Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-105-

An old woman hands me a paper bag with bright smile on her face:"Here you go, darling - and Merry Christmas!". "Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you too!" I smile and walk out of the bookshop with the bag, immediately getting the middle of this hassle that is happening in Diagon Alley. Christmas is only two days away, so there are lot of people here wandering around. Hopping from one shop to another, hoping to find something to give their friends and loved ones. And that's what I'm doing. Or have been doing past couple of days. Ever since Remus and I discovered the Vanishing Cabinet, we have been using it to get out of the castle time to time, whenever needed. We've tried to hear around the place if anyone would have any insides where Harry and his friends are. Not much of luck on that area, sadly.

But I haveto admit, in middle all of the dark times we have been living in these past months, it's really nice to get out and see that there is still some good in life. Snow slowly dancing down on us. People who are passing by are smiling and giggling. Young children gasping and admiring what they see on the windows. All of the decorations around us... It brings hope into my heart. As I'm walking, I notice this one couple further away. They are holding hands as they are window shopping. Both of them smiling and stealing these cute small pecks of kisses from each other. Can feel how there is a small pain in my heart while watching their happiness. Someday... Someday Severus and I will be like that too. Tightening the grip around the paper bag I'm holding a bit which makes it do a little rustling sound, and continue my way with faster steps.

Soon, I get into the familiar shop. Right when the bell rings as I step in, the oily man immediately notices me and gives the customer service smile:"Aah, good evening, Miss Prince. What can I..-", "Obliviate." I swift my wand without stopping my walking towards the Vanishing Cabinet. And with that, I was able to travel back in the castle. I know using the Memory Charm on the shop owners whenever we happen to walk in or out of the cabinet is pretty questionable, but... What else we can do? They would sell this information to the Death Eaters if they knew, and we would be in way bigger trouble. And I'm not sure why, but for some reason Mr. Borgin always calls me 'Miss Prince', even after Remus and I erase the owners memories of what happened when we first walked thru the Vanishing Cabinet. Guess I was little bit too scared to erase his memory completely, so I only removed the memory when Remus appeared. Frankly, I've grown to like it whenever I'm being called by the last name.

When I come out of the cabinet, entering to the Room of Hidden Things and close the door behind, I put my coat and scarf on the stand that is right next to it. There's also Remus's coat and scarf hanging on it, ready to go whenever he needs to use the Vanishing Cabinet. This way neither of us needs to carry the outsidewears everytime we're about to head out thru the cabinet. Pretty genius, right? Without anyone's notice, I managed to walk all the way back to my chamber to hide the Christmas present I just bought among the other gifts that I have been smuggling into here these past couple days. I've bought gifts for the people I'm most close with. Can't wait to give them to them! And most of all... I'm very excited to spend the Christmas night with Severus. Hope he likes what I got for him.

As expected, the only place in Hogwarts that has some signs of the season, is in my classroom. There are some candles floating around, a small tree in one corner that has been decorated, fairy lights hanging here and there, and cute wreath made out of cones on the door. It also brings me joy as well as pain in my heart when I see how the students make a visit in the class. Just to get that little spirit in their own hearts. Therefor, my doors to the classroom are always open. "Oh, Miss Wallnut!" I yell after the student after the last lesson before Christmas just ended. "Yes, Professor?" the girl turns to me while all the others left the room. When the coast is clear, I quickly snatch a bag under my desk and bring it to her:"Do me a favor and share this bag's insides with the main members of our group when you meet this evening. And do tell Merry Christmas to them all from Remus and I.". Meaning; her, Neville, Luna, Cho and Cedric. I got all of them small presents as a thank you for helping us this far. Vivian's face brightens out of pure shock and joy:"What..?! Really?". Giving her gentle smile:"It's not much, but... We're thankful of all your help.".

We exchange few words before she continued her way. Now, on to the next gift. After sorting everything out in the classroom, I hurried up to Remus's chamber. "(Y/N)?" he looks slightly surprised to see me after opening the door. "Is everything alright?" he asks. I nod with a smile I cannot control:"Yes. Very much so.". Remus lets out an amused chuckle and opens the door more:"Well, I'd be eager to hear more. Come in. I'll make us some..-", "No, no, no. You need to come with me instead." I order excited. Both of his eyebrows raise:"Huh? What for?". "Just..- Trust me. Come on!" I wave my hand once as a sing to follow. Curious what I have in mind, he follows. The whole way up to the seventh floor, I can't stop smiling and Remus tries to ask me what's going on, but I refused to answer. "You'll see." was the only answer I told him.

When we walked all the way to the Room of Hidden Things, he became more persistent what's going on here. As soon as we walked to the Vanishing Cabinet, I snatch a luggage from the corner I've packed in secret from him. It got some clothes and hygiene products a person needs for couple days. Again, he demanded the explanation, but I just kept reassuring to just trust me. With that, we put on our coats and scarfs and head out of the castle thru the cabinet. Good thing we didn't need to go too far from Borgin and Burkes, there is no way I could have keep him guessing any longer. When we arrive to this little, three-story motel type of place, I checked him in and take the keys, and we both head up the stairs. We approach one of the doors that'll lead in one of the rooms. Remus keeps following me little annoyed:"(Y/N)... You do realize this is highly suspicious to drag me all the way he..-", I quickly swing the door open, revealing his gift from me.

The look on Remus's face falls and turns into this disbelieve what he's seeing. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart." Tonks smiles gently while holding Ted in her arms. The little child in her arms lets out this joyful babble when he notices the man who just came in is his father. "Merry Christmas, Moony." Sirius is standing there too. He came here to make sure Tonks and Ted got here without any problems. While keeping the door open, I glance up to my friend beside me with wide grin on my face:"I bought you and your family two nights to spend here.". "Oh..." Remus's breath shudders as the tears raises on his eyes. Without wasting anymore time, he runs up to his family and scoops them into this tight, loving hug. He can't believe this is all real. That his wife and son - who he loves so deep and dearly, are here. Seeing them hugging and the tears of joy that they share almost makes me cry, but I keep it all in. Well, almost... Sirius and I share this quick look across the room. Both of us being so happy for our dear friend.

After exchanging some hugs and few words with all of them, Sirius and I began to leave. I gently caress the top of my godson's head before leaving:"Merry Christmas, Teddy. There's a little present for you inside your daddy's luggage. Remind him to give it to you then.". It's nothing special. Just a shirt that says:'I love my godmother' on the front, and:'More than the godfather' on the back. As soon as we leave the motel, Sirius turns into his dog form. That way he can travel without anyone recognizing him - if he happens to run into Death Eaters or anyone we don't want to run into. It's getting pretty dark already, so I started to head towards Borgin and Burks. I need to get back to the castle quickly, before certain someone notices my absence. Sirius followed me, even I told him I can find the way back on my own. Guess it has become some sort of inside joke where 'I can't find the right way on my own'...

It felt surprisingly difficult to leave the motel. Like I left part of me in there. After all, they really are like my family in a way. I'll never forget the look on Remus's face when he..- Something caught my eye in the middle of the half busy alleyway before us. Huh? The German shepherd beside me stops as well when he notice I've stopped walking. With questioning look, he looks up to me, wondering what made me freeze all of sudden. For a moment I keep my gaze ahead. Making sure I saw right. Is it really..? There is a familiar looking man standing ten meters away from us. He has his back facing us. Couple of people evades the man as soon as they recognize him. My heart skips a beat when the man does this slight body turn, giving the confirm to my suspicion. That's Severus! And he's not alone. There is a woman standing next to him, who's dressed up pretty fashionably. Black and white hair peeking under her wide brimmed hat.