Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-9-

Monday came pretty quickly. There has been so much to do I haven't got the time to even eat lunch! Can't really help but wonder, what should I do if Lucius Malfoy was the one who poisoned the drink? Was it meant for me? Or perhaps for someone else and they failed? Only Merlin would know. I'm still bothered by Hagrid's story how he lost his beloved hippogriff. Wish I could help him somehow. "Good work everyone! I'll see you on Wednesday." I end the class with the fifth years. The classroom gets filled with chatter as they all got up and starts leaving the room. Glancing down to my desk. Now, I wonder where I left the..- "Excuse me, Professor?" Mr. Potter approaches me. "Yes, Mister Potter?" folding my hands neatly in front of me.

He looks awkward, like he doesn't know where to start:"..I, um...", "Yes?" I ask again. "I was wondering, the book I had on Friday. May I have it back?" he ask. The Half Blood Prince? "I'm afraid I can't do that." I reveal. Potter looks slightly shocked. Guess he had this image I'd always be this cheerful and kind teacher who would never say 'no'. I do feel quite bad for denying the book from him. But then again, the spells it has in it refers to Dark Magic. "My apologies, Mr. Potter. The book does indicates things that a young student shouldn't be possessing." trying my best keep the professional tone. For a quick moment, Potter glances me up and down:"It's alright, Professor. Thought I'd ask.". Then he leaves the room, two of his friends waiting on him right at the entry. Knowing they must've start talking about what I just said. Part of me wants to run after him and hand the book, but I know it wouldn't be right. It's for your own good.

When I finally got the time, I went to the library. The smell of old books is something I missed without even realizing, even I'm not a huge fan of reading. Huge windows on each side of the room, sunlight coming in, the only sound you can hear is the flying books... Perfect place for someone who wants to get away from all the hassle in the castle. There are some students reading and doing their homework in peace. While I on the other hand keep going from shelf to another, see if there are any books about hippogriffs. Maybe there would be some tips how to lure them. Bet they're not easy to catch. The thought of Hagrid's huge smile and tears of joy after he would find his long lost friend outside of his hut makes me smile. I've been looking for the right book far too long I become desperate. I really wanna surprise Hagrid. Wish I would know someone who masters these kinds of thing. Hmm... Then it hit me. Gilderoy Lockhart! All of the books he has written about how he has captured all kinds of creatures. He must know something!

Quietly, I approach the History of Magic classroom. The door is wide open, and I can hear familiar voice echoing all over the hallway. Lockhart is just telling the first years - yet again, his stories and how brave he was back then. I then start leaning against the wall right outside of the classroom and wait it to be over soon. The first years are eating it all up, eyes sparkling. Girls gushing and boys admiring. One of the students raise their hand:"Professor?". "Ah, yes?" Lockhart smiles proudly. "Is it true you were teaching the Defence Against the Dark Arts at first?" a young boy ask. "Why yes, yes I did in fact." Professor answer. "How come you aren't anymore?" he ask. Then all of the students starts chattering and whispering to each other. This is actually something I wanna know the answer to. Lockhart's smile slowly drops, like he doesn't know what to say. Then all of the little first years starts chanting to show them some cool magic.

His ego raises back again and he smiles:"Well, if you insist.". Then, he takes his wand out and starts swing it. Perhaps his plan was to do a little fire show, but instead he casts a spell that creates a fireball which is about to hit the students in the back road. The students gasps when they see the fireball coming right at them. Oh, shit..! Faster than the wind, I come forward and draw my wand:"Protego!". The fireball disappears and the force of the shield makes my hair float for a quick second. "Woaahh..!!" the whole class gasp surprised. Luckily, no one got hurt. Lockhart tries to keep a smile on his face, even thought he is slightly panicking now:"P-professor (Y/L)! Wha-what a pleasant surprise.". I say nothing, just stare at him disappointed other side of the room. Then he looks around the class:"That's enough for today. Hahahah, class dismissed!". Immediately all of the students got up and leave.

Lockhart keeps fidgeting the wand in his hands:"(Y/N), where do I owe the pleasure?". Approaching him and his desk:"Next time you wanna do a magic trick, I suggest you to turn to Zonko's.". He looks troubled:"I... Uh..-", "But that's not why I'm here. I think I need some help from you." I come in front of the desk. His face brights up:"Of course! What kind of problem do you have?". Lockhart goes to sit down the chair behind the desk, leans back and spreads his legs. Part of me already regretting I came here. "Well, you have captured all of kinds of creatures in the past, right?" I start. That same smug smirk raises on his face anytime there is a change him to talk about himself. "That's what the books are all about." he chuckles. "Have you got any experience with a hippogriff?" I bluntly ask. He looks surprised:"A hippogriff? Why you ask?". "W-well, I'm interested. They are incredible creatures. I'd like to learn more about them." I explain.

He thinks for a moment, then got up from the chair:"I actually do have a book that you might be interested in.". Patiently, I wait as he's looking for the right one. "Ah, there we have it." he smiles and brings a green book that is in fact a book of hippogriffs. I gasp:"Woah! That is amazing!". I can already see Hagrid's smile in my head. Lockhart places it on his desk and flips some pages:"It's a little bit old, but uh... I think it'll be alright in your gentle hands.". I come stand beside him to take a better look at the book:"Thank you so much, Lockhart! You have no idea how happy I am right now.". He chuckles and puts a hand gently on my back:"Please, call me Gilderoy. No need to be so formal, (Y/N). We are friends after all.". Don't know about that... The pages are looking pretty fragile, but that's alright. Just when I'm reading a little bit of the writing on the page that is open, I feel Lockhart's hand about to slide down to my lower back. Huh?

When all of sudden, I hear someone walking in. My head immediately shoots up from the book towards the door. For my surprise, it's the Potions Master himself. He is standing right at the entry. Quickly I take a step away and Lockhart notices this:"Oh, don't be shy..-", "Pardon me for interrupting your... Meeting. But I'm afraid I need Miss (Y/L) for a moment." Snape keeps his usual stare right at us. Thank Merlin. Lockhart tries once again smile thru panic:"Se-Severus! (Y/N) here was just uh..-", "Headmaster is looking for you, Lockhart. And he doesn't like waiting." Snape grinds his teeth. Lockhart quickly looks at me, then back at the Potions Master. "Right... Off I go then." he lets out awkward chuckle and starts heading out. I grab the book and come to the entry too. That was close. Don't know what I should've done if Snape wouldn't have showed up.

Snape and I watch for a moment as the Professor History of Magic walks away from us. Both still staring at the same direction, I joke:"Why I have this feeling he has lied in his resume?". "Really? Wonder what gave that away." Snape says with the usual monotonic tone. Lockhart takes glimpses over his shoulder couple of times before he turns around the corner and disappears from our sight. Turn to look at the man beside me and press the book against my chest:"You had something to tell me?". Now he lays those black eyes back to me:"Happened run into McGonagall, who asked me to receive you a message that she's looking for you.". "Oh, did she tell you what is it about?" I ask. He raises an eyebrow:"I have you known; I'm not an owl, Miss (Y/L).". No, but according to the students, you are a dungeon bat.

Then I remember:"I've needed to talk to you, about what happen..-", "I think it's not wise for us to have this conversation in middle of the hallway where anyone can hear." he interrupts. Right. There are few students walking and talking further away from us. "But I wanna know what happened. If I could figure it out with your help, I'd like us to meet somewhere in private. For example in the Greenhouse after the classes are over?" I suggest. "I'd prefer my classroom. The constant squinting in the Greenhouse doesn't do for me." he says. I burst out laughing:"Oh, c'mon! Little bit of a sunshine would do wonders for ya!". In that moment, I didn't think any further, and I give a playful smack side of his arm. Both of us got off guard by that. Did I just..? We stare at each other for a moment. Think I crossed somekind of a line here. Part of me waits for him to cast a shrinking spell and squash me. But for my surprise, Snape rolls his eyes and starts leaving:"I'll send you an owl when I'm available for our meeting, Miss (Y/L).". "O-okay." my voice goes small while watching him walking away.