Always (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter Three: After Party

(Edited: July 22, 2024)
As Severus Snape and you continued your walk through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, the air was thick with tension and unspoken words. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows on the stone walls, creating an almost eerie atmosphere. Your footsteps echoed softly beside Severus's, the silence between you filled with the weight of your thoughts.

As you kept walking with him, you felt his fingers brush just by your wrist, sending shivers on the contact. Severus noticed this and smirked as you blushed, looking at the other side of the corridor. As time passed and the tension between the two of you grew, you suddenly thought of holding his hand. As you slowly raised your hand to hold his, a piercing scream shattered the stillness, causing both of you to halt in your tracks. You glanced at Severus, whose eyes had narrowed, and together, you quickened your pace, the urgency of the scream propelling you forward.

You rounded a corner to find Dolores Umbridge, her face twisted in a scowl, berating the Potter and Weasley children. "What are you doing out of your dormitories at this hour?" she screeched, her voice grating on your ears.

The children stood frozen, fear evident in their wide eyes. Before they could respond, Severus stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding attention. "I'll handle this, Ms. Dolores," he said, his voice a dangerous whisper that brooked no argument.

Dolores turned to him, her eyes gleaming with malice and an insidious delight. "Oh, will you? Considering your physical and mental state, I doubt you're prepared for such circumstances."

Anger flared within you at her blatant disrespect. "Professor Snape is more than capable of handling his students," you retorted, your voice firm as you signaled the children to come with you. You shot Dolores a furious glance and nodded curtly. "Goodnight, Dolores." As you turned away, with the students following you and Snape, a mischievous thought crossed your mind. With a subtle flick of your wand, you cast a silent transfiguration spell on Dolores's slippers, turning them into old, musty wooden wedges. Dolores let out an indignant screech as the uncomfortable shoes pinched her feet. She does not notice this because you casted another spell where she sees her normal foot wear.

Severus followed behind, his face a mask of disgust. However, he noticed the sudden change in Dolores's footwear and couldn't help but chuckle softly. You caught his amused expression and grinned.

"You noticed, didn't you?" you whispered, trying to suppress your laughter.

"Indeed," Severus replied, his eyes twinkling with rare amusement. "A fitting punishment."

As you walked away from Dolores's screeching, you both laughed quietly. "I couldn't resist," you admitted, still smiling. "She deserved it."

"That she did," Severus agreed, his smile fading, but his mood lightened. The shared moment of levity had softened the tension between you.

You guided the children back to their chambers, Severus deducting a point from each of their houses. Once they were safely inside, you resumed your walk, the tension between you palpable.

After a while, Severus broke the silence. "Teaching has been... challenging," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. His tone carried an undertone of exhaustion and frustration that you had rarely heard from him.

You glanced at him, noticing the fatigue in his eyes. "You've always been strong, Severus."

He gave a small, sad smile. Continuing your conversation, Severus then changes the topic. "I've moved on from Lily," he said quietly, his gaze lingering on you as if expecting a reaction. "Strangely, it feels like a weight has been lifted." as he looks striaght ahead composing his steady demeanor.