Light the candle

~Five~

The head of Slytherin House returned quietly to his quarters after a day at school. He hung up his wizard robes, put his teacher's satchel on his desk and slumped into his favourite armchair. He was startled to see Potter sitting on the sofa reading a book.

"Good evening Professor Snape. Do you like some tea?" The young man asks with a toothy smile.

▬♣▬

"How...No. Why are you here Mr Potter?" The spy asks with an emotionless face. It's as if you can't detect its magical energy. The more I find out about him these days, the more the mystery grows. The green-eyed boy smirked. I want to rip his arrogant smirk out of his face.

"I mentioned that I'd be changing tactics with you, Professor." Potter takes a sip of tea.

"I'm sorry I didn't approach you sooner, I had things to sort out." Severus glared at him a moment with a frown.

"As if your business would interest me, Mr. Potter." The smirk of the boy grew even more.

"So do you like some tea?" He repeats the question. The potion professor continues to glare at him. Does he think I'm interested in his life? Why didn't I already kick him out of my quarters?

He grunts and gets up to go to his office. I can't even relax at home.

"Don't touch anything and don't go into any other room." Severus orders the arrogant, self-righteous boy.

Severus moved to his desk, where a pile of fourth-year essays awaited him. He takes his red ink and quill from his desk drawer. He takes the first essay from the pile and reads it. The corner of his mouth twitches. He can feel the headache coming on. What a bunch of dull-witted boneheads. He sighs and continues to read the atrocity.

¶HP/SS¶

After more than 6 hours of marking students' test sheets in red, the potion teacher left his office to go to sleep. It's past 2am. He passes through his living room and stops in the room, noticing that Potter is no longer there. Good riddance. Severus looked around for any notes. He finds none. He feels a pang in his heart. Who cares that the Potter boy vanished without a word.

Severus Snape continues on his way to his room. He stops off in his bathroom to get ready for bed.

He looks at himself critically in the mirror for a moment. You're so hideous, Severus. No one in their right mind would be interested in you. He looks down and exits the bathroom, stopping the light spell. He uncovers his bed a little and slips under his blanket and sheet.

The dark-haired sorcerer feels strangely serene and his eyes gradually close. His breathing becomes calmer and calmer, as sleep overtakes him. However, he had time to hear Potter whisper goodnight to him before falling into the arms of Morpheus.

¶HP/SS¶

The potion teacher went to the great hall for breakfast, looking less irritated than usual. He slept without interruption last night. No nightmares. No insomnia. He sat down at the teachers' table, which was still empty. He pours himself a cup of strong black coffee with a plate of scrambled eggs with sausage and buttered toast. He begins to quietly savour his breakfast. No-one will be in for another 20 minutes.

He thought back to waking up alone in bed, but he knew that Potter had slept with him. Severus woke up disappointed that he wasn't there and at the same time frustrated with himself for hoping he would be. He and positive emotions go hand in hand, he doesn't know how to manage them or express them. Why does he have to be a Potter spawn?