ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

❀ 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝓌ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓎 𝓈ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃 ❀

❤︎𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓼 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮. 𝓼𝓲𝓽𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮. 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮. 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮, 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮❤︎

I traverse the corridors with a weariness that taints my gaze, my eyes diligently scanning the labyrinthine paths for the telltale sight of my best friend's resplendent mane of white locks. Yet, beneath the surface, a disquietude lingers, a persistent echo of Ron's menacing words that haunts the recesses of my consciousness. It is not the machinations of clandestine alliances with Draco, Theo, or Pansy that consume my thoughts, but the fear of discovery, the dread of Ron unraveling the clandestine tapestry of my relationship with Severus. The specter of his scrutiny casts a shadow of apprehension, for if he finds naught, his ceaseless mind shall conjure accusations anew. Sighing softly, I step into the next corridor, oblivious to the imminent collision with another wayward soul. An expletive escapes my lips as I raise my gaze, only to be met by a pair of deep obsidian eyes. Suppressing the smile that threatens to bloom upon my lips, I restrain myself from offering even a semblance of mirth, for it would surely be perceived as peculiar to smile after such a careless collision. Maintaining an air of bemused neutrality, I retreat a step, my composure intact.

"Excuse me, sir."

To the untrained eye, Severus' countenance betrays no hint of amusement dancing within the depths of those ebony irises. But I, attuned to the subtle nuances of his demeanor, perceive it clearly, like a mischievous twinkle illuminating the vast cosmos of his gaze. Restraint becomes my armor as I refrain from crossing my arms in a gesture of defiance, opting instead for a silence that speaks volumes. I watch, captivated, as Severus arches an eyebrow mockingly, his unspoken words an elegant taunt.

"Detention, Sinclair. Tonight."

Internally, a spark of elation ignites, though outwardly I feign annoyance, my nod of compliance a calculated performance. With alacrity, I scurry past Severus, offering a brisk "Professor" as I pass. Amidst the throng of students outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, I spot Pansy's shock of raven tresses, and inwardly, I berate my forgetfulness. Tonight was meant to be a gathering of the feminine camaraderie, an evening of shared secrets and laughter in the hallowed sanctum of the Room of Requirement. Luna had promised to grace us with her presence.

"Saliah, what has befallen you? Shall we convene within the Room of Requirement tonight?"

She regards me skeptically, her arched eyebrow conveying a mix of curiosity and amusement. Sheepishly, I tilt my head, my admission of guilt manifesting in a bashful gesture. Pansy's expression morphs into a playful smirk, her amusement unmistakable, a silent assurance that her mock ire is but a facade.

„Regrettably, I am bound to an evening of detention"

"And with whom have you incurred this penance?"

I struggle to suppress the telltale blush that threatens to stain my cheeks, but Pansy's discerning gaze pierces through my feeble defenses.

"With Professor Snape."

An indignant splutter escapes Pansy's lips, her amusement palpable. Such an outcome was bemusing to her, a twist of fate that defied all expectations.

"You orchestrated this, didn't you?"

Indignation takes hold of me, and I press my hand to my chest, aghast at the insinuation. Pansy, undeterred by my feigned outrage, wears a mischievous smile, her raised eyebrows a playful taunt. Unseen to her, Draco lingers just behind, casting a skeptical gaze upon our exchange.