The Art of Taking Chances || Severus Snape x Reader ||

Chapter 16: Trust

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"I guess I'll just have to take that risk then."
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There had only been a few select times in your life where you felt like a deer in headlights. One was when your parents had caught you snooping through your wrapped Christmas gifts when you were a kid. Another was the first time McGonagall caught you fucking Sirius in one of the broom closets.

And then there was right now. Your eyes couldn't tear away from the person staring back and forth between you and Severus, not an ounce of shock in their expression.

"Luna." You breathed out as the blonde headed Ravenclaw stepped closer.

Severus' hands dropped from you, allowing you to step away from him. He couldn't even look at Luna, too ashamed to face the fact that you had been caught by a kid.

"I knew it, Professor [L/N]," Luna claimed, her tone as sweet and light as it usually was, "I knew that you and Professor Snape were together."

Severus pinched the bridge of nose as you took a sharp inhale. Severus tried to divert the conversation.

"Miss Lovegood, why are you out? Curfew was an hour ago." Severus questioned the girl, his voice lowering to be intimidating.

Luna wasn't bothered though. Severus didn't affect her like he did other kids.

"I was returning to my dorm." Luna replied respectfully.

"Why are you on this side of the castle? The Ravenclaw tower isn't on this side." Severus pressed on, his arms crossing.

"Professor [L/N] and I were supposed to meet after dinner to finish grading essays. I waited for her in your office and she didn't show up," Luna explained, "I waited as late as I could and then I just assumed that she forgot."

You felt a rush of guilt. You had completely forgotten that you were supposed to meet with Luna. It seemed that she was often more responsible as your assistant as you were as her professor.

"Oh, Luna, I'm so sorry. You're right, I did forget." You apologized.

"That's alright. I hope you don't mind, I finished the essays without you." Luna remarked.

You were feeling worse and worse each time she spoke. You definitely would owe her one for this.

"That's perfectly fine, Luna. Thank you." You smiled at her, hoping she wouldn't bring up what she had just seen.

An awkward silence ensued. The three of you looked back and forth between each other for a few seconds that felt like years. You and Severus looked over Luna like she was an alien that you didn't know what to do with. How were you supposed to address what Luna had just seen you and Severus doing? She was a child, and a very observant one at that.

You hoped that maybe Luna would just walk away and continue her commute to her room and never bring it up again. Luna wasn't one to gossip, and you doubted that she'd tell anyone.

But Severus didn't want to take any chances.

He pulled his wand from the pocket of his robes, looking at Luna with determination.

"What the hell are you doing?" You muttered so just Severus could hear.

"I'm going to Obliviate her. It won't hurt her." Severus told you, holding his wand in front of himself.

Before you could reply, Luna spoke up again.

"You may if you wish, Professors," Luna addressed you both, "But I assure you that I won't tell anyone that you're together."