𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 - 𝑨 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒖𝒔 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Unwell

Mia sat huddled in front of the fire, one of Severus's blankets resting on her shoulders for additional warmth.

Night had fallen and she was getting used to her surroundings.

Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the scent that emitted from the burning firewood and lifted up her mug, taking a small sip of tea. Severus had made it for her, hence it didn't have much sugar but she didn't complain. It was a taste she could get used to.

Her eyes flickered up to the vase that now sat adjorned with the gorgeous lilies. It made the fireplace look more alive.

Severus walked out of the kitchen with his own mug, glancing down at her. She pretended to be zoned out at the flames, her fingers tapping against the glass of her mug as she tried not to let the anxiety swirling in her heart be visible.

Whatever he was about to say, she didn't think she was ready for. She was never a confrontational person was she?

The Potions Master took a seat in his cozy armchair, his feet nearly touching her lower back as he watches her silently. "....You have nothing to say then?"

"About what?" She decided to play dumb.

"Do not play dumb with me, Mia." His voice was calm, and that eased her tension a bit, but it didn't make her feel much better.

She took another sip of her tea, a long one this time although her appetite for it was fading. She held it in her mouth for a moment before swallowing.

"....I didn't mean for any of that to happen....Well I did but I shouldn't have acted out in such a way." She scooted a bit so she could turn around and face him. "I'm sorry....I know we decided to start over after that silly little problem we had, I suppose I just...It's not too easy for me okay? But I should have just controlled my needs."

Severus stayed silent for a moment, his chocolate eyes glowering down, tapping his mug. "You couldn't have, especially after the dose you took. If I hadn't arrived then you would have likely made use of one of my test tubes."

Her face turned red at his words. "Why is that the first thought that occurs to you."

His gaze flickered towards her, brows raising in amusement. "You would have, would you not?"

"Regardless....so you aren't upset then? You don't regret it?" She questioned.

He took a moment to contemplate his words. "Initially, my decision was to return you to the Malfoys," He noticed her face fall. "But...I had a talk with Minerva afterwards and..." He sighed.

"Mia, what do you feel towards me? This isn't just a small infatuation now, is it?"

Silence hung between them. The only sound came from the crackling fire, warming the tension.

"I can't quite explain it," She started. She didn't know what his intentions were with this conversation, but she wasn't ready for it. She was hesitant, shyness creeping up her neck. "...You know, when you look at me, with those eyes of yours I feel nervous - but in a good way, and I feel warm and fuzzy. When I'm around you at times, I get butterflies and my heart beat increases. I know it sounds rather silly and, child and absurd," She let out a nervous laugh from embarrassment. "But it's a feeling I've never come across before."

The air grew still, charged with a nerve-racking suspense. Mia squinted her eyes at him, straining to try and read the thoughts swirling behind his mask of indifference. His gaze was impenetrable, and it was almost torturous. He was about to speak, finally sounding out the thoughts she had been craving when suddenly the fireplace flared up.

A silver Howler flew through it, swirling in the air towards it before it stopped in front of Severus. By the looks of it, it had been sent by one of the Malfoys.