Young Severus Snape × Slytherin Reader
Summary: When Severus learns of y/n's engagement to Regulus Black, he thinks he will be alone forever, but what he doesn't know is that y/n will always choose him.
Contains: Angst, James Potter and Sirius Black bullying Severus, sad Severus, Severus thinking he's not good enough, y/n defending Severus, fluff and a happy ending.
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Severus Snape was used to being alone. He preferred spending hours locked in the dungeons with his cauldron to being in the noisy common room or the stifling Great Hall.
At least potions were predictable and easy to deal with. Students, on the other hand, always had ulterior motives when they approached him.
Staying alone was much better than going to Hogsmeade; he didn't have to pretend he didn't feel the disgusted glances thrown his way or hear the insults whispered as he passed by.
"What do you have there?"
A gentle voice made Severus look up from his book. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of y/n.
Perhaps he didn't hate everyone's company after all.
"Shouldn't you be in Hogsmeade?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I got bored after a stroll." y/n dragged a chair in front of him and sat down. "It's always the same every year. If I at least had good company, it wouldn't be so bad, but the only one who can carry on a decent conversation prefers to lock himself in empty classrooms."
Severus raised his book, covering his smile. Even so, the fleeting gleam in his usually expressionless eyes betrayed him.
"It's not my fault your other friends are idiots." He stopped fighting the urge to admire how beautiful her face looked illuminated by the torch; it was impossible when she was so close to him, smiling as if his presence wasn't unpleasant.
"You think everyone is an idiot compared to you."
"Obviously." Severus raised an eyebrow before returning his attention to the book.
It was a lie. He didn't think everyone was an obnoxious idiot, at least she wasn't.
"So, what is it this time?" she asked, resting her chin on her palm with her elbow against the desk. "Perfecting a potion or a new spell?"
"As if you cared." Severus rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. "Draught of living death. I'm fixing the instructions."
"So?" Y/N nudged Severus's leg with her foot and looked at him expectantly.
"Stop pretending to be interested" he grumbled, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "The quantities in the book are wrong. It should be eleven pints of water, not sixteen, and chop two Valerian roots instead of three. It also doesn't clarify that it's best to chop the rest of the roots once you get to step six, not before. Oh, and Sopophorous beans are best crushed with the silver part of the dagger instead of chopping them to extract the juice. The dagger should be—"
"A silver one," Y/N interrupted. "I know, you said so last time."
"You remembered?" He couldn't hide his surprise. The book in his hands almost slipped, and he could feel his cheeks getting warm.
"Of course, I listen when you speak." She tilted her head to the side, lifting her chin from her hand. "You look so passionate when you talk about potions that it's impossible not to pay attention. It's fascinating.”
Severus coughed. No one had ever said anything like that to him. People called him a creep because of his love for potions and his interest in the dark arts. They found it disgusting that he was always locked away in the darkness within the damp stone walls with only his cauldron for company.
Y/N found it fascinating? After so many years of being bullied, it was hard to believe.
"You don't need to give me fake compliments to let you copy my assignment." Severus closed the book. "I'll do it anyway so you don't pester me with your annoying whining."
"That was just once!" Y/N put her hand to her chest, feigning offense. "I've already done all my assignments; I don't need your help. But honestly, I like hearing you talk about potions. I learn much more from you than I do from Professor Slughorn."
Severus let out an unimpressed laugh. "Because he's an awful professor."
"I mean it, Sev." Y/N stretched across the desk and slapped his arm. "You're brilliant. I swear, after spending time with you, everyone else is boring and stupid. I wasn't lying when I said you're the only one who can hold a decent conversation."
"I'm so flattered," he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
It was all an act. Inside, Severus was trying not to lose his mind because she'd implied she preferred him over everyone else. The last thing he needed was to give himself false hope.
"Only for that awful attitude I shouldn't give you your gift, but I bought it specifically for you, so there's no point in keeping it." Y/N pulled a silver dagger from her robe pocket and offered it to Severus. "I saw it in the shop window while walking through Hogsmeade and thought it would be perfect for you ‘cause yesterday you kept complaining about how old your dagger is. I can return it if you don't like it."
"No!" Severus practically lunged at her to grab the gift. "I mean. I do need one; it would be a waste to give it back."
He held it as if it were the greatest treasure in the world. Carefully, he turned it over in his hand, paying attention to the small snake carved into the handle.
"I'll keep it," he said and put it in his pocket.
Severus lowered his head, his black hair hiding the blush that spread across his pale cheeks. A small flame of hope flickered in his heart at the thought that Y/N might be interested in him.
No. That would never happen.
It was impossible that the most talented and popular student in Slytherin would choose him, especially since she came from a respectable pure-blood family.
"I'll leave you alone." Y/N stood up. "I'm getting hungry anyway.”
"You can stay if you keep quiet," Severus whispered, tightening the dagger in his pocket.
"What was that? Just admit you enjoy my company." Y/n returned to her seat, smiling.
Severus couldn't stop admiring the dagger. A week had passed since y/n had given it to him, and he still felt his heart leap every time he saw it.
He guarded it with great care and always carried it in his pocket. The first time he used it, he almost regretted it, thinking he might ruin it; he wanted to preserve it as long as possible, it was undoubtedly the most valuable object he had ever owned.
Another shy smile appeared on Severus's face as he twirled the dagger in his hand. The sunlight reflected off the silver blade, making it gleam even under the shade of the tree.
For the first time in his seven years as a student, Severus didn't notice the looks of disgust directed at him; his attention was focused on his treasure as he waited for y/n near the Great Lake, as he had promised.
"Look who we have here." James Potter ruined everything, as usual. "What do you have in your hand, Snivellus?"
"Fuck off, Potter," he replied, putting the dagger back in his pocket.
"Don't be so rude," said James, kicking a rock at Severus. "I just want to know why you were grinning like an ugly creep."
"I said, fuck off." Severus stood up and drew his wand. After so many years of being bullied by Potter and his friends, he knew it was best to be prepared for the worst.
Sirius Black caught up to James and put his arm around his shoulders.
"You got a problem, Snivellus?" he asked.
Severus didn't say anything. He gripped his wand tightly and tucked his other hand into his pocket over the dagger protectively.
"He was twirling something in his hand like a madman, and I wanted to know what it was," James explained. "But it seems Snivellus doesn't want to show it to me."
"It must be the dagger." Sirius laughed. "Want to hear something funny, Prongs?"
James, sensing his friend's amusement, played along.
"I happened to see y/n buying the same dagger in Hogsmeade last week." Sirius gave Severus a knowing look.
Severus took a step back, his back hitting the tree trunk. He couldn't let them take the dagger.
"Awww, is Snivellus in love?" James teased. "I feel bad for y/n. I bet she must want to throw up every time you go near her."
"I'll have to tell my brother he has competition." Sirius grinned wickedly. "If he's not careful, someone might steal his fiancée."
James and Sirius's laughter was so loud it reached the lake, yet all Severus could hear were Sirius's last words echoing in his head.
"What?" he asked, clutching the dagger.
"Didn't you hear?" Sirius released James and crossed his arms. "Y/N is engaged to Regulus. Well, not yet, but the ceremony is scheduled for this weekend."
Severus's world crumbled in that instant. Y/N was going to abandon him too.
No. Black is lying, he told himself, but it was too late; the pain had already taken hold of his chest.
James seized Severus's moment of vulnerability to raise his wand. He was about to cast a spell and leave him hanging upside down when someone stopped him.
"Expelliarmus." Y/N sent James's wand flying. "Stay away from him, you prick."
James didn't even have time to react before Y/N kicked him in the groin.
"Fuck!" He fell to his knees.
"You grab your useless friend and get the hell out of here before I do the same to you." She pointed her wand at Sirius.
"Take it easy, love, we were just playing." Sirius winked at her before grabbing James by the shoulders and helping him to his feet.
"Playing? You guys are disgusting. Keep telling yourself you're the hero when deep down you're worse than your brother." Y/N was tired of what they were doing to Severus. "If I find out you're still bothering him, I'll make sure to make your lives a living hell."
"Godric, I'm glad my family disowned me. It must be a nightmare being your husband."
Sirius dragged James, who was still groaning in pain, to the edge of the lake where Remus was waiting for them.
Paralyzed by his galloping fear of rejection, Severus barely registered what was happening around him. He didn't care when Potter cried in pain, nor Black's flirtatious behavior; all he could think about was that he wasn't ready to let go of y/n.
"Sev? Are you okay?" y/n grabbed his trembling hand, lowering his wand.
Why did she have to be so gentle? Why did she have to defend him when no one else would? It wasn't fair that she made him fall in love with her without even trying.
"Is it true?" he asked, freeing himself from her grip. "You're going to marry Regulus?"
Just saying it out loud made his heart shatter.
"My parents arranged the engagement, but—"
"Congratulations," Severus said bitterly. He put away his wand and walked away from y/n.
"Wait!" Y/n ran after him. "Where are you going?"
Severus didn't answer, he just kept quickening his pace, making sure to slip between the students who served as his shield.
Why did I have to fall for her?
Severus lost track of time in the dark, abandoned classroom, illuminated by a single torch above his head. His body began to tremble from the cold caused by the wind coming through the broken window and the icy floor he sat on, yet he preferred being there to facing y/n.
He hugged his legs to his chest and kept twirling the silver dagger between his fingers. In his mind, he replayed the moment y/n had given it to him, the moment when, like a complete idiot, he'd gotten his hopes up.
Severus let out a defeated laugh. It was all his fault for thinking he could escape his cruel fate.
He had always been alone, and he always would be.
Everyone had ended up abandoning him, trading him for someone better.
But he didn't blame Y/N. Severus knew she deserved far more than he could give her.
He was an ugly half-blood with zero social skills and no money. Y/N was the most beautiful, gentle, witty, and brave girl he'd ever met. Being around him would only ruin her future.
His moment of self-pity was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
"There you are." Y/N sounded relieved to have found him. She ran to Severus and knelt before him. "We need to talk. Please, don't run away again."
Severus couldn't have run away even if he'd wanted to; his body was exhausted after the hours he'd spent weeping against the uncomfortable stone wall.
"I have nothing to say." He hid the dagger in his pocket and lowered his gaze to his knees.
"You don't have to speak, I'm just asking you to listen." She was practically begging. "The engagement is something my parents decided for me—"
"You don't have to explain it to me," Severus interrupted.
I don't want to hear it. I don't want to know how you're going to marry another man.
"But I want to!" Y/N raised her voice and placed her hand on his knee. "My parents decided this without consulting me. By the time I found out, they had already arranged the date with the Blacks. The point is, I don't want to marry Regulus. I'm not going to get engaged to him."
"But your family." Severus looked up. "They're going to disown you."
"I don't fucking care. I'm tired of them deciding what I should do with my life. I don't even agree with their ideals, all that bullshit about blood superiority. I hate hearing them talk about it." Y/N paused and took Severus's hand before continuing. "Besides, I already love someone else."
Was she in love with someone? Severus's heart sank in his chest. Things were getting worse and worse.
"Is he nice to you?" Severus asked in a moment of weakness.
If he was going to lose her, at least he hoped it would be to someone who would care for her.
"He treats me better than anyone else." Y/N intertwined her fingers with Severus's and smiled shyly. "He's the smartest man I know. He's kind and has a big heart, even though he prefers to hide and pretend he doesn't care. I have the most interesting conversations with him, and I love it when he gets all passionate about potions. The only problem is that he never understands my hints. Maybe I should be more direct."
"Do you mean—" The words caught in Severus's throat.
He must have been dreaming. It was the only logical explanation for Y/N suggesting she loved him.
"I love you, Severus Snape. Do I have to spell it out for you to understand?" Y/N cupped his face and forced him to look her in the eyes. "Now, please tell me I didn't misread the situation and you ran away because you're jealous, or I'm going to dig a hole in the middle of the Forbidden Forest and go live there forever."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Do you always have to be so dramatic?"
"I'll start digging, then."
Y/N released his face and tried to stand, but Severus grabbed her hand.
"I love you, too," he confessed. "But you shouldn't ruin your life for me. There are plenty of other—"
Y/N interrupted him by pressing her lips to his. At first, Severus froze, but he quickly reacted, cupping her face.
Her soft lips felt heavenly; it was everything he had dreamed of and more. Severus kissed her back slowly, fearing she might disappear at any moment. He brushed his thumbs against her cheeks, and she gripped his shoulders to steady herself.
"I choose you," she whispered as they broke the kiss. "I love you, Sev. There's no one else I want to be with."
Of all the people in the world, she chose him, a broken boy with a heart shattered by all the times he'd been betrayed. Severus didn't feel worthy of her love, but if she wanted to give it to him, he would make sure to cherish it forever.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Severus asked once more, placing a kiss on her forehead.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life." She kissed the tip of his nose. "I hope you're ready, because from now on, you're my boyfriend, and I don't intend to let you go."
"Do I have a say in this?" He raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance.
"Of course not," y/n replied. "I plan to show you off in front of everyone."
"I think I can get used to that.”
