𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑨𝑰𝑹 - Severus Snape

TWENTY

20|GRADUATION PT. 1

A tear cascaded down her cheek as she listened to Professor Dumbledores speech, remenicing her time at Hogwarts. She thought about her first day, the first time she met the maurderers and the first time she became friends with Lily, Dorcus and Marlene. Then her mind switched to when she first met Severus, the time they spent at the beach house which felt longer than a year ago.

James reached over, grabbing his sister's hand and squeezing it as they looked at one another. They had done it. They had graduated.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled to her as Professor McGonagall walked up to the podium to speak. "For everything. I love you little sister."

"I love you too big brother." Willow smiled back, resting her head on his shoulder as the room filled lit up with appluase. "But you're barely older than me."

"I know." James chuckled lightly, nudging her head gently. "But I'm still technically older. And I'm smarter."

"You wish." Her eyes lit up with laughter, glancing back to see their parents watching them proudly. Their mother wiped away her happy tears, trying to stay strong as her only children, including Sirius, graduated.

Once the ceremony was over, the twins and Sirius headed over to the proud Potter parents. Willow immediately hugged her father, tearing up as he repeatedly told her how much he loved her.

"Invite all your friends over, we will have a party to celebrate." Euphemia Potter suggested, wrapping her arms around Sirius and Willow.

"You're the best!" Sirius said excitedly, smirking at Willow as he knew how crazy she got when drunk. He also wanted to find out how truthful the statement he had overheard her and Remus have.

"This is why you are the best mum." Willow squealed happily, squeezing her mother as they hugged.

Her green eyes scanned the large pool of graduated students, looking for a certain Slytherin with shaggy black hair and a bored expression.

"I will be back in just a moment." She excused herself from her family, spotting the boy she was looking for on the outskirts with a cigarette hanging out his mouth.

"Congratulations." Severus greeted her, accepting her short hug.

"We made it!" Willow grinned brightly up at the amuses boy. "We actually survived this place."

"You survived." He chuckled at her excited behaviour, watching her bounce around. "I heard you are part of the small group who managed to get top grades."

"It wasn't that hard, I just studied." She shrugged off his compliment. "But with my grades and work experience with Madam Pomfrey, I might actually be accepted into the training program for St. Mungo's Hospital."

"I know you will be accepted." Severus nodded along, passing her the cigarette which she took eagerly. "You're a great nurse."

"I had a regular patient to look after." Her laughter was contagious, brightening his mood. "What about you? Did you talk to Professor Dumbledore about becoming the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor? You would be perfect."

"I might talk to him about it later." He brushed off the question, not knowing what his future held.

"We better stay friends even if we don't live and study together." Willow said sadly, her smile fading as she realised that it won't be so easy for them to meet up. "I don't want to lose you after everything."

"You won't lose me, Wills." He threw the cigarette butt away, slipping his hands around her waist as he pulled her closer. "I won't let you slip through my fingers."

"Sev." She breathed out, her eyes fluttering closed as he leaned in. Their lips brushed against each other, both hesitant. He pressed his mouth on hers, her hands slipping into his hair to pull him closer.

"We should have done that sooner." Willow reluctantly pulled away for air, eyes still closed as a smile erupted on her lips.

"We have plenty of time to do it again." Severus gingerly placed a light kiss on her forehead, stroking his thumb against her waist.

"I'm holding that to you." She giggled, looking up at him lovingly. "I better go find my friends, but I'll find you before we take the train one last time."

Willow kissed his cheek and skipped away to her group of friends gathering together, spotting a familiar red head.