The Assistant || Severus Snape x Reader ||

Chapter 44: A Long Process

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"I have reason to believe you're covering for both of them."

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It was safe to say that you didn't sleep at all that night. Your bed was painfully uncomfortable, and no matter how much you tossed and turned, you couldn't feel even an ounce of tiredness. Of course, your shitty bed wasn't at all to blame. All you could think about was the dreadful meeting you'd be called to in the morning hours, your nerves so shot that you were anxious all over.

The Ministry terrified you. They were the head of the world of wizardry, and they basically were like the board for Hogwarts. They had so much power that you could barely wrap your head around it. It was horrifying to think that if you didn't play your cards right, then things were going to fall apart right in front of you. More than they already had.

You were worried about Severus the most. From the sound of it, they had torn into him something awful. They tried to twist the situation into something it wasn't, and tried to make you appear as if you had only used him for experience. It was a sickening thought, because you had never once used Severus that way. Everything that you had ever said or done with Severus had been real.

And now you were afraid that all of that was about to disappear.

Sure enough, Dumbledore informed you that he wanted to meet with you within the hour once you were up and moving around. Dumbledore didn't have to say anything, because he knew that you already had an idea of what was happening. You fiddled with the chain of your necklace as you walked with Dumbledore to the same room where Severus' meeting had been held. The walk was full of tension, and you felt like you might faint.

"Headmaster?" You asked the man walking next to you.

He didn't look at you. His eyes were trained ahead, his expression as it usually was. Full of thought and serenity.

"Yes, [Y/N]?" He replied.

"How much trouble are Sev and I in?" You asked meekly.

Dumbledore chuckled, adjusting the half-moon glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"The Ministry of Magic doesn't exactly make visits without cause," Dumbledore explained; "Telling the truth is often hard."

You turned your head to look at the old wizard, a brow raised.

"I'm not embarrassed of Severus, or any of the things we've done," You recanted; "But admitting to it feels wrong...but there's nothing wrong with it."

Dumbledore didn't give much of a reaction.

"Rules are in place for a reason. If I allowed all students to be involved with professors the way you and Severus are...it wouldn't be a pretty sight." He explained.

That was an interesting thought for sure. You thought about the professors who had been there for decades. You wondered if any of them had ever been with students who had long since graduated.

"Then what makes Severus and I an exception for you?" You questioned.

Dumbledore smiled softly, finally meeting your gaze.

"You love each other. That's good enough for me," He proclaimed; "However, I can't control The Ministry. This is in their hands now."

A warmness spread over your face and your heart felt a brief stress relief. Not about that second part, but at the first. If telling the truth increased your chances of staying with Severus, then you'd tell them absolutely anything they needed to know.

Dumbledore led you into the meeting room, and the crowd present was slightly different than when it was Severus' turn. From the Ministry, Arthur Weasley, Cornelius Fudge, and Lucius Malfoy were all there again. Remus and Madam Pomfrey were there as well. McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout weren't needed for this meeting, but they were replaced by one other.