Dancing in the Dark - A Severus Snape Love Story

19 | Moonlight

a/n

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Helen McCrory, our beloved Narcissa Malfoy. It's really tough to lose the people who brought the story we all know and love to life. Please take care of yourselves and take a moment to share some love with those who are close to you. 

Life is so precious.

Our walk to Dumbledore's office turned out to be more nerve wracking than I had expected.

Between the monumental mess I was in with the Death Eaters and the blissful winter days spent in Snape's living quarters; time had flown by. We were so caught up in our own little world that everyday life at Hogwarts seemed to fade into the background. While it was a refreshing change of pace to get together with the staff tonight, I was a little nervous to face my former professors.

The last time they saw me, I was locking lips with Severus in the middle of a student dance.

I shook my head, there was no reason to be nervous about this. I had graduated and returned as a member of the staff, this wasn't crossing any kind of inappropriate line.

Sensing my discomfort, Snape gave my arm a squeeze. "Everything alright?" He said, his dark eyes looking down at me lovingly.

"We haven't faced any of them since the Yule Ball, Severus." I said, laughing nervously. A bad habit of mine I had developed to deal with situations that made me anxious. I watched the realization wash over Severus, his eyes widening.

"Merlin, I had forgotten myself." He said, allowing an awkward silence take over our walk.

Suddenly, I felt Snape's hand on my shoulder to stop me.

Is he about to bail on me?

After checking to see if the coast was clear, Snape pulled me into an alcove. He frowned at my worried expression before finally speaking.

"Katie, I need you to know this." Severus started, a cold pit beginning to form in my stomach. "It is an honour to be able to walk through those doors with you by my side." His thumbs brushed my cheek briefly before pulling me into him for a kiss. Every last ounce of worry evaporated from me as his lips danced with mine.

Breaking the kiss, Snape pressed his forehead against mine before pulling me in for a hug. How did this man always know how to bring my turbulent moods back down? Sighing happily, we linked arms and made our way back out into the halls.

"Oh!" A startled voice exclaimed.

Severus and I nearly jumped out of our skins at this interruption. To our surprise we locked eyes with Remus Lupin, the current Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

And a seventh year student, who was trailing just behind him.

I recognized the young woman immediately. Mina Hanlon was one of the top students in Advanced Potions. While I didn't know the full story, I knew she was the same age me as she had taken a mysterious hiatus from her education while I was still a student myself. In talking with the other professors, I knew she was struggling in just about every subject except Potions. It was a shame really, I knew she could be great if she just applied herself more.

But what was she doing with Remus Lupin?

Looking him over, I noticed his eyes were darker then usual, his clothing was dirty and there was a hint of fresh blood pooling on his chest.

"I've had better days." Lupin half laughed, catching my shock over his appearance. Looking over at Mina, I noticed her arms were full of medical supplies. "I saw him carrying all this stuff on my way out from dinner and offered to help him back to his office." Mina stated quickly, also catching my suspicious eyes.