Wildflowers

Even Walls Fall Down

Severus had spent most of the afternoon quietly exploring the town, taking in the small shops and unfamiliar streets. It was a quaint place, quieter than what he was used to, but it had its charm. As 6 o'clock approached, he found himself walking back toward the café, the anticipation of seeing Kat again sitting unexpectedly in the back of his mind.

When he arrived, she was already outside waiting for him, practically bouncing on her feet with excitement. The moment she saw him, her face lit up, and she rushed forward, throwing her arms around him in a spontaneous hug. Severus stiffened at the sudden contact but didn't pull away, the surprise quickly fading as her warmth settled around him.

"You came back for me," Kat said with a wide grin, her voice full of genuine delight.

"I said I would," Severus replied, his tone even but with a hint of something softer beneath the words.

Kat pulled back just enough to look at him, her smile turning a little more thoughtful. "Well, lots of people say lots of things," she said, her voice quieter now. "It's nice when people do what they say they will."

Severus didn't reply immediately, but there was something in the way she said it that made him pause. He nodded slightly, as if acknowledging the weight behind her words, before gesturing toward the street. "Shall we?"

Kat grinned again, the moment of vulnerability passing as she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the food shop. "Alright, let's get this dinner started!" she said, her excitement bubbling back to the surface.

Once they were inside, Kat grabbed a basket and began perusing the shelves, turning to Severus as they walked. "So, what do you like to eat?" she asked, her voice casual but curious.

"I'm fine with whatever you choose," he replied. "I'll help you prepare it."

Kat gave him a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow as she paused in front of the produce section. "You sure? You're just handing over the reins like that?" she teased, tossing a couple of vegetables into the basket. "I feel like I need to know what excites you about food. Do you actually like food, or is it just fuel for you?"

"As much as anyone else," Severus replied, his tone even, but Kat could see the flicker of amusement in his dark eyes.

She narrowed her eyes, leaning in slightly as if she were about to uncover a great mystery. "Do you get excited about anything?" she asked, her voice playful but filled with curiosity. "I have to know... What does Professor Snape, Master of Potions"—she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper—"get excited about?"

Severus looked at her for a moment, his expression calm but the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Potions," he said simply, his voice as smooth and steady as ever.

Kat laughed, shaking her head as she tossed a few more items into the basket. "Of course you do," she said with a grin. "I should've known better than to expect a different answer. Alright, Master of Potions, I'll make you my favorite dinner."

They walked back to Kat's cottage in comfortable silence, the occasional sound of their footsteps on the cobblestone streets the only thing breaking the stillness. The air had cooled with the setting sun, and the quiet between them felt natural, unpressured. Kat carried the basket of ingredients with one hand while her other swung loosely by her side, brushing against Severus's cloak every now and then.

As they reached her cottage, Kat unlocked the door and pushed it open, immediately greeted by the sight of her black lab, Boo, wagging his tail enthusiastically. The large dog bounded over to her, tail thumping against the floor as if it hadn't seen her in days.

"Severus," Kat said, motioning to the excited dog with a grin, "this is Boo. He's special, but he likes everyone." She glanced down at Boo, who was already sniffing around Severus, his friendly nature impossible to miss. "He's far too friendly for his own good, so if he starts annoying you, just tell him to flip off."