Always (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter One: Hogwarts Express

As you stood on Platform 9¾, your heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"How long has it been since I rode this magical train?" Your thoughts ran wild with a smile on your face, remembering the time you first rode it.

The Hogwarts Express arrived with its steam engines igniting, and its gleaming red carriages stood before you, symbolizing the new chapter you were about to embark on. As you boarded the train, the familiar hum of chatter and laughter filled the air, bringing back memories of your own school days.

Navigating through the bustling corridors, carrying your luggage, your eyes took in the sight of students reuniting with friends, sharing summer stories, and finding their compartments. You smiled again at the thought of walking along these corridors as a teacher and no longer as a student. As you walked through the train halls, you finally spotted a familiar face—Neville Longbottom, now a fellow professor, sitting with his wife, Hannah Abbott-Longbottom.

"Y/N, over here!" Neville called out, waving you over. You smiled and made your way to their compartment, your nerves easing as you joined the couple.

"It's so good to see you," Hannah said warmly as she hugged you tightly. "Ready for your first year as a professor?"

"Excited and a bit nervous," you admitted. "But it feels right, being back here." Your smile gleamed as your mind raced with thoughts of what could happen when you arrived. You then placed your luggage in the compartment and sat just infront of the Longbottom couple.

As you spoke with the Longbottom couple, you couldn't help but marvel at the fact that they were married. Although you knew Neville had a thing with Luna back when he was a student at Hogwarts, Hannah seemed like a better match for him (based on how your batch described Neville's story).

"You two are just adorable together," you said, chuckling. "How did you end up married?" you were pretty straightforward, you knew that, but it was one way to keep them talking, it's a trait you had, you were more of a listener than a talker anyways.

Neville blushed slightly, and Hannah laughed. "It's a long story involving a very persistent Neville and a lot of awkward dates," she said, giving her husband a playful nudge.

"It was worth it, though," Neville added, smiling at his wife. "Hannah has been my rock."

Your compartment was filled with laughter and memories as the train began its journey.

As the train continued its journey, with the Longbottom couple teasing each other on the other side of the table, you gazed out the window, smiling, watching the countryside roll by. The scenery was breathtaking, with lush green fields and dense forests, and the beauty of the journey to Hogwarts never failed to amaze you, even from the start. The rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks was soothing, and soon, you felt your eyelids grow heavy.

It had been a long time since you last rode the Hogwarts train. Leaving the school was a significant moment, and leaving your friends was one of them too (although most of your friends were in the higher batch, you still had a few friends in your grade who were now either married or working in the wizarding world).

Hannah's gentle shake woke you from your nap. "We're here," she whispered, smiling. You stretched and gathered your things.

"How long was I asleep?" you asked, seeing the sleep wrinkles on your arms, feeling a rush of anticipation as the train arrived at the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Stepping off the train, you took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, magical air of Hogwarts. It felt like coming home. The castle loomed majestically in the distance, its turrets and towers bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Students and teachers were bustling about, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air.