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

Epilogue

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"You should just read the letter. It'll explain everything,"

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It had been two years since you had seen Severus Snape. 

It was extremely likely that neither of you would see each other for the rest of your lives. Your paths didn't cross anymore, and your souls weren't destined to be connected any longer. You had left Severus' life seemingly as fast as you had entered it. You left Hogwarts the same day that you and Severus' called it off, moving all of your things out of his office and your chambers within in the hour. 

The kids were heartbroken to hear about you leaving. A few of them practically fell to their knees and begged you to stay at least until the end of the year. You had to tell Luna that you were leaving unexpectedly. Luna had grown so very fond of you over the course of the first term, and she was disappointed to see you go so quickly and without explanation. She offered to help you pack up your things from your office, commenting on how she was honored to have served as your assistant.

You'd never forget the look on Dumbledore's face when you told him you were leaving. It wasn't a look of shock or surprise, but a look of knowingness and expectance. Almost as if Dumbledore knew that this would happen all along. He didn't say "I told you so" or make any kind of remark in that sense. He only gave so much as a nod and the slightest of smiles, letting you know that he understood why you were leaving.

Minerva was much less understanding. You told her everything, knowing she'd find out sooner or later. Minerva was puzzled, completely taken aback that things went south as quickly as they did. Minerva knew you had gotten yourself in a tight situation, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Minerva just didn't expect for all the wrong choices to be made. But sitting around and judging you for everything wouldn't solve anything. After a little while, Minerva brought herself to understand. She hugged you goodbye, telling you that she'd miss you and that she was only a letter away.

The plan then was to go back to Sirius and begin building a life from what remained of the foundation of your relationship. He and Remus both were relieved when you returned to the apartment later that night, the three of you were at ease, sitting around to drink and chat as if you had never been separated. The goal then was to move on.

To start over.

Severus didn't start over. Severus didn't move on. He moped around and sulked for weeks. The kids (and professors alike) knew better than to say anything to him. It was an unspoken, but mostly everyone had figured out that your exit had something to do with his behavior. His bland, harsh teaching only got worse, and if it hadn't been for Dumbledore intervening, a vast majority of students would've failed Potions for the year. 

Severus fell into a routine, one that was unchanging and a bit of a vicious cycle. He woke up early in the morning, went to his classes, went to dinner, and went to bed. He shut himself off from everyone. He didn't talk to Minerva, Albus, or any of his fellow colleagues. They all tried to reach out to him, they all tried to let him know that they were there for him. But Severus didn't want anyone else's help or consolation.

He knew he had to get used to being alone again.

The next two years seemed to fly by. Time didn't stop just because Severus had a broken heart and shattered spirit. Things went on the way they always had. With time, Severus somewhat began to return to what he was before you came around, but he never was quite the same again. He started allowing some conversation, mostly with Albus and Minerva. They weren't so hesitant to speak to him anymore for fear of upsetting him, but they still took cautious steps. 

It was a late October night when Severus heard a knock on his office door, the inky black sky outside was dotted with sprinkles of dazzling the stars. The very same ones that he had once compared you to. The stars outside didn't seem to shine as brightly anymore now that the star he loved most had burned away.