Don't Save Me

Chapter 57: Gossip

 The last few weeks of the year quickly passed and we reached the end of term. Minerva allowed Severus and I to stay in her chambers to finish out the year while my uncle awaited a trial. The Ministry seemed to be taking their sweet time with this but he would finally stand trial in the summer for what he did to me. For the first time in months it felt as if things might finally work out for the best. I walked with Lily, James, Remus, Peter, and Lily toward the train.

"You will write to us won't you?" Lily asked, pulling me into a hug. "You'll let us know how the trial went?"

"Of course," I replied.

"I'm sorry we can't be there, Y/n," Remus said, guilt filling his eyes. I knew they all felt guilty and wanted to be there but their parents wouldn't let them. Lily's parents were muggles and didn't want to attend a wizarding trial for fear they would be hexed. Remus's parents didn't want him going to a trial for fear the Ministry would recognize him as a werewolf. Sirius had run away from home and was living with James and James's parents didn't want either of them attending that kind of trial. It was the same with Peter's parents. They knew it would be gruesome and I was honestly thankful that none of them were coming. It would only make it worse having to see the pity on their faces as the Wizengamot read my uncle's list of crimes.

"Hey, I get it. It's totally okay," I assured him as we made our way toward the train. The five of them stepped onto the train and we said our goodbyes. I hadn't seen Severus yet and I began to grow concerned. We said we would meet up at the train later to say goodbye but I hadn't seen him yet.

He's probably just running a bit late, I assured myself as I waited by the train. The last few students began boarding the train and I sighed in relief as I saw Severus, Rodolphus, and Regulus among them. I leaped toward Severus, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his neck. He chuckled before wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing his lips to the top of my head.

"Aww, what is it, darling? You didn't think I'd actually leave without saying goodbye, did you?" He pulled back slightly, lifting my chin with his hand before moving my hair out of my face.

"Aww, you did? Didn't you?" he cooed, before pressing his lips against my cheek. "Never, darling," he said as he pulled away.

"Uh oh, Snape. I think you're in the doghouse. I don't think that cheek kiss is going to get you out of it," Rodolphus said, laughing as he gave Severus a knowing look.

"Shut it, Lestrange," Severus snapped, though he couldn't hide the smirk that was spreading across his face.

"Aw, is that any way to treat your future best man?" he asked.

"Who said it's going to be you?" Severus responded, snaking his arm around my waist as I turned to face Rodolphus. Rodolphus feigned hurt as he and Regulus laughed. Severus turned to me.

"So, am I forgiven?" he asked me.

"Hmm... I'm not sure yet," I replied, moving my hands up his chest.

"Now, now. We can't have that. How can I ever make it up to you?" he asked me, smirking as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well... you have the whole summer to think about why you should never be late when meeting your future wife. I'm sure you'll think of something," I replied, before standing on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his cheek, and leaving him standing there, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink as Regulus and Rodolphus tried to contain their laughter. They boarded the train as I walked toward Minerva who was beaming at me. She opened her mouth to speak but I stopped her.

"Not. A. Word."

"I wasn't... yeah okay I was. But you two are cute!" she giggled. We made our way back to Hogwarts, laughing as she continued asking my questions about my relationship with Severus.