Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 55: New Day, Plus Trouble Makers

Turns out my teaching schedule is set for Wednesdays—so, today. Works out perfectly. Earlier, I ran into one of the students in the common room. They were cheerful and friendly, which made me feel a little more at ease.

I was heading to the greenhouse, minding my own business, when someone thought it'd be hilarious to jump out and scare me half to death. Of course, it was Sirius.

"SIRIUS! Honestly, don't do that!" I shouted, clutching my chest as I bent down to gather my scattered notes.

He grinned, completely unbothered. "Good morning to you, too, Bee. Off to class?"

I shot him a look. "What do you think, Sirius? I'm not exactly dressed for a picnic."

He laughed, then tilted his head. "Mind if I tag along? Could be fun."

I blinked at him. "Wait—what? You want to come to class? Since when are you voluntarily going near academic responsibility?"

Sirius smirked. "Maybe I've turned over a new leaf. Or maybe I just like watching you boss people around."

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't boss people around."

"You do. But it's cute," he said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes and started walking again. "Fine. But if you distract my students, I'll hex you into next week."

He threw an arm around my shoulder. "Wouldn't dream of it. Lead the way, Professor."

Sirius' arm rested a little too comfortably across my shoulders as we walked, but I didn't shrug him off. Not yet, anyway. The sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the gravel path to the greenhouse. It should've been peaceful.

It would've been, if not for him.

"So," he said after a moment, "what riveting topic are we covering today? Please say carnivorous plants. I want to see one eat someone."

I glanced sideways at him. "You want one of my students to get devoured by a plant?"

He gave a lopsided grin. "Just a nibble. Builds character."

I snorted. "Unfortunately for your sadistic hopes, today's all about magical soil compositions and root behavior."

"Ah, yes," he said dramatically. "The thrilling world of dirt."

I jabbed him lightly in the ribs with my elbow. "It's not just dirt, you philistine. The right blend of dragon dung and mooncalf compost can mean the difference between a thriving screechsnap and a sad little twig."

"Mm, nothing like a fresh whiff of mooncalf dung in the morning," he said, making a face. "Remind me again why anyone willingly chooses to be around this stuff?"

"Because not all of us can coast through life on charm and perfectly messy hair."

Sirius gave a mock gasp. "You think my hair is perfectly messy?"

I groaned. "That's what you took from that?"

He chuckled, then looked at me with a glint of something almost... soft in his eyes. "I think it's brilliant, what you're doing here. Teaching. These kids look up to you."

I blinked. "Where is this coming from?"

He shrugged, suddenly serious in a way that made me feel weirdly exposed. "Just saying. You've got this... way of handling things. People listen when you talk. Doesn't hurt that you glare like a Bumblebee."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks and turned quickly, pretending to inspect a patch of fanged geraniums as we passed. "You're being weirdly nice today."

"Don't worry," he said, that roguish grin sliding back into place. "It won't last."