Innocence | Severus Snape x Reader

50 - Close Call

I sat in Severus' chair at his desk reading the newspaper. 

Fuck the Daily Prophet. 

The headline was about my aunt. 

Bellatrix Lestrange had escaped Azkaban. 

The reason I was so upset was not just because a quite notorious and dangerous death eater had escaped but the minister was blaming Sirius and the Prophet was just fuelling the fire. At this rate, Voldemort could walk the street and the Minister would say it's mass hysteria.

What was even worse was that the prophet was finally getting around to my name. 

"With the escape of Bellatrix Lestrange perhaps it's a sign that another Lestrange that has seem to have made a name for herself is part of a large and sinister scheme that has yet to be unveiled." I read aloud to Severus, who was cleaning up his classroom after today's messes that were made. 

"They want a rise out of you, that's the whole point. Make it seem like you're guilty." Severus said to me. 

"Sev, they're so afraid that they've come in a complete circle. They are denying the truth and the truth is, Voldemort is preparing for something! He was able to get away with freeing ten notoriously loyal Death Eaters." I explained. 

"Then tell that to the Order." 

"You are in the order!" I was beginning to raise my voice. 

"Y/n, I understand your frustration but this is not the time nor the place. We have to stay level-headed." His voice remained gentle and calm. He was right. 

I put the paper down and stared off blankly, then something caught my eye.

"You still have it?" I said, in reference to the small vial with the small white flower in it. It still hadn't wilted. 

"Of course I do. I enjoy having a piece of you in this room. I also enjoy the reminder of how far we've come along. It's almost like a promise." He said to me, looking at the flower, touching it gently. "I was so scared of losing you," he looked up at me, "suppose I still am. For different reasons though." 

"I can handle myself quite well now, Severus." I said, a small smile on my face. 

"Your scar proves otherwise." 

"I'd say my scar proves so. If anything the scar not only proves how well I can handle myself but how well Harry can as well- which reminds me, I have a meeting to get to." 

"What meeting?" 

"Oh, just a quick touch-base." I stood and smiled at Severus. On my way out I kissed him. 

I had to meet with Harry, in fact. It was a very brief meeting out in the courtyard. 

Unfortunately, I told him I could no longer teach with him. As much as I enjoyed doing so, he was fine on his own, and I could risk getting caught and losing my job, especially now with the Daily Prophet using my name to sell more papers. 

This was something I also addressed with my class. 

Much like the discussion at the beginning of the year, I did my best to be completely honest, but still leave it as a comfortable space for them to form their own opinions about what they read in those damned papers. I assured them I was a part of no schemes. 

It seemed that Severus was right about my unique intuition because the day after I had told Harry I was no longer going to help them, the club got caught.

I don't know much of what happened, but Dumbledore had disappeared during the confrontation over "Dumbledore's Army" and that toad was appointed the position of headmaster. With her newfound power, she had taken down every painting in the school and punished every student whose name was on the list. 

It seemed that my insight to not sign that paper before saved me now. 

I was beginning to notice the consistency of my forethought and events that happened that were avoided or would have been avoided by listening to that thought. I'd have to pay more attention to that.  

This is the shortest chapter I've written in some time but I was feeling some writer's block on filler, but worry not, intense adventures to come!