Summary: You've done everything to avoid him after the awkward meeting. That is, until you're called to Hogwarts for a case. You won't run into him, right?
Author's Note: Hey here's part two! I mistakingly deleted the ask and idk how to get it back so I'm super sorry idfk how to use Tumblr at all help, enjoy :3 ♡♡♡
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After the meeting at Grimmauld's Place, you did everything you could to avoid Severus. Everything! You busied yourself with Auror duties, purposefully giving yourself more work so you had no time for any Order of the Pheonix meetings. Some of that "work" included staying in your apartment and doing nothing, but no one had to know, right? It all went smoothly until you were instructed to go to Hogwarts to investigate a staff member, as requested by Dumbledore himself. Shit.
You dreaded it. Sat in your little apartment, you packed whatever you could into a briefcase for a visit to Hogwarts. You assumed you'd just stay at an Inn in Hogsmeade instead of within Hogwarts. Anything to save yourself from the embarrassment of seeing him again after that fiasco at Grimmauld's Place. You arrived at Hogwarts in the evening, right on time. It all went according to plan until you were standing in Dumbledore's office.
"I'd like you to investigate a teacher here. Professor Umbridge, the Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor." Dumbledore explained whilst you stood in the middle of his office, briefcase in one hand. You glanced around his grand office, eyeing the astonishing Pheonix perched on a stand. "Ah, right. What made you want me to look into her?" You replied calmly and professionally, your awkwardness thrown out the window when you worked. "I assume you noticed how barren our walls were on your way here, yes? She has also attempted to banish a Professor from the grounds which is beyond her jurisdiction. I also suspect she's been using.. frowned upon ways of disciplining students." Dumbledore replied, looking as wise as ever. You don't even think he looks any different than he did twenty years ago when you attended.
"Brilliant. I'll do my best for you, sir." You smiled politely, nodding your head respectfully and then turning on your heels to leave.
"I expect you to be at the next Order meeting, yes?" Merlin, why did he have to be so observant of everything? You nodded your head curtly, smiling. "Of course." Knowing damn well you'd make up another excuse to not attend.
You left his office to walk up and down the Halls to look for Umbridge, heading towards her office. Hogwarts looked like shite with everything taken down and replaced with plaques of rules. You already had Umbridge figured out, assuming it would be an easy case. You had seen her a few times in your place of work since you both worked for the Ministry unfortunately.
Lost in thought walking down the Halls through swarms of students, you finally made it to her door. "Excuse me? Professor Umbridge?" You knocked on the door firmly, looking down at her when she opened it. "Yes? And who might you be?" She replied happily, a beaming smile on her face that made your stomach churn in disgust. "I work with the Ministry as an Auror. I've been sent by Dumbledore to ask you a few questions, if you've got the time." You examined her face as you spoke, seeing the slight nervousness wash over her. "Dumbledore didn't tell me you were coming, but, that's alright. Sure, we can do it right now." She smiled but you could she was having an inner turmoil within herself. You stepped inside her office, looking around as she went back behind the desk quickly. All the disarming kitten portraits and pink wallpaper looked awfully innocent for a guilty woman. "Brilliant. Well, let's get straight to it then, yes? The Ministry suspects you are abusing power within Hogwarts walls as a Professor. Do you have anything to say about that?" You replied, your expression stoic as ever. You tried hard not to let your bias show through during work, but it was hard. As she went on and on about how long she's been working for the Ministry, you saw the Blood Quill she used out in the open. "I'm going to have to stop you there, Professor. You've said enough. The Minister of Magic will speak to you soon about what happens now." You left it at that and turned on your heels and exited the office, shaking off the dreadful feeling. Imagining her using a Blood Quill on a child made you feel sick.
You hadn't even noticed how late it was after leaving her office, casting Lumos on your wand so you could see in the halls. You walked through the quiet halls, hoping the Ministry would act fast considering the substantive evidence against her. You were intent on exiting Hogwarts immediately and going to an Inn in Hogsmeade.
But of course, it had to be ruined when you saw a light being cast from another wand down the hall. You assumed it was Minerva or Albus. As you drew closer you saw that it was Severus. He looked stone cold but when he recognized it was you his eyes focused. "It's you. I heard students saying an Auror was here." He spoke firmly, stopping in front of you. "Yes. Dumbledore called me in to question the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." You nodded your head, keeping your wand up for light in the hallway as you stood there with him. You looked everywhere but at him, feeling your professionalism slip once more. "And your conclusion?" He questioned, eyes never leaving yours. "I think the Ministry will find her guilty, thankfully." You smiled awkwardly at him, finally mustering up the little confidence you had around him to look at him again. "Good. Where are you going now?" He replied, literally never breaking eye contact. You didn't even notice him blink it was so intense. "Hogsmeade. I'm spending the night in the Inn and then going back home in the morning." You spoke gently, a slight nervousness in your tone of voice. "I'll walk you." He replied almost immediately, eagerly. "Don't you have to stay within Hogwarts at this time of night?" You asked hesitantly, the idea of walking with him terrifying yet exhilarating. "No." He spoke curtly and turned around, his cape somehow catching wind even inside. Maybe he did that for dramatic flair.
You walked beside him in silence as you walked outside, towards Hogsmeade which was not that long of a walk. You didn't know if you should strike up a conversation or just walk in awkward silence. It killed the introvert inside you to speak to him. You didn't want to accidentally walk too close to him, afraid of stepping on his robes. If that happened you would crawl in a hole and die. But, what if this was your only opportunity to talk to him? You bit the bullet and finally spoke up.
"Soo.. how's Potions class?" Your eyes darted over to him and then back on the main path to Hogsmeade nervously. Oh Merlin now he's not going to say anything he thinks your a loser and he's gonna hate you forev-
"It's manageable." He replied in his normal nasally voice, his attention shifting to you. But maybe it never drifted away from you in the first place? "That's good. Atleast it's not horrible." You chuckled slightly at your own joke and he just looked at you. You got quiet again quickly, fearing the moment is already ruined.
"Why haven't you been at the meetings?" Snape suddenly asked, catching you off guard. Your eyes drifted over to him as you both approached the Inn. "I was busy. Auror stuff.." Knowing damn well you were just locking yourself away in your apartment and reading cheesy muggle romance novels.
"You're lying. Kingsley said he hasn't seen you at work for a week until yesterday." He replied immediately, eyeing you down. You stammered, not knowing what to say or do. Thankfully the Inn was just a block away now. "I.. was doing work from home." Oh Merlin why would you lie? Especially to him?!
To your surprise, he decided not to press any longer. But not without asking another question. "Will you be at the next Order meeting?" You seemed taken aback at his question as the Inn came into view. "Um, yes. Why, will it be important?" You asked gently, looking at him intently, the Inn in front of you both ignored for the time being. "Probably not. It would just be important for you to be there." He spoke with a subtly smooth cadence to his voice. "So, you're saying you want me there?" You ask hesitantly, stopped in front of the door to the Inn, your briefcase in one hand still. A slight smile found it's way onto your face at the thought he wanted you there. "Yes." He replied sternly, standing in front of you, a hand brushing his robes down even though they were already perfect. Now you couldn't hide the smile on your face. "Well, then I'll be there. Didn't know you missed me." You chuckled softly, smiling brightly as he looked at you. Almost as if you were the only thing he paid any attention to. His face looked emotionless, but you swore his eyes looked different somehow. "Don't get ahead of yourself now." He replied, pursing his lips in mild annoyance. You could only smile in response before changing the subject before you bid farewell.
"But uh, I am truly sorry for the way the last meeting went, seriously. It was just a silly school crush, I swear." You spoke again in that nervous tone, looking at him slightly wide eyed. His eyes changed, Merlin, you wish you knew what was going on in that pretty head of his. "Don't apologize. It was amusing." Jeez, so now he was making fun of you? How could this get any worse? "Amusing? Were you making fun of me?" You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, seeing his eyes go slightly shocked. He cleared his throat, shaking his head. "No, not at all. I meant.. it flattered me." He looked straight at you, it made you feel small. "You? Flattered?" He scoffed, pursing his lips. "Yes, flattered. I have feelings."
You decided to be a little more up front with him, hoping you wouldn't embarrass yourself in the process. "So you're saying you have feelings for me?" You replied, immediately regretting it. You winced under your breath, wanting to just run into the Inn and pretend nothing happened. His expression was unreadable, but when was it not. "Yes." He spoke frankly, looking straight at you. Standing in place, your mind stopped. What?
"I.. huh? Well... me too?" You looked at him nervously, terrified of what's to come. He just hummed in acknowledgement and stood there, like he was waiting for something.
"What?" You blurted out in a quiet voice, nervous. He stepped impossibly closer, still staring. What was he doing? You felt your face heat up, looking at him. "Just wanted to say goodbye." He finally spoke, and you sighed in relief. "Right. Goodbye. Have a good night." You waved awkwardly, a soft smile on your face. He nodded his head in acknowledgement, stepping back and turning away to go back to Hogwarts.
You watched him leave, staring intently at his back. You considered something for a moment. Okay, fuck it. You set the briefcase down and jogged up to him, grabbing his shoulder and turning him around to capture him in an unexpected kiss. What were you doing?! This was totally unlike you at all. You expected him to push you away. But, he kissed you back, wrapping his arms around you and his cape slightly covering you as well. It was slow and gentle and everything you could've imagined it to be. Once you both pulled away you couldn't wipe the grin off your face.
"Okay, goodnight for real now. I'll see you at the meeting." You smiled, not caring about the embarrassing eye contact anymore. His mouth twitched like he was going to smile, but held it back. "Goodnight." He replied in a gentle voice, softer than usual. You smiled and waved, finally watching him leave actually now. It was freezing outside and yet, you felt so hot. Once he was out of sight you grabbed your briefcase and checked into the Inn, making a mental note to visit Hogwarts again in the morning before you left.
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Author's Note: Hope you guys liked it!! Also ik umbridge doesn't get arrested until after the second war but lets just pretend she doesnt ok.. I kinda made him ooc near the end in order for them to kiss so sorry guys but uh YAY!!