"Chrysanthemum." Severus Snape x reader fanfiction.

The garden prophecy.

* TW: mention of death, child abuse.

The morning air was still. Quiet. Unmoving. The sun was just beginning to peak up from behind the horizon and shine its rays across the dew covered grass below. Thick fog coated the surface of the Black lake's waters like a thin layer of ever moving ice. Birds chirped their morning song as they fluttered by the sleeping branches of the whomping willow, cautious not to land on top of it for fear of getting squished. Most everyone was still tucked away beneath their covers, lost within a land of slumber and dreams and so unknowing of the calm surrounding the castle at this waking hour.

Your fingers worked meticulous and careful as you pushed a bought of fresh soil down into a large ceramic pot, forming it neatly around the tiny asphodel root. It had begun to grow a bit too much for the pot it was originally planted, so you were spending your early morning in the Herbology greenhouse transferring it with the utmost care. Aside from potions, Herbology had always been one of your favorite courses to take over the years and you were rather brilliant at it as well. Skilled with sharp wrists and strong fingers for getting down and dirty when need be.

When you found yourself stressed or worried, spending time with the plants and flowers seemed to make all of it fade and disappear. It was calming, relaxing to your bundled nerves. It kept you busy and only furthered you in your knowledge for potions all the same time. Two birds, one stone. The thing was, plants never talked back. You could ramble for hours about your thoughts and troubles with absolutely no rebuttal or snarky remark in return. The plants didn't judge you like other people.

It was only you, just you, this morning in the greenhouse. Professor Sprout had given you the go ahead the evening before and left the doors unlocked, pots stacked neatly and soil at the ready. Bottles, vials, and bags lay perfectly aligned on the other side of the planting table for gathering seeds or ingredients used in potions when the need presented itself.

Caught up within rooting and uprooting growing asphodel, you hadn't noticed the far off figure approaching from grounds and shuffling into the greenhouse with familiar footsteps. Severus was in need of a few different herbs, under the impression that no one else was yet to be awake and inside. Just as he was about to enter the particular space you occupied, he caught a glimpse of your frame and stopped dead in his tracks. He stayed back quite a few feet, pressing up against the glass wall separating him from you with a slow and soft thud.

He had no intentions of interrupting your work or making his presence known to you. At least not yet. He stood, still and unsure as one soft palm pressed flush against the wall to keep his body steady. Peaking through the foggy, stained glass, he made mental note of just how quickly your fingers moved as they dug into the soil. Quick, yet gentle as you handle the delicate flower before planting it.

He needed to gain your trust, soften your resolve and break the walls you've spent years building brick by brick. It was going to be tricky, he knew that all too well. And what he was about to do would certainly make for a much more difficult case. Carefully, he reached into the pocket of his cloak and pulled out his wand, gripping it between his thumb and index finger as he pointed it in your direction. His voice was low but he was tentative in the way he uttered his words so to make sure you couldn't hear.

"Legilimens..." 

Your head pounded and throbbed as your vision suddenly began to fade, tunneling and thrusting you into a whirlwind of lifeless black.

              The sun was warm against your skin as you stepped out into the large and spacious backyard, hair blowing back slightly in the heated summer breeze. The world seemed so large and so big to your little eyes, more determined than anyone to explore every last corner and learn as much as your growing brain would retain.