Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-29-

Carefully, I open the door and peek in:"Hello, Professor Umbridge.". "Oh, hello dear." she answer with surprisingly cheerful tone. Bet she's still happy about Dumbledore being away. "May I come in?" I ask. "Of course, but do close the door behind you, thank you." she smiles and sits down behind the desk. I do as told. Immediately seeing what she has done to the office. Everything in here is pink. The walls, the carpet, the furniture... Talk about all of the multiple pictures of cats hanging on the walls, softly meowing all around. "Tea?" she asks. "N-no thank you." I reassure with shy smile. After she tells me to take a seat in front of the desk, she pours herself some hot water in a tiny teacup:"So, what is that you wanted to talk about, (Y/N)?".

Really don't know where to start, even I had already planned what to say, so I just sit awkwardly in the chair:"I...", "Ouhw, I know we had a little bit... Bumpy beginning, but I believe you and I can become great friends." she smiles. I chuckle nervously and clear my throat a bit. As she's waiting me to speak, she starts putting many spoonfuls of pink sugar into her tea. Trying to refocus why am I here:"The reason I came here is because... I'm afraid there is some inappropriate behavior going on in the castle.". That peeks her interest:"Such as?". "By Professor Lockhart's behalf." I reveal. She raised both of her eyebrows:"Gilderoy?". I nodded and continued:"He..- he has been chatting with a student in quite flirty manner. And has suggested an sexual activity..-", "With a student?!" she lets out. "No! No. At least, I hope not." I quickly correct my wordings. Her face got more serious:"Whom then?". I crunch my hand into fist on my lap:"...Me.".

For a moment we stay quiet, letting the information to sink in. All of sudden, Umbridge let out a giggle. Huh? I lift my head up to meet her eyes with questioning look on my face. She gives a knowing smile:"Well, that doesn't come as surprise at all. After all, you dress up in such a provoking way everyday..-", "Pardon?" I let out baffled. Slowly, she gets up from the chair and comes closer:"I mean, look at yourself, darling. I get that you are beautiful, young lady...". My eyes follows her as she's getting closer. Then she tilts her head with tiny smile:"But you are basically asking for it.". What?! Can't believe what I'm hearing. Thought she would be on my side on this, but... I really don't know what to say right now:"N-no... I'm not asking anythi..-", then I quickly shook my head and restart:"There is possibility, that Gilderoy Lockhart - a professor, is harassing young girls. Shouldn't that concern you in any way?". "Do you have proof?" she snaps back, looking now even more annoyed. "Huh?" I ask.

Umbridge looks pissed:"Do you have any proof that Mister Lockhart - a good man with integrity, has behaved inappropriately towards the young female students here in school?". I shrug:"I... I saw him talking to a stu..-", "So you don't." she interrupts. Before I can say anything, she continues:"Haven't you done enough already?". What? "After Lupin... Deep down, you know it was after all your fault he got fired from Hogwarts. If it weren't for you... He would still have a position as a teacher of Defence Against the Dark Arts to support him and his family." her voice is poison to my ears. My fault. I lower my eyes from hers to the floor. There is an awful feeling in my stomach. I feel so small and powerless right now. She slowly lowers herself to the same eye level as me, trying to create an eye contact:"So, let us not spread false accusations towards innocent people. Hm?". Fighting against the tears, I get up from the chair:"Thank you for your time, Professor.". "Anytime, dear. Anytime." she smiles as she watched me leave the room.

I had to get out of there. Otherwise, I might have used my wand on her without thinking the consequences, and all of her precious cats would be missing their owner. Urgh, why on earth did I ever thought it'll be a good idea to go and confess to her - out of all people?! I feel such a fool! I really thought she would understand... But she decided to turn this all against me. I should have seen that coming. Merlin, I'm so stupid! Umbridge's words keeps replaying in my head as I walk along the corridors. 'Dressing in provoking way' When?! What does that even mean?! All I wear are the dirty robes, dipped in soil from Herbology classes all day long and casual clothes after the classes, if I have the time to change, that is. I don't understand.