Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-49-

Everyone in the Great Hall feels more relaxed now. That really got us all off guard. While watching Dumbledore talking to the man who just saved us all, I try to settle down my heart. So he is the new D.A.D.A. teacher. Potions Master next to me once again has his expressionless face on. Like nothing had happened just a second ago. "Please, take a seat." the Headmaster gestures the empty chair next to me. When Moody turns to look at the direction, immediately he stares at me. Then he limps up to me with heavy steps and sits down. To be quite honest, he looks a bit scary. Not because of the scars on his face, but because his left eye is replaced with an artificial eye that keeps moving recklessly it makes me feel uneasy.

Immediately I can smell his wet clothes and some musky cologne coming from him. I'm just sitting here with an awkward smile on my face:"Tha-that was quite impressive.". No answer. He doesn't even look at me. I really don't know how to act at this point. Feels like I'm shrinking in my seat more and more, moment by moment. At first I was excited when Minerva told me that Moody is an Auror, and how I could talk to him and ask more about his experience, but now... I'm not so sure if I want to do that. Dumbledore continues to talk to the students where he was left off. Not even a minute in, Moody takes a flask from his long coats pocket and drinks from it. Don't tell me this man has a drinking problem?

I take a glance at the man on my left, giving the pleading eyes as in 'switch seats with me, please'. Severus lowers his eyes on me, then back to the Headmaster as a sign 'not a chance'. I purse my lips and give a little kick under the table against his leg as revenge for not even considering it. Potions Master shifts his eyes back on me and gives me the look that says 'you'll pay for that.'. Rest of the Sorting Ceremony and dinner went well. However, I did happen to notice that Moody didn't even touch his food, nor did he talk to any of us professors. He left pretty much after the official part of the evening was over. Guess he wasn't that hungry. After everyone of us had eaten, the students slowly got up from their seats and starts heading to their dormitories, lead by the prefects.

Once again, I witness over the sea of students how Draco bullies Harry and his friends. This time verbally. Dear Merlin... He really can't help himself, can he? Without my notice, Severus is four meters behind me and sees how I'm speeding my steps to get to the Slytherin student. "Professor (Y/L)." his strong voice caught my attention and I turn to him with questioning look. He's standing there, hands behind his back while there are some students walking right past us. "A moment of your time. If you'll please." Severus says with his usual tone. "But I..-" I quickly glance over my shoulder to see where Draco went, but as expected - he has left out of sight. Damn it. Then I turn back to the Potions Master:"Yes?".

He won't say anything, just stares as a sign that says 'I am not going to speak if you won't come closer'. I let out a small exhale and walk up to him:"Yes, Professor Snape?". There is that tiny smirk corner of his mouth again he likes to have anytime he has annoyed me. Then again, why have I grown to like it? We are now standing pretty much in the middle of the aisle of the Great Hall. All of the students has left the room, but there are still most of the professors near the High Table chatting and laughing at their own stories. "I hope the rest of your summer went in more peaceful manner than last time we saw each other." Severus simply said. "Oh, yes. It did." I nod, little bit surprised he brought it up like that. Speaking of summer and the time after I left Spinner's End, a smile raises up on my face and I start telling him all about Remus's and Tonks's wedding.

As expected, Severus acts like he doesn't care much what I'm bubbling about, but still listens. We start walking side by side out of the Great Hall. It's like we dive in to our own little bubble again. Without our knowledge, Professor Sprout sees us walking away and both of her eyebrows raise:"Didn't know they get along so well.". Minerva just smiles while watching us leaving and won't say anything. Dumbledore also turns to look our way while having his hands behind his back. It's like he just realized it too:"Oh, yes. Seems that our stone cold-hearted Potions Master has finally found his soft spot.". After saying that, Headmaster's gaze hardens a bit without anyone else's notice, almost like he doesn't like the idea of it.

Severus and I have now walked to the Central Hall where we part our ways. We stop walking and I turn to him, still going on about the wedding and such. "Tonks told me she could teach me one day!" I end up my story how my new friend is going to help me to become an Auror. "Well, all I can say is to good luck to her for trying to teach half-witted witch like you. It'll be... Quite challenging." Severus teases. "Ey, enough with the bullying!" trying to pretend like I'm mad at him, but smile creeps on my lips no matter how hard I try not to. He just has that satisfied smirk on his face while looking back at me. It makes my heart flutter and light blush raises up on my cheeks. Speaking of bullying... "There was one quest at the wedding you actually know from the past." I tell him.

He raise his eyebrow, ready to hear more. "Don't know if you remember him, but his name was Sirius, Sirius Black. He told me you two went school together." I answer. As soon as that name comes out of my mouth, Severus's body stiffens even he looks quite calm. For a moment he stares at me, like he is thinking of something. "...Did he speak to you?" he finally ask with half gritted teeth. "Hm? Oh, yes. We were both spending the whole weekend under the same roof, so we did speak to each other many times." I nod. "I see." he sounds pensive. All of Sirius's flirts and how I first met him pops on my mind. A small chuckle comes out of me just thinking about it:"He's quite a character.".

Severus gives the side eye, I can see the annoyance in him:"If that's the way you wish to call him, I'd say it'll be understatement.". He clearly doesn't like him. Then again, can't blame him. "Don't worry, Sevy. I heard what he has done to you in the past. You should have seen his face when I threw some wine on his face." I tell him. That got Severus off guard a bit. Can see it from his face, even he still keeps the usual cool manner. "If that's the case, you have no idea how many galleons I would be ready to pay to see that." it's like he is holding a bigger smile at this point. Glad to see him happier. "Don't tempt me. I could store the memory and sell it to you one day in high price." I giggle while tapping the side of my head with the wand jokingly. Severus lets out a quiet chuckle as he stares at me with soft eyes. Not sure if he's more impressed by the fact his long time bully got what he deserved, or because of how I was the one who stood up for him.

The Potions Master is about to say something, but his eyes quickly lifts from me to someone else who's standing further away from us. Automatically, I turn to see over the shoulder where he is looking. It's Dumbledore. Wonder why he's this side of the castle at this hour? They don't haveto say a word to each other and Severus knows he needs to follow him. "Good night, Professor." Severus says to me without taking his eyes off the Headmaster and walks right past me. Huh? Too stunned by the sudden leave, I just stare after him as he walks away while the long cape trails behind him. "...Good night." my voice sounds like a whisper, but still manages to echo around the empty Central Hall.

After I came back to my chamber, I hand Sniffy some treats I 'stole' from the dinner table. Sparkles in his eyes, the niffler munches them happily. "Oof..!" collapsing onto the sofa and watch the flames in the fireplace. The room is silent. Only the sound of Sniffy eating and how the fire crackles fills the room. Alastor Moody. I start to think why does his name and appearance rings a bell. It feels like I have met him before. But where? Had to close my eyes for a moment to think about it while having arms crossed over chest. Sniffy sees this and wonders what am I doing. Then, he comes to sit on my lap and starts pushing his little snout against me, trying to break my folded arms so I would pet him. Then my eyes shoots wide open. Now I remember!

Back when I was seventeen - the day when I locked myself up to my room before I was about to get tortured again, Dumbledore burst thru the front door to rescue me from my parents. He didn't come alone. Alastor Moody was there with him! He was the one who... He was the one who chastened my parents when they tried to make a resistance that night and took them to Azkaban. It was him. Shivers goes down my spine when it all hit me. I remember we didn't have any interaction in that moment, other than he did a quick glance over his shoulder just to see I was there and doing alright. Well - 'alright'. In that moment, I was corner of the room, sitting on the floor while tears were running down my face. I never had the chance to thank him.