the most unexpected people at the most unexpected times," He advised; "Have you found love with Severus?"