Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 40: Aragog

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𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 40:𝐴𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑜𝑔

"𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑟á,𝑠𝑒​𝑟á"

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Summer was slowly creeping over the castle grounds. The sky and lake had taken on a soft periwinkle hue, and the greenhouses were overflowing with enormous blooms that looked like oversized cabbages. It should've felt peaceful, beautiful even—but it didn't. Not with Hagrid gone. The grounds felt emptier than usual without the sight of him lumbering across the grass with Fang trotting at his side. Something just felt off, like the castle had lost a piece of its heart.

Inside wasn't any better. If anything, it was worse.

We tried to visit Hermione, desperate just to see her, to know she was okay—but the hospital wing was now strictly off-limits. Madam Pomfrey opened the door just enough to peer through the crack and said in a firm voice, "No visitors. We're not taking any more chances. Sorry, but we can't risk it. The attacker might come back to finish what they started..."

The door clicked shut before we could say a word.

And with Uncle Dumbledore gone, everything felt colder. Fear didn't just hover in the halls—it settled into the walls, hung in the air like fog. The sunlight pouring through the windows seemed too pale, like it had lost its warmth. Students were tense, on edge. Laughter was rare, and when it did slip through, it sounded too loud and awkward—like it didn't belong there anymore.

I kept hearing Dumbledore's final words in my head, over and over: "I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me... Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."

I clung to that. Repeated it like a mantra. But the longer I thought about it, the hollower it felt. Who were we supposed to ask for help when the entire school was gripped with fear? When even the teachers seemed unsure of what to do?

At least Hagrid's clue about the spiders was something solid, something to follow. If only there were any spiders left to follow. We searched every corner we could get away with, but there wasn't a single spider in sight. Not one. It was like they'd all vanished.

Of course, we couldn't really sneak off anymore. The teachers were escorting us from class to class like we were toddlers, and while most of the Gryffindors were clearly relieved by it, Harry, Ron, and I found it suffocating.

One person, however, was absolutely thriving in the chaos.

Draco Malfoy.

He was walking around the school like he'd just been crowned prince of Hogwarts, smirking like he'd won some secret war. I didn't understand it at first—not until Potions class, a few weeks later.

I'd ended up behind him that day. He was leaning back in his chair, loud enough for half the dungeon to hear, practically basking in the attention of Crabbe and Goyle.

"I always said my father would be the one to get rid of Dumbledore," Malfoy said smugly. "He's been saying for years that the man's the worst headmaster the school's ever had. Maybe now we'll get someone decent in charge. Someone who won't waste time shutting down the Chamber of Secrets."

He turned dramatically and said, "Sir, why don't you apply for the job? You'd be brilliant."

Snape didn't look flattered. "Now, now, Malfoy," he said smoothly, but there was a clear edge in his voice. "Professor Dumbledore has only been suspended. I expect he'll return soon enough."