Chapter Text
June 19th, 1978
“Alright, remember your exam. Three o’clock sharp, this Thursday. I’ll host some study sessions after dinner today and tomorrow if you need any extra help. Class dismissed,” you announced, sitting on top of your desk.
Students eagerly packed their bags and left, happy for extra free time. One student rushed more than the others- shoving his book and quill into his bag, almost forgetting to close his inkwell. He clumsily jammed the cork in and threw it into the pouch. Pulling his bag hastily over his shoulder, he spun quickly on his heel to make his escape but he was interrupted by your voice.
“Class dismissed except for you, Snape.” You jumped down from the desk, stepping towards him halfway. You stared at his back as he froze, refusing to turn around.
“ Oooooooh!”
“Snivellus in trouble? And in the last week of school?”
“Pinch me I must be dreaming!”
“That’s enough.” You glared at the Gryffindors currently antagonizing Snape, “don’t make me keep you after class, too.”
“Yes, Professor. Sorry,” they yipped, before gathering their things and running out of class. They must have remembered your last detention.
Severus sighed before turning around. You walked up to him, your hands folded behind you. The rest of the students filed out of class, not without giving Severus a few curious glances.
He didn’t look you in the eye.
You felt a little sad that your friend and student Severus Snape wouldn’t look at you anymore- but you didn’t regret what you said to him yesterday. After all, you did the right thing in your mind. You cleared your throat and handed him the book you were holding behind your back, “You… you left this in my office yesterday.”
He gasped, quickly snatching the book from your hands. He held it to his chest and gave you a sidelong glance. “How-” He swallowed. His voice was small but his eyes were big, “How much did you see?”
You frowned, wringing your hands in front of you, “Uh… I’m not going to lie to you, I read a lot of it. At first, I just wanted to see why you had a divination book, but then I saw your notes and got curious.”
“You invaded my privacy?” He hissed, clutching the book even tighter to his chest.
Your head fell and you stared at your shoes, “Yes, I did… those words were personal to you and I read them anyway. I’m so sorry. You don’t have to forgive me.”
He sighed, dropping his arms to his sides, “What did you think?” He asked quietly.
“Huh?” Your head snapped up.
“What did you think…” He started. He opened the book, using his index finger to point at unfinished love letters and poems that he was writing about you, “...about what I wrote?”
You bit your lip, skimming over the words once more as your face and chest turned warm, “They’re really sweet. You’re quite the romantic.” you spoke, shyly. After a moment of silence, you looked down and scrunched your eyes shut, silently cursing at yourself for being so unprofessional with a student. As he finally spoke, you snapped up to look at him again.
“I’m sorry for… yesterday,” he said, closing the book and rubbing the back of his neck.
You gave him a tight smile and a curt nod.
“Are you still going to graduation?” You changed the subject.
“I don’t know…” He scratched his palms.
“I’d like to see you there,” you encouraged, softly.
He looked up at you, “Really? Even after yesterday?”
You chuckled, nodding, “Even after yesterday.”
He half-grinned, half-grimaced, “Why?”
“Because I care about you. I’ve known you for four years and we’re friends, aren’t we? Even if we weren’t friends, you’re still my student and I still care regardless. I want to see you succeed and I want to see you at graduation,” you smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” you laughed.
He smiled, scratching the back of his head, “Can I- can I hug you?”
“Sure.” You nodded, pulling him into a hug.
He dropped his head on your shoulder, “I’m so sorry,” he murmured into your shawl.
You rubbed between his shoulder blades, easing the stiffness out of his back, “We can talk more about it later. For now, I want you to focus on your studies. I hope to see you at graduation.”