Innocence | Severus Snape x Reader

34 - Dance

 As Harry and I went outside to the courtyard we passed a couple in the corner snogging. I gave them a look as we passed.

We turned the corner and passed by a carriage shaking back and forth, Potter lingered for a moment but I grabbed his shoulder and ushered him along with me.

"It seems we were both put in unusual and unfortunate circumstances," I said, referring to the situation of both our names being drawn despite neither of us putting them in.

"I think that whoever put our names in, is a foe to both of us." He said.

"Oh? but who would want to-" I was cut off by a very loud whisper coming from the middle of the courtyard. Harry and I both moved and hid behind one of the pillars as we watched. It was Igor Karkaroff and... Severus...?

"It's happening again, like before, and soon neither you nor anyone else will be able to deny it," Igor said as he followed Severus who was checking the secluded areas.

"I hope you're ready Igor. I see no reason to discuss it." Severus says without looking back at the other man. Severus stopped and seemed to be looking right at Harry and me. And then he ran towards us, only taking a turn and pointing his wand at a carriage, two students are revealed and step out. "Ten points from Hufflepuff, and the same for Ravenclaw." The students hurried off.

"It's a sign Severus, You know it is." Igor tries blocking off his path but Severus only pushes right past him.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Severus opens another door and finds nothing.

"Really? Then I guess you won't mind rolling up your sleeve." As he turns Severus lifts up his arm and pulls his sleeve back to reveal his pale arm. "You don't fool me, Severus. You're scared! Admit it!"

"I have nothing to be scared of, Igor, can you say the same?" With that, Karkaroff walks away, once he does, Severus leaves as well. My eyes follow him.

"Excuse me for a moment Harry..." I say, walking away from the boy and following the same direction Severus did. 

"Severus!" I stopped him as he was about to go back into the castle. I stood ut in the courtyard with the snow falling onto me, but I didn't care. 

He turned to look at me. He paused for a long while, he just stared at me before finally walking towards me. I could tell he paid mind to not get too close to me. 

"You look beautiful." He breathed out. He wasn't looking at my eyes, but rather all of me. It ran chills down my spine. "If you were trying to get me to notice you-" 

"I didn't dress for you, Severus. I dressed for me." 

There was a long pause. Neither of us knew what to say. 

"What was that about? With Karkaroff?" I asked him. 

"It's nothing to be worried about." He said, but he had the same tone that he did when I asked him about what happened last year. 

"No, Severus. I want the real answer. What's like it was last time? And what was that with rolling up your sleeve?" I stepped towards him. "Why would you be scared? Does it have to do with Harry and I being put in the Goblet- Wh-" I was cut off by Severus grabbing my wrists, which were midair thanks to my hand gestures while I spoke. I was awfully close to him for someone who cared so much about our reputations. 

"Can you trust me? As I did you?" He asked, looking down at me. I pursed my lips. "Can you trust, that whatever I keep in secrecy, is for your own protection, and that I will tell you when the time is right?" 

"Why can't you tell me now?" My voice came out as more of a whisper than I had intended it to. 

"Because I need more... time." 

"Time for what?" I pulled my arms away from him. "Don't... treat me like a child!" I raised my voice. Realizing my anger, I closed my mouth and turned away, beginning to walk away from him. Walking towards the part of the courtyard that was farthest from the entrance back in, a part concealed by shadows. If we were going to have this conversation, I wanted the privacy. 

"This isn't that, Y/N." He said, following me. He didn't react to my yelling at him, which helped me feel a lot calmer. 

I didn't want to turn into my mother and father. I didn't want a screaming match. I couldn't be like them. 

"I don't like having secrets between us. It scares me not knowing whats going on. Ever since Potter has shown up, there's been this constant looming threat of danger Severus, and it's getting worse." I told him. It was the first time I had ever voiced that observation, but it was also the first time I had ever connected those dots. 

"I promise that everything I do is for your protection." Severus moved towards me and cupped my face. "Please, just trust me, okay?" He looked down at me. It felt that this had been the closest he had been to me in days. 

"Okay." I nodded. 

The somber moment made me want to cry. My face must have reflected that, because he kissed me, softly. One hand that was cupping my face had moved to the small of my back, and he pulled me in close, before separating our lips. 

"You're wearing the robes I got you." I said, my hand falling onto his chest and feeling the material. 

"I thought it was the right time to. Where did you get that dress...?" Severus looked down at the dress once more, a hunger carried in his voice as he spoke. 

"Dumbledore got it for me as a favor." Severus smiled and shook his head. I laughed lightly, and so did he. 

"I'd like to take it off of you." He said, his eyes meeting mine. 

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped slightly, I could feel my face heating up. "Severus!" I whisper-yelled. "Shouldn't you at least dance with a lady before you try to bed her?" 

"My apologies." He took my hand and backed away, bowing before me. "May I have this dance?"

I nodded and he took me in his arms, much as George had earlier, but there was much more passion in this. Much more vigor in his movements and passion, yet complete adoration as he looked down at me. 

We began to waltz together. 

It was an elegant dance between the two of us. Fluid even. 

"I cannot find the words I wish to say to you, Y/N." He said, softly. 

"Then show me, Severus."