After All This Time

A Torture

Time passed, Aleah focused on her studies and excelled in every class, especially in their N.E.W.T. exams. She did crossed paths with her Potions professor in the corridor, the Great Hall and in his classes before but Aleah maintained her composure and tried to forget and ignore Severus.

But she cannot deny to herself that she still has feelings for him. Seeing him made her remembered everything that happened before, especially their kiss.

Aleah is done packing her things and is now prepping herself for the leaving feast at the Great Hall.

She looked at herself in the mirror for the last time before heading out and touched the necklace. She really liked the necklace and feels secure when she wears it.

She went down to the common room and was greeted by Finn, who is now courting her.

"Hey Leah! let's go?" said Finn offering her arm to Aleah, which she happily put her arm around it and said, "Let's go."

They went to the Great Hall and greeted their friends Reya and Draco.

Before they start the feast, Dumbledore awarded the Gryffindor house the House Cup and said,

"For the top student of the 7th year, Miss Aleah Black,"

The students in the Great Hall clapped their hands and cheered Aleah.

Aleah gave them a smile and was so happy to be awarded as the top student of her class. Aleah looked at the staff's table and saw Severus clapping his hands and thought to herself if Severus was smiling.

Aleah felt something inside her and seeing Severus clapped for her made her happy.

Reya, Draco and Finn congratulate Aleah for her achievement and they started eating.

When finished, they said their goodbyes to their other friends who were in lower years and their teachers.

Aleah looked for Severus so that she could have a chance to talk to him and say thank you for the last time, but Severus already left the Great Hall and that made Aleah sad.

Aleah thought to herself that maybe Severus didn't really have any feeling for her like she did. All those kisses were just a sudden pull of urge and thought that he regretted everything about it.

Aleah went to get her things and when she went down to the common room, thinking that Reya and Draco will be there waiting for her, she only found Finn.

Finn helped Aleah with her things, Aleah looked at the Slytherin common room for the last time and went out.

While Aleah and Finn are walking in the corridor, Finn suddenly stopped and Aleah looked at her confused.

"Finn, are you okay?" asked Aleah and walked to him.

"Leah, I really liked you. And once again, I wanna ask you" said Finn looking at her and suddenly he held her hand.

"Can you be my girlfriend Leah?" asked Finn

"Finn, I---" Aleah was interrupted by Finn who suddenly kissed her, taking her by surprise.

Aleah didn't return the kiss, she was stunned by the sudden action of Finn and when Aleah was back to her senses she pushed Finn, ending the kiss.

"Aleah, I-I'm so sorry, I--" said Finn, trying to hold her but Aleah avoided his touch. Aleah took off her necklace and gave it to Finn.

Aleah grabbed her things and looked at Finn one last time and left him there.

When Aleah turned to make her leave, she saw her Potions professor striding off. Aleah panicked and thought to herself if Severus saw the kiss between her and Finn.

Severus who was supposed to talk to Aleah before she go, was deeply saddened by the scene he just witnessed. Regrets filled his mind. He yearned for her, he badly wants to hold her close to him and he thought of Aleah's lips, how he missed kissing those lips.

'How ridiculous!' he thought to himself.

Finn kissing Aleah is still on his mind, torturing him.