Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 46: Good Grief

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𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 44: 𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝐺𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑓

"𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒"

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"Merlin's beard," I murmured, rubbing at my temple as if that would somehow press away the overwhelming feeling surging in my chest. "Why—why in Circe's name did I choose now of all times to read that?" I let out a long, exasperated sigh that drifted off into the stillness of the garden air.

I glanced down at myself, momentarily caught off guard by the slightly-too-tight clothes on my frame—clearly from a younger me's wardrobe, not meant for this version of myself. With a flick of my wand, I conjured a new outfit that fit properly, something warm and soft, something that made me feel like me again. Clutching the diary tight against my chest, I turned back toward the house, bracing myself for what I knew was waiting: voices raised in worry, perhaps a touch of panic... and chaos.

And sure enough, I hadn't even reached the steps before the noise spilled out from the house like a tide crashing against the shore.

"Where the bloody hell did Y/n go?" That was Severus—sharp, clipped, unmistakably frazzled.

"Language, Severus," Lily's voice chimed in, the reprimand light but firm.

"I only checked on her and Harry a little while ago," Sirius said next, unusually tense for someone who usually wore nonchalance like a second skin.

"Are you certain you checked everywhere?" Remus asked, the strain in his voice betraying his calm tone.

"Yes, Moony, we've looked—everywhere," came James's retort, and I could picture him running a hand through his already wild hair, gripping Lily's hand like a lifeline.

"You don't think... I mean, it's not possible she was taken, is it?" Sirius asked, the edge of panic creeping in now.

"No. Impossible. No one could breach the wards. The enchantments are solid—foolproof," Severus snapped back, though I could tell from the tightness in his voice that he was trying to convince himself just as much as the others.

I couldn't help but smile at the scene, watching them all practically tear their hair out. I slipped inside quietly, easing the door shut behind me with care, hoping to catch them mid-worry. I stepped across the threshold and padded softly toward the living room, where their voices had gathered in a cacophony of stress and concern.

I paused just behind Severus and Sirius, then cleared my throat gently.

"So... who exactly are we looking for?" I asked, tone light, bordering on cheeky.

Chaos.

"Merlin's bloody beard, Y/n!" Lily gasped, turning in a whirl and staring at me as if she were seeing a ghost. And then she was across the room, wrapping her arms around me with the kind of fierce warmth only she could manage. I hugged her back tightly, my smile easing into something softer.

"Hi, Lily," I murmured into her shoulder.

James stared, slack-jawed. "Wait... Y/n? That's really you?" His voice cracked halfway through the sentence.

Remus's brow furrowed as his eyes swept over me, disbelief mingling with awe. "Is that—could it really be... you?"

Severus just stared.