Meeting Patronus | A Severus Snape Love Story

Chapter 14 "Truth"

It's Friday now. Your first Friday since you've been back. An excited energy tingles beneath your skin. Your hands seem to be shaking less and the bruise on your cheek is fading into an ugly greenish-yellow color. You try to cover it up with foundation as best as you can and do the rest of your makeup for the first time in weeks. It's an attempt to feel a little normal again. As for your neck, you wrap your dark green scarf around it. The bruised handprints faded, but still there and noticeable, and you won't leave your dorm without covering up. It's honestly none of anyone's business what happened to you and you don't want to be seen as a victim more than you already are. You walk into the empty Potion's classroom and take a seat. You're early, even earlier than Severus. You walk over to Severus's desk, then glance down at four perfectly laid out black pencils. You take one, deciding he won't miss it. Holding something he has held feels like the second-best thing to holding his hand. Does this make you a little obsessive? Maybe. But you miss him, and you just want to feel connected. You walk back to your seat and slump over your desk, laying your head on your arm. If you close your eyes and focus hard enough, you could imagine his hand tucking your hair behind your ear.

Students pile in, snapping you awake from your daydream. You sigh in disappointment. Severus swings open the classroom door, his presence always commanding attention. His face looks more hardened than usual.

"Finals are next week." He barks. "And based on your sad attempts at Amortentia last week, none of you are ready, which is why we will be reviewing today." He says, completely cold and annoyed. "Keep in mind that those of you who are unsuccessful are well on your way to repeating this class with me next year. How fun." He ends sarcastically.

You start to panic. You've totally missed the Amortentia chapter and you're completely lost, although the prospect of having two classes with Snape next year does sound like a good time.

"[l/n]." You snap up at his voice. "Since you missed last week, you'll shadow me." He commands in a bored tone.

You nod and stand as the rest of the class disperses with audible groans about the review and dread for finals. This is when you notice Ryan staring at you from across the room. He turns the second you notice him. You stand frozen and start to hyperventilate, flashes of the attack passing through you. The feeling of him on top of you as you struggle to break free, weighing deep within you.

"We don't have all day, Miss [l/n]." Snape says in a low voice, looking down at his paper as he finishes writing a note. You feel like you're about to faint, like all of the air has been sucked out of the room. Severus looks up and sees you grip at your chest and stumble. He rushes to you and pulls you into the back-storage room.

You feel limp as Severus supports your weight. He sits you down on the ground in the corner and hurriedly reaches behind him, searching for something. He quickly grabs a light pink elixir and kneels down beside you. You continue to gasp for air and tug at your tie, panic and tears filling your eyes.

He gently shushes you, running a hand softly down your back to try to calm you.

"[y/n], drink this." He holds the bottle up to your lips and tilts it slowly into your mouth. The taste is awful, bitter and pungent, but you can feel the effect immediately. Your breathing slows and your eyes become clear.

"Good girl." He whispers, relieved as he pulls you in for a hug. You quickly close your eyes, feeling reassured as you absorb the soft pleasure of his arms around you. He pulls away much too soon.

"Are you okay?" He asks with concern in his eyes.

"I am now." You say, softly smiling up at him.

He softens. "Do you want to go down to the infirmary?"