Of Finding You

As autumn was fully in toll you walked on the castle grounds returning from Hagrid’s hut after chatting with the old friend. Warm chocolate-toned and golden-brown leaves scattered in swirling spells across the lawn as the crisp fall air surrounded you, enwrapping your senses in the awareness of a storm approaching amongst the highlands. You loved spending time outdoors, it felt like true freedom. Especially during times like this, where strong gusts of wind uplifted the nature around you, causing the foliage to whisper amongst each other in tongues which soothed your thoughts. Making your way through the stone entrances and corridors, you were headed towards your classroom as to pick up some of your textbooks, and as you turned each hallway nearing your destination you heard some sort of hustle and bustle. Whispers and gasps echoed towards you as your inquisition leaded you past your classroom and down the route of the voices. Realising the voices of hurried students were headed towards the Gryffindor dormitory entrance, you caught a glimpse of a small crowd and many conversations.

“What is going on here?” You exclaimed in worry, causing students to turn around and become quieter--- revealing a troubled McGonagall who had also just met the scene.

“Oh Y/n.” Minerva’s voice was quiet, you moved in closer to finally view the commotion. It was the portrait of the fat lady, destroyed. Through interrogation you all confirmed the culprit, Sirius Black.

Hurrying to take action, Minerva began rallying the gathered students to each grab their belongings for an evening and head to the great hall for the night as a safety precaution.

As the teachers gathered quickly upon the scene, Severus met up with the group, his eyes laced with concern as his gaze pranced around the room in search of you. Spotting you, he immediately made his way over to your concerned figure, instantly reaching to touch you by gently holding your wrist as to make you aware of his presence. Feeling his touch, your eyes darted to the man next to you in worry. Now was not the time to wrap your arms around him, but gosh did you want nothing more right now. Though, you were grateful that the crowd of shocked students and teachers were too caught up in the shock as well, for they wouldn’t have noticed your small exchange of comfort with Severus… Or so you both thought.

After organising the staff to start making rounds for the castle and direct shifts of watching over the students, you all went to your separate designations. Of course, Severus and you volunteered to start searching the dungeons as your quarters were located there. Making your way from the group, your mind was busy with thoughts, questions, worries, theories.

“Are you okay?” Severus’s voice startled you a little as you were consumed by your worries. “Hm? Oh. Yeah, yeah.” You replied unconvincingly and kept walking slowly. You could feel his eyes following you as you continued the path through to the dungeons. Moving in front of you, his brooding and much larger frame stopped you in your tracks, successfully pulling your conscience out of its intense stream of thoughts.

You looked up towards Severus’s intimidating gaze. You were well aware of how students often perceived the man in front of you, ‘scary’, ‘bat-like’, and ‘downright terrifying’, however that usually was never your perception. Now, however, you started to feel a bit small and almost immediately crumbled. Severus knew you well, too well sometimes, and could see past your exteriors, almost see through your thoughts even at times, and now was one of them.

“Severus, come on we have to look around.” You tried to move on, choosing to block your worries and option of venting to him inside, opting to continue the search, for that was what really mattered to you and the safety of the students right now. Attempting to take his crossed arms in your hands, you moved past him. “Y/n. You are clearly worried. Talk to me.” He exclaimed as you struggled to tug him along with you.

“Severus, I’m fine. Really, we have a job to do, now come on.” You whispered. You knew that sometimes you could get enwrapped in your thoughts a bit too much, choosing to avoid explaining them at times for the expense of others. But now, you knew, was not the time to be having vent sessions with your significant other. Afterall, there was a madman on the loose.

The rest of the search through the dungeons felt like you had a shadow following you. As Severus’s worry did not fade, he opted instead to keep a watchful eye on you at all times.

.

“Completely clear in the dungeons.” You stated while meeting with the group of your colleagues as you entered the great hall where students were gathered in a mess of mattresses and blankets being set up for the night. Severus stood close to you, “Any luck?” He asked the fellow professors who weren’t busy marking roles for a head count.

Minerva, clearly a bit in her head with worry answered, “No, no luck. You two were the last to return out of the searches.” Her frazzled voice spoke as she moved closer to you and squeezed your hand with a caring expression. Dumbledore made his way into the great hall, greeting you all with a warm nod.

“As discussed, the students are settling for bed here. Professors, you will each take stations in pairs around the hall for the night as well. I appreciate your calmness and cooperation, of course.” The wizard spoke soothingly. And with shared nods from the faculty, each member made way in their pairs from the search to different areas both inside and right out the great hall to guard, the heads of houses each moving to direct the prefects.

“Y/n lovely, you and Severus can take the position right outside the great hall. You deserve a bit of quiet after your lengthy search of all the dungeons.” Minerva affirmed in her motherly voice as she placed a hand on your back. And with another squeeze of your hand, she looked into your eyes with that soft and familiar smile which brought warmth to your mind in such a moment of chaos and uncertainty. Nodding, you agreed and wished her goodnight before carefully making your way through the great hall, which normally seemed gigantic and chapel-like in size, but now felt slightly cramped and eery as whispers carried from tongue to ear amongst the still-perplexed students. Offering small reassuring smiles here and there to your students, you met the familiar eyes of Harry Potter and his accompanied friends. As the three children sat huddled in quiet conversation amongst their mattresses and pillows, you came near and greeted them.

“Hey you three, you doing okay?” You knelt down to speak to them, you couldn’t help but ask to make sure they were alright, Afterall you could never resist their pouty faces.

“Yeah, I reckon.” Ron replied first followed by Hermione as she offered a positive insight. “Doing alright, I’m sure everything will be resolved soon...” She looked to you with a small search of approvement evident in her eyes. You sighed through your sleep deprivation, “Yeah, see? Everyone is here, all of us professors are guarding you all tonight.” You placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder upon noticing his down demeanour, “No need to worry. Just get a good night of sleep, okay?” You raised an eyebrow softly to get their attention, paired with a kind smile. Roughing up Harry’s hair a little atop his head, you exhaled with a small laugh. Earning his smile and a “Okay”, you felt his spirits lift a little bit more.

“Night.” You whispered to the trio before standing again and carefully making your path to the entrance of the great hall where you leaned against the wall upon exiting it. Sloping your back down, you sat on the floor and exhaled slowly with your eyes closed, trying to take control of your own thoughts and urge them to quieten as the students did too. As both professors Sprout and Hooch exited the hall to make it to their stations for the night, you offered small smiles. Feeling the quiet now, the cold also made its presence known to you. You were glad you put on your extra outer-robe today. Wrapping your arms around your midsection as your knees were against your chest, you tried to conserve what heat you had with a quiet heating charm. Hearing faint footsteps, you peeped your eye to see Severus walking your way, blanket in clutch. Instantly, it felt like you just became a whole lot warmer and safer.

Smiling as you opened your eyes fully, the potions master made his way to you and sat against the wall with you to your left and swiftly pulled the wool black blanket around the two of you.

“Thanks, I completely forgot about stuff to sleep tonight.” You exhaled.

“Gosh, your freezing Y/n.” Severus whispered in his deeply concerned voice of his whilst he took clutch of your left hand, to which you placed your other on one on top of his. “Mhmm. It’s okay. I’m okay now you’re here.” You spoke ever so quietly as your eyes began to get sleepy. Agreeing in a groan as he focused on warming you up, he grasped you closer and rubbed your hand with his thumb, trying to move you slightly closer to his figure which you began to support yourself on as a side pillow against the stone wall behind the two of you. Resting your head in the crook of his neck, you inhaled his familiar scent, woody pine, your smoky fireplace, and parchments came to mind. As your mind quietened, you listened to the thumping and steady beat of his heart against your ear, oh how it was starting to lull you to sleep. “I love you, Sev.” You barely spoke so quietly, however the beat of his heart suddenly picked up and made you laugh a little. Though you couldn’t see it in the darkness of the hallway, Severus’s cheeks grew a small smidge scarlet. Placing a soft kiss atop your head, he whispered back “I love you too, Y/n. Night.”

Although you two were a small huddle in the long dark hallway just outside the even greater hall, your warmth could have kept you heated all winter.

*

Both with busy minds and soft discussion, Dumbledore and Minerva walked together conversing the day’s mystery down the hallways of the ancient castle. Lit along the walls by faintly glowing amber lanterns, they walked past each sleeping teacher.

Stopping in their tracks, Minerva grabbed Dumbledore’s arm with a surprised yet gleeful expression across her lined face. Following her gaze, Albus saw what they had stopped at. Exhaling with a quiet chuckle as the duo began walking carefully past as you and Severus slept, your head in the crook of his neck as he looked equally as out of it and peaceful.

“I knew it! I am always right about these things, Albus. It’s about time they got together!” The excited but tired Gryffindor head of house whisper-shrieked.

Rolling his eyes in a sarcastic manner, Dumbledor replied; “I could’ve told you it was bound to happen.”

Gleefully looking behind as they continued their stroll, Minerva had a moment of joy in her day. “It was meant to be.”