𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑔𝓌𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝐿𝒾𝒷𝓇𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 ||(A Severus Snape love story)

Taken sleep

He strode into the pub, desperate for a reprieve from the torment of the day. The air was thick with the acrid scent of alcohol. I slouched in my usual corner, clutching a glass of fire whiskey.

his eyes scanned the room, finding a scene that twisted the knife in his gut. There, in the shadows, Calliope, his coworker, not alone. Laughter echoed, the intimate touch of another man, possessively kissing her waist. The glass in his hand threatened to shatter as his knuckles whitened around it.

The stranger leaned in, whispering something I couldn't hear, but the venomous jealousy in his eyes was unmistakable.

Severus bolted upright in bed, drenched in a cold sweat, his heart pounding trying to break free from his chest. He wiped his clammy face in disbelief, muttering curses under his breath. "Another bloody dream," he spat bitterly, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Fuck."

His steps were heavy as he made his way to the shower, desperate to wash away the lingering longing.

–

Calliope read the book in her hands, the memories from yesterday keeping her awake. She let out a sigh, her trust in Remus shifting uncertainty beneath her thoughts. Nearby, Millie sensed her sadness and meowed softly, curling up against her leg for comfort.

"How about we treat ourselves to something sweet?" she murmured to Millie, who responded with an eager meow of agreement.

With Millie nestled contentedly in her arms, they made their way back to her quarters, each carrying a small indulgence. As they approached her door, Calliope caught a glimpse of light seeping from the staff room nearby.

Curiosity tugged at her, and she hesitated before pushing the door open quietly. Inside, she found Severus, his usually composed demeanor disrupted as he stood with a cup of coffee in hand, seemingly lost in thought.

"Severus?" she called out softly,

Calliope's voice startled him out of his thoughts, he tensed, his back straightening to mask his previous turmoil. His eyes flicked towards her, meeting her gaze surprised.

"Calliope," he responded, his voice composed despite the lingering remnants of his dream. "It's late. What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep," I chuckled softly, nodding towards Millie whose meow was muffled against my robes. "Neither could she."

Severus' eyes shifted to the cat, which seemed content in your arms.

He let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"I see," he murmured, taking a sip of his coffee. He paused as his eyes found hers again. "Neither can I."

Crossing my legs in the armchair, I leaned forward slightly. "What's keeping you awake?" I asked, watching as his eyes drifted away.

He couldn't tell her about the dream, about the way he had felt seeing her with the stranger in the pub. It would be inappropriate, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.

"Just... thoughts troubling my mind," he replied after a moment, his voice composed. "It happens to everyone occasionally."

"What seems to be keeping you awake, Calliope?"

She paused, realizing the true reason keeping her awake: the revelation from yesterday about Remus and his friends bullying Severus during their school days...

"Um... It's the coldness in my quarters," she deflected, avoiding the thoughts swirling in her head that threatened to overwhelm her.

Severus' eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Calliope attempted to change the subject. He noticed the hesitation in her voice. Every time he attempted to penetrate her mind he was unsuccessful . Although He saw straight through her deflection.

He shifted in his seat, crossing his arms as he leaned back, regarding her skeptically.

"Is that all?" he inquired, his voice as cool and detached as ever. "I know when you're lying to me, you know."

Calliope audibly gulped at his change in tone, feeling a blush spread across her face. She cleared her throat, words stumbling as she tried to speak.

"I've placed my faith in someone who now disgusts me," she muttered, looking away briefly to scoop up Millie.

Millie wriggled in my hands, unexpectedly leaping out and scampering over to Severus, where she cozied up against his shoe.

"Oh! Millie!" I exclaimed, slightly surprised, as I watched her affectionately approach Severus.

"I'm sorry, she's usually so calm," I apologized, confused by Millie's sudden fondness for Severus.

"It seems she likes you," I added with a smile

Severus looked down at the cat as it rubbed up against his foot, bemusement on his face. He rarely interacted with cats, let alone ones that seemed to take an immediate liking to him.

"I... suppose she does," he murmured, his voice betraying his slight bafflement. He hesitantly reached down to stroke the cat, his fingers gently scratching behind her ears.

Millie purred sweetly climbing onto his lap, eliciting a somewhat gentle reaction from Severus.

"Hello, Millie," he muttered, a slight smile tugging at his lips. Calliope couldn't help but smile at the scene before her.

"Well, we picked up some treats on the way. Would you like some?" she asked,

He paused, his hand frozen in mid-air as Millie purred contentedly in his lap. He looked at Calliope, contemplating her offer for a moment.

"I... suppose a treat wouldn't hurt," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. He began to gently pet Millie, a small, almost imperceptible smile still lingering on his face.

Abruptly, Severus asked, "Which wizarding school did you attend as a child?" Calliope set her biscuit down on the table beside her. "None. My mother schooled me herself," she replied.

His eyebrows raised slightly at her reply.

"You're a self-taught witch?" he inquired, his eyes fixed on hers. His fingers continued to absently pet Millie, the small feline still nestled comfortably in his lap.

"Yes" she replied solemnly "Impressive," he commented, his tone now almost admiring. "Teaching magic is a rare feat. It requires great dedication "

He paused, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly as he continued, his voice becoming noticeably softer. "I suppose it explains why you're such a talented witch."

Calliope's cheeks flushed again at his unexpected compliment; one she wouldn't mind hearing again. "Did I just receive a compliment from Severus Snape?" she teased

Severus let out a small huff, feigning annoyance at her comment.

"Don't be deluded, Calliope," he quipped gently, still petting the cat. "It was merely an observation."

Yet, his lips betrayed him, curling up just slightly in a hint of a smile. She caught his smile and chuckled softly. "Classes start in about 2 hours. We should get going before they catch us here."

Millie let out a long meow and curled up closer to Severus.

He nodded in agreement. "You're right," he conceded, his smile fading as reality set in.

He let out a small sigh, glancing down at the cat in his lap. "And your furry accomplice seems reluctant to leave."

I sighed as I stood up, watching Severus awkwardly grab Millie and gently hand her over to me.

"Good—" we both started to say simultaneously, before stopping ourselves.

My face flushed again. "Goodnight, Severus," I managed to say, my embarrassment evident.

He nodded, avoiding eye contact. "Good night, Calliope," he replied softly.

Millie meowed loudly, interrupting the moment. "And goodnight to you too, Ms. Millie," he added, smiling at the cat.