Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 19: Not expelled today

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𝑌𝑒𝑎𝑟 2 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 19: 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦

"𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒"

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To be honest, the journey to Hogwarts this year had started out surprisingly fun — I mean, flying a car above the countryside? Who wouldn't get a thrill out of that? But the landing? Absolutely awful. I was certain I'd hurl the moment we skidded to a stop. My stomach felt like it had been tied in a knot and then shoved through a blender. Thank Merlin Hermione had been there to squeeze my hand, even if she looked like she was trying not to vomit too.

Cold, sore, and thoroughly exhausted, the three of us ended up dragging our trunks all the way across the school grounds, our limbs aching with every step. The warmth and glow of the castle only made the bitter wind feel crueler.

"I think the feast's already started," Ron muttered, letting his trunk drop at the bottom of the front steps. He wandered over to one of the brightly lit windows and peeked inside.

I gave him a flat look and crossed my arms. "Ya think?"

"Hey — Y/n, Hermione! Come here, it's the Sorting!" he whispered excitedly, motioning us over.

Hermione and I hurried to join him, our tiredness momentarily forgotten. We leaned over his shoulder, pressing our faces to the cold glass.

Inside the Great Hall, everything was just as magical as ever. Hundreds of candles floated above the four house tables, casting a warm glow across the polished plates and goblets. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the night sky perfectly, glittering with stars.

First-years were lined up nervously at the front of the hall, fidgeting with their robes and eyeing the Sorting Hat like it might bite them. I spotted Ginny immediately, her bright red hair shining like a beacon in the crowd.

Professor McGonagall stood tall and stern as ever, her robes crisp and her expression unreadable, as she placed the Sorting Hat on its familiar stool.

I yawned. The excitement was draining fast, and my body begged for sleep. "I could really use a bed right now," I mumbled.

Hermione gave me a curious look, and Ron chuckled. "We did just survive a crash landing in an enchanted car, so yeah, sleep sounds good."

Hermione tilted her head suddenly. "Wait a second... where's Professor Snape?"

I blinked, then followed her gaze toward the staff table. Sure enough, there was an empty seat near the end.

"I dunno," I muttered. "Probably slinking around in some shadowy corridor somewhere."

"Maybe he's sick," Ron offered with a hopeful glint in his eye.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "Ron, seriously."

"What? A guy can dream," he grinned. "Maybe he finally gave up trying to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. Maybe he quit and moved to a swamp!"

I snorted. "Come on, Ron. He might be strict, but he's not that bad. He's got... his moments."

Ron was about to respond when a voice, low and full of ice, sliced through the air behind us.

"Or perhaps... he was waiting for an explanation as to why you three did not arrive on the Hogwarts Express."

We spun around — well, Hermione and Ron did. I turned slowly, already feeling the heat creeping up my face.