Of Finding You

The night of your first kiss, you found yourself tossing and turning relentlessly. The memory of Severus’s faint chuckles by your ear replaying over and over in your head. Surrounded by the blue ambience of the lunar moon creeping into your room through an open window, you dragged the ends of your fingers through the roots of your hair as you huffed in frustration. Why couldn’t my mind leave him? Giving up on sleep, you sat up in your bed surrounded by throw blankets and linen sheets. Gazing around, you searched the room around you—looking for something, anything to distract you from your wandering mind. Spotting the kettle, you brought yourself to your feet as to pour yourself some steamy chai in hopes it would make you sleepy. Deciding to sit at your wooden desk, you sorted through piles of marking and opted to dip your quill into the inky blue bottle to commence the last of the papers which needed grading.

Your mind finally at ease, you became lost in the words of the parchment and papers before you. Little did you know, the man just a few walls away was doing the same.

.

The soft chirp of birds outside your window awoke you, rubbing your eyes as you realised you had fallen asleep at your desk. ‘Oh shit!’, you sprung up before swiftly looking out the window to gage what hour of the morning it was. Much relieved to see the sun just peeping above the horizon, surrounded by hazy tones of pleasing oranges and pinks, you sighed. Deciding to get yourself sorted for the day, you chose a cream like dress to wear. One you rarely wore and was often lost behind all the black clothing in your closet. Something about life lately had just put you in a brighter mood. Feeling pleasant about your appearance, you added the final touches of your earrings whilst looking back at yourself in front of the entryway mirror to your quarters. Now ready to leave for breakfast a bit later than you usually would.

Gazing back at your room as you cast a spell to put out your candles, you made your way out of the door for your chambers. However, you were met with Severus waiting just outside your door, much to your surprise.

“Oh, Sev. You startled me a bit there.” You placed a hand on your chest as you stood before the man, moving to make your way with him to breakfast.

“You didn’t have to wait for me you know… I could have met you in the hall.” You spoke to him, observing how somehow his face seemed a bit calmer.

“I know, y/n. I just wanted to.” He replied in such a soft voice, before smoothly taking hold of your left hand as you walked together.

Blushing slightly, you looked down as to avoid eye contact with the taller man.

“You’re a bit of a softy, Sev. Do you know that?” You teased him, earning the satisfying blush on his cheeks before he grunted and looked away, straightening his posture as to seem slightly taller.

Chuckling faintly, you stopped in front of him to sneak a small kiss on his right cheek before walking in front of him.

As he stood stock still behind you, taking in the sudden act of love, you smiled back at him with your hands behind your back as you continued forward.

Oh, he’s so cute, you thought.

Watching you from behind, he crept up without you noticing. Taking hold of your hand once again, he pulled you towards him endearingly with a smile graced on his features.

“Oh, you can’t get away with that so easily, Miss L/n.” He whispered before closing the gap between the two of you, passionately meeting his lips to yours. They were so soft, and he was so, so gentle. His smell intoxicating you yet again whilst he touched you just right, hand on waist. You wrapped your arms around his neck, accepting him completely. It was pure bliss.

“Come on you, we will be late for breakfast.” You looked up at him before tugging him forward once again, earning a grunt in return as he eyed you down slyly through those beautifully dark eyes and soft grin.

Throughout the meal he couldn’t help but have his eyes glued to you, the dress you wore suited you so well. He had never seen you in white, but it was doing wonders to him. The students too couldn’t help but sneak stares as you complemented the man next to you in all black so well.

.

As the day went by and light became dark, you made your way towards the staffroom to knock out some teaching preparations by the large, shared fireplace. Slipping into the academic atmosphere of the teachers’ lounge, you were pleased to find Severus. Upon entering, you made your way towards him, he instantly looked up and a smile was brought to his face. Moving to pull back the chair beside him he spoke.

“Y/n, care to join me?”

“Thanks, Sev.” You softly replied as you began to place your belongings on the shared desk, taking the seat next to Severus.

As the fireplace adorned the room with a glow, you two sat so comfortably with each other’s presence. Breathing softly as all you could hear was the faint scratches of quills atop parchment, the turning of paper, and the sporadic crackle and pop of the fire. Fully engrossed in your work, you rested your right hand on your neck as you absentmindedly played with a stray piece of hair. Severus however, paid no attention to his work—instead he just watched you as he began to take note of your little quirks and the way you twisted the strand around your fingertip. The concentrated look on your face, which he thought was stunning, the length of your eyelashes, the subtle freckles in the bridge of your nose, the way he was realising he was truly falling for you, and how quick at that. He was madly, deeply, falling for you.

The loud cackle of Madam Sprout and shared gossips and conversation from McGonagall and other professors stole him from his dream-like state. Rolling his eyes, he awaited the inevitable opening of the large wooden doors. You as well had peered up at the group entering the once calm room, now distracted from your train of thought.

Surprised to see the two of you sat closely together in utter silence, Minerva raised her brows.

“Oh! Y/n, Severus! So sorry to interrupt you two! We are a bit loud.” She glanced over to you both as she began to put on a kettle and set out teacups across the table. The rest of the professors, still fully engaged in their conversations, began to spread out across the room.

You knew Severus, he struggled to work well under lots of noise and bustling. Thus, you decided to take your leave, inviting the man to join you as you nodded towards him indicating for him to follow.

“No, all is well Minerva.” You smiled, “Severus and I were just taking our leave. You see, we were just finishing up.” You began to pack up your belongings neatly, Severus soon followed suit.

Taking a moment to look at you and Severus, Minerva offered the smile back. “Ah, I see. You two must have been at work for a while! Rest well, good evening, Y/n, Severus.” She began to pour her fellow co-workers their tea as you subtly waved goodbye, Severus opening the door for you as you made your way out of the noisy and now lively room.

“You know me too well, Y/n.” The man next to you quietly said as he looked towards you so gingerly.

“Do you want to continue work together at mine?” You invited the man, almost nervously as you peered back into his eyes.

Taken slightly aback by the invitation, he raised his eyebrow slightly.

“I would love that.” The corner of his mouth curled up as he continued in his stride with you.

Finally making your way to the dungeons, you unlocked the door to your quarters, opening it widely as to invite in Severus behind you.

Severus stood there for a while, it felt like he walked into a true home. He couldn’t believe how you had made the dungeon quarters look so welcoming and homey. Taking in the smell of you now surrounding him, he felt warmth engulfing him—this was nothing like his quarters, he thought, oh how he never wanted to leave.

Lighting the candles along your walls, they illuminated the room. Turning towards Severus, you asked, “tea, Sev?”

He cleared his throat, moving his gaze from studying the room around him back to you as you moved towards the small kitchenette. “Please.”

Smiling back at him, you took note at how he stood out like a sore thumb in your cozy living space.

“Sev, you can relax. Why don’t you take a seat by the fireplace? It’s quite chilly tonight.” You addressed him from the other room.

Nodding, he nimbly made his way to the plush and soft couch, big enough for two. Still taking in the small details you included in the room which he sat in, he observed the stunning paintings hung on the walls, the scattered books, and-oh, the picture of you and him on the day of your graduation. Something about seeing that picture again lit something inside of him, it made him feel so indescribable, like you have always been with him. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt so accommodated and welcomed into a space. Knowing that you kept that picture after all these years, he couldn’t help but smile. What did he do to deserve you?

Entering back into the living space, now with two cups of tea steaming with a fragrant scent, the sight of Severus on your couch with that cute little smile of his (which was often reserved for when he was around you), made you realise how fond of him you were.

“Here you are.” You handed him his cup, touching his hand slightly through the movement.

“Oh Sev, your hands are so cold!” You gasped softly, putting your cup down on a little stool near the couch before you made your way to a small basket as to retrieve a knitted blanket.

“Y/n, you don’t have to get that for me.” He turned to you as he stood up.

“Nonsense, you are my guest.”

Making your way back to him, you muttered soft a ‘sit, please’ towards the tall man.

Reluctantly, he moved back down as you began to rug the blanket around him as he wore a stern and slightly annoyed façade. You of course knew he loved it, and commented “You can relax around me, you know?” You regarded his demeanour. And with a tiny smirk, he relented. As he moved to pick up his book, you noticed how snug he looked and couldn’t help but move closer to the man.

Though he looked unbothered, he felt such immense warmth creeping inside of him as he had never experienced a kindness like yours. He was truly so grateful to suddenly have you back in his life, and now as something else, something more. ‘Oh, how lucky am I?’ He thought.

As you basked in your readings, utterly cozy and snug, you suddenly felt a small kiss on your temple from the man next to you. Looking up at him next to you, you raised a brow.

“Thank you, y/n.” He whispered with that divine voice of his.

“For what?” You softly spoke back.

“For being here, with me.” He looked so lost in the vastness of your eyes. As soon as you smiled and blushed faintly, he felt that guttural feeling, like a tug at his heart, indicating the power you had on him.

You quickly kissed him back, and afterwards rested your temple on his shoulder as you sat leant against him, enjoying how you could feel him slightly move with each inhale and exhale. Simply enjoying each other’s presence, it was perfect.

.

This setting began to reoccur. Instead of meeting at the staffroom, you would wait for the Potions Master to knock at your door in the evening before letting him in. This quickly turned into him joining you straight after dinner each day to accompany you in your quarters as you sat at the couch together, or one of you sat at the desk when real concentration was due. Often sneaking little glances at another, you would simply thrive in each other’s presence. Some days wrapped in deep discussion, laughter, and commentary on readings. Or others, which were spent leant on each other as you read quietly and calmly, drifting to sleep in each other’s arms and embrace with the soundtrack of the crackling fireplace or your small vinyl player. Peppered kisses, and a few wandering hands, you felt like home to him, and he—home to you. Who would of ever thought the dark and brooding man would be so soft, caring, and clingy. With each gentle touch, you fell harder for him, and found yourself listening to his heartbeat. He especially loved it when you would sit against his chest with him on the couch, as you fell into the words of your book against his beating heart, and he would wrap his arms around you so dearly, taking in the sweet and addictive scent of your long and soft hair. He loved having all of you, to himself. He was now yours, and you were his. He never thought he could love anyone so much, yet he couldn’t imagine where he would be without you. You occupied his mind for every second of every day, you were his world. Even the students of Hogwarts had conversed about how it seemed he was being nicer in punishments, more understanding towards excuses, and graded less harshly. It really was pure bliss.