A/N: Sorry for the late update..
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The owl was not a friendly one, just like his master. You tried petting him but he'd just back away. You had a bit of hard time trying to untie the roll of parchment and finally succeeded in doing so. The owl was reluctant to let you pet him, so you did not. He fluttered his wings and to your surprise, rested on your couch. You found it adorable and you made an 'aww' sound as he did so.
You were still confused by the mean of this letter delivery. You unrolled the letter and began reading it,
I received your letter and I must admit your invitation startled me but in a good way. I would be glad to have dinner with you. Thank you for the invitation. As for the day, I suppose Saturday evening would be fine.
It was a short reply but at least it was there. It was the first time you read his handwriting and it wasn't some untidy scrawl, it was written neatly. He seemed keen about his handwriting just like he was for all his books (and potions).
'Would he really be glad to have dinner with me?' you thought because somewhere in your mind you doubted that he was just being a gentleman by not rejecting your offer. Why did it even matter? He was gonna come over to your place and you two might, with the slightest hope, have a nice chat and a laugh, if that were possible in Severus' case.
You didn't realize that a big smile had already spread across your face, and there was no denying that it was because you were so much looking forward to Saturday now. It was gonna be hard. But then you realized something….Saturday was….
Severus received a short reply from you by his owl. You were, indeed, still amazed about the whole owl thing but he seemed to know where to deliver it so you let it do what felt right.
'Dear Severus, it was good to know you'll be coming. I received your reply by an owl which was strange yet amazing. How you managed it I don't know but I must say you have a very smart pet. See you at 6:00 in the evening.
Severus had never been invited to dinners by someone else other than the school authorities (Dumbledore), and now that he was invited, it was by a muggle. But it would not matter. Severus had decided that for once in his life he'll try to be normal around muggles and try to see them as the same. And by them, he meant you.
He paced around the room thinking about if he had made the right choice, of course he had. Why was there any need of doubting it? He did not realize it but he was nervous. Why, again he did not know, he had never had all these mixed feelings of 'wanting-it-but-uncertain-about-it' at the same time this often before.
He tried to distract his mind towards some other things, any other thing except you. All this felt completely absurd to him, so he'd continue with his daily routine. Well, thinking of you became a part of his daily routine which was very distracting for him and your situation was just the same too.
Finally, the day arrived. Saturday. Severus was coming. 'It's just Severus, you've had many guests before. No point at being nervous.' You kept telling yourself the whole day.
You kinda had a small argument with your friends, including Carl of course. You had plans with them for Saturday but too afraid to say no to Severus, you postponed your plans with them. They were all mad, said you had finally gotten time to spend with them but we're delaying it. You did not tell them the reason even if they kept asking. You told them you were too busy and that you had prepare for your exams. They, at last, let you go but Carl was sure you were lying. He thought it best to respect your privacy and not to interfere in your personal matter, if it was one.
You were so confused about what you would make or what you would wear. You reminded yourself it was just a dinner, not a date (Though you wished it was, not admitting it though). You decided you were gonna dress casually like you always do.
The hardest part was deciding what to cook. It was so confusing for you to decide what you'll be making for him.
What does he like? Is he a vegan? How does he like his food? Does he like more spices or less? What would he say? What if he doesn't like it? What of I forget to add salt? What if he's allergic to something?
Countless questions circled you. It was driving you crazy, perhaps it was a bad idea to invite him at the first place.
Severus' condition was the same as you. His dishes laid unwashed even if it just took a flick of his wand but they were forgotten. He began pacing around the room once again and again not really acknowledging it.
What would he wear but there was no questioning it, it had to be black. He couldn't decide if he should bring you something. He did not know muggle traditions.
He gathered up all his courage to go down to a muggle gift shop but he couldn't find anything.
A short and aged woman saw him searching and came up to him smiling,
"Anything you want dear?" She asked him in a very soft voice. At first, he thought she might be talking to someone else but replied after a few moments,
"Uh.." He never really talked to muggle and this one seemed exceptionally kind and softspoken, contrasting to his 'usual' behavior. He tried his best not to sound rude or something and added, "Yes, I am looking for a gift suitable for a woman I am going to meet." He said and the old lady just smiled more as she approached him.
"Woman trouble, I understand. I meet many men with the same problems. Tell me when are you seeing her?"
He hesitated again, "I'll be seeing her today, for dinner.." He said slowly so that she could catch all his words.
"Ah, I see. Well if it's a dinner date, you might wanna take some nice wine. She'll like that." His face twitched when she referred to it as a 'date'. He frowned, he tried to hold it back but it seemed impossible for him.
"Thank you" he muttered before leaving. He then hurried off to buy a wine bottle. He was not sure if you'd like but he really hoped you did.
6:00 was getting nearer than you thought. You were making stuffed pork chops and for the dessert you were gonna make a fudge pie. The pie was your father's recipe. He was a great cook and had always impressed every person with it and now you were gonna impress Severus with the same.
It was time. Any second now, Severus could ring the doorbell and your night would begin. It was supposed to be a 'thank you' dinner but you both really seemed nervous about it.
The bell rang, you almost jumped up on your feet in excitement but you only found a neighbor at the door asking you if you had seen their pet dog. They did that very often, they had a small dog, hyperactive. You did not know what breed he was but you knew for certain that he was trouble. You both, with a disappointed look bid each other goodbye and you told her good luck in the search.
The bell rang again, you were sure it was him. Your heart began pounding faster and you slowly approached the door. You opened it and it was indeed the man you were waiting for. While he wore his usual expression, you greeted him with a gentle smile.
He wore white today! You were not shocked, you were impressed. He looked so good in it, he should wear it more often. You smiled at him and stepped aside giving him space to enter. He was carrying a bottle in his hand, it was Chapel Down, Pinot Noir. It must have been expensive.
"Thank you for coming over." You said, still smiling, his back was turned towards you as he was entering your flat.
"Thank you for inviting." He replied, too formal. You were thankful he came, you were glad but he seemed to be doing a favour, you thought.
You couldn't help being surprised but also pleasesd to see him in another colour and asked him to take a seat and both of you were relaxed to be done with the 'formal' questions.
"You look good in white." you said in an attempt to start a friendly conversation.
"Don't get used to it." He said in his stern voice, now seated in one of the chairs.
"I mean it, though. Changes can be good sometimes." He did not reply. He just made a short 'hmm' sound, maybe agreeing with you which was hardly possible. You loved him in black, the robes suited him very well. You had never seen a man in black more attractive than him.
You served the food and he poured the wine in the glasses.
"That's my personal favorite." You remarked as he was filling your glasses. He was trying to avoid eye contact so far but finally looked up.
"Really? I must say then that you have a very fine taste because it is my favorite as well." He said, again in that low voice which you enjoyed thoroughly.
You were delighted your preferences matched and there were no further questions. You praised different wines and found out that he had a rather keen taste.
You got anxious, he wasn't saying anything, maybe he didn't like the food. You looked at him expectantly. You were barely eating, you kept looking at his plate and it was now almost empty,maybe he did like it.
After a while of eating, he finally spoke, "Did you really make it?"
"Do you doubt it?" You asked, smiling broader than ever. You were so relieved to find out he was liking it.
"Well, it's delicious and I couldn't help wondering." He said, not looking up.
"Thank you. But I don't think its anything compared to the soup you made." You still missed it. It was just a vegetable soup but you had never tasted anything that good. It was tastier than the one your mother made you.
He smirked, pleased to know you were so impressed. He wasn't admired for his food often.
The rest time was spent in silence. The only sound now was the clattering of the cutlery. Severus glanced at you ocassionly out of the corner of his eyes and you did the same.
"(Y/N)?" He said, almost a whisper. You were taken by surprise, it was unusual of him to converse. The sound of your name from his mouth rang in your ears, soothing as ever.
"I am going to be away for a while.." He had no idea why he was telling you this but he thought you might wanna know and he was right, if he was gonna be away, you sure as hell want to be aware.
"Away? Where, when and why?" You did not like the sound of it. He wasn't so cheerful telling you this, though he never really is but you did not want him to go, not now that you're finally making a move towards a better friendship or maybe something more.
"Work. I'll be gone for months, thought I'd let you know." He said shortly. His answer was not satisfying, the data wasn't enough for you and now you had a confused and…. an unhappy expression. You weren't sure what to say and he noticed when he looked up.
Your eyes said enough. He read it all on your face but did not want to admit it. You were going to miss him, a lot. And he was too. He never accepted the fact someone could show even the slightest bit of interest in him.
"Dessert?" You asked in an attempt to break the long silence that followed.
"Um, sure." He said breaking the eye contact.
You served the dessert, the truffle pie. He seemed to enjoy it too. Both of you kept stealing glances at each other.
You smiled as you saw his hair often irritating him and then he would put it back behind his ears. But they wouldn't give up and you found it amusing and cute. Your happiness knew no limits when you were with him. His mere presence was enough to lighten you up.
Severus noticed you smiling and couldn't help but smile too. Odd it was for him. There was something about you which made him a bit less 'grumpy'.
While eating his slice of the pie, he would close his eyes to savor every bite.
"Severus, I couldn't help wondering how you managed to make that owl deliver your letter to me.." You asked finally. This question has been swirling your mind for a while now.
"I... just did." He said, a bit surprised by your sudden question.
You raised you eyebrow and he got worried you might doubt something.
"It was amazing, you know. Like in the movies, birds delivering secret letters and all.."
"You can use it anytime if you want." You couldn't work out if he was joking or if he was being serious.
"Hang on, I can use your owl and it will deliver my letters?"
"I think that is what I meant, yes."
You waned to jump in excitement like a just a child who had just been given hundreds of chocolates. He smiled at your reaction. Amused, to say the least.
"You any write to me anytime while I am away and he would know exactly where to hand it to me." He said and as your meal was already finished, you got up and hugged him. You could not hold it much longer. He was taken aback with your action but he gladly returned your hug.
"Thank you… I am gonna miss you so much, " You finally admitted, still embracing him.
"Me too." He replied. He had admitted it too, he did not even admit it to himself and now he said it.
After a few moments of the heavenly embrace, you pulled away. Your heart was filled with a feeling unfamiliar to you. You were happier than you've ever been in these past months, or years. That is where you were truly happy, with him.
Your eyes were gleaming with joy and his too.
"Sever-" you were interested by a bell followed by a knock. Your expression of affection wore off and there was now annoyance instead.
You apologized and answered the door. It was Carl. He had a small package with him. It was nicely wrapped and you knew exactly what it was.
There were a lot of inaudible dialogues and after the door being shut could be heard, you returned to the dining room with the package in your hand and sighed.
He noticed it in your hand and asked,
"The dark-haired guy from your college?"
"That's him." You answered, not knowing how he was aware of all that but you ignored it.
"Why was he here? And what's that?" He said pointing at the small box in your hand.
You sighed again but tried to put on a smile, "It's a present. It's my birthday."
"Your birthday?" He asked, disappointed you did not tell him. He felt... bad you did not tell him something this important.
Why did you not tell him? You were scared of how he would react now…
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A/N: Sorry for picking your birthday... Thanks for reading and please leave your feedback. I am always glad to read them🤓🤓
