Chapter 8
Severus swayed towards the door, taking the stairs one at a time. The feeling the petal gave him amplified as he stepped into the common room, the dimness of his dorm forcing his eyes to readjust against the brightness of the fireplace, blinking blearily. The air felt thick with an aura of magic and something that only he can feel.
He took in the sight of his fellow students lounging around blearily in their pajamas, the soft glow of the fire casting flickering shadows across the room. He doesn’t focus on their faces, or their words. One student points towards the entrance of the room, saying something Severus can’t understand. He slowly turns his head towards the commotion at the entrance, stumbling towards it.
As soon as Severus steps out of the painting, he’s grabbed and pulled into an empty classroom. A fluttery sensation begins in his chest, growing stronger as he's pushed against the wall. Severus grabs onto broad arms for support, his movements unsteady and grip loose. He tries to focus on the angry gray eyes flitting across his face.
"I thought you said… he wasn’t—Wait a minute, are you high or something?" Sirius asks incredulously, almost instantly noticing Severus's altered state.
Severus blinks, feeling a mix of confusion and exhilaration wash over him as Sirius's voice cuts through the fog in his mind. He's drawn to the intensity of Sirius's gaze, the warmth of his touch sending shivers down his spine.
Without a word, Severus leans in.