Always (Severus Snape x Reader)

Chapter Ten: Centaurs

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOVE THIS SCENE XD

(Edited:09/30/24)

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Severus Snape sat hunched over his desk, quill in hand, eyes scanning the parchments before him. The dim light of his office flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls. It was late, and most of the castle had long since retired for the night, but he found solace in the quiet, monotony of paperwork—a brief respite from the relentless thoughts that plagued his mind.

But the calm was abruptly shattered.

The door burst open with a loud crash, and Severus jumped to his feet, wand drawn instinctively. Standing in the doorway was Severus Albus Potter, his face pale, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Potter—what in Merlin's name—?"

"It's Professor Y/N!" the boy gasped, eyes wide with fear. "She's been taken—by centaurs—in the Forbidden Forest! Dolores—she hurt us, and Professor Y/N—she—she protected us!" the boy spoke with no pause, panic in his eyes.

Severus felt his heart drop into his stomach, the world tilting on its axis. He moved toward the boy in an instant, gripping his shoulders. "What happened? Speak, now!"

Albus gulped, the words tumbling from his lips in a rush. "We were in the forest, me, Scorpius, and Rose. Umbridge—she had us for detention and—she went too far. Professor Y/N—she came, she fought Umbridge, she saved us. But then the centaurs—they took her. I tried—I tried to stop them, but they—they dragged her away, into the forest!" As he whined on Severus's grip on his shoulders.

For a moment, Severus was silent, his mind racing. Y/N... taken by centaurs? His blood ran cold at the thought. Without another word, he turned and strode from the office, his black robes billowing behind him.

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The Great Hall buzzed with the usual evening din, students chatting animatedly as dinner was served. 

Suddenly, the doors of the Great Hall swung open, and Severus strode in, his dark cloak billowing behind him. He made his way to the head of the table where Headmistress McGonagall sat. Her sharp eyes immediately noticed his tense expression.

"Severus? What's going on?" she asked, setting down her fork as murmurs began to ripple through the hall.

"Y/N has been taken by the centaurs," Severus announced, his voice taut with worry. The words hung in the air, and immediately, the entire staff table fell silent. A collective gasp went up from the professors seated nearby.

Neville Longbottom shot to his feet, his face pale. "What? Taken by the centaurs? How did this happen?"

Aurora Sinistra, sitting a few chairs down, exchanged a shocked glance with Arif Sikander, whose expression darkened with concern. 

"The children said she was protecting them from Dolores Umbridge," Severus continued, his voice barely concealing his panic. "She's been taken into the Forbidden Forest, and if we don't move quickly..."

"Merlin," Draco Malfoy muttered under his breath, already standing. "We have to get her back."

Headmistress McGonagall wasted no time. "This cannot wait," she declared, rising from her chair and addressing the gathered professors. "Severus, you and the others head to the forest immediately. I'll inform the Ministry and ensure the children are looked after."

"We're going to find her," McGonagall added, placing a firm hand on Severus's shoulder. 

The search party was assembled in a matter of moments: Severus, Draco, Aurora, Arif, Neville, and Professor Flitwick were all ready. As they exited the Great Hall, their expressions were grim and determined.