the day before you came - severus snape x reader

Chapter 35 - Tiger

The few snowflakes on your coat that have not yet been melted by the torchlight of the corridors cling stubbornly to the black fabric in the bitter cold as you descend into the dungeons. Although an illustrious fire blazes in the fireplace, it's almost colder than in the wintry alleyways of Hogsmeade - you are mildly surprised that there is no blizzard raging when you enter Snape's office.

"This is a nightmare", you state, waving your hands around as you grab a chair to sit next to his desk, and plop down beside him with an irritated huff. You rub your freezing hands over a candle burnt askew.

"I simply don't understand why you live down here, of your own free will."

Your breath paints tiny, white clouds in the air as you watch the dancing flame for a moment, mouth hanging open. Your eyes flit up to his face in concern.

"You're not forced to live here, are you, Sev?"

Severus slowly cocks his head and places the quill on the tightly written parchment he had been bent over before you've came in roistering.

"No."

You exhale with great relief, and sink back into the chair as best you can; the enormous masses of thick fabric constraining you tightly - you wouldn't dream of taking off your winter coat, though - and shiver briefly with cold and displeasure at the sight of your casually dressed professor.

His indifference apparently hasn't exclusively befallen his feelings.

"Good. That's good", you mumble, nodding to yourself.

"Well, technically, it's horrible because I hate it here. Personally. It's just so... cold."

You bundle up tighter in your coat - why you haven't taken your scarf with you earlier is utterly beyond you.

"I wouldn't hold it against you at all if you had lied to me, though. Just tell me the name of the culprit who's detaining you so shamelessly and I'll take care of the rest."

You glance at the Potioneer who's still watching you with keen interest.

"Are you drunk?", Snape replies, and you nod fiercely, smiling. Merlin, he's the ever so brilliant teacher - and he always has a bottle of sweet, sweet Firewhiskey hidden somewhere, waiting especially for you tonight. What could warm you up better than more alcohol?

"Remus still managed to get on my nerves, though. Can you believe it? He's just so full of himself", you say, scanning the room.

Despite your best efforts, you can't manage to free yourself from the tangle of fabric, that damned coat holding you tightly.

You slump into the chair and huff defeatedly. Snape studies you with his deep, dark, delicious eyes and an expression of, indeed, undisputed believe.

"He's invited me to Sirius' place over the holidays", you say, breathless after the brief battle with your winter attire. You still haven't found the pretty glass bottle with the warmth-promising, amber liquid.

"But I refused. I don't think I could stand being cooped up with them for several days. I haven't met Sirius yet, but anyone who'd voluntarily socialise so closely with Remus must be as mad as a hatter, don't you agree? Fuck, just where are you hiding?"

Your wand lurches to the floor as you fumble to get it out from under your sweatshirt. You groan, quietly cursing under your breath as someone has obviously deemed it so funny to put a damned hex on you.

Snape had taught you wandless magic during your studies, and you know how to cast a simple Accio - after all, you've managed to cast far more difficult spells by now - it just seemed to have slipped your mind, unfortunately.