Winters Cloak | S.S

41 | Love

A black owl mounted the window sill, it steadied itself and dropped a parchment wrapped with a red ribbon inside of Severus's home.

"What have you brought for me?" Severus inched closer, slowly grasping the letter and unfolding it.

Curiously, you leaned over his right shoulder, trying to peer at its content. Only to find Severus shooting you a cautious look. You smiled a little and he sighed, standing up.

"It's addressed to me, let me read it first, darling."

Darling? That's new.

"I know it's from Dumbledore." You pointed out, "so it should be information for the both of us."

"I'll be the judge of that, L/N."

A shrug was what you presented to him. Exploring his house for the meantime. There was a golden antique mirror in the middle of the wall. You find your reflection dull-looking. You traced the dark underlines of your eye bags. Your nose was also red and a tad bit stuffy from the waters that had dripped down your eyes, prior.

"You have to leave." His dark voice sends waves to your core.

You turned sharply to meet his authoritative visage. Folding your arms with hesitance. The atmosphere grew tense and you felt the need to stay. To stay here. At his home. It was the most secure you had felt in a while.

"Why?"

"It is on Dumbledore's orders. Hogwarts is opening again." He responds deftly.

"But—Sev, I can't just leave you like this...and I'm not ready to go back." Your vision begins to blur again, watery eyes as you process the trauma in your mind, reoccurring.

His eyes soften for a while, and his arms engulf your body whole. His head lays on yours and you feel his digits draw circles on your back. In an attempt to soothe your sufferings. He helped your nerves.

"You'll be fine." He tried to reason, but there was nothing he could tell you to comply within Dumbledore's orders.

"It just...feels strange. Having change."

He hums lowly, vibrating into your ear and your heart skips a beat.

"You need to leave, Y/N. As much as I love bathing in your sun-kissed presence, I need you to go back. I'll be there soon. After dealing with the ministry."

You sighed in aggravation and pulled away from the hug. Staring at his raven eyes intently. "Why do I have to leave you so soon?" Trying to find another hidden clue, perhaps he had an ulterior motive behind his words.

But his face remain stoic.

"Be a good girl, for me. Please?" He asked in a whisper. Yet it felt more like a statement. Gently, his fingers brushed against your cold cheeks and you leaned into his hands to feel his warmth.

"Alright, fine. I'll go." You huffed, a bitter frown formed on your face as you backed away from his body. "But you have to promise me, you won't take too long."

"It depends..." He started silkily. You stared at him with an obvious appointed glare and in a sudden motion, he switched up his ruminating expression. "I'll be with you right after the meeting is finished."

"Thank you, Sev." You planted a surprise kiss on the tip of his nose. His eyes widened and you swore his cheeks turned a bit pink from the sudden affection.

You took your time to approach his exit door. Twisting your body to face him one more time, a sly smile present on his face as you gesture him good bye.

"Oh wait—how do I get back?"

His smile returned. "I'll apparate you to the train station, the rest is up to you."