Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-6-

We all burst into a laughter after Professor Flitwick just told us a story of a student who messed up a spell and how they needed to evacuate the whole classroom. I kept wiping some tears from my eyes:"Oh, oh my... Bet no one has ever left your class that quickly!". "That surely was the first time!" the Charms Professor laughs. Minerva tries to settle down her breath from laughing:"Guess the next round is for my treat. Aurora, would you be a dear and come with me and give a hand?". Professor Sinistra - the Astronomy teacher nods and then they both got up and head to the bar. Our table is near the fireplace, perfect place to watch all of these people in here. I've never been in Hog's Head Inn before. There are lots of witches, wizards and goblins, all having a good time while drinking and chatting. Everyone's here is an adult. I do remember hanging out in the Three Broomsticks as a student if I ever got in Hogsmeade. Does this mean I'm old now?

Lockhart - who happens to sit on my right side, stretches out his arms and chuckles:"Who said teaching is an easy job?". "You tell me." I gulp down my second drink. Then, he rests his arm back of the chair I'm sitting in:"Well, I'm not saying catching those dangerous creatures was an easy task, but well...". Once again, he managed to turn this whole conversation towards him and his 'great' achievements. To be completely honest, we are all getting sick of his stories. And to think that he got transferred from teaching the Defence Against the Dark Arts to History of Magic after his first year in teaching... Or at least that's the rumor. "Sometimes I think even beasts are better behaved than some of the kids." Hagrid chuckles. "True that." I nod and lean forward, secretly avoiding Lockhart's proximity. "Like your niffler, what's his name..?" Hagrid points at me with his half empty cup. Both of my eyebrows raised:"Sniffy?". "Yeah, that's the one! He has more manners than half of the students. He's always so grateful when I give him treats." he gulps down rest of his drink. So, he's the one who's been feeding him!

Just when I'm about to open my mouth to tell him to stop fattening my niffler, we hear a wooden door opening, followed by multiple steps. Our heads snaps right at the direction. Some men in dark clothing keeps coming out of the room. The room is a place where people can have their private events or meetings and such. They all look rich and well dressed, which is surprising. I always thought people like that wouldn't dare to spend even a second in a place like this. This is not the place for 'their standards', so to speak. They are all heading outside while talking with each other. One particular man catches my eye. A man with long, white hair. There's something familiar about him, but I can't put my finger on it.

For my surprise, the man turns his head and our eyes meet right away. Quickly, I turn my head away and try to pretend I wasn't just staring. Hagrid is full of aware what just happened, and he leans in to whisper:"That's Lucius Malfoy. Draco's dad, ya see.". Oh? About to glance over my shoulder to see him one last time, but my heart jumps out of my chest when I realize the man is actually standing right behind me. "Wah-?!" I lean back, but quickly remember Lockhart is right there, so I stop myself. "Rubeus." the man nods politely towards our Gamekeeper. Even he's standing tall and speaking with gentle tone, you can just tell he's up to no good. "Lucius." Hagrid mutter with constraint. "Don't tell me you are still pouting after that beast, whom you let attack my son? Creatures like that should be put behind bars, or on a silver plate." he raise his eyebrow smugly. Huh?

Not really knowing what he's applying here, but I can see Hagrid isn't liking this. Not for a one bit. Before Hagrid can open his mouth and probably say something he'll regret - especially when he has been drinking, I jump in:"Don't you mean creatures like your son?". The man lowers his gaze down to me for a moment, keeping his head high. Ok, I might've crossed some kind a line here. I blame the beer. The man then smirks:"You must be (Y/N) (Y/L). My son has told me all about you.". We are all just silent and glare at him. "A Hufflepuff, who teaches Herbology. How... Original." he let out a mocking chuckle. Don't know what got into me, maybe it's the alcohol in me, but I shoot up, looking angry:"Alright, listen here..-!", "Woah, woah!" Hagrid jumps up quickly, pushes Lockhart to the side and holds onto me before I could pull out my wand. Malfoy flinches and takes a step back, slightly surprised how someone like me reacted the way I did.