Ancient Magician (Severus x Reader)

Chapter 56: I love you

Two months flew by faster than I could catch my breath. They blurred past like wind through my hair on a broomstick ride, and before I knew it, here we were—still no closer to finding that last Horcrux. Uncle had written me again, his tone unusually weary. He confessed that despite all his efforts, he hadn't had any luck locating it. Honestly, I'd been searching too, digging through dusty records and forgotten texts, but nothing turned up. Not even a whisper of a clue. It was frustrating, maddening even. But I didn't let it show.

In the meantime, something else happened. I... well, I became popular. Not just for my teaching, though they did tell me I was brilliant at it (and I won't argue). But also—Merlin, it's embarrassing—they said I was attractive. Like, actually attractive. I didn't know what to do with that information. Half the time, I'd just laugh it off or pretend I didn't hear it. And to top it all off, Dad had been bombarding me with letters, each one more insistent than the last, practically demanding I come home and visit. He even said Rellie missed me, and if I didn't show up soon, he'd come to Hogwarts himself. He wasn't bluffing either. Gods, the drama.

"HELLOOO, EARTH TO Y/N!"

I blinked, startled out of my thoughts by Sirius waving his hand dramatically in front of my face. He looked far too smug for someone eating pumpkin pasties in a gloomy dungeon.

"What do you want?" I muttered, stabbing a sausage on my plate with unnecessary force. We were in the dungeons, having our little tradition—our group meals in Severus's classroom. It started a while ago and just sort of stuck. The four of us—me, Sirius, Remus, and Severus—finding some strange comfort in sharing food among potion bottles and chalkboards.

"You seem distracted," Remus said gently, setting down his goblet and studying me with those calm, observant eyes of his.

"Distracted? No, no, not at all," I said quickly, waving my hand dismissively. "Just... you know. Thinking."

"Thinking about something specific, perhaps?" Severus added, raising an eyebrow.

I glanced at him, then grinned, deciding to shift the subject.

"Well, since it's Saturday, Sevvie... would you like to come with me to the Hogsmeade Inn?"

Sirius choked on his drink.

"Oh, good Merlin," he spluttered. "Are you two actually going to get drunk together?"

"Sirius, you know I can't handle alcohol. Why would I drink that stuff?"

"Well," Remus chimed in with a teasing smile, "I think you and Sevvie should go. Make a night of it. Like a proper date."

"A date?" I repeated, pretending to ponder. "You mean, like, what couples do? Hm. I suppose it could be."

Severus gave the boys a look and said flatly, "Ignore them, Y/N. They're being ridiculous."

"But seriously, my dad's been flooding me with letters—practically begging me to come home. The last one said if I didn't, he'd come here. To Hogwarts. I told him I would visit weeks ago, but... well, I didn't."

"THEN IT'S SETTLED!" Sirius announced, standing up dramatically and pointing at Severus like he was assigning him a mission. "You're taking her out. No excuses."

"Wait—are you two not coming with us?" I asked, slightly confused.

"Pfft, no. We wouldn't want to ruin the mood," Sirius said with a wink.

"What mood?" I asked suspiciously.

"You'll see," he said, chuckling, casting a glance between Remus and Severus like a cat who just knocked over a priceless vase.