Summary: A nightly walk with a fellow Professor turns into him accidentally letting the truth slip past his lips when you both bid goodnight.
Author's Note: yall thought i forgot about snape? NAURRRR hes amazing i love him so here's some more of him :3 also if someone understands the reference im about to make ill be so happy if u do catch it pls comment ily
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It was an unlikely friendship, really. You, a shy but sweet History of Magic Professor, making friends with the infamous brooding Professor Snape? It was unheard of. But, it worked for you two. Students and staff made light fun of it, mostly amused by such opposites being able to find each other bearable. You both often discussed classes, students, staff, academic subjects, and just about anything that came to mind, really. Usually, you were the one talking, but he was a good listener, giving his input whenever he saw fit. He'd make a sarcastic remark, and you'd chuckle like it was the funniest joke you'd ever heard.
Now, you had always harbored a little crush on him. Teeny tiny. Minute, even. Well, at least that's what you told yourself. Even when coworkers speculated, you denied all of it. You brushed it off as just working with him and seeing him every day. You knew he'd never even look at you that way in the slightest, so you kept it to yourself. You always told yourself to keep it strictly platonic. Don't stare into his eyes too long, or let him catch you staring at his face from across the Great Hall. It was a good friendship. Until one fateful night that began like any other.
You knew nights like these very well. Halls empty, paintings asleep, no students loitering nearby, with the torches dimly lit in each corridor you passed. You and Severus walked side by side together, like normal. It had become routine for you two to walk together to your quarters, and then he would leave to retreat to his own dungeons. You don't remember how it started, but you knew that neither of you wanted it to end. That was for certain. Lost in thought, you glanced over at him. He always walked with such grace, you noticed. His large cape billowing in the nonexistent wind as you two came around a corner. It was easy to admire him, too easy. You quickly focused on the dark floors in front of you as you neared your place of rest.
The both of you walked in comfortable silence until you stopped in front of your door, turning to him so you could finally say your goodbyes. "Goodnight, Severus." You smiled warmly at the bat, your voice smooth like silk. He stood there, posture perfect, an unreadable expression on his face as he looked down at you.
"Goodnight, my—" He cut himself off abruptly, as if he had revealed some dark secret. His eyes widened the slightest bit, but you still noticed. You noticed everything about him. With a single hand, he fanned out his robes and turned on his heel to make a quick yet dramatic getaway. You stood there for a few moments, confused. You retreated into your quarters, beginning to get ready for sleep as you pondered what had just happened.
What did he mean to say? Goodnight, my.. Goodnight, my.. the words rang through your head as you slipped under the covers. What could he of meant to say? Thankfully, you succumbed to sleep quite easily even after the odd farewell earlier.
The next morning, everything went as per usual. Everyone was in the Great Hall for breakfast and then dispersed to go to classes. You had a few morning classes, so you were busy up until your free period in the middle of the day. Usually, during that time, you go visit Severus since it's his free period as well. You hesitated but decided to go anyway since there was nothing to be embarrassed about, right? He didn't even say anything last night either.
Walking down to the dungeons and entering his classroom where he stood nearby, it was as if he knew it was you coming. You smiled shyly, waving hello. "Hey, Sev." He nodded in acknowledgment as you stepped closer. "Good afternoon."
"How were your morning classes?" You asked lightly, the air filled with a slight awkwardness. You didn't know why, though. "Less than tolerable. And yours?" His voice sounded different today, more guarded than before. "It was good, like normal." You smiled, looking up at him. You wanted so badly to ask what he meant to say last night, but it would be a bad time to ask now. Afternoon classes were about to start after all. "You should be heading back to your classroom." He interrupted your thoughts, and you nodded, chuckling meekly and turning to exit the dungeons, waving bye.
Later, after dinner concluded, you lingered in the Great Hall waiting for Severus to walk with you. He took a bit longer than normal. Usually, by now, you'd both be walking side by side. After a few minutes of waiting, he came up from behind you. "There you are. What took you so long?" With a smile on your face, you both started walking side by side down the dimly lit hallways. "Students." He left it at that, and you accepted it. You never pushed or questioned the Potions Professor too much. Well, until right now.
"So, last night. Did you mean to say something?" His eyes met yours already looking at him, and he flattened his robes. "I merely said goodnight." You slowed your pace, and he matched it as you turned the corner, nearing your quarters. "Yeah, but it sounded like you were about to say something else. What was it?" You felt guilty for pressing the poor man, but you truly were curious. "It does not matter." He replied coldly, and you could feel his eyes on you. "Well, it does to me." With a frown, you glanced over at him, walking up the stairs with him in sync. "I can not tell you." Curtly he replied, and that only fueled your wonder. "How come? You can tell me anything, you know. You don't have to be so guarded around me." Smiling over at him, you tried to be slightly comforting to the bat. "I won't tell you." He wouldn't budge. "Seriously, Sev? C'mon, I'm dying to know. You never tell me anything." You bit your bottom lip, pouting slightly at him as you both neared your place of rest. He made a dramatic sound, like a sigh, as you approached and stopped at your quarters. "Fine." The pout was replaced by a smile at his word, the two of you standing outside your door. You looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to say something.
"Goodnight, my love." He spoke it into existence. The expression on his face looked like he was waiting for you to wince in disgust. That's what he meant to say? You smiled, fighting back the urge to squeal. "Goodnight, darling." You replied, the smile on your face shifting into a knowing grin. You stepped forward and kissed his cheek, making a small "mwah" sound when you pulled away. Your lipstick had stained his cheek, and you reached up to wipe it off with a thumb. His hand clamped around your wrist, stopping you before you could wipe it away. "Don't." You observed him more closely and saw a familiar red creep up his neck, and it only made you smile more. "Okay, okay. But really, goodnight." You lowered your hand, and he let go of your wrist. But you took his hand, squeezing it lightly and relishing in the feeling. He nodded, holding your hand in his palm as if it was glass. After a few moments, you both let go of each other's hand reluctantly, as if it burned you both to pull away. But, sleep waited for no one. You smiled one last time, waving Goodnight as he turned around and left. When you were in your room finally, you practically squealed into your pillow out of happiness.
(This is meant to be the end but I added on this last part just for fun :3)
The next night, you two walked side by side throughout the empty corridors. A comfortable silence fell over you both as you approached your familiar quarters. The lipstick you left last night had been washed off, obviously. He wasn't going to teach classes with lipstick on his cheek.
Before he left for the dungeon, you both bid goodnight. Since last night, you had felt more giddy. Maybe too giddy. Because when he said goodnight again, you couldn't help yourself. You leaned up and peppered his cheek in red kisses, a grin on your face. "Sorry, darling." You smiled bashfully, amused at the sight of his red cheek thanks to you. He didn't utter a word. He pulled you in gently, his dark cape wrapping around you slightly as he leaned down to give you a proper kiss.
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Author's Note: [insert eagle catching baseball picture here] i genuinely wrote this one shot solely because of jane eyre, so hopefully yall got that reference! if not i'll cry in the corner with the boy who cried niche ok bai love u guys :3 ♡♡
