Always

The beautiful young lady who he met once again at the masquerade was fake in every way. After falling in love, Severus often wondered, why do people love others like so?

When he finally saw her again, she sat lazily high up, no longer the girl who was made of candies, spices, and all the good things in the world.

There were countless admirers around her, just like how it used to be when he was her professor. People were fighting for her to only give them a bored look in return. And what was more conspicuous, was Malfoy who stood behind the girl.

Only then did he realize that before he noticed, his little girl had already secretly grown into a different person. Talented, ambitious, cold and cunning like a snake, patiently waiting for the chance to kill at once.

But he still loves her.

The long, thin smoke was burning at her fingertips, and he wanted to become that smoke. The rising smoke surrounded her face, and he wanted to be that fog.

"To get her to change her mind, I would give everything for it."

The moment Severus told the devil his wish, the tragic song had already sounded.

"Will you be here all the time?"

"Always."