Finally
A new day. Being a few weeks into the school term, you had become fairly adjusted to your new lifestyle. As you grew up mostly independent, you had the responsibility to take care of your own health and freedom. Being introduced to the physical defence aspects of magic and ‘taking care of yourself’, you were highly trained in martial arts. Starting each day at the crack of dawn, before any other soul rose for the day you made your way to the forbidden forest. Despite its reputation, you were plenty capable of defending yourself. Using the space to train daily often brought you peace and a time to practise your skills in dark magic but also kept you incredibly fit.
After practise, you made your way back to your quarters, getting dressed quickly after showering post-workout, you decided to have breakfast in your own kitchen instead of the great hall-- opting for some quiet and solidarity as the day ahead had plenty of socialising in store for your liking.
Finally adorning your outside cloak over your shoulders, you made way to the courtyard where you were expected. The usual black pointed heels directing your way, you were wrapping your hands and wrists with black tape as usual after each training session. You aren’t too fond of the idea of a student asking why your knuckles were all bruised and bloody. Continuing your way, you heard a faint echo of footsteps behind you, mirroring your own.
Sneaking a quick side-eye behind you, you weren’t surprised to find Severus in his usual stride. Though you thought he would be making his way to the potion’s classroom at this time…
Now walking together, you asked “Are you coming to Hogsmeade as well?”
You spoke softly, as usual like music to his ears.
“Hm? Oh yes. Assigned Hogsmeade duty.” He answered.
“Me too.” You offered the friend a smile.
Looking back down at the path before you, you just missed the look of relief and relaxation on the mans face.
Approaching the entrance, you heard the giggling and talkative voices of the third years. Running around and teasing each other obliviously as they gaggled on. Like a mess, more students ran swiftly in front of you out of nowhere, nearly bumping into you whilst doing so. However, in the surprise of the interaction, you felt a hand clutch onto your wrist. Looking down slightly amusingly, Severus quickly removed his hand. Embarrassed from the interaction, he quickly moved to scold the children running around ferally. Dismissing the act, you stepped upon the entrance of the castle, looking down at the group you failed to get their attention. As the group was so distracted, you chose instead to cast a bright light from the tip of your wand, grabbing the eyes of the students before you.
Ah, that did it. “Alrighty everyone, now that we have all the permission forms collected, we will orderly make our way. You know the drill when we get there, please be at the village centre to meet Professor Snape and I to return to school grounds at 4pm sharp.” Your voice commanded attention. Upon finishing your directions, the group eagerly began their mission to Hogsmeade. Making your way down the steps as to follow the group in front of you, you noticed Severus waited for you. Offering a polite smile, you noticed it was beginning to get a bit chilly. Tucking your arms around your body as you walked, you began some light conversation with the man accompanying you.
“Now, what will you be doing on this trip, Sev?” You looked into his eyes as you walked with him.
He looked down to meet your eyes, before grunting slightly as to indicate his thinking.
“I suppose I will wander, though the Three Broomsticks is usually where I reside for the day.” He answered, looking back down at you eager for your response.
“Ah! It’s been so long since I went inside that little tavern. I believe the last time was with you.”
He offered a small smile, memories gracing him as he thought of your shared cups of hot chocolate in the little booths of the local inn during your student trips.
“Strange how fate has brought us back together…” He murmured.
Glancing warmly at him in return, you noticed how your paces left you a bit behind the group as they had started to dissipate throughout the little village, probably ending up in HoneyDukes to rot their teeth away.
With a little chuckle you decided to lightly take his left hand in yours, due to the cool air making his skin slightly cold, the sudden warmth enveloping his hand was a present surprise.
The act stealing him from his thoughts, he smiled warmly at you as you turned to face the village, leading the two of you towards the Tavern. However, you didn’t fail to catch a sneaky glance of his now slightly blushed cheeks after you took his hand in yours.
Gazing up at the smoke billowing out of the chimneys in the old stone buildings around you, the worn-yet charming cottages and shops brought you nostalgia and an unsurprising comfort. A sense of home almost. Familiar to Hogwarts, however you always had pleasant experiences here, with Severus also.
Arriving at the quaint little tavern, the door creaked open as you left Severus’s hand as to not be seen by any potential students. Warmth wrapping around you, the orangey glow of the fireplace surrounded by booths and chippy-conversations brought you such a feeling of child-like snugness. The smell of butterbeer and butterscotch entrancing you, you decided to make your way to the bar before you turned to Severus.
“Grab us a seat, will you? What are you drinking?” You looked questioningly at the man.
“Just butterbeer will do. Thank you.” He retorted.
Clutching lightly at his arm before you moved towards the bar, he returned a smile before moving to find you two a seat.
“Y/n?! Y/n L/n is that you?” The unforgettable accent of Madam Rosmerta greeted you, swiftly making her way across the counter of the pub to wrap her arms around you.
“Rosie it’s good to see you again old friend!” You returned the gesture, placing your hands on her back before she pulled you in front of her again to give you a good look.
“Oh Y/n it’s so good to see you! And look at you! Still as stunning, now just more mature.” She held your face a little before hugging you again. As the two of you were friends in your shared time at Hogwarts as students, this interaction brought you such glee. All these interactions, in fact, made you feel so young again. Like you were a student yet again.
Looking you up and down, she noted how you ‘look so much like a woman now.’ As the kind friend she was, you missed her. Offering your complements back, you inquired into how she had been all these years. Conversing for a little while she interrupted the chatter.
“Oh how silly of me y/n, I haven’t asked what I can get you?” She rolled her eyes at herself.
Chuckling softly, you answered “Just two butterbeers please.”
“Two? Just for you?” The woman inquired before grabbing the two beer glasses and beginning to whip up the delicious drinks.
“One for me, and Severus.”
“Severus?! Wait, are you two finally together after all this time!” She geely asked a bit too loudly, causing some stares from the guests around you.
“No silly, we work together.”
“Oh what a shame! I always thought the two of you would be perfect for another… Oh but you know me, I will still have hope!” She laughed before handing you the drinks.
Placing the cost on the counter, you thanked her before seeing her off as she continued to work the bar.
As you turned to look for Severus, you spotted his back rested in the seat of a two-person booth. Making your way towards him, you placed the drinks in front of the two of you before taking a seat.
It was one of those cozy nook-like booths, while there was no window to look out of—there was a bullet board littered with pamphlets and miscellaneous posters.
“Cheers Sev, to reunions.” You smiled at the man across from you.
He muttered a ‘cheers’ back before taking a sip of his drink.
As you did the same, you wandered in the back of your mind if he had heard the conversation you had with Rosmerta at the bar. Dismissing it, you relished in the sweet caramel-like taste of the butterbeer. Taking in the ambience around you, you could feel his eyes on you. It felt like they were glued to you. Slight uncertainty and vulnerability overcoming you, you decided to face the man again. Your eyes meeting, he took another sip as you comfortably rested your cheek on the side of your palm.
Severus could not help but stare at you. His eyes so entranced by your beauty, he was trying to convince himself that you were there, sat across from him. The slightly intoxicating smell of the tavern wrapped around you two, it felt very intimate and personal in the small booth in which the both of you sat. He studied you, the way you rested your head slightly on your hand, the dainty-ness of your hands he wanted to reach for so desperately. The slight rose-tint that graced your cheeks due to the ambience of the pub. He felt obliged, obliged to you. A need for your touch, despite only physically touching your hand a few times on your way to Hogsmeade, he missed that feeling already. He wanted you.
As he sat nervously entranced by you across the booth, you studied the board covered in notices and pamphlets as it grabbed your attention. There were advertisements for ‘second-hand clothing’ which was common in these little towns, ‘help needed for maintenance’, also unsurprising for an old village, ‘have you seen this cat?’ which made you a tad bit sad, and ‘cottage for sale’ wait? There is rarely any real-estate for sale around here.
Intrigued, you carefully untapped the poster from the board, studying it instead in your hands.
It read; ‘Quaint brick heritage cottage, just a ten-minute walk from the Hogsmeade centre. Looking for new owners, perfect for a small family.’
“What’s that?” Severus brought your attention from the piece of paper.
Flipping it towards him, you replied.
“How cute right? It’s a perfect little home.”
As he rested the paper in his hands, he read every line and glanced at every image.
“Indeed. Like the ones we talked about buying all those years ago…” He answered, still looking down at the paper in front of him.
“Yeah, though here it is now. All these years later.” You smiled at him.
He looked back up to you, pleasantly relieved at the smile he was met with. That smile always made his heart tug a certain way…
“Maybe one to keep an eye on.” He said to you, his voice soft yet still deep.
Looking into his soft gaze, you hummed in agreeance.
Just then, you felt his knee softly brush against yours. Deciding to not address it, you took another sip of your drink. Relishing the way that fleeting touch made you feel, made your heart spark. Before you could start up conversation, Madam Rosmerta came to your booth as to collect the now empty glasses.
“Any more drinks for the two of you?” She gladly asked as she looked back and forth between Severus and you.
“No thank you, we have to look after the children.” Severus nonchalantly responded, flipping the pamphlet over in his hands.
“Children?! Y/n you have children?!” The woman almost yelled as she gasped ever so loudly.
Startling both you and Severus, you placed a hand on the table.
“No, no Rosie!” You laughed slightly at her outburst, shock still on her face as she listened.
Both her and Severus’s eyes on you, you continued.
“We teach the children at Hogwarts; we are professors, Rosie. We are looking after them today for their field trip.”
“Oh, what a shame! Here I thought you two really were together! Well, I suppose I’ll get back to the bar then…” The woman left a bit disappointed.
Slightly embarrassed, you chuckled as you held your face in your hand.
“That silly girl.” You whispered.
Though Severus chuckled lightly across from you, he couldn’t help but think to himself, ‘would it be so silly?’
-
Having spent the entire day out, you tiredly made your way to the great hall after ensuring all students had returned with you and Severus. Still in stride with the Potions Master, you walked into the brightly lit room filled once more with excited discussion and the clattering of cutlery. Walking past Harry Potter and his little group of friends, you made sure to offer a small smile at the boy, you had grown closer to him as his teacher in the short time you have been here. You often saw yourself in him, as you know the struggle of growing up without a true family—you wanted to be there for him in any way you could.
Arriving at the head table where many of your co-workers already sat, you found two seats together allowing Severus and you to eat together like usual. No matter the occasion, you realised he always managed to sit next to you. Though it made you smile inside, the fact also made you feel some sort of comfort as well, and appreciation for the man now seated next to you.
Realising you were staring at him, you quickly darted your eyes away as they landed elsewhere, you made eye contact with Minerva. She was already looking at you and Severus, which you found quiet often during mealtimes. Taking a sip of water, you thought nothing of it.
“Bread, y/n?” Severus’s voice brought your attention back to him.
“Oh, yes thank you Sev.” You took the bowl with steaming hot buns from the man, your hand grazing his ever so softly through the interaction. It was the fleeting touches like these which made Severus realise the effect you had on him. As he thought; ‘why does she make me feel like a schoolboy all over again?’
As you put greens on your plate, you noticed Severus was eating just bread. Turning to put some of the mixed greens on his place you said with a certain sternness to the man, “Sev, you must eat more than that. To eat healthy will give you much needed energy.” You continued whilst piling the food onto his bare plate.
“You look out for me too much, y/n.” He muttered, though he secretly appreciated having someone that looked out for him, even if it was ensuring he had a balanced meal.
Smiling at the man, you placed a hand on his.
“Never.” You grinned softly.
Returning to eat your meal, he stole the moment to keep observing you in private as you were focused on your meal. Neither of you had noticed however, that as each meal came and went your chairs always crept slightly closer—more than any other teachers at the long wooden table. Your legs nearly touching, he felt so close to you. This was something he hadn’t had before, someone to keep him company. And now that he had you, he appreciated and longed for every moment of it.
Finishing up the meal, you sipped your water before turning towards the man next to you once more. “Let’s go?” You looked endearingly at him.
“Let’s.” He nodded before the two of you began to make your way to the dungeons where the both of your quarters resided.
Upon reaching the quietness of the dungeons, the dark and cool corridor greeted the two of you, your faces lit by the dim light of the scattered lanterns lining the walls.
Making your way to your door, you stopped. As did Severus next to you whilst seeing you off. Standing next to another, you averted your gaze as you softly spoke up.
“Sev, today was nice. It made me realise how much I have missed you all this time…” You looked up to him.
While he was slightly taken back by what you had admitted, and being a man who does not allow himself to be vulnerable with many people at all, he chose to be truthful to you.
“Me too. I appreciate our moments together more and more.” He spoke softly; his deep voice so soothing to your ears. Ugh, there was always something about that low voice that made you feel a type of way you couldn’t describe. You often found yourself repeating it in your head and felt like swaying your legs around like a little girl when he said your name.
Taking his hand and squeezing it lightly in yours, you broke the silence by tenderly whispering “Goodnight, Sev.”
And that had done it. The use of that beloved nickname melted him underneath the clutch of your hand. Realising what he must do, he refused to let go.
“Y/n.” His subtle voice purred.
“Hm?” You hummed, looking deeply into his bewitching eyes.
Moving closer to you, he raised his hand delicately to hold the side of your face.
Your breath hitched as he closed the gap between the two of you.
“I must do this…” He whispered as his face came closer to yours as both of your eyes fell shut.
Your heart leapt out of your chest as his clutch on your hand tightened, the feeling of him being so close overwhelming you. When finally, your lips met.
And with that, he kissed you.
Pausing to breathe, he looked into your eyes lovingly and awaiting a response.
Quickly moving to kiss him in return, your hand moved from his to rest on his chest, his in-return snaking around your waist.
Passionately, the two of you felt like you were dreaming. Both hearts racing, his smell of parchment and woodsy fireplaces felt like they were putting you under a spell. Neither of you could get enough. After all these years, this felt so right. The both of you realised how much you wanted another. His touch felt like home, like it was meant to be. And you, under his embrace felt and looked ethereal. The both of you wished the moment would never end.
Finally breaking the kiss, you looked down slightly, emotions overcoming you.
Severus placed his forehead against yours, ever so gently. The two of you just stood there, still, listening to each other’s breaths as you embraced one another.
Now with a small chuckle, you looked up to him. His eyes meeting yours once more.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that, Sev.” Your eyes squinted as you smiled with a laugh.
He returned it, his deep voice laughing softly as he replied.
“Likewise, y/n.”
Taking a breath, he laughed once more, “Why in Merlin’s name did we wait so long to do that?” He placed his head full of dark raven-like hair on your shoulder, taking in your scent as his chuckled.
Smiling in relief, you replied, “We are truly naïve, Severus.” You added.
Now reaching to hold his face, you peered endearingly towards the taller man.
“Now I must really go to bed, Sev.” You squeezed his hand once more, before reaching up and kissing the man again.
Though it was not as long as your first, he still yearned for every moment of it.
Taking in the moment for as long as he could, you had to pull away to open your door, smiling as your hand left his cheek you whispered, “Goodnight.”
And with that, the two of you went into your chambers, each blissfully high from your kiss.