Always (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter Seven: Valentines

Morning arrived with a gentle glow as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains. You stirred from your sleep, the events of the previous night still fresh in your mind. You blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and looked around the room. Draco and Sirius were both snoring softly in their beds, their faces peaceful despite the chaos that had unfolded. A slight chill hung in the air, signaling the cold February morning.

You slipped out of bed quietly, not wanting to disturb the others, and noticed Severus standing on the terrace. He was sipping his dark coffee, the steam rising in the morning cold sun. Wrapping a blanket around yourself, you stepped out to join him, the fresh air invigorating your senses.

"Good morning, Severus," you greeted him warmly.

He turned to you, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good morning, Y/N. How are you feeling?"

"A bit better," you replied, looking out over the serene landscape. "Last night was... intense."

Severus nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Indeed, it was. I'm just glad you're safe."

You then notice how his hands were wrapped in white cloth with a bit of blood stains from yesterday's incident. You reach out to his hand as he places his coffee mug on the terrace wooden barricade; silently, he looks at you. 

His hands were rough at the touch, a bit warm from the coffee he was holding earlier. As you caress his knuckles and remove the white cloth to inspect the bruise, he sighs to your touch; slowly, you heal his wounds with every touch. Severus's eyes widen at this, curious at how you did it.

"Y/N, How did you do that?" You looked at him with a smile.

"Went to Japan to visit a cousin; they taught me how to heal with the use of wandless magic. Although it can only heal small bruises made by physical affliction, not magic." As you finished healing his hands, you softly released his hands, as he touched it, assured that it was fully healed.

"Th-thank you," he muttered as he held his hands, examining them, and looked at you again.

"It's the least I can do from what you did yesterday for me." I looked forward, looking over the people bustling around Hogsmeade. He smiles and looks directly at what you are looking at as he takes his mug and sips again.

You stood in companionable silence for a moment before speaking again. "Severus, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

He raised his look from the scene to you, intrigued. "Oh? What is it?"

You took a deep breath, gathering your thoughts. "When I was a student here, I always admired you. Not just as a professor but as a person. You were so dedicated, so brave. And when I heard about what happened to you during the final battle, I was devastated. I thought we had lost you forever."

Severus listened intently, his eyes never leaving your face. "I never knew you felt that way." he sighed and sipped, smiling.

"I did," you continued. "And when you were brought to St. Mungo's, I worked at the Ministry for a bit, but I always kept myself busy to avoid thinking about you. I was so worried. That's when I met Draco and Astoria. We became close friends, and I even became Scorpius's godmother. They helped me through a lot."

A soft smile touched Severus's lips. "I'm glad you had them." Listening to you intently.

"And then, when I returned to Hogwarts as a professor," you said, "I saw you again, and it was like a second chance. You never saw me as anything more than a student back then, but I'll have to ask... has that ever changed?" talking straight as if there is no tomorrow, you were shocked this came out your mouth even. As you waited for him to answer you both were startled by another voice.