Of Finding You

It was a fall morning when you made your way to your first class of the day. Your hair loosely braided into a slightly messy low bun, and your mind filled with the plan of teaching for today.

Walking calmly past each desk and placing the results from tests held a few days prior, you began to hear the tumbling and rowdy footsteps of the students begin to fill into the classroom.

“Good morning, class.” You greeted whilst finishing the placement of a few papers.

“Morning Miss!” Ron beamed, he seemed to be in a cheery mood today.

“Good morning, Miss L/n!” Other students replied.

“Morning, morning. You all seem to be in a good mood today! And you should be, the results in front of you from the test on Wednesday are all impressive. Well done!” You smiled proudly at the class in front of you as the students began to swiftly investigate the wordy papers, sharing their marks happily with their friends around them.

Moving to sit on the front of your desk, you gave the class a moment before addressing them.

“Now, class. I would like to check in with you all. As you are all well aware, everyone is talking non-stop about the whereabouts of Sirius Black. And as your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, I believe it is my duty to encourage that students pay close attention to their surroundings. Defence Against the Dark Arts does not just revolve around spells, as you will learn—it will always come in handy to be observant, vigilant, and wary. These sightings of Sirius Black are an example of how you must be careful.” You explained as the students paid eager attention upon hearing the escapee’s name.

“Consequently, I must warn you all to please stay safe, and stick together. Okay?” You asked with a concerned look.
Nodding their heads and muttering soft agreements, the class understood.

Standing up and turning to the chalkboard, you suddenly heard a peep.

“Miss L/n?” Hermione Granger asked.

Swivelling to face the class once again, you raised an eyebrow as you took a few steps forward. Offering her a reassuring smile, you replied “Yes, Hermione?”

“Do you believe he’s making his way to Hogwarts? Sirius Black?” Her eyes large with curiosity. The children around her peered closer, leaning in to hear what you had to say.

Exhaling, you sat back down on your desk, your hands fiddling with each other mindlessly.

“By the sounds of things, and by following his sightings… It may be a possibility. Though we do have the dementors. I couldn’t tell you really, regardless you should all still stay aware. Okay?” You answered.

Nodding smally, she looked down unconfidently at her textbook as Harry and Ron eyed each other.

As you continued with your class you finally turned to the chalkboard and wrote key notes as well as a suggested reading. Before you knew it, the hour had flown by, and it was now time for the next period.

“Alrighty, you all did great today. See you all tomorrow!” You dismissed the group whilst wiping the board.

“Oh, you three. What is it I can help you with?” You were startled slightly to find Harry, Hermione, and Ron waiting behind in front of you.

As the trio exchanged concerning looks, Harry sighed before stepping forward.

Taking a seat at your desk, you awaited his response whilst packing your papers into a neat pile.

“It’s just, just that… Yesterday, as Professor Lupin was teaching how to defend ourselves against boggarts… He jumped in front of it, to guard it from me.”

“Oh?” You said smally.

“And it changed in front of him… To a full moon.” The young boy peered before you, looking for a reaction or any response from you, as did his two friends whilst they exchanged impatient looks.

“I’m sorry Harry, but what is it you want me to say exactly?” You stopped sorting the papers in your hands.

“We, we just want to know if you think that’s strange at all?” He glanced back at Hermione and Ron beside him. “Strange in the way that his boggart was a completely calm sight?” He continued.

“Harry, truthfully, I don’t. Everyone has a different fear, and I’m sure there is an explanation to it… However, it is one Professor Lupin does not owe to you or anyone else for that matter.” You replied with a sigh.

“But Miss, surely you think it’s weird?” Ron pressed as he took a step forward.

“Once again, it is not any of our business. And I don’t have an opinion on the matter… Now, you three should really be off to your next class. I believe Divination will not wait for you.” You stood and began to make your way to the trio’s desks as to pick up their book bags and place it to them, suggesting they move on.

“But do remember what I said about taking precaution and please stick together.” You expressed whilst holding your hands together, Ron and Hermione began to make their way whilst muttering a quiet “Bye Miss.”

“Harry you’ll be late.” You looked towards the boy as he remained still.

Noticing his worried expression, you couldn’t help but move towards him and placed a soft hand on his shoulder.

“Is everything alright?” Your brows creased inquisitively as you leant down to his level slightly, sensing that something was the matter.

Huffing, he almost whispered. “It’s just…people. They are saying Sirius Black is coming for me, Miss L/n.” He looked up to you, fear beading in his eyes.

“Oh Harry. It’s okay dear. Please, know that you are safe here, whilst you are in the grounds of this school you will be safe. It is my job as your teacher to keep you so.” You offered a kind smile as the worried look began to dissipate off him. Nodding, he huffed once more.

“Thank you. That does make me feel a bit better.” He admitted, gazing back up to you once more.

“Now you really must be off. You may just make it in time if you are quick!” You smiled friendly towards the boy and patted him on the back.

“Okay, okay. Thanks again, Miss L/n” He looked back once more before waving and jogging out of the classroom.

With a little chuckle towards Harry’s actions, you made your way back to the teacher desk, beginning to place the organised papers into their files.

.

Turning the key in the DADA storage room, you exhaled absentmindedly after what felt like a slightly longer day than usual. With fall approaching, and thus the celebrations of Halloween, you felt the brilliant crisp air from the castle grounds creep more into the hallways of the enchanting building in which you taught. Small conversations could be heard left and right from chattering students catching up with each other after their day of learning, walking to return to their house dormitories for down time. Walking with a steady slow pace, almost like a stroll, your thoughts drifted to your eagerness for supper… What glorious filling meal will you be served tonight? Perhaps pumpkin juice may make an appearance… And the filling pies you sometimes treated yourself to for dessert.

Simply relishing in your exhausted thoughts, a certain potions master spotted you from the beginning of the hallway and embarked to meet up with you from behind. Strutting with his usual swift and intimidating matter, his robes blew slightly with his fast focused pace. However, once he caught up to you, he slowed down and matched your relaxed stroll.

“Evening, Y/n.” Severus muttered quietly as to not startle you.

“Oh, evening Severus.” You smiled endearingly towards the man now walking with you.

“How were the potions students? Are they starting to get overwhelmed with deadlines approaching?” You offered some conversation as you walked.

“Hmph. If only. They are too busy yabbering about gossip of that deranged escapee.” He replied with a harsh and exhausted tone.

Smiling in return with a small chuckle you softly spoke. “Yes, it seems that is all anyone can focus on at the moment. It does make teaching a bit difficult that is certain.”

“Is anyone giving you trouble? I am willing to give anyone detention.”

“No, no Sev. It’s all okay. Just silly gossiping.” You patted your hand on his arm briefly in an effort to reassure him.

But with your touch it made him ponder.

“Y/n.”

“Hm?”

“I wish I could take your hand right now.” He whispered. That delightful voice of his so soothing to your tired ears.

With a chuckle and slightly flirtatious glance at the man beside you, you replied.

“What’s stopping you?”

Earning a grin on his face, he looked down at you with want.

“You know that rumours would spread like wildfire… And besides, I don’t want their nosy heads stuck in our business.” Severus frowned in distaste of the students walking past.

“Oh Severus, one day they might all know!” You whispered teasingly.
Grinning down at you he smirked.

“One day… I might be open to that.” He bluntly emphasised the ‘might’, “But, for now, I want you all to myself.” He eloquently whispered down to your ear subtlety, causing a faint shiver to grace you.

After the filling supper eaten surrounded by the bustling chatter of the great hall, the two of you resided to the dungeons, Severus deciding to accompany you in your quarters for the night which he was increasingly choosing to do.

Exhausted from the lengthy day of teaching, you laid comfortably sat up in your bed consumed in a book. Whilst you only read a few chapters, your eyes grew increasingly tired. Blowing out a candle in the living space, Severus moved into your warm and hazily-lit bedroom heated by the fireplace at the end of your bed which was adorned in many knit blankets. You sneaked a quick glance at him as he looked so adorable in his nightwear, as it consisted of a slightly oversized crewneck navy sweater and long sleeping trousers. Noticing the tiredness in his eyes, you decided to put your book down as to allow the both of you to fall asleep together.

Severus sighed and rubbed his left eye as he lifted the thick blankets and crawled in to bed next to you.

“Aw, come here sleepyhead.” You whispered in that lovely voice of your that made him smile. A smile that was entirely reserved for you.

“You are my weakness.” He admitted as he wrapped himself around your waist and rested his head on your midsection as to have you entirely to himself and his clutch. Grinning down at the man, which was perceived by all as stoic, brooding, and strictly unemotional, as now resting on your body in a way that was inevitably vulnerable, loving, caring, and completely enwrapped by your love. You began slowly brushing your fingers through his soft raven head of hair as it was sprayed across you. Oh, how he could be so cute.

The two of you slowly drifted to deep slumber, lullabied by the warmth, and sounds of burning wood within the low-lit fireplace in front of your enwrapped sleeping figures.