Snape imagines | 1

22- A death eater meeting

It had been an uneventful day, you'd only had three classes to teach in the morning so you had spent the afternoon having some time to yourself. You needed a break after all, as much as you loved the students they were always full of energy, too much energy.
You understood how your husband must feel now. You'd only been teaching at Hogwarts for a couple of months and you were tired out, no wonder Severus was exhausted after all his years of teaching.

You sat in yours and Severus's shared chambers, lying across the couch, occupied with one of his many books in hand. It had just reached 6:00pm now, so dinner in the great hall wouldn't be for another ten minutes or so.
The door quietly opened, as a fatigued looking Severus entered the room. You gave him a sympathetic smile, knowing that his students had a habit of continuously stressing him out. He sent you a small smile back, running a hand over his face in an attempt to wake him up a little. You put your book down as he approached you tiredly, opening your arms for him.
"Come here, Sev" you cooed.
He made no objections, crawling into your arms as he buried his head in the crook of your neck.
"How was your day?" you asked him.
You always asked this when he returned from his classes, but this time the answer was already clear enough to you.
He sighed softly, mumbling a "what do you think?" into your neck.
A small laugh escaped you and you kissed the top of his head, running your hands gently through his hair as he snuggled even closer to you if possible.
Taking a quick glance at the clock on the wall, you sighed, gently nudging Severus to get him to sit up.
He groaned at this, but sat up nonetheless, rubbing his eyes.
"As much as i'd love to nap with you right now, dinner starts in less than five minutes so we should probably head to the great hall now" you explained to him, moving his hair out of his face lovingly.
He smiled softly, nodding as he cleared his throat.
"I suppose so."
You smiled and left your chambers with him, hand in hand.

The two of you didn't talk an awful lot as you made your way through the dungeons and to the great hall, but it was a nice peaceful silence.

Upon entering the hall, you didn't bother dropping each other's hands, considering that all the students and professors were well aware of yours and Severus's relationship by
now.
Making your way up to the long staff table, you took your designated seat as Severus sat down next to you.
Remus entered the hall next, and sat down on the other side of you, giving you a friendly smile. You returned it.

You began eating, making light conversation with Remus as it appeared that your husband wasn't in the mood for chatter as he nonchalantly picked at his food, not seeming the slightest bit interested.
He winced all of a sudden, confusing you. You placed your hand on his thigh, and he turned to look at you.
"Are you feeling alright, my love?" you asked him, worriedly. It was no surprise for Severus to be tired, but he was acting a little odd.
He nodded, picking up your hand and giving it a gentle kiss.
"I'm just tired, is all. I think i'll just head back to our chambers, okay?"
You couldn't help but think that something else was going on, but you still smiled, giving him a nod, resuming your conversation with Remus as you watched him leave the hall.
Around ten minutes later, after you'd finished eating and chatting here and there with a few of the other professors, you stood up, exchanging your goodbyes with Remus as
you, too, left the hall.

You entered your chambers once again, a smile on your face as you were ready to greet Severus once more. But he wasn't there.
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, you checked all of the rooms to see if he was there. Still no.
But just as you were about to leave you're bedroom, a note on the dresser caught your eye. You picked it up and began to read.

I'm sorry for leaving my love, but my arm started burning.
I know you tend to worry about my death eater meetings, but I can assure you I'll be fine. I assume 'You Know Who' just wants to go over a few plans for the next year.
I'll be back soon, I love you.
- Severus x

You sighed, putting the note down. You knew your husband had to stay true to Albus by going to these awful meetings, but you always feared for his safety. It didn't help that whenever he would return, he would shut you out and act cold towards you for the rest of the night. You knew it wasn't his fault, he'd always apologise the morning after, and shower you with kisses, but it still stung slightly when he acted like you were a stranger to him.
You decided to distract yourself, making your way over to the fireplace, igniting a warm fire before going to the couch and lying down. Surely a quick nap won't hurt before Severus returns...

-

You awoke rather abruptly at the sound of a door slamming shut.
Sitting up and stretching, you looked at the clock. It read 11pm.
Merlin, you thought, i've been asleep for hours.
You diverted your attention to the sound of the noise, your eyebrows raising at what you saw.
Severus stood there, looking at you with the most agonising expression you'd ever seen. Tears raced down his cheeks at a fast pace and he was breathing heavily. He looked completely and utterly dishevelled, his hair slightly messy and his robes half unbuttoned.

"Oh my Godric" you breathed, quickly standing from the couch as you hurried towards him, gathering him in your arms as he sobbed uncontrollably.
You held him close, whispering sweet nothings in an attempt to soothe him whilst your hand cradled the back of his head.
Tears also began to form in your eyes at the sight of your husband in pain, but you blinked harshly to get rid of them. He was more important right now.

After five minutes had gone by and Severus's sobs seemed to die down, you carefully removed him from your embrace, guiding him to the couch as you both sat down.
You cupped his face in your hands, wiping the few stray tears left with your thumbs as you kissed his temple.
"Severus, what happened?" you asked cautiously.
"He knows Y/N. The Dark Lord, he knows" Severus burst out, his breathing rate quickening.
Taking his large hands in yours, you alternated gentle squeezes to them as you shushed him quietly.
"It's okay, it's okay, you're safe sweetheart. You're here with me" you assured, coaxing him to try and speak again.
"He knows that we're together. That was why he called the meeting. He wants me to bring you to him, but I refused so he..." Severus cut himself off by taking deep breaths, trying desperately not to break down.
You froze, scared to the core. Merlin knows what The Dark Lord would do to you if he met you. The thought terrified you, but you remained calm.
"He what?" you pressed gently, holding his face in your hands.
"He used the cruciatus curse on me" he breathed out. You stared at him in shock, trying to register what he'd just said.
To Voldemort, Severus was one of his most 'loyal' followers. The fact that he'd even consider using that curse on him was baffling to you.
Severus gave a small sniff as he wiped his eyes before continuing.
"All I remember was laughter, they all just laughed at me, nobody helped. It lasted for hours, I thought he was going to kill me-"
He lowered his head as another tear rolled down his cheek.
You pulled him into your arms once again, pressing affectionate kisses to the side of his head.
"It's okay my love, you're safe now. I've got you" you comforted.
"We'll discuss what to do tomorrow with Albus, but for now, you deserve rest."
He only weakly nodded, you helping him up and walking into your room with him.

Severus didn't bother changing into his nighttime clothes, instead removing his outer layers and shoes, keeping his shirt on.
You watched him get into bed as you changed into your sleepwear, before giving your wand a flick to turn off the light.
You got under the covers with him and gently pulled his body closer to yours, placing soft kisses on the back of his neck.
"I love you. More than anything" he spoke into the darkness.
You half-heartedly smiled, replying with an "I love you more" as the two of you drifted into sleep.

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i feel like this was short? but i wanted to write something so i hope this was okay. kinda sad, but i promise the next one will be more wholesome <3 also i cant believe this has 40k reads now, thank you!