autumn | severus snape

forty eight

The wind whipped through the courtyard, rattling the bare branches overhead. Draco paced near the stone archway, his jaw clenched, boots scuffing against the frost-covered ground. His mood was dark, simmering just below the surface. Teddy stood nearby, a cigarette in his hand, watching him with an expression caught between annoyance and sympathy.

"She told me she's in love with Snape," Draco spat, his voice raw.

Teddy raised an eyebrow. "And that's why you're out here freezing your arse off?"

"You don't get it." Draco's voice was sharp. "I waited for her. I told her how I felt, and she still chose him." He paced furiously. "I should've known.. he's always lurking in the background, waiting to claim what's never been his."

Teddy let out a long sigh, letting the cigarette drop to the ground. "Draco—"

"No, seriously," Draco interrupted, "how am I supposed to just stand by while she keeps running back to someone who'll probably never love her properly?"

That did it. Teddy took a step forward, his voice sharp. "Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, she doesn't have the luxury to prioritize your feelings right now?"

Draco blinked, thrown off by the sudden intensity in Teddy's voice.

"Her sister is dying, Draco," Teddy pressed on, his voice shaking with frustration. "Her father is literally trying to kill her, and you're making it all about yourself!"

Draco's face twisted in defiance. "That's not what this is about—"

"Isn't it?" Teddy snapped. "She's carrying the weight of an entire war on her shoulders, and all you can think about is how she didn't pick you. Maybe instead of sulking out here like a spoiled brat, you could try being her friend."

Draco's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he stepped toward Teddy. "You think I don't know that?"He snapped. "You think I don't see what she's going through?"

Teddy scoffed, shaking his head. "Then why are you acting like this? Like her feelings are some kind of prize you're entitled to?"

The words landed with brutal clarity. Draco opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss.

Draco's fists clenched, his breathing sharp and uneven. "That's not fair."

"No, what's not fair is that she can't even take a breath without the weight of this war crushing her," Teddy snapped. "What's not fair is that you're standing here, whining about how she doesn't love you back while she's trying to keep everyone alive."

Teddy's voice softened, though his expression remained firm. "Look, I get it. You love her. But she doesn't need another person pulling at her, Draco. She needs people she can depend on."

There was a long silence, the tension between them crackling in the frigid air.

"I..." Draco exhaled slowly, his anger deflating. "I didn't mean to make it harder for her."

"Then don't," Teddy said, his tone gentler now. "Be there for her, but stop demanding things she can't give you."

Draco's shoulders sagged, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Yeah," he muttered. "You're right."

Teddy clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. Now let's get inside before we both turn into icicles."

A reluctant smile tugged at Draco's lips. "Fine. But I'm not sitting next to you at dinner."

Teddy chuckled as they walked back toward the castle. "You know you will."

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