Precarious (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter 14: Minerva

"She's listening."

-

The events of last night flashed before your eyes repeatedly throughout the day Sunday. No matter how much you tried to ignore the thoughts, they flooded through you like the blood pulsing hastily in your arteries. You were at a crossroad with Severus. Your relationship had escalated quickly, and it was now impossible to ignore. You had engaged in such an intimate act with him, and you needed to decide how to proceed in the future. It was clear that both of you yearned to continue on the current path, but there were so many questions that had to be answered first. Would you be able to continue to focus on your studies with him? Would you commit to an actual relationship, or just fleeting sexual endeavors? Was this even allowed?

The questions tormented you to the point of wanting to pull your hair from its roots. You paced around your quarters in agony until you concluded that you needed to talk to someone about this. There was only one other person in the castle that you trusted enough to discuss the situation with, and you prayed that she would understand. You exited your room for the first time since late last night and hesitantly made your way out of the dungeons. You tried to rehearse what you would say as you walked, but it was futile. You were simply too anxious. Once you had arrived, you gave a few quiet raps on the door before letting yourself in.

Minerva was walking toward the door, grasping a book when she saw you. Her lips turned up into a wide smile.

"Well, hello dear!" she started, then noticed the worrisome expression on your face. "Oh my, what's going on?"

You gave her a half-hearted grin. "Is now a good time for a chat?" you asked.

She gestured toward a passageway at the back of the classroom. "Of course! My office is right this way."

You followed her beneath a little archway, through a door that lead to a quaint workspace, outfitted with just enough practical decor to make it comfortable. Everything was spotless and sat neatly in its carefully chosen space.

"Please have a seat. Would you like some tea?" she asked, offering you a cup.

You shook your head, your stomach suddenly turning upside down with nausea.

"What's happened, (Y/N)? I can tell that something has seriously disturbed you," she asked quietly, taking the seat across from you and placing her book on her desk.

You grappled inside your mind, searching for the right combination of words to give her an understanding of your situation while preserving your dignity. She cleared her throat impatiently.

"Minnie..." you started, voice wavering.

She inclined her head.

"I need to talk to you about something. It's very personal, and, frankly, I'm quite embarrassed to even speak to you about it, but I need help." You anxiously rubbed your thumb against the edge of the desk, searching for some degree of physical release.

"I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to be doing this, and I don't want you to think poorly of me." You felt the wet prickle of tears in your eyes and you dared them not to spill over.

"You can tell me anything, (Y/N)," Minnie coaxed.

You sighed heavily. "It's a man," you almost whispered.

She smiled, teeth glistening. "Have you got a crush? Trying to find a way to tell him?"

"It's more than a crush, Minnie. And he already knows. We've done...some things," you said in shame. She raised her eyebrows.

"Have you slept with him?" she asked, nonjudgemental but prying.

You shook your head, then stopped yourself. "No - well, sort of - but not really."