𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑨𝑰𝑹 - Severus Snape

TWENTY SEVEN

27|THE RING

A familiar french lullaby echoed around the room, filling the silent atmosphere as Willow danced around the room. Her hands picking up clean clothes and storing them back into the cupboard.

Severus had only just returned home for the summer holidays, his clean luggage in a bag dumped in the corner of the room. Wanting to be helpful, Willow grabbed the bag and dumped it's belongings on the bed, folding the clothes and putting them away for him.

She chuckled as she lifted up his robes he wore teaching, remembering the first time she saw him wearing them. They had met for drinks at Hogsmeade, his strict aura demanding attention as he walked into the old pub.

She remembered the way students all gathered around, whispering about their professor as he wandered further into the room to meet the witch sat in the corner. She had been stopped by many female students begging to know what her relationship was with their most handsome teacher.

Willow quickly hung up the robes, moving back to the bed to grab the next item. Her body stilled as she spotted a small ring box sat on the bed, most likely fallen from the robes pocket. Refusing to believe Severus would want to take the first steps into a deeper relationship she picked it up, hands shaking as she opened it.

A beautiful diamond greeted her, the band tarnished giving it a vintage look. She questioned if it was a family heirloom as she took it out of the box, admiring the small jewels decorating the band.

"Wills, where did you put the coffee filters?" Severus questioned as he wandered into the bedroom, stopping as he spotted her holding a ring. It took him a moment to register that it was the same ring Minerva McGonagall had helped him pick out. He used two months worth of wages to pay for it. He wanted to buy her something more expensive and extravagant but Minerva reminded him of what Willow loved.

"What is this?" Willow twisted around to face him, holding out the ring between them. "Is this what I think it is?"

"You weren't supposed to see that." He answered quickly, trying to grab the ring from her but she pulled it closer to herself.

"Obviously." She rolled her eyes at him. "Is this an engagement ring?"

"Wills, I know it's soon in our relationship but all the other professors kept telling me I should so I went out and bought a ring but wanted to wait." He rambled, nervously pacing before her. "I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you but I don't know if you see yourself with me. You could do so much better, you're a doctor and a Potter. I come from a long line of nobodies."

"Yes." Willow cut him off. Her small reply stopping him as he turned to look at her.

"What?"

"Yes, I'll marry you." Severus pounced forwards, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her up as he spun around the room.

Her laughter was contagious as she held him close, the sudden realisation hitting her. The ring was still tightly in her grasp as he threw her down on the bed, hovering over her body as he littered her jaw and neck with small kisses.

"This is the most romantic proposal in the history of proposals." Willow cupped his cheeks, pulling his head close as the pair smiled widely at one another. "I can't believe we are actually getting married."

"I'm still in disbelief that you said yes." He kissed her lips delicately, savouring the moment.

"I told you, I don't see blood status." She pushed his long black locks away from his face. "I fell in love with you for you. I love the way you crinkle your nose when you smoke, the way you smile when you are talking about teaching, how you greet me with a cup of tea after a long shift or a cup of coffee before I leave for a long shift."

"I think you just one upped me in romantic moments." Severus smiled down at her, a tear rolling down his cheek before he hid his face in her shoulder.

"I love you Severus." Willow stroked his hair, slipping the ring on her finger and admiring it. "Flaws and all."

"I love you." He mumbled against her neck before grabbing her wrists and pinning her down. "How about I show you how much I love you?"