Wildflowers

Staff Meeting

The next morning, Severus had just finished pulling on his cloak when a knock echoed through the cottage. He hesitated for a moment before crossing the small space to open the door. Standing there was Kat, her face a little more composed than the night before, though her eyes still held that familiar glint of mischief.

"Good morning," she said with a small smile, her tone light but careful. "There's a staff meeting soon, but I'm sure you knew that. Did you want to walk with me? I can show you the shortcut to the grounds. And maybe..." she paused for a beat, her smile turning slightly awkward, "we can clear the air. Since we're going to be working with each other."

Severus regarded her for a moment, weighing her words, his own feelings still tangled from the night before. But he nodded, his voice quieter than usual. "I would like that."

Kat let out a small breath, her shoulders relaxing a bit as she gave him a more genuine smile. "Thanks," she said softly, shifting her weight. "I... I can't imagine what you think of me, honestly." She gave a nervous laugh, running a hand through her hair. "I know we just met, and I can come on a bit strong. I'm... a lot for some people. Though I don't mean to be."

Severus stepped out of the doorway, closing the door behind him as he looked at her, his dark eyes searching hers. "You are... direct," he admitted, his tone cautious but lacking the sharpness from the night before. "But I don't think it's a matter of being too much. It's simply... different."

Kat's lips quirked into a smirk, though there was a flicker of vulnerability behind her usual confidence. "Well, I've heard worse," she joked lightly, starting to walk with him along the narrow path. "I just wanted to make sure things aren't too... awkward between us. You know, since we'll be colleagues and all. I'm not great at holding back, and that tends to rub people the wrong way."

Severus glanced sideways at her as they walked, the crisp morning air clearing some of the fog in his mind. "It wasn't... unpleasant," he said carefully, his voice soft. "But I am not accustomed to... openness, like yours."

As they continued down the path, Kat led Severus through a forest trail, the trees towering overhead, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the morning sunlight. The earthy scent of pine and moss filled the air, and the only sounds were their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.

Kat smiled as they walked, the corners of her lips tugging up in a mischievous grin. "I'm a bit of a free spirit," she said, glancing sideways at him. "Though some would say flippant."

Severus raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but curious. "Does your father also say that? It seems to be something you've heard before."

Kat chuckled softly, though there was a hint of something deeper in her eyes. "Yeah, he does. He says a great many things about my... playful nature." Her tone was light, but there was an edge to it, something she clearly didn't delve into often.

Severus studied her for a moment, then said, "Tell me more about your family. I would like to get to know you."

Kat's eyes flickered with a bit of discomfort. She gave a playful smile but shrugged. "Oh, I hate answering questions. Evasive, that's me." Her tone was teasing, but Severus could tell she was dodging the question intentionally. She turned to him with a sly grin. "Tell me about your family, Severus."

His jaw tightened slightly at the shift, but he didn't shy away from her question. "I don't have any family to speak of," he said, his voice steady, though there was a weight to it. "A few distant relatives, but no one of consequence. My mother and father died when I was a child."

Kat slowed her pace, her playful demeanor softening for a moment. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said gently. "My mother died when I was a child too." She paused, then added with a half-smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "But that's alright, I've still got someone to disappoint."