The Exposure

Chapter Twenty-Four

          You take full advantage of your lazy Sunday and sleep in, the late morning sun streaming through the curtains and onto your face, waking you from your deep slumber. "Severus..." your first thought is always of him and your heart aches to be near him. You quickly jump out of bed, an unfamiliar jolt of energy courses through you at the thought of seeing him. Mornings are usually difficult for you, most of your life spent dreading the day, feeling as though you had very little to even wake for. But ever since you fell for Professor Snape, the day can't seem to begin soon enough.

          You get dressed and make your way downstairs, hoping to catch him in the halls, even for a moment. You see Amy and Georgia with their dates from the ball, seeming to be getting along quite well and run into Angel on your way to grab a quick breakfast. You walk together and talk about your plans for the day and you lie, "I think I'm going to spend some time with Peter, just the two of us." She squeals with glee, clinging to your arm. "You seem happy, Y/n!" "I...think I am," you respond, surprised at your own admittance of this feat. You aren't sure what power it is that he holds, but when you're near him the darkness and anxiety are dispelled entirely. Your heart aches again in longing.

          "I'm so happy you and Peter are together," Angel was saying. "Y–yes, me too." You say, scanning the halls distractedly for Snape. Where is he? What if he changed his mind about me...? You shake the doubt away, trying not to sink back into the worry you've just gotten relief from. Finally your eyes spot him, talking to another teacher in the courtyard. There you are. You manage to shake Angel from your side, "I have a question for the professor, I'll see you later." "Alright, let me know how it goes with Peter," she winks.

          The two professors end their conversation and Snape turns to leave, his black robes swishing around him with his long strides until he stops abruptly when he sees you standing in front of him. An expression you don't recognize crosses his face for the shortest moment and then disappears as it freezes over in an icy hardness. Your excited smile disappears as he quickly passes you, "Miss Y/n."

          "Professor!" you say hurriedly. "Is...everything alright?" He stops in his tracks without turning around, his face hidden. You say softly enough for his ears only, "I looked for you all day yesterday but couldn't seem to find you...where have you been?" There's a pause that feels like an eternity. "Have a good day, Miss Y/n," his tone cold and sterile.

          Your heart drops and tears threaten your eyes. So he has changed his mind. Your feet carry you with heavy steps through the halls toward Ravenclaw tower as you fight back the storm of emotion welling inside you. How could I think something like this would last? That I could mean something to someone so marvelous..." You feel heavy and drained as your legs slowly make the ascent up the stone steps, the morning's energy plummeted in a moment's notice.

          A sudden thought crosses your mind, something foreign but empowering. I have the right to know why. Your footsteps come to a halt and you quickly make a decision, turning around and descending down toward the Slytherin dungeon.

          You manage to slip past the rambunctious students in the Slytherin common room, hoping to remain unseen. Making your way further and further down the spiral staircase, your palms sweating with anticipation. You were always avoidant of confrontation, never wanting to make waves or stick out where you were unwelcome and unwanted. But something within you had been lit by the roaring passion you felt in him. You decide that if there is even a small chance that you can hold his flame to your wick a little longer, you're going to take it.

          Even if it means being rejected by the most intimidating man you've ever met.

          Your hand slowly rises to knock on the large ironclad door. You take a deep breath and rap your knuckles against it. "Go. Away. You may only harass me during teaching hours," his irritated voice answers. You bite your lip and wonder if you should leave. No. You knock again, more loudly, hoping for a different response. Suddenly the door flicks open exposing you, Professor Snape sitting at his desk with a book in one hand and his wand in the other, raised to slam the door in the face of anyone audacious enough to disturb his personal time. His scowl disappears when he sees you, an indifferent expression replacing it, his eyes turning back to his book, "May I help you with something, Miss Y/n?" Your heart thumps painfully at his icy response and you step over the threshold, marching up to his desk. "Professor, why are you treating me this way?" You almost whisper, your voice catching in your throat as your eyes fill with hot tears that you quickly blink away.