Concealed Affections | Severus X Reader|

6.

Y/n gestured for Severus to take a seat. He chose a chair near her desk, sitting down with a visible effort to appear relaxed. Y/n, though still clearly unsettled, folded her hands in her lap and waited for him to begin.

Severus took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the floor for a moment before he looked up. "I didn’t want to burden you with my past, especially not now," he began, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken regrets. "It’s a part of me that I've fought hard to overcome, and I thought I could keep it separate from my life here, from you."

Y/n’s eyes softened as she listened, her earlier frustration now tempered by concern. “I understand that you wanted to protect me from this part of your life, but secrecy always has a way of making things worse. I needed to know, Severus.”

“I know,” he said quietly. “I should have trusted you more. I... I didn’t want you to see me as someone tainted by the past. It was never my intention to keep you in the dark or to make you feel like you weren’t worthy of knowing the truth.”

Y/n nodded slowly, absorbing his words. “We’ve always had a strong bond, Severus. Hiding something so significant from me was never going to make things easier. But I do want to understand. I need to know what you're dealing with.”

Severus looked up, his expression a mix of vulnerability and relief. “The Dark Mark, it’s not just a symbol of my past actions; it’s a constant reminder of what I’ve done and the choices I’ve had to make. Even now, it’s a mark of my ongoing struggle, my commitment to making amends for past mistakes.”

Y/n leaned forward, her eyes earnest. “And how can I help? I want to be here for you, Severus. We can face this together.”

He looked at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “I don’t know if there’s much to do beyond just being here. The burden is mine to carry, but knowing you’re here, that means more than I can express.”

Y/n reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his. “You don’t have to carry it alone. We’ll figure this out together. You don’t have to face your past or the challenges that come with it in isolation.”

Severus nodded, his features relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Y/n. That means more to me than you can know.”

As the two of them sat in silence, the tension in the room began to ease. The late afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over them, symbolizing a small yet significant shift towards healing and understanding. Y/n’s presence was a comfort, and Severus felt a cautious optimism about facing the future with her support by his side.

Y/n glanced at the clock on the classroom wall, noting that the time had crept close to dinner. She turned to Severus, who was also looking at the clock with a thoughtful expression.

"I think it's time for dinner," Y/n said, her voice softening with the transition from the day's work to a more relaxed setting.

Severus nodded in agreement, his eyes shifting from the clock to Y/n. "I think so too," he replied, his tone reflecting a rare moment of ease.

Y/n rose from her seat, the rustling of parchment punctuating the shift in the room's atmosphere. She gathered her belongings and tucked them neatly into her bag. As she approached Severus, he stood up as well, his movements smooth and deliberate.

"Let's go then," Y/n said gently, extending a hand toward the door. Her gesture was both a signal and an invitation, a subtle reminder of their camaraderie amidst the formality of their roles.

Severus followed her lead, his usual stern demeanor softened by the promise of a meal. As they walked towards the door, the classroom's shadows lengthened, casting a warm glow from the setting sun through the tall windows. The air seemed lighter, charged with the prospect of shared company and a break from their professional responsibilities.

They made their way down the corridor in companionable silence, the echoes of their footsteps merging with the distant hum of other students heading to the Great Hall. Y/n stole a glance at Severus, noting the slight relaxation in his posture. It was a rare sight, but one she appreciated.

When they reached the entrance to the Great Hall, Y/n paused, turning to Severus. "I’m glad we could have this time to talk. It’s been a long day."

Severus met her gaze with a rare hint of warmth. "Indeed. It’s a welcome change."

They entered the Great Hall together, where the long tables were already bustling with students and staff. The ambient noise of conversation and the clatter of cutlery created a lively backdrop. Y/n and Severus made their way to their usual seats, where the food was being served, and took their places.

As they began to serve themselves, the day's tensions seemed to dissipate with each passing moment. The hearty meals and the pleasant company offered a much-needed respite, and the warmth of the hall provided a comforting contrast to the earlier chill of their work.