Innocence | Severus Snape x Reader

8 - The Rest Of The Year.

The rest of the year went by as it did. Harry Potter stirred up some trouble with his friends, which ended up benefitting the school. Snape and I remained as it was but the thing was, I realised that the longer I was around him, the more comfortable I felt with him. 

And at some point, I looked towards to being around him regularly. 

There was one time where he gave me one of his favourite books to read, "The Outsider" by H.P. Lovecraft. At first it struck me as odd that he'd read a muggle-written book, but after reading it I could see the appeal and made mental note to get a copy for myself sometime. 

I now sat at the far end of the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. I sat alone, but my eyes occasionally flickered to Snape. Like he'd go somewhere and I'd miss it. Not once did I catch his gaze in return, however. Dumbledore stood at the front of the hall, and all the Students gradually quieted down. 

"Another year gone, and I understand it the house cup needs awarded, and the points stand up. In fourth Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points. Third place, Hufflepuff with three hundred-fifty-two points. In second place, Ravenclaw with four hundred twenty-six. And in first place, with four hundred seventy-two points, Slytherin House."

The Slytherin table erupts in claps and cheers but Dumbledore unexpectedly speaks again.

"Yes, yes, Well done Slytherin, well done Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account. I might have a few last-minute points to award. To Miss Hermione Granger for good use of intelligence while others were in grave peril, fifty points. Second, to Mister Ronald Weasley for the best-played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years fifty points. And third, to Mister Harry Potter fore pure love and outstanding courage I award Gryffindor house with fifty points. I award then points to Mister Longbottom for standing up to his friends." Dumbledore then explains how a change of decoration is needed and claps his hands. When he does so the banners all change to red and gold with the Gryffindor emblem. Everyone at the Gryffindor table as well as some from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw cheer. 

I look around me, seeing the disappointed faces of stuck up overconfident Slytherins,  while others were unbothered by it like myself. 

The thing was, and I've learned most this year, is that not all Slytherins are bad. Most of them did carry the traits of a Slytherin; Cunning, determination, leadership, and some selfishness, but nonetheless it didn't make them any less good people. 

I looked up at Snape once more, finally catching his gaze. I did something I hadn't really done all year. I flashed him the biggest and happiest smile I could muster, and the look on his face told me that perhaps all the parchment and hours gone into time with the dungeon bat, may have been for a good cause. 

Seeing the look of, almost adoration for me made my heart flutter, and a colour came to my cheeks. And my heart... oh god.