Concealed Affections | Severus X Reader|

2.

In the quiet solitude of her new dormitory, Y/N sat nestled in an armchair by the fire, deeply engrossed in her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. The warmth of the flames cast a cozy, flickering light over the room, creating a serene atmosphere that was perfect for reading. The pages turned softly under her fingers as she became lost in the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, her thoughts temporarily drifting away from the weight of the day's events.

Suddenly, she heard the distinct sound of the portrait door creaking open behind her. Her heart skipped a beat, not expecting any visitors at this hour. She glanced up from her book and saw Severus Snape stepping through the doorway, his expression as unreadable as ever. He looked around the room with a fleeting curiosity before his gaze settled on her.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Snape's voice was subdued, almost tentative, an unusual softness shading his usual stern demeanor.

Y/N looked up, her surprise quickly melting into a welcoming smile. "No, I don't mind. Come, sit," she said, motioning to the empty space next to her.

Snape walked over and settled into the armchair beside her, the crackling of the fire the only sound breaking the silence between them. For several minutes, they sat in quiet contemplation, the only movement being the occasional shift of the firelight. Y/N could sense that Snape was wrestling with his thoughts, and she, too, felt the tension of the unsaid words hanging heavily in the air.

Finally, Snape broke the silence. "I know it's been a long time since we had a conversation," he began, his voice carrying an undertone of regret.

Y/N hummed softly in response, unsure of how to bridge the chasm that had long existed between them.

Turning to face her fully, Snape continued, "I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry for ruining our friendship."

The words struck Y/N deeply. She felt a sudden rush of emotion and tears began to well up in her eyes. She buried her head further into her book, her vision blurring as the old hurt resurfaced. Snape, noticing her distress, gently lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes.

For the first time in their troubled history, Y/N saw something different in those dark, intense eyes. The coldness she had grown accustomed to seemed to have melted away, replaced by a glimmer of vulnerability. Snape's eyes, usually so guarded, now held a softness that spoke of his internal struggle.

As he spoke, his voice trembled, "I have lost Lily. I can't lose you too, not again. I can't." A tear slipped from his eye, and he quickly wiped it away, his own emotions surfacing with the rawness of his admission.

Y/N's heart ached as she remembered their last argument, a misunderstanding over a careless remark. Her anger and pride had led her to ignore Snape, to push him away instead of listening to him. As she looked into his eyes, she began to regret letting their friendship fall apart over something so trivial.

Without fully understanding why or how, Y/N put her book aside. The intensity of the moment guided her actions. She leaned in and gently pressed her lips to his. To her surprise, Snape responded immediately, his lips meeting hers with a tenderness that spoke volumes. The kiss was soft, exploratory at first, but soon deepened into something more profound and meaningful.

They remained locked in that embrace for several minutes, their connection growing stronger with each passing second. The outside world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in this fragile, healing moment.

The sudden ring of the bell, signaling the end of the evening, jolted them out of their reverie. They pulled away slightly, their breaths mingling as they looked at each other, both startled and somewhat embarrassed by their spontaneous display of affection.

"We should get to our classrooms," Snape said softly, his voice still carrying the weight of their recent exchange.

Y/N nodded, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Yes, we should."

They rose together, sharing a lingering look before heading toward the door. The promise of a renewed understanding and the prospect of a new beginning lingered between them as they prepared to return to their duties. The warmth of the fire, the softness of their shared moment, and the knowledge of a fresh start offered hope for a better future.