Precarious (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter 2: Filthy Language, Too

"Did you just perform Legilimens on me?"

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Albus smiled from across the room as you made your way toward his desk, following closely behind Minerva.

"Ah, yes! Our darling girl - though not much a girl anymore," he exclaims, arms outstretched.

You blushed and lowered your head as you stepped carefully into Albus' arms.

"Hello, sir," you said.

Released from your embrace, you turned to face who you assumed to be your preceptor. He stood upright, shoulders back, face flat. His hair was straight and dark, perhaps black, and framed his face almost to his shoulders. His skin was pale, but with a touch of pink in his cheeks. From this distance, you couldn't quite tell if his eyes were dark brown or as black as his hair. His robes clung tightly to his chest and shoulders, then fell straight toward his hips.

Handsome, you thought.

You were struck with familiarity. You had met him before.

"This is Professor Snape," Albus said, "he will be your preceptor for the coming semesters."

It hit you like a brick wall.

"Severus?" you asked, not intending to say aloud, but you voiced it nonetheless.

He scoffed gently.

"That is how you may remember me, Miss, but to you now, I am your Potions Master."

A punch in the gut, you thought.

You remembered him from your time at Hogwarts. He was two, maybe three years ahead of you, and incredibly shy. You were stunned to witness this assertive behavior, as it was so out of character from what you remembered.

All you could muster was, "Yes, sir."

Albus, still smiling, placed a hand on your shoulder.

"Severus is a bit rough around the edges, but in time you'll see he is a very kind, gentle man," he said.

What a fucking git.

The voice in your head was not yours, and you realized that you had accidently touched Severus' mind with Legilimency. You were excellent at it, and sometimes it was difficult to control. Almost like a reflex, others' thoughts flooded your mind. You'd have to be extra careful around him. Your eyes widened and you looked to your feet, attempting to close off your thoughts from everyone else's. When you looked up again, Severus was glaring, narrow-eyed. Anxiety, and daresay fear, was bubbling inside you. Albus and Minerva continued to chat like you couldn't feel your throat ripping away from your body.

"Seeing as you've already unpacked, I'll have Professor Snape take you to the Potions classroom and discuss what the next few weeks will bring," Albus said. "Go on, now!"

You closed your eyes briefly, feeling nauseous.

"Follow me," Snape ordered reluctantly.

You stepped quickly to keep up with him as he trod down the stairs and into the corridor. His steps outnumbered yours by double. Breathing heavily, you followed him to the dungeons, fearful that he would scold you for reading his thoughts.

"I suppose I forgot to introduce myself, I'm-"

"I know who you are," he said roughly, cutting you off.

He approached a familiar door, rounded at the top and bound with iron. This was the Potions classroom. He swung it open, walked inside, and you tentatively followed him, unsure of where to go from here.